Motol Gear 300 vs 300ls fluid difference?

[audis5Kam]

Hey guys

2013 Audi S5 MT and I was just about to change my tranny fluid and rear diff fluid at the same time. I just noticed the parts store gave me 5 bottles of Motul Gear 300 oil for the transmission/front diff and for the rear they gave me a bottle of Motul Gear 300LS.

I called them back and from all the threads I have read it should be the 300 fluid (GL4/5) not the 300ls (GL5).

Can someone confirm if this is OK? I searched the threads here but not many have used the motul gear 300ls in their service.

Also in the winter it gets really cold so another fluid brand for the cold like Pentosin may help...not sure.

thanks.

[hahnmgh63]

Looks like the 300LS has friction modifiers added to it for a Limited Slip differentials clutches. I would say you are right, the Motul 300, not the 300LS.

[audis5Kam]

that is what I was leaning towards as well. The 300ls is a GL5 fluid but the 300 is a gl4/5 and most on the thread use this fluid. I am afraid of changing it with Motul 300 because in cold weather i do not want any hard shifts.

[findalex]

The LS designation means it is designed to work with limited slip differentials, which benefits from friction modifiers that reduce NVH as the clutches engage/disengage. Since VW/Audi uses an open differential design, it doesn't matter and will work well with or without LS designation.

There were concerns with GL4/5 in the past because certain gearboxes had bronze/copper that weren't compatible with GL5 (source). However, if an oil says it's compatible with both GL4 and GL5, then should not have any issues with metal compatibility.

[audis5Kam]

Perfect. Has anyone had issues with the gear300 gl4/5 in cold weather? It gets to -30 and dime say it is hard to shift until oil is warmed up.

[hahnmgh63]

Since you're here in N. America you might try Redline 75w-85 gear oil. I'm just south of you in WA state and I use the Redline 75w-90 no issues but we don't get as cold as you guys up there in Kamloops.

[findalex]

https://azupim01.motul.com/media/mot...l_20210427.pdf

The pour point is -42 C for Motul 300LS. You can compare this with other candidates. Obviously, the lower the pour point, the better it would be for your situation.

[hahnmgh63]

With that said, both the Redline 75w-90 and 75w-85 are both listed as a pour point of -45'C. I am a big Redline fan, and it's made in the U.S.

[findalex]

With that said, both the Redline 75w-90 and 75w-85 are both listed as a pour point of -45'C. I am a big Redline fan, and it's made in the U.S.

I've used redline before. It's a good product. Valvoline, which is sold everywhere, has a pour point of -48 C (https://sharena21.springcm.com/Publi...2-ac162d889bd1)

As someone who's worked in product marketing, at this point, which product you select is purely based on how effective marketing/advertising/culture has been on shaping your subconscious purchasing decisions. In other words, they will all perform well/effectively the same.

[old guy]

I know I am late to the party, but here's another option. Clicky click®

Put it in my A5 with similar results.

[audis5Kam]

So just curious why some fluids recommended from manufacturers are GL5 only for the MT but on the forum members are saying it is not good for the tranny and to use only GL4? Something to do with the GL5 is not good for anything that is brass etc... from what i have read.

[hahnmgh63]

Many (Most) GL5's contain Sulfur as an Extreme Pressure additive which can deteriorate Brass/Copper. If your Syncros don't contain Brass or copper as many newer designs don't then it isn't a problem and you get more gear protection with a GL5. Without knowing what your transmission has for Syncros it's best to stick with their recommendation on GL4/GL5 unless you find a GL5 gear oil that specifically says it's safe for Brass/Copper or says it doesn't contain Sulfur as an EP additive.

[audis5Kam]

I am not sure if my tranny has brass or not but I do know I have a 0B4 so will do some search to see if I have brass/copper in my snchro. Also I think it is funny how the oem fluid G052911A2 is a GL5 spec oil as well.