Auto Trans oil change - what fluid

[chuckitinbro 11]

130i has developed a litte stutter/miss at low rpm under load. Bit of reading says it could be the trans and i've been meaning to do it anyway. INPA shows a code for trans fluid quality as well.

I've checked and its the GM 6L45 box. Found gasket and filter on FCP Euro. I normally get parts from RockAuto but FCP seems better this time round. Not quite sure what fluid to get locally though. Seems to be Dexron VI but lots of opinions as there always is with oil. Would love some recommendations on fluid and any other tips.

While we're at it my e61 530i is 40k since it got trans serviced when i brought it. The sticker from the shop says 40k service interval but most stuff i've read was somewhere round 50k miles. How often are most people doing it? What fluid does the ZF trans use locally

Edited Saturday at 07:23 PM by chuckitinbro

[Olaf 3329]

Are you sure it's not the ZF6HPyy?

[Spinner99 55]

I'm possibly over doing it, but I am to change the trans fluid and filter every 25k .  Part of my thinking is that when I do a change, the drain and fill method I'm following is only getting about half the fluid in the transmission which means half the fluid in there is still old.

Maybe some confirmation bias, but I recall when I did the fluid and filter on my old E46 for the first time it was at about 140k and the fluid came out black.  I put in fluid with a red dye and did fluid and filter annually for a while.  Given there was a years driving in between each service, but, the second drain & fill came out black, the third was dark red, and it wasn't until the 4th drain and fill I was getting red fluid out.

[chuckitinbro 11]

2 hours ago, Olaf said:

Are you sure it's not the ZF6HPyy?

Yea i wasnt sure either after googling so i got under it and looked. has the metal flat pan and a sticker saying its the GM one. my 530i e61 has the plastic finned pan ZF trans

[Eagle 1664]

Most of the aftermarket oils and going to be the same for both ZF and GM 6 speed. Penrite BMV is the commonly available option for both of these and you'd need a 20L container.

25k is overkill imo, dont really see the benefit for a normally used vehicle. ZF recommends 80,000km\8 years which is a good figure for a full service. You are correct you will need at least 3-4 drain and fills if the fluid is old and dirty. I usually do ~100km between each change until it looks good.   

[chuckitinbro 11]

in the penrite range it looks like there are different ones for the GM and ZF though>?

This one mentions Dexron VI which is what i read the GM trans uses
https://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/p/penrite-penrite-lv-automatic-transmission-fluid----4-litre/396357.html?srsltid=AfmBOoo8TWZvTHuMlLSWox79PUzIcReB7nwALpoVsAjP3ADa1TL15I03

This one mentions ZF and lifeguard fluid 
https://www.repco.co.nz/oils-fluids/engine-oils-fluids/transmission-fluid/penrite-bmv-automatic-transmission-fluid-4l-atfbmv004/p/A1168276

Couple of other bmw forum threads talk about this as well
https://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/p/valvoline-valvoline-maxlife-multi-vehicle-atf-20-litre/634635.html?srsltid=AfmBOorukgavFiJJTwO1d6bs2ZtYHua7ZL2-gwJCR0TPNtj7pUkr0vqS

Edited Monday at 03:22 AM by chuckitinbro

[Eagle 1664]

Penrite selector only lists BMV for 130i's (they are correct just about every time) but maybe they assuming 6HP in all cars. Either way the actual technical specs between them both are very close, probably why Max-life etc lists compatibility with many of the same manufacturer specs as the BMV and LV both include. I doubt think you'd have an issue running either tbh, the LV is cheaper and is technically spec'd for GM so its probably the better option over the BMV. 

[Olaf 3329]

2 hours ago, chuckitinbro said:

in the penrite range it looks like there are different ones for the GM and ZF though>?

This one mentions Dexron VI which is what i read the GM trans uses
https://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/p/penrite-penrite-lv-automatic-transmission-fluid----4-litre/396357.html?srsltid=AfmBOoo8TWZvTHuMlLSWox79PUzIcReB7nwALpoVsAjP3ADa1TL15I03

This one mentions ZF and lifeguard fluid 
https://www.repco.co.nz/oils-fluids/engine-oils-fluids/transmission-fluid/penrite-bmv-automatic-transmission-fluid-4l-atfbmv004/p/A1168276

Couple of other bmw forum threads talk about this as well
https://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/p/valvoline-valvoline-maxlife-multi-vehicle-atf-20-litre/634635.html?srsltid=AfmBOorukgavFiJJTwO1d6bs2ZtYHua7ZL2-gwJCR0TPNtj7pUkr0vqS

Have you checked RealOEM using your VIN number?  It'll specify the right BMW fluid.  Then find the standard that fluid meets.  Then find a fluid that meets the spec described.  And get plenty, unless you're using a trans machine.  Also it'll ensure you get the right part number for the pan/service kit.

At the moment it seems you're hoping that you can choose the right fluid with conflicting info... doing a pan/filter change drain and fill will run you a good 20 litres of whatever you choose, (you could look into the 'take a litre with engine running, out of the line to the cooler, then add a fresh litre...; rinse and repeat until it comes out clean'); you also need some good service data.  Eg:  the ZF6 needs new bolts first time as they changed material (the originals get brittle); the mechatronic seal should be changed at same time also as they leak.  

Suggest you need to look into the 'dark arts' of your GM trans.  It'd be a shame to do half the job if there's stuff you haven't discovered and prepared for.

Just a thought: why not go to a transmission specialist, pay them for their expertise to use the right fluid and their transmission service machine and put in a service kit that they'll stand by?  It might cost you less or the same and net you a better result.

Hope that helps.

Edited Monday at 05:23 AM by Olaf

[chuckitinbro 11]

Thanks for the info guys

I'm not really the pay a specialist kind of guy. I've looked and confirmed i have the GM trans. read a few forum threads on the process so i understand the gist of it. Pretty much everything is US based though and we dont generally have the same brands of oil they seem to use. Hence I thought i'd ask a local forum what other people had used.

When I purchased the wagon it threw a trans error and did a limp mode deal. The dealer i brought it from paid for the service from a specialist which 4 years ago i think ran somewhere near $1300. 20L of oil, filter and a gasket looks like it will be about 4-450. Not even the same ballpark.