TLDR(too long, didn’t read):
Subaru Extra MT: OEM, Hypoid Gear, EP, GL-5, 75W-80, only available in USA for +$500, made by ENEOS
Mitasu GL4/5 75W-80: Supposedly same as Subaru Extra MT (TDS doesn’t match exactly), Japanese ENEOS made, not available in USA.
MOTYLGEAR 75W-80: Mentions Extreme Pressure (EP), is GL-5 rated, says not for LSD (good) is 80 weight, but doesn’t mention Hypoid. Is European. (TDS doesn’t match)
RAVENOL SAE 75W-90 API GL 5: Mentions Hypoid, mentions EP, is GL-5, semi-synthetic, (TDS doesn’t match exactly), is European, can buy in USA.
Honda HGO-1 GL-5 75W-85: mentions Hypoid, is GL-5, is Japanese made (Idemitsu), thinner than 75W-90, is available in USA. No TDS to compare.
BLUF(bottom line up front):
Still gonna drive around to Subaru dealerships till someone will sell me Extra MT out of their barrel (if they even have any and aren’t lying to customers) Would choose Honda in a pinch, but I have time and will continue to research.
Whole story:
I’m a perfectionist and I’m always very hesitant to trust dealerships. I paid off a brand new 2023 Crosstrek, 2.0, 6MT, premium with all the features I wanted. Love it so far! I do my own work and have formulated a more detailed (Japan inspired) service schedule (cause I hate Subaru of America [SoA] corporate). I want to replace my Diff fluid and Manual Transmission Fluid every 30k miles.
As you all know, good luck finding cheap Subaru Extra MT for the front of my car. Thud begins the amateur research.
So, a few places said that the company that makes Subaru Extra MT 75W-80 is Mitasu and it’s a rebranded GL-4/5 semi-synthetic 75W-80. The Saftey Data Sheet says Extra MT is owned by Eneos, which has its hands in Mitasu. The Mitasu would be my choice (even though it doesn’t mention Hypoid in their advertising) because it’s Japanese, it’s part of ENEOS group (makers of Extra MT), and is GL-5 75W-80.
I’ve read on forums that it’s important to get gear oil that is specific to hypoid gears for my 6MT Crosstrek, but that you should also avoid LSD / LS (limited slip) additives, as well as Extreme Pressure (EP) being an important factor of Extra MT.
Oil science states that weights are important. 75W-80 means thinner than 75W-85 which is thinner than 75W-90 (at given temps). So I’m trying to get as close to 75W-80 as possible. I also refuse to use an oil that isn’t classified GL-5.
I can’t order Mitasu 75W-80 in USA (even if it is true that it’s Subaru Extra MT, which I haven’t proven, because the Technical Data sheet does not match the TDS for 75W-80 that is on ENEOS corporate website for Extra MT)
On the Mitasu site, it lists comparable part numbers (K0321-F0090) and (SOA748V0100, which is the Extra MT). Searching K0321-F0090 takes me to a Ravenol product that doesn’t mention GL-5 or Hypoid (the tech sheet also doesn’t match ENEOS)
But Ravenol does have a RAVENOL GETRIEBEOEL TGO SAE 75W-90 API GL 5 that SPECIFICALLY mentions Extreme Pressure, hypoid gears, DOESNT say LSD / LS, and is a semi-synthetic. But it’s 75W-90. (Ravenol also has some GL-5 75W-85, but it did not mention Hypoid gear application)
None of the Ravenol options had data exactly matching ENEOS corporate website Technical Data Sheets either. (Not that they would or should since it’s a different company with different manufacturing)
Motul has a 75W-80 GL-5 called MOTYLGEAR, which seems promising. Though Hypoid is not mentioned in their TDS, which to me the fact it would say Hypoid is more important than oil weight, but it’s nice that it’s GL-5 and is good weight. But it’s say stuff like for Renault and Peugeot and Citroën, (which aren’t Japanese) so it feels like it could be too Euro so I’m still hesitant.
Motul Gear 300 75W-90, mentions Hypoid & EP, doesn’t have LSD additives. Downside it’s not 75W-80, it’s European, and so many forums have people saying they are noticing changes in shift-ability and contribute it to the thicker viscosity.
Then I found Honda HGO-1 GL-5 75W-85. I can’t find a TDS. I also can’t find an “advertisement” or description page that would talk about LSD / LS properties or Extreme Pressure. But it’s lighter than 75W-90 from Ravenol, it’s available in USA, it’s Japanese (Idemitsu, Japanese oil manufacturer) and says Hypoid.
What do yall think? Would the Ravenol 75W-90 be better for 30k mi changes in my 2.0L Manual Crosstrek. Or should I try the Honda HGO-1 75W-85 since it’s closer to the thinner Extra MT? Maybe give MOTYLGEAR 75W-80 a chance even though it doesn’t say for Hypoid in the TDS? Should I use Gear 300
If I had to pick one right now, I’d go with Honda. It’s available in USA, it’s Japanese, it’s GL-5, and Hypoid approved. Downside is, it’s 75W-85, it’s not OEM, and not sure if it has LSD / LS additives, since I can’t find an advertisement page or TDS (tech data sheet). Though, I assume they would say LS if it had it.
In the mean time, I’m gonna go to all the dealerships I can with a clean pail, begging for them to pump me some OEM out of their barrels. (If they even truly use Extra MT, I wouldn’t put it past them to be giving folks 75W-90 and saving their money, screwing over customers)
I just want what’s best for the Subaru and I want to get 300,000 mi out of my $30,000 car. But I also know that the best thing to do is keep good fluid in it no matter what and at the end of the day the manual does say 75W-90 is acceptable.
