[Hylander]

So I forego the friction modifier. My dealer also quoted me 2 different numbers for front & rear diff oil.
Front Diff: 052145A1 - $25.27
Rear Diff: 052145S2 - $34.94
Transfer Case: 052515A2 - $28.56

But most guys on this thread just used 052145s2 for both ... Should I go w/ dealer numbers or just use 145s2 for both front & rear?

 

[dragline1570]

So I forego the friction modifier. My dealer also quoted me 2 different numbers for front & rear diff oil.
Front Diff: 052145A1 - $25.27
Rear Diff: 052145S2 - $34.94
Transfer Case: 052515A2 - $28.56

But most guys on this thread just used 052145s2 for both ...should I go w/ dealer numbers or just use 145s2 for both front & rear?

Seeing you have gone to the trouble of getting the VW oil numbers buy the specified oil.
OR
Just buy some quality 75w-90 full synthetic gearbox and transaxle oil and put in both front and rear.

Rear will take about 2 litres

regards
Drag
Front will take bit over 1 litre

 

[scottimac]

Reason for Changing Oil in Transfer Case

Hi Guys,

is there any particular reason why you would have to change the oil in the transfer case.

The reason I ask is I'm experiencing symptoms of a noise in my drive train when I turn left from a standing start and also a slight correction in the back end of the car after going around long right hand bends.

took it to a transmission specialist and they took apart the rear diff - no problems. Suggested to throw another $500 at the transfer case inspection.

Had propshaft bearing replaced, so eliminate that.

 

[noobytoogy]

Just by way of good maintenance you should change the front and rear diff and the transfer box oils plus the ATF in the gearbox as well every 60,000 miles minimum. If you tow a lot of heavy stuff, do it more often.

VW say these are sealed for life but life for VW = 70,000 miles!

Have you got 4 identical tyres on the car? Same make, same model, same tread pattern and similar tread wear?

Have you read up on the stepper motor and the software update too?

 

[SamT]

I thought the difference between the A1 and A2 suffixes were container sizes, but that may not be correct.

Because according to Fuchs Lubricants, G052145A1 corresponds to their GL-5 75W85 axle oil, and the G052145A2 is the GL-5 75W90 others talked about. I could not find G052145S2 on their page. This is why I still use axle and transfer case oils from VW. I wish VW would just specify a few common oils and make it easier to maintain our trucks.

If G052145A1 corresponds to 75W85, then yes, I would use 75W90 instead if I purchase common brand oils; however, 75W85 should give a little more fuel efficiency.

Does anyone know if the S2 is an improved version of the A2 75W90? And what is the difference? If anyone finds out the S2 is better than the A2, then just use the S2 for both.


VW TL 521 45 X:
TITAN SINTOPOID FE SAE 75W-85 - Fuchs.
VW TL 521 45 Y:
TITAN SINTOPOID SAE 75W-90 - Fuchs.

So I forego the friction modifier. My dealer also quoted me 2 different numbers for front & rear diff oil.
Front Diff: 052145A1 - $25.27
Rear Diff: 052145S2 - $34.94
Transfer Case: 052515A2 - $28.56

But most guys on this thread just used 052145s2 for both ... Should I go w/ dealer numbers or just use 145s2 for both front & rear?

 

[Dubby]

Hi Guys,

is there any particular reason why you would have to change the oil in the transfer case.

The reason I ask is I'm experiencing symptoms of a noise in my drive train when I turn left from a standing start and also a slight correction in the back end of the car after going around long right hand bends.

took it to a transmission specialist and they took apart the rear diff - no problems. Suggested to throw another $500 at the transfer case inspection.

Had propshaft bearing replaced, so eliminate that.

Scotti.. Sounds maybe like your transfer case is crying out for an oil change. I think you should do that as a first step. $50 for oil plus labour and you may be surprised. Dub

 

[SamT]

Here is a post from dieseldorf on tdiclub. He claimed VAG's response was that G52 oils were conventional hydrocarbons!! Perhaps I really should make that switch to common name brand axle oils that are fully synthetic.

VW Gear Lubes, need a scorecard (pics) - TDIClub Forums

"Your enquires concerning gearbox oils can be categorised as follows:

- G50: Manual gearbox oil SAE 75W-90 based on synthetic hydrocarbons. Initial oil in filled-for-life applications and maintenance.

- G51: Synthetic multi-grade gearbox oil SAE 75W-90. Oil for use in manual gearboxes with thermally stable basic oil technology.

- G52: Manual gearbox oil SAE 75W based on a conventional hydrocarbons. Oil for filled-for-life application in manual gearboxes and final drives with spur gears."

And BTW why does Amsoil recommend GL-4 75W90??
Is G052145S2 GL-4??

Differential, Front 0AA......GL-4
All TEMPS......75W-90 [3]
Synthetic Manual Transmission and Transaxle Gear Lube (75W-90) API GL-4 (MTGQT)

Differential, Rear OAB/OAC/GLR......GL-4
All TEMPS......75W-90 [3]
Synthetic Manual Transmission and Transaxle Gear Lube (75W-90) API GL-4 (MTGQT)

And that is not all. Liqui Moly also recommends GL-4.

Capacity : LubeCap 1 liter · Use : Normal · Intervals : Check 60000 km / 48 months · Products :

Hochleistungs-Getriebeöl (GL-4+) SAE 75W-90

I am glad I stuck with VW axle oils instead of putting in GL-5 then.

