Today, I checked my MT oil dipstick..didn't know I had one, on my new to me 2002 WRX. I just bought the car last week from a Subaru dealer, who "went over everything." The tanny oil mark just tuouched the bottom of the stick, well below the low mark. They will hear from me about this monday. However, in the mean time,
I need to either top off or totally change the manual tranny fluid. Reline and Amoil are not available at the auto parts sstores, but it appears that Advance Auto carries Mobil 1 75-90 synthetic. Anyone using it in their trannys? I do have Swepco 80/90W for my other carts, but I think it too thick for the cold.
regards,
Steve

Use the Swepco 80w90, it'll be fine and from what I've heard works well in manual trannies (same fluid recommended in Porsches?). There have been reports of the M1 gear oil not working well with the synchros in the WRX.

Yeah, I tried Mobil1 and took it out after about 1k miles ... got some grinding in 1st gear... 80w90 is what alot of the dealers are using, even though spec is 75w90. Also try a cocktail, like with a quart of Syncromesh.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=416514

Mobil 1 75w-90 Synthetic Gear Oil is bad juju for the transmission... Great stuff for the rear differential though. :)

Some people swear by Redline Shockproof HD. I use Neo Synthetics HD 75w-90.

please do not use mobil 1. regular dino is better.

Like others are saying, do not use Mobil 1 in the transmission. I had horrible grinding issues after changing to Mobil 1 75W-90 on my old 2004 WRX. I called Mobil engineering support and even they said not to use it in my transmission. Go figure.

My gear oil was low too. I topped it up with 1 qt of the Mobil 1 and it was fine. I agree not to go with full synthetic though.

I've been using Mobile 1 75w90 for about 8k without a problem in my MY00 5MT RS. Grinds only happen if I quickley shift into first from a stop...most likely due to the clutch not being completely disengaged. Using dino oil during the cold months and letting out the clutch too fast would cause the engine to stall. 75w90 orved to be suited better for the colder weather.

jac04: Did Mobile Engineering give you a reason?

jac04: Did Mobile Engineering give you a reason?
Yes. They stated that the Mobil 1 75W-90 has limited slip additives which make the syncros unhappy. When I told Mobil of my prior grinding issues, they said "that's the wrong oil to be using in the transmission".
I also tried Neo Synthetic 75W-90 RHD, and it was not much better from a grinding standpoint. I then switched to a dino oil with no limited slip additives (Exxon Superflo 80W-90) and the problems immediately went away. I guess you live & learn. Luckily I will not have to go through all that with my new 2005 WRX.