Correct Transmission Lubricant

[wcdeane]

I have seen some recent chat on this topic, but I wasn't able to find it. The service manual calls for Mobil SHC 603M, which seems to be available, but only in 5-Gallon pails.

Are there more convenient alternatives that Lotus owners have had good results with?

Thanks...Walt '91 SE

[Dr.Hess]

If you are in the US, you can get it in quarts from Granger's Supply. They are everywhere and online. Made my trans shift better. I am sticking with it.

Dr.Hess
'89

[wcdeane]

Dr.Hess said:

If you are in the US, you can get it in quarts from Granger's Supply. They are everywhere and online. Made my trans shift better. I am sticking with it. Dr.Hess '89

Dr:

I tried to find this supplier with a search on "Granger's Supply", "Grainger Supply" and several other variations. I came up with nothing. Can you offer the precise spelling, or maybe a phone number?

Regards...Walt

[dr.hess]

Sorry, spelled it wrong:

www.grainger.com/

I got mine from:
Grainger Industrial Supply
1205 South Old Missouri Road, Springdale, AR 72764
[phone]

which is right across from the small plane airport. They had it in stock.

Dr.Hess

[kmaier]

Just for the record, it's Mobil SHC630 (not 603). Grainger has it and is where I purchase mine.

Regards, KM
2000 V8

[MikeyRide]

Lotus recommends a Castrol oil now. LCU MSRP is some crazy thing like $105 for enough to do the transaxle fluid. I kid not.

[kmaier]

MikeyRide said:

Lotus recommends a Castrol oil now. LCU MSRP is some crazy thing like $105 for enough to do the transaxle fluid. I kid not.

Well, when I last spoke to Dave Simkin (LCU tech in US) he said Lotus changed the lube spec to Mobil SHC630, so that's what I'm using.

Regards, KM
2000 V8

[feffman]

WC Deane:

A number of we Esprit owners, inlcuding myself, have had nothing but great success with Red Line MT90. I just installed a limited slip differential in my 1999 Esprit and refilled it with Red Line. Smooth shifting and very resiliant under heat stress.

Mark Pfeffer

[MikeyRide]

kmaier said:

Well, when I last spoke to Dave Simkin (LCU tech in US) he said Lotus changed the lube spec to Mobil SHC630, so that's what I'm using.

When was that? I got the Castrol info a month ago and the oil came straight from LCU.

[kmaier]

Pretty sure the SHC630 spec change is mainly for the US as Castrol TAF-X is not generally available in the US. I got the info from Dave back around November of 2003. Oddly enough, the Lotus dealer down here uses Mobil-1 Synthetic Gearlube which LCU does not endorse...go figure. In any case, I'm sticking with the SHC630.

Regards, KM
2000 V8