Gearbox oil - which to use?

[dal2000]

So iv'e decided to change my gearbox oil on my 15 year old Jetta 3. I called VW to find out which oil exactly it is that I must use; they recommended EP80. Off I went to buy 2 Litres of EP80. The guy at the auto store didn't have EP80 in stock, so he gave me Castrol VMX 80W, SAE 80W GL-4 to be exact. Phoned VW today again and they can't give me an answer on if it's the right oil.... oookay. So iv'e decided to ask around here. Anyone know if this oil is good? Manual transmission ofc.

 

[WILDCARDUT]

I nomally use Castrol Bot 130. A bit expensive but worth it.

 

[dj_jyno]

I nomally use Castrol Bot 130. A bit expensive but worth it.

+1. Castrol BOT130M is perfect for a manual VW.

 

[Billy]

+1. Castrol BOT130M is perfect for a manual VW.

Castrol agree: http://www.castrol.com/castrol/iframe.do?categoryId=9024084&contentId=7044829

 

[WILDCARDUT]

I used it in my Uno Tubo and in my Alfa 145 now. This gearbox oil is brilliant stuff!

 

[dal2000]

I used it in my Uno Tubo and in my Alfa 145 now. This gearbox oil is brilliant stuff!

Which oil? The VMX 80W or the Bot 130 stuff?

 

[bavmorda]

Just used Castrol Bot 130 month ago for mine Lancer, expensive but i believe is worth it. Did a bit of research before getting it including Mitsu AU and USA both saying is a great gear box oil. Not much of a choice in SA in any case.

 

[dal2000]

Still no-one can tell me, is it okay to use VMX 80W?

 

[Billy]

Still no-one can tell me, is it okay to use VMX 80W?

It is not the recommended oil, but it is a gearbox oil formulated for colder climates

See full spec here http://www.stealth316.com/misc/castrol_vm_80_gl4.pdf

At the end of the day you must decide. It will probably be OK, but for safety sake buy the correct oil as advised by numerous replies.

 

[WILDCARDUT]

Dal2000 go for the bot 130

 

[dal2000]

Thanks everyone, i'll check out the 130 oil.

 

[pboy]

best is Fina Pontonic.. but at R180 a litre its not cheap!

the nissan GTR uses castrol VMX.. so thats gotta be good!

but the best by far is the FINA.

 

[Gnome]

Unfortunately it doesn't work like that, you can't just go pouring in oil X because manufacturer Y uses it. Gearbox oils are designed for specific types of gearboxes. You can't use GL4 oil on a GL5 box and vice versa. The best is to use what VW recommends, nothing else, not matter what the local "experts" or backyard mechanics use. There isn't anything better, gearboxes don't work at all like engines and if you use the correct oil and keep the level correct (eg. not overfill or allow it to run empty) your gearbox will far outlive an engine.

 

[dal2000]

Unfortunately it doesn't work like that, you can't just go pouring in oil X because manufacturer Y uses it. Gearbox oils are designed for specific types of gearboxes. You can't use GL4 oil on a GL5 box and vice versa. The best is to use what VW recommends, nothing else, not matter what the local "experts" or backyard mechanics use. There isn't anything better, gearboxes don't work at all like engines and if you use the correct oil and keep the level correct (eg. not overfill or allow it to run empty) your gearbox will far outlive an engine.

Well i'm thinking I should just leave changing the oil altogether, since theres already plenty oil in the gearbox. VW can't even give me the name of their oil due to it being "no name" branded... what a joke. Anyway they charge R200 or so for a litre, if I change I think i'll just buy their oil.

 

[Naks]

I nomally use Castrol Bot 130. A bit expensive but worth it.

Where do you source the 130?

 

[Gnome]

Where do you source the 130?

It no longer exists IIRC, the replacement is BOT402. For which car is it tho because BOT130 was used in Opel and the replacement recommended by Opel is BOT402.

 

[Naks]

The Defender Puma uses Castrol Bot 130M, but you can only get from Land Rover dealers at some ridiculous prices: between R500-R600 per L.

AFAIK, the 130M is a 'special' trans oil made for LR, who knows...