I want to change my tranny fluid... What's the final word on what to use in a manual?

[TC535i]

I hear use ATF, use MTL because you're in California and you don't have any cold mornings, I hear use Redline, I hear don't use Redline, Royal Purple, etc etc etc...


WHAT THE HELL DO I PUT IN MY TRANSMISSION???

[M3motorsport]

Did the person who told you not to use RedLine explained why?
Check this article maybe it will clear the things up…

[Green318is]

I use Mobil 1 synthetic ATF. It works great. I believe that manual transmissions require ATF.

[SQ Bimmer]

I use Mobil 1 synthetic ATF. It works great. I believe that manual transmissions require ATF.

Same here. Mobil 1 ATF > ALL.

[martialartsblac]

Same here. Mobil 1 ATF > ALL.

:werd

[Steve530]

this was discussed in this thread

I think the bottom line is 98 and newer cars use 75W90 gear lube, earlier e36's use ATF. There should be a label on the transmission that states ATF ot MTL-1 or MTL-2.

I've read comments that Redline is not API certified, but Royal Purple is API certified. I'm not sure what that means, except that RP paid to have their products tested.

FWIW, I used Redline in the transaxle of my 944 and I have RP in the transmission of the 98 323. Both seem to be good.