Manual transmission fluid; use OEM?

[Black_griffin6]

Hey everyone,
Back around when my car had about 30k on it I changed the manual transmission fluid on it from toyota OEM to Redline MT-90, just as everyone on the forum recommended. Ever since then my 4th gear had a slight "crunch" to it when trying to go from 3rd to 4th, it's almost like the fluid messed up the synchro.

I changed it again with Redline lightweight shockproof a friend recommended, and it still had a slight grind from 3rd to 4th. This problem never happened until I changed from the OEM fluid.
I now want to go back to OEM fluid and see if that helps. Toyota wanted to give me WS ATF for my car, but that can't be right for a manual transmission, right?
Does anyone know what Toyota uses for a manual transmission fluid?
My car only had 60k on it, I don't feel like it should be messing up like this.

[Bluevitz-rs]

I had a similar problem with mine. Crunchy downshifting to 4th. I had used Castrol full synthetic 75w-90. It was a GL4/GL5 fluid. I then switched to Royal Purple GL4 75w-90 and it totally fixed the problem. I'm sure the issue is that anything rated GL5 is too slippery for the synchros. GL4 isn't as slippery and works better in these gearboxes. IMO

[stykerdk]

You shall not use multigrade Oil in Toyota manual gearboxes.
The correct Oil is gl4 75w.
The original is this one.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Toyota-Manual-Gear-Box-Transmission-Oil-LV-75W-MT-1-Litre-0888581001-/321590026278?hash=item4ae0426026
You can also use this castrol
http://www.castrol.com/da_dk/denmark/products/cars/manual-transmission-fluids/syntrans-fe-75w.html
It will only cause problems with multigrade oils in Yaris manual gearboxes.

[SirDigby]

You shall not use multigrade Oil in Toyota manual gearboxes.
The correct Oil is gl4 75w.

It will only cause problems with multigrade oils in Yaris manual gearboxes.

page 349 of the Yaris manual section 3 states:

capacity: 2.0qt. (1.9L, 1.7 imp.qt.)
gear oil type: API GL-4 or GL-5
Recommended gear oil viscosity: SAE 75w-90

[Lux]

Redline MT-90 and their Shockproof line are for protection against high torque and shock loads against the driveline. It's a GL-4 gear lubricant that works like magic for many gearboxes. Their chemistry is unique in that MT-90 pours like ATF but protects like 90 weight. Lightweight Shockproof pours like 75W-90 but protects like 140 weight. Heavyweight Shockproof pours like 140 weight but protects like a 250 weight.

There is a side effect to its formulation. The microscopic shockproof particles have a tendency to varnish on gearbox components. OK for gears and bearings. Not good for some synchroniser configurations in that it may deteriorate shift quality rapidly over time.

I switched from years of dedicated Redline MT-90 usage to Motul Gear 300 this week. Feels fantastic and the typical 4th gear crunch is gone. Cold start characteristics are great, but not as good as MT-90.

[tmontague]

Where'd you pick up the Motul 300? What's the weight of it and is it a GL-4?

[Lux]

Where'd you pick up the Motul 300? What's the weight of it and is it a GL-4?
If you are in the automotive industry, the only regional distributor who I know of is Worldpac. They specialise in importing and distributing specialist European brands, from the most common to obscure names. Motul is a French racing fluid company.

Motul Gear 300 is API spec GL-4 & GL-5 lubricant. SAE spec is 75W-90. There are Motul-unique additives that ensure high-temperature stability for outright race abuse.

Dealer net cost is $23.12. Retail list price is $32.61. Ministry of Environment-imposed environmental hazard charge is $0.10 per litre. But you didn't hear that info from me :iono::tongue:

[thebarber]

i used amsoil severe gear 75w-90 to lessen my second gear synchro notchiness

[CoryM]

There are a few posts about this, with your exact experience. Get rid of synthetic MT oil and go back to conventional, OE recommended gear oil. The only reason to consider synth fluid in the Yaris is in extreme winter conditions.

Your gearbox will do 500,000km+ on the conventional gear oil..... there is no need for synth.


Cheers.

[tmontague]

Syn makes a large difference in our winters, as you stated. That was my primary driving force behind the syn gear box oil.

That said, this summer in going to swap out my MT-90 for some Amsoil mtg GL-4

[Black_griffin6]

I had a similar problem with mine. Crunchy downshifting to 4th. I had used Castrol full synthetic 75w-90. It was a GL4/GL5 fluid. I then switched to Royal Purple GL4 75w-90 and it totally fixed the problem. I'm sure the issue is that anything rated GL5 is too slippery for the synchros. GL4 isn't as slippery and works better in these gearboxes. IMO
I might try that this weekend then.
I've heard a few people recommend the royal purple, so i'll give it a try.

