Toyota C64 Manual Transaxle Oil for Celica 7th 2ZZ-GE

[celica7ts]

Hi All,

I live in Greece and I own a European Toyota Celica TS 7th gen. 2000 model with a 1.8 lt. 2ZZ-GE engine and a Toyota C64 6 gear manual transaxle which, from what I have read (correct me if I am wrong), has brass synchronizers.
The Celica 7th service manual specifies for the C60 transaxle (which is the same as the C64 but with a longer 6th gear ratio 0.725 instead of 0.815) the following transaxle oil:
Oil grade: API GL−4 or GL−5
Viscosity: SAE 75W−90
(see attached photo of service manual)

A week ago I changed the transaxle oil with Toyota’s Differential Gear Oil, GL-5, 75W-90 (see photo of back side of bottle ).

But then, I read MolaKule’s articles:
Synchromesh Manual Transmission Lubricants
Updated List of Manual Transmission Fluids May 30th

and I am now a little confused. Why does Toyota suggest a GL-5 oil when it’s transaxle has brass synchronizers and no hypoid differential gears? Anyway, just to be safe, I decided to replace Toyota’s GL-5 oil with one from Molakule’s list. In Greece, I can only find these:

G.1 Amsoil MTG. I believe this is the one:
AMSOIL MANUAL TRANSMISSION & TRANSAXLE GEAR LUBE 75W90. (see photo of bottle)
Price: 25 Eur/Lit.

G.2 Redline MT-90. Price: 35 Eur/Lit.

G.3 Castrol Syntrans Multivehicle 75W-90. Price: 12.5 Eur/Lit.

G.9 LIQUIMOLY 75W-90 GL4. I believe this is the one:
LIQUIMOLY Top Tec MTF 5400 SAE 75W-90
Price: 28 Eur/Lit.

My questions:

1) Please, can you confirm that the Amsoil and LiquiMoly oils are the ones referenced on MolaKule's list?

2) Am I right to want to replace GL-5 oil with a GL-4 for this specific manual transaxle and use (engine @ 192 PS power, max. 8500 rpm, many times at red line, every day) ?

3) I have read very good comments for the Redline MT-90. But, is it worth the price difference, compared to let’s say the cheapest Castrol Syntrans Multivehicle 75W-90 ? I care a lot about my transaxle’s longevity and syncromesh shift performance, but maybe three times price difference is too much?

Thanks in advance.

 

[ceecbtg]

Go with GL4.
Castrol Syntrans Multivehicle 75w90 is the best option price/quality. True GL4, true synthetic and plenty of esters.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

The Liqui-Moly one came out after that list was posted, but it should be ok to use. It lists Ford M2C200-C, which makes me confident in its use for a GL4 75w90.

But if it's that much more expensive, just get the Castrol. That is actually a very good price. $12/L isn't bad at all

 

[celica7ts]

Thanks for your answers.
I have found the Redline MT-90 VOA from here:
Redline MT-90 VOA

Does anyone have a VOA of Castrol Syntrans Multivehicle 75w90 or point me to a bitog thread that has more info on its friction modifiers and AW additives?

I have only found this thread about its "cousin" oil but the screenshot of the oil analysis is missing:
VOA MTF CASTROL SYNTRANS TRANSAXLE 75W-90

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Thanks for your answers.
I have found the Redline MT-90 VOA from here:
Redline MT-90 VOA

Does anyone have a VOA of Castrol Syntrans Multivehicle 75w90 or point me to a bitog thread that has more info on its friction modifiers and AW additives?

I have only found this thread about its "cousin" oil but the screenshot of the oil analysis is missing:
VOA MTF CASTROL SYNTRANS TRANSAXLE 75W-90

The Castrol MT products aren't sold in the US, so we might be light on information here. If you buy the Castrol Syntrans Multivehicle, get a VOA done for us

The closest thing we get to it is Ford Motorcraft XT-M5-QS, which is made by Castrol. However, there is no guarantee of how close it is or isn't to Castrol's aftermarket fluids.

 

[ceecbtg]

Castrol VOA

Yes they are mostly the same Motorcraft XT-M5-QS, Ford BO, Castrol BOT 328/130M

 

[celica7ts]

Castrol VOA

Yes they are mostly the same Motorcraft XT-M5-QS, Ford BO, Castrol BOT 328/130M

Yea, I found the same VOA here:
Castrol Transmax Manual Multivehicle 75W-90 свежее

In 2021 Castrol changed the name of Castrol Syntrans Multivehicle 75W-90 to:

Castrol Transmax Manual Multivehicle 75W-90.

So this is Castrol new name and is sold for 13 Eur/Lit. in Greece.

I have made a VOA comparison table between Redline MT-90 and Castrol Transmax Manual Multivehicle 75W-90 (Syntrans Multivehicle):

VOA of 75W-90 GL-4 MTFs
Metals/Property	Redline MT-90	Castrol Transmax Manual (Multivehicle)
Iron	2	1	ppm
Chromium			ppm
Nickel			ppm
Aluminum	3	1	ppm
Copper			ppm
Lead	3	1	ppm
Tin	6		ppm
Cadmium			ppm
Silver			ppm
Vanadium			ppm
Silicon	15	9	ppm
Sodium	18	1	ppm
Potasium	21		ppm
Titanium			ppm
Molybdenum	1	2	ppm
Antimony		1	ppm
Manganese			ppm
Lithium			ppm
Boron		4	ppm
Magnesium	11	16	ppm
Calcium	2840	4108	ppm
Barium			ppm
Phosphorus	2410	1150	ppm
Zinc	2750	1253	ppm
Viscosity 40oC		77	cSt
Viscosity 100oC	14,3	14,3	cSt
Acid Number	1	3,12	mg KOH/g
Base Number D4739
Oxidation		84	abs/cm
Nitration		6	abs/0,1mm
Base Number D2896 Tbn	3	13	mg KOH/g
Viscosity Index		194

The biggest differences: Redline has more than double Zinc and Phosphorus (ZDDP?) and Castrol has about 50% more Calcium.
I would be happy if the experts here comment on this comparison.

 

[MolaKule]

As far as the magnesium-calciums, this is the main friction modifier for the synchros. It appears two different types of magnesium-calcium are being used in the two different formulations. Phos and zinc are the ZDDP anti-wear component and secondary anti-oxidant.

Sodium and potassium are usually anti-rust components and modify the TBN values.

The viscosities is right on for a 75W90 MTF.

Of course, there are other hidden chemistries at play here as well.

Either one should work well for an MT that requires a 75W90 MTF.

 

[celica7ts]

Thank you all for your precious info and for sharing your expertise with a noob. Much Obliged.

I will go with Castrol TRANSMAX Manual Multivehicle 75W-90. A heads up for anyone who want to use it as well:

The one we want is on this page:
Castrol TRANSMAX Manual Multivehicle 75W-90
Its product code is 469715 and the pds (first attached photo) claims GL-4 and Ford WSD-M2C200-C and has 27 Jan. 2025 date.

If you search for Castrol TRANSMAX Manual Transaxle 75W-90 you will get the product code 469685, which claims GL-4+ and has 2 different Product Data Sheets.

If you search for Castrol TRANSMAX Manual 75W-90 you will get you will get the product code 470181, which claims GL-3/GL-4 and has another 2 slightly different product data sheets in properties!

Therefore, I believe you have to find the specific bottle with the label Castrol Transmax Manual Multivehicle 75w-90 (see attached photo), and only this!

Greetings,
Kosta