Additives for manual transmissions: Top 7 best additives for manual transmissions. When and how to use

As the vehicle is used, the gearbox gradually wears out working parts and components. In this case, extraneous sounds and vibrations often occur due to excessive friction of metal surfaces. Transmission oil is designed to reduce friction forces in the gearbox. The modern car market offers special substances as additives in ATF oil - additives in manual transmissions. When using high-quality antifriction additives, a durable protective film is formed on the rubbing surfaces of gearbox elements.

Functionality of gearbox additives

Increased loads on manual transmission components and parts lead to the following problems:

incorrect operation of the transmission, in particular the gearbox;
accelerated wear of metal surfaces,
the occurrence of hum, noise, vibrations, sudden shocks, oil leaks.

With timely maintenance of a manual transmission, the transmission oil is replaced in a timely manner and special additives are added. Thanks to additives, the service life of the working elements of the gearbox and the entire transmission assembly is significantly increased.

Most often, gearbox additives are used for:

reducing noise effects;
improving the performance of the oil pump;
restoration of surfaces with defects;
increasing the operational period of the entire transmission;
improving the smoothness of mode switching;
reducing efficiency losses when overcoming friction forces;
reducing the noise level (up to 10 dB) in the gearbox area;
restoration of elasticity of rubber seals and gaskets.

Additives for manual transmissions are selected in accordance with the chemical composition and technical characteristics of a particular gear oil.

Important: The appearance of extraneous noise in a manual transmission indicates not only increased wear of parts. Often the manual transmission of a new car makes noise during the break-in process. In this case, mutual grinding of the transmission mechanisms occurs. Here it is also useful to use anti-friction additives in manual transmissions to reduce noise.

Efficiency of application

It is no secret that high-quality gear oil already has a balanced set of additives that provide reliable protection against both wear and scuffing. Adding third-party mixtures changes this balance and not always for the better.

Summarizing the reviews of owners of various cars, the following points can be highlighted:

there is a positive effect of additional additives on the wear resistance of the product;
the noise level of the unit often remains at the same level;
after adding additives, the operation of the gearbox often becomes clearer;
Car enthusiasts categorically do not recommend pouring additives into automatic transmissions.

In general, experienced owners prefer to use higher quality oils of synthetic origin with a factory set of additives. The opinions of experts agree that it is rational to add special compounds only at a progressive stage of wear of parts, and to oil that has already lost part of the package of declared properties after several months of operation.

The best gearbox additives

Manual transmissions are among the most complex car components. To repair worn components and parts and restore the functionality of the box, you will need to spend a lot of time and material resources. The gearbox additive is poured into the oil as a special agent that extends the service life of the mechanism.

List of the best additives in manual transmission:

Liqui Moly.
RVS Master (TR3, TR5).
Suprotek.
XADO.
1Stage Transmission.
MosTwo Ultra.
Getriebeoil-Additive.

User reviews

Let's take a look at some comments from car owners who have already added additives to their oil. Reviews taken from the Internet.

Timofey, 33 years old

I've been a fan of Liqui Molly for a long time. German quality is a guarantee of the desired result. I used additives for manual transmission. They turned out to be very effective. A little expensive, but the main thing is a positive result.

Sergey Petrovich, 66 years old

The store offered to buy XADO additives. At first I refused, but then I read the abilities and decided to buy it. I didn't make a mistake. The quality is excellent. There is no noise and vibration in the gearbox. They used to be very annoying, but now there are no problems.

Alexander, 26 years old

I inherited a car – also a Soviet “six”. The transmission was noisy and there was a grinding noise. I didn’t want to take it apart, so I filled it with EX 120. Now everything is much better. It’s worth saying that the effect did not come immediately, so don’t be nervous, just wait.

Additive for manual transmission Liqui Moly

A product of the German auto chemical industry, the Liqui Moly manual transmission additive has received wide recognition among numerous car enthusiasts. Thanks to a unique chemical composition, the metal surfaces of the gearbox are covered with a protective film, which minimizes the friction forces between the mating elements.

Main components of Liqui Moly:

molybdenum disulfide;
copper;
zinc.

Under the influence of additives, the smallest defects on the surfaces of working parts (microcracks, chips, cavities, etc.) are eliminated.

As a result of using the Liqui Moly gearbox additive, the following positive changes have been noted:

Improved transmission performance.
Smooth transition to the selected gear.
Reducing the friction forces between parts and the operating temperature of the transmission fluid.

Recommendations for using Liqui Moly:

This product is best used for worn gearboxes that show clear signs of long-term use.
The additive must be poured into the crankcase during a partial or complete oil change.
After a long run of more than 100 thousand km.

Interesting: According to drivers, the additive from Liqui Moly has an immediate effect on the operation of a manual transmission without side effects. The transmission noise additive dramatically reduces the sound effects of the gearbox.

What supplements are best not to use?

