Subaru LGT 5 M/T.. what transmission fluid to use??

[d1giPhux]

I'm just wondering what type of gear oil is supposed to be used in a 99 Subaru Legacy GT 2.5 Manual Transmission?

Does it need to regular, and not synthetic? Also, is the correct weight 75w90 GL-5?

Any info you could give me would be greatly appreciated. Also, if you have some brands to recommend that can be picked up at local type auto stores, that would be awesome!

Thanks!

[d1giPhux]

Okay.. i called the 2 local subaru places, and they said 80W-90? How come everywhere i read online to use 75W-90? Damn.. this stuff seems nearly impossible to find. Anyone know of a good brand I could get locally at a store like napa, autozone, etc?

[Reason]

I have Motul gear oil, Redline shock proof and pennzoil syncromesh for my tranny and rear diff.

[d1giPhux]

Is there any less complicated mixture I can use? I don't wanna play science-lab here, just trying to re-fill my transmission gear oil since it has a slow leak from the shift shaft seal. Also, should I use synthetic, or non-synthetic? Do i want 'friction modifiers' for the transmission gear oil, or no?

Sorry if my questions are a bit weird, I know very little about gear oil.

Thanks.

[Reason]

I've had no problems or leaks with what I have or from before. I have 278k miles on my car, just do the 80w Motul. To be honest I forgot if I have 75 or 80, I have it written down somewhere.

[d1giPhux]

Okay, I'll check it out. Is there a specific name for the motul i'm looking for, or just 80w90? Also, where did you get that stuff from? Seems like no local places carry it..

[Huffer]

Just use OEM Extra S:
http://www.fredbeansparts.com/index.php ... ottle.html (http://www.fredbeansparts.com/index.php/subaru-75w90-extra-s-gear-and-transmission-quart-bottle.html)

[grayguy]

I've always used name brand Dino-based 80w90 with good results. I wouldn't bother with the Subaru stuff unless it's a built 5mt or a 6mt.

Scottys cocktail sucks too, don't waste your money/ effort.

[Wiscon_Mark]

Just use OEM Extra S:
http://www.fredbeansparts.com/index.php ... ottle.html (http://www.fredbeansparts.com/index.php/subaru-75w90-extra-s-gear-and-transmission-quart-bottle.html)

This x1000

If you decide you don't want to spend 75 bucks though, get a synthetic 75w-90 fluid of some sort.

I ended up doing 3 quarts of Synth 75w-90 and 1 quart of Synchromesh because my shifts were getting a bit crunchy when the transmission got really warm (on like 1hr + driving trips). It runs great.

[d1giPhux]

Any brands you guys want to point out?

I called both the subaru dealers here.. they had NO clue what I was talking about when I asked for Extra-S. They were like.. wtf? They told me to use 80w90. Tell some brands you recommend or have used that you bought locally.

[rougeben83]

They can order it, but you have to give them the part no. Most dealerships that do not cater to enthusiasts just use whatever they can source cheaply and have no idea that subaru sells the stuff.

It comes in a 20 gallon bucket though, most guys split a bucket among a bunch of locals.

[Wiscon_Mark]

I'm amazed that they're not telling you the correct oil weight. You should really call them out on that, I think it's even in the owner's manual. And Ben is right - all the reading I've done, most people say their dealerships use whatever they can get the cheapest. Extra-S is really good stuff, and not as cheap. Fred Bean is the only place I've seen that sells it by the quart. Do a google search, most places sell that 20 gallon drum...

[d1giPhux]

Anyone use LubroMoly before? I've read on a couple of forums its good. Its sold by napa. Stuff I can get locally appears to be LubroMoly, Royal Purple, and Valvoline (i think). But the only affordable decent stuff seems to be LubroMoly.

I guess once I get the leak in my trans fixed (shift shaft seal), I will have it filled with extra-s. But for now, maybe a cheap decent alternative will work.

[Wiscon_Mark]

(Huffer's going to chide me, but...) I orded 5 quarts of Lucas Full Synthetic 75w-90 from their website. With shipping, it was very reasonable, only about 50 bucks, which is cheaper than most of the auto shops are for Valvoline Synthetic. I did my rear diff too, hence the extra quart. I ended up draining a quart out of my transmission later, and putting synchromesh in, which really helped gear engagement.

[Reason]

People can say what they want about fluids. This does nothing, this cheap one works just as good as the expensive one. When I did my tranny and rear diff with the motul, shockproof and syncromesh the car shifts way more better and is smooth. Find out for yourself, people are going to say different things. I will always do this "cocktail" in the future, I may switch the Motul for something else just for kicks.