Redline MTL - recommended for R380

nickt

Adventurer, Overland Certified OC0009
Hi,
On a friends recommendation, I've just started using Redline MTL in my R380s. I've got to say it's a fantastic upgrade over the ATF the manual advised (though there is a service bulletin advising MTF94 dated 1998, it seems that information didn't make the manuals even though they were printed later).

It's the smoothest shifting I've ever experienced in a Defender. Silky smooth.

I don't know if anyone else in here has given it a go, but I certainly recommend it.

Cheers,
Nick.

PS - a little more on the blog:
http://blog.indigoprime.com/2008/10/01/redline-mtl-for-the-r380/
 

LRNAD90

Adventurer
Hey Nick,

I don't know if you are a new Rover owner or not, but MTL recomendations have been pretty prevelant for years.

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 much improved feel.
 

Redline

Likes to Drive and Ride
Not in a Land Rover but I'm a big fan of Red Line MTL and most Red Line products. About 11-years ago I started using MTL in my ZF-S5 5-speed tranny in my '96 F350 instead of the "Mercon" Ford synthetic ATF fluid that’s recommended. Synthetic ATF always came out smelling burnt (the tranny does run warm), the MTL less so. I could actually feel the improved synchronizer engagement when shifting the tranny, just like Red Line claimed on the bottle. Impressive. Cold mornings the trans is a little stiffer but it’s okay. It’s not often that a marketing/advertising claim can be easily backed-up in the real world by the seat of your pants.
 

nickt

Adventurer, Overland Certified OC0009
Hi Scott,
Best4x4xfar said:
Hey Nick,
I don't know if you are a new Rover owner or not, but MTL recomendations have been pretty prevelant for years.

I've been around long enough to know better! http://is.gd/3qE8

Amazingly though, I only came across references to Redline MTL a few weeks ago. I've ran the Texaco MTF94 in my 110 in the UK but as far as I can remember it didn't feel as good as the MTL upgrade on the 90's here in Denver.

I'm really happy with it, and it's great to see that others are too. I'm going to try some other Redline products when I get around to it. Thanks for the details, I'm sure that help others who are not yet converts!

Cheers,
Nick.

PS your truck must be related to my wife's! http://is.gd/3qDV
 

Oxcart13

Observer
Yeah, Nick, you should know better....LoL...considering you're the biggest LR zealot I've ever come across.

I know many endorce MTL for the lubricantion properties, etc., but can anyone comment on how gaskets hold up to MTL? IMO synthetic oils in diffs and engine seem to accelerate the leaking.

Scott - are you the guy that did/does pencil drawings of rovers?

Mark
 

nickt

Adventurer, Overland Certified OC0009
Oxcart13 said:
Yeah, Nick, you should know better....LoL...considering you're the biggest LR zealot I've ever come across.

Mark

Well, you should have recommended it to me sooner! :)
 

LRNAD90

Adventurer
nickt said:
Hi Scott,


I've been around long enough to know better! http://is.gd/3qE8
I just took a look at your links, and feel like an idiot for asking if you were new to Rovers, sorry about that, its just the MTL recommendation has been around for so long, I made a bad assumption (I've been running it since '98-'99). Your travels are certainly alot more accomplished than mine!

nickt said:
PS your truck must be related to my wife's! http://is.gd/3qDV
I can definitely see the family resemblance..

Oxcart13 said:
Scott - are you the guy that did/does pencil drawings of rovers?

Mark
Nope, not that talented unfortunately. Be interested in seeing some of them though..
 

R_Lefebvre

Expedition Leader
Does it work well long term?

I tried running it in the MTX75 manual gearbox in my trackday car, a box that is known for sticky shifting, on recommendation from others (and vendors of course). I found it worked well for the first couple 100km, then shifting got worse than ever. I replaced it with the Ford spec fluid and shifting went back to normal.
 

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