Are gear oil and transmission fluid referring to the same thing?
03-07-2010, 04:55 AM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Miami, FL.
Posts: 3
Are gear oil and transmission fluid referring to the same thing?
(I've seen some ppl saying not to replace tC's transmission fluid at all and some ppl suggesting to change gear oil every 15k miles. It looks like they are referring to different things. I don't know much about cars, so please help me.)
I have this problem because I'm not sure whether there is anything wrong with my tC's transmissions. I will hear some grinding noises sometimes i change gears to 2nd or 3rd(not so often), it is this way since i bought my MT 5speed tC at 53k miles. I am not sure whether I need to change anything to fix that or it's fine? Thanks for the help!
I have this problem because I'm not sure whether there is anything wrong with my tC's transmissions. I will hear some grinding noises sometimes i change gears to 2nd or 3rd(not so often), it is this way since i bought my MT 5speed tC at 53k miles. I am not sure whether I need to change anything to fix that or it's fine? Thanks for the help!
03-07-2010, 05:10 AM
#2
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: So Cal
Posts: 104
Generally they're referring to the same thing. Just make sure you stay away from gear oils that specifies that it only be used in differentials and/or in limited slip units. Use either GL4 or GL5 75W90 fluid, and make sure the bottle says it can be used transmissions or transaxles. Some popular choices are Redline MT90, Eneos transmission fluid, and Motul Gear 300.
As far as how often to change it goes, our repair manual states to "check" the transmission fluid every 30,000 miles or 36 months. So if you just change it at those intervals you should be safe. Since you bought your tC with 53K miles, I would suggest you change it now since you can't be sure if the original fluid was ever changed. I personally use Motul Gear 300 and love it. Sometimes a fluid change will fix grinding and other weird noises, but if it doesn't, take it to a Toyota dealer before you hit 60K miles. That's when the powertrain warranty will expire.
Here's a DIY on how to change your tranny fluid: https://www.scionlife.com/forums/tc-tech-diy-1818/transmission-flush-manual-redline-mt-90-a-59661/
As far as how often to change it goes, our repair manual states to "check" the transmission fluid every 30,000 miles or 36 months. So if you just change it at those intervals you should be safe. Since you bought your tC with 53K miles, I would suggest you change it now since you can't be sure if the original fluid was ever changed. I personally use Motul Gear 300 and love it. Sometimes a fluid change will fix grinding and other weird noises, but if it doesn't, take it to a Toyota dealer before you hit 60K miles. That's when the powertrain warranty will expire.
Here's a DIY on how to change your tranny fluid: https://www.scionlife.com/forums/tc-tech-diy-1818/transmission-flush-manual-redline-mt-90-a-59661/
Last edited by SFTifoso; 03-07-2010 at 05:16 AM.
03-07-2010, 07:33 AM
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Miami, FL.
Posts: 3
Generally they're referring to the same thing. Just make sure you stay away from gear oils that specifies that it only be used in differentials and/or in limited slip units. Use either GL4 or GL5 75W90 fluid, and make sure the bottle says it can be used transmissions or transaxles. Some popular choices are Redline MT90, Eneos transmission fluid, and Motul Gear 300.
As far as how often to change it goes, our repair manual states to "check" the transmission fluid every 30,000 miles or 36 months. So if you just change it at those intervals you should be safe. Since you bought your tC with 53K miles, I would suggest you change it now since you can't be sure if the original fluid was ever changed. I personally use Motul Gear 300 and love it. Sometimes a fluid change will fix grinding and other weird noises, but if it doesn't, take it to a Toyota dealer before you hit 60K miles. That's when the powertrain warranty will expire.
Here's a DIY on how to change your tranny fluid: https://www.scionlife.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59661
As far as how often to change it goes, our repair manual states to "check" the transmission fluid every 30,000 miles or 36 months. So if you just change it at those intervals you should be safe. Since you bought your tC with 53K miles, I would suggest you change it now since you can't be sure if the original fluid was ever changed. I personally use Motul Gear 300 and love it. Sometimes a fluid change will fix grinding and other weird noises, but if it doesn't, take it to a Toyota dealer before you hit 60K miles. That's when the powertrain warranty will expire.
Here's a DIY on how to change your tranny fluid: https://www.scionlife.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59661
Last edited by jeanmarkhere; 03-07-2010 at 07:45 AM.
03-07-2010, 08:11 AM
#5
Senior Member
SL Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: So Cal
Posts: 104
Our tranny takes 2.5 quarts, so you'll need 3 bottles of 1 quart each. Our tranny has a plug on the side of it. It is there to avoid overfilling it. When you change the tranny fluid you remove this side plug and fill it up with new fluid until it starts pouring out of the side hole.
Redline, Amsoil, Eneos, and Motul are boutique brands. You can't find them at regular auto parts stores. Most people order their tranny oil online. Motul is available in some Nissan dealerships, but it cost $15 a quart. If those brands are too expensive or hard to find, I would suggest you buy Toyota fluid from the dealer. Toyota actually makes quality fluids, so no worries about that.
Redline, Amsoil, Eneos, and Motul are boutique brands. You can't find them at regular auto parts stores. Most people order their tranny oil online. Motul is available in some Nissan dealerships, but it cost $15 a quart. If those brands are too expensive or hard to find, I would suggest you buy Toyota fluid from the dealer. Toyota actually makes quality fluids, so no worries about that.
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