16 best gear oils

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Transmission oils are a highly specialized technical fluid that is poured into mechanical transmissions of classic cars. The essence of their application is extremely simple: to ensure proper lubrication of the contacting parts that make up the gearbox, providing protection against scuffing and dry friction.

As in the segment of motor oils, in transmission there is also a division into three large groups: synthetic, semi-synthetic and mineral. The main difference between some of the others lies in the type of base and in the number of constituent components that directly affect the size of the working resource. Thus, the abundance of additives contained in synthetic oils are able to provide cleaning and protection of the engine over hundreds of thousands of kilometers. At the same time, mineral oil, the most budgetary of all, will hardly work well only 50-60 thousand kilometers.

Having conducted an independent research of the market segment, the magazine, together with a group of in-house experts, have compiled a rating of the best gear oils based on mineral, synthetic and hybrid (semi-synthetic) bases. As the main selection criterion, the general assessment of consumers, made on the basis of the obtained experience of use, was taken.

Rating of the best gear oils

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price per liter
The best synthetic gear oils	1	ZIC GFT 75W90	397 r
	2	LIQUI MOLY Hochleistungs-Getriebeoil 75W-90	1 184 rub.
	3	MOTUL Gear 300 75w-90	1 351 RUB
	4	TOTAL Transmission Dual 9 FE 75W90	725 RUB
	5	Lucas SAE 75W-90	RUB 1,090
	6	Toyota SYNTHETIC Gear Oil 75W-90	1 200 RUB
The best semi-synthetic gear oils	1	LIQUI MOLY Hypoid-Getriebeoil TDL 75W-90	RUB 874
	2	MOTUL Motylgear 75w-90	1 320 RUB
	3	Elf Tranself NFJ 75W80 GL4 +	628 RUB
	4	NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-2	1 125 rub.
	5	Takayama 75W-90 GL-5	450 RUB
The best mineral gear oils	1	TOTAL Transmission Gear 8 75W80	RUB 470
	2	Liqui Moly MIL-L 2105 API GL-4 80W	541 r
	3	Shell Spirax S3 G 80W	440 RUB
	4	Castrol Manual EP 80W90 GL-4	361 RUB
	5	Lukoil 80W90 TM-4	592 r

The best synthetic gear oils

ZIC GFT 75W90

Gear oil rating: 4.9

The first line of the rating goes to the GFT 75W90 oil from ZIC, which is based on a unique development of the company – Youbase base synthetics. It is supplemented with a package of potent additives that protect the interacting surfaces from scuffing even under the most severe operating conditions. In addition, it actively fights against oxidative processes, preventing the formation of foci of corrosion.

It is noteworthy that the acid number of this transmission is 1.48 pH, which indicates an extremely high acidic activity. However, GFT 75W90 reacts very vividly to temperature drops – crystallization before loss of fluidity occurs at a temperature of -47.5 ° C, and micro-breaks of the film are observed when the boiling point of water is noticeably exceeded (in the region of 130-140 ° C). It is also worth noting the full compatibility of the oil with the materials of the sealing joints found in the gearboxes of various cars. Ultimately, the decision to purchase is always driven by cost issues, and in our opinion, purchase costs are ideally correlated with quality and operational benefits.

Advantages

• fluidity is lost at -47.5 ° C;
• use of Youbase base as a base oil;
• full compatibility with seal materials;
• excellent stability at temperature drops;
• the best combination of price and quality.

disadvantages

• not found.

LIQUI MOLY Hochleistungs-Getriebeoil 75W-90

Gear oil rating: 4.8

High-quality gear oil from the German company Liqui Moly that meets all the requirements of the API GL 4+ specification. Not differing in the presence of special filler materials in the composition, it ensures the stable operation of the transmission unit, regardless of its condition and external temperature conditions. The low viscosity of Hochleistungs-Getriebeoil 75W-90 provides good lubricity, resulting in smooth and smooth gear shifting and a noticeable reduction in noise.

The pour point of this oil ranges from 40-42 ° C below zero, while the flash occurs at 215 ° C. Not the most optimal range from the point of view of extreme values, which, nevertheless, allows you to perfectly cope with the whole range of operating situations of a thermal nature. According to the recommendations of Liqui Moly engineers, Hochleistungs-Getriebeoil 75W-90 is ideal for cars of the brand Ford and Volkswagen with manual transmissions, as well as for special hypoid gears with lubrication requirements of this group.

Advantages

• the constancy of the composition ensures the stability of the transmission unit;
• noticeable reduction in noise intensity when used in used gearboxes with wear;
• good lubricating ability due to low viscosity level;
• the oil is developed taking into account the requirements of the standards of the VAG group and brand Ford;
• acceptable level of cost.

disadvantages

• not found.

