motomaster synthetic gear oil 75W90

[victor_t]

not very good :(

I changed my OEM transmission oil with this one (it matches the tranny requirements and it was the only one I found at canadian tire) because the dealer said my transmission oil was getting black (which was probably bullshit, but anyway...) and when the oil is cold the transmission definitely feels worse than before.

when the car is hot it is fine but in the morning I can feel the transmission engaging a lot more often than before.

I don't feel like stinking up my garage again to try another oil, I'll see how it behaves in winter.

[MajesticBlueNTO]

what you got was a gear oil and not a transaxle/transmission oil:

a gear oil is used mainly in something like a differential (can also be used in transmissions but the outcome is what you're experiencing).

a transaxle/transmission oil is generally formulated for the synchros in a modern manual transmission; which makes gear engagement easier.

as long as it has the proper specs (GL-4), then it should be fine.

[cinder88]

get that crap out of your tans case - it is a fluid for differentials - not for your manual trans - it contains friction mods that are not for syncros.
Use a GL4 syn fluid .

That motomaster is a sorry excuse for a syn fluid - I have used it in another car specing 75w-90 fluid -

Amsoil has 2 fluids that are designed for gear boxes with syncros.

even redline as well.------ buy it online that are a few sites in Canada.
You can order Redline at Canadian Tire stores - it is a special order.

worth it >:)

[cinder88]

Correction -

There is a lot of information pertaining to the corrosiveness of gl-5 fluids - you can read for hours.

All I know is that shift feel was much better with a gl-4 fluid compared to a GL-5 fluid -

Get a fluid that is made for a manual trans - not one that claims to service both manual and diffs.

[OILm.ca]

Contact me if you need some good fluid .. Its not really expensive ...
And you will be happy with performance of your transmission ... and more important protection ...

[Harbour Rat]

I have AC Delco Synchromesh fluid in my 5 speed - part number 89021808. It is somewhat lower viscosity than 75W90 and is a special purpose synthetic blend manual transmission fluid, according to the label on the bottle. Shift quality is excellent. It is also very reasonably priced - list is less than $10/L and the parts counter person at my local GM dealer marked it down to $7.65/L for me because I was just some guy who walked in and bought some.

If you want to stick with 75W90 then Ford offers a full synthetic manual transmission fluid in that viscosity, part number XT-M5-QS. Apparently it is excellent stuff.

[victor_t]

I was thinking about the GM synchromesh, but will there be any warranty issue, since it is not API certified?b

[Krisekca]

just go with some real good stuff

Amsoil, RLI, RedLine ...
Amsoil - is really well priced .. difference between CT. stuff is tiny ..

[Harbour Rat]

I was thinking about the GM synchromesh, but will there be any warranty issue, since it is not API certified?b

I'm sure the GM fluid would be an automatic warranty invalidation if you ever had transmission problem. I'm not too worried as it at least correct for the application, being a manual transmission fluid - it isn't like I put ATF or motor oil in there.

If you have any concerns then go with a quality 75W90 transmission oil. As Krisekca says, even "exotic" stuff like Redline, Royal Purple, Amsoil etc are not that expensive. I'm sure 3 litres of the most expensive trans oil you can find is still going to be less than $100 with taxes. That isn't too bad for a one time expense - it isn't like you will probably ever need to change the stuff again.