BimmerFest BMW Forum banner

What transmission fluid do you use (and how often do you replace it)?

235K views 162 replies 52 participants last post by  WenoN 
#1 · (Edited)
This is the last of the dozen "fluids" to flesh out for the glove-compartment summary.
Many hours of research predated this post, e.g., I read all I could on transmission fluids for the E39 and summarized as shown below.

What else would you add for everyone's glovebox?
- What transmission do you have (e.g., I have the A5S 325Z automatic)?
- What color sticker is on your transmission (black, green, orange, or yellow)?
- What fluid did you put in your transmission (name, brand, type)?

Here's my summary after combing every single page of the Bentleys to combine the information into a single spot:
Note: This summary was constantly updated based on the information in this thread (so that the user saves time when reading this thread):
- Manual transmission (yellow sticker): BMW PN: 83.22.9.408.942 or MTF-LT-1 (manual transmission fluid, lifetime, I'm not sure what the "1" means) Bentley page 020-10 & 020-30. [Volume: See chart below.] Replacement Interval: Lifetime oil (Bentley 230-6). A user-recommended fluid is "Royal Purple Synchromax 1512 manual transmission fluid" & Redline MT-90; the user-recommended replacement interval is roughly 5 years or about 60K miles.
- Manual transmission (orange sticker): The Bentleys, on page 200-4, simply say "ATF" (aka ATF-Oil). Nothing more. Note: This orange sticker is not mentioned in the Bentleys page 020-10 & 020-30 but is noted on page 200-4. Replacement Interval: Lifetime oil (Bentley 230-6); but the user-recommended replacement interval is roughly 5 years or about 60K miles.
- Automatic transmission (green sticker): BMW PN: 83.22.0.024.359 or Texaco ETL 8072B or Shell LA2634 (this is extremely confusing, not only because these are cryptic "types" but also because the Bentleys list different fluids and volumes on page 020-10, 240-6, & 240-8). [Volume w/o torque converter/with torque converter, see chart below]. Replacement Interval: Lifetime oil (Bentley 240-6); but the user-recommended replacement interval for the fluid and filter is roughly 5 years or about 60K miles. Apparently Pentosin is the OEM oil but FEBI also works (ATF Auto Transmission Fluid equivalent to ESSO LT 71141). Note: Mixing ATF types will cause transmission failure (Bentley 240-6). My 2002 525i with the ZF 5HP19 (aka A5S 325Z) transmission (6.2 liters/8.9 liters or 6.6 quarts/9.4 quarts) has this green sticker.
- Automatic transmission (black sticker): Dexron III ATF (realistically Dexron VI ATF) BMW PN: 83.22.9.407.807 or Exxon LT-71141 which seems to also be called Esso LT-71141) (all this is extremely confusing, not only because these are cryptic "types", but also because the Bentleys list different fluids on page 020-10 than on page 240-6). [Volume w/o torque converter/with torque converter, see chart below]. Replacement Interval: Lifetime oil (Bentley 240-6); but the user-recommended replacement interval for the fluid and filter is roughly 5 years or about 60K miles. Note: Mixing ATF types will cause transmission failure (Bentley 240-6). Some users suggest Mobil1 Synthetic ATF.

See this thread for complete details on fluids, torques, volumes, locations, etc and to find which transmission is in your model E39:
Manual transmissions:
BMW 525i 2001-2002 M52TU, M54: Getrag S5D 250G, 1.2 quarts (1.1 liters)
BMW 540i 1997-2002 M62: ZF/Getrag S6S 420G, 2.0 quarts (1.9 liters)
BMW 528i 1997-2002 M52: ZF S5D 320Z, 1.4 quarts (1.3 liters)
BMW 530i 2001-2002 M54: ZF S5D 320Z, 1.4 quarts (1.3 liters)