MOTUL Gear 300 75w-90

Gear oil rating: 4.7

The third line of the rating goes to the French oil MOTUL Gear 300 75w-90, the advantages of which are expressed in the high stability of the oil film formed when the operating temperature rises. This is due to a significant thickening of the composition relative to the reference samples, which are used for research and comparison as part of the certification process. Despite this, the resistance to subzero temperatures is amazing here: the solidification process takes place at -60 ° C, so there is no need to worry about the safety of gears and seals in extreme cold.

As noted by the auto technician, MOTUL Gear 300 75w-90 has good tread properties, especially when used continuously for a long period of time. An abundance of synthetic additives, including corrosion inhibitors, which suppress the formation of oxides in the most vulnerable areas of the metal. The working life of this train is 150 thousand kilometers, which is a standard indicator for a synthetic group of gear oils. But the main thing in the case of an acquisition is not to stumble upon a fake, of which in the secondary market in the past few years have appeared in large quantities.

Advantages

• excellent performance at low temperatures (down to -60 ° C);
• the resource of work is designed for 150 thousand kilometers;
• active counteraction to the metal corrosion mechanism;
• stability of the oil film during thermal changes.

disadvantages

• the presence of fakes in the secondary market.

TOTAL Transmission Dual 9 FE 75W90

Gear oil rating: 4.6

Premium synthetic base oil with polyalphaolefins that meets API (GL-4; GL-5; MT-1) and MIL-PRF-2105E tolerances. It is a universal transmission fluid, ready for use in manual transmissions, axles, gearboxes and other industrial facilities. It differs from competitors Transmission Dual 9 FE 75W90, first of all, by its sharpening under severe operating conditions, which naturally affects the stock of a working resource. Judging by consumer reviews, one filling of this composition is enough for 180 thousand kilometers – more than other competitors in the category.

The second important feature of the Transmission Dual 9 FE 75W90 is its high extreme pressure properties. A complex of additives allows you to actively fight against corrosion processes and wear, protecting the metal of the gears from mechanical and thermochemical defects. As for the technical characteristics, the temperature of the complete solidification of the oil stands out. -51 ° С is a good result even by the standards of the rating leaders, not to mention the less strong representatives of the segment. The viscosity parameters are also distinguished by their optimal values ​​- when the synthetics are heated to 100 ° C, its viscosity will decrease to 15 mm2 / s, but will continue to provide continuous lubrication of rubbing surfaces with a high degree of efficiency.

Advantages

• well suited for work in difficult conditions (in cars with worn out gearboxes);
• optimal maintenance of viscosity regardless of temperature fluctuations;
• stock of working resource is enough for 180 thousand kilometers;
• characteristic extreme pressure properties.

disadvantages

• extremely high price.

Lucas SAE 75W-90

Gear oil rating: 4.5

Another synthetic with API GL-5, MT-1 tolerances, characterized by high performance when working in difficult conditions of worn out manual transmissions or climatic conditions of the region. It is developed at the American factories of the TRW company, but in Russia it is produced under the Lucas trademark, which, however, does not in any way affect the quality indicators. According to the manufacturer, SAE 75W-90 is the only representative of the segment of synthetic gear oils that actively resists being squeezed out of the system under the influence of excessive pressure.

Among other things, the composition is also credited with damping properties manifested at the stage of lubricating the moving parts of the box. Of course, there is a reduction in noise and an increase in softness of action, but it is unlikely that the whole point is in the 'shock-absorbing' abilities of the oil. Meanwhile, the viscosity index SAE 75W-90 when heated to 100 ° C is very strong and pleasantly surprising – 18.4 mm2 / s. And it seems that the superiority is small, but it has a colossal impact on work. The second key feature of synthetics is the extremely high flash point (390 ° C) – the overestimation relative to the closest competitors was almost 40%. Chic introductory, which spoil two nuances – high cost and an abundance of fakes on the secondary.

Advantages

• flash point is 390 ° C;
• excellent lubricity;
• ensures stable operation of the box with the presence of wear, reduces noise and increases stability;
• increased viscosity indicators.

disadvantages

• high purchase price;
• a large amount of counterfeit on the market.

Toyota SYNTHETIC Gear Oil 75W-90

Gear oil rating: 4.4

Sixth place Toyota SYNTHETIC Gear Oil 75W-90 is due to the very narrow focus of the oil – it was developed specifically for boxes installed on cars Toyota. Nevertheless, in terms of technical indicators, this composition practically does not differ from TOTAL Transmission Dual, showing the same excellent results in terms of resistance to corrosion and thermal shock.

