What oil to use in your Engine, Trans, Diff?
 

Im looking to replace the oil in the engine, trans, and diff. I was looking at redline but there doesn't seem to be a dealer here in Toronto. So what oil are you using, and where did you buy it.

Toyota 0W20 Synthetic from dealer $5.xx per litre
Subaru oil filter $8 vs Toyota filter @ $20

You're going to get as many different answers as there are problems with the FRS/BRZ :iono::bonk:. Best to do a :search: and make your own decisions. I had the same questions as you do now and decide on going with Royal Purple 0w20. Read lots of great stuff about them. I also went with the factory (OEM) Subaru filter as many had good stuff to say about it too.

In the end go with what makes you comfortable. Personally, I couldn't see myself spending $10 + for a quart of oil, so the RP fit the bill at around $9 per/qt. After trying the RP out I'm going to try Mobil 1 as I've had good experience with it in the past. Even though there are people who say that Mobil 1 doesn't work well with the boxer 4 motor. I guess some things you have to try for yourself.

I was just at a Subaru dealership yesterday and got to chat with a Subaru master tech and when I asked about changing the AT trans oil and the diff oil. He said not to touch it unless something goes wrong. Even if I were to track/autox the car. He said both of those oils are designed to last the life of the car. For now, I'm going to stick with his, and the factory engineers', recommendations. Again, do a search and read up on the issue. There are several good threads on the subject.

As stated above, you'll get varying opinions on your questions. All I can say is what I personally have used in my car...
Engine Oil: The manual calls for 0W20 SN or SM oil.
Right now, I am using Amsoil Signature Series 0W20, and will continue to use it through the winter. I have also used G.C. 0W30 (SL) and liked it.

Transmission lube: The manual calls for a GL3 75W90. GL3 is an old spec that is considered obsolete. A GL4 oil should be acceptable here. Some GL5 oils may be OK, but I would avoid them just to be sure. I currently have Redline MT-90 GL4 75W90 in mine. I plan on winter driving mine, and 75W90 is fairly thick stuff in the cold. I may find that a thinner oil (like 75W80 may improve shifting during the winter months.

Rear differential: The manual calls for a GL5 75W85 with a 75W90 as an acceptable substitute. I am using Redline 75W85 lightweight GL5 gear oil in the rear end.

I picked up an exhaust system at JRP in Mississauga this week and they had a PILE of Redline lubes on the shelf. 0W20 and others for the engine, MT-90, MT-85, MTL (approx a 75W80) trans oils, and the 75W85 gear oil. Decent prices too.

Hey roddy, out of curiosity. Why did you change out the trans & diff oils? Was there a specific reason? Also, have you seen any changes good or bad? :thanks:

If for no other reason than I can't leave anything alone. I like to change these fluids fairly early (I think it was around 1800 kms or so). They are new assemblies and will shed a bit of metal as they break in. Both have magnetic drain plugs, and the one in the rear end was already accumulating a fair bit of material. The one in the transmission was clean.
I noticed an improvement in shift quality, particularly on the 2-3 shift, where I found mine to be a little crunchy.

ENEOS 0W-20

Im not looking for opinions. Im looking for people who have actually used or curerntly using these oils in their car.

there is absolutely no need to change the oil in your diff for a very long time because our LSDs are mechanical and the oil is uses purely for lubrication. A self sealed unit that will last a long time.

there is absolutely no need to change your transmission oil anytime soon unless you've been grinding your gears for the hell of it.


As for brand, i'm an Amsoil convert and have used it in my subaru and now my FRS.

my engine received 4 part Amsoil 0-30w signature series and 1 part 5-30 diesel oil. Top up with 0-30 as necessary (i don't tend to overfill)


If you're looking for REDLINE you can check out Pacific Mall, there is a shop there closer to the north side in the main complex that usually carries it.

and if you were not looking for OPINIONS then your subject would not read "what do you use" and would instead be "where can I buy brand X"

7th gear is right. The oils in the rear end and transmission don't need to be changed any time soon. I did it because I wanted to. Amsoil is good stuff. I have been using it for years in my off-road toys and the Mustang. It is not as easy to find on the shelf as Redline or Royal Purple though.

MOTUL FTW

Where did you get Amsoil? JRP?

I got mine from a local guy who sells it out of his garage. Amsoil is weird that way, preferring to sell it through "members" and distributors...not a lot of retail locations stock it. There is a warehouse in the GTA, but I'm not sure where it is. Check their website for a phone number and maybe you can pick some up there, or find a local distributor. You can also order it online and have it delivered right to your door. If there's one thing I don't like about Amsoil, this is it. I prefer being able to walk into a store to buy stuff.

I have also changed my tranny et diff oil, since i am drifting the car, and since i have put the Redline oil mt-90 for tranny and 75w90 gl-5 for the diff. i feel a very nice difference in the shift!

