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Old 03-28-2012, 09:49 PM
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JCL JCL is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SF2000x5 View Post
Appreciate the input, but why not? IIRC, the Castrol bottle says it meets BMW specs. Running better than since I bought my used X5 after 5 months ago.
Because it doesn't meet the spec. The text was carefully written to make it appear that it meets the spec. Lawyers then checked so they couldn't be sued. Read what it says.

Quote:
CASTROL TRANSMAX IMPORT MULTIVEHICLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID IS FOR USE IN MOST HONDA, TOYOTA, NISSAN AND OTHER IMPORTED VEHICLES.

Recommended for use in vehicles that require:

Honda, Acura — ATF–Z1 (except in CVTs)
Toyota, Lexus — Type T, T–III, T–IV
Nissan, Infiniti — Matic–D, Matic–J
BMW — LA2634, LT71141
Mitsubishi — Diamond SP–II, SP–III
Hyundai — SP–II, SP–III
Volvo

Also meets requirements of

ATF+3®, ATF+2®, ATF+®
Ford MERCON®, MERCON® V (Not for use where MERCON® SP is required).
General Motors DEXRON®–III H and prior (Not for use where DEXRON®–VI is required).
Allison C–4
Available in quarts and gallons
It is 'recommended for use in' some vehicles but 'meets the spec of' other vehicles. That means that it doesn't meet the spec of the first group. Subtle but legal. It isn't just Castrol, as Redline D4 and others are exactly the same.

Some of have an advantage in picking up on this c**p as we know from the formulations that those fluids are mutually exclusive in many cases. Makes it easy to spot misleading labeling. Another tip off is that the specs they are certified to are shown with the trademark symbol. That is the rule of the trademark holder when they licensed the fluid. They dont have to include the trademark symbol for the first batch since they don't actually say they meet it. You have to think like a lawyer unfortunately. They rely on people just looking for their vehicle brand (ie BMW) on the label and not picking up on this. Pretty sad.
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Last edited by JCL; 03-28-2012 at 09:55 PM.
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