All characteristics Toyota of SYNTHETIC Gear Oil 75W-90 comply with the requirements of API GL-4 and GL-5 specifications, therefore, the oil can be used in hypoid gears of reduction mechanisms, and in steering gear boxes (steering rack ). At the stage of familiarization, the experts were very surprised by the fact that there were a number of European approvals, and at the same time the absence of those on the part of Asia. It turned out that, despite belonging to the Japanese auto industry, the Belgian division is engaged in the manufacture of oil, which also contains a corporate research center. In their reviews, consumers indicate a number of positive phenomena associated with the softening of the operation of gearboxes on used cars, as well as a high working resource, which is enough for 140-150 thousand kilometers.

Advantages

• one fill has a resource of 140-150 thousand kilometers;
• full compliance with European quality standards;
• a significant increase in the softness and stability of the transmission of old cars.

disadvantages

• high price;
• in fact, only the company itself Toyota gives approval for the use of oil in manual transmissions.

The best semi-synthetic gear oils

LIQUI MOLY Hypoid-Getriebeoil TDL 75W-90

Gear oil rating: 4.9

In the semisynthetics category, the undisputed leader is Hypoid-Getriebeoil TDL 75W-90 from Liqui Moly – a product created using Total Drive Line technology. Within the framework of it, one grade of oil can be used for all transmission units that make up the car. By operational standards, this semisynthetics behaves extremely actively (in a positive sense), providing lubrication of interacting parts, regardless of the temperature of the box and the external environment. Roughly speaking, the first signs of a film breakthrough appear here at the moment when the oil's own temperature goes beyond 100 ° C (the viscosity in this case drops below 14.0 mm2 / s), and the air temperature is at around 50 ° C.

If you look at the technical data sheet, you can identify a clear bias of the Hypoid-Getriebeoil TDL 75W-90 towards operation in cold weather. The first signs of thickening, viscosity loss appear here at -43 ° C, and complete solidification of the liquid occurs at -48 ° C. Apart from the parameters, it should be said about the number of tolerances: the oil has 12 of them (including API and ZF), which speaks of a large credit of trust from global automakers. As user experience shows, the recommended mileage interval on one fill is 100-120 thousand kilometers, but with careful use of the car, you can safely roll back another 10 thousand.

Advantages

• a clear bias towards operation at low temperatures;
• balanced composition for optimal lubrication of gearbox elements;
• non-aggressive effect on sealing joints;
• durability (100-130 thousand kilometers).

disadvantages

• not found.

MOTUL Motylgear 75w-90

Gear oil rating: 4.8

One step away from the leading position, MOTUL Motylgear 75w-90 universal transmission oil stopped, adapted for use at significant temperature changes. This means, first of all, the ability to perform the main function – lubrication – when the medium is warming up (with a decrease in transmission noise) and in cold weather (facilitated gear shifting). According to SAE J306, obtained by fusion of several base and synthetic oils, the composition fully corresponds to the viscosity grade of 90 – more than, at times, some competitors.

As experienced users in the automotive service industry have noted, the MOTUL Motylgear 75w-90 has strong extreme pressure properties. Together with this, it perfectly resists oxidation under the influence of temperature and is characterized by a constant composition throughout the entire service life. Freezes at -45 ° C, flares up at 200 ° C. Supports the gradual consumption of the additive package, and maintains in this rhythm up to 100 thousand kilometers. The only drawback of this oil is its high cost, which is fully compensated during operation.

Advantages

• durability (up to 100 thousand kilometers);
• excellent extreme pressure performance – the elements of the box remain in good condition;
• non-aggressive towards polymers and non-ferrous metals;
• high viscosity for work in a wide temperature range.

disadvantages

• high price.

Elf Tranself NFJ 75W80 GL4 +

Gear oil rating: 4.7

Cheap French semi-synthetics for transmissions, which are loved by users for their extremely stable operation in mechanisms with a significant level of wear. Elf Tranself NFJ 75W80 GL4 + is actively used in the gearboxes of the company Renault, which is making efforts to promote the product to large masses. And since this company is popular among domestic motorists, the oil has gained significant popularity.

Like its competitors in the rating, Elf Tranself NFJ 75W80 GL4 + takes into account the difficult climatic conditions of Russia, so the pour point here is -40 ° С. The result is not the most outstanding, but it is quite suitable for Siberian frosts. In parallel, experts highlight the ability of the oil to provide proper lubrication of parts at high temperatures without losing the integrity of the oil film. As for the working resource, even with the most careful use of the car, it does not exceed 100 thousand kilometers. However, together with the low price, such an acquisition seems extremely profitable.

