MTF recommendation for 2002 VW Jetta 1.8T?

[tired]

Hi guys,

I'd like to get a good recommendation for a manual transmission fluid for my 2002 VW Jetta 1.8T. I have 100,000 miles on it. I've done my homework and read what's available on here for my car. There is no good consensus. Amsoil recommends their 75W-90 GL-4. Some people really like the Redline MT-90. Other people here seem to recommend one of VW's older manual transmission fluids. What are my considerations in getting the best fluid? Are there brass parts that I need to worry about?

Also I live in the arctic tundra, so I need good cold weather shifting. It seems that the 75W-90 GL-4 fluids don't do well in the cold.

Here is a good discussion showing why this isn't a straightforward answer. It seems that the original factory fill was a 15.6 cSt fluid. Now VW has back spec'd it to a 6.4 cSt gear oil! What a change. TDIClub had a good thread here with a lot of VOAs of the various gear fluids.

So, I call on you experts of BITOG to lend me a hand. What should I get? I don't want to change it now to the wrong fluid and curse every morning on the way to work for 6 months of the year. Better yet, I want my transmission to last another 100,000 miles.

 

[FowVay]

I have used Redline MTL/MT90 (50/50 mix) in my Golf and it worked well. MT90 was too viscous by itself.

For cold temperatures I think VW's very own G 070 726 A2 would work well.

I have never had good luck with the high viscosity 75W-90 gear oils.

 

[Pablo]

You could also try a mix of Amsoil MTF and MTG.

Amsoil MTG

Amsoil MTF

I've been running this in my Volvo now for 50K+ miles.

 

[civicist]

i am using shell helix ultra 5w40 in transmission and its doing pretty good. cold mornings are no problem anymore and significant fuel savings until operating temps. but i was told by mechtech that this engine oil i am using doesnt carry enough ep and aw additives which a gear oil must hold. so i am considering to get a redline mtl 70w80. i ll be ordering 2-3 quarts soon. 70w80 is pretty much an equivalent to a 5w30 or 10w30 and will work perfect for cold climates.

 

[Bror Jace]

"Now VW has back spec'd it to a 6.4 cSt gear oil! What a change."

Is this the G 070 726 A2 fluid FowVay mentions above? That is an ATF-thin fluid. Is it GL-4? Then it is in the same club along with Honda MTF II, Royal Purple Syncromax and a few others.

 

[tired]

Originally Posted By: Bror Jace
"Now VW has back spec'd it to a 6.4 cSt gear oil! What a change."

Is this the G 070 726 A2 fluid FowVay mentions above? That is an ATF-thin fluid. Is it GL-4? Then it is in the same club along with Honda MTF II, Royal Purple Syncromax and a few others.


It is either:

VW G-052-171-A2
VW G-055-726-A2


Here are some VOA's TDIClub ran on various gear oils …

(Manual Tranny Fluids)
16.7 = Motul MOTYLGEAR 75-90 GL-4/-5
15.6 = VW G50/G51 GL-4
15.6 = Redline MT-90 75-90 GL-4
15.2 = Mobil 1 Synthetic 75W-90 GL-5
15.2 = Motul Gear 300 75-90 GL-4/-5
15.0 = Elf Tranself Synthese FE 75-90 GL-4/-5
14.9 = AMSOIL AGL 80W-90 GL-5
13.8 = Amsoil MTG 75-90 GL-4
10.6 = Redline MTL 70-80 GL-4
9.6 = AMSOIL MTF Synchromesh Trans fluid (GM/Chrysler) None
9.08 = Penzoil Synchromesh trans fluid None
7.5 = Redline D4 ATF Dexron III / Mercon / API GL-4
6.5 = VW G-052-171-A2 None
6.38 = VW G-055-726-A2 None
6.3 = VW G52 (part numbers G052726A2 / G05272601) None

(Automatic Tranny Fluids - except for Redline D4 dual-use)
8.3 = Honda CVT Fluid
7.6 = Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF
7.5 = AMSOIL Automatic transmission fluid ATF
7.5 = Redline D4 ATF Dexron III / Mercon / API GL-4
7.4 = Mobil 1 Synthetic Dexron/Mercon
7.2 = Redline Synthetic ATF Dexron II / Mercon
7.1 = Mobil 1 Synthetic Multi-vehicle ATF
7.1 = AMSOIL Ford type F auto trans fluid
5.5-6 = Ford Mercon SP

They didn't have one for the G 070 fluid you mention.

 

[tired]

Originally Posted By: Bror Jace
"Now VW has back spec'd it to a 6.4 cSt gear oil! What a change."

Is this the G 070 726 A2 fluid FowVay mentions above? That is an ATF-thin fluid. Is it GL-4? Then it is in the same club along with Honda MTF II, Royal Purple Syncromax and a few others.


I did a little more reading on TDIClub and it appears this is the best to go with for pretty much all models.

Anyone running this in their non-diesel Jetta manual tranny? How does it work for you?