Gear Oil - 5sp 6th GEN

[joshuaboston]

Hey Guys,

I am finding it very difficult to find info on what is the best Tranny fluids to use on a 5sp or 6sp (i don't think it matters)?

My wife has a subaru 5sp and when I go to that forum there is TONS of info...
for the subaru forster you need 3.7L, I have just ordered 2L of Motul 300 Gear fluid and 2 bottles of light weight shock proof Redline Gear fluid (smurf's blood).

Back to my Camry... I think it is time for my to change my tranny fluid on the 2008 Camry SE. This is what I found out... they claim that the tranny fluid on my four cylinder car is close to 11 - 12L... this just doesn't sound right. They offer two choices, they will add "about (what ever that means) 6 quarts (or liters... I forget) for $59.99 or they will change out the complete system for $159.99.

If I can find easy to use instructions on the net and the most recommended stuff (super high quality fluids), I would much rather go to my buddies garage.

Can anyone enlighten me about the tranny fluids. THANKS A LOT, IN ADVANCE!!!

Josh

[touringcamry]

This is for a manual or automatic? For manual, you'd need about 3 quarts of gear oil for a drain and refill. For automatic, you need a similar amount of transmission fluid for a drain and refill but significantly more for a flush.

Gear oil and transmission fluid are different things. Please clarify yourself.

[joshuaboston]

2008 SE 2.4L Manual


The stealership which I left my car with tells me it takes 11-12 quarts???? Something is not right.

Is there any gear oil you recommend? Is it easy to change? Any videos any where or pictures?

[gdanaher]

The advisor is thinking about an automatic transmission. He may never have seen a manual in a Camry before. Beyond that, ger oil should last forever. Since you haven't owned this car forever, why change??

[joshuaboston]

My wife's subaru is recommended to be changed every 30k. The subaru enthusiast swear by it.

I think if you maintain your car properly you risk less of a chance of a major repair.

I am hoping to hear what is recommended but maybe there are not enough manual people around.

[joshuaboston]

Also...
what happens when you use transmission oil instead of gear oil.

I went to the garage for a leaky tranny and they ordered the part and topped it off, but afterwards I noticed a WHINY sound when I put my car in neutral over 30miles/hour. I have not though much about it until now... lol.

[JasonA]

ATF would not have the required properties of the GL-4 that is likely required in the Camry's gearbox. When I had my 5-speed Corolla, I used 2 quarts of Redline's proven MT-90 fluid. I imagine the Camry's gearbox would take a similar fluid, but check the owner manual to verify.

[touringcamry]

The Scion TC folks are using about 2.5 quarts for their transmissions. Your Camry should be the same or very close.

[Glenn8963]

Originally Posted by joshuaboston

Also...
what happens when you use transmission oil instead of gear oil.

I went to the garage for a leaky tranny and they ordered the part and topped it off, but afterwards I noticed a WHINY sound when I put my car in neutral over 30miles/hour. I have not though much about it until now... lol.

for the longest time, Chrysler Corp used ATF in their manual transmissions, reason being that it flows faster than 80 or 90 weight gear lube and in cold weather it was great for shifting, as the ATF would not be as prone to nearly being like molasses. ATF has great lubrication properties as well. you would be better served using what toyota says, and NOT switch to something else, UNLESS its of a 100% synthetic property or synthetic blend types of gear lubes. Royal Purple is good here, but see what toyota has.

now, IT DOES make sense to do a drain and refill on a manual transmission, as THERE WILL BE metal filings in the gear lube. this is normal. but to have those metal filings stay in the transmission can lead to damaged parts like shims, bearings, syncronizers and then the seals. i would do a drain and refill at least at the first 15,000 miles of the vehicles life, then once a year after that.


for the small money a drain and refill will cost, that manual transmission (barring clutch replacements) should go over 500,000 miles, before a total rebuild would be needed......if at all.......

[joshuaboston]

Will this repair... flush my gear fluid? Thanks.

[Glenn8963]

Originally Posted by joshuaboston

Will this repair... flush my gear fluid? Thanks.

get the car fully warmed up by driving at the very least 20 miles. open the drain plug, drain out to the very last drop. but this is dependent on the location of the drain plug. if the drain plug is about 2 inches from the bottom, then not all the fluid will come out. so i'd recommend a siphoning tool. frankly, i'd just take it to a Jiffy Lube, they got a powered siphoning tool. i think the drain/refill is about $50... see if they have a syntehtic blend, which when i had my rear axle done on my truck, they did have it. also, the drain plug might be "magnetic", so i know the lube tech will wipe it clean for you. have him show you the fillings.

[plantdesign]

Everyone with a manual transmission needs to read this: http://www.synthetic-oil-tech.com/Ge...te%20Paper.pdf

Well-conducted research on this hot topic. Every fluid property was put to the test, sometimes even using more stringent military standards. The results clearly speak for themselves. Instead of just shouting out what we use let's put some effort into our research.