Thank you for reading.
Subaru Extra MT: OEM, Hypoid Gear, EP, GL-5, 75W-80, only available in USA for +$500, made by ENEOS
Mitasu GL4/5 75W-80: Supposedly same as Subaru Extra MT (TDS doesn’t match exactly), Japanese ENEOS made, not available in USA.
MOTYLGEAR 75W-80: Mentions Extreme Pressure (EP), is GL-5 rated, says not for LSD (good) is 80 weight, but doesn’t mention Hypoid. Is European. (TDS doesn’t match)
RAVENOL SAE 75W-90 API GL 5: Mentions Hypoid, mentions EP, is GL-5, semi-synthetic, (TDS doesn’t match exactly), is European, can buy in USA.
Honda HGO-1 GL-5 75W-85: mentions Hypoid, is GL-5, is Japanese made (Idemitsu), thinner than 75W-90, is available in USA. No TDS to compare.
BLUF(bottom line up front):
Still gonna drive around to Subaru dealerships till someone will sell me Extra MT out of their barrel (if they even have any and aren’t lying to customers) Would choose Honda in a pinch, but I have time and will continue to research.
Whole story:
I’m a perfectionist and I’m always very hesitant to trust dealerships. I paid off a brand new 2023 Crosstrek, 2.0, 6MT, premium with all the features I wanted. Love it so far! I do my own work and have formulated a more detailed (Japan inspired) service schedule (cause I hate Subaru of America [SoA] corporate). I want to replace my Diff fluid and Manual Transmission Fluid every 30k miles.
As you all know, good luck finding cheap Subaru Extra MT for the front of my car. Thud begins the amateur research.
So, a few places said that the company that makes Subaru Extra MT 75W-80 is Mitasu and it’s a rebranded GL-4/5 semi-synthetic 75W-80. The Saftey Data Sheet says Extra MT is owned by Eneos, which has its hands in Mitasu. The Mitasu would be my choice (even though it doesn’t mention Hypoid in their advertising) because it’s Japanese, it’s part of ENEOS group (makers of Extra MT), and is GL-5 75W-80.
I’ve read on forums that it’s important to get gear oil that is specific to hypoid gears for my 6MT Crosstrek, but that you should also avoid LSD / LS (limited slip) additives, as well as Extreme Pressure (EP) being an important factor of Extra MT.
Oil science states that weights are important. 75W-80 means thinner than 75W-85 which is thinner than 75W-90 (at given temps). So I’m trying to get as close to 75W-80 as possible. I also refuse to use an oil that isn’t classified GL-5.
I can’t order Mitasu 75W-80 in USA (even if it is true that it’s Subaru Extra MT, which I haven’t proven, because the Technical Data sheet does not match the TDS for 75W-80 that is on ENEOS corporate website for Extra MT)
On the Mitasu site, it lists comparable part numbers (K0321-F0090) and (SOA748V0100, which is the Extra MT). Searching K0321-F0090 takes me to a Ravenol product that doesn’t mention GL-5 or Hypoid (the tech sheet also doesn’t match ENEOS)
But Ravenol does have a RAVENOL GETRIEBEOEL TGO SAE 75W-90 API GL 5 that SPECIFICALLY mentions Extreme Pressure, hypoid gears, DOESNT say LSD / LS, and is a semi-synthetic. But it’s 75W-90. (Ravenol also has some GL-5 75W-85, but it did not mention Hypoid gear application)
None of the Ravenol options had data exactly matching ENEOS corporate website Technical Data Sheets either. (Not that they would or should since it’s a different company with different manufacturing)
Motul has a 75W-80 GL-5 called MOTYLGEAR, which seems promising. Though Hypoid is not mentioned in their TDS, which to me the fact it would say Hypoid is more important than oil weight, but it’s nice that it’s GL-5 and is good weight. But it’s say stuff like for Renault and Peugeot and Citroën, (which aren’t Japanese) so it feels like it could be too Euro so I’m still hesitant.
Motul Gear 300 75W-90, mentions Hypoid & EP, doesn’t have LSD additives. Downside it’s not 75W-80, it’s European, and so many forums have people saying they are noticing changes in shift-ability and contribute it to the thicker viscosity.
Then I found Honda HGO-1 GL-5 75W-85. I can’t find a TDS. I also can’t find an “advertisement” or description page that would talk about LSD / LS properties or Extreme Pressure. But it’s lighter than 75W-90 from Ravenol, it’s available in USA, it’s Japanese (Idemitsu, Japanese oil manufacturer) and says Hypoid.
What do yall think? Would the Ravenol 75W-90 be better for 30k mi changes in my 2.0L Manual Crosstrek. Or should I try the Honda HGO-1 75W-85 since it’s closer to the thinner Extra MT? Maybe give MOTYLGEAR 75W-80 a chance even though it doesn’t say for Hypoid in the TDS? Should I use Gear 300
If I had to pick one right now, I’d go with Honda. It’s available in USA, it’s Japanese, it’s GL-5, and Hypoid approved. Downside is, it’s 75W-85, it’s not OEM, and not sure if it has LSD / LS additives, since I can’t find an advertisement page or TDS (tech data sheet). Though, I assume they would say LS if it had it.
In the mean time, I’m gonna go to all the dealerships I can with a clean pail, begging for them to pump me some OEM out of their barrels. (If they even truly use Extra MT, I wouldn’t put it past them to be giving folks 75W-90 and saving their money, screwing over customers)
I just want what’s best for the Subaru and I want to get 300,000 mi out of my $30,000 car. But I also know that the best thing to do is keep good fluid in it no matter what and at the end of the day the manual does say 75W-90 is acceptable.
Thank you for reading.
