Ravenol 75w-80 MTF-2 Review

[old guy]

I finally had chance to change out my transmission gear oil. It's a 2003 5-speed manual Quattro. I was running Motul Gear 300 that had been in the transmission for a little over 100k miles. Quite frankly I was getting a little bit worried about my 2nd gear syncro. It had gotten to the point where I had to either short shift into 2nd immediately or otherwise be extremely careful with my shifts to keep from getting a slight grind. I figured I either had a rebuild or tranny swap in my near future. Neither of which was very appealing.

I had read a few really good reviews on the Ravenol so I figured it was worth a try. The Ravenol is a PAO based fully synthetic low-viscosity gear oil. Clicky click® It meets the VW/AUDI G052911A2 and G055538A2 requirements.

At best I was hoping for a little improvement with the 2nd gear shift so I was very pleasantly surprised to find that the clunk is now totally gone and 2nd gear feels the same as it did when new. The other gears shift slightly smoother than before but nothing as dramatic as 2nd gear. Overall the transmission just feels a bit smoother.

There is no cold weather predicted here for at least the next 10 days so I can't comment on the cold weather behaviour but I will be sure to update this thread once I get a chance to check it out. The cold weather performance reviews were what made me consider the Ravenol in the first place so I am expecting to be able to give a positive report. We shall see...

[All_Euro]

Nice. I used Ravenol for my TIP fluid flush / filter change recently and it made a huge difference in shift quality... judging by the fluid that I drained, however, anything new would have likely been an improvement.

Still shifting great, though, and my area did just have a bout of -25*C (-13*F) weather.

[QuattroVAG]

Ravenol is good stuff- kind of wish I used it instead of gear 300 also. They are really great for matching OEM oil at a much lower cost (and perhaps better quality). For example I just used their transfer box fluid for my father's Land Rover. Specifically mentions the OEM part number and was half the cost. Can't beat that.


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[jacobsen]

Nice

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[SleeperAvant]

Thanks Old Guy, might try this in my new transmission.

[old guy]

Thanks Old Guy, might try this in my new transmission.

Check out Blauparts. They have it for just under $17 per liter.

[jacobsen]

I'll probably be dropping my trans out for a rebuilt unit. Unless I can find a tutorial on replacing the front differential pinion gear bearing. Or whatever you call it. Because it's starting to whine. At least I think that's what the sound I'm hearing is. I did sustain some clutch damage when trying to teach my woman to drive this summer. I suspect the clutch pressure plate fingers got bent

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[QuattroVAG]

I'll probably be dropping my trans out for a rebuilt unit. Unless I can find a tutorial on replacing the front differential pinion gear bearing. Or whatever you call it. Because it's starting to whine. At least I think that's what the sound I'm hearing is. I did sustain some clutch damage when trying to teach my woman to drive this summer. I suspect the clutch pressure plate fingers got bent

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If it's the pinion bearing the whine will only be dependent on speed.

This guy goes through most of the process. He ended up giving up due to the price of some special VAG tools. Pretty much the entire box needs to be taken apart to get to the diff. In my case I ended up going down the swap path. JHM also has a lot of tutorial videos that may help. Good luck.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ing-Experience



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[jacobsen]

If it's the pinion bearing the whine will only be dependent on speed.

This guy goes through most of the process. He ended up giving up due to the price of some special VAG tools. Pretty much the entire box needs to be taken apart to get to the diff. In my case I ended up going down the swap path. JHM also has a lot of tutorial videos that may help. Good luck.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ing-Experience



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Thanks for the info. I do whatever I can to save some money so if I can fix it I'll fix it but used transmissions are not that bad ranging from 500 up to 1000 for a rebuilt. I suspect that when the clutch fingers got bent the diff might have also taken a little bit of a hit some way. I guess motul Gear 300 is thicker then the OEM spec? I tried to let my car warm up before I drive it anywhere to help that gear fluid flow. But if thinner fluid will do the trick better I'll start over with a different fluid when and if I go through with it. So far it seems okay just a little noticeable. Good rep for Ravenol here.

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[f0reignfeatures]

Thanks for the review Oldguy! Changing out the MTF is on my to do list and after everything I've read I was going to stick with OEM, but at $30 a bottle it's pricey. This sounds like a great alternative.

Please keep us updated when you get a chance to drive around in the cold. I might have to go with Ravenol if everything runs smoothly!


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[DarkoNova]

Sounds promising. Something about 2nd gear and even sometimes 3rd is hard to get in smoothly. With 130k+ on the clock, it's probably time to change the fluid. I'll probably give this a try and hope for the best.

[jpulll]

Now we just need a Fuchs vs Ravenol showdown.


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[f0reignfeatures]

Now we just need a Fuchs vs Ravenol showdown.


