transaxle lubricant

99T507S80 · Post by **99T507S80** » 10 Apr 2010, 22:36

I would like to change the transmission oil in my '99 T5. It is a 5 speed manual transmission.
Is there a suitable substitute for VOLVO SYNTHETIC TRANS OIL?

Post by **cn90** » 10 Apr 2010, 22:43

I use "Redline MT-90" for my 1998 BMW 528i 5sp Man Trans, if that means anything to you.

9394volvo850s · Post by **9394volvo850s** » 10 Apr 2010, 23:06

I use Volvo. but I hear of people using redline. Mine has 261K on it.

99T507S80 · Post by **99T507S80** » 11 Apr 2010, 08:58

Thank you both. I think the REDLINE MTL might be a "go-to". But I guess for as often as it gets changed, I may as well pony up for Volvo...MOBIL DELVAC SYN is apparently a substitute for Volvo 97315
http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/ ... uid_50.asp

But my T calls for API GL-4, VOLVO STD. 97308, 10; SAE 5W - 30, (SAE 75W)
DENSITY: 890 Kg/ cu M
BASE: SYNTHETIC

Any thoughts?

99T507S80 · Post by **99T507S80** » 11 Apr 2010, 17:52

Anyone try this ROYAL PURPLE MAX GEAR?

http://www.royalpurple.com/gear-oil.html

Post by **JDS60R** » 11 Apr 2010, 17:58

We replace that lubricant with Amsoil Severe Gear 75W -90. Customers love it. I have not seen a better GL-4 75W-90. Service life of the Amsoil is rediculously long. We have tried the other popular names and they seen to drop off in performance within the first year. The Amsoil seems to have what it needs.

http://www.amsoil.com

99T507S80 · Post by **99T507S80** » 12 Apr 2010, 03:57

Taken from the AMSOIL SITE...but I may try it

Manual Transmission,......GLS [2]
No AMSOIL Product Recommendation

Post by **cn90** » 12 Apr 2010, 12:58

For my 1998 BMW 528i 5sp MT, Redline MT-90 is beautiful.
Nice shift and smooth.

Search bmw forums, people love Redline MT-90 or MTL.

Post by **JDS60R** » 12 Apr 2010, 13:08

Taken from the AMSOIL SITE...but I may try it

Manual Transmission,......GLS [2]
No AMSOIL Product Recommendation

Exactly right - Amsoil and many other companies can not and should not list a reccomendation for Volvo's fluids .

I called Amsoil for an explanation back in 2007. It turns out Volvo states these fluids are '"Good for life" . Amsoil disagrees that any lubricant can be run for life without breaking down to the point that it needs replacement. Some cars stay in service for over 20 years. To think that a currently produced lubricant can go 20 years without being replaced is not supported by the current technology.

As they can not guarantee a fluids performance forever, they feel it does not meet the spec that Volvo has set out. They also don't believe Volvo's fluid comes even close to the spec.

You can read many posts here on how bad the Volvo lifetime trans fluid, coolant, bevel gear, differential and AWD couplings fluid are after only 30K miles.

I think if you do try it you will not want anything else. That 75W-90 severe gear has removed many issues from differentials and manual transmissions on both motorcycles and cars for me. I have tried all of them and this is the one I pay for and use in all of my cars , trucks, motorcyles etc. It also has a good chemistry balance so internal rust is avoided, the seals last and the shifting is buttery smooth. I have seen good shifting performance in some of the other oils but they are either bad on the seals or wear out after about 3 months and feels like it did before I replaced it. The Amsoil stuff hangs in there for years.

99T507S80 · Post by **99T507S80** » 12 Apr 2010, 21:20

I ordered 3 quarts of AMSOIL just this am...and I like the explanation you give