[hserus]

Yes that would explain the symptoms. Check those before adding additives. Also change oil more frequently to suit your usage pattern.

[hserus]

The TB asking for 75w85 GL5 dates back to at least 2009 according to this BITOG thread.

https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forum...Number=1542426

Originally Posted by R2D2

I am not sure about a TB from Toyota and if they did issue one it probably was done after making design and/or metal alloy changes to the GB synchronizer rings.

For old cars like mine (she's a Q3 2008 manufacture) having 5 speed transmissions that probably date back anywhere between the late 90s to mid 2Ks it's probably safer to stick with GL4. There have been plenty of reports of busted synchronizers across different models on Toyota forums with GL5. Toyota claims one can use either GL4 or GL5 in the trannys and that applies to my car too, it's in the owners manual. But a GB repair is an expensive proposition so I'm just sticking to GL4 to be on the safe side.

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by hserus

Fair enough. If you do this at a Toyota dealership just check that their gear lube is GL5 MT1 - that has additives that make it safe to use on bronze gear shifts.

Believe it or not, the dealers do not stock this oil. It has to be specially ordered upon payment of a 50% advance (he asked for Rs 4K and I balked) from TKM Bangalore. According to the SA they require the oil only when a GB is repaired/rebuilt. In fact, they never replace the GB oil in any Toyota only the differential oils. I can vouch for that since I saw an Innova being filled with fresh diff lube when my car was there for its annual service last month.

Originally Posted by hserus

The TB asking for 75w85 GL5 dates back to at least 2009 according to this BITOG thread.

The OP on that thread refers to his car's front and rear differentials which require a GL5. He obviously has a 4WD SUV. The rest of the thread consists of people chiming in with their views and options. So this may be applicable to cars like the Fortuner and Innova in India but not FWD trans-axle models.

[Traveler]

The Pajero SFX also uses 75w85 GL4 or 75w90 GL4 for the gearbox. The only option I could find in fully synthetic was Mobil 1 75w90 that is both GL4 and GL5 rated. The downside is it is available only in 20 litre pack and costs around 18k.

I also found Motul 75w90 available in GL4 at a much more reasonable price and available in 1 litre package.

I have used both of the above and don't find a major difference in the Motul and the Mobil 1 fully synthetic.

Pajero specs do mention either 75w85 or 75w90 so you may need to check if you can use either.

[greendream]

SF 20 W 40 is the recommended oil for my Swift Zxi 2007. The car has done 50000 km.
Am looking at Shell helix hx8 ( 5 W 30).
As I understand fully synthetic is not a great choice for older engines. Although claimed fully synthetic the Shell seems semi-synthetic.The problem is 5 W 30
For the older engine and upcoming summer is it safer to stick to x W 40.
Suggestions please.

[hserus]

Originally Posted by greendream

SF 20 W 40 is the recommended oil for my Swift Zxi 2007. The car has done 50000 km.
Am looking at Shell helix hx8 ( 5 W 30).
As I understand fully synthetic is not a great choice for older engines. Although claimed fully synthetic the Shell seems semi-synthetic.The problem is 5 W 30
For the older engine and upcoming summer is it safer to stick to x W 40.
Suggestions please.

Get Shell HX5 15w40 first and use that for a change or two. If your engine is the old non K Series one, which I think only came out in 2010, continue with the 15w40 itself.

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by greendream

SF 20 W 40 is the recommended oil for my Swift Zxi 2007. The car has done 50000 km. Am looking at Shell helix hx8 ( 5 W 30). For the older engine and upcoming summer is it safer to stick to x W 40. Suggestions please.

For a 2007, use xW-40 only. Always use the exact grades specified in your car's owners manual depending on ambient temperature range where you live.

Remember car manufacturers change their recommendations over time and those are normally applicable to current models, not older ones. So use the owners manual as a reference point to check for any lube or service interval. It has all the information you need applicable to your car.

I recommend Shell Helix HX7 10W-40, it's a semi-synthetic and very good oil. Best of all it's reasonably priced. I use this oil in my Palio 1.6 GTX and it has never given me cause to complain. If you MUST try synthetic go in for a 5W-40 like Shell Helix Ultra or Motul 8100 xCess. Obviously, these are more expensive. And please DO NOT use a flush before changing brands or type of oil.

