YES! I just bought GL-4 gear oil! Finally!

[NismoPC]

Finally found it after weeks of searching. Just in time too!

Didn't find it at Napa, not Advance Auto, not Carquest, not International Auto Parts, not TrueChoice raing, no where. Of all places I found it at a local Valvoline quick lube. They had it in a unopened 5 gallon can and it was collecting dust. They ONLY use GL-5 in all cars now. They didn't even know they had it sitting back there.

I talked them into selling me some. So I went to Napa across the street bought a 2 gallon plastic gas can for $4.22 and drove back over there. They filled it to the rim (approx. 2.5 gallons) and charged me $10. YES! ONLY $10.

It was Valvoline GL-4 specific Hypo Gear Oil 80W90.

I almost bought the entire 5 gallon can, but passed on it.

[T4 Primera]

Hard to imagine why it's so difficult to get. It's readily available over here.

[NismoPC]

Seems to be an idiotic way of doing things. They order one kind of gear oil instead of two. That way they can get it in BULK which is cheaper and they don't have to worry about which car takes GL-4 and which car doesn't. They figure most Americans on average don't keep their cars for more than a set amount of years, so who cares if the lifespan of a tranny is shortened. Leave that issue with the other person who buys the car from the original owner. They will never expect anything when they have to replace a tranny because of supposed "NORMAL' wear and tear. MY ASS!

I went to the local Infiniti dealer too. And guess what? Dumb asses are using Pennzoil GL-5! Both the Nissan dealers and the Infiniti dealers are pissing me off right about now!

Best of all is they wanted to argue the point that Nissan does not recommend GL-4 in our trannies. WTF!!

[T4 Primera]

Originally posted by NismoPC
Seems to be an idiotic way of doing things. They order one kind of gear oil instead of two. That way they can get it in BULK which is cheaper and they don't have to worry about which car takes GL-4 and which car doesn't. They figure most Americans on average don't keep their cars for more than a set amount of years, so who cares if the lifespan of a tranny is shortened. Leave that issue with the other person who buys the car from the original owner. They will never expect anything when they have to replace a tranny because of supposed "NORMAL' wear and tear. MY ASS!

I went to the local Infiniti dealer too. And guess what? Dumb asses are using Pennzoil GL-5! Both the Nissan dealers and the Infiniti dealers are pissing me off right about now!

Best of all is they wanted to argue the point that Nissan does not recommend GL-4 in our trannies. WTF!!

Even though the FSM specifies GL-4?? Bare-faced Liars I wonder how much business they generate with failed trannies. Some oil rep probably sold them a line.

[NismoPC]

Well I emailed my local Nissan dealer this letter 2 days ago and still no reply. I will assume that I will no get a response from them.

Toby

I was recently in your dealership purchasing some oil filters and a cap & rotor for my '96 SR20DE and had asked you what Gear Oil to use in my manual transmission when I replace my clutch. I just wanted to forward some information in regards to why I was told that we should not use GL-5 gear oil in a GL-4 specific transmission.

Would you please forward this information to the person you had referred me to in regards to the Castrol Hypo-C 80W90 Gear Oil that he stated Nissan recommends for the SR20DE powered. (I believe he is the parts and or service mgr.) I believe that the Castrol Hypo 80W90 (not the Hypo-C) should be the actual gear oil used in these transmissions. It is specific for GL-4 only applications. He had also state that the GL-5 is an upgrade to the GL-4 gear oil. That, according to what I have read, is incorrect as well.

NOTE: I also looked through several SR20DE owners manuals between the years of 1991 and 1999 (NX2000, SE-R, 200SX SE-R, SE, G20) and all of the owners manuals also specifically state to use GL-4 gear oil.

Since I was unable to give the technical details of why I was told not to use GL-5 gear oil, I copied the following insert from Pennzoil's website.

[Quoted from www.pennzoil.com]
What happens if API GL-5 gear oil is used in an API GL-4 gear oil application?
API GL-4 and API GL-5 products typically use the same extreme pressure (EP) additive system, with the API GL-5 having about twice the concentration of a API GL-4. In service, these additives become active under extreme load and temperature when the protective oil film can be squeezed away. EP additives work by forming wear-resistant compounds with the metal of the gear tooth surface. As the gears mesh, these compounds shield the gear teeth from direct metal-to-metal contact that would cause wear and damage to the gears. If too little of the active additive is present, proper protection would be compromised. Too much of this additive could cause excessive chemical corrosion of the gear surface. If an API GL-5 gear oil is used in a application where API GL-4 gear oil is called for, chemical corrosion of "yellow metal" components may occur, such as bronze synchronizers, brass bushings, etc. This may lead to shifting difficulties or shortened equipment life.
[End Quote]

Here is more info on the Castrol Hypo (GL-4) gear oil I believe should be the recommended gear oil:
http://www.castrolusa.com/products/p...&product_id=15

I am part of a large community of SR20DE powered vehicles across the US as well as New Zealand, Australia, and Canada, and other parts of the world and a concerned consumer who has great interest in Nissan/Infiniti products and proper maintenance of those products. Because of this, I will be purchasing the Castrol Hypo 80W90 GL-4 specific gear oil and feel confident that I made the right choice. I just hope that your dealership looks into this and makes the right choice as well.

Also note, my wife and I purchased a Pathfinder from your dealership two years ago and I purchase all of my Nissan/Infiniti parts from your dealership. I am very pleased with the service we have received over the past 7 or so years. And I plan on dealing with your dealership for many years to come as well. We have never received the quality service that your dealership provides from any of the other central Ohio Nissan dealerships. This includes car sales, service, and parts dept.

Thanks!

As you can see, I couldn't even find the Castrol Hypo GL-4 so I went with the Valvoline 'cause it was all I could find!

If they do reply, I'll be posting it!

[T4 Primera]

Good letter, now let's see if they can admit they are wrong.:smoker: