which tranny oil to use?

subimp6u08 · 05-31-2008, 11:55 AM

I just got STi with 36k and I drove about 5k in last two months.
But I don't think the previous owner had tranny oil change at 30k
and shifting isn't smooth often, so I decided to do tranny oil change.
After reading some posts on this forum, I decided to go with motul 300 75w90, but when I talked to the local shop, they don't have motul, but they can get oem oil from the dealer. They want to use oem for warranty from their shop. I know that subaru oil isn't bad either but I don't know which oil to use. some opinions and comparisons for oem vs motul300 from the users would be nice.

***Draco-REX*** · 06-01-2008, 11:47 AM

Depends on what OEM they can get. If they use this:

Subaru Extra-S 75w90

Then I would do it. People have great experience with this oil, and I plan to use it in my STI. The reason why Motul 300 is recommended is because the Extra-S is only available in 20L buckets here in the US. But if that shop uses Extra-S, I'd do it. But I'd be sure it was Extra-S. If it's the dino oil that Subaru ships with, then don't bother.

flytojungho · 06-06-2008, 07:23 PM

pretty sure that extra-s is the oil that comes with the car from japan, and that dealers in US uses valvoline dino oil in place of extra-s

sujak · 06-06-2008, 07:38 PM

MOtul Gear 300, i love it.

subi4justin · 06-06-2008, 09:48 PM

i used valvoline 75w90 and it worked just fine for me. Motul gear 300 is pretty great, but i think the oem extra-s is the best though.

Deuce Cam · 06-06-2008, 10:01 PM

For clarification, Subaru uses extra s on the 6 speed from the factory (I had a Subaru rep. research for me). I would make sure the shop is actually getting you the oem fluid as they claim instead of passing of some bulk GO as oem.

mckman · 06-16-2008, 09:17 PM

TIC has extra-S in 1 quart containers now.

Turn In Concepts

However, at $20 per quart it's pricey. 5 bottles is $100 while a 20 liter drum is $135.

***wdb*** · 06-17-2008, 03:54 PM

If Extra-S is what comes in the transmission from the factory then I don't want any. The Motul in my gearbox now beats the bejeezus out of the factory stuff.

***Draco-REX*** · 06-17-2008, 05:57 PM

It's funny because there was a thread similar to this on Nasioc and the consensu was that the cars do NOT ship with Extra-S, due to the need to break-in the transmission. This was supported by the experience that many users of Extra-S had where it IMPROVED the feel over the original fluid.

As of now, I have only put it into my WRX, so I was replacing a ****tail from the previous owner. When I do the STI soon (going to do it at 15K miles, at 12K already) I'll know for sure since I'll have both in-hand.

As it is, Williaty replaced his with Extra-S a while ago and says that it's the best oil he's used. And he was surprised by the smell, so I'm assuming his 5mt did NOT come with Extra-S because it smells VERY different from regular gear oils. I'll see if I can get him to chime in.

But I'm very sure that Subaru does NOT ship with Extra-S.

**Turninconcepts.com** · 06-17-2008, 08:07 PM

You know what - I have a sample of extra-s and a sample of gear300 in Blackstone containers ready to go out the door for testing to see what's actually in them. This is fresh fluid.

I wonder if we could get someone with a new STi to drain a touch of the stock fluid out so we can test it and compare it to the extra-s lab report. THAT would end this question once and for all.

In fact, I'll sweeten this deal. If we can find someone with a brand new STi (less than 1K miles) willing to do this i'll shoot them a bottle of gear300 or extra-S so they can top off the tranny from what they drained out.

Deuce Cam · 06-18-2008, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Draco-REX

It's funny because there was a thread similar to this on Nasioc and the consensu was that the cars do NOT ship with Extra-S, due to the need to break-in the transmission. This was supported by the experience that many users of Extra-S had where it IMPROVED the feel over the original fluid.

As of now, I have only put it into my WRX, so I was replacing a ****tail from the previous owner. When I do the STI soon (going to do it at 15K miles, at 12K already) I'll know for sure since I'll have both in-hand.

As it is, Williaty replaced his with Extra-S a while ago and says that it's the best oil he's used. And he was surprised by the smell, so I'm assuming his 5mt did NOT come with Extra-S because it smells VERY different from regular gear oils. I'll see if I can get him to chime in.

But I'm very sure that Subaru does NOT ship with Extra-S.

How can you be sure? I contacted SOA regarding the factory fluid a while back and ended up dealing with John Mergen. I asked him to find out what transmission fluid comes in the usdm sti from the factory as it was pretty insulting that nobody seemed to know the answer. I did not mention the extra s in my email or imply that I had a hunch of what came in the car. His response:

"The gear oil used by Subaru is SUBARU EXTRA GEAR OIL S 75W-90. The manufacturer is SHOWA SHELL SEKIYU. This gear oil is available for Subaru dealers in large containers."

There is no guarantee that he is correct, but I believe him.

Edit: FWIW the extra s is not a full synthetic gear oil although it may have synthetic additives. There's a link to a MSDS for the extra s posted somewhere on nasioc. Also, I may be incorrect in my original post about the extra s coming in ALL the subaru mt cars from the factory such as the 5mt. I only asked the quesiton about the 6 speed in my email so I shouldn't have assumed that John's response was regarding all Subaru mt cars. I corrected my statement from the original post.

XxSCAxX · 06-23-2008, 07:32 AM

valvoline 75w-90. i used 80w but its b/c i needed it quickly and my local store didnt have 75.

subimp6u08 · 06-23-2008, 11:05 PM

I went with Motul300 because I didn't want to buy a larger container of extra s. shifting feels smooth

i love it

BlueGold · 06-24-2008, 04:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turninconcepts.com

You know what - I have a sample of extra-s and a sample of gear300 in Blackstone containers ready to go out the door for testing to see what's actually in them. This is fresh fluid.

I wonder if we could get someone with a new STi to drain a touch of the stock fluid out so we can test it and compare it to the extra-s lab report. THAT would end this question once and for all.

In fact, I'll sweeten this deal. If we can find someone with a brand new STi (less than 1K miles) willing to do this i'll shoot them a bottle of gear300 or extra-S so they can top off the tranny from what they drained out.

That's a great idea!! Sorry I can't help.

OP: I've been running Motul Gear 300 75W90 (from TiC) and love it. IMO it feels a bit nicer than stock but the overall difference is minor.

dangerousatom · 06-24-2008, 11:53 AM

I use Red-Line Shock Proof topped off with 1/4-1/3 of a Qt of Mobile 75-90 synthetic in my PPG 1-4 tranz...and it made a huge difference B4 I got the gears

05-31-2008, 11:55 AM	#1
subimp6u08 Lurker Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 7 Join Date: Feb 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	which tranny oil to use? I just got STi with 36k and I drove about 5k in last two months. But I don't think the previous owner had tranny oil change at 30k and shifting isn't smooth often, so I decided to do tranny oil change. After reading some posts on this forum, I decided to go with motul 300 75w90, but when I talked to the local shop, they don't have motul, but they can get oem oil from the dealer. They want to use oem for warranty from their shop. I know that subaru oil isn't bad either but I don't know which oil to use. some opinions and comparisons for oem vs motul300 from the users would be nice. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

06-01-2008, 11:47 AM	#2
*Draco-REX* Black Dragon STI Car: 07 OBP STi 03WRB WRX Fav Mod: My whole suspension Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 1,548 Join Date: Jan 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: which tranny oil to use? Depends on what OEM they can get. If they use this: Subaru Extra-S 75w90 Then I would do it. People have great experience with this oil, and I plan to use it in my STI. The reason why Motul 300 is recommended is because the Extra-S is only available in 20L buckets here in the US. But if that shop uses Extra-S, I'd do it. But I'd be sure it was Extra-S. If it's the dino oil that Subaru ships with, then don't bother.

06-06-2008, 07:23 PM	#3
flytojungho Spec C Club Car: 06 STI Fav Mod: Prodrive oval tip Location: carmel indiana Posts: 1,267 Join Date: Mar 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: which tranny oil to use? pretty sure that extra-s is the oil that comes with the car from japan, and that dealers in US uses valvoline dino oil in place of extra-s

06-06-2008, 07:38 PM	#4
sujak Professional STI Racer Car: 05' AW WRX STi Fav Mod: Passport 8500 X50 Location: Illinois Posts: 667 Join Date: Jun 2007 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: which tranny oil to use? MOtul Gear 300, i love it.