Red Line 75w85 made the rear diff quieter

I'm do motul gear 300 for the trans, for the diff I'm thinking a redline GL5 75W85 or the motul gear 300 which is an acceptable substitute(I'm just waiting on feedback of people who've used either or for the diff), for the oil I'm do royal purple 0W20 because of all the positive reviews and I'm go with a Subaru oil filter. I hoped this helped you out.

Actually guns use amsoil 0W20 for the motor oil then royal purple and see the difference, any experience from anyone on the brands I listed?

I used Royal Purple 0w-20 for engine.
Royal Purple 75w-90 for both Trans and Diff.


Here's a pic of my Differential Drain Plug after 9900 miles.
I bought the car with 9560. I'm hearing this is common in our cars, but not fact. Sorry for the huge pic.
http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/...pskrskuvml.jpg

Oh and I should mention this too. Right now at Pep Boys when ordering online, any orders over $75 receive 25% off. This offer changes weekly. Last week I bought 6 quarts RP 0w-20 and RP Oil Filter and 1 quart of the RP 75w-90. At the time of my purchase the offer was 35% off any orders online over $100. Then arranged in store pick up. My total was $67 and some change (basically I got the filter and quart of gear oil for free). I'm not a big fan of Pep Boys but purchasing this way from them was awesome savings for a quality product.

Personally, once my free oil changes are all used up at the dealership, I'll be going with a fram oil filter and whatever oil is on sale at Canadian tire. I'be been doing that with my past 2 cars, my dad does it with his truck, my brother does it with his car, and countless numbers of friends do that with their vehicles and no one has had any ill effects.

^^ I wouldn't do that if you plan on driving the car hard at all, especially track use. If you have any doubt, send the oil out for analysis and see what comes back.

I don't do track days, I don't drive the car hard on the street. It's worked for me for 8 years or so, worked for my dad for 35 years or so (And he's had quite a few sports-cars). I have no doubts, and I know what's worked for me.

Mobil 1 0W40 European formula. Supposed to be the best base stock available in a regularly priced synthetic. Good for track and FI applications for the twins. Has a green tint to it!
Now I need to find an oil cooler that will fit beside the humongous Stg 3 intercooler I just had installed. Or spring for the HKS unit that goes in the wheel well.

Haven't touched the tranny/differential oils yet.

How's the car feel once you used royal purple for the engine?

That's normal. It's how a mag plug works.

OEM Tokyo Roki oil filter from Japan is like just 10 bucks tax in at the Subaru dealer so don't cheap out with a Fram (compare to OEM VW/Audi Mann filter which is like 25 bucks the Tokyo Roki is a bargain). The OEM 0W-20 oil from Toyota is also pretty good and it isn't expensive either.

Take care of the engine and the engine will take care of you.

I once heard that best base stock is from Shell (i.e. Shell Helix, Motul 300V, German Castrol EDGE). Is Mobil 1 0W40 European Formula a Group V oil?

I'm running Eneos Sustina 0W20 Group III+ with STI Tokyo Roki oil filter for the engine and Eneos Gear Oil 75W90 (basically Subaru Extra-S) for the gearbox and diff.

Will probably switch to Eneos Sustina 0W50 for the next oil change to run in the summer and autumn months.

It's a group IV oil which means it's a pure synthetic polyalphaolefin PAO whereas any lower group number is a modified petroleum based oil. Group V is other bases such as silicone, not used by itself but as an additive to other oils.

Very few oils, all of them premium, are PAO based. Its a great deal if it suits your requirements, in my case supercharged.

I used to run Motul 8100 X-Cess on the VAG 2.0T which is also a Group IV, had the highest ZDDP content that I could find for the weight I needed.

Interesting how TRD Performance sells a 0W30 oil made by Total, and STI Peformance sells a 5W40 oil made by Motul for the 86/BRZ recommended for track use.

I have read that high ZDDP levels sometimes damage the cats.

AMSOil in motor last 2 changes i do have amsoil gear oil for the dif and tranny but not in any hurry to change that right now.

Ah okay that explains that rotten egg smell I used to get after an oil change. :D

I've read that competition oils like Motul 300V is really bad for the cat.

Had no choice cuz the early VAG 2.0T came with a flat tappet cam follower and without adequate ZDDP the high pressure fuel pump will punch a hole thru it, destroying the camshaft lobe in the process. That engine also tend to burn a lot of oil when running Mobil 1 0W40 or Castrol SLX 5W40 compare to Motul 8100 5W40.

FA20 I think Mobil 1 0W40 should be okay since this engine doesn't burn oil even with a light oil like 0W20. I think Mobil 1 always comes out all black during an oil change which to me means it holds dirt very well in suspension. I understand Mobil 1 also comes in a 5W50 weight.

How is that RP in your trans and diff so far? Planning on trying RP for my trans and diff also.