Subaru Extra-S Transmission Fluid

[createaneutron]

I am looking to change my transmission fluid using Subaru Extra-S. I originally purchased it a few years back in a clear plastic botle (1 liter) from Fred Beans Subaru. I Googled this fluid and Amazon sells it (SOA427V1700), but some of the reviews say this isn't Subaru Extra-S as advertised.

Does anyone know if this is the "real deal"?

Thanks!

 

[901Memphis]

The part number you listed has 8 different sellers on Amazon, not just Amazon itself, they're more like eBay now with other sellers using their storefront.

I would guess you saw a bad review from a less reputable seller.

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

Like you, I also bought some Extra-S from Fred Beans a few years ago and it works great. The Subaru High Performance Gear Oil is NOT Extra-S.

These links might help:

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/3542880

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2678891

 

[bluesubie]

Fred Beans is good people, and I've ordered from them in the past, but I cannot figure out why they think or ever thought that HPGO was the same as Extra-S. Even the original SoA letter stated that it was an alternative to Extra-S.

An SoA Customer Dealer Services rep. may have said that it was the "same", but the VoA's linked show that it's not even close!

 

[Padawan]

There is no consensus on this, as SOA has stated to some owners that the new High Performance Gear Oil is "the same" as Extra-S, has indicated to dealers that it's an equivalent replacement, while still other individuals have proposed (based on various observations and data) that it is significantly different.

What seems clear is that Subaru intends this fluid to supersede Extra-S, and dealers (including Fred Beans) have indicated that Extra-S is no longer available to them even in the large 20-litre containers from which they used to fill and sell the individual quart bottles of Extra-S. The replacement, per Subaru, is the High Performance Gear Oil, available to dealers in cases of individual quart bottles.

I've used the HPGO in our car, and while I had never previously used Extra-S and therefore can't comment directly on how HPGO compares with the mythical, blended by Chuck Norris performance of Extra-S, I can say that the new fluid works very well and I don't see any concerns with using it as a substitute. It's also nice to be able to purchase it from any local Subaru parts counter.

 

[createaneutron]

Thanks for the reply. I just read ALL of the NASIOC thread and it sounds a littel depressing for 6MT STi owneres like me. SOme of the 5MT WRX owners are happy with the Subaru HPGO, but I am not sure if it will work as well in the 6MT.
So, not to belabor the point, but it sounds like the Subaru Extra-S cannot be purchased any longer?

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

I don't think it's still available but I haven't researched it in a while.

The Subaru HPGO is probably fine stuff but I don't know what's changed or why they changed it. Regardless, I'd use it in a Subaru transmission without hesitation over any other gear oil out there. Many people have tried many different fluids and mixtures of fluids but they all have drawbacks or they are designed to band-aid worn synchros at the expense of protection or whatever. Extra-S just works. I would assume that their HPGO will do the same.

Also, no idea if Extra-S and/or HPGO are/were synthetics or dino. Seems to be a lot of confusion about that also.

 

[createaneutron]

Very confusing indeed. I am not sure if I should try the HPGO or go with Motul 300 for my 05 STi 6MT??

 

[Padawan]

Originally Posted By: createaneutron
Very confusing indeed. I am not sure if I should try the HPGO or go with Motul 300 for my 05 STi 6MT??


For the transmission itself, I would use the HPGO.

 

[Planb]

I have a unopened pail of extra-s. This fall Insted of opening it I used a jug of Petro Canada traxon syntetic blend in a 75w90. Well I have nothing bad to say about the Petro fluid in the 6 speed. Shifts just as well, warm and cold as the extra-s. I just wanted to try something else, and it worked out well.

 

[createaneutron]

Thanks to everyone for the thoughtful replies. It's nice for a change to not get flamed on a forum (NASIOC) for asking a straighfoward question.

 

[GravelRoad]

I remember reading a comment from Fred Beans. It said Subaru simplified the gear oils to two types.

High Performance Gear Oil (for the transaxle and open rears)
and
Limited Slip Differential Gear Oil

I don not know what my ff was but I changed my 6MT and rear with HPGO at 20k and noticed no difference.

 

[zeng]

Originally Posted By: bluesubie
Fred Beans is good people, and I've ordered from them in the past, but I cannot figure out why they think or ever thought that HPGO was the same as Extra-S. Even the original SoA letter stated that it was an alternative to Extra-S.
An SoA Customer Dealer Services rep. may have said that it was the "same", but the VoA's linked show that it's not even close!



The two VOA's indicates that :-

a )The Extra-S has strong Ca and Mg thus possessing strong detergency and dispersancy properties , which anyway isn't required for transmission/differential systems;and

b )The HPGO has higher operating viscosity against Extra-S , thus offering stronger MOFT/wear protection especially in differential gearing system.

 

[bluesubie]

Originally Posted By: zeng
Originally Posted By: bluesubie
Fred Beans is good people, and I've ordered from them in the past, but I cannot figure out why they think or ever thought that HPGO was the same as Extra-S. Even the original SoA letter stated that it was an alternative to Extra-S.
An SoA Customer Dealer Services rep. may have said that it was the "same", but the VoA's linked show that it's not even close!



The two VOA's indicates that :-

a )The Extra-S has strong Ca and Mg thus possessing strong detergency and dispersancy properties , which anyway isn't required for transmission/differential systems;and

b )The HPGO has higher operating viscosity against Extra-S , thus offering stronger MOFT/wear protection especially in differential gearing system.

I don't think you are going to get more wear protection simply by increasing the viscosity while you are also reducing anti-wear additives.