Valvoline Maxlife ATF for BMW E90 with GM GA6L45R?

[mosaud1998]

Has anyone used Maxlife ATF in their BMWs with the GM transmissions? I am not due for one yet. But, I am in a year or so and I kind of want to start my research right now and be sure which fluid to use before I go ahead and change it or get it changed at my indy What brand would you guys recommend? I've used Maxlife in my Toyota. But, I am kind of hesitant towards using it in the BMW.

Off of RealOEM.com

 

[nthach]

I don’t see why not - GM specs Dex VI in it. MaxLife is not Dex VI approved but it should work. Red Line isn’t GM sanctioned fluid either.

Of course, “real” licensed Dex VI isn’t much more expensive than MaxLife that makes you sleep better at night.

 

[RooflessVW]

Redline is definitely not OEM in any car or component.

I have always used Valvoline Dex VI in those transmissions with success.

 

[mosaud1998]

Redline is definitely not OEM in any car or component.

I have always used Valvoline Dex VI in those transmissions with success.

You're right. Redline isn't OEM.

 

[2EHA]

Maxlife is enhanced Dex VI. It’ll work fine

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Maxlife will be fine for your GM automatic transmission

If you are still hesitant, any licensed Dexron VI is also good.

 

[JHZR2]

Max life is pretty well proven. It is an LV ATF, which means it should be reasonably consistent with the Dex VI.

 

[jeepman3071]

I just did my second fluid change with MaxLife in my BMW 328i with the GM GA6L45R. I changed the original factory fluid at 40k miles with the MaxLife and the shifting improved immensely. The transmission felt much smoother and didn't seem to jerk between gears at lower speeds like it had done before. I changed the fluid, then drove around the block and changed both the fluid and filter. Now 30k miles later (I just hit 70k miles) I just did two drain and fills. I highly recommend the MaxLife in these GM transmissions, and I don't drive this car like grandma. It sees wide open throttle at least twice a day. I hammered the snot out of it several times on tail of the dragon in TN right after the initial fluid change at 40k, and when I changed it just now at 70k the fluid didn't even look dark.

I originally chose this fluid because there is a guy on the BMW forums with the same transmission in his E91 328i wagon. He tracks the car frequently, and his transmission has almost 300k miles on it. Maxlife is what he uses.

 

[mosaud1998]

I just did my second fluid change with MaxLife in my BMW 328i with the GM GA6L45R. I changed the original factory fluid at 40k miles with the MaxLife and the shifting improved immensely. The transmission felt much smoother and didn't seem to jerk between gears at lower speeds like it had done before. I changed the fluid, then drove around the block and changed both the fluid and filter. Now 30k miles later (I just hit 70k miles) I just did two drain and fills. I highly recommend the MaxLife in these GM transmissions, and I don't drive this car like grandma. It sees wide open throttle at least twice a day. I hammered the snot out of it several times on tail of the dragon in TN right after the initial fluid change at 40k, and when I changed it just now at 70k the fluid didn't even look dark.

I originally chose this fluid because there is a guy on the BMW forums with the same transmission in his E91 328i wagon. He tracks the car frequently, and his transmission has almost 300k miles on it. Maxlife is what he uses.

Welp, guess I'll try Maxlife out then. How manly L did you use?

 

[kschachn]

I've been using Maxlife or DEXRON VI in my old ZF 5HP 18 for well over 150,000 miles now, it worked flawless as far as I could tell.

260,000 miles total and it turns out the transmission was the most reliable component on the vehicle.

 

[BISCUT]

I also used MaxLife in my 2008 BMW with GM transmission. No issues. I did a pan drop and fill.

 

[mosaud1998]

I also used MaxLife in my 2008 BMW with GM transmission. No issues. I did a pan drop and fill.

I'll probably do a filter change too.

Your Cart | FCP Euro

 

[BISCUT]

I'll probably do a filter change too.

Your Cart | FCP Euro

Yes filter and IIRC gasket too. While you're under there might want to do the transfer case fluid as well. I believe it's only a quart or liter. Expensive $50+ quart/liter too! I did my transfer case fluid every 50k. Hope that helps.

 

[jeepman3071]

Welp, guess I'll try Maxlife out then. How manly L did you use?

I usually buy 2 gallons of it. A drain and fill on mine is about 3.5 quarts when cold, and I do it twice. I'd buy an extra quart if you also do the filter, since more comes out when you remove the filter. Watch a few videos on the procedure before you do it. It's not difficult, but can be a mess since there is no dipstick and you are relying on fluid to come out the fill hole at a certain temperature with the engine running to check the level. I used a temp gun pointed at the transmission pan.


If you have X-Drive, I would recommend buying the BMW fluid. I did a friend's car with X-Drive and you need about 1 liter of the fluid for that. Mine is RWD so I don't have the transfer case.

 

[mosaud1998]

Yes filter and IIRC gasket too. While you're under there might want to do the transfer case fluid as well. I believe it's only a quart or liter. Expensive $50+ quart/liter too! I did my transfer case fluid every 50k. Hope that helps.

I heard transfer case fluid on the AWD models a PIA to get to. Might have my indy do that

 

[mosaud1998]

I usually buy 2 gallons of it. A drain and fill on mine is about 3.5 quarts when cold, and I do it twice. I'd buy an extra quart if you also do the filter, since more comes out when you remove the filter. Watch a few videos on the procedure before you do it. It's not difficult, but can be a mess since there is no dipstick and you are relying on fluid to come out the fill hole at a certain temperature with the engine running to check the level. I used a temp gun pointed at the transmission pan.


If you have X-Drive, I would recommend buying the BMW fluid. I did a friend's car with X-Drive and you need about 1 liter of the fluid for that. Mine is RWD so I don't have the transfer case.

Yeah, I've got an X-Drive. BMW fluid for the Transmission of Transfer case?

 

[nicholas]

Has anyone used Maxlife ATF in their BMWs with the GM transmissions? I am not due for one yet. But, I am in a year or so and I kind of want to start my research right now and be sure which fluid to use before I go ahead and change it or get it changed at my indy What brand would you guys recommend? I've used Maxlife in my Toyota. But, I am kind of hesitant towards using it in the BMW.

Off of RealOEM.com

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I have used it in every make. Including Audi with a 6 speed zf. The factory fluid was 20 a quart.
The maxlife was great.

 

[BISCUT]

Yeah, I've got an X-Drive. BMW fluid for the Transmission of Transfer case?

If the question is the X Drive transfer case that is a BMW specific fluid. hence the $50-$60 a quart/liter price.

 

[edyvw]

I heard transfer case fluid on the AWD models a PIA to get to. Might have my indy do that

It is on AT models. On manual it is not as complicated, but there is still some gymnastics involved.

 

[mosaud1998]

It is on AT models. On manual it is not as complicated, but there is still some gymnastics involved.

Idk how comfortable I am sitting under a car for hours knowing the car is sitting on jack stands . But, yeah I've got an AWD. I think I'll just stick with the Genuine BMW fluid. Rather be on the safe side than trying to use some other fluid that results in a messed-up transmission because I was trying to save $53 dollars buying non-BMW transmission fluid.