[Gansan]

Originally Posted by greendream

SF 20 W 40 is the recommended oil for my Swift Zxi 2007. The car has done 50000 km.
Am looking at Shell helix hx8 ( 5 W 30).
40.
Suggestions please.

Ensure the higher number is not less than 40. The lower one can even be zero.

I regularly use Shell HX7 10W40 for my 2009 Alto. Even when the SAs at the workshop try to use 5w30 which is the recommended oil for the current Alto models, I stop them and provide this oil.

[hserus]

Originally Posted by Gansan

Ensure the higher number is not less than 40. The lower one can even be zero.

I regularly use Shell HX7 10W40 for my 2009 Alto. Even when the SAs at the workshop try to use 5w30 which is the recommended oil for the current Alto models, I stop them and provide this oil.

The lower must not be the 0w variety because those are ultra low viscosity oils that won't play well with senior citizen engines. If they say 20w40 stick to 10w40 or 15w40 and that is fine.

[deepakv]

My Alto K10 AMT is now 3.5 years old having run 18k. Last oil change was at an FNG using 0w20 oil. I'm now looking to switch to synthetic and could not resist a steal price for a Shell Helix HX8 (₹1100 after discounts on Amazon for 3.5L). What should I keep in mind before making the switch and is this even safe?

[hserus]

Originally Posted by deepakv

My Alto K10 AMT is now 3.5 years old having run 18k. Last oil change was at an FNG using 0w20 oil. I'm now looking to switch to synthetic and could not resist a steal price for a Shell Helix HX8 (₹1100 after discounts on Amazon for 3.5L). What should I keep in mind before making the switch and is this even safe?

0w20 IS a low viscosity synthetic oil. I am not sure if you thought you're running mineral oil, when that weight was filled.

You can get the HX8 0w20 either with or without MGO (maruti genuine oil) cobranding and that's fine. Maruti recommends it too.

[deepakv]

Originally Posted by hserus

0w20 IS a low viscosity synthetic oil. I am not sure if you thought you're running mineral oil, when that weight was filled.

You can get the HX8 0w20 either with or without MGO (maruti genuine oil) cobranding and that's fine. Maruti recommends it too.

Whoops - should have specified. Was using SERVO MGO 0w20 earlier. Now have purchased Shell HX8 5w30! I don't think the Servo 0w20 was fully synthetic though...

[hserus]

Originally Posted by deepakv

Whoops - should have specified. Was using SERVO MGO 0w20 earlier. Now have purchased Shell HX8 5w30! I don't think the Servo 0w20 was fully synthetic though...

Do you know you can get Shell HX8 0w20? And that too an MGO?

https://www.amazon.in/Shell-Helix-HX.../dp/B075MP573F

The 5w30 is not terribly ideal for your engine at least from the spec Maruti has for it.

[Turbanator]

Cross posting from this thread regarding Black Smoke on New LC-200.
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/india...ml#post4069482 (Toyota launches updated Land Cruiser 200 at 1.29 crore)

Now my question is related to the oils. What I have observed in the new LC, which has not yet being serviced (Less then 5000 Km) does not throw that kind of black smoke as the similar lower mileage (like 10-15 K) ones but serviced do. As some of you guys might be aware, Toyota recommends fresh engine oil ( both mineral/ synthetic) after every 5000 Km on LC-200 (I think more then engine longevity it must have to do with oil drinking habits of LC)

So is it possible that LC burns engine oil and the Quality of the oil they use in India is different from what Toyota uses in Japan and that oil shows up as a black smoke? Anyway to get the same Japanese oil in India? Or am I just wrong with all these assumptions?

[hserus]

Black smoke is unburnt diesel fuel in the exhaust.

Try putting in Shell Premium / Reliance / Essar fuel and see if the black smoke persists?

The usual other causes are not very likely on a brand new vehicle.

Originally Posted by Turbanator

Cross posting from this thread regarding Black Smoke on New LC-200.
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/india...ml#post4069482 (Toyota launches updated Land Cruiser 200 at 1.29 crore)

Now my question is related to the oils. What I have observed in the new LC, which has not yet being serviced (Less then 5000 Km) does not throw that kind of black smoke as the similar lower mileage (like 10-15 K) ones but serviced do. As some of you guys might be aware, Toyota recommends fresh engine oil ( both mineral/ synthetic) after every 5000 Km on LC-200 (I think more then engine longevity it must have to do with oil drinking habits of LC)