What Oil do i need for my Transmission

[tomgtv]

I have 219,000 miles on my 2001 X5 3.0L which I bought new.

You cannot get all the fluid out of it anyways. Multiple flushes
is difficult.

BMW says don't change it........my experience proves it......Tranny
works perfectly..........now the rest of the car has had just about
every other part replaced......

My .02!

[Multibeemer]

After reading through dozens of posts on the topic, the consensus appears to be that a good quality Dexron VI ATF is the best choice. But I have a question - since you can't get anywhere near all of the oil out of the tranny during a flush, is there any possibility of incompatibility between the Dex VI and whatever fluid was put in the tranny at the factory (mine is a 2003 4.4 with 78K miles)? Thanks.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Multibeemer

After reading through dozens of posts on the topic, the consensus appears to be that a good quality Dexron VI ATF is the best choice. But I have a question - since you can't get anywhere near all of the oil out of the tranny during a flush, is there any possibility of incompatibility between the Dex VI and whatever fluid was put in the tranny at the factory (mine is a 2003 4.4 with 78K miles)? Thanks.

The Dexron VI posts you are reading talk about Dexron VI replacing Dexron III, which was the recommended fluid in the GM transmission used in the 3.0. You have a 4.4, and thus a ZF transmission. Read the label on the transmission to see what fluid is recommended for your specific vehicle by BMW.

You will get about half of the fluid out by draining the pan and filter, leaving the fluid in the torque converter, lines, and cooler.

Since you will be combining the two fluids 50:50, it is always best to use the same fluid. If you use a fluid that meets the spec, you should be fine.

[Multibeemer]

Originally Posted by JCL

The Dexron VI posts you are reading talk about Dexron VI replacing Dexron III, which was the recommended fluid in the GM transmission used in the 3.0. You have a 4.4, and thus a ZF transmission. Read the label on the transmission to see what fluid is recommended for your specific vehicle by BMW.

You will get about half of the fluid out by draining the pan and filter, leaving the fluid in the torque converter, lines, and cooler.

Since you will be combining the two fluids 50:50, it is always best to use the same fluid. If you use a fluid that meets the spec, you should be fine.

Thanks; somehow I missed that. OK, I'll be under the car today removing the thrust arms (aka front/lower control arms), so I'll take a look. Hopefully the label on the transmission will be easy to find and read, and will make sense. All this talk about Audi/VW Esso fluid, vs. BMW-specific, with the Dexron discussion thrown in the mix, sure is confusing

[Rockmelon]

Originally Posted by tomgtv

I have 219,000 miles on my 2001 X5 3.0L which I bought new.

You cannot get all the fluid out of it anyways. Multiple flushes
is difficult.

BMW says don't change it........my experience proves it......Tranny
works perfectly..........now the rest of the car has had just about
every other part replaced......

My .02!

so you have not changed the tranny fluid for 219k miles? no prob at all?

[X5 Meister]

You should do a thorough thread search. A great deal has been written on this subject and the various fluid have been discussed in great detail including where to source them, etc.

[Multibeemer]

Your're right, there have been quite a few threads on this subject. I've gone through them, and now understand that BMW part 83229407807, ESSO LT71141, and VW/Audi G-052-162-A2 are all the same thing, or at least are all compatible. But I have one follow-up question - I did a Google search on the VW/Audi fluid, and got a link from Redline which claimed that their D4 ATF meets or exceeds the specs of the other two fluids. I did a search on Redline D4 on this forum, and nothing came up. What are the opinions of this ATF? It's considerably cheaper than the VW/Audi fluid (about $10 a liter vs. about $15), but of course if there's any doubt, I'd gladly spend the extra five bucks a liter for the peace of mind. My X5 has 78,000 miles, by the way, and isn't exhibiting any transmission issues; I'm just interested in doing a tranmission flush as preventative maintenance. Thanks.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Multibeemer

I did a Google search on the VW/Audi fluid, and got a link from Redline which claimed that their D4 ATF meets or exceeds the specs of the other two fluids. I did a search on Redline D4 on this forum, and nothing came up. What are the opinions of this ATF? It's considerably cheaper than the VW/Audi fluid (about $10 a liter vs. about $15), but of course if there's any doubt, I'd gladly spend the extra five bucks a liter for the peace of mind.