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Agreed


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[old guy]

Today has been the coldest morning since I changed to the Ravenol. I wasn't all that cold (26°f) but definately below freezing. So far the cold temperatures seem to have no effect whatsoever with the shifting. Still very smooth and still perfect going in to 2nd gear.

At this point I'm giving the Ravenol 75w-80 MTF-2 an "A+" rating.

[jvan34]

Hey guys will you guys tell me how to fix my passenger door? It doesn't lock and when someone opens it when locked the alarm goes off


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[f0reignfeatures]

Today has been the coldest morning since I changed to the Ravenol. I wasn't all that cold (26°f) but definately below freezing. So far the cold temperatures seem to have no effect whatsoever with the shifting. Still very smooth and still perfect going in to 2nd gear.

At this point I'm giving the Ravenol 75w-80 MTF-2 an "A+" rating.

Thanks for the follow up oldguy! I read nothing but good things about Fuchs so I've decided to go that route. After reading this I may go with Ravenol in the future if I don't like it. Both are a great alternative for OEM fluid considering they cost less than half.

[Seerlah]

Hey guys will you guys tell me how to fix my passenger door? It doesn't lock and when someone opens it when locked the alarm goes off


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I will assist cordially, assuming you are not accustomed to how forum boards work. Usually it is considered rude or improper to to post a totally unrelated inquiry in a thread, in regards to the focal point of the thread title or reason of the thread's existence. What isn't considered rude is when you ask an inquiry in the thread that is related to the topic of discussion. This only adds to the thread content, with hopes of more information added to the thread that benefits not only the person who asked the question, but those who read the thread for whatever purpose.

Your question was unrelated to the thread topic in any way, shape, or form. In these cases you would either create your own thread, after first attempting to search for the answer (Audizine, Google, Fourtitude, etc), or post in the link below (if the applicable vehicle is a B6 A4).

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...oo-dumb-to-ask

[old guy]

Final update. 12°f this morning and the tranny shifted the same as it does when fully up to temperature. Great stuff!

[MacFady]

Nice. I used Ravenol for my TIP fluid flush / filter change recently and it made a huge difference in shift quality...
Still shifting great, though, and my area did just have a bout of -25*C (-13*F) weather.

I can ditto all of this, put this in about 50K km's ago now and have had it down to -40C/F. While I have to say everything feels a bit sluggish at this temp, and I take about 5 minutes to work my way up to 60km/hr grandma style, I didn't notice any hard shifting etc.

[BumblebVR6]

I recently changed my oem fluid I had in the trans and rear diff to Motul Gear 300. First off, I was amazed how clean the fluid was after almost 100K miles on it. Only thing I've noticed is the Motul is not as smooth when cold compared to the oem fluid, other than that, all has been well. May give this a go later down the line. Thanks for the review!

[Willënskraft]

OG did you use 6 liters of oil or 9?


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[old guy]

OG did you use 6 liters of oil or 9?


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5 speed manual Quattro transmission. 2.7 liters.

[naysay15]

OG did you use 6 liters of oil or 9?


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That is a big ass tranny😮

[Charles.waite]

Interesting review. OG< I had similar issues with 2nd when I put Gear 300 in my 6-speed.

Interestingly, Motul's site specifies their Dual Clutch Trans Fluid for the 02X 6-speed. Which is costly. Might give this Ravenol a go...

[Chris@EPL]

I have had good luck with the Motul 300 in my B7A4 6 speed, but I have changed the fluid every 75k and it is much happier.

[Willënskraft]

That is a big ass tranny

It's for a TIP, but now I know. ATF is different.

[Charles.waite]

I have had good luck with the Motul 300 in my B7A4 6 speed, but I have changed the fluid every 75k and it is much happier.

My experience wasn't necessarily an outlier though. My thought is that Motul 300 just doesn't cope well for already worn synchros. Maybe it's something in the formulation of cold viscosity, but in my b6 it was crappy for the first few miles until the gearbox warmed up. Once it was up to temp it shifted beautifully but that cold synchro grind always made me cringe. The car now lives in NorCal so I doubt it will get cold enough there for it to be an issue.

Despite all the positives with Motul gear 300, I'm not willing to repeat that situation with my b7. I've been considering their DCTF and other options like BG Synchro 2 or Fuchs. And even OEM. Depends on how saucy i'm feeling when it comes time to pull the trigger. $100 on fluid sucks but it's likely the only time I'll do the service on my b7 (at least not for a very long time) so it's not worth cheaping out either.

As an aside, all my driving is city and stop and go traffic. So the 1-2-3 synchros see pretty heavy use. So having to baby a gear change will get very old very quickly.

[itsmatt33]

just picked up 5 bottles of motul, hoping it stacks up on par with ravenol

[DarkoNova]

Were you able to find this locally or did you have to order it online?

