Mercron V and BMW compatible?

[Car Luver]

Went to a couple of auto places to research transmission oil for my 02 330I step. All the bmw sites say to use the oem fluid.but oem fluid is VERY pricy.

Went to shcucks auto and the Valvoline mercron v says it meets BMW ZF specs.

Got to autozone and they have coastal Mercron V and it says the same thing.

They are priced at less then $4 per quart.

I take the assuption that as long as they a re willing to put it on the bottle they must have done testing to be sure.

Can I use this in my BMW?

 

[unDummy]

Yes, they can be used. But, you can't practice extended ATF change intervals.

 

[windnsea00]

You sure it doesn't mean ZF for their manuals? We have a 325iT with the ZF 5HP19 auto and I bought the filter kit from bavauto.com and the Esso fluid from a VW dealer # G 052 162 A2...same fluid as the BMW dealership but ~$10 less a quart. I would not want to skimp on this transmission as fluid doesn't compare to the cost of a new transmission.

 

[The Critic]

Lubegard's technical department recommended a synthetic Dexron III fluid for all units requiring LT71141. The appropriate Lubegard additive to add, according to them, would be the protectant (red) product.

They strongly emphasized the importance of a full synthetic fluid in these units.

Mobil 1 ATF will work fine.

 

[Car Luver]

yes they say it meets 41 specs.

 

[The Critic]

They said the frictional properties of LT71141 are identical to Dexron III.

They said that plain Dexron III synthetic will work fine.

One of the guys on this forum rebuilds ZF units requiring LT71141 and he uses Dexron III without problems as well.

 

[gtx510]

hmmm, so M1 multi-ATF would work?
Redline D4 ATF?
Amsoil says their stuff will work.

Would the differences in those ATF's and the Esso ATF be apparent on a VOA?
Who's used D/M3 and how did your transmission shift before and after? Smoother?
Mileage on the transmission/car?

Anyone got an easy way to refill one of these ZF auto transmissions?
It sounds like a PITA and messy to me.

 

[windnsea00]

quote:

---

Originally posted by gtx510:

Anyone got an easy way to refill one of these ZF auto transmissions?
It sounds like a PITA and messy to me.

---

Major PITA! I had a lift and all the tools to use and I still disliked it

I had to fill up the pan until it poured back out then have the car started so the T/C can suck in the fluid and then pump like there is no tommorow. Using a hand pump was not a good idea but was my only option, hopefully we will sell the car before I have to do it again haha. Changed it at 43k miles and now 7k miles later it still shifts perfectly.

 

[TooSlick]

The Amsoil synthetic ATF is recommended for the Esso LT71141 specification. Not much cheaper than the OEM fluid, but very likely of higher quality....

TS

 

[gtx510]

Ok.
My bro-in-law's '00 740i is shifting weird. It's got a ZF 5HP24 transmission.
It'll go up to 4th or 5th but then downshifts to 3rd or 2nd so you're buzzing along on the freeway.
First time it happened the dealership topped off the transmission and all was fine for a week?
Happened again, the fluid wasn't low and they didn't find any codes in the ECU.


Could his problem be related to +100k ATF?
If so what ATF options does he have?
Amsoil ATF seems like the best choice.
Redline D4 ATF + red Lubegard?
Why not the silver stuff? It makes D/M3 into MerconV.

Only MerconV I see around here is Castrol?
And I don't feel comforatble rec'ding Mobil 1 ATF + Lubegard when Amsoil only costs tiny bit more per qt.

[ September 13, 2006, 11:11 PM: Message edited by: gtx510 ]

 

[The Critic]

Use Amsoil ATF.

Even M1 or RL ATF without additives will work. The recommended Lubegard product is merely a fluid enhancer, but does not change the frictional properties.

 

[gtx510]

And M1 and RL have said that their ATF's (I'm assuming D4 ATF with Redline) meet the LT-71141 specs?
hmmm, maybe I'll check out some of the VOA's.


To me if the silver LB additive makes D/M3 into MerconV. And since MerconV works in the place of LT-71141, then you'd want to use the silver stuff with RL or Mobil 1 ATF?

 

[Car Luver]

just got my filter and gasket today.

Going to try to do the change this weekend.

 

[The Critic]

What are you going to use?

 

[Car Luver]

most likely valvoline.

 

[gtx510]

So.
I can't find a VOA of Esso LT71141. Does anyone know where one is?