Scania’s “STO” (Scania Transmission Oil) specifications are Scania’s in-house performance categories for gearbox and axle lubricants. Historically, a single spec (STO 1:0) covered all manual transmissions and differentials in Scania trucks. Around 2017 Scania introduced more specialized STO categories – distinguishing “A” for axle/differential oils and “G” for gearbox oils. Below is an explanation of each STO spec.

Application: All Scania manual gearboxes and drive axles (pre-2017). It was a multi-purpose gear oil spec for both synchronized transmissions and hypoid differentials.

Oil Type: Typically API GL-4+GL-5 gear oils in SAE 75W-90 or 80W-90. Both mineral and synthetic oils could meet STO 1:0, but using high-performance synthetic 75W-90 allowed extended drains. Many modern Total Driveline oils (meeting SAE J2360) carry STO 1:0 approval.

Drain Interval: In long-haul service, STO 1:0 oils allowed up to ~240.000 km or 3 years between changes. (Severe-duty cycles required shorter intervals – e.g. ~120k km down to 30-45k km in the harshest off-road use.)

Notes: STO 1:0 is now considered a legacy spec. Scania still permits STO 1:0 oils in older gearboxes (pre-2017) even after newer specs were introduced. However, new Scania vehicles often require the updated specs below for optimal performance.

Application: Manual and automated manual gearboxes (Scania “G” applications), introduced as a new performance level for gear oils around 2017. The “G” denotes Gearbox use.

Oil Type: Typically a 75W-90 synthetic gear oil meeting API GL-4+GL-5. Many oils that met STO 1:0 also met STO 1:1 G.

Drain Interval: Similar to STO 1:0 – about 240.000 km or 3 years for long-haul operations. No significant drain extension over STO 1:0 was noted; this spec mainly signified a dedicated gearbox oil category. It is fully backward-compatible with older transmissions and was often interchangeably used with STO 1:0 oils in practice.

Notes: STO 1:1 G was essentially a dedicated gearbox spec to ensure the oil is optimized for synchro and gear protection. Oils meeting this spec often also meet other OEM gearbox specs (e.g. MAN 341 GA, ZF TE-ML 02) and GL-4/GL-5.

Application: Manual and automated manual Gearboxes (“G” = Gearbox) – a further evolution for gearbox lubrication. STO 2:0 G was introduced to support next-generation gearboxes with higher performance and efficiency demands. It corresponds to Scania gearboxes built in the late 2010s and onwards (prior to the very latest “MTF” spec).

Oil Type: Typically a 75W-90 full-synthetic API GL-4+GL-5 gear oil, optimized for extended drain and lower friction, with low viscosity to improve fuel economy. STO 2:0 G oils generally also carry STO 2:0 A – many are “total driveline” oils that meet both gearbox and axle specs. For example, Q8 Trans XGS 75W-90 meets Scania STO 1:0, 1:1 G, 2:0 G, 2:0 A and 2:0 A FS in one formulation.

Drain Interval: Extended compared to earlier gearbox oils. Scania documentation shows up to 360.000 km or 3 years for STO 2:0 G in long-haul use – roughly 50% longer than the 240.000 km for the older gear oil. This reflects the improved oxidation stability of the synthetic 75W-90. In very harsh usage, intervals would be shorter, but still improved over STO 1:1 G. Using a STO 2:0 G 75W-90 can yield significantly less viscosity increase and sludge versus older oil, enabling longer life.

Notes: Oils meeting STO 2:0 G are backward-compatible to STO 1:1 G applications. In fact, many gear oils after 2018 advertise both specifications. Scania allowed continued use of STO 1:0 in gearboxes built <2017, but for post-2017 boxes it’s recommended to use at least STO 1:1 G or preferably STO 2:0 G oil for best results.

Application: Heavy-duty axles and differentials (“A” = Axle) introduced circa 2017 for new Scania trucks. These supersede STO 1:0 for rear axles. There are two versions:

• STO 2:0 A FS: the premium axle oil spec, where “FS” primarily denotes Fuel Saving performance, though it is often also associated with a dual meaning, as it inherently requires a Fully Synthetic formulation due to the spec’s high-performance demands.
• STO 2:0 A: (without FS) for standard axle oils, which could be higher viscosity and/or mineral-based.

