discool, I guess you checked the Castrol lubricant advisor where they advice for Syntrax Universal.
Indeed, the data sheet for Syntrax Universal says that it can replace EPX 80W-90 (
TDS-Syntrax Universal-1880 ).
Here's the EPX data sheet for comparison:
http://129.35.64.91/bpglis/lubtds.nsf/technicaldata/6EF1A567D3534C8280256C4E005B8028?OpenDocument
I always try to steer away from oil/fuel debates but I'll say a couple of things though:
- I always favor vehicle manufacturer's recommendations against the oil manufacturer ones (unless there is an "approval" or a "specifically designed for" note in the specs)
- I tend to dislike the "universal"/"one size fits all" things in this case.
One more thing. Some 2 months ago I did some rebuilding of my R380 gearbox (changed all the bearings in it). When I put all back I thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to replace the transfer box oil as well while I was at it. I knew that I had some EPX around the house but I didn't check. I drained the oil out soon to find out that I was out of EPX. But I had some other oil laying around doing nothing:
Valvoline SynPower Gear Oil TDL 75W90, which a wonderful oil, by the way.
After putting everything back together I took the disco for a drive around the block. All was fine for the first 5-6 miles, then a "beautiful" whining noise started to come to my ears. This scared me a bit, 'cause I thought I did something wrong when rebuilding the gearbox. But after some tests I realized that the noise it's coming from the transfer box.
So I stopped at the nearest shop, bought a load of EPX, drove straight home, replaced the oil in the transfer box and took it again for a spin. Wow, what a difference.
If you check the specs on the Synpower TDL against the Syntrax Universal, you'll find them quite close. I'm not saying that Syntrax is unappropriated for LR transfer boxes or axles, might be ok if the vehicle is less than 50-60.000 miles. But AFAIC I will stick to the EPX. It worked for me from -30 deg C up to 65C (at the asphalt level, when there were 43 degrees C in the shade), climbing the mountains, offroading, towing a 1.5 ton trailer crossing the mountains, beach sand driving, motorway cruising. So there's no reason to change it or try something different. But this is just me ... I love the way EPX 80W-90 performs and I'll stick to it (hope they won't stop making it).
Can't comment on Comma brand since it's not available in my part of the world.