Advantages

• low purchase price;
• up to 100 thousand kilometers;
• lobbying for one of the most popular companies in Russia;
• good temperature performance;
• satisfactory work to ensure protection of the box from scuffing, overheating and oxides.

disadvantages

• slightly lower performance relative to the category leaders.

NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-2

Gear oil rating: 4.6

An original and very expensive oil for variators from the company Nissan, which has increased fluidity and the prospect of developing a resource for 60 thousand kilometers. It is a fairly popular product on the territory of Russia, but at the same time its objective technical characteristics are almost impossible to find on the Internet.

A very common mistake of sellers and other interested parties in relation to NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-2 is issuing a semi-synthetic product as pure synthetics. This oil perfectly copes with the task of reducing the wear of parts of variator mechanisms, and is also compatible with polymers and non-ferrous metals used in the production of gearboxes. According to experts, the maximum low temperature threshold for this composition does not exceed -30 ° C – that is why the automation does not feel very comfortable in regions with a cold climate. However, this feature is due to the requirements for the operation of the nodes themselves, and in no case is it a disadvantage of the finished product. As a final feature, there is absolutely zero risk of stumbling upon a fake – the NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-2 is supplied in sealed cans with original stamping on the body, which is simply impossible to make in artisanal conditions.

Advantages

• is not counterfeited in the secondary market at all;
• ensures the correct operation of the unit during the planned 60 thousand kilometers;
• actively participates in the process of improving the smoothness of work and reducing wear.

disadvantages

• extremely expensive product, applicable only for variators.

Takayama 75W-90 GL-5

Gear oil rating: 4.5

Quite cheap oil of Japanese origin, designed for manual transmissions with API GL-5 approval. Like all Japanese manufacturers, Takayama is very sensitive about the safety of the product from counterfeiting, which is why a tin can with a sealed lid becomes its indispensable attribute. This is good, since counterfeit products do not enter the secondary market, and the contractors themselves do not show interest in working with such oil.

According to the manufacturers, the Takayama 75W-90 GL-5 was created specifically for work in heavily loaded units subject to intense processes of frictional and thermochemical wear. It has been proven that as the application progresses, the noise of the transmission is significantly reduced, the temperature of the parts is leveled and the mechanisms of corrosion formation are inhibited. But a small nuance of this composition can be called durability. Perhaps the reason for everything is precisely the emphasis on active prevention of negative processes. But, one way or another, the Takayama 75W-90 GL-5 is good for 80 thousand kilometers, which is the lowest among the class nominees in the rating.

Advantages

• attractive price;
• lack of crafts in the secondary market;
• intensification of protective processes from all types of negative factors;
• compliance with API GL-5 specification requirements;
• extremely common in the secondary market of the eastern part of Russia.

disadvantages

• deliberately low indicators of the working resource.

The best mineral gear oils

TOTAL Transmission Gear 8 75W80

Gear oil rating: 4.9

Premium level transmission 'mineral block' recommended for use in new gearboxes. This condition for using Transmission Gear 8 75W80 is dictated by very specific viscosity indicators: the oil works well at low temperatures, but it cannot ensure the stability of the created film when the unit warms up decently (at 100 ° C, the viscosity index drops to 8.0 mm2 / s).

But in terms of protection against corrosion and wear, TOTAL Transmission Gear 8 75W80 surpasses almost all the presented opponents. A special set of modifiers and inhibitors is consumed very smoothly and acts rather point-wise rather than complex, providing timely inhibition of the formation of impurities and oxides. In addition, experts point out low foaming, which goes very well when working with oil filters.

In order to reject all questions about compatibility, manufacturers independently gave recommendations for filling. So, Transmission Gear 8 75W80 can be used in cars of VAZ brands (2110, 2114, Granta, Priora), Mitsubishi (Outlander), Opel (Astra, Mokka), Suzuki (SX 4) and the entire range Peugeot with a manual transmission.

Advantages

• optimal performance of protection against wear and corrosion;
• the planned replacement interval is 60 thousand kilometers;
• the best combination of price and quality;
• slope for work in low temperatures.

disadvantages

• there is not enough working condition for reliable work in nodes under heavy load (worn out or modified).

Liqui Moly MIL-L 2105 API GL-4 80W

Gear oil rating: 4.8

A premium multipurpose mineral oil formulated to work in gearboxes and unloaded hypoid rear axle gears. It perfectly tolerates pressures in the range from 500 to 2000 MPa with short-term surges up to 3500 MPa in the case of axle transmission lubrication. It significantly reduces the level of scuffing on the surface of contacting gear wheels, increasing the smoothness of gear shifting to cold gears and reducing transmission noise at high temperatures (up to 200 ° C).

