Date:         Thu, 23 Nov 2000 09:25:08 -0800
Reply-To:     Daniel Schmitz <djs@GENE.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Daniel Schmitz <djs@GENE.COM>
Organization: Genentech, Inc.
Subject:      Re: What Oil for Manual Transmission?
Comments: To: geofflaw <geofflaw@BIGPOND.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Geoff,

I just bought three liters of Redline MT-90 Manual Transmission oil, though I
haven't put them in yet. This is a synthetic oil, and many on this list swear
by it for easier shifting, especially in cold weather. I've heard nothing but
good things about it, even from those on the list who rebuild VW transmissions
for a living.

As to mixing with conventional oil, the label says that it is compatible with
petroleum-based products. This is an issue, I suspect, because you can't drain
all of the oil out of the transmission (a quantity remains in the final drive
housing, which has no drain plug).

So, maybe someone on the list can confirm that you can add Redline to a trans
with a little conventional gear oil still in it?

Redline MT-90 is not cheap, but apparently well worth the price.

I hope to fill my trans soon!

Dan

geofflaw wrote:

> Hi volkspeople
> decided I'd change the oil in my recently acquired '82 which has  4 speed
> manual trans.
> got down to Marlow's and then I was faced with the choice of mineral 80/90
> or synthetic gear oil. What to do? I didn't buy either, thinking "the guys
> on the list will know what's best."
> This will be a once only change for me and this car.
> BTW I live in a meditteranean climate. We never see ice and snow, but in
> summer we see plenty of really, really hot days. (over 40 celsius.)
>
> Geoff Law
> Perth, WA
> '82 Trakka