BMW GETRAG 6 Spd - LT71141 vs MTF-LT2

[jaj]

My 2003 M5 6-speed manual transmission calls for BMW MTF-LT1/2 gear oil, and my dealer installed BMW-branded Esso LT71141 automatic trans fluid! The work-order said so, so there's no doubt about it.

I had the dealer do the change because the Beast is still under warranty for another 14 months.

After the change it shifts great, by the way! It was pretty good before - just with 30,000 miles, it was time for a change.

So the question is - does it matter that they seem to have used the wrong fluid?

All input gratefully accepted!

Cheers
JJ

 

[MolaKule]

The LT-02 is backward compatible to LT1 but not vice versa.

What GMAN said.

 

[The Critic]

BMW Manual Transmissions spec a lube with an ATF like viscosity, 7.5cst. The Esso LT71141 ATF would probably work, but I don't know if it contains the GL-4 level of protection that most light MTF fluids contain.

I'd go back to the dealer and have 'em use the correct fluid and change it again.

BMW MTF-LT-01 Analysis

[ December 08, 2005, 03:54 PM: Message edited by: Michael Wan ]

 

[Pablo]

quote:

---

3. Esso/Exxon MTF-LT-1, BMW Part No. 83 22 9 408 942 from
model year 2004 some manual transmissions are filled with
Castrol MTF-LT-2 which has the same properties as MTF-LT-1.
The MTF-LT-1 fluid may be mixed and or substituted for the
MTF-LT-2 manual transmission fluid.

---

 

[bmwtechguy]

Wrong fluid from the (BMW) dealer? Nah, they would NEVER do that!

Drive it easy till you get the right stuff in there.

 

[jaj]

Gents

Thanks so much for the input - I'll drop by the dealer's parts department (parts manager is a friend, and I've known the owner for 28 years) and get the straight goods on the right part numbers from the online database.

I know that MTF-LT2 is the right fluid, and I have found no online documentation that LT71141 is a good replacement, so out goes the Esso and in goes the right stuff.

What's really tragic is that the dealer had to order the fluid in the first place - they were out of stock when the the car was in two weeks ago. They did the diff fluid then, so I'll check that to see if they got the right one there too. The M5 and M3 are the only cars in the product line that use Catrol SAF-XJ for LSD's. All other use SAF-XO, without the FM package for locking diffs. I'd give even money that I have the wrong lube in the diff too.

The good news is that the car was actually at the dealer for a clutch replacement under warranty - the adjusting mechanism on the M5 is famous for failing so they replace the whole works. Hard driving is off-limits for the moment while the new clutch acquaints itself with the flywheel. Of course, you can't drive an M5 hard most of the time anyway - you just can't cut 400HP loose in the city without getting in big trouble in a big hurry.

Anyway, I really appreciate the feedback!

Thanks
JJ

 

[Alan]

Most late model M5's i've read about all speced MTF-LT-02.

 

[G-MAN]

Unless BMW specifically says this ATF fluid is an accepatble alternative I would have them drain it and put the correct fluid in there. Typical ATFs don't have the optimum levels of EP/AW additives to protect manual transmission gears and synchros.

There's no doubt this fluid would get you through the remaining 14 months of the warranty. After that...then what?

 

[crew219]

The LT71141 is for the BMW steptronic tranny (auto).

They put in the wrong fluid. Good to hear that you're getting things resolved.

Dave

 

[jaj]

Ok - so I went to the dealer and took the parts guys through the work order. After discussing it with the manager and with the service guys, we all concluded that the work order was wrong, but that the transmission fill was correct. That's why it shifts properly - MTF-LT2!

As I said, I know these guys well, and it was a simple mistake, and in the place least likely to do any harm.

Cheers
JJ

 

[Jim 5]

Simple question:

Is MTF-LT1 the same thing as Esso LT71141 automatic trans fluid?