I was experiencing problems with first gear in cold weather in my 54 Octavia and had a lot of useful feedback. As a first step I opted for getting the gear oil checked to see if it was low (the mechanic said it had too much in there), then had it drained out (clean and clear) and the garage changed the oil for a light engine oil (he said he had had the same thing happening in Volvos). The result is good in that I am now not having problems putting it into first but the down side is that until it gets warm all the gears feel notchy. On one occasion it didnt want to come out of reverse but so far its only done this once. Would it make sense to go back to trad gear oil- Im also a little concerned that using engine oil might cause harm to the box, does anyone know please and also what would you recommend as the best oil to use in it?

Transmission oils have nothing in common with the engine oils :confused:.

You should not use an engine oil in the gear box :eek:.

Not sure, but the right oil is SAE75W90. Check the right specification with the dealers.

I read somewhere in some VW forum that deliberately decreasing the amount of transmission oil can help to smooth VAG gearboxes.

Notchy is their nature...

Transmission oils have nothing in common with the engine oils :confused:.

You should not use an engine oil in the gear box :eek:.

Not sure, but the right oil is SAE75W90. Check the right specification with the dealers.

Not so i'm afraid.

Many manufactuers actual spec engne oil (10w40) in the gearbox (not to mention a-series that shares the oil for engine and box).

Audi advised 10w40 in the TT six speed boxes to help with gearchange and our gearbox specialist swears by it.

VW currently have a recall out on the MQ250 five speed boxes for problematic gearchanges. Remedy is a gearbox oil change and flush to a different spec oil.

As someone who had several of the original Austin/Morris Minis, more years ago than I care to remember, I recall they had a single engine and gearbox oil in common. I don't remember ever having gearbox trouble with them, except the awful floppy gear stick (until you "Paddy Hopkirked" them!)

Lummox, what's the current recommandation from Skoda for the 5gear manual box?

As an emergency I once put car engine oil into my motorbike when I was stranded in Scotland with an oil use problem and no bike dealerships/mechanics nearby. So far as the engine was concerned there were no problems, but the clutch and gearbox REALLY didn't like it. Caution advised!

Thanks for all replies but still confused. Lummox, the gear box is the six gear so I presume thats not the same as the one VW are recalling. Are you saying that the engine oil is fine and Im safe to leave it as it now is, and do you have any suggestions as to the notchiness (is that a word). Basil, I wasnt notchy before and thats why Im worrying in case Ive got the wrong stuff in there- the changes smooth out once warmed up.