Not all products that you find on sale effectively remove noise and improve the performance of the transmission unit. Some additives cause serious damage to the gearbox. According to many manufacturers, the presence of detergent additives and stabilizers in the liquid makes it possible to increase the intervals between lubricant changes. But that's not true. When a lubricant is used for a long time, the consumable material changes its characteristics and properties, as a result of which the effectiveness of the substance against friction decreases. In fact, the maximum increase in service life is possible by two thousand kilometers, regardless of the type of product and its composition.

According to experts, car owners should refuse to purchase additives that contain high-tech additives and can increase the service life of the transmission by 300-500%. The bottom line is that ordinary substances based on molybdenum disulfide are usually sold under the guise of technological products. Their high percentage content causes a complete change in the composition of the lubricant, since it already contains anti-wear additives in sufficient quantities. It is impossible to say with certainty about the consequences that such mixing will lead to. But this usually leads to the destruction of the polymer components, as well as the valve block. This problem leads to the need to repair the unit.

No less harmful to transmissions are additives whose manufacturers promise to quickly stop oil leaks, regardless of the size of the damage. The principle of operation of such products is similar to the work of sealed adhesive for the cooling system, although the composition of such substances is different. After using the additive, a coating forms on the internal components of the gearbox, which cannot be removed without intervention in the operation of the unit. Even if the leak stops for some time, it will appear again after 1 thousand kilometers on average. Therefore, gearbox repair is guaranteed.

The channel in Sandro's garage published a video, the author of which tried to get rid of the noise of the input shaft bearing using a transmission additive.

Additives brand RVS-MASTER TR3 and TR5

The antifriction additives of the RVS-MASTER group include silicate compounds that form a unique protective layer of metal-ceramics on the surfaces of gearbox parts. Thanks to the influence of TR5 and TR3 materials, the operation of the manual transmission is improved:

destructive processes in the gearbox elements slow down and completely stop;
wear of working parts and components is reduced;
minor defects on metal surfaces are eliminated;
the configuration of the gear teeth is restored (involute geometry);
the vibration level of the box is reduced;
noise effects;
the service life of the manual transmission increases significantly;
the possibility of possible gearbox breakdowns is prevented;
gear shifting becomes more distinct and easier;
it becomes possible to operate the vehicle in extreme conditions (aggressive driving, increased loads, off-road, etc.).

Important: If additives based on molybdenum, Teflon, etc. were previously poured into the gearbox, it is necessary to change the oil and then thoroughly rinse the gearbox to remove any remnants of the previous antifriction material.

The procedure for applying the RVS-MASTER additive to the gearbox:

Mix the contents of the bottle vigorously (shake the additive).
Fill the syringe with RVS-MASTER liquid.
Introduce the additive into the gearbox housing through the filler neck.
If the substance does not fit into the syringe in full, repeat the operation.
Screw on the hole cap.
Start the engine, start driving.

Advice: After introducing the additive into the manual transmission, during the first hour you need to engage each gear and perform engine braking in all modes (imitation of driving in urban conditions)

Hi-Gear

This additive in gearbox oil is known to many motorists who value high quality auto chemicals. This is achieved through the introduction of modern technologies in production that increase the performance properties of additives. For automatic transmission you can use the following:

Hi-Gear HG7011. It contains a modern metal conditioner ER, which helps reduce friction and noise levels and extend the service life of transmission parts. In addition, the use of such an additive increases the efficiency of the entire system. It is noteworthy that the system is suitable for any automatic transmission oil.
Hi-Gear HG7018. This liquid is innovative and high quality. It can be used as a gearbox additive to reduce noise.
Hi-Gear HG7012. This fluid can be used on any type of automatic transmission, since it contains the SMT2 conditioner formula. It helps reduce friction and can be used on any automatic transmission.

Description of additive for manual transmission SUPROTEC

Suprotek Corporation defines its products as an “intelligent additive.” The active material includes complex modern components in certain combinations. The proprietary antifriction additive combines perfectly with lubricants of various compositions and promotes the formation of a polymer film on the metal surfaces of gearbox components and parts. The resulting film increases the area of the contact spot and reduces the friction forces between the mating surfaces of the working elements of the manual transmission.

Claimed qualities

The functional properties of special formulations announced by various manufacturers are almost identical. The basis is:

resuscitation of contact surfaces;
protection and surface hardening of friction areas;
optimization of the geometry of the contact spot in the gearing;
creating even more favorable conditions for the operation of synchronizers in manual transmissions and control units in automatic transmissions.

Based on the main package of properties, a set of consumer characteristics is formed:

acoustic comfort during operation of the unit;
vibration damping;
softening the gear shift process;
improved clarity when operating the manual transmission handle;
increasing the resource and increasing the level of reliability of the box as a unit.

Often the list of advantages is supplemented by very mediocre qualities, such as reduced fuel consumption and easier engine starting.

