Just wandered if anyone here knows what those stand for/mean? I am doing manual tranny and diff oil changes on a ricer and that's what they call for in the owners manual. they refer you to a chart but then in the chart 75w90 and 80w90 but no mention of GL#. What gives?

Thanks

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72 W114/M130

RedMeat cartoon

I do not know what they stand for, but I can tell you that it is critical that you use them if required. I had a car that took GL6 and that was only available at the dealer, back then.

mzsmbs,

GL-X is a gear lubricant service specification per API (American Petroleum Institute, I believe). The "X" is a progressive revision. Generally later specification revisions are for more capable formulations in more severe service. There are features of these specifications that affect compatibility with earlier and later gear and gearbox internal part materials, and other lubricants though, so be forewarned.

Nearly all manufacturers of gear lubricants will use these specifications to qualify their products, then put the service rating specification they met on the label. For example, go to:

http://www.redlineoil.com/pdf/6.pdf

or any other lubricant manufacturer's website and see what they cite as the API specification service rating for their products. Not all the GL specification service ratings are backward compatible, so beware. Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

Well, I am feeling a bit more cofused. I bought some 80w90 gear oil and on the back of the label it GL 3, 4, and 5? so if they are not back compatible what do I do. I called the stealer and they really didn't answer the question I had for them and am a bit weary of calling them again. Hmmm?

Ok, I'll let you know what I do.

__________________
72 W114/M130

RedMeat cartoon

mzsmbs,

I believe what you bought will be fine. The manufacturer has qualified that lubricant to multiple revisions, some of which meet your manufacturer's specification. By not being backward compatible I meant that a lubricant qualified to GL-5 only might not be compatible for an application that specifically calls for GL-3.

I would still ask the dealership if you have any question though. For most dealerships answers to questions like those are free, so I see no real reason not to ask. Good luck, Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)