RECOMMENDED OILS FOR THE MITSUBISHI TRANSFER CASE

89-94 DSM: The 89-99 DSMs used a spiral bevel gearset in the transfer case. The recommended oil for all transfer cases in the Mitsubishi DSMs GL-5 90w Hypoid gear oil. However, If the vehicle is going to be drag raced, road raced or being operated in climates that are 45*F or warmer we recommend using Redline 80W140 GL-5 Gear Oil or Redline Shockproof Heavy for it is an excellent oil for the transfer case.

OIL VISCOSITY INDEX CHART

96-10 EVO: The 96-2010 EVOs use a Hypoid ring & pinion gearset in the transfer case.  You must use only a GL-5 of higher oil in the transfer case. Mitsubishi recommends that the transfer case in the EVOLUTION be filled with the factory oil, Diaqueen LSD Gear Oil part#  3775610 or a high quality GL-5 or higher 90w Hypoid gear oil.

If the vehicle is going to be drag raced Redline Shockproof Heavy in the transfer case for it is an excellent oil for the transfer case.

Road raced or being operated in climates that are 45*F or warmer we highly recommend using Redline 80W140 GL-5 Gear Oil.

Also, if you are daily driving the vehicle aggressively you can use a GL-5 or higher Hypoid gear oil that is 80W-140 if temps are 45* or warmer because the heat load that is generated is sufficient enough to thin the oil out so it doesn't aerate, web, foam up or cause lubrication issues due to the oil being too thick to perform properly. These higher viscosity oils will offer additional protection against metal on metal contact that can happen during high shock loads.

OIL VISCOSITY INDEX CHART

Do not use GL-3 or GL-4 in the transfer case!

You must use a hypoid type gear oil that is a GL-5 or higher in the transfer case.  If you fill your transfer case with the wrong oil you will ruin the ring & pinion gears immediately.  It doesn't take anymore than a drive around the block to cause damage to the gears so make sure you understand what oils go where.

Do not use GL-3/4/5 gear oil in the transfer case!

When it comes to the transfer that is found in the Mitsubishi EVOLUTION, do not make the fatal mistake of using any oil that claims to be a magical GL-3/4/5 gear oils. These one size fits all type oils are not recommended anymore than a one heat range fits all spark plug. These oils are notorious for ruining the ring & pinion gears. You must use a hypoid type gear oil that is a GL-5 or higher in the transfer case.

Hypoid ring & pinion gears

The transfer case in the EVOLUTION features hypoid gears; commonly referred to as ring & pinion gears, to transmit that power to the drive shaft. The word hypoid is short for hyperboloid which refers to the design of these gears. Hypoid gears don’t share a common axis, run quiet (for the most part) and they are very strong by design. Yet by this design, the gear teeth must slide across one another during their meshing and this is why you must use the correct gear oil with at least a GL-5 rating in the transfer case. Use the wrong oil and the transfer case and the ring & pinion gears will be ruined almost immediately from the intense heat that is generated.

Transfer case filling instructions

Oil must be level with or slowly flow back out of fill/level plug.  Transfer cases that have the ACD fill rather slowly due to the fact that the oil has to flow through small passageways.  You will need to fill and check the oil level many times during the filling of the ACD transfer case. Chances are that when you think have an ACD transfer case filled with the correct amount of oil, it'll still need a little more. Drive a short distance, around the block, and recheck the oil level.

EVOLUTION OWNERS TAKE NOTE: It is of utmost importance that the transfer oil be checked again after you have driven the car a few miles at speeds over 25mph to allow the oil to properly coat everything inside the transfer case, this is especially important when using REDLINE Shockproof in the transfer case. Drive a short distance and recheck the oil level.

EVOLUTION OWNERS TAKE NOTE: The Active Center Differential transfer cases require special attention during the filling with oil.  Due to the design of this transfer case the gear oil must travel through tiny passageways in the ACD clutch pack assembly before making its way to the ring & pinion. You must make sure to get the proper amount of oil in the transfer case or you will ruin it immediately.  Make sure to check the oil level several times during the filling procedure making certain that you have filled the transfer case to its full capacity. When you think that you have enough in there wait a couple minutes and recheck the oil level. If you try to rush this process, chances are that when you think have an ACD transfer case filled with the correct amount of oil, it'll still need a little more. Ideally, you should be able to let the transfer case sit for at least 5 minutes and upon inspection of the oil level it should be full enough that the gear oil should drip back out of the inspect/fill hole.  When you are all done, drive a short distance, like around the block, and recheck the oil level. I know it sounds like a hassle but I'm trying to help you out here. If you run the transfer case low on oil you will ruin the ring & pinion gear.

Change the transfer case oil every 5000 miles. Vehicles that are being road raced require race car maintenance and all drivetrain oils should be inspected after each race and preferably changed. Road racing applications may add an additional 1/2 pint of oil to the transfer case for added lubrication and cooling.  New or recently rebuilt transfer cases should have the oil changed after the initial first 500-1000 miles. New or recently rebuilt transfer cases should have the oil changed after the initial first 500-1000 miles.

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