XADO additive for manual transmission

Gel-like antifriction additives, produced by the Kharkov company together with the Dutch engineering group, enjoy well-deserved trust among numerous buyers. Thanks to the beneficial effects of additives, the original configuration and dimensions of the working elements of manual transmissions are restored. The main difference between XADO additives and numerous analogues is the unique chemical composition of the active substance (they include: ceramics in a liquid state plus silicon molecules).

Microcracks that form on the metal surfaces of gearbox components and parts are quickly filled with a super-strong metal-ceramic substance (microhardness coefficient is 750 kg/mm2), and ideal alignment occurs in places where roughness appears. Even after long-term use of the vehicle, when many gearbox parts have lost their original appearance, XADO additive material is able to restore their shape and previous technical characteristics.

Interesting: The company has developed a modern product called revitalizant XADO 1Stage. This is a gel specially designed to restore and improve the functioning of internal combustion engines, regardless of the type of power unit: gasoline, diesel, gas-powered.

The main advantages when using XADO antifriction additives:

Effective elimination of irregularities, potholes, chips, deep scratches on the metal surfaces of transmission elements due to the formation of a unique metal-ceramic protective film.
Significant reduction in the level of noise effects of a working gearbox (more than ten times).
Optimal functioning of manual transmission synchronizing clutches.
Increased efficiency (low fuel consumption in all-wheel drive vehicles).
Neat, smooth manual transmission gear shifting.
Effective removal of elevated temperature from the area of increased friction.
A sharp reduction in vibrations and vibrations of the gearbox.
Further operation of the machine with obvious transmission fluid leaks.
Resistance of gearbox mechanisms against the harmful effects of corrosion.

Revitalizant MosTwo Ultra for manual transmission

The domestically produced MosTwo additive effectively reduces the noise intensity in a vehicle's gearbox. This antifriction additive is in great demand among buyers due to its high efficiency and beneficial properties:

the formation of a durable protective layer on metal surfaces, which has
reduced friction coefficient;
reduction of friction forces between mutually contacting parts and components in the gearbox;
elimination of surface defects;
restoration of the configuration of transmission elements;
reducing the force of pressing on the gearbox lever when changing to the next gear;
reduction of noise and vibrations in the cabin from the side of the manual transmission;
increase in the service life of the gearbox by almost five times;
improving the performance indicators of manual transmission operating elements;
the ability to fill the additive into the gearbox housing with transmission oils from various manufacturers (high versatility of the material);
ensuring further operation of the manual transmission at maximum loads on the vehicle’s power unit.

Total

additives for gearboxes Additives for gearboxes are aimed at restoring and preventing wear of contact surfaces by creating a thin film of high hardness. It is not recommended to pour high-quality additives into gearboxes just to reduce noise: the composition is considered as a means for restoring naturally worn surfaces. By bringing the actual geometry of the contact layer closer to the base one, the same acoustic comfort will be achieved.

The companies XADO and Liqui Moly produce a wide range of premium additives. More affordable and versatile - Nanoprotec, Suprotec, Hi-Gear.

Getriebeoil-Additiv additive from Liqui Moly

Similar to numerous additives produced by Liqui Moly, the basis of this product is a chemical compound called molybdenum disulfide (MoS2). Getriebeoil-Additiv additive is specially developed for use in manual gearboxes and differential mechanisms.

The main advantages of molybdenum additive:

Reduced wear on moving gearbox elements;
Effective removal of elevated temperature from the area of increased friction.
Ensuring smooth gear shifting.
Smooth, quiet operation of the manual transmission.
The box body heats up less during vehicle operation.

Interesting: If you add Getriebeoil-Additiv to the differential or manual transmission of a worn-out car, the gear tooth profiles are restored. The reliability and efficiency of manual transmissions are significantly improved. Transmission modes switch most clearly and smoothly.

Rules for the use of Getriebeoil-Additiv additives:

the additive is intended for filling into axles and mechanical gearboxes that operate under extremely high loads and temperatures;
It is not recommended to put automatic transmissions, robots, or CVTs into boxes;
Packaging form: 20 mg tube
the required amount of additive is calculated depending on the operating conditions of the vehicle; most often, one package per 1–2 liters of transmission fluid is sufficient.
A noticeable effect from the use of this additive occurs after approximately 100–150 km of travel.

Let's sum it up

Thus, it is clear that there are a huge number of additives of different brands. They should be selected specifically for the type of gearbox - manual, automatic or CVT. Be sure to go through the products of each brand and evaluate the technical characteristics. It is clear that in most options the means are similar, but an individual approach is still required.

Experts advise using additives for new cars and buying only high-quality oils, especially when it comes to a more capricious automatic transmission. A good oil already contains all the components that can keep the entire system in working order. But you need to choose the products wisely so as not to run into a fake. Any bad additives in them only worsen the condition of the gearbox system. So, focus on the best additives described in this review: these are the brands that most car enthusiasts choose.