1999 Boxster manual transmission fluid change

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Frodo

I'd listen to him...he kinda knows this stuff pretty well..

New info: I contacted the folks at Sunset, asking about their transmission oil. He replied, "This is the Mobilube PTX 75w90 transmission fluid. Porsche only sells it in 20 liter containers so we break it down in to individual liters for our customers."

I was thinking the "Porsche stuff" was a Shell product. I'm not sure exactly what constitutes OEM transmission fluid in P-cars anymore. Is this Mobil product the one that is so much better than the other oils out there? The stuff that you, JFP, have had customers drain out other transmission oils to put in?

Porsche currently has two approved 6 speed lubes, this is one, the other was a Shell product. The early 986 base cars with a 5 speed used a totally unique product which was made by Burmah, which is also a Shell subsidiary.

[Frodo]

Okay, now we're gettin' somewhere.

So, when people say it's best to use the Porsche transmission oil, that it's so much superior to the competition, that would apply equally to both the Mobil and the Shell products?

BTW, I have no axe to grind here...I'm just trying to figure out what's going into my gearbox.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Frodo

Okay, now we're gettin' somewhere.

So, when people say it's best to use the Porsche transmission oil, that it's so much superior to the competition, that would apply equally to both the Mobil and the Shell products?

BTW, I have no axe to grind here...I'm just trying to figure out what's going into my gearbox.

Approved Manual Transmission Oils

000 043 204 20 Mobil (Mobilube PTX) - 20 liter container

000 043 204 19 Shell (Transaxle) - 20 liter container

999 917 546 00 Shell (Transaxle) - 1 liter container

Note: All are full synthetic rated (or "non-conventional processing") oils. These oils have good light running properties because of their light low-temperature viscosity as well as a high level of temperature stability.

[Frodo]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

Approved Manual Transmission Oils

000 043 204 20 Mobil (Mobilube PTX) - 20 liter container

000 043 204 19 Shell (Transaxle) - 20 liter container

999 917 546 00 Shell (Transaxle) - 1 liter container

Note: All are full synthetic rated (or "non-conventional processing") oils. These oils have good light running properties because of their light low-temperature viscosity as well as a high level of temperature stability.

Thanks, John.
I was pretty much ready to order the PTX from Sunset but then, out of curiosity, asked them if they still carried any Shell brand transm oils. This is what they said they carry:

000-043-305-49 Shell

Both Sunset and Pelican Parts carry this, both say it's Porsche-approved, and both indicate it's what has superseded the "no longer available" 999 917 546 00 Shell. Yet another part number, eh?

I guess I'll get that or the PTX...as soon as I can find a coin to flip

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Frodo

Thanks, John.
I was pretty much ready to order the PTX from Sunset but then, out of curiosity, asked them if they still carried any Shell brand transm oils. This is what they said they carry:

000-043-305-49 Shell

Both Sunset and Pelican Parts carry this, both say it's Porsche-approved, and both indicate it's what has superseded the "no longer available" 999 917 546 00 Shell. Yet another part number, eh?

I guess I'll get that or the PTX...as soon as I can find a coin to flip

You could always save some $ and buy it from Sunset Porsche.....

[Frodo]

Kinda what I had in mind. As far as the oil choice, you think it's a toss-up?

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Frodo

Kinda what I had in mind. As far as the oil choice, you think it's a toss-up?

We tend to lean towards the Shell product, only because we have never had a problem with it, but I am sure they are very similar.