Automatic transmissions:
GM THM-R1 (A4S 270R), 9.3 quarts/8.2 quarts (8.8 liters/7.8 liters)
BMW 528i to 9/1999 M52: GM THM-R1 (A4S 310R), 9.3 quarts/8.2 quarts (8.8 liters/7.8 liters)
BMW 528i from 9/1999: GM 5L40-E/GM5 (A5S 360R), 9.5 quarts/8.5 quarts (9.0 liters/8.0 liters)
BMW 525i to 3/2001 M54: GM 5L40-E/GM5 (A5S 390R), 9.5 quarts/8.5 quarts (9.0 liters/8.0 liters)
BMW X5 GM 5L40-E/GM5 (A5S 390R), 10.1 quarts/9.1 quarts (9.6 liters/8.6 liters)
BMW 530i to 3/2001 M54: GM 5L40-E/GM5 (A5S 390R), ? quarts/? quarts (? liters/?liters)
ZF 4HP22, 7.9 quarts/3.2 quarts (7.5 liters/3.0 liters)
ZF 4HP24, 8.6 quarts/3.3 quarts (8.1 liters/3.1 liters)
ZF 5HP18 (A5S 310Z), 8.2 quarts/3.4 quarts (7.8 liters/3.2 liters)
BMW 525i from 3/2001 (2.5L M54): ZF 5HP19 (A5S 325Z), 9.4 quarts/6.6 quarts (8.9 liters/6.2 liters)
BMW 530i from 3/2001 (3.0L M54): ZF 5HP19 (A5S 325Z), 9.2 quarts/6.5 quarts (8.7 liters/6.1 liters)
ZF 5HP24 (A5S 440Z) for 4.4 L, 9.5 quarts/5.7 quarts (9.0 liters/5.35 liters)
BMW 540i from 1/1997 M62 TU: ZF 5HP24 (A5S 440Z) for 4.6 L, 10.5 quarts/5.7 quarts (9.9 liters/5.35 liters)
BMW 540i to 1/1997 M62: ZF 5HP30 (A5S 560Z) 13.8 quarts/5.8 quarts (13.1 liters/5.5 liters)

REFERENCES:
All BMW fluids
ZF 5HP19 transmission facts
Ever change the ATF?
Lifetime fill? - I don't think so
Lifetime fill, part II
BMW Transmission Fluids
Transmission ZF or GM

BTW, here's an interesting excerpt from this web page:
Prior to the advent of BMW Free Scheduled Maintenance, approximate BMW maintenance recommendations were: automatic transmission fluid (ATF) and filter changes every 15,000 miles, manual gearbox and differential oil changes every 30,000 miles, annual brake fluid changes, and coolant changes every two years. Spark plugs, air filter, and fuel filters were typically replaced every 30,000 miles on most BMWs (this is a tune-up) except M cars up to 1995, which got new spark plugs and a valve adjustment every 15,000. Later advances in computer engine management and spark plug technology legitimately allow 60,000-mile spark plug life if not more.
...
But once BMW began paying for scheduled maintenance, lo and behold the ***8220;schedule***8221; was revised. Now the cars hardly need any maintenance at all. The 1,200-mile break-in service was done away with except for M cars. Engine oil suddenly lasts 15,000 miles (dealers are supposed to use BMW synthetic oil). Manual gearbox and differential oil? No worries there ***8211; now BMW says they NEVER need to be changed; it***8217;s ***8220;lifetime fill.***8221; Brake fluid and coolant service intervals were doubled with no change in the original BMW brake fluid and anti-freeze dealers are supposed to use.
...
Manual Gearbox Oil
Only synthetic oil should be used in BMW manual gearboxes, drain interval 30,000 miles

BMW-specified factory synthetic gearbox oil changes often, but it is all good. I just wouldn***8217;t leave it in service forever, or for a ***8220;lifetime***8221; ***8211; whatever that means.

Red Line products are also highly recommended (www.redlineoil.com). Questions or problems, e-mail me or dave@redlineoil.com.

All the BMW gearbox rebuilders I know use Red Line MTL exclusively, regardless of model year or gearbox. The general consensus is, MTL is the better lubricant. However, the D4ATF product will require less shifter babying during cold operation. I use Red Line MTL in manual gearboxes except where I can***8217;t trust the driver to shift properly when the gearbox is cold, in which case I use Red Line D4 ATF.

Red Line MT-90 as slightly higher viscosity than their MTL product, which can be useful in reducing gearbox rattle, which can occur in neutral with the clutch pedal out in vehicles that do not have dual mass flywheels. The rattle does not affect gearbox function.
...
Automatic Transmission Fluid
For older automatics using Red Line or other synthetic ATF, drain interval 30,000 miles. Old fashioned petroleum ATF, drain interval 15,000 miles

At various production dates in the mid-1990s, which vary according to model, BMW switched to their so-called ***8220;lifetime fill***8221; ATF in automatic transmissions, as well as manual gearbox lubricant and differential oil. The reason for this, as far as anyone can tell, is marketing and not engineering ***8211; the idea being to foster the notion of the low-maintenance BMW.

