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Land Rover Series and Defender Recommended Oils and Lubricants

Series and classic Defender lubricant information

Land Rover Series and Defender Recommended Oils and Lubricants

Recommended engine oils, gearbox lubricants, transfer-box oils, differential fluids, swivel-housing lubricants and approximate capacities for Series models and classic Defender vehicles.

Classic Land Rover Defender for Series and Defender lubricant guide
Litres Only UK-friendly capacity information
Grades & Specifications No lubricant brand required
Approximate Capacities Final level must always be checked
Model-Specific Guidance Series, Tdi, Td5 and TDCi
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Please Check Your Vehicle Information

Important: This information is provided as a general guide only. Always check the owner’s handbook, workshop manual or official technical information for your exact vehicle before selecting or adding any lubricant. Confirm the required grade, specification, capacity and filling procedure for the specific engine, gearbox, transfer box or axle fitted to your vehicle.

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Important Capacity Notice

Capacities are approximate and may vary with component type, suffix, modification and the amount of lubricant retained during draining. Always confirm the correct specification and final level for the exact engine, gearbox, transfer box or axle.

Identify the exact model and component

Using the Series and Defender Lubricant Tables

Series Land Rovers and classic Defenders use several different engines, gearboxes, transfer boxes and axle arrangements. The correct lubricant therefore depends on more than the vehicle name or registration year.

Check whether the vehicle has a Series four-speed gearbox, LT77, R380 or MT82 manual transmission. Also identify whether the rear axle is a Rover, Salisbury or later replacement assembly.

Capacities shown below are approximate. Oil retained in coolers, filters, galleries and internal cavities means the amount required during servicing may differ from a completely dry or rebuilt unit.

Before selecting a lubricant

Confirm the engine Petrol, diesel, V8, Tdi, Td5 or TDCi.
Confirm the gearbox Series four-speed, LT77, R380 or MT82.
Confirm the rear axle Rover, Salisbury or another replacement axle.
Check the final level Use the dipstick or level plug rather than quantity alone.
Series 1, Series 2, Series 2A and Series 3

Series Land Rover Recommended Lubricants

Series vehicles vary considerably by engine and age. The figures below are practical service references for standard vehicles, but the final level must always be checked.

Component Recommended grade Specification or notes Approximate capacity
Petrol engine 20W-50 Classic mineral engine oil; API SF or later suitable classic-engine specification. Approximately 6.0 to 6.8 litres including filter, depending on engine.
Diesel engine 15W-40 or 20W-50 Heavy-duty diesel oil suitable for older indirect-injection engines. Approximately 6.0 to 6.8 litres including filter.
Main gearbox SAE 80W-90 or SAE 90 EP API GL-4 recommended for compatibility with bronze and brass gearbox components. Approximately 1.5 litres.
Transfer gearbox SAE 80W-90 or SAE 90 EP API GL-4 hypoid gear oil. Approximately 2.5 litres.
Front differential SAE 80W-90 or SAE 90 EP API GL-5 hypoid axle oil. Approximately 1.7 litres.
Rear differential SAE 80W-90 or SAE 90 EP API GL-5 hypoid axle oil. Approximately 1.7 litres for a standard Rover axle.
Swivel housings SAE 80W-90 EP or semi-fluid swivel grease Use only a suitable swivel-housing lubricant. Approximately 0.5 litres per housing.
Series gearbox warning: do not assume that a modern GL-5 axle oil is suitable for the main gearbox. A GL-4 product is the safer choice where yellow-metal compatibility is required.
Land Rover 90, 110 and early Defender

Early Defender Engine and Drivetrain Oils

Applies broadly to 2.25 and 2.5 petrol, naturally aspirated diesel, turbo diesel and V8 models before the Tdi period.

Component Recommended grade Specification Approximate capacity
Four-cylinder petrol engine 15W-40 or 20W-50 ACEA A2 or API SG/SH or later suitable specification. Approximately 6.85 litres including filter.
2.5 diesel and turbo diesel 15W-40 ACEA B2 or API CE or later suitable diesel specification. Approximately 6.85 litres including filter.
V8 petrol engine 20W-50 or 15W-40 API SG/SH or later suitable classic V8 engine oil. Approximately 5.65 litres including filter.
LT77 main gearbox Automatic transmission fluid ATF meeting Dexron IID or Ford M2C33. Approximately 2.7 litres.
LT230 transfer box SAE 80W-90 or SAE 90 EP API GL-4 or GL-5 hypoid gear oil as specified for the unit. Usually 2.3 to 2.8 litres, depending on transfer-box suffix.
Axles SAE 80W-90 or SAE 90 EP API GL-5 hypoid axle oil. Front 1.7 litres; rear 1.7 litres for Rover axle or about 2.26 litres for Salisbury axle.
Defender 200Tdi and 300Tdi

Tdi Defender Recommended Oils

200Tdi

Engine and LT77 Gearbox

Engine oil: 15W-40 meeting ACEA B2 or API CE or a later suitable heavy-duty diesel specification.

Engine capacity: approximately 6.65 litres including filter.

LT77 gearbox: ATF meeting Dexron IID or Ford M2C33, approximately 2.7 litres.

