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Thread: ZF 5HP18 w/black label=>Dexron III. Does it matter which *brand*?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Minneapolis
    Posts
    24

    Default ZF 5HP18 w/black label=>Dexron III. Does it matter which *brand*?

    Castrol? Valvoline? Doesn't matter (as long as it's Dexron III)?

    Was doing some browsing over lunch and was wondering which *brand* people would recommend for my black label ZF 5HP18 tranny.

    I've already ordered a tranny filter kit from Kirt Koeller.

    Any other suggestions to help me with this procedure?

    http://www.zf-group.com/pdf/OilReferenceGuide.pdf

    Thanks for any and all input!

    Beachcomber
    1994 530ia (4/93)
    Beachcomber
    1994 530ia (4/93)
    1997 540ia (7/96)

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Posts
    4,150

    Default This pic might help some too...

    Quote Originally Posted by Beachcomber
    Castrol? Valvoline? Doesn't matter (as long as it's Dexron III)?

    Was doing some browsing over lunch and was wondering which *brand* people would recommend for my black label ZF 5HP18 tranny.

    I've already ordered a tranny filter kit from Kirt Koeller.

    Any other suggestions to help me with this procedure?

    http://www.zf-group.com/pdf/OilReferenceGuide.pdf

    Thanks for any and all input!

    Beachcomber
    1994 530ia (4/93)

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Minneapolis
    Posts
    24

    Default

    Thanks Bill -

    Do you think Castrol Syntec Dexron-III Mercon would be worth the expense, or should I just buy the regular Castrol Dexron-III Mercon?

    Thanks!
    Beachcomber
    1994 530ia (4/93)
    1997 540ia (7/96)

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Posts
    4,150

    Default Mercon V is already a synthetic blend. I would probably just use that and

    do like I normally do which is change my trans fluid everytime i do my oil











    Quote Originally Posted by Beachcomber
    Thanks Bill -

    Do you think Castrol Syntec Dexron-III Mercon would be worth the expense, or should I just buy the regular Castrol Dexron-III Mercon?

    Thanks!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Minneapolis
    Posts
    24

    Default One more question -

    the 5HP18 in my 530 calls for Dexron III or Mercon - not Mercon V.

    I want to do several drain/refills and found this for 0.93 cents per quart.
    Any reason I should NOT use it?
    Attached Images Attached Images   
    Beachcomber
    1994 530ia (4/93)
    1997 540ia (7/96)

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Posts
    4,150

    Default Mercon v is the

    newest generation of the dexron II,III, IIE , Mercon line, Its specs are here
    I would use a known brand myself, the cost difference isn't that much. Chevron and mobil go on sale here frequently



    Quote Originally Posted by Beachcomber
    the 5HP18 in my 530 calls for Dexron III or Mercon - not Mercon V.

    I want to do several drain/refills and found this for 0.93 cents per quart.
    Any reason I should NOT use it?

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Minneapolis
    Posts
    24

    Default Thanks for the info Bill. nt

    Quote Originally Posted by Bill R.
    newest generation of the dexron II,III, IIE , Mercon line, Its specs are here
    I would use a known brand myself, the cost difference isn't that much. Chevron and mobil go on sale here frequently
    Beachcomber
    1994 530ia (4/93)
    1997 540ia (7/96)

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Benneton (United Colors of)
    Posts
    3,067

    Default personally,I know i'm probably hurtin the car....

    in some way, but i wanted to flush mine out and then use good stuff to begin the atf/oil change regimen, so i started with the super-tech gallon jug from walmart for $4.xx for the first 14 quarts or so at 1000 miles apart. the jug is extra cheap for 3.7 litres of atf, and it suits my car because it only takes a jug and a 1/2 quart to do a drainplug type change. didn't know that non fords could take the mercon v and not puke and whatnot.....maybe something to try now that i'm on the schedule of good stuff.


  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Central NJ
    Posts
    122

    Default

    Doubt you're hurting it any... DexIII from Walmart in 2004 is every bit as good as what you would have found in any brand in 1995 or before.

    You could go on forever that way trying to reach a 100% change, y'know.... four drain-and-fills only gets you to ~80%
    1994 530iA Sold
    2003 FX-35
    1991 MR2 Turbo

  10. #10
    keithp 94 530ia Guest

    Default Use Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF

    It is far superior to conventional DEXRON, although more expensive ($5 to $6 per quart at Autozone).

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