There was no explanation of what ***8220;lifetime***8221; meant, i.e., lifetime of the car, the component, or for that matter the driver. If it was the component, then obviously anything could be ***8220;lifetime fill***8221;. The factory***8217;s initial position is that these lubricants never need to be changed. Then, some time later, it came out that ***8220;lifetime***8221; means 100,000 miles. Many dealerships are now recommending manual gearbox and differential oil changes be done at customer expense every 60,000 miles. Every independent BMW technician I know recommends a 30,000-mile interval, and many recommend Red Line synthetic oils (www.redlineoil.com), but not for automatics with ***8220;lifetime fill.***8221;

Older automatic transmission models, which do not have ***8220;lifetime fill***8221; should have ATF and filter services every 15,000 miles if using petroleum ATF; every 30,000 miles with synthetic.

However, the modern automatic transmissions are different. No one knows exactly what BMW***8217;s proprietary ATF is, so no one knows if there are viable alternatives. We do know that BMW dealerships charge about $500 for an ATF and filter service, due to the price of the ATF. And that***8217;s assuming you can get them to do the job, which is not often the case.

Bavarian Autosport (www.bavauto.com) is now importing the proprietary ***8220;lifetime fill***8221; ATF at reasonable prices, which they sell along with filter kits, for independent BMW shops and do-it-yourselfers.

It is risky to drain a previously un-maintained automatic transmission with high mileage, even though if it were my car I would probably chance it. Still, I have seen it happen too many times, where a well-meaning owner or technician performs an ATF and filter service on a neglected but well-shifting automatic, and then all of the sudden it starts slipping. I can***8217;t explain it, but my feeling is the fresh ATF flushes a bit of sludge from a place where it was doing no harm to a place where it does do harm. Overfilling, underfilling, and cleanliness are also issues in ATF and filter servicing, but these should not be problematic for a professional BMW technician, dealer or independent.

BMW has backed off their lifetime fill mantra for automatic transmissions, currently recommending an ATF and filter change every 100,000 miles.

My inclination is to tell people to change ***8220;lifetime***8221; ATF and filter every 30,000 miles. However the fact is, I've seen BMW automatic transmissions that were maintained break anyway. In that event, say it happens at 90,000 miles, you would like to have that $1,500 you spent on ATF and filter changes to put toward your new automatic transmission. And if I told you to spend it on maintenance you***8217;re probably not going to be very happy with me. On the other hand, I have seen maintained automatics last 200,000 miles. I have also seen unmaintained automatics last 200,000 miles, although both are very rare. There's just no predicting with these transmissions. When you choose to buy an automatic transmission, you also buy into the vagaries of the darn things, which is one reason technicians hate them.

Whether to maintain a modern BMW automatic is up to you. I am washing my hands of automatic transmissions ***8211; I don***8217;t like them, I don***8217;t buy them, and I don***8217;t mess around with them under the car. At the end of the day, for long-term durability, order the car with a manual gearbox.

At automatic transmission replacement time, we are confronted with the reality that the local transmission shop cannot rebuild BMW automatic transmissions, even those built by GM (BMW***8217;s GM transmissions bear no resemblance to GM transmission in domestic cars). There are some domestic specialists who concentrate in BMW automatic transmission rebuilding, and you***8217;ll see their ads in Roundel and Bimmer. However, I have no experience with any of the current domestic rebuilders. My experience in the past is***8230;well, the owner wound up buying a BMW factory rebuilt automatic transmission every time, and this is the course I recommend to readers ***8211; ***8220;back to the dealer.***8221;

Some of you, having seen the light, may be interested in converting to a manual gearbox. This is always possible, but for most of us it won***8217;t be less expensive than a replacement automatic transmission. This is because of all the other parts and additional labor required. And the newer the car the harder the job will be. It is certainly a doable swap, but there***8217;s no cost savings even if you do the work yourself. The exception would be if you have access to a manual gearbox donor car for little or no expense.
 