300Tdi

Engine and R380 Gearbox

Engine oil: 15W-40 meeting ACEA B2 or API CE or a later suitable heavy-duty diesel specification.

Engine capacity: approximately 6.65 litres including filter.

R380 gearbox: dedicated MTF meeting MTF94 performance requirements, approximately 2.7 litres.

Shared component Lubricant Specification Capacity
LT230 transfer box SAE 75W-90 or 80W-90 API GL-5 gear oil. Approximately 2.3 litres; some earlier suffixes may hold more.
Front differential SAE 80W-90 API GL-5 hypoid axle oil. Approximately 1.7 litres.
Rear differential SAE 80W-90 API GL-5 hypoid axle oil. 1.7 litres for Rover axle; approximately 2.26 litres for Salisbury axle.
Defender Td5

Td5 Oils, Fluids and Capacities

Td5 models use a different engine-oil specification and a dedicated manual transmission fluid in the R380 gearbox.

Component Recommended grade Specification or notes Approximate capacity
Td5 engine 5W-30, 5W-40 or 5W-50 ACEA A1/B1 preferred. Check the handbook for the correct viscosity for the expected temperature range. Approximately 7.2 litres from dry, plus about 1.0 litre when a new full-flow filter is fitted. Fill gradually and check the dipstick.
R380 main gearbox Manual transmission fluid Dedicated MTF meeting MTF94 performance requirements. Approximately 2.38 litres.
LT230 transfer box SAE 75W-90 API GL-5 gear oil. Approximately 2.3 litres.
Front differential SAE 80W-90 API GL-5 hypoid axle oil. Approximately 1.7 litres.
Rear differential SAE 80W-90 API GL-5 hypoid axle oil. Approximately 1.7 litres for Rover-type axle or about 2.26 litres for Salisbury-type axle.
Swivel housings Semi-fluid swivel-housing grease Use a lubricant specifically intended for enclosed Land Rover swivel housings. Approximately 0.35 litres per housing.
Defender 2.4 and 2.2 TDCi

Puma Defender Recommended Lubricants

The 2007-on TDCi Defender uses a six-speed MT82 gearbox and engine-oil specifications that differ from Tdi and Td5 models.

2.4 TDCi · 2007–2011

2.4-litre Puma Engine

Engine oil: 5W-30 meeting Ford WSS-M2C913-B or a formally compatible later specification.

Approximate refill: around 7.0 litres including filter. Add gradually and confirm on the dipstick.

2.2 TDCi · 2012–2016

2.2-litre Puma Engine

With DPF: 5W-30 meeting Ford WSS-M2C934-B.

Without DPF: 5W-30 meeting the specified Ford low-viscosity diesel requirement for the vehicle.

Approximate refill: 6.85 litres; approximately 7.2 litres from completely dry.

Component Grade Specification Approximate capacity
MT82 six-speed gearbox 75W-90 manual transmission fluid Ford WSD-M2C200-C. 2.2 litres measured by volume. Do not fill until it runs from the plug.
LT230 transfer box 75W-90 or 80W-90 API GL-5. Approximately 2.3 litres.
Front differential 75W-90 or 80W-90 API GL-5 hypoid axle oil. Approximately 1.7 litres.
Rear differential 75W-90 or 80W-90 API GL-5 hypoid axle oil. Approximately 1.7 litres for Rover-type axle or 2.26 litres for Salisbury-type axle.
MT82 filling warning: the six-speed gearbox is filled with a measured quantity. Filling until fluid overflows from the level aperture can result in overfilling.
Steering, brakes, clutch and lubrication points

Shared Defender Fluids and Greases

Power steering

ATF meeting Dexron IID, IIE or III unless a later vehicle handbook states another specific requirement.

Brake fluid

DOT 4 brake fluid meeting FMVSS 116. Do not use mineral hydraulic fluid.

Clutch fluid

DOT 4 brake and clutch fluid from a sealed container.

Propshaft joints

NLGI 2 multipurpose lithium-based grease for greasable universal joints and sliding splines.

Wheel bearings

High-quality NLGI 2 wheel-bearing grease suitable for automotive tapered roller bearings.

Manual steering box

SAE 80W-90 or SAE 90 EP gear oil where a manual steering box is fitted.

Capacity and fitment notes

Important Checks Before Filling

1

Identify the gearbox

LT77, R380 and MT82 use different fluid specifications and filling procedures.

2

Check the transfer-box suffix

Some LT230 variants have a different capacity from the commonly quoted 2.3 litres.

3

Identify the rear axle

A Salisbury rear axle generally holds more oil than a Rover-type axle.

4

Check for modifications

Replacement engines, gearboxes, overdrives, limited-slip differentials and axle conversions may alter the requirement.

5

Fill gradually

Do not pour in the full stated quantity without checking the dipstick or level plug.

6

Inspect drained oil

Water, metal debris, burnt smell or heavy contamination may indicate that further investigation is required.

Need help with oil terminology?

Read Our Oils and Lubrication Information Guide

Learn about viscosity grades, API and ACEA specifications, GL-4 and GL-5 gear oils, automatic transmission fluid, greases and lubricant base types.

Read the General Oils Guide

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JGS4x4 is an independent supplier of parts and accessories. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by Jaguar Land Rover Limited. All references to vehicle models are used for identification and compatibility purposes only.