06-06-2008, 09:48 PM	#5
subi4justin Professional STI Driver Car: OBP 05 STI protuned Fav Mod: HKS EXHAUST Location: BAy ARea Posts: 440 Join Date: Apr 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: which tranny oil to use? i used valvoline 75w90 and it worked just fine for me. Motul gear 300 is pretty great, but i think the oem extra-s is the best though.

06-06-2008, 10:01 PM	#6
Deuce Cam STI Driver Car: 06 STI Location: Phoenix Posts: 220 Join Date: May 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: which tranny oil to use? For clarification, Subaru uses extra s on the 6 speed from the factory (I had a Subaru rep. research for me). I would make sure the shop is actually getting you the oem fluid as they claim instead of passing of some bulk GO as oem. Last edited by Deuce Cam : 06-18-2008 at 01:50 PM.

06-16-2008, 09:17 PM	#7
mckman Junior STI Driver Car: UGM 2007 STi Limit Fav Mod: Accessport Location: Studio City, CA Posts: 64 Join Date: Nov 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: which tranny oil to use? TIC has extra-S in 1 quart containers now. Turn In Concepts However, at $20 per quart it's pricey. 5 bottles is $100 while a 20 liter drum is $135.

06-17-2008, 03:54 PM	#8
*wdb* dances with roads Posts: 5,021 Join Date: Apr 2005 Trader Rating: (8)	Re: which tranny oil to use? If Extra-S is what comes in the transmission from the factory then I don't want any. The Motul in my gearbox now beats the bejeezus out of the factory stuff.

06-17-2008, 05:57 PM	#9
*Draco-REX* Black Dragon STI Car: 07 OBP STi 03WRB WRX Fav Mod: My whole suspension Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 1,548 Join Date: Jan 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: which tranny oil to use? It's funny because there was a thread similar to this on Nasioc and the consensu was that the cars do NOT ship with Extra-S, due to the need to break-in the transmission. This was supported by the experience that many users of Extra-S had where it IMPROVED the feel over the original fluid. As of now, I have only put it into my WRX, so I was replacing a ****tail from the previous owner. When I do the STI soon (going to do it at 15K miles, at 12K already) I'll know for sure since I'll have both in-hand. As it is, Williaty replaced his with Extra-S a while ago and says that it's the best oil he's used. And he was surprised by the smell, so I'm assuming his 5mt did NOT come with Extra-S because it smells VERY different from regular gear oils. I'll see if I can get him to chime in. But I'm very sure that Subaru does NOT ship with Extra-S.

06-17-2008, 08:07 PM	#10
Turninconcepts.com Authorized Vendor Posts: 4,817 Join Date: Jul 2003 Trader Rating: (50)	Re: which tranny oil to use? You know what - I have a sample of extra-s and a sample of gear300 in Blackstone containers ready to go out the door for testing to see what's actually in them. This is fresh fluid. I wonder if we could get someone with a new STi to drain a touch of the stock fluid out so we can test it and compare it to the extra-s lab report. THAT would end this question once and for all. In fact, I'll sweeten this deal. If we can find someone with a brand new STi (less than 1K miles) willing to do this i'll shoot them a bottle of gear300 or extra-S so they can top off the tranny from what they drained out.

06-23-2008, 07:32 AM	#12
XxSCAxX Spec C Club Car: 05 AW 30r STi Fav Mod: Perrin 30r Kit Location: Campbell Hall, NY Posts: 1,480 Join Date: Apr 2005 Trader Rating: (5)	Re: which tranny oil to use? valvoline 75w-90. i used 80w but its b/c i needed it quickly and my local store didnt have 75.

06-23-2008, 11:05 PM	#13
subimp6u08 Lurker Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 7 Join Date: Feb 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: which tranny oil to use? I went with Motul300 because I didn't want to buy a larger container of extra s. shifting feels smooth i love it

06-24-2008, 11:53 AM	#15
dangerousatom Lurker Car: 02-04 RS-STI swap Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 4 Join Date: Jun 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: which tranny oil to use? I use Red-Line Shock Proof topped off with 1/4-1/3 of a Qt of Mobile 75-90 synthetic in my PPG 1-4 tranz...and it made a huge difference B4 I got the gears This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.