Oil Type: STO 2:0 A FS is met by top-tier synthetic gear oils, typically SAE 75W-90, formulated for maximum fuel efficiency and long drain. STO 2:0 A (non-FS) covers axle oils that meet Scania’s requirements but may include conventional grades like 80W-140 for extreme loads.

Drain Interval: These specs were aimed at improving efficiency and extending oil life in Scania axles. In optimal conditions, drain intervals up to 750.000 km or 3 years are allowed for STO 2:0 A in long-haul operations – a huge increase over older specs. Under severe use, the interval is about 360.000 km, still longer than older oils. The FS synthetic oils are generally required to achieve these maximum intervals. Many axle oils meeting STO 2:0 A also meet or exceed STO 1:0, indicating backwards compatibility.

Notes: In practice, Scania’s own “High Performance” axle oil is STO 2:0 A FS 75W-90, while they may offer a standard axle oil meeting STO 2:0 A 80W-140 for applications where synthetic isn’t required. The FS oils are strongly recommended for new Euro VI trucks to maximize efficiency.

Application: The latest Scania manual transmission oil spec, introduced for the newest generation of gearboxes, notably the Scania G25 and G33 gearbox series, introduced ~2020. “MTF” stands for Manual Transmission Fluid. It is designed specifically for improved gear shift performance and ultra-long life in these new gearboxes. Important: STO MTF is not a GL-5 oil – it is closer to a GL-4 specialized manual transmission oil intended for synchronized gearboxes (Scania refers to these as “GW” and “GZ” gearboxes).

Oil Type: SAE 75W-80, API GL-4 full-synthetic. This lighter viscosity oil reduces drag and heat, improving fuel economy and shiftability, formulated for excellent low-temp fluidity and synchro compatibility. It includes special friction modifiers to suit Scania’s latest synchronizer materials (including an exclusive FKM seal compatibility requirement). Scania’s own genuine “MTF 75W-80” oil meets STO MTF and API GL-4.

Drain Interval: Exceptionally long. Scania permits up to 1.000.000 km or 5 years on STO MTF intervals in long-haul operation – essentially “filled for life” for many operators. This is double or more the interval of prior gearbox oils, thanks to its outstanding oxidation stability, resulting in minimal viscosity increase over time. Even in demanding usage, the drain interval is dramatically extended relative to older specs, though Scania imposes the 5-year cap regardless of mileage.

Notes: STO MTF is specific to certain new gearboxes – it is not backward-compatible with all older boxes. Scania explicitly disallows its use in applications like hub-reduction axles, certain all-wheel-drive or mining vehicles, or any requiring an ATF/engine oil or thicker GL-5 fluid. It’s targeted at the latest highway gearboxes (e.g. G33CM), where it yields better gearshift feel and efficiency. Oils meeting STO MTF also carry approvals like MAN 341 Type GA2/GB (manual transmission specs) rather than axle specs. This underscores that STO MTF is a gearbox-only, GL-4 type specification for modern synchronized transmissions.

“STO” specs are Scania’s way of categorizing transmission lubricants by application and performance level. In summary, STO 1:0 was the old all-purpose standard; STO 1:1 G and STO 2:0 G are gearbox-focused upgrades, with “2:0 G” allowing longer drain and requiring synthetic 75W-90; STO 2:0 A and A FS are advanced axle oil specs, with FS denoting fuel savings with fully synthetic for maximum interval and efficiency; and STO MTF is the newest ultra-long-life 75W-80 for next-gen gearboxes.

Each successive spec brought improvements in oil longevity or fuel economy for that component.

Always consult Scania’s latest recommendations, as using the correct STO oil is crucial for achieving the intended drain intervals and performance in Scania trucks.

The following table provides a detailed overview of Q8 lubricants that meet or exceed the performance requirements of various Scania Transmission Oil specifications.