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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Powertrain and Drivetrain Discussions > NA Engine (non-turbo) / Drivetrain / Exhaust Modifications > Valvoline Maxlife ATF for GM GA6L45R?



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      12-02-2020, 08:44 PM   #1
Mosaud1998
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Valvoline Maxlife ATF for GM GA6L45R?

Has anyone used Maxlife ATF in their GM transmissions? I am not due for one yet. But, I am in a year or so and I kind of want to start my research right now and be sure which fluid to use before I go ahead and change it or get it changed at my indy. I think Redline is the OEM for the GM Transmission fluid, right? What brand would you guys recommend?
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      12-04-2020, 02:48 AM   #2
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The proper fluid (Dexron VI) is readily available and inexpensive so there is no point using a multi-vehicle ATF. As long as you use a licensed product, Dexron VI is Dexron VI. The spec is so strict there is little to no variation between licensed products.
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      12-04-2020, 06:49 AM   #3
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You will receive two different answers. Those who have had great success with MaxLife, and those who will say "never stray from OEM fluid, the manufacturer knows best".


I run Maxlife in my GM 6L45 and it shifts great. I've personally had better luck with MaxLife than Dex VI in other GM transmissions especially the 4L60E in the Chevy trucks.
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      12-04-2020, 10:07 AM   #4
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I ran that fluid in my 128i and it got rid of torque converter shudder right up and made the transmission noticeably smoother. Going to use it on my 328xi soon. It bothered me at first to use something that wasn't exactly and specifically made to be dexron vi but it seems to work very well.
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      12-04-2020, 11:37 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E92William View Post
I ran that fluid in my 128i and it got rid of torque converter shudder right up and made the transmission noticeably smoother. Going to use it on my 328xi soon. It bothered me at first to use something that wasn't exactly and specifically made to be dexron vi but it seems to work very well.
Well and for most that experienced 1-2 and shudder issues, BMW did release a now-discontinued additive that actually resolved the issue in most cases. So to say the BMW stuff alone is gonna be good isn't accurate.
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      12-04-2020, 11:55 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E92William View Post
I ran that fluid in my 128i and it got rid of torque converter shudder right up and made the transmission noticeably smoother. Going to use it on my 328xi soon. It bothered me at first to use something that wasn't exactly and specifically made to be dexron vi but it seems to work very well.
Well and for most that experienced 1-2 and shudder issues, BMW did release a now-discontinued additive that actually resolved the issue in most cases. So to say the BMW stuff alone is gonna be good isn't accurate.
Im gonna change the fluid since this car had it when I bought it then it came back now after 20k miles. If it doesn't fix it I'll have to hunt for that additive.

This stuff is supposedly good for the shudder too.
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      12-04-2020, 12:13 PM   #7
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by bluewater328 View Post
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Originally Posted by E92William View Post
I ran that fluid in my 128i and it got rid of torque converter shudder right up and made the transmission noticeably smoother. Going to use it on my 328xi soon. It bothered me at first to use something that wasn't exactly and specifically made to be dexron vi but it seems to work very well.
Well and for most that experienced 1-2 and shudder issues, BMW did release a now-discontinued additive that actually resolved the issue in most cases. So to say the BMW stuff alone is gonna be good isn't accurate.
Im gonna change the fluid since this car had it when I bought it then it came back now after 20k miles. If it doesn't fix it I'll have to hunt for that additive.

This stuff is supposedly good for the shudder too.
You can't find the additive anymore. Discontinued. Believe me, I was willing to ship to Hawaii. You're gonna have to look for that back-room-forgotten-stash. I'm about to try that thing too, but I hear it's a temporary thing.
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      12-04-2020, 12:30 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E92William View Post
Im gonna change the fluid since this car had it when I bought it then it came back now after 20k miles. If it doesn't fix it I'll have to hunt for that additive.

This stuff is supposedly good for the shudder too.
From what I've read, the BMW additive was basically the Lubeguard shudder fix but in a different package. MaxLife alone has helped fix the shudder for many.
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      12-04-2020, 12:42 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by CTinline-six View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by E92William View Post
Im gonna change the fluid since this car had it when I bought it then it came back now after 20k miles. If it doesn't fix it I'll have to hunt for that additive.

This stuff is supposedly good for the shudder too.
From what I've read, the BMW additive was basically the Lubeguard shudder fix but in a different package. MaxLife alone has helped fix the shudder for many.
I prefer to not use any additives if the fluid itself can do it so yes that's what I'm gonna try. When I got the car they changed the fluid at the place with whatever weird German fluid it supposedly takes but looks like it wasn't too effective long term lol

I think I'm gonna put maxlife in the e46 too. For how cheap a jug is, it's awesome how many cars it'll work for.
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      12-04-2020, 12:57 PM   #10
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From what I've read, the BMW additive was basically the Lubeguard shudder fix but in a different package. MaxLife alone has helped fix the shudder for many.
Well, if it was, it was in a more diluted form the size of a standard 1L bottle of oil. I used it a few times -- wish I kept some. But they all do about the same thing.
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      12-04-2020, 07:56 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E92William View Post
I ran that fluid in my 128i and it got rid of torque converter shudder right up and made the transmission noticeably smoother. Going to use it on my 328xi soon. It bothered me at first to use something that wasn't exactly and specifically made to be dexron vi but it seems to work very well.
Well, I can get 2 gallons of Maxlife at Walmart for $35. Genuine BMW fluid is $70 for 7L. Is saving the extra $35 worth it? I haven't heard any bad things about max life. Just hesitant towards using it since it isn't BMW approved.
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      12-04-2020, 10:23 PM   #12
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I haven't used the BMW fluid so I can't really comment on it. It might be better or it might be the same. If I could find it cheap enough I would try it on my own car but I have a jug of maxlife sitting around which would be a shame to throw away
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      12-04-2020, 10:33 PM   #13
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I haven't used the BMW fluid so I can't really comment on it. It might be better or it might be the same. If I could find it cheap enough I would try it on my own car but I have a jug of maxlife sitting around which would be a shame to throw away
The previous owner had the transmission fluid changed @BMW when the car had 61k miles. I do notice the transmission has a hard shift going from 2 to 3 but it only happens when the car is cold. I started to start the car early and leave it started for 5 min before I drive it and it doesn't "Jerk". I've heard its a normal thing for the E9x chassis.
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      12-26-2020, 11:54 AM   #14
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just changed the original fluid on a 146k trans to Maxlife and noticed improved shifting, I'm really happy so far! The original fluid was pretty bad needless to say!
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      02-25-2021, 10:55 PM   #15
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Reviving this thread to chip in my 2 cents.

