PS fluid consensus

[Doru]

Thanks for all the answers. ATF is written on the canister. But there are numerous ATF's.
I have 2 different Mobil 1 ATF's (about 3 qt each). Which can I use, or it doesn't matter?:



So here is the description of the grey bottle:



And here is the description of the blue bottle:

[dkl]

The grey bottle appears to be the older label of the Mobil 1 ATF that I used. I haven't seen that bottle on the shelf for at least a couple of years. This is what's currently on the shelf => ATF | Mobil 1™ Synthetic ATF

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Doru

Thanks for all the answers. ATF is written on the canister. But there are numerous ATF's.
I have 2 different Mobil 1 ATF's (about 3 qt each). Which can I use, or it doesn't matter?:

It just doesn't matter.

[salnj]

I was checking the powersteering fluid on the x5 and it is at the lower mark. Figured I will add aft fluid to what is in it already. My question is I don't know what kind of fluid is in it other then it is atf. The other concern is I can not tell if it is synthetic or regular. No burnt smell at all and it looks like it it is a reddish brown. So my question is can I add synthetic to what is in it? Also I can't find dexron 3
They had valvoline maxlife
Advanced auto brand
Castrol domestic multi vehicle
Attached are some pictures

[salnj]

Pict 2

[four.8is]

I've recently switched from whatever red fluid was in the reservoir to Pentosin ATF which is gold colored and that's because I had a few quarts laying around from my E39 tranny job...no issues so far...I need to order some more from FCP and keep changing it every month or so to make sure all the old fluid will be out...

[cn90]

FYI,

Local NAPA store carries Pentosin CHF-11S for about $19/qt.
This is what I use.

Personally, from my research, Pentosin CHF-11S is a thinner ATF fluid and that is all. Many people use Mobil 1 ATF (in a system specified for Pentosin) w/o any issues at all. This is well documented in other BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, VW forums where people use Mobil 1 ATF instead of Pentosin.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by salnj

I was checking the powersteering fluid on the x5 and it is at the lower mark. Figured I will add aft fluid to what is in it already. My question is I don't know what kind of fluid is in it other then it is atf. The other concern is I can not tell if it is synthetic or regular. No burnt smell at all and it looks like it it is a reddish brown. So my question is can I add synthetic to what is in it? Also I can't find dexron 3
They had valvoline maxlife
Advanced auto brand
Castrol domestic multi vehicle
Attached are some pictures

As long as it is labelled ATF and not CHF11S you can use any ATF. Make sure it is fresh. I would pick one that is Dexron certified but only to make sure it is blended to some quality standard. It doesn't need to be synthetic. What is in there isn't, so no reason to mix types.

[Ricky Bobby]

I used Mobil 1 ATF with no issues.

Check the hoses on bottom of reservoir to be sure they aren't leaking (they tend to weep at the crimps with age)