BMW fluids

[Vaca]

I'm looking for specs and recommendations for a 2004 BMW 530i.

ATF, power steering, and diff. I beleive the factory spec for ATF is Esso LT 71141, and and Pentosin something or other for the steering and not sure about the diff.

I see the new Mobil 1 atf says it's good for the Esso LT 71141 spec.

I would imagine the rear diff would take any good 75w-90 such as Mobil 1.

How about the power steering fluid? Would some sort of ATF work?

Thanks in advance.

 

[vinu_neuro]

Amsoil ATF should work well too.

 

[Donald]

The Amsoil web site will list all the products for your vehicle.

 

[JHZR2]

Diff is castrol XJ 75w-140, IIRC. Id run Amsoil 75w-110.
Amsoil ATF would be a good choice, but if the Mobil 1 ATF says it is aproved, id go for it - an AT is the #1 most unreliable mechanical item.
Is the PSF ATF or a CHF 11S fluid? If it is that 11S stuff, use only that. Pentosin makes it, use it - there is one other manufacturer/bottler, it may be Febi Bilstein.

 

[vinu_neuro]

The only transmission M1 is approved for is the Allison C4. All the other applications are on their 'recommended use list', just like the one Amsoil has.

 

[shanneba]

Red Line D4 and Castrol Import multi vehicle should also work for the trans. My 2003 330cI says AT fluid on the power steering, I am running Red Line PS fluid.

The diff specs a 75w-90, SAF-XO I believe. I run Red Line 75w-90.

 

[AzFireGuy79]

Amsoil specs ATF for the power steering. They make a good product although if you run the Redline D4 in the trans( alot of BMW guys love the stuff) then it would make sense to run it in the powersteering as well. I like the D4 when a PS system requires ATF.

You could also go with Shanneba's recommendation and run the RL PS fluid as it too works very well in most applications. My main point of running the D4 in both is that there will be no difference in operation and you only have to order and stock one product for when you change the fluids in the future.

 

[artificialist]

Interesting...

Amsoil makes a PSF for replacing that Pentosin P/S stuff, yet they say to use ATF.

HMM...

However, I see many BMW cars that have a ZF power steering system, and it says "Use Dexron III." In that case, Amsoil ATF would be perfect.

 

[BullyT]

You have to be careful with the PS fluid. If your BMW has self-levelling suspension you have to use the Pentosin PS fluid. If not, you can use ATF. On cars equipped with self-levelling suspension, the top of the PS reservoir will say to use only Pentosin (CH11?). The BMW self-levelling system is hydraulic so proper fluid is important.

 

[Vaca]

Thanks to all for your suggestions.

I'm having a hard time finding the factory specs for the power steering fluid...the owner's manual and all the other info that comes in the fancy portfolio is mum on power steering fluid as is the DVD version of the service manual.

What to use in the power steering?

Also, what to use in the ATF?

Thanks again.

 

[vinu_neuro]

They're not. BMW's from the last few generations have an air compressor under the cargo floor for the self-leveling system.

Originally Posted By: BullyT
You have to be careful with the PS fluid. If your BMW has self-levelling suspension you have to use the Pentosin PS fluid. If not, you can use ATF. On cars equipped with self-levelling suspension, the top of the PS reservoir will say to use only Pentosin (CH11?). The BMW self-levelling system is hydraulic so proper fluid is important.

 

[Vaca]

Also, the 530i in question does not have self-leveling suspension, nor does it have the active suspension option. Just a regular suspension.

So does that mean the power steering takes regular old Dex iii or equivalent?

 

[ourfamo4]

Your fluid reservoir will list what fluid is required ATF(Red) or CHF 11S(Green).

As for the AT fluid you can use any fluid that meets Esso LT 71141, Mobil 1 ATF, Redline D4, or Pentosin ATF1.

 

[Vaca]

Thanks everyone, the cap says ATF and I did the turkey baster thing using Mobil 1 ATF.

 

[BullyT]

Originally Posted By: vinu_neuro
They're not. BMW's from the last few generations have an air compressor under the cargo floor for the self-leveling system.

Originally Posted By: BullyT
You have to be careful with the PS fluid. If your BMW has self-levelling suspension you have to use the Pentosin PS fluid. If not, you can use ATF. On cars equipped with self-levelling suspension, the top of the PS reservoir will say to use only Pentosin (CH11?). The BMW self-levelling system is hydraulic so proper fluid is important.


My mistake--I was referring to the self-levelling suspension in my 740iL. I didn't realize the newer models use a pneumatic system as opposed to the hydraulic system in my car.