Oil specs

[blackbelt1990]

Hello all,
I'm changing all my oils tomorrow, including the gearbox oil as my gears are very hard to engage on a cold morning. I've already got my oil, just bought SAE80, as that's what the haynes said, but reading all the threads on here has got me thinking it might not be up to the job. Are there any other numbers I can check on the tub for more piece of mind?
thanks thanks

[blackbelt1990]

It's gl-4 too. I can't seem to find a difinitive yes or no so I'm going to put it in, if anyone advises that it's wrong, then I'll change it
ta

[Raffadakis]

Yeah you need a GL-4 spec oil (should be indicated on the oil bottles, either GL-4 or GL-5), SAE 80W-90. Filling it in is tricky as well did it last weekend, because I had to remove the axe to replace the rubber sealings. Took longer to fill in the oil, than replacing the sealings

[blackbelt1990]

Ha,I bought a funnel
mine mustn't have drained fully though, just as I got to the end a little trickle started coming back out!
Gears are loads smoother though

[gingherheed]

I'd heard a rumour that gearbox oil change was an expensive thing. If SAE80 is the one I need then that's not expensive. relieved!!

[Raffadakis]

Yeah, it's GL-4 SAE 80W-90 as it also says in the volvo user manual. Not that expensive indeed

[Iroll480]

Don't use a cheap gearbox oil as this can damage the bronze synchro's! To be save only use Volvo's own 75/80 or go to a Renault dealer which is cheaper. Volvo quotes 50quid for 3.4liter, which is the amount you'll need. It's absolutly vital to get a gearbox oil which is free of sulpher as this will eat away the bronze components in the (renault) gearbox. Another save brand is the fully synthetic Millers TRX 75/90. This is a bit cheaper and makes cold shifting easier then the mineral Volvo/renault oil does. IIRC it's produced by ELF. The early 480's didn''t have gearboxes with bronze components, so this doesn't apply to the pre '90 (I think?)boxes.

[blackbelt1990]

I changed mine in April and it's been fine so far, cold gear changes have been made 100% better too!

I did read somewhere however that Volvo say you should never have to change the oil... ah well...