R380 LT230 Fluids

[ronward]

Hi all, changing fluids in the R380 and LT230 mated to the 300Tdi in my 110. The manual is vague on which fluids to use but I assume its 90w. Anyone confirm or deny for me?

Thanks

Ron

[Gkase]

One thing for sure...don't put 90 weight in your R380 transmission...factory specs automatic transmission fluid...

[rover4x4]

230 redline MTL. LT230 cheapest 90weight you can find.

[Defender13]

Redline MTL...a huge difference...it's the only way to go

[JFD]

Originally Posted by ronward

Hi all, changing fluids in the R380 and LT230 mated to the 300Tdi in my 110. The manual is vague on which fluids to use but I assume its 90w. Anyone confirm or deny for me?

Thanks

Ron

The driver's manual for my 2005 D90 300Tdi recommend
for all weathers and conditions Texaco MTF94 for R380
and Texaco Multigear 75W90 for transfer case. You can
get the MTF94 at LR.

[artm]

OK, for the nail in the coffin...

R380 MTL
LT230 90W, 75W90, 80W90

[LRNAD90]

Originally Posted by JFD

The driver's manual for my 2005 D90 300Tdi recommend
for all weathers and conditions Texaco MTF94 for R380
and Texaco Multigear 75W90 for transfer case. You can
get the MTF94 at LR.

The Specs on Redline's MTF and Texaco's MTF94 are nearly identical..

Land Rover Issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) on November 11, 1998. It read that it effected ALL R380 Manual Transmissions.

Range Rover from: WA384300
Discovery from: WA752315
Defender from: WA131138

Where these are the last right digits of the VIN. I can’t seem to confirm whether the bulletin was released in the US or not, but may not have been, as LRNA stopped importing manual transmission vehicles in 1997. Any how, the Bulletin specified to change the Lubricant from ATF to a product produced by Caltex of Australia, but marketed under the Texaco name, “TEXACO MTF94”. I haven't tried to find it in the US, but according to JFD it looks like LR dealers may carry it.

However, RedLine's MTL (Manual Transmission Lubricant) has virtually identical specifications, and is probably the best lubricant you could pour into your R380. Both the MTF94 and MTL are Rated as GL-4, 70W80 Gear Oils.

Redline Specs: http://www.redlineoil.com/pdf/6.pdf
(MTL White paper): http://www.redlineoil.com/whitePaper/13.pdf

MTF90 Specs: http://www.caltex.com.au/products_oil_detail.asp?id=107

I've run it in my Discovery's R-380, as well as my D-90's R380 with no issues, and improved feel. Hope this is of some help to you….

[Red90]

Originally Posted by JFD

The driver's manual for my 2005 D90 300Tdi recommend
for all weathers and conditions Texaco MTF94 for R380
and Texaco Multigear 75W90 for transfer case. You can
get the MTF94 at LR.

The Redline MTL is better than the MTF94 as it has a better viscosity range. Mainly important if you use it in cold weather.

[D90user]

hey all... on advise from Rob Dassler (mabye he will chime in) AKA r380 master he says royal purple syncromax. You can get it anywhere you can get MTL and the guys at summit seem to say it is better for racing what ever that is worth.
I had another r380 I used to run MTL in that I changed to syncromax after I put robs tranny in the 110, and I noticed a difference... although i could have easily been fooling myself but 1st to 2nd felt better.

[Red90]

Originally Posted by jeepeytr

The Specs on Redline's MTF and Texaco's MTF94 are nearly identical..

Not really.

Redline MTL has a viscosity of 12000 cP @ -40C
Texaco MTF94 has a viscosity of 60000 cP @ -40C

Operating temperature viscosities are similar, but cold temperature viscosity is substantially better for the Redline.

Follow-up Post:

Originally Posted by D90user

royal purple syncromax.

The specs look really good on that. Viscosities are basically the same as a synthetic ATF.

[evilfij]

MTL for R380 only way to fly, the royal purple stuff I am not familiar with.
90wt of some variety for the LT230 I like synthetic but YMMV

[ronward]

OK, Redline MTL. I'll Google it to make sure I know what it is. How much does the R380 hold? Thanks for the information guys.

[evilfij]

2.somthing quarts

IE buy three quarts and you will have a little left over.

[JFD]

Originally Posted by jeepeytr

but according to JFD it looks like LR dealers may carry it.

MTF94 in 5 liters: STC5157, 1 liter STC5158