Noticed a thread on fluids that should be used in an R380. Should I be using ATF or some other fluid?? Already went through two transmissions. The firts was a huge mishap not on my part but a previous owner. The second was incorrect gear oil which resulted in 5th gear failure (Gear exploded and punched a whole in the housing!), again not my fault (Previous owner relied on backyard mechanic who didn't know a Land Rover from Jeep). Looking to prevent another issue. I currently have ATF in it now.

 

DRAIN THAT ATF NOW!!!

I've only used Redline MTL...here are some references....

Redline MTL - recommended for R380 - Expedition Portal

Gear Oil for Manual Transmission R380

 

i switched mine to MTL a few months ago as well... definitely shifting a lot better now! dont know what was in it previously but ill assume it was ATF as the truck was dealer maintained for quite some time prior to my ownership.

 

Pop "r380 mtl" into the search and enjoy. Bottom line: LR issued a TSB to switch from ATF to mtl (a Texaco mtl - MT94 or something like that) in the R380. Redline MTL has better cold flow properties than the Texaco mtl.

 

Redline MTL.
What thread said use ATF?

 

I spoke to a gear head at a parts place and mentioned the redline and he said he liked castrol syncromesh better for the cold weather up here ,any thoughts

 

Cant go wrong with Castrol....try it and report back.

 

Living in Africa where temperatures seldom drop below 10 deg Celsius but easily get up to 45 C in the shade, I am concerned in using the recommended Dextron II ATF in the manual gearbox (R380)
I have now obtained Castrol Manual VMX W80 GL4.
Is this the correct lub ?
Some Forums recommends SAE 75W80

Disco 1 1997 mod. TDi.
Engin 300i
Manual R380
Transfer T230 T

 

75W80 gear lube is ok for the diffs and transfer case (though for your aread 85W140 might be better), but MTF/MTL in the R380.

 

Silly question: why would anyone recommend using ATF, automatic transmission fluid, in a manual transmission?