BMW approved transmission fluids

[genphreak]

If you own have a 5HP30 with the black label you will find it isnt supported any more as ZF have removed LA2634 from the 2013 approved list. A year ago they said you cant use their Lifeguard5 instead. Now they are saying it is 'best available'. This is subject of a discussion on a UK site. Anyone have better information?

Interesting. I don't think the oil companies can list applications reliably, but ZF does. Do you have any link/s?

Looking at ZF's latest approved fluids (PDF), we can see this does not affect other 5HPxx, 3HPxx and 4HPxx transmissions*, which should all use:

For Lubricant class 11B
ZF Friedrichshafen AG: List of lubricants TE-ML 11, edition 08.07.2013

Manufacturer, Trade name
AMALIE PETROQUIMICA, MADRID/ES, ATF DEXRON III
ARAL AG, BOCHUM/DE, ARAL GETRIEBEÖL ATF LD
BP PLC., LONDON/GB, BP AUTRAN LTF
CASTROL LTD, LONDON/GB, CASTROL TRANSMAX Z
DEUTSCHE PENTOSIN WERKE GMBH, WEDEL/DE, PENTOSIN ATF 1
ENI S.P.A., ROME/IT, AGIP DEXRON III
EXXONMOBIL CORPORATION, FAIRFAX, VA/US, MOBIL ATF D 21065
EXXONMOBIL CORPORATION, FAIRFAX, VA/US, MOBIL ATF LT 71141
KUWAIT PETROLEUM INTERNATIONAL LUBRICANT, ANTWERP/NL, Q8 AUTO 15
ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, FRIEDRICHSHAFEN/DE, ZF-LIFEGUARDFLUID 5


* Except these:
4HP20, must use class 11A fluids
5HP18 with the green plate which must use ZF-LIFEGUARDFLUID 5 or PENTOSIN ATF or the BMW fluid ESSO LT 71141, BMW Part No. 83 22 9 407 807.

Strange. 5HP18 with the black place can use class 11B but not the green plate version? I guess they found some seals used in the green-plate trannies failing! (?)

Castrol's sites just quote:
"Check transmission colour coded label for specific transmission lubricant recommendation. THMR1 transmission with Black or green sticker, use CASTROL TQ DEXRON III; 5HP-18 transmission with Black sticker, use CASTROL TQ DEXRON III; 5HP-18/24/30 with Green sticker, use CASTROL TRANSMAX Z; 5HP-30 with Black sticker, use Shell LA2634; GM4/5 transmissions with Green sticker, use ETL7045

BTW, I read somewhere that Pentosin, and Castrol Transmax Z were tested and approved by ZF to be extended drain fluids. They are also approved by Voith, and are standard issue on buses and trucks that generate tons of torque. Here in Oz I have always used this green fluid in 4HP22s and my Black labelled ZF 5HP18 as ZF had recommended it for them. It gives great results and is only about 30% more than dino fluids.

Castrol Transmax Z
Full synthetic Dexron® III type automatic transmission fluid with proven outstanding performance in high temperature and severe duty applications. Particularly suitable for competition use, towing or arduous use where high II or Dexron® III are recommended. (TDS 1) (TDS 2)