 

[SamT]

After a little search shown in the previous post, if 145A1 is GL-5 and 145S2 is GL-5 (per Amsoil and Liqui Moly), then why did VW put GL-5 in the front diff and GL-4 in the rear diff to begin with?

At least for some model years dealers are selling GL-4 for both the front and rear diffs, which is the 145S2.

My dealer also quoted me 2 different numbers for front & rear diff oil.
Front Diff: 052145A1 - $25.27
Rear Diff: 052145S2 - $34.94

 

[zagg]

In reading all of the GL4 versus GL5 hubbub there is a clear distinction on which to use depending on the application, transmissions or differentials. GL4 is the preferred choice for transmissions/gearboxes and that same GL4 can be used for differentials. GL4 is preferred because it contains about half the sulphur additives, as compared to GL5 which will slowly eat at brass components of the system. GL5 however is better than GL4 when pertaining to extreme pressure, durability under high temps., stability, film strength, etc. but due to its higher content of sulphur additives it will eat away at brass parts of the system twice as fast as GL4.

I take it as the question is.....for what application are you using GL4 or GL5 gear oil for?...your transmission or front/rear differentials?......if for the trans, then GL4 is the safe bet.If only for the differentials, then GL4 and GL5 are both good UNLESS you definitely know that in your years Treg that the rear/front differentials contain brass parts, then stick to GL4. If you know there are no brass parts in your years rear/front diffs, then GL5 is better in which the oil has better characteristics.

Or look at it this way....full synthetic 75w90 oil alone, without additives is good for transmissions and differentials. Add some additives as antioxidants, to increase shear resistance, cleansers, whatever and you get GL4. Add 50% more additives and you have GL5. I believe this why manufacturers such as Amsoil and LubroMoly label their gear oils as GL4. They use same synthetic base oil as they would if they were selling GL5 gear oil, but they are adding less additives which allows them to stay in the GL4 class/spec. So they can sell one product that can be used For both trans and diffs.

 

[zagg]

http://www.widman.biz/uploads/Transaxle_oil.pdf

 

[lfelix]

Lifetime Fill

I went ahead and changed the gear oil today with 69,000 miles on the odometer. I will let you be the judge on the so called "Lifetime Fill".

 

[zagg]

Kudos.......I have done mine 3 times with Mobil 1 75w-90 and suggest you change again in 40K miles...the front diff oil darkens twice as fast as the rear.....and VW suggests new drain/fill plugs every change. I have originals at 3 oil changes and 105K miles and no signs of leakage..

 

[Nordschleife]

Kudos.......I have done mine 3 times with Mobil 1 75w-90 and suggest you change again in 40K miles...the front diff oil darkens twice as fast as the rear.....and VW suggests new drain/fill plugs every change. I have originals at 3 oil changes and 105K miles and no signs of leakage..

Zagg,
Did you use Mobil 1 75w-90 for the front and rear diff? Is your rear diff non-locking?
Thanks.

 

[burton123]

do you guys have part numbers for the plugs for front,rear and transfer case? Also are you guys happy with using non-oem oil? I really want to change mine as well

 

[zagg]

Zagg,
Did you use Mobil 1 75w-90 for the front and rear diff? Is your rear diff non-locking?
Thanks.

I used Mobil 1 75W-90 for front and rear and VW brand for the center. The last time I did the oil change at 30K since the last and the rear oil looked brand new. It was a waste to change it in my eyes, but once you open the drain plug. Too late to stop. The front however was brown at 30K miles. The center diff was also brownish.

In the 2 previous oil changes all oils were much darker and so far seem to be getting lighter per 30K mile change. At 110K miles and maybe everything is finally worn in and there is less heat stress on the oil....I dunno????..............Next oil change I am gonna go to 40K miles and try to remember to take pics of all oils.

And I'm still using the original fill and drain plugs with no leaks

And find and loosen the fill plug before you drain the oil.

 

[zagg]

Zagg,
Did you use Mobil 1 75w-90 for the front and rear diff? Is your rear diff non-locking?
Thanks.

I just went to a dirt lot, put it in 4-low and did a bunch of figure 8s. The rear wheel to the inside of the turn was skipping. I take that as I have rear locking.

 

[Nordschleife]

Sounds like you do. But it doesn't matter as I just saw that the Amsoil website recommends the same oil whether you have locking or not for your year. For a 2010 you have it pretty good...you have your pick of gear brands and ATF to choose from (except for the transfer case). For a 2011 (T3), I barely have any aftermarket options. Mobil 1, Amsoil, Redline look okay for my front diff but I haven't found anything compatible with the rear diff yet. I wonder what diff changes they made between our model years? I do know that the T3s don't have a locking diff anymore (wheelspin is electronically controlled via the brake system). I wonder if there would be any problems just throwing Mobil One 75w-90 in there...

 

[Nordschleife]

do you guys have part numbers for the plugs for front,rear and transfer case? Also are you guys happy with using non-oem oil? I really want to change mine as well

Sorry, don't have any part numbers for those but sounds like they are an unneccessary expense per Zagg's experience. I plan on reusing them.

 

[4ePikanini]

I changed all my oils with non OEM except for the Transfer case. I bought that from the dealer as I couldnt figure out what it's equivalent was.

 

[Nordschleife]

Went ahead and got Mobil 1 75w-90 for the front and rear diffs and VW brand fluid for the transfer case. Looking forward to see how the old oil looks with 45k miles on it.