Manual Transmission Fluid Type

79004 Views 72 Replies 27 Participants Last post by Yourrid, Sep 18, 2014

Yourrid

Discussion Starter · Jul 24, 2014 (Edited)

New Edit
I hate digging up old threads, but as I am the OP, I guess I'll let it slide :hi:

I'm finally getting around to changing out the manual transmission fluid and can't find the capacity ANYWHERE. Even the owner's manual doesn't list the capacity as it says it's a "Lifetime Fluid." I know I just need to fill it until it slowly drips out of the fill hole (being level of course), but for purchasing purposes, how much does it take?

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I'm beginning to feel some "notchy-ness" in my 1st and second gear, so I'm going to replace the fluid next week. I've heard of people using Royal Purple and saying it is a bad choice, so I'm looking to use the tried-and-true Redline fluids.

Here is my question. Some people recommend the MT-90 (along with pelicanparts.com) while I read a lot of places that say the 75W90 GL-5 Gear Oil is correct. The Redline application guide recommends D4 ATF and doesn't even list the MT-90! :facepalm:

What have you guys had success with?

Edit: 2004 E46 325CI coupe M54 5-speed manual

21 - 40 of 73 Posts

LeMansteve

· #21 · Jul 25, 2014

hold on - automatic transmission fluid in a manual transmission? That's confusing as hell.

I guess any synthetic MTF should be fine. For reference, the Genuine BMW fluid is a symthetic 75W-80 GL-4. Redline is popular and also check out Pentosin. The Genuine BMW MTF-LT-2 fluid is pretty expensive and typically only sold in a 5L jug for like $125.

jdstrickland

· #22 · Jul 25, 2014

LeMansteve said:
hold on - automatic transmission fluid in a manual transmission? That's confusing as hell.

I guess any synthetic MTF should be fine. For reference, the Genuine BMW fluid is a symthetic 75W-80 GL-4. Redline is popular and also check out Pentosin. The Genuine BMW MTF-LT-2 fluid is pretty expensive and typically only sold in a 5L jug for like $125.

MTF-LT is lifetime fluid. You should never need to replace it unless you are doing transmission service and have to take it out. Assuming the transmission does not leak, you should never need to add any once it is full.

I resist the urge to accept the idea of lifetime transmission fluid for an automatic, but I have much more room for acceptance in a manual. Mostly because the manual is not prone to malfunction due to debris in the fluid, and the fluid is only there to provide the lubrication needs of the drive mechanism. In an automatic transmission, the fluid is part of the drive mechanism and therefore subjected to harsher operating parameters. The manual is entirely gear driven and there are no valves or solenoids that can be clogged by crap that might build up in the fluid, but the automatic transmissions have dozens of passages that the fluid has to go through that can become clogged. Not to mention that the parts fitment between one another is integral to the fluid going where it is expected, but in a manual the parts do not play a role in the integrity of the fluid and where it flows. Basically, I see no problem with lifetime fluid in a manual transmission, but I also see no reason to not replace it at 100k to 150k if you wanted to do that. In an automatic transmission, I'd suggest that the think the fluid will last a lifetime is folly, but again a 100k change interval seems sufficient since the maker thinks the stuff should last forever.

So, put ATF in your manual transmission.

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AndreBXP

· #23 · Jul 25, 2014

Did my fluid change a few weeks ago with Redline MT-90. There is a definite improvement in shifting that both me and the passengers can notice. The BMW fluid is defiantly not "Life Time", but it does alright up to about 100k.

WDE46

· #24 · Jul 25, 2014

jdstrickland said:
Okay, so Dex 4 does not exist, but D4 is a replacement for Dex II and Dex III, which is the fluid called for in the manual transmission of the 3 Series cars -- and others but we only care about the 3s here.

D4 is ATF, and ATF is the specified manual transmission fluid for the 3 Series. That's the bottom line.

:thumbsup:

Swater330i

· #25 · Jul 25, 2014

jdstrickland said:
Okay, so Dex 4 does not exist, but D4 is a replacement for Dex II and Dex III, which is the fluid called for in the manual transmission of the 3 Series cars -- and others but we only care about the 3s here.

D4 is ATF, and ATF is the specified manual transmission fluid for the 3 Series. That's the bottom line.

So would something like this work? Bottle says Dex VI.

