lbewing
10-23-2007, 01:10 PM
I'm a believer in changing trans fluid even if it says it's "Lifetime" I did it twice on my 528 and on my wifes MB.
I've done a lot of searching on this forum and others but have some questions left. My '01 540it has, according to the vin no. the ZF 5HP24 (AFS4402) transmission that BMW says to use ESSO AFT LT71141 only, no substitute.
Many owners have used other ATF's and I even pulled up a letter from Valvoline stating their MERCON V ATF is compatible to the ESSO.
Also I get alot of variation on how much it will take after pulling the pan and replacing the filter. I see as little a 3.3 to as much as 6.5 ltr, so I'll buy 7.
Bottom line is this, the Esso stuff is anywhere from $15 to $55 a liter and the dealers sells it in 20 liter containers. Some say VW sells a ESSO for ~$8-10 but it's not exactly the same number. I know I can go to a INDY and get it in jugs from him but it would be so easier and cheaper to use Valvoline. Have any of you done that successfully? I know I'll get some responses about the peace of mine having the ESSO but it's about $80 per change difference and I want to do it twice back to back. My Scottish heritage says buy the Valvoline, my car says "Dad said ESSO". I love that car!
Side question, Why does my '01 540it have a Castrol logo cast into the engine oil fill cap? The book says BMW 5-30 oil is the right stuff. Do I maybe have a M5 oil cap?
I've done a lot of searching on this forum and others but have some questions left. My '01 540it has, according to the vin no. the ZF 5HP24 (AFS4402) transmission that BMW says to use ESSO AFT LT71141 only, no substitute.
Many owners have used other ATF's and I even pulled up a letter from Valvoline stating their MERCON V ATF is compatible to the ESSO.
Also I get alot of variation on how much it will take after pulling the pan and replacing the filter. I see as little a 3.3 to as much as 6.5 ltr, so I'll buy 7.
Bottom line is this, the Esso stuff is anywhere from $15 to $55 a liter and the dealers sells it in 20 liter containers. Some say VW sells a ESSO for ~$8-10 but it's not exactly the same number. I know I can go to a INDY and get it in jugs from him but it would be so easier and cheaper to use Valvoline. Have any of you done that successfully? I know I'll get some responses about the peace of mine having the ESSO but it's about $80 per change difference and I want to do it twice back to back. My Scottish heritage says buy the Valvoline, my car says "Dad said ESSO". I love that car!
Side question, Why does my '01 540it have a Castrol logo cast into the engine oil fill cap? The book says BMW 5-30 oil is the right stuff. Do I maybe have a M5 oil cap?