Redline MT-90 Transaxle Fluid

I’m using Redline’s MT-90 transaxle fluid in the gearbox.  It’s a stout 75W-90 GL-4 fluid.  Although the owner’s manual recommends either a GL-4 or a GL-5 fluid, most suggest that GL-5 fluid has some extreme pressure (EP) additives made for use in hypoid differentials that can damage or wear the synchronizers in a manual transaxle.  The GL-4 is most commonly recommended for gearboxes, and is consistent with the owner’s manual specification.

A lot of guys use the Redline MT-90 in their Corollas.  Another common lubricant is Royal Purple, but most of the positive feedback is on the Redline.  I installed it in December of 2008 and it made a world of difference.  Cold shifts are much smoother, and warm shifts are so smooth, there’s almost no “notch” to the shift at all.  The shifter goes “snick-snick” through each gate.  This fluid really improved the feel of the transaxle, and I’d recommend it to everyone.

The C59 transaxle used in the 1ZZ-FE Corollas takes exactly 2.0 quarts of lubricant.  I had a hard time finding the MT-90 locally, so I just bought it direct from Redline; it was $30 shipped for the two quarts.