I know that MTF94 is the recommended oil by almost everyone, but according to the gurus (not being sarcastic!) at Aschroft, ATF Dexron III "gives better results" (https://www.ashcroft-transmissions.co.uk/frequently-asked-questions/r380-faq-s.html). What do everyone else think about this? should I try this for my next oil change?
Disco 2 R380 Oil Recommendation
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I would go with Dexron 11D as per the LT77, far superior as it is made for the older boxes so must be good for the newer ones right?
sierrafery
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Depends on what kind of winters do you have in Malta... if you are sure it will not be very cold you can try what ever you want but once the temp goes below -5*C any experiment might fail... i've tried myself many alternatives based on different recommendations and ended up with the MTF94 as when it was cold it was a pig to select 1'st and 2'nd untill it warmed up.
neilly
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I have tried both ATF and MTF94 in my R380 in the D2 . The 90 with R380 has always had ATF.
Both worked the same , If I change it again I will probably keep to ATF as I have a supply of that and it saves thinking about it.
Cheers
ronsealdeath
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I found mtf94 improved shifting. Smith and Allen do it for a reasonable price here
Discodevon
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I have tried both what Ashcroft recommend and Land Rover, my gearbox feels a touch nicer with the genuine Lr mtf 94 as opposed to the atf dextron 3, but not much in it really
Honestly cost is not an issue. I find that going cheap on such things is nothing but false economy... You end up paying in interest when things go wrong. So i i a which is best not which is cheaper. If i can save something, then great, but not the priority. Thanks a lot for you input ,
sierrafery
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IMO The best is the genuine MTF94 believe me or not
discool
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So thats using aTexaco brand of MTF94 oil then.
Henry_b
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Redline MTL is also a good alternative 
The R380 is happy with either MTF94 or Dexron III ATF - However, ...... I have found that some boxes "prefer" ( I.E. are better to use... ) with one or the other...
So, try the ATF and see what it is like IMHO - SWMBO's R380 in her D1 prefers MTF - so that's what it gets, new, every couple of years
( it was quite notchy on ATF, and much smoother on the MTF )
So, try the ATF and see what it is like IMHO - SWMBO's R380 in her D1 prefers MTF - so that's what it gets, new, every couple of years
( it was quite notchy on ATF, and much smoother on the MTF
)
If cost is not an issue, we'd all be buying genuine everything, in which case you should go with LR MTF94.
Mine is running on this for about a year (in winter as well but to be honest have not tested under -10) and seems smooth so far.
The other reason why I tried this because the recommended one is not available in Hungary.
discool
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Well I’m surprised that can’t find MTF94 spec oil in Hungary i’ve seen it in various countries I’ve visited.
The “Genuine Rover/Land Rover stuff that u can purchase in their parts department is just rebranding of the Texaco item which is a basic 75w 80 HD mineral transmission oil that’s been around for years, since multi-grade started to be a commonplace oil.
So MTF95 is something that other oil producers have, I use it in the gearbox of a Ford car that I’ve owned for the last 43 years without any issues in gear selection or leaks.
If you wish to pay the inflated prices of oil and other consumables from a Main Vehicle Dealer or a supplier of them, so be it.
Of course there’s synthetic MTF94
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Well I’m surprised that can’t find MTF94 spec oil in Hungary i’ve seen it in various countries I’ve visited.
The “Genuine Rover/Land Rover stuff that u can purchase in their parts department is just rebranding of the Texaco item which is a basic 75w 80 HD mineral transmission oil that’s been around for years, since multi-grade started to be a commonplace oil.
So MTF95 is something that other oil producers have, I use it in the gearbox of a Ford car that I’ve owned for the last 43 years without any issues in gear selection or leaks.
If you wish to pay the inflated prices of oil and other consumables from a Main Vehicle Dealer or a supplier of them, so be it.
Of course there’s synthetic MTF94
whats the difference between 75/80 tranny oil an EP 70/80 hypoid gear oil?
discool
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To be simples, as I’m off home... one is gearbox oil the other is a axel/hypoid gear, (diff oil) Once there was a specific oil just for hypoid diffs but EP is now universal, as far as I’m concerned.
Discodevon
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Ashcroft actually recommend the Triple qx atf dextron 3 from euro car parts, not sure if there’s much difference between that one and others? The genuine Land Rover stuff is pricey, but changing it on a yearly bases isn’t too overwhelming
discool
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Branding! What ever is your favourite.
Dexron lll ATF is the specification to use now, and so has superseded the Dexron llD.
Dexron lll ATF is backwards compatible if your owners handbook is like mine and states Dexron llD.
