Conclusions after researching which transmission (gearbox) oil to buy for my Ford Focus Mk1 1.8 TDCI 115 (2002, facelift, DAW)

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Planning a gearbox oil change, I opened several Focus maintenance books since the Ford user manual doesn't tell which lubricant to use there and the choice is not simple!

Not obvious because depending on which documentation (RTA, Haynes, LEA) you read, two Ford norms are mentioned: either ESD-M2C 186A or WSD-M2C 200C.

Looking online, we learn that the "186A" is obsolete and that Ford has been recommending using transmission lubricants following the second set of guidelines ("200C") instead (so let's be fair and say the older technical literature wasn't really wrong).

Parallel to the automotive manufacturers', other compliance norms can be found on the bottles like (API) 'GL-4' and 'GL-5'. GL-5 oils, which contain different additives from the previous generation are corrosive for older gearboxes like our Focuses' MTX75.

Amazon is actually recommending for our need the surprising "febi bilstein 32590 SAE 75W-90 (GL-5)" ! Indeed, this company displays on their bottle the Ford "200C" certification, therefore claiming it's a good choice for old Focuses!

Castrol seems however to offer the better alternative - though more expensive - following both API GL-4 and Ford 200C with their "SynTrans / TransMax (manual) Multivehic(le) 75W-90".

That's it for now 😊

 

To learn more: Ford Focus owner's manual and repair books

Thanks for your visit and don't forget: if you love your car, focus on the road, not on the girls 😉

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