Subaru differential oil

[bfg9k]

My friend is going to switch the oil in the front & rear differentials of his 2001 Subaru (auto, legacy L sedan) to a full synthetic 75w90 gear oil. For this application, is there any difference between say M1, Amsoil, Royal Purple, or Redline? One of these brands should be readily available to him, depending on where he shops.

I have the RP in my '98 Subaru and while steering in cold weather at startup was easier haven't noticed any issues with it.

 

[bulwnkl]

They're made from different stuff; is that what you mean? I suspect not. I like RedLine, but usually tell people it's not worth the money in a street car. Give Specialty Formulations the business if you have a choice. Their products are excellent (yes, I use their transmission fluid in my Subaru).

 

[unDummy]

Any of the GL5 75w90 synthetics will work well in the front/rear ends.

Does the front end use a separate gear oil reservoir or does it share ATF with the transmission?

 

[bfg9k]

quote:

---

Originally posted by unDummy:
Any of the GL5 75w90 synthetics will work well in the front/rear ends.

Does the front end use a separate gear oil reservoir or does it share ATF with the transmission?

---

That's what I figured unDummy. Yeah, on this car the front diff has a separate reservoir - on the manual transmissions it shares with the transmission.