Hey all,
I've been going thru hell trying to find tranny fluid for this damn car. I have a stick 02 Max. I normally buy Redline synthetic 75W 90 GL4 online but this time I got caught off guard with no fluid and I need this car out of my garage like yesterday so I went to Nissan and first the guy was directing me to a GL5. I'm like no, pull it up in the manual. It states GL4 must be used so first he brought me a bottle of straight SAE 75W GL4 (no 90) so I'm like hmmm not sure, it may not operate correctly at operating temperature. Cold yes.
So the other fluid they had is the followign which I bought:

MTF NIssan HQ Multi 75W-85
P/N/ 999MP-MTF00P

It doesn't say anywhere on the bottle whether it's GL4 or GL 5. But it does say it's for manual transmissions for multiple applications.

What do you guys think? Safe to use? I'm about to fill the tranny with this cause I'm sick of calling about 50 places locally that don't have GL4. And all I kept finding was blends of GL4 and GL5 as one, and I was told to not use a blend of GL's. And I never used any of Nissan's fluid so I have no idea.

It is GL4, so w/e. Change it later. http://www.courtesyparts.com/75w-man...-p-510332.html

Thanks so much. Although not synthetic but this will do for another 10K miles.
Wonder why the bottle doesn't state what it is

don't need to run synthetic in a manual transmission. the synchronizers rely on friction for smooth shifting. The only GL4 I was able to find was at NAPA called STA LUBE. most of the other stuff I see at part stores are GL4/GL5 so I stay away from those. on a manual you don't need anything fancy just the right stuff. my max shifts super smooth.


this stuff goes for $33 a gallon and I have been running it in my tranny for 2 years and its great....

With 02-03s known to have synchro issues (notably 3rd), you bet I'll be using redline/amsoil 75w90 only.

i have 207,000 miles and my car has no grinds at all.

Thanks for the evidence of every manual transmission.

It's a known problem that was fixed in the '04 models. Arguing is futile.

I had one that did grind. I have two that do not with 181k and 150k mi.
Sample sizes are a *****, eh.

solid mounts and shift cable bushing repairs helped smooth the shifting out a lot. I had a hard time reaching reverse at one point.

The Nissan-branded fluid will work fine as another member has stated.

You stated you were in a pinch, but for future reference AMSOIL GL-4 Manual Transmission and Transaxle oil is available thru the Group Deals/Sponsors section of this forum. In most cases I can have products on a customers doorstep within one or two business days from the time the order is placed.

As you said the Nissan fluid is not synthetic-based, but it will provide adequate protection for the service interval specified by Nissan.

i stuff i placed in the picture above can be found at napa for only $32 and some change. its a straight up GL4, only one i was able to find in any parts store. its not a popular brand but it works great. you dont need anything fancy just the right fluid...

If you're going to be a cheapskate, yes, it is cheaper
Redline would be nearly 50 bucks for 3 quarts at current prices on amazon.

cheapskate? price was never a factor when I chose to go with the sta lube. I needed something right away and it was the only GL4 I could find..


This stuff works great I haven't had any reason to bother with any other more expensive oils.