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Low temps and trans oil

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Petrol, Jan 26, 2014.

  1. Jan 26, 2014 at 7:50 AM
    #1
    Petrol

    Petrol [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2013
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    Central Va.
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    Tacoma
    OK, I don't usually pay a lot of attention to manual transmission oil nor do I get excited about this oil is better than that oil. However:


    I was running plain-Jane 85W90 GL-4 dino type oil in my 5 speed. I had used Amsoil synthetic gear lube in another vehicle and decided that when it was time to replace the tranny oil in the Tacoma I would switch to a synthetic 75W 90 GL-4 equivalent.
    When the old GL-4 oil was cold (30's) the engine would idle about 500rpms faster with clutch depressed due to the thick/cold oil in the tranny. After everything warmed up and thinned out, that effect would go away. Pretty normal cold weather operation there.
    After I switched to the synthetic GL-4 we had some seriously cold weather but the difference between the cold tranny fluid and the warm tranny fluid was dramatically less! The engine would idle within about 100 RPMs with the clutch in or out despite the single digit temps. That type of operation in those low temps is impressive.
    I'm not endorsing one brand over another but I will say the synthetic gear oil deals with low temps far better than the old dinosaur GL-4 stuff.
    Just my $.02
     
  2. Jan 26, 2014 at 9:08 AM
    #2
    lipster

    lipster Well-Known Member

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    Mike
    Northern MN
    Vehicle:
    2004 ext cab 3.4 auto TRD
    License plate frame
    Sounds right.
     
  3. Jan 26, 2014 at 9:12 AM
    #3
    2000GTacoma

    2000GTacoma Well-Known Member

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    Jan 29, 2011
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    Snow Hill NC
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    00 Tacoma Ext. 3.4L SR5
    mine does the same thing when it is cold. I might be switching soon.
     

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