MANUAL TRANSMISSION FLUIDS
Manual transmission fluids
The commercial vehicle engine technology has become more demanding and more complex following the big trends on emission legislation, fuel economy and extended oil drains. As a consequence, modern manual transmissions have also become more complex trying to meet those vehicle needs.
In response to that, Castrol has designed a range of manual transmission fluids that can help the vehicle’s driveline perform at its best. Our product range includes fully synthetic and advanced mineral products which have been designed to offer enhanced protection and help prolong component life.
Always consult your vehicle handbook to make sure you find the correct fluid for your transmission.
Castrol Dynadrive 80W-90
Synthetically fortified manual transmission and final drive lubricant. Suitable for use in highly loaded final drives and differentials of commercial vehicles in trucks, buses, vans and 4WD’s as well as synchronised manual transmissions requiring API GL-4 or GL-5.
Features & benefits
- Significant extension in oil drain interval compared to standard API GL-5 SAE 85W-140 EP gear oils.
- Reduced operating temperatures and extending oil and component life in Rockwell-Meritor axles.
- One product for both manual and final drive transmissions offers rationalisations and reduced stockholding and service filling errors.
- Excellent transmission cleanliness.
- Reduced wear.
- Extended drain.
- Excellent transmission performance.
Specification / technical data
- SAE 80W-90; API GL-4, API GL-5
- ZF TE-ML 02B (for manual transmissions) No longer on approval list
- ZF TE-ML 05A (for final drives without limited slip differentials) No longer on approval list
- MAN 341 Typ E2 (MAN 3343 Type M)
- Volvo (for rear axles)
- Scania STO 1:0
Castrol Syntrans 75W-85
Full synthetic manual transmission lubricant with outstanding low temperature fluidity, oxidation stability and synchroniser performance. Eaton has approved Castrol Syntrans 75W-85 for extended service intervals in mid-range transmissions.
Also recommended for passenger car and light commercial vehicle transmissions, transaxles and transfer cases where API GL-3 or GL-4 and SAE 75W-85 or SAE 80 viscosity is specified.
Castrol Syntrans 75W-85 has proved to provide excellent synchroniser performance in a range of Mitsubishi passenger car and 4 Wheel drive manual transmissions. It is also effective in Holden Jackaroo and Rodeo manual transmissions for best cold shift performance and competition applications. It is also approved for Tremec TR3650 manual transmissions as found in the Ford Tickford TE, TS 50 and FPV models.
Features & benefits
- Excellent oxidation stability makes it suitable for high temperature and extended drain service.
- Proven synchroniser performance makes gear shifting easier and transmission operation quieter.
- Very fluid at low temperatures for easier cold start gear shifting in synchronised transmissions.
- Good wear and EP performance ensures component protection under high load conditions reducing downtime and service costs.
- Compatible with normal mineral oil, hence no special flushing procedure is needed when changing from mineral to synthetic oil.
- Long drain performance - potentially lower maintenance costs and greater vehicle availability.
- Specially selected synthetic base fluids and additive system - very stable viscosity in service.
Specification / technical data
- API GL-3, GL-4
Suitable in place of
- API CC, CD, SE, SF, SG; Where specified for transmission use - do not use in engines.
- Volvo; Transmission Oil Part No. 97307 (Syntrans 75W-85 only).
- MB 235.4
- MAN341 Type E 4
- Eaton; On-Highway 400,000 km/3 years. Road Ranger transmissions – Mid-range transmissions; 5109, 6109, 8109, etc. May use Syntrans 75W-85 for improved cold shift performance.
Castrol Axle EPX 80W-90
(Replaces EPX 80W-90)
Multipurpose axle oil which may be used in differentials and other applications in passenger cars and commercial vehicles where API GL-5 is required. It is approved by ZF for use in a range of commercial applications including axles in off-road and agricultural equipment.
Features & benefits
- A range of European OEM approvals.
- High load carrying capability ensures gears operating under high loads are protected prolonging component life.
- High film strength ensures protection against wear and shock loads.
- Good thermal/oxidation stability protects against the formation of harmful deposits and oil thickening thus prolonging of both lubricant and components
Specification/technical data
- API GL-5
- Borg Warner 5M-26
- GMH HN 1181, HN 1046
- Ford ESW-M2C-108A
- ZF TE-ML 05A, 16B, 17B, 19B, 21A
Castrol Syntrans Z long life 75W-80
(Replaces syntrans max)
Full synthetic manual transmission fluid specifically developed to meet ZF requirements.
Approved for use in all ZF commercial manual and automated manual transmissions and Iveco Eurotonic transmissions.
Recommended for most commercial vehicle manual transmissions where API GL4 lubricants are required.
Features & benefits
- Improved shift comfort, extended synchroniser life reducing warranty and maintenance costs.
- Excellent transmission cleanliness and longer oil life permit extended drain and reduced servicing.
Specification/technical data
- SAE 75W-80
- API GL4
- ZF TE-ML 02E, 16P
- MAN 341 SL+
Castrol Syntrans AT 75W-90
(Replaces Syntrans AT)
Full synthetic manual transmission fluid specifically for use in Mercedes-Benz Actros vehicles.