In general, the stability of Liqui Moly MIL-L 2105 API GL-4 80W is enough to ensure high-quality operation of the transmission unit at a distance of about 60 thousand kilometers, which has been repeatedly noted in user reviews. It is also good that the manufacturer did not carry out any special preferences for the make of the car or equating to the reference models of the VW brand or BMW: such oil can be poured into all systems for which API GL-4 approval is required. Despite the good performance indicators, the cost of this 'mineral water' remains within the acceptable range for the average consumer, which allows it to remain relevant from season to season.

Advantages

• active work to reduce frictional wear;
• wide range of operating temperatures;
• working resource is limited to 60 thousand kilometers;
• excellent interaction with transmission and rear axle parts at pressures up to 3500 MPa.

disadvantages

• not found.

Shell Spirax S3 G 80W

Gear oil rating: 4.7

Despite the purely mineral base, Shell Spirax S3 G 80W shows excellent performance at the level of, if not synthetics, then a strong middle peasant from semi-synthetic representatives. Manufacturers deliberately increased the viscosity of the oil to increase the stability of the oil film with increasing temperatures, especially in the zone of the most intense friction (contact spots of the teeth of the gearing, where the temperature can reach 300 ° C). It is this circumstance that explains the preservation of a high kinematic viscosity of the composition when the temperature rises to the boiling point of water (16.1 mm2 / s).

The second positive point from this modification is its resistance to freezing. Yes, a complete loss of fluidity here occurs at -30 ° C, but this figure is a reference for an all-season mineral oil. It is not surprising that under such conditions it honestly fulfills the required 60 thousand kilometers and reliably protects mechanisms from adhesions, tears, chipping and jamming.

Advantages

• a decent list of approvals and approvals (from MAN, Isuzu, Eaton, etc.);
• increased viscosity for film stability during periods of high-temperature operation;
• resource for basic 60 thousand kilometers;
• very high quality product.

disadvantages

• high price.

Castrol Manual EP 80W90 GL-4

Gear oil rating: 4.6

Transmission oil from one of the market leaders in lubricating and cooling fluids for automotive systems, the main feature of which is the balance of the main characteristics without claims to be superior to the main opponents. Castrol Manual EP 80W90 is compliant with API GL-4 and has manual transmission approval ZF TE-ML 02B and 17A. In other words, this composition fits most conveyor vehicles with a manual gearbox, including the platform model Nissan B (which includes new lines of cars from AvtoVAZ).

As for the technical characteristics, the manufacturers assure users of the oil's ability to prolong the 'life' of the assembly parts, which is nothing more than nice words. In reality, things are a little different. Possessing a small package of additives, this composition is actively working out about 40 thousand kilometers, after which its useful functions begin to decrease sharply. And even if the lubrication functions are performed in the basic mode, small changes in the chemical composition slightly shift the temperature barriers and the stability of the oil film. It is because of the sensitivity to this kind of influences that Castrol Manual EP 80W90 GL-4 cannot claim to be the leader.

Advantages

• not prone to foam formation;
• withstands significant temperature overloads (albeit due to the forced consumption of additives);
• does not 'conflict' with added performance enhancers on key parameters.

disadvantages

• effectively withstands about 40 thousand kilometers.

Lukoil 80W90 TM-4

Gear oil rating: 4.5

The undisputed leader in the category in terms of popularity among budget transmission oils, offering consumers a standard set of protective functions. Lukoil 80W90 TM-4 uses an extended package of additives, which include modifiers and inhibitors that suppress the processes of thermochemical corrosion and affect the stability of the oil film in the zones of its greatest thinning (as a rule, these are the contact points of the teeth, where oil particles form a layer, filling microroughnesses ).

According to all the canons of the API GL-4 specification, Lukoil 80W90 TM-4 has a set of extreme pressure properties that appear and disappear as the technical resource depletes. In its original form, this oil can work flawlessly for 50 thousand kilometers, but one annoying nuance largely spoils the statistics. The fact is that, due to its popularity, this 'mineral water' has become the object of intensified falsification. In fact, the entire secondary market is flooded with a fake product, and the surest way to find the original composition is to contact a service center or an official representative of the company.

Advantages

• in its original form it has an extended package of additives for cleaning the box inside and protecting against undesirable phenomena;
• optimal ratio of price and base labor resource.

disadvantages

• goods are very often counterfeited.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.