[zoidberg444]

I was going to use MT-90 when i do my clutch in a few weeks. Now i think i might try the 75W castrol stuff. I had heard the c551 gearbox was a bit finicky with its oil and synchros. :eek:

[Frank Necrosis]

At 20,000 miles, the shifting started getting notchy. It started grinding going into second.

I tried the Redline. It worked ok for about 10,000 miles and then the shifts started getting grindy.

I switched to Lucas and it did ok for about 15,000 miles. Shifts were getting crunchy and shifting in really cold weather was a chore.

About 20,000 miles ago, I switched to Royal Purple. It did decent in sub zero (F) temps and shifting continues to be smooth. The Royal Purple is doing the best so far.

[Black_griffin6]

Update:
I changed the fluid to Royal Purple 75-90 and...it's still the same.
When I tried to go to the dealership, the guy gave me some bottles of Toyota WS ATF. I even asked him "are you sure this goes in a MANUAL transmission? "
He said he was sure.
I ended up returning it and not using it because that didn't sound right.
I think I'll go back to OEM at this point, I need to know where know can find it.
Is Toyota WS ATF what Toyota actually uses in the Yaris?

[ncp13]

I bought my 01 Yaris TS with 175000km. I changed the trans fluid and used Toyota LV 75 since it ways laying around for a flush. Ot felt notchy.. I changed to toyota 75w-90 felt really notchy. I used WS and it felt smooth right away.. I know it does not say manuall trans anywhere but if feels great. :rolleyes:
I visit a lot of toyota workshops and i heard this urband legend that ws does wonders.. I tryied and it works so far .

[CoryM]

I think I'll go back to OEM at this point, I need to know where know can find it.
Is Toyota WS ATF what Toyota actually uses in the Yaris?

You will be hard pressed to find OE bottles of fluid. Most dealers just use bulk, and actual OE fluid is near impossible to find and about $30+/L. Pretty sure it's P/N: 08885-81026

Get yourself some non-synthetic GL4 75w90 and you are going to be as good as it gets. May want to change the fluid again in a few months to get the last of the wrong stuff out.

[frankronne]

My car was shifting fine (at 68000 km) but I wanted something better so I changes to Redline Mt-90. Since then, it has gotten worse and worse over the course of 20 000 km. There is like a clunk when going into 3rd gear and now it's doing the same thing in 2nd (downshifting is wack to). So I went to the dealership to buy OEM fluid. They sold me some (which seems like bulk) at around $6 a liter. I went back to OEM fluid and it has not being better than before. Shifting is still clunky (especially in cold weather). It gets worse every month.

I consider trying another synthetic fluid. Which one you recommend me at a reasonable price? I'm now at 89000 km.

[B.B._07]

Get yourself some non-synthetic GL4 75w90 and you are going to be as good as it gets.


My thoughts exactly. Unless you're racing your car, pilling on massive mileage between changes, or you live in the arctic you won't see much benefit in using high dollar niche synthetics like Royal Purple, Amsoil, etc. If Toyota recommends regular old GL4/5 SAE 75W90 just use that. If you're car really needed Redline MT-90 than it would be the OE recommended fluid, but it's not.

[stykerdk]

It has also been disqussed on the danish toyota forum, after people has gotten bad shifting after changing to 75/90 multigrade gear oil.
After going back to original like this they have no more problems.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Toyota-Manual-Gear-Box-Transmission-Oil-LV-75W-MT-1-Litre-0888581001-/321590026278
Castrol oil finder also say singlegrade 75W gl4 for a yaris 1,5 MT.
http://applications.castrol.com/oilselector/en_gb/c/recommendation?_ga=1.137829113.831620665.149244082 5&vehicleType=cars&manufacturer=toyota-(eu)&model=yaris-xp90-(2005-2011)&modelType=yaris-1-5-16v-vvt-i-(2005-2009)

And thats also what my danish user manual says.

[ncp13]

WS 1L bottle 08886-81210

I am posting all TGMO P/N

75LV is GL4 so I can try that too :)

[CoryM]

Straight 75w GL4 is probably a good bet for most people. I'd say only the very hot parts of the world (or people doing track days) would want thicker.

I'd be curious as to what gearoil the B-Spec guys run. Anyone know?