Thread: Transfer Case Oil - Options

Originally Posted by DiscoJeffster

Can you please share where you found it?

Shell TF0870 Transfer Case Oil (DTF1/83222409710) - BM Direct, Sydney.

Originally Posted by 101RRS

Shell TF0870 Transfer Case Oil (DTF1/83222409710) - BM Direct, Sydney.

Thanks. Free delivery too, even to lonely old WA!

I suspect that
Shell TF0870 (DTF1 83222409710 equivalent) transfer case oil (1L) - OIL0005

should be
Shell TF0870 (DTF1 83222409710) equivalent transfer case oil (1L) - OIL0005

just like all the other equivalent TF0870 oils.

Originally Posted by 101RRS

Shell TF0870 Transfer Case Oil (DTF1/83222409710) - BM Direct, Sydney.

And that oil is from S-TEC Service Technologies which is owned by Magna themselves - so truly an OEM oil in this case. But this is not the oil Magna specify for the D3/D4.

LR and Magna-Steyr specify Shell TF-0753 for the D3/D4 transfer box. Developed by Shell and Magna-Steyr, and now produced by S-TEC. Sometimes marketed as Shell S-TEC.

The correct OEM oil is S-TEC OIL0002 (Shell TF-0753).

S-TEC OIL0005 is the Shell TF-0870 oil as used in BMW transfer cases made by Magna and meets the BMW DTF-1 specification. That is it is the equivalent to genuine BMW DTF-1 transfer case oil.

Ravenol TF-0870 claims to be compatible with both TF-0753 and TF-0870. I suspect however it is a thinner oil to TF-0753 and is targeted more at being a direct replacement for TF-0870 (and so questionable if truly an equivalent to TF-0753).

Whereas S-TEC (Magna) don’t claim that OIL0002 (TF-0753) and OIL0005 (TF-0870) as being the same - and these are the only 2 oil types they make. So there will probably be differences in the friction modifier additives for the clutch pack, and even the viscosities to handle hotter operating conditions.

By the time you import the correct S-TEC TF-0753 oil it ends up being around the same price as the LR supplied oil.

You can also buy the LR oil here:

Range Rover Sport 2x 1L Transfer Case for Land Rover Discovery 3 4 Oil IYK500010

Tracked down the oil specs for various TF-0753 and TF-0870 marketed equivalents.

You can clearly see they are different spec oils. The TF-0870 / DTF-1 oils are all lower viscosity. More like ZF6 Lifeguard oil. Probably OK for colder climate countries.

Royal Purple Synchromax is probably the best alternative for hotter climates.

Rein appears to be the brand that markets the OEM equivalent to the Shell S-TEC oils in the US (even comes in the same bottles as the S-TEC oil). Possibly produced under license to S-TEC.



Personally I would stick with the original oil from LR as it is easier to obtain in Australia and you know it will be the right spec as defined by Magna-Steyr.

Gotta look after that special transfer case…..

No, no, its the oil that's special, not the TC. I have a bottle to prove that the oil is special 'cause that's what it says on the label.

Yeah poop. I bought the one above too before seeing this.

Originally Posted by DiscoJeffster

Yeah poop. I bought the one above too before seeing this.

If the difference in viscosity was less than 5% I probably wouldn’t be too concerned, but a 12% drop with new oil is more than I would be comfortable with - especially for the long term life of the clutch pack.

This is why I am surprised that Ravenol can claim their TF-0870 meets the TF-0753 specs. This is not a simple transfer case with just gears and bearings.