Differential automatic transmission gear oil recommendation

[jocoman]

Sorry to bring this topic up, but I am finding it hard to make sure I get the correct fluid for the differential attached to my automatic transmission

So far the only recommendations I have found here are:
Mobil 1 75w90
red-line MT-90
I also looked up this from the liqui moly website.
Liqui Moly 75w90 sku 22178 (syn) or 20010 (non syn)

Manufactures seem to have many variations on the differential oils yet all are labeled 75w90.

I don't think I want MT-90 as there seems to be some controversy on it.
The ligui moly 22178 looks good but really expensive

the Mobil 1 could work but it just seems quite a common general purpose oil to be putting into our beloved machines.

Sweepco is not available up here, so that's out.

Is the other differential oils I could consider.

Only need about 1.3 liters of the stuff. Thanks
_________________
'86 Westfalia 2.0L Zetec
'97 Volvo 850 AWD Turbo
" The fun never stops"

[MarkWard]

The requirements for lube in an automatic differential are less stringent than for a manual transaxle. You should be fine with the Mobile 1 if that is convenient.
_________________
☮️

[Shonandb]

I went with Castrol 80W90 in my 010 Vanagon Automatic after having it rebuilt. I asked the rebuilder and he said most of the regular diff lube/oil would be fine.

25,000 km on it since Aug 2020 powered by a Subaru 2.5L and I pull a sport trailer as well and put most of the kms on it in the mountains.
_________________
*******************************
76 Westy with a 2.5L Subaru SOHC + Vanagon (010) Automatic Transaxle
Build & Trip Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=758760
Previous 1973 Panel Bus:
Click to view image

[jocoman]

Actually, when looking on the red line site, they recommend 75w90 GL5 not MT-90 for the differential in an AT.
_________________
'86 Westfalia 2.0L Zetec
'97 Volvo 850 AWD Turbo
" The fun never stops"

[MarkWard]

Redline 75-90 is fine as well. Just don’t find it at the local parts places. Castrol is also fine.
_________________
☮️

[kamzcab86]

I've been running Mobil 1 75W90 gear oil in mine for about a decade.

Not a fan of Redline, but YMMV.
_________________
~Kamz
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子

[DanHoug]

the nice thing with an automatic is that the differential is separate from the transmission. this means you don't have to listen to scary stories of bronze metal depletion or the debunking of such. just buy a good quality GL-5 gear oil with extreme pressure protection for hypoid gears and you can sleep happy. something else will break first.
_________________
-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.

'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd

Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com

[jocoman]

Thanks everyone!
_________________
'86 Westfalia 2.0L Zetec
'97 Volvo 850 AWD Turbo
" The fun never stops"

[Wildthings]

See what other people in your area who are driving they rigs at the same time of year in approximately the same manner are running. Don't know if VW had a special owner's manual for the colder areas of Canada or not.

[jlrftype7]

I would ‘think’, that 75w-90 would cover Colder Climates versus 80w-90 gear oil. But there is probably info on Canadian Market somewhere…🤔
_________________
'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto