I'm running O'Reilly's generic gear oil. Works great and cheap.

This is a reply to the thread in general. I have a Gen1 07 MS3 with about 60k on it. Due to circumstances beyond my control it's been over a year since I started it last. I had stored it in perfect condition without a problem in the world in a non climate controlled for about a year before that only driving it monthly. Maybe less. I had to move it to an outdoor driveway for the last year and a half that was very far from where I was. When parked she ran like a top without any issues. Well now i'm back. I changed the oil and got a new battery. Started right up! Backed out of the driveway to find the tranny in disarray. I think 2nd gear was gone, 1 or 2 others too. I was pretty upset and just drove it around the block. IT's been idling for 10-15 min in my driveway but i don't understand...NO ONE touched that car. How can it be having tranny issues suddenly?? It needs tires so I don't want to spend a bunch of cash on it at the moment unless i have to. Plz help.

Edit: I was only out protecting your freedom, least you could do is answer me. Perhaps i'll dump it and buy a WRX.

I have used Redline MTL, MT-85 and currently a 50/50 mix of MT-85 and MT-90 in my Pu. I have never ground a gear nor had any trouble shifting in winter whatsoever. That said, the MTL definitely felt too thin and I didn't like the shifting feel. The MT-85 was better and so far the mix of 85 and 90 feels really nice, although I only have maybe 300 miles on it. Based on my experiences, I wouldn't bother with the Motorcraft unicorn jizz. That said, the Redline oils so far seem to get sheared down after 10k - 15k miles and the shifter feel isn't as nice.

Did you ever figure out what happened to your transaxle?

I’m about to change out the transmission oil on my car since I’m fairly certain it’s still original with 78k miles on it. Could you explain what you mean by “I didn’t like the shifting feel” and “Reline oils so far seem to get sheared down after 10k - 15k miles and the shifter feel isn’t as nice.”

What didn’t you like about the shifting feel? What do you mean “sheared down”? How do you know? Did you get an oil test or something? Previous experience?

It gets below freezing in my area and extremely hot, so I’m not certain if I’m going to put 80 or 85 in mine. 25-30° lows 115° High. Average in summer is around 90°, though. What do you guys think? Eighty or 85?

I don't have any actual data like an oil analysis or anything. I'm going completely by shifter feel which is obviously subjective and preferential. So that said, the MT-80 seems too thin to allow the syncros to really do their job and the shifting feels a bit gritty and light. The 85 is better but so far I prefer the feel of the 85/90 mix, which I'll probably stick with. To me it's the right amount of resistance and buttery shifter feel.

I live in KY and our temps aren't quite as extreme as yours. I don't think 80 would feel good with 115 degree ambient temp. Try 85 and see what you think.