Looks like its my turn for "transmission fail safe"

[corima]

Yup. Over the past few weeks been getting a few "odd" sounds from the transmission "area". Pretty much on accelleration, and more so on an uphill. One was a very hard down shift, the others a mid range screech sound. Even my 13 year old noticed it. Then yesterday, "transmission fail safe" . Got home not too far away, turned off the engine, restarted it, and it was gone. Drove it again to see if I could reproduce it for the stealer. I couldnt, but I didnt try very hard. Seemed to be in the 2-3-4 shift range, earlier. My 4.8is has 79k miles on it and I am due for new tires, at least for the rear.

I had earlier brought a slow shifting problem to the stealer a few months ago. It just seemed slow going from P to D and back and forth from D and R. They replace some seals, but it was still the same. Now this. My CPO is about to expire in about 5k miles, so I am trying to build a previous symptoms list with them so I might have some ammunition if/when the tranny fails shortly after the CPO expires. This strategy seemed to work for my airstrut replacement. Since my nearest stealer is 1.5 hrs away, I am planning checking the fluid level according to the Bentley manual I have. Are there any other tranny fluid options than the one mentioned in the manual? Any ideas on some other things I can check before taking it in. I have a code reader, but, it didnt pull anything up for the transmission. Going to run a check on the battery and alternator condition also. Thanks, again. X5World Rocks!

[dkl]

BMW auto transmissions are very finicky. I wouldn't mess around with finding an "equivalent" fluid. Just get the required fluid (there's a sticker for the fluid on the bottom of the tranny pan) and see if you can order it online if you don't want to visit your local dealer.

[corima]

Thanks for the advise. It looks like the manufacturer of the fluid is a "Shell" M type fluid. I will try to look locally for it. But, my last resort will be the dealer or BMW parts supplier for it. If I have to order some, I will order enough to replace it completely. I understand what you mean about them being finicky. Looks like the level checking proceedure is just that. Correct temperature, shift proceedure, running, filling. This seems like the logical place to start. My rear tires are at the wear bars. I have a complete set of Vredesteins ready to go. Any chance my worn rear tires could be putting a strain on the transmission, DSC and all? Jeez, in the old days, when the tires were worn, the car just slid around alot. I love this car, but with all the electronics, its hard to get a seat of the pants feel for things.