VW/Audi G-052-145-S2

[The Critic]

VW/Audi specs this product for rear differentials and transfer cases. Supposedly it is a 75W90, but Redline recommends their MT-90 product, not their regular 75W90. Their rationale is that Audi uses a "low offset rear final driver gear set" and this setup does not require GL-5.

It seems unusual to run a GL-4 rated fluid in a diff or transfer case. I have been unable to locate any info on the factory fluid.

Does anyone have more info on this peculiar application?

 

[UG_Passat]

Could be worse, it could be using 75w GL-4 oil.

I have used Amsoil SS 75w90 in the transfer case and rear differential (bevel box) on my Tiguan 4Motion without issue.

 

[benjy]

i use-d the MT90 VW + Audi tranny with transverse engine with repeat success + 75-90 gear lubes in other differentials. Call Redline for better info + explanation. years ago i used a recommended series 2000 amsoil tranny lube that caused issues in my 2001 O2J 5 spd jetta, Amsoil had NO reply!!

 

[UG_Passat]

i use-d the MT90 VW + Audi tranny with transverse engine with repeat success + 75-90 gear lubes in other differentials. Call Redline for better info + explanation. years ago i used a recommended series 2000 amsoil tranny lube that caused issues in my 2001 O2J 5 spd jetta, Amsoil had NO reply!!

I used Amsoil MTG on my 02 Golf TDI 02J without issues.

Maybe the series 2000 was a GL-5 lube and you were using it in a GL-4 application?

 

[Timmastertech]

I use the VW oil. My cost is 22 bucks a liter. There isnt enough cost savings on the oil going with redline or motul to make it worth risking a box

 

[The Critic]

VW/Audi specs this product for rear differentials and transfer cases. Supposedly it is a 75W90, but Redline recommends their MT-90 product, not their regular 75W90. Their rationale is that Audi uses a "low offset rear final driver gear set" and this setup does not require GL-5.

It seems unusual to run a GL-4 rated fluid in a diff or transfer case. I have been unable to locate any info on the factory fluid.

Does anyone have more info on this peculiar application?

I wonder if VW G-052-145-S2 (previously G-052-145-A2) is just Castrol SAF-XO. There is some speculation here:

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/424251-Revised-formula-OEM-differential-oil-coming
https://www.audiworld.com/forums/a8...fferential-fluids-2827155/page3/#post24306329

If so, an dual-rated 75W90 should work.

 

[Wheel366]

I don't know which model Audi you have but do NOT use MT-90 in your trans. I can't speak for transfer case or rear diff. I used Amsoil for all my diffs and transfer case in my Audis with no problems. I used a GL4 for my S4 and an GL5 for my A4.

 

[The Critic]

I went with Motul Gear 300 75W-90 in the Bevel Gear and Rear Differential. It is supposedly "dual-rated" for GL-4/GL-5. I don't think either of these components contain parts that are susceptible to damage by GL-5, so it should be fine.

 

[930.engineering]

I wonder if VW G-052-145-S2 (previously G-052-145-A2) is just Castrol SAF-XO.

G 052 145 is G 052 145. The 'S2' and 'A2' just indicates the size of the container.
'A2' means one litre bottle.

I can't speak for Audis with longitudinal engines and transmissions but I'd strictly
avoid dual rated gear oils in VWs and Audis with transverse mounted engines and
transmissions. These cars are happiest with straight GL-4, ideally a 75W or 75W-80.
.

 

[The Critic]

G 052 145 is G 052 145. The 'S2' and 'A2' just indicates the size of the container.
'A2' means one litre bottle.

I can't speak for Audis with longitudinal engines and transmissions but I'd strictly
avoid dual rated gear oils in VWs and Audis with transverse mounted engines and
transmissions. These cars are happiest with straight GL-4, ideally a 75W or 75W-80.
.

Got it. This is a transverse application with a DSG. The oil was for the bevel gear (attached to the DSG) and the rear differential.

 

[randomhero439]

I’d either run the factory fluid, or a GL-5 oil. Also remember too the differential gears see extreme pressures and may need a GL-5 unless they performed acceptably for the validated factory fluid.

Unless this is for a transaxle. The GL-4 because of the Syncro material

 

[brianl703]

Unless this is for a transaxle. The GL-4 because of the Syncro material

And don't need GL-5 because transaxles do not use hypoid gears in their differentials.

Theoretically, a rear differential that didn't use hypoid gears wouldn't need GL-5 either. It would be fine with GL-4. The whole reason for using hypoid gears is to lower the driveshaft in relation to the centerline of the differential, so the driveshaft tunnel can be lower.

Or so I've read.

 

[930.engineering]

.
Yes, of course. However as I understand it he still talked about the 'bevel gear
attached to the DSG' and if it has its own oil fill it's probably (also) happy with
GL-5. You'll likely know the bevel gear turns power flow by 90° just like the rear
diff. Sadly product data sheets rarely talk specifically about these applications.
.

