Atf Oil?

[FL318is]

OK, I promise to keep you guys laughing!

My manual transmission has a red sticker that reads ATF OIL. I would have put in Redline MT.

Is ATF the norm for the M42 manual tranny?

[Febi Guibo]

- put high quality gear/tranny fluid in the transmission and the differential... (which fluid / interval = separate, long discussion)

- put ATF (not power steering fluid) in the power steering system.

[FL318is]

- put high quality gear/tranny fluid in the transmission and the differential... (which fluid / interval = separate, long discussion)

- put ATF (not power steering fluid) in the power steering system.

:confused: So then what fliud brand name would you use in the tranny, diff?

And for the power steering, you would use?

I know everyone has a different interpretation. Me, I just want to service the car with the right fluids in the right place.

So why does the tranny have the ATF OIL sticker? I mean that sucker is bright red/orange

[M42boy]

I was about to put in Redline MTL as well, till I saw the same orange label. I'd fill with ATF. Brand doesn't really matter, but I think you want to use a Dextron III ATF, which is some sort of normal standard.

To give you an example, I think my ATF is some sort of Valvoline stuff, but I put cheap ACE Hardware brand in my PS system (50/50 mixed with Lucas Power Steering Stop-Leak!)

[Febi Guibo]

just outta curiousity... on your trannies, do you have the inverted hex plugs (I do)...

I was sorta under the impresssion that colder climates = atf, sunny, tropical paradises = manual tranny oil.

any improvement with the ATF?


oh yeah:

- power steering, I'm not sure it matters... I used something generic
- diff: mobil 1 75/90 synthetic (I think)
- tranny: it was recently filled with.... I think redline MTL (?)

and, for that matter, I use mobil 1 5w-30
(bought on sale, prolly switching to something a bit heavier)

[FL318is]

just outta curiousity... on your trannies, do you have the inverted hex plugs (I do)...

I was sorta under the impresssion that colder climates = atf, sunny, tropical paradises = manual tranny oil.

any improvement with the ATF?


oh yeah:

- power steering, I'm not sure it matters... I used something generic
- diff: mobil 1 75/90 synthetic (I think)
- tranny: it was recently filled with.... I think redline MTL (?)

and, for that matter, I use mobil 1 5w-30
(bought on sale, prolly switching to something a bit heavier)

i too was under the impression MTL was for the warmer climes. As far as inverted hex, I don't know. My car was originally from FL went to VA and is now back in FL

[FL318is]

I was about to put in Redline MTL as well, till I saw the same orange label. I'd fill with ATF. Brand doesn't really matter, but I think you want to use a Dextron III ATF, which is some sort of normal standard.

To give you an example, I think my ATF is some sort of Valvoline stuff, but I put cheap ACE Hardware brand in my PS system (50/50 mixed with Lucas Power Steering Stop-Leak!)

I finally got the owners manual. I must say ATF, the label does. I guess now the question is why in a manual tranny would you use ATF and not an MTL. Wonder if BMW CCA Techs could answer that!

Thanks for the help.

[Choking Hazard]

I wondered the same thing about the Power Steering system requierement for ATF, too. Whats the diff between ATF and PS Fluid?

[Febi Guibo]

I wondered the same thing about the Power Steering system requierement for ATF, too. Whats the diff between ATF and PS Fluid?


ps fluid, more like brake or clutch fluid (attacks the seals in the power steering system)


atf, more like gear oil

[Benny]

Careful. FWIW, Volvo's '80's vintage manuals required you not to use Mercon or Dexron (sp?) based ATF fluid. It has to be Type F. Make sure BMW doesn't do the same and spec a certain type or not to use a certain type in the tranny.

[FL318is]

http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=840

just looking at this thread, could the leaking oil as show in the image of the timing case (Sheepdog's pic) be my oil leak near the oil filter housing?

sorry for the hijack

[M42boy]

http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=840

just looking at this thread, could the leaking oil as show in the image of the timing case (Sheepdog's pic) be my oil leak near the oil filter housing?

sorry for the hijack
That's just the thing... It's nearly impossible to tell where it's coming from. It could be leaking from the timing case and creeping around the oil filter housing and up the block, as wind/fan blows on it.

But, I'd think you'd see some oil residue on the front of the oil filter housing before that. Keep cleaning the area and tracking where it comes from.

This is HENCE why I utterly HATE timing chains. They make more noise and they have to be encased in oil, hence LEAKS! :mad:

I wonder if we can come up with a timing belt conversion. Hahahaha

[FL318is]

I am really not liking the timing chain. I can only oil just below the oil filter container and it will sit in the gutter of the block. Runs down and drips of the lower pan. Weird.

[Eurospec]

Lets try to keep this thread on topic folks.

My tranny also has the ATF sticker. Didn't notice it until I was under my car replacing the oil and at this point MTL was ready to be poured in. I will admit, shift quality with the MTL isn't that great... not sure if this is sign of a failing tranny or not. I'm planning to switch to D4-an ATF baed oil made by Redline, which will hopefully make shifts smoother. For reference, if your existing oil pours out red, that means it's an ATF based oil.