Attachments

See less See more
#2 ·
In my 420G Getrag 6 speed I run Royal Purple Synchromax.I have changed it out twice since I have owned the car.50K on the car now and I bought the car with 22K on the odometer.I dumped all fluids when I bought it and 1500 Miles ago dumped the transmission Fluid and I just changed out the differential ( put a M5 diff in the car ) 500 miles ago.Engine oil 3-5K . Fluids are cheap.
 
#4 · (Edited)
In my 420G Getrag 6 speed I run Royal Purple Synchromax.
Looking up "Royal Purple Synchromax", I see it's for manual transmissions so I'll add that as a user recommendation.

Which one do you get? Is it this one?
- Royal Purple Synchromax, 1512, manual transmission fluid

You're sure it meets BMW specs, right?

 

Attachments

#3 ·
Lubro Molly in the gear box and differential, Royal Purple in the crankcase.
 
#5 · (Edited)
Lubro Molly in the gear box
Which particular lubro molley (liqui moly?) fluid do you use (this is for the manual transmission, right?)?

 

Attachments

#7 ·
I've used MTL in two BMWs, and no worries. The E39 has had MTL for 50k, and one change between. So far, so good.

The Toyota experience seemed to have been a result of some plastic parts inside the trans as I recall.
 
#10 ·
#8 ·
86,000

Mobil 1 ATF in slushbox (changed once at 75,000)

Mobil 1 0w-40 in crankcase (once a year)

Mobil 1 75w-90 in diff (every 30,000)

Mobil 1 condoms in glovebox (used once every time)
 
#12 ·
#14 ·
I've had RP Synchromax in my 6-speed trans for 5 years
One by one, I'm trying to glean explicit information from each of these contributions for the overall fluids thread.

I wasn't sure what RP was (so again, I added it to the glossary); I realized belatedly RP stands for "Royal Purple", so that's another vote for Royal Purple 01512 Synchromax Manual Transmission Fluid so this is confirmed in the recommendations for manual transmission.
 
#15 ·
The problem with this thread is that nobody is also posting the manufacturer and model of the transmission they have, making it quite difficult to ascertain the applicability of a given fluid.

Bluebee, it may be worth it to cross-post the info in the glossary to the wiki (which is really supposedly where it should be, as opposed to in the forums but nobody looks there).
 
#17 · (Edited)
The problem with this thread is that nobody is also posting the manufacturer and model of the transmission they have
Bingo!

You definitely understand the problem. Which fluid we recommend depends on which transmission we have.

However, maybe there are only 3 "major" types of E39 transmissions? Am I correct that there are only three major types of transmissions in the E39 with respect to fluid needs (i.e., yellow sticker, green sticker, and black sticker)?

I realize out of these THREE E39 transmission sticker types there are zillions of transmission models within those three types - but I'm hoping it's as simple as choosing the fluid for a particular transmission based on the color of the sticker on the bottom of the transmission itself (mine is green, for example, so I'd use the fluids specified for a green-stickered transmission).

To make matters worse, people specify a fluid by brand but not by model, so, for example, MTL could be Redline MTL or Maxima MTL; so I'm trying to write the recommendations specifically, including all the relevant information.

BTW, I think I understand the transmission data well enough to fill in what folks left out.
Are these assumptions correct below?
- yadayadayada has a 6-speed manual & uses Royal Purple Synchromax synthetic MTF (so he has a yellow-sticker transmission)
- chiefwej also has the 6-speed manual & uses Royal Purple Synchromax synthetic MTF (he also has a yellow-sticker transmission)
- edjack uses "MTL" which is probably Redline MTL (but it could be Maxima MTL) so he must have a manual transmission also (yellow sticker)
- Graham uses Mobil1 in his "slushbox", so he has an automatic transmision (green or black sticker); yet Mobil1 Synthetic ATF is certified Esso LT 71141 so Graham probably has the black-sticker transmission which expects Exxon LT 71141 certification

These are assumptions, but I'll bet I'm right (tell me if I'm not).
 
#19 ·
I haven't read the plate on my transmission but the Bentleys, on page 240-4, clearly state my 2002 525i can only be an A5S 325Z. And, I can clearly see the green sticker on my transmission. So I know what set of fluids I can take.

However, with your A4S 310R, you can have either a black or green sticker and the Bentley can't tell you which. Lord help you if your sticker is scraped off as the green-sticker fluids are not compatible with black-sticker fluids.

