BMW Operating Fluids - Manual Transmission (23 07.13)

BMW OPERATING FLUIDS - MANUAL TRANSMISSION

TECHNICAL SERVICE

Fluids and sealers that are described in this Operating Fluids manual are BMW approved. Using non approved fluids or sealers can lead to premature failure and will not be covered under Warranty.

1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION ON GEAR LUBRICANTS

Gear lubricants for manual transmissions must conform to the following requirements due to the different transmission designs with considerable variation in loads, temperature and speeds.

The qualities of a recommended gear lubricant are:

1. Load carrying capacity, i.e. high-pressure resistance.
2. Noise reduction.
3. Non-corrosive to various metals.
4. Non-foaming.
5. Non-separation of additives at operating temperatures.
6. Non-sludge forming.
7. Prevention of swelling, hardening and shrinking of seals.

These properties are already provided in manual transmission oil by:

1. - High-pressure additives.
2. - Corrosion inhibitors.
3. - Oxidation inhibitors (inhibitors which limit or prevent chemical reactions).
4. - Anti-foaming agents.

2.0 OIL ADDITIVES

BMW manual transmissions are designed so that they do not require aftermarket oil additives.

BMW disapproves the use of any oil additives and cannot accept the liability for any consequential damage that results from using oil additives.

3.0 MANUAL TRANSMISSION OIL REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIFICATIONS

1. All reputable brand mineral-based transmission oils of viscosity class SAE 80 according to specifications MIL-L-2105 or API GL-4 (no label on transmission bell housing).
2. Synthetic transmission fluid, Mobil SHC 630 (325e/528e without dual mass flywheel, produced before mid-1986). Manual transmissions which are filled with Mobil SHC 630 synthetic gear lube have a green label with the words "Special Oil" located next to the oil filter plug.
   NOTE: Mobil SHC 630 is available in 5-gallon pails or 55-gallon drums from:

   1. Mobil Oil Corporation - Contact your local Mobil oil distributor (see Yellow Pages) or call 1-800-582-3645.

   Filling BMW transmissions with unapproved synthetic gear lubes could cause the following damage:

   1. - Premature synchromesh ring wear
   2. - Reduced service life of bearings
   3. - Tooth profile damage
   4. - Faster wear of selector forks
   5. - Damage to radial shaft oil seals

   Transmission gear clashing will eventually result.

   NOTE: Do not use synthetic fluid Mobil SHC 630 in other vehicles. The transmission synchronizers of cars other than listed above are not compatible with synthetic fluid and premature wear will result.
   NOTE: To reduce the physical effort required to change gear at low ambient temperatures, the following oils can be used in the transmission during the winter:

   1. - Single-grade HD mineral engine oils SAE40, SAE30, SAE20
   2. - In countries where the ambient temperatures are particularly low, ATF oils can also be used.

   This has the disadvantage that the transmission tends to rattle or knock while in neutral at higher temperatures.

   CAUTION: These transmissions must never be filled with synthetic engine oils or multigrade engine oils, since these oils contain coefficient of friction-reducing agents that can adversely affect operation of the synchromesh mechanism.
3. Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) of Dexron® II or Dexron® III formulation on any of the following:
   1. - Dual mass flywheel
   2. - Direct drive fifth gear as of 9/90
   3. - Six-speeds

   Manual transmissions which are filled with ATF have 17mm external hex plugs in the filler and drain openings as well as an orange label on the transmission bell housing next to the filler plug.

4. From model year 1998 (9/97 production) all manual transmissions are filled with Esso/Exxon "MTF-LT-1" long-term fluid.

   A yellow label with the letters "MTF-LT-1" is located next to the oil filler plug.

   No oil change is required for the entire service life of these transmissions.

   In the event of a repair, the transmission must only be filled with the long-term oil.

   1. MTF-LT-1 or MTF-LT-2
   2. BMW P/N 83 22 9 408 942 or 83 22 0 309 031
   3. MTF-LT-1 and MTF-LT-2 are 100% interchangeable.

5. From model year 2004 some manual transmissions are filled with Castrol "MTF-LT-2" long-term fluid. This fluid has the same properties as the "MTF-LT-1" fluid indicated above in section D. The "MTF-LT-1" fluid may be mixed and/or substituted for the "MTF-LT-2"manual transmission fluid. MTF-LT-1 and MTF-LT-2 are 100% interchangeable.
6. From Model Year 2006 all vehicles equipped with a manual transmission and the N52, N54 engines require the MTFLT- 3 long-term fluid. Refer to label on the transmission, if the label is missing then enter the VIN number into EPC to acquire a new label with the fluid description.
   1. MTF-LT-3
   2. BMW P/N 83 22 0 409 878 or 83 22 7 533 818

No oil change is required for the entire service life of these transmissions.

All vehicles equipped with a manual transmission (GS6-45BZ) and the N55 engine require the MTF-LT-5 long-term fluid. Refer to label on transmission, if label is missing enter VIN number into EPC to acquire a new label with fluid description.

No oil change is required for the entire service life of these transmissions.

4.0 TRANSMISSION OIL CHANGE INTERVAL

Refer to Service Maintenance checklists for the respective model year.

Starting with 1998 models all manual transmissions are filled with long-term fluid and require no fluid changes for the life of the vehicle.

5.0 SMG: SEQUENTIAL MANUAL GEAR BOX

All models SMG Hydraulic Unit require the use of Pentosin CHF 11S fluid.