Trying to decide if I can use this 8 year old oil to top off in my Limited Slip (non G80) rear axle. It seems to disperse well once I shake it up. Any thoughts if this is Friction Modifier/Additive or maybe the grape scent GM puts in their oil?
Separation in synthetic gear oil ?
- Thread starter NewC-05
- Start date
Was the bottle open?
Aren't these scents "coal mine canaries" to alert you to a burning / oxidizing condition?
Aren't these scents "coal mine canaries" to alert you to a burning / oxidizing condition?
haha, yeah, I always thought that was odd gimmick for selling this oil ... all good points on the additives. Not sure if it makes a difference, but the truck is also 8 years old and yes, the bottle was half used, then stored.
The explanation I heard was because factory workers that had to fill the diffs on new vehicles complained of the smell so they added a scent to it to make it less unpleasant, I recently changed the gear oil on my 2008 Trailblazer and it was really filthy I wasn't sure if it was the factory fill or not, but I didn't smell anything other than regular gear oil, would the grape scent go away after 14 years and 175k miles?
These pictures remind me why I use to shake oil containers before any fill up.
the bottle still has the grape smell as does the axle when I pulled the plug to check the level. When I buy a new bottle, the OEM manual from 2004-2012 U.S. Colorado's calls for this (old # 89021677) new #10-4016/88900401, but it does not distinguish for LS or G80's. From all the research here and other truck forums, I am completely confused if I need to add some Friction Modifier/Additive (#1052358). Thoughts?
How much is needed to top off, compared to the total diff capacity? If 10% or less, I would go ahead and use it. May sound arbitrary but this is my $0.02
I also wonder why a top off is needed.
I also wonder why a top off is needed.
MolaKule
Staff member
Warm it up in the Sunshine and shake before pouring. No big Thang. 
