BMW Transmission Fluid including Shell LA2634

[Unregistered]

My owner manual said I can't change the transmition fluid in the 540i cause is lifetime. Is that true?.

[Tiger]

Again... the answer is No... that's not true... There is no such thing as lifetime... Please do a search on archive about this.

[Dick Schneiders]

procedure for changing it. It is an expensive, semi-synthetic fluid that lasts much longer than the fluid used in the other E34's. However, it is still recommended that it be changed periodically. The interval that seems to be the most recommended is in the 80,000 to 100,000 mile range.

Do a search on this topic.

My owner manual said I can't change the transmition fluid in the 540i cause is lifetime. Is that true?.

[Drooby]

can you change OEM tranny fluid for a 95 525i M50 with REDLINE?
It wasnt stated as an "approved" fluid but from what i read its much better but will it be that way for the M50 engine?
If this is such a good fluid why doesnt BMW put it onthe approved list?
thanks

[rnrn]

Or is it not worth it to mess with their engineering and this particular fluid? Ive used it in the past with other vehicles with success.

[rnrn]

Could this be used instead of the Shell oil? I've used it in other vehicles with great response and would like to change the ATF on my 540. If someone has used the Redline in a 540 I welcome the support or advice or warning.

[David Chen]

The specified Shell and Esso fluids do not contain an additive that causes the check balls to dissolve. ZF specifies these fluids for a reason.

In the end, is it worth it to save $50-100 on fluids if it means spending $2K on a rebuilt tranny?

[Bob in San Jose]

I went to Redline D4 a year and a half ago and have loved it.
The original "lifetime" fluid was still in the trans mision at 78K when I bought it. I was having intermittant "Trans Program" messages that were occurring progressively more often. I replaced the filter and refilled with Redline D4 then after 6 months (4K miles) I replaced the filter and refilled with fresh Redline to get the concentration of the Redline up. My "Trans Program" poblems are a thing of the past.

Bob