I am struggling to find the proper grade of oil for the gearbox on my son's fabia VRs.

Haynes says the VRs is too new to include it.

Halfords suggest the castrol TAF-X type, but as yet I can't find any branch who stock it.

Unipart suggest 75W90 semisynthetic, Fuchs brand, seems to have loads of VW approvals. But there was some confusion between GL4 and GL5 spec.

GT (General Traffic) were no help at all.

And the local Skoda garage refused to comment until I'd told them the chassis no. Didn't seem able to cope with the year (05). I did not know the Chassis or reg no. when I called.

They just said they needed to know the chassis no so they could check what the factory fitted in the first place.

Now, looking at this forum there seems to be some discussion but no real conclusions as to what to use, unless I've missed something and I apologise if I have.

Should it be semi or fully synthetic?

If fully, where do I get it from?

Has the grade/spec of oil changed over the years due to experience and improving gear change ability?

Any useful input gratefully received, thanks.

Oh, by the way. Skoda garage refused to sell me the multi-point tool for the gearbox.

But, thanks to this forum I sorted it.

Unipart could have sold me the Draper type but it would have been a special order.

GT (general traffic) had the Sealy (I think) part in stock for the grand sum of £7 inc vat.

Its a 16mm 12point security/anti-tamper type for reference.

Thanks

Gearbox oil G 052 171 … SAE 70W75 (synthetic oil) That's from the Skoda workshop manual for VRS 6 speed box.

I am struggling to find the proper grade of oil for the gearbox on my son's fabia VRs.

Haynes says the VRs is too new to include it.

Halfords suggest the castrol TAF-X type, but as yet I can't find any branch who stock it.

Unipart suggest 75W90 semisynthetic, Fuchs brand, seems to have loads of VW approvals. But there was some confusion between GL4 and GL5 spec.

GT (General Traffic) were no help at all.

And the local Skoda garage refused to comment until I'd told them the chassis no. Didn't seem able to cope with the year (05). I did not know the Chassis or reg no. when I called.

They just said they needed to know the chassis no so they could check what the factory fitted in the first place.

Now, looking at this forum there seems to be some discussion but no real conclusions as to what to use, unless I've missed something and I apologise if I have.

Should it be semi or fully synthetic?

If fully, where do I get it from?

Has the grade/spec of oil changed over the years due to experience and improving gear change ability?

Any useful input gratefully received, thanks.

Oh, by the way. Skoda garage refused to sell me the multi-point tool for the gearbox.

But, thanks to this forum I sorted it.

Unipart could have sold me the Draper type but it would have been a special order.

GT (general traffic) had the Sealy (I think) part in stock for the grand sum of £7 inc vat.

Its a 16mm 12point security/anti-tamper type for reference.

Thanks

you can use either 75w90 or 75w80. I have tried both in the vRS and prefer 75w80 as it operates much better at colder temps. Opie oil also recommend this and I personally will be sticking with 75w80 from now on.

The oil can be either fully or semi and have extreme pressure additives or not at all. Most dont.

The one i use is this Fuchs

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-981-fuchs-titan-sintofluid-sae-75w-80-synthetic-manual-transmission-fluid.aspx

Edited 8 June, 201016 yr by newskoda

How often should you change your gearbox oil ???

How often should you change your gearbox oil ???

this is just my opinion based on results, every 12 months.

How many litres of oil does the gearbox take?

Ebay Redline MT-90

Would 2 litres be enough ? approx £22 of ebay for 2 litres

I have used red line oil before worked a treat on a whining slightly crunchy gearbox.

Thanks

Edited 8 June, 201016 yr by REDFABVRS

Gearbox oil G 052 171 … SAE 70W75 (synthetic oil) That's from the Skoda workshop manual for VRS 6 speed box.

Thanks. How daft is it that the Skoda manual recommends something so different to Halfords and others.

Also, why the 'eck couldn't the Skoda garage tell me that?

Or did they just not want to?

Thanks. How daft is it that the Skoda manual recommends something so different to Halfords and others.

Also, why the 'eck couldn't the Skoda garage tell me that?

Or did they just not want to?

To be honest most dealers wouldn't know, as the box is 'filled for life' with no oil change interval. It needs to be a specific oil due to the Magnesium Alloy casing.

How many litres of oil does the gearbox take?

Ebay Redline MT-90

Would 2 litres be enough ? approx £22 of ebay for 2 litres

I have used red line oil before worked a treat on a whining slightly crunchy gearbox.

Thanks

2 litres should be ok.

I'd personally not bother with 75w90 and instead goto 75w80. I tried fuchs 75w90 and found it balked in cold...other members on the forum have reported balking when using 75w90. After it warms up it is ok. I used 75w90 for about 8 months then thought stuff it and bought 75w80 to try it out. Ali at unit 18 did the oil change and since then its been perfect

Is there a noticeable benefit from changing the gear box oil, slicker changes better feel of the gear lever or what.

If the box is "Filled for Life " as quoted by Skoda is it really necessary? or a case of " He's done it so I will. "

Just askin' Oh.....and how much does the complete job cost

Edited 9 June, 201016 yr by Auric Goldfinger

Is there a noticeable benefit from changing the gear box oil, slicker changes better feel of the gear lever or what.

If the box is "Filled for Life " as quoted by Skoda is it really necessary? or a case of " He's done it so I will. "

Just askin' Oh.....and how much does the complete job cost

On my previous car which also stated "fill for life", when we checked how much was left we found it had lost a litre over time, so completely renewed it. 75w80 is smoother than 75w90 because it is thinner and so there is less drag which in turn means better gear change.

if you do decide to change your gear oil, you should make sure it meets GL4 or GL4/5, not "GL5 only" as this would mean more sulphur content which is bad for some gearbox in passenger cars.

Edited 9 June, 201016 yr by newskoda