I’ve got an 07 328xi with over 200k miles that I changed the tranny fluid and filter on around 30k miles ago. Now, I know everyone with the 6L45 complains that it’s a piece of shit—they are not wrong—but I’m gonna flex a bit here and tell you all that my 6L45 is the shittiest of them all. It shifts like it’s filled with applesauce.

Anyway, due to still having some connections at my old work—flexin’ again here—I was able to get the genuine BMW Dex VI for cheap. You know what? Despite being a big fan of OE parts and fluids, I regret using it. If my transmission was trouble-free and smooth-shifting it likely wouldn’t have mattered, but because it’s in such rough shape, I really think a more viscous fluid like Maxlife would have helped.

I stumbled across a post on this same subject from a mechanic who delivered a pretty convincing argument against Dex VI. The crux was that the fluid was conceived with economy in mind and little else. As a result, it’s incredibly thin and only becomes thinner with shear (obvi).

I’m probably going to drain and refill with Maxlife or similar when the weather warms up. If I do this, I’ll be sure to post back with the results.
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      02-25-2021, 10:57 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by e90yyc View Post
Reviving this thread to chip in my 2 cents.

I’ve got an 07 328xi with over 200k miles that I changed the tranny fluid and filter on around 30k miles ago. Now, I know everyone with the 6L45 complains that it’s a piece of shit—they are not wrong—but I’m gonna flex a bit here and tell you all that my 6L45 is the shittiest of them all. It shifts like it’s filled with applesauce.

Anyway, due to still having some connections at my old work—flexin’ again here—I was able to get the genuine BMW Dex VI for cheap. You know what? Despite being a big fan of OE parts and fluids, I regret using it. If my transmission was trouble-free and smooth-shifting it likely wouldn’t have mattered, but because it’s in such rough shape, I really think a more viscous fluid like Maxlife would have helped.

I stumbled across a post on this same subject from a mechanic who delivered a pretty convincing argument against Dex VI. The crux was that the fluid was conceived with economy in mind and little else. As a result, it’s incredibly thin and only becomes thinner with shear (obvi).

I’m probably going to drain and refill with Maxlife or similar when the weather warms up. If I do this, I’ll be sure to post back with the results.
ITS ALIVE!

PO had the trans fluid changed at BMW when the car had 61k miles.

I'll probably do a drain filter and fill at 110k miles with Maxlife.

Haven't heard anything bad about Maxlife so
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      02-25-2021, 11:26 PM   #17
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ITS ALIVE!

PO had the trans fluid changed at BMW when the car had 61k miles.

I'll probably do a drain filter and fill at 110k miles with Maxlife.

Haven't heard anything bad about Maxlife so
Lol. Yeah, that’s sweet the PO had it changed. My car was one-owner dealer-serviced prior to me buying it, but due to BMW’s lifetime mumbo jumbo they never recommended a fluid change.
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      02-26-2021, 07:32 PM   #18
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Lol. Yeah, that’s sweet the PO had it changed. My car was one-owner dealer-serviced prior to me buying it, but due to BMW’s lifetime mumbo jumbo they never recommended a fluid change.
Ironic. My dealer kept pushing it on me every time I took it in over 36k. So dunno, its just a sales thing. I think everyone should change it by 80K - technically there's a code that goes off at 125Km anyway so that should be a good indication for you.
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      02-26-2021, 07:43 PM   #19
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Ironic. My dealer kept pushing it on me every time I took it in over 36k. So dunno, its just a sales thing. I think everyone should change it by 80K - technically there's a code that goes off at 125Km anyway so that should be a good indication for you.
Damn... Problem there is the PO only took to dealer. They prob cleared code and didn’t bother mentioning. I’ll have to double-check the service records—maybe I’m wrong. I guess it doesn’t change the state my tranny is in.
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      02-26-2021, 08:11 PM   #20
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To clear the 578e it's not as easy as just a button it's an involved process in ista so I don't think they would just wing it
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      03-04-2021, 12:39 PM   #21
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I changed the fluid and filter in mine at 103K miles using genuine ac delco dex VI.

I changed the fluid again at 160K miles using maxlife.

now at 168K miles.

I haven't felt or noticed any difference. Shudder when I bought the car was fixed with new dex VI.
hasn't ever returned.

after 60K miles the dex VI looked oxidized, but nothing like what I drained out at 100K miles.

so I'd stick closer to the 50K mile "severe service" fluid schedule that GM recommends.
100K miles is simply too long for maximum hard part life IMO.
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      11-17-2021, 10:48 AM   #22
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Planning to drain and fill both GA6L45R cars with Maxlife very soon. Do not intend to drop pan and change filter though. Maybe next year after a couple drain and fills.

Did anyone strip the drain bolt? Any tips before we start?
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