gearbox oil recommendation

[opposite_lock]

Not a question this time but passing on some recent experience.
I'd recommend not using anything other than the exact recommended oil from an audi dealer. I just changed my A4 gearbox oil the other week, and got what was a very good quality gearbox oil (full synthetic 75W-90), as close to the audi spec as I could get without buying the dealer oil - and the gearchange was AWFUL afterwards (couldn't even force the car into 2nd gear when cold). Changing to the dealer oil sorted it. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't felt the difference for myself.
Stupid thing is that, after I checked the dealer price, the correct oil wasn't that much more expensive.

[Boy]

Why did you change the g/b oil in the first place? Was there a problem or was the mileage astronomic?
Was it ultimately any better than before you started?
I tend to leave g/b oil alone unless there is a pressing reason not to.

[opposite_lock]

yeah, gear change is now better than it was before. It was getting notchy in 2nd gear mainly, and I want to keep the car for a while so I figured I should change the oil now and get the benefit.

[Frazzly]

I replaced gearbox oil in my 200sx once as i had a slihtly notchy change. Some decent castrol stuff I think it was and a dose of molyslip and it was perfect again.

Was very impressed.

[Corgi]

This thread's really interesting to me

I was talking with my new mechanic last night and asked his advice re my old Polo's manual gearbox. I have been seriously considering putting top quality synthetic gearbox oil in it, but he said it's probably not a good idea in my old Polo's case as when he's done that for his customers in the past some have experienced whining gearboxes.

He recommended that if I wanted to maintain the longevity of my box to change the oil for just the standard stuff and put some Molyslip in it. I'm wondering what people think to that suggestion?

I've got an open mind about this issue and wonder which is the best for my 110k 1.9D AEF engine...

[Frazzly]

I was very impressed with molyslip inthe sx

[nutter1980]

I have a question, When my mechanic friend serviced my A4 recently , I told him I wanted the works, every oil and filter changing , full check over etc.

He advised my he wouldnt change the gearbox oil because they were factory sealed by audi ? Is this bull****

I have a notchy 1st and 2nd gear when engine is cool, and I want to get it sorted.

[jsmithee]

i have a problem with a notchy 1st gear, sometimes(rarely) i have to double clutch it at lights to get it in 1st. apart from that gearbox is perfect. so the best way forward is standard audi oil change and molyslip?

[Corgi]

jsmithee that's what I'm asking too However, the more I read on the issue the more I'm thinking of using Molyslip 2001 G and even putting some Molyslip 2001 E in my engine oil!

[fantasiagreen]

I'd like to add my experiences to this. My A4 tdi has 160k miles on it and the 2nd gear in particular was getting a bit notchy so thought I'd treat it to a change in gearbox oil. Unfortunately I did not see this post before doing so. I used some good quality fully synthetic 75w90 oil.

When the car is cold, changes into 2nd gear are much worse, but changes into all other gears are better.

When the car is warm, changes into all gears feel slicker and less notchy.

The changes into 2nd are really quite bad. I would like to know whether people thing I should keep the current oil and add some of this molyslip or bite the bullet, drain the oil and get some proper stuff from the main *******?

Do people think I'll be damaging my gearbox by tolerating the current situation for a bit?

Cheers