Transmission fluid change

[danlau]

I plan to change the transmission fluid of my 1995 BMW 525i. The manual call for Dexron II transmission fluid. All I can find in the auto stores are Dexron III. Can anyone tell me if I can use Dexron III instead, and what brand will you recommend. Also, would you please tell me how to measure the temperature of the ATF. The manual call for ATF temperature between 30-55C.

[PorscheH6]

30C is barely warm (86F), just drive it a bit-

Dexron Mercon III supercedes all previous Dexron II specifications.

How many miles since last tranny service?

[DrJomamachubby]

You're over-thinking this. Use one of the many DexIII/Merc clones and be happy. If you don't want to use a generic Pennzoil has a DexIII/Merc formulation and many WalMarts stock it.

I just refilled the trans in my 1994 530i/5 with M1's universal. The shift feel is perfect, should be better in the winter than whatever the PO had in and at 150k on the odo is probably the last change it will ever need.

[gcb]

My tranny acts up everytime it gets hellish hot (108 today)

if I just drive when it's hot, it's fine. BUT if I drive, park under the sun, drive another short distance, and park under the sun again, the 3rd time it will be slipping awfully. I think it's time for a rebuilt...

I will just try to give it another flush with a good quality oil before i waste the money.

In the meantime I've found some information from BMW around 2007 stating that we should use Dexron III (3) on the GM transmissions (a4S 310R in my case)
https://wiki.bentleypublishers.com/display/tech/BMW+ATF+Service+for+A4S+310R+and+A5S+310Z+automati c+transmissions

BUT i've also found info that GM ceassed to license new manufacturers on dexron III around 2006... and that it should have been superseded by dexron IIIH and later by dexron VI.

this post makes a good point for dexron VI instead of III.
http://www.sandyblogs.com/techlink/2009/05/dexron-vi.html
(what makes me want to try dexron VI is the Viscosity Stability graph by the end... )

this page also mentions dexron VI to be fully backwards compatible.
http://www.cartechbooks.com/vstore/showdetl.cfm?DID=6&Product_ID=3578&CATID=21
but "However, GM specifically recommends against using Dexron VI in non-GM made vehicles that used Dexron III as original equipment" ... does this applies to non-GM transmissions or whole cars? whole cars wouldn't make much sense...

Is there any newer BMW tech bulletin that i'm missing?

[bd92]

Use valvoline MAX LIFE DEX/MERC high mileage 75000, the red bottle. Ive done 3 drain and refills with that fluid and my fourth drain and refill with amsoil ATF. All but good results (even though my tranny is already extremely worn out, dark kept coming out at all times, until the fourth drain and refill, it started getting cleaner, barley) Your gonna need atleast 6 bottles, plus, its a really good fluid and comes with a good additive package for our older trannys (as stated in Bob is the oil guy website). It also states its synthetic, but im sure there are better synthetics, for the prices of $6 each though, you CANT complain.

[danlau]

Can anyone tell me where I should jack up my e34 with a floor jack and where I should put my jack stands both front and rear?