I haven't used the Redline fluid, but I have heard of posters using it in the GM transmission, so it intrigued me that it would also be compatible with the ZF transmission. There is a reason that there are two different fluid specs, the fluids have different characteristics. BMW would likely be very happy to only have to stock one fluid, if they could use the same fluid.


Here is what I found out on the Redline site:

• Redline's 'most versatile' ATF. I guess that means it works in just about anything.
• 'Suitable replacement for Dexron III'. Doesn't sound like it is tested to those standards, otherwise it would say so. Usually that means that a small producer doesn't want to pay for the GM test protocol.
• 'Suitable replacement for the Esso LT71141'. Again, not certified.
• No reference to the VW standard, just that it is suitable for VW vehicles.

They may provide the details elsewhere, but the Redline website I looked at does not says it meets or exceeds the above standards, just that Redline consider it a suitable alternative. It also has the dubious distinction of being the fluid equivalent of an adjustable wrench, ie it fits everything.

If it was my vehicle, I would be concerned with both the standards that a fluid is tested to, and the compatibility with the fluid that is already in there (the two fluids have different base stocks). If you want to save the $, it is your call. Or, you can go with Yoda's immortal quote: "Be afraid, be very, very, afraid." Personally, I wouldn't even consider Redline products that do not meet manufacturer's published requirements.

[X5 Meister]

First, please realize that you will be far from doing a transmission "flush." Second, changing the fluid isn't exactly a simple drain and fill. There is a proper procedure that must be followed, the transmission must be cycled properly and in a specific manner, the fluid must be at the proper temperature throughout the process, etc. You certainly don't want to overfill or underfill.

Now as far as fluids are concerned, the -807 fluid is Esso LT71141. If I were going to do such a transmission job (and I personally wouldn't) I would most definitely use the same stuff that BMW used and only that fluid. So my suggestion is get yourself 9.5 quarts of this fluid and not monkey around for a buck savings here or there. Also get the OE filters and not some aftermarket or other OEM stuff that costs a few bucks less.

If you don't want to purchase the fluid from BMW in the 20 liter drum for $616.48 retail ($30.82 per liter) then I suggest you contact these guys (see post #1) and find out what price they give you:

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-00-liter.html

Or order it from a place like Bavarian Auto:

Welcome to bavauto.com | Automatic Transmission Fluid - ESSO LT71141 - 1 Liter

Or shop around yourself for the best price and post your result. As far as Redline fluids or any other brand are concerned, I personally stay away from them. Could they be better, sure, but they could also be worse and given the other option is using OE fluid which I know is what the transmission manufacturer spec'd for that gearbox I would feel more comfortable using a product that the manufacturer knows works well. Good luck.

Originally Posted by Multibeemer

Your're right, there have been quite a few threads on this subject. I've gone through them, and now understand that BMW part 83229407807, ESSO LT71141, and VW/Audi G-052-162-A2 are all the same thing, or at least are all compatible. But I have one follow-up question - I did a Google search on the VW/Audi fluid, and got a link from Redline which claimed that their D4 ATF meets or exceeds the specs of the other two fluids. I did a search on Redline D4 on this forum, and nothing came up. What are the opinions of this ATF? It's considerably cheaper than the VW/Audi fluid (about $10 a liter vs. about $15), but of course if there's any doubt, I'd gladly spend the extra five bucks a liter for the peace of mind. My X5 has 78,000 miles, by the way, and isn't exhibiting any transmission issues; I'm just interested in doing a tranmission flush as preventative maintenance. Thanks.

[X5 Meister]

It always amazes me that people want to do preventative maintenance (that is not specifically called for by BMW) and then want to start substituting filters, fluids, etc with none OE products just to save somewhere in the neighborhood of $50. Why not just save the money and not do it at all?