Okay, I spouted my mouth off about getting my Sportsman ready for winter riding, now I wish to change the transmission oil. Of course recommended by Polaris is their own oil, Premium Synthetic Gearcase Lube, but my question is, what available fluids are being used besides Polaris' own house brand? I use Pennzoil GL 80-90 weight Gear Lube in the the front and rear gearcases, and was wondering if this would work in the transmission as well? I just don't believe in paying premium price for an oil that is readily available, that is, if one is. What are you guys, and girls too, perhaps using? Notice the non-sexual remarks....

 

SWAC, The Polaris lube is more like 30 weight oil. It's alot thinner than gear lube. I have never figured out what type of fluid it is.

 

Swac,
DONT you dare put that 80-90 lube in the tranny.No where near the same as the stuff thats suppose to go in there.I have not found anything to replace the tranny lube with,however,I did use the same 80-90 in my front and rear gearcases that you did,
Bill

 

Thanks Bill, I was just about to go ahead and put the 80-90 in the tranny anyways, but I too do not know of the composition of the PPSGL. I was also thinking of one of these newer synthetic transmission fluids, but I don't want to be the guinea pig with a trashed tranny as a result of trial and error. Especially using the quad out there in the fluffy white stuff, which should be fun today, thanks mother nature!

 

Do NOT use 80-90W gear lube in your chaincase. I was at the dealer recently & asked if there was anything a person could use as a substitute. He said, in one word, NO. He said you could get by with synthetic ATF rather than run it dry, but not to complain to him if something goes kaput from using it.
The reason he gave me for not using gear lube is that although it is called a gearbox or gear case, it is actually a CHAINcase. Chains transmit the power, not gears, thus the special lube. I asked him if a person could use snowmobile chaincase lube & he thought maybe, but again said not to blame him if something goes wrong.

 

What ever you put in there make sure it is a moly base oil on my 98 i was running the polaris chaincase lube never had a drop of trouble with it. But the new ones run sythetic so just run synthetic and be safe.

 

Premium price, yes, but considering you only hafta change it once a year, the 8 bucks a quart price ain't all that bad......

 

When you consider the price you paid for your top of the line machine why would you question the manufacturer's recommendation on the lubes to use. These guys didn't get to where they are by being stupid and a lot of R&D goes into their products before they decide on what's best. I too am bothered by the outrageous prices for "their" lubes but am more bothered by expensive repairs.
Just my thoughts.