Is my assumption correct that you, with the A4S 310R, can flush out the old fluid and then replace either with green sticker or black sticker fluids? But I, with my A5S 325Z can only use green-sticker fluids?????

 

Attachments

#20 ·
2002 530i ZF green sticker.... Valvoline MaxLife ATF... call Steve Dose at www.dosebmw.com... he has broken down thousands of ZF's (one of three ZF authorized dealers in USA). He puts ESSO (now lifetime) in those he gets in via freight only because ESSO is brown not red and he is afraid MaxLife's red color may entice a sleeping tech to top off with regular ATF.

RedLine in the rear differential and in the engine but not their ATF. Too "slippery" for any transmission with over 75,000 (even though mine has 60,000 on it).
 
#21 ·
2002 530i ZF green sticker.... Valvoline MaxLife ATF
Oh oh. That doesn't make sense according to post #1 above.

The "ZF" indicates a manual transmission, right (e.g., Type ZF S5D 320Z)?

According to the Bentleys (if I read it right), all manuals have a YELLOW sticker or (as I just found out doing this research) an ORANGE sticker (page 200-4).

However, automatic transmissions, according to my read of the Bentleys, seem to all start with an A (e.g., A5S 325Z). The green sticker, according to my understanding, is reserved for automatics.

How can you have a manual transmission with a green sticker?

 

Attachments

#23 · (Edited)
Prolube Automax Syntec

2002 530i ZF A5S 325Z (Green Sticker) - Prolube AUTOMAX SYNTEC.

Drained and refilled at 75000 miles. The oil above is a local Australian product. Probably of no benefit to most on these forums but may help in the decision making of others with ZF transmissions in Australia. It's been around 500miles since the change and no issues - if anything the shifts are slightly smoother.
 
#25 · (Edited)
Blue,

Great job, but that list can be very confusing when someone has the A4S 270R transmission like I do.

Going by the color of the sticker in my case is not enough as I had a Green sticker that specifically said Dexron III only.

I already knew this from researching, but just thought people should know. Funny thing is, according to that list, the A4S 270/310R which is practically the same transmission, is listed under both green and black stickers....but should only take Dexron III ATF

I just did my transmission fluid/filter and differential change at 80k. I went with Fuchs Ultra performance merc/dex ATF from Germany as recommended by my Indy, although I pre purchased the Mobile 1 synthetic ATF. My Indy was not comfortable putting it in and mixing with the 2 quarts or so fluid that did not come out. After further research, I would have probably been ok using the Mobile 1 ATF, but to play it safe, only if we were able to get the remaining 2 quarts out and avoid any cross contamination. I will consider this again in another 30k or so.

As far as the differential, I went with Royal Purple Gearmax 75w-90 GL-5 differential fluid. Much thicker than what came out. I have only heard good things from people that have used it and everything definately feels smoother after doing all this.

I cannot believe the bashing Royal Purple gets on that BITOG site, but the bashing is primarily for the engine oil and trans oil and I have not used it for either of those applications, so I cannot comment on that. As far as the differential fluid, I have only heard, and experienced positives, as it seems to be one of the top choices for many in differential fluids with much more positive feedback and very little negative feedback, not only from blogs, but from real world experience for many years.
 
#27 ·
that list can be very confusing when someone has the A4S 270R transmission like I do.
I scoured the E39 Bentleys for the A4S-270R transmission and could not find it.

Why is that?

Is there a better list of the E39 transmissions somewhere with the fluids they can use and the replacement volumes they hold?

 

Attachments

#28 ·
I think we've honed in on the transmission fluids to use ... but have we determined the fluid-replacement schedule?

I understand BMW claims "lifetime fluid"; and I see on the net various supposedly bad-luck voodoo stories where the transmission fails (just because) just after a replacement of the fluids.

Can someone edify me as to WHEN we should consider replacing the lifetime fluid?
 
#46 · (Edited)
I think we've honed in on the transmission fluids to use ... but have we determined the fluid-replacement schedule?

I understand BMW claims "lifetime fluid"; and I see on the net various supposedly bad-luck voodoo stories where the transmission fails (just because) just after a replacement of the fluids.

Can someone edify me as to WHEN we should consider replacing the lifetime fluid?
Riskant, in this thread serviced his tranny at ZF Industries - Dortmund. In post #11 he posted that ZF recommends to change the ATF at 100,000 - 120,000 Kms max (60-75 k miles). That's right from the horses mouth.
 