Features & benefits
- Excellent synchroniser performance for improved driver comfort.
- Smoother gearshift at low ambient temperatures due to reduced shifting forces.
- Extended drain periods and reduced servicing.
- Good seal compatibility helping to avoid oil leaks.
Specification/technical data
- API Service Classification GL-4
- SAE 75W-90
- Mercedes Benz Lubricant List page 235.11 (for Actros manual transmissions without oil coolers)
Castrol Axle AP 85W-140
High quality, mineral oil based, multipurpose gear oil for use in most passenger car, light and heavy duty truck conventional differentials, final drives, non-synchronised manual transmissions, steering gears and other applications where API GL-5, API MT-1 or SAE J2360 performance is required.
It is not recommended for those manual transmission manufacturers who prefer non EP (Extreme Pressure) additive containing oils.
Features & benefits
- Formulated to be particularly stable under high temperature operating conditions.
- Provides high oil film and wear protection which ensures components are protected even under severe operating conditions and thus prolongs equipment life.
Specification / technical data
- API GL-5, MT-1
- SAE J2360
- Mack GO-J
- ArvinMeritor 076-A
Castrol Axle long Drain 80W-90
Mineral based gear oil designed for use in axles and final drives operating under severe conditions and over a wide range of operating temperatures. It is specifically approved for use in MB Actros, MAN, Scania and ZF axles and is also recommended for other applications where API GL-5 or SAE J2360 performance is required.
Features & benefits
- Extended drain potential compared with conventional MB 235.0 fluids
- Enhanced seal compatibility
- Effective wear protection under severe load conditions, ensuring longer component life and allowing it to be used in the final drives of most vehicles in a wide range of operating temperatures
- Excellent resistance to foaming and corrosion
Specification/technical data
- API GL-5
- MAN 342 M3
- MB-Approval 235.20
- Scania STO 1:0*
- ZF TE-ML 05A, 12E, 16B, 17B, 19B, 21A
- SAE J2360
*Scania do not recommend SAE 80W-90 grades in Australia
Castrol Syntrans heavy duty 75W-90
Fully synthetic manual transmission fluid with excellent performance for up to 400,000 km oil drains intervals in manual transmission applications. It is our prime recommendation for Volvo, Spicer, Eaton, Road Ranger and Rockwell truck transmissions, in both normal and severe duty conditions. It is suitable for both synchronised and non-synchronised manual transmissions. It is particularly
recommended for long haul interstate trucks, B-double, road train and other severe duty applications. However it may also be used in manual transmissions of cars and light commercial vehicles where API GL-4 oils are recommended.
Features & benefits
- Extended drain performance to lower maintenance costs and increase vehicle availability
- Excellent oxidation stability ensures suitability in high temperature and extended drain applications
- Proven synchroniser performance making gear shifting easier, and transmission operation quieter
- Easier cold start gear shifting in synchronised transmissions
- Excellent wear protection reduces wear and prolongs gear life
Specification/technical data
- API GL-4
- Volvo Approved against Volvo 97315 for high load, high ambient conditions
Castrol Syntrax Universal Plus 75W-90
Fully synthetic multipurpose manual transmission and final drive lubricant for smooth shift at low temperatures.Application For synchronized manual transmissions and final drives/differentials of a wide range of vehicles (commercial vehicles, construction equipment, passenger cars) where API GL-4 or GL-5 are required.
Features & benefits
- A single product for transmission and final drive.
- Excellent low temperature fluidity provides improved cold shift quality in cold conditions and fuel efficiency.
- Superior high temperature stability and excellent and wear protection even in the most arduous conditions prolongs equipment life and allows for extended oil drain intervals.
- Full compatibility with conventional mineral oils and seals allows this product to be used in a wide range of applications.
- Outstanding EP gear synchroniser performance.
Specification/technical data
- API GL-4, GL-5 and MT-1
Suitable for use where the following specifications apply:
- MAN 3343 Type S
- Scania STO 1:0
- MB Approval 235.8
- ZF TE-ML, 02B, 05B, 12B, 16F, 17B, 19C, 21BC
- SAE MJ2360 (MIL-PRF-2105E)
- Eaton Approved for 300,000km’s drain
Advanced Performance Series
Castrol TRANSMAX Manual E long life 40
Transmax Manual E Long Life 40 is a specially formulated synthetic lubricant designed for fuel efficiency, extended drain intervals and severe service in heavy duty commercial vehicle transmissions which require a non-EP transmission lubricant. It is specially formulated to protect higher torque transmissions coupled with increased horsepower engines. It is approved for use in Eaton transmissions such as Eaton PS 386, Ultrashift Plus, Fuller Advantage, FR and RT Series transmissions.
- Proven to provide better fuel economy versus earlier PS-164rev7 transmission fluids.
- High performance and extended drain capabilities in transmissions.
- Excellent thermal and oxidation stability which resists deposit and sludge formation.
- Excellent protection from corrosion, foaming, rust, and wear.
- Superb high and low temperature performance.
- Friction retention, friction durability, and excellent shear stability to ensure and maintain smooth transmission operation throughout the extended service interval.
- Formulated to reduce sump operating temperatures.