Font Technology Liqueur Drink Screenshot

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WDE46

· #26 · Jul 25, 2014

DexVI is backward compatible with DexIII in all GM automatic transmissions. The main difference is that it must be a partial synthetic and it's slightly lower starting viscosity than DexIII. However, it breaks down slower than DexIII, so the average viscosity over the life of the fluid is actually higher with DexVI. So, if DexIII is okay for our manuals, I'd assume DexVI is okay as well.

Having said that, I'd simply use Redline D4 ATF because that's what most people here seem to use and they like it.

fanatic1

· #27 · Jul 25, 2014

I swapped my fluid in my 2004 BMW 325ci 6 months ago with Pentosin mtf-2. Works like butter. It sells in 1L bottles and meets the BMW spec of gl4 75w-80. and the best part is.....its relatively inexpensive.

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igloo

· #28 · Jul 26, 2014

I am currently using redline mt-90 in my 330xi. Being in bay area, I feel it's a bit too thick. I will mix it with redline d4 atf when next time I put my car on stands.

Yourrid

Discussion Starter · #29 · Jul 26, 2014 (Edited)

Well I had no idea that this thread was going to spur this much reaction. I think it's an understatement to say everyone has a preference! I honestly didn't know ATF could go in a manual. The only other manual transmission I replaced the fluid on was a 90's nissan 300zx, which took 75w-90 gear oil. Obviously these two cars are completely different beasts, but I figured the same applied.

I've used Redline and really like it. I have seen on Pelicanparts.com where the OEM Pentosin MTF-LT-2 is only $24.75 a liter (would need 2) which isn't too expensive. However, there is another brand, Fusch MTF-LT-2, which sells for $14.25. I may go that route as it is the exact spec that BMW recommends. HERE

Thanks for all the help guys, you really made it EASY for me to choose :tsk:

wildirish317

· #30 · Jul 27, 2014

Solidjake said:
No idea what you are referring to or talking about

It was this exchange from last year, when I was trying to figure out whether or not to use Redline D4 ATF.

Solidjake said:
My friend had redline put into his manual trans, says he hates it and that even in hot temps the shifting is a lot different compared to OEM fluid.

wildirish317 said:
I'm getting ready change my tranny and diff fluids. Originally, I was going to stay with BMW, but the cost is so high that I'm switching to Red Line D4 ATF for the tranny and Red Line 75W90 for the diff.

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Solidjake said:
Don't do it man, that's my opinion. My friend is paying up and going back to OEM. He really hates the redline trans fluid and he's been driving manual cars his whole life. He can really tell the difference with it and it's for the worst.

Sorry, took this quote out of context apparently. When you said "Don't do it man, " I took that to mean you were adamantly against it. :hi:

Like I said, I value your opinion. I thought long and hard before using Redline D4 ATF.

WDE46

· #31 · Jul 27, 2014

Today I learned that wildirish is an elephant.

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Zell

· #32 · Jul 27, 2014 (Edited)

jdstrickland said:
MTF-LT is lifetime fluid. You should never need to replace it unless you are doing transmission service and have to take it out. Assuming the transmission does not leak, you should never need to add any once it is full.

I disagree. The fluid itself may last a lifetime, but the parts inside still wear, albeit at a reduced rate. Lifetime transmission fluid with contaminants is still a lubricant with contaminants.

sprintman

· #33 · Jul 27, 2014

No such thing as 'lifetime fluid'. Never has been, probably never will be.

Yourrid

Discussion Starter · #34 · Jul 27, 2014

sprintman said:
No such thing as 'lifetime fluid'. Never has been, probably never will be.

Agreed

cwspeakman

· #35 · Aug 29, 2014 (Edited)

manual transmission

I had a manual transmission line to radiator blow how much fluid to fill and what kind of fluid is best 2001bmw 325i e46

WDE46

· #36 · Aug 29, 2014

The manual transmission doesn't have a line to the radiator. Try again.

cwspeakman

· #37 · Aug 29, 2014

than what are the two compression fittings on driver side by frame rail that go to radiator and have tranny fluid coming out

cwspeakman

· #38 · Aug 29, 2014

don't know much about bmws but I do know what transmission fluid looks and smells like

t5contradiction.

· #39 · Aug 29, 2014 (Edited)

Pentosin mtf. $20 a quart. You will need 2 but will use about 1.25. I just did mine. I recommend doing the rear diff as well if you haven't done so yet

Mango

· #40 · Aug 29, 2014

cwspeakman said:
than what are the two compression fittings on driver side by frame rail that go to radiator and have tranny fluid coming out

you probably have an automatic then.

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