#29 ·
ZF says change the "lifetime ATF" every 8 years or 100,000 miles; BMW used to include ATF as part of their service interval, I think at 60,000 miles; "Bimmer" magazine's old school maintenance schedule confirms the 60,000 mile interval; now that I'm set up to do ATF in an afternoon, I'm going to do a 30,000 mile (every two years) interval, or 50,000 mile if I'm lazy!
 
#31 · (Edited)
ZF ... 8 years or 100,000 miles; BMW ... 60,000 miles; 30,000 mile (every two years)
Every 30k miles.
Oh my! Is that interval for the automatic or manual (or both)?

I'm at 88K miles on my green label A5S 325Z automatic transmission; I've updated the glovebox printout with the replacement interval (plus everything else said in this thread) and I edited the transmission-specific summary in post 1 of this thread to 60K miles (averaging your recommendations).

Unfortunately (for me), nobody suggested a replacement fluid other than what the Bentleys listed (BMW 83.22.0.024.359, Texaco ETL 8072B, or Shell LA2634) and I haven't yet found a total volume (I could assume "about" 10 quarts to buy but that doesn't tell me how much to put in).

Even after all this, for my specific transmission (2002 525i automatic), I still have basic questions unanswered:
Q1: Are the 30K/60K/100K suggestions above for both the manual and the automatic (or would they have different intervals)?
and ...
Q2: Does ANYONE have any other suggested replacement fluid (green label "A5S 325Z" transmission)?
Q3: Does anyone have a volume for the "A5S 325Z" transmission?
 
#34 ·
It depends on who you talk to.
Either the dealer, the transmission manufacturer, or some experienced BMW tech, you will always get mixed answers/ opinions when to replace the ATF and whether or not to replace it.
Some say 60k miles, some say 80 miles.... and after you pass a certain mileage, it becomes unsafe to replace the ATF.....
IMO, it is all a wife's tale...
It's up to you, what you want to do to form an educated solution from the experiences and info. flowing around.

I would buy 8 or 9 quarts of ATF.
It depends if you are going to drain the ATF again shortly after...
Call the dealer and a get a price quote.

Pentosin is the OEM ATF.
www.eactuning.com/parts/product_details/83229407807

PM me your last 7 of your VIN, and I will see if I can get the VIN decoder to work.
 
#35 ·

Attachments

#37 ·
Call Steve Dose at www.dosebmw.com. He is one of three ZF tranny guys in the USA that I would trust. His opinion on ATF for 5HP19 ZF tranny's is stock ESSO/Lifetime or Valvoline MaxLife. His opinion is that changing the ATF is NOT the cause of failure as urban legend suggests. At 88,000 you are likley fine if you dont already have a torque converter seal tear (known BMW issue), you are lucky, change the ATF and then change it every 60,000 miles minimum afterwards, old school is 30,000+/-.
 
#38 ·
As a cross reference, there is excellent ZF 5-HP-19 transmission fluid (and other ZF Getriebe GmbH technical) information in this thread.

For example, see the fluids bulletin attached from that thread.

Note: Nowhere in the Bentleys does it list the ZF 5HP19 transmission; apparently they use a different designation for transmissions (e.g., A5S 325Z). If you have a list of numbers used in the Bentleys which are, in actuality, the ZF 5 HP 19 transmission, please let me know as I'm confused due to the different way these are specified.

 

Attachments

#40 · (Edited)
Use Valvoline maxlife instead of Esso
For the record, cn90 wrote a nice manual transmission fluid and differential fluid replacement DIY with recommended fluids here ...

It looks like we should add the "Redline D4 ATF" to the recommendation list below???

- Manual transmission (yellow sticker): BMW PN: 83.22.9.408.942 or MTF-LT-1 (manual transmission fluid, lifetime, I'm not sure what the "1" means) Bentley page 020-10 & 020-30. [Volume: See chart below.] Replacement Interval: Lifetime oil (Bentley 230-6). A user-recommended fluid is "Royal Purple Synchromax 1512 manual transmission fluid" & Redline MT-90 (should I add cn90's Redline D4 ATF & Redline MTL & Mobil1 Synthetic?); the user-recommended replacement interval is roughly 5 years or about 60K miles.
- Manual transmission (orange sticker): The Bentleys, on page 200-4, simply say "ATF" (aka ATF-Oil). Nothing more. Note: This orange sticker is not mentioned in the Bentleys page 020-10 & 020-30 but is noted on page 200-4. Replacement Interval: Lifetime oil (Bentley 230-6); but the user-recommended replacement interval is roughly 5 years or about 60K miles.