[old guy]

just picked up 5 bottles of motul, hoping it stacks up on par with ravenol

I ran Motul Gear 300 for about 100K miles before I switched to the Ravenol. My observations were pretty much the same as Charles. The only complaint I had with the Gear 300 was that it was a little stiff in the winter for the first few minutes. After it warmed up it was fine. The whole reason I went to the Motul was because my 2nd gear syncro was starting to feel a little rough. THe Motul cured the roughness. Then a few months ago I began to feel the same issue with 2nd gear. That's when I decided to try something different and went with the Ravenol. Once again my 2nd gear issue went away. The Ravenol also cured the cold weather issue.

Lesson learned: Change your transmission fluid every 75k or so miles. I think you will be fine with the Motul Gear 300. As soon as it warms up a little I will be putting my last two bottles of Gear 300 in my rear differential.

[imnuts]

I had the same thing with the Motul 300. It was a little rough on cold days for the first 1-2 miles, but quite smooth after it got warmed up a little. Nothing like that with my current fill of Fuchs Titan Sintofluid though.

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[Charles.waite]

Were you able to find this locally or did you have to order it online?

My local carquest was able to order it for me. Picked it up at the store next day for something absurd like $7/L. Helluva deal.

[itsmatt33]

Hoping I will have no issue as the car is in Socal

[fR3ZNO]

Just wanted to add a positive review of the Ravenol 75W90 MTF. I recently purchased a timing belt kit from Blauparts and they included a 15% off coupon for Ravenol fluids. So between that and the recommendation from Old Guy, I bought 4 bottles. I have an 02X 6 speed, so slightly larger quantity needed than the 5 speed.

I had been running Redline 75W90 MTL for about 35k miles. Shifting when the fluid was new was poor, only after months of driving did it improve marginally. Overall, it was very lackluster compared to the glowing reviews I had seen for Redline. When cold, I was getting a slight grind going into third gear until warmed up.

Cold weather performance of Redline was even poorer.

With the Ravenol MTL even in the cold winter weather, shifting has been much improved, no more 3rd gear grind. Shifting is much smoother overall!

[Charles.waite]

Just wanted to add a positive review of the Ravenol 75W90 MTF. I recently purchased a timing belt kit from Blauparts and they included a 15% off coupon for Ravenol fluids. So between that and the recommendation from Old Guy, I bought 4 bottles. I have an 02X 6 speed, so slightly larger quantity needed than the 5 speed.

I had been running Redline 75W90 MTL for about 35k miles. Shifting when the fluid was new was poor, only after months of driving did it improve marginally. Overall, it was very lackluster compared to the glowing reviews I had seen for Redline. When cold, I was getting a slight grind going into third gear until warmed up.

Cold weather performance of Redline was even poorer.

With the Ravenol MTL even in the cold winter weather, shifting has been much improved, no more 3rd gear grind. Shifting is much smoother overall!

Interesting. I take it by your location you’re inNew York? So I’m assuming sub-freezing temps.

I really need to change my trans fluid as the cold weather grinds are starting again. Really thinking this stuff could do the trick...

[fR3ZNO]

Interesting. I take it by your location you’re inNew York? So I’m assuming sub-freezing temps.

I really need to change my trans fluid as the cold weather grinds are starting again. Really thinking this stuff could do the trick...

Correct. Central NY. Haven't had any sub zero temps yet, but I'm looking forward to see how the Ravenol performs.

I recall a few mornings when I left my car outside over night and it was damn near impossible to shift gears when it was -20*F out until the trans and engine were warmed up with the Redline MTL.

I suppose in warmer climates, the Redline is okay, but I was not happy with it whatsoever.

[Charles.waite]

Yea I’m still running the original fluid going on 85k miles

I put Motul Gear 300 in my 02X b6 and was mostly happy but it didn’t like cold shifting when the temps got below 40 overnight. Felt like molasses and would grind in 1-2 and 2-3. My b7 has similar issues but just less major (also using an 02x) so I’m hoping this stuff will help alleviate that without the OEM fluid sticker shock.

[SleeperAvant]

Been running the ravenol MTF in my transmission for a year. Great stuff.

[fR3ZNO]

Yea I’m still running the original fluid going on 85k miles

I put Motul Gear 300 in my 02X b6 and was mostly happy but it didn’t like cold shifting when the temps got below 40 overnight. Felt like molasses and would grind in 1-2 and 2-3. My b7 has similar issues but just less major (also using an 02x) so I’m hoping this stuff will help alleviate that without the OEM fluid sticker shock.

Yep, your Motul experience sounds very similar to mine with Redline

Final update. 12°f this morning and the tranny shifted the same as it does when fully up to temperature. Great stuff!

Just wanted to echo this response. It was 15*F this morning when leaving for work after having my car parked outside for the night and shifting was effortless.

I expect to have much colder days going into this winter, I am sure the Ravenol will perform just as well.

[itsmatt33]

Just wanted to update its been 8 months with the motul now here in socal and no complaints thus far!