BME e90 manual gearbox - Maxlife OK?

[AngryScientist]

Hello again, I'm back for more advice.

I've been going through all of the fluids on my old e90 that has been off the road for nearly a decade. Just did a full coolant flush, read diff fluid (thanks for the recent advice on that one - went with Motul gear oil), and now it's time for the gearbox.

I just did the transfer case on my Chevy truck and filled it with Maxlife ATF. It's been my go-to for years, and I think it's wholly responsible for keeping my old Odyssey AT running smoothly. Anyway, I have a bunch on hand in the garage.

Is this an acceptable fluid for the e90 manual gearbox? I see a lot of recommendations for Redline MTL, and if that's an obviously superior choice, I'll just buy some, but if the Maxlife is going to be just as good, that's easier.

Thoughts?

 

[97prizm]

I would double check to see which fluid it takes as you don't want to mix incorrect fluids. I'm fairly sure the BMW takes manual transmission fluid. I'd also see what specs it requires and go from there.

 

[JavierH19]

Atf could technically be used in a manual transmissions as with motor oil but maxlife is too thin for yours. Maxlife is around 6 cst I believe and wouldn't protect well and shift quality might degrade once warmed up. I think yours takes gl4 75w-80 or 85. 80 is about 10.5 cst and 85 around 12.5. You could also try a 75w-90 but those vary a lot more and are around 14 to 18 from what I've seen. I'd rather buy mtf/synchromesh or gl4 gear oil. Maxlife is too thin.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

What does BMW say to use in it?

 

[tvaughn]

I believe your car is spec'd for a BMW MTF-LT-3 fluid.

 

[Kalle.J]

Bring your on jug to the BMW dealer.
Foolproof, can't go wrong.

 

[drtyler]

I believe your car is spec'd for a BMW MTF-LT-3 fluid.

Correct

 

[BMW Dom]

A lot of people use D4/d6/mt-lv in the transmission, so maybe?

But personally, I would stick with one of the commonly used fluids, depending on climate

 

[Craig in Canada]

I quite liked the performance of Amsoil MTF in my E-series manual gearboxes over the years....