Today I went out to the local auto store to buy some gear oil for my truck. I planned on changing the oil in the diffs, tranny, and t-case. I looked up what types were needed and in all I think I need around 10qts. Also, I was told that using synthetic is HIGHLY recommended in these components. Well it turns out this oil is over $10 per quart!

I live in MA. and I was wondering if this is normal price for synthetic blend gear oil? Its just Valvoline 80w90 (diffs) and Mobile 1 75w90 (tranny/t-case).....Is this high cost normal? Or worth it?

 

It's normal... Synthetic oil always costs more.

 

Maybe Im just cheap haha....is synthetic really the way to go in this application? Itll be costing me like $100 just to change fluids.

 

To me synthetic is always the way to go.

It will last longer than conventional oil so you won't have to change it as much.

 

But there's no harm in going dino if the pocketbook isn't big enough. Just means you get to stick to normal, factory service intervals.

 

last oil changes
the pickup I used Royal Purple in the tranny and Rotella in the diffs.

the 4runner I used Redline mt90 in the tranny and Valvoline in the diffs.

 

I know its cheap, but I use Walmart 75W-90 synthetic blend in everything. It runs $4.74/qt.

I also use 4qts of their full synthetic 5w-30 in all of my vehicles. I also add 1qt of Lucas Pure Synthetic oil stablizer to each oil change as well. I swear by it.

 

I think ill just have to pick a middle ground somewhere. Around my area it seems hard to find gear oil, let alone a variety. I tried all the local shops and few have it. I might just got to walmart and see if the have regular valvoline or some decent brand of oil.

 

Yep, it will work just fine.

 

I use AMSOIL only, in all things, grease, atf, 20/50 heavy zinc fortified, 75/140 severe gear...all synthetic. I couldn't afford what they were asking at local auto parts store for AMSOIL, so I paid 20 bucks for a prefered customer deal and now I get my engine oil for 6 and change istead of almost 12 bucks a quart!!!
I used to run Royal Purple but then I read some things about them online, and one day I cut open a gear oil bottle that had been in the back of my truck for some time and inside the bottle there was a thick white (wax?) substance on the walls of the bottle!!!
Needless to say you couldn't PAY ME TO USE ROYAL PURPLE!!!
I believe in and trust AMSOIL with my investment/s, I also use their oil filters, and I'll be getting one of their BYPASS FILTER SYSTEMS shortly. Using AMSOIL for 1 year as apposed to "dino" you'll save around 106.00 bucks with extended drain intervals and all that!! There is bearing wear tests done with AMSOIL and alot of other brands, AMSOIL wins hands down.
I believe in it to the point that there is a 36 inch AMSOIL sticker across my tailgate!!!
Hawk4295

 

IMO you should never put additives into any oil!!!! they have been engineered to be the best they can be for what you are buying. alot of times what you are adding to the oil is what is already in the oil!!! I know that some oils have more zinc and phospherous in them for added wear protection, as in Dello and Rotella, which is what Melling advises for cam break in. most newer engines have roller type cams instead of flat tapet, so this stuff has been taken out of most modern oils(according to Melling). I use high zinc AMSOIL which is designed for high mileage, flat tapet, high valve spring tension, but apparently this stuff could cause a catalytic converter to get clogged. I would rather replace a cat than a motor!! I just knock out the core of the cat, leave it hollow, no emmissions where I live!!
Hawk4295

 

Valvoline is good stuff!!! You just have to stay with the factory service intervals..
Hawk4295

 

I agree with Hawk4295, I would spend the money and get AMSOIL, or at least a "full synthetic". I found AMSOIL to really be worth it, way more than the other synthetics. I know I like to do things right the first time, It would suck to spend the money on dino oil and have to change it fast, where you could spend a little more now and not have to change it for a LONG time and have better performance.

 

I used valvoline on all fluids except 5 speed because I didn't have a pump deal to get that far up in that tight area. This past wkend, I went to a Valvoline lube shop and they re-filled with 6.5 qts of their synthetic for $55...that's a deal considering they sell em for over $10/qt. at stores.

 

I ended up using valvoline synthetic blend in the diffs. And conventional in the tranny and t-case because I couldn't find the mobile 1. What are the factory service intervals?

 

Quote from another thread here:





Fred

 

fred: wrong thread?

edit: oh, nvm, Hawk on a tangent. carry on.

 

You're only changing the oil in the tranny/diffs every year at most.

Bite the bullet and put pure synthetic in (I'm a Redline fan - MT90 in the tranny, heavy shockproof in the dual cases and diffs), over the time it's in there, the extra cost is minimal and you reap the better protection and lower friction that whole time.

Oh - be sure to extend your diff breathers while you're at it - NO oil works when mixed with water!

 

Oh and I order mine from Summit.

Free shipping, with only a $6.95 handling fee for the hazardous material, no matter how much you order.

 

Yup, Redline is about the best you're going to get.



Fred