 

[brianl703]

.
Yes, of course. However as I understand it he still talked about the 'bevel gear
attached to the DSG' and if it has its own oil fill it's probably (also) happy with
GL-5. You'll likely know the bevel gear turns power flow by 90° just like the rear
diff. Sadly product data sheets rarely talk specifically about these applications.
.

Far as I know, the only reason to avoid using GL-5 is if there are yellow metals or synchronizers in the application.

 

[930.engineering]

.
I tend to agree on that though I'm open to hear other opinions.
.

 

[TiGeo]

So what was the verdict here....do the bevel/r. diff on the transverse-mounted 4Motion/Quattro VW-Audis require GL4 or 5? I have been using Redline MT90 for several years without issue in both on my Sportwagen - that's what the Redline website and Liquimoly website both show for my car/same as any of the MQB awd vehicles.

 

[BrainThicknessVariation]

So what was the verdict here....do the bevel/r. diff on the transverse-mounted 4Motion/Quattro VW-Audis require GL4 or 5? I have been using Redline MT90 for several years without issue in both on my Sportwagen - that's what the Redline website and Liquimoly website both show for my car/same as any of the MQB awd vehicles.

I am on the hunt right now as well and just started a thread on this. I think MT-90 GL-4 is the correct application and that their website is correct in recommending it. However they're telling me to use this as well in my manual trans and I think that is incorrect because I know for a fact that VAG have different fluid specs for these in my particular case. The bevel box and rear diff share the same spec/P/N, but not with the manual transmission.

Either way, GL-4. I've checked half a dozen "oil selector" pages and none of them say to use a dedicated GL-5, at best the GL-4/5. Usually just GL-4. Even if some were wrong, they can't all be wrong.

Regarding Liquimoly, some online sellers recommend their older GL-5 spec "gear oil" for G-052-145, in the blue and black bottle. However, I see they're recommending MTF 5400 now for this, which is GL-4. Go figure.

 

[1Audi1Ford]

I used to work in a GM shop and I have some fluids at home and I was thinking of using them for the front and rear diff fluid changes in my 2008 A3 quattro. I think it calls for a GL-4 but I'm pretty certain all 3 fluids I have are GL-5. I have 4 qts of the LS Dextron 75w-90, 1 qt of BG 75w-90 and 1 qt Castrol Hypoid -C. From reading this thread I'm under the understanding that I should be able to use any of these on a bevel gear box without any issue. These parts in my car are like the R32 Golf diffs. If I'm wrong please let me know. I think there is a limited slip clutch in the front diff but straight gears in the rear. I already have a filter and VW fluid for the rear Haldex unit on the diff. (edit) Just found a thread on a foreign Golf R32 site suggesting using gl-4 only in frt diff and rear being gl-4 or gl-5. Can anyone confirm this? If so I'll need to buy a qt of gl-4 fluid.

 

[1Audi1Ford]

Never mind. I joined a car web site from the UK and had an answer within hours.

 

[budget308]

I am on the hunt right now as well and just started a thread on this. I think MT-90 GL-4 is the correct application and that their website is correct in recommending it. However they're telling me to use this as well in my manual trans and I think that is incorrect because I know for a fact that VAG have different fluid specs for these in my particular case. The bevel box and rear diff share the same spec/P/N, but not with the manual transmission.

Either way, GL-4. I've checked half a dozen "oil selector" pages and none of them say to use a dedicated GL-5, at best the GL-4/5. Usually just GL-4. Even if some were wrong, they can't all be wrong.

Regarding Liquimoly, some online sellers recommend their older GL-5 spec "gear oil" for G-052-145, in the blue and black bottle. However, I see they're recommending MTF 5400 now for this, which is GL-4. Go figure.

VW/Audi specs this product for rear differentials and transfer cases. Supposedly it is a 75W90, but Redline recommends their MT-90 product, not their regular 75W90. Their rationale is that Audi uses a "low offset rear final driver gear set" and this setup does not require GL-5.

It seems unusual to run a GL-4 rated fluid in a diff or transfer case. I have been unable to locate any info on the factory fluid.

Does anyone have more info on this peculiar application?

Hi there, just trying to get a handle on this as geez it’s so confusing. I have an Audi sq7 2018 and I wish to change the F&R and the transfer case and talk about a shumozzel. Everyone has a different opinion. I have rung several Audi dealers and they also are different. I have narrowed it down to one oil for all three, G052 145 S2. The original consensus with the transfer case was
G 055 145 A2 but on more detailed research it appears that this contains friction modifier which will remain embedded in the G/box upon draining and to replace it with the G052 oil. If this is so then why doesn’t Audi spell this out in a bulletin pray tell. Love to hear your opinions please . Would you expect any damage if I used this oil in the 3 areas.?
Regards Paul