Wading through AT Fluid is hazardous to your health
Wading through ATF forum posts and doing research is mind-numbing. I think I finally have arrived at some answers, but I wanted to run it past you guys with AT transmissions.
I looked under my son's car, and I said, oh, you have a blue label, so it's Esso 71141 LT. Well, no. It turns out the label is more of a turquoise color, and there was a part number on it, and I then realized this bluish colored label is actually the green label with part number 83220024359. So, that means I need the Texaco ETL 8072B fluid. Of course, that isn't made any more, but it turns out BMW now recommends replacing that fluid with their latest Dexron VI oil, which happens to be made by Petrol Canada. Since Dexron VI is so stringent, any Dexron VI should be fine.
With that knowledge, I go to some of the more common parts sites we all use, and they all have AT kits using Redline D4. Knowing that Redline also makes a D6 for Dexron VI replacement, I wondered why they recommended D4. Well, D4 would be more similar to what was originally in the transmission, but everyone says VI is better than III, and BMW is now using Dexron VI to replace Texaco 8072B, so why not just pick up a couple of gallons of AC Delco Dexron VI -- cause it's made by Petrol Canada, too. And most everyone says if the company is reputable, Dexron VI is Dexron VI.
So, I look up AC Delco Dexron VI, and wouldn't you know it, there are two part numbers. One is GM Dexron and the other is AC Delco Dexron, so I'm thinking hmmm, maybe the GM product is a little better, and it costs more. Nope. The new part number is 10-9395 for AC Delco and for GM Dexron. It's the same. The 10-9030 has been superseded. It may be nothing more than a container shape change. And we must all remember the rule, Dexron VI is Dexron VI.
So, after that round the world trip of information, I finally decide, I'm going to do three fluid changes on my GM auto trans with AC Delco Dexron VI Part number 10-9395. It's $29 a gallon with free shipping from Amazon Prime. Then I saw where Advanced Auto has Castrol Dexron VI on sale for $4.99 a quart with free shipping ($50+ order). WOW! $20 a gallon!! Now I'm back to thinking is Dexron VI really Dexron VI no matter who makes it? Do I go with Redline D4, do I go with AC Delco Dexron VI which is really the same as BMW Dexron VI, or do I go with Castrol Dexron VI for $20 a gallon?
I'm thinking I'm probably going to go with AC Delco since it is the same Petrol Canada Dexron VI as BMW fluid.
Thoughts? Prayers?
Salty
__________________________________________________ _____
2005 BMW 330Ci ZHP Jet Black/Black with aluminum cube
Bone stock at the moment