 
#41 ·
I once used RP gear oil in my 5-spd manual. I was blissfully ignorant that what I had was not Synchromax. It was terrible in the cold. It shifts hard. On really cold mornings you hear whining from the transmission. You can also hear things clicking into place when you shift. Don't do this... (Duh)

This summer I added 50% Redline MTL and 50% Redline ATF. This combo has provided good results as per a number of posts on this forum. Mine shifts very smoothly and quietly now. I plan on changing the tranny fluid every 1-2 years.
 
#42 ·
The Esso fluid is the same as the Pentosin ATF 1 fluid--it's just bottled different--Esso make both of these
brands--I have used the Pentosin on both of the fluid changes to my touring--now has 186k miles and is shifting smooth--first change was around 70k miles and the last one was around 170k miles--must point out though when I change mine I do it in three step entervals--drain and replace--drive about five mile--drain and replace--drive another five miles and then drain and drop the pan and replace the filter and refill--that way I'm removeing most of the bad fluid and not mixing it up with the new.
 
#43 ·
I'm curious that you do the filter AFTER the first two drain/fill cycles... I read that you dont want to run your 80% new ATF through an old filter and contaminate it, better to run 20% old through the new filter and do the first drain / fill after a really short cycle (few minutes shifting through all gears) then the 2nd drain / fill after a longer one... what is your experience, opinion?
 
#44 ·
Look at it this way--you replace the filter and fluid at the same time--and then drain and refill a couple of times
afterwards--your going to bring more contaminates to the fresh filter that way--the filter and good fluid
is what the tranny wants--the way I'm doing it is the next best thing to flushing out all of the old fluid and starting with completly fresh fluid--and I'm trying to devise a way to do that very thing on my next change .
 
#45 ·
Nice PDF of the BMW TIS for transmission fluid capacities posted by Doru here.

Included below just in case the original link dies over time.

Personally, I'm scared to change my transmission fluid (green sticker automatic, 2002, 90K miles) as it "sounds" complicated to no end.
 

Attachments

#47 ·
Here is an xref to a very nice Pentosin ATF1 automatic transmission fluid DIY:
- DIY ATF Change--3/2001+ 530i (A5S 325Z Tranny)

One thing that perplexes me is the fact that GM no longer certifies Dexron III so I'm surprised the Pentosin container mentions that at all since legally, it is my understanding, that sentence can no longer carry any weight.

 
#48 ·
I am still using the Esso fluid sold by BavAuto.com. This is now sold under the Mobil 1 brand name but it is NOT the same as the Mobil 1 ATF sold in the USA. This Mobil 1 ATF is specifically made to ZF specs and sold in Europe. Apparently BavAuto.com is importing it...comes in a 1 liter bottle, not quarts. :)

I change both my AFT and diff every 30k miles since new. I had the ATF filter changed at 30/60/90, but now just doing the fluid only. I am at 152k now, and when I reach 180k, I will do the filter and gasket again. Since 90k I have been using Redline 75w-90 synthetic gear oil.
 
#49 ·
How do you know the Mobil 1 at Bav Auto is not the same as the Mobil 1 bought off the shelf.
I find it hard to believe that Bav Auto, out all places, has a "secret formula" Mobil 1 ATF.
Sounds like a load of cr@p to me...
IMO, ANY ATF from Castrol, or Mobil will be work on the E39.
The new ATF's now are newer and better.
Always evolving.
 
#53 ·
Just had the multiple drain/fill procedure done using valvoline maxlife. My mechanic called valvoline and verified it was approved for use in my A5S 440Z transmission. Also replaced the transmission filter, o-ring, pan gasket, drain plug and cleaned pan and magnets at the same time. The drain and fill was done 3 times while running the car up to speed in various gears between changes while on the lift.

My car has almost 59,000 miles. Before the change, I had noticed hard shifting during hard acceleration and a slight bit of jerkiness/clunkiness when initially putting it into drive. I definitely notice smoother shifting after the change. I wholeheartedly disagree with lifetime fluid.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top