What fluid for a lt85 tranny

[draaronr]

Book says motor oil. dealer doesn't know their head from their ass. So ATF, motoroil, or something mentioned in the double clutch column.

[rover4x4]

Redline Mtf

[KeithD]

You have an LT85? I thought NAS90s had R380s? I think my LT85 has ATF in it - should remember really. It can be very obstructive when extremely cold, but warms up quick enough once you have stirred the oil about. I am not sure any other kind of oil would make a difference. and I am not that bothered.

[draaronr]

Its a 1988 so non NAS. thanks for the tip

[kellymoe]

I think my lt85 has ATF in it also. Been awhile since I checked. I think I am going to switch to Redline. Anything to help smooth it out a bit.

[draaronr]

Do you get redline at Advanced auto parts or is it special?

[scrover]

Looks like it should be regular motor oil (you might have to enlarge the pages to read them):

[draaronr]

Thats what my manual says, but it is 16 years old so things change, that's why I wasn't sure.

[kellymoe]

Aaron,
Redline says you can use there MTL in place of motor oil in a manual trans. You can order it online from Summit Racing, JEG's and a number of other sources. It is a bit pricey, $7.95 a quart. I think I will be trying it during my next fluid change.

[draaronr]

you don't happen to know how much it takes to fill it.

[kellymoe]

am guessing about 3 quarts. But that is only a WAG

[Smirk1010]

Old thread, but did anyone end up using Redline MTL on their LT85? If so, how did it work out?

[junkyddog11]

Why would you do that? Use a good high shear oil like Rottella......not the synthetic either. Keep it simple.

[diesel_jim]

Normal 15/40 engine oil is what it shows in my workshop manual.

[Smirk1010]

I guess my question was the same as the original poster. I see 15W50, 15W40 listed in the manual but wanted to know if there was a general consensus on something that works better. Thanks for the info.

[nathanwind]

Pardon my ignorance, but are the specs diffeent on an LT85 vs the LT77/R380 oil needs? Seems like many folks - myself included - run Redline MTL in the LT77/R380...was just curious if the LT85 is that vastly different.

[LRover]

The LT85 and LT95 use motor oil as per the manual. The LT77 and R380 use ATF as per the manual. What ever fluid or transmission type you have, it is important to change the fluid regularly.

[revtor]

MTF (a fuid designed expressly for use in a manual transmission) is probably the best choice. Not cheapest, not easiest to get, but probably best. It miiiiight give you slightly better shifting and your shifting might stay smooth for longer. All of this is a maybe. Just avoid GL5's in general since many of them eat up the brass/bronze parts faster than GL4/MTF/motoroil/ATF

Stv

[evilfij]

I believe MTL and MTF by redline both have motor oil ratings I just can't recall what they are at the moment.

[Red90]

For an LT85, Redline MT-90 (not MTL) would be the correct choice and would be better than motor oil. MT-85 might be a good choice for cold climates.

http://www.redlineoil.com/content/files/tech/Man%20Trans%20Lubes%20PDS%208-10.pdf
http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=46&pcid=7