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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Mechanical Maintenance: Break-in / Oil & Fluids / Servicing / Warranty > Lifeguard6 = Mercon SP?



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      10-23-2013, 11:31 AM   #67
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CMYACHTIE View Post
Followed with interest this thread and have done the first oil change and filter change with Pentosin but want to do another next week but am short of the Pentosin and cannot find anymore in Canada so am thinking to add two liters Mercon SP to the 5 ltr Pentosin I am going to put in the 6HP26.
Who knows. You have LG6 mixed with ATF1, and want to add SP.

ATF1 btw is only spec'd for Lifeguard 5 (TE-ML 11B). More specifically the ZF 5HP18.

LG6 doesn't appear on the 11B list. I wonder why Pentosin hasn't updated their ATF1 spec?
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      10-23-2013, 02:18 PM   #68
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Socom View Post
Who knows. You have LG6 mixed with ATF1, and want to add SP.

ATF1 btw is only spec'd for Lifeguard 5 (TE-ML 11B). More specifically the ZF 5HP18.

LG6 doesn't appear on the 11B list. I wonder why Pentosin hasn't updated their ATF1 spec?
Thanks for responding but am now confused ...really.
Are you saying that Pentosin ATF1 is not to be used in a 6HP26 transmission?

If that's a positive should go and replace it (all 6 ltrs) with the MERCON? and do the drain/refill one more time after that again to get rid of the BMW ZF lifetime and Pentosin mix??

Oh and since my sig is not coming thru, 2004 545i is what I am driving.
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      10-23-2013, 03:35 PM   #69
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CMYACHTIE View Post
Thanks for responding but am now confused ...really.
Are you saying that Pentosin ATF1 is not to be used in a 6HP26 transmission?

If that's a positive should go and replace it (all 6 ltrs) with the MERCON? and do the drain/refill one more time after that again to get rid of the BMW ZF lifetime and Pentosin mix??

Oh and since my sig is not coming thru, 2004 545i is what I am driving.
I honestly can't tell you with any definitive proof that you're doing your transmission a disservice. Probably doesn't matter at this point.
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      10-23-2013, 04:23 PM   #70
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According to the Pentosin catalog:
545I
V8 4.4L
2004-2005
Anti-Freeze: NF-G11; 1.5 L............................... 8114117
Auto. Trans. Fluid: ATF1; 1 L.......................... 1058107
Auto. Trans. Fluid: ATF1; 5 L.......................... 1058206
Auto. Trans. Fluid: ATF1; 20 L......................... 1058219
Auto. Trans. Fluid: ATF1; 60 L......................... 1058303
Auto. Trans. Fluid: ATF1; 210 L........................ 1058305

And from what I have read many people have used this fluid in E60 6HP26 transmissions, so I am not worried about using the ATF 1, as it is equivalent to the OEM BMW/ZF fluid, but am now unable to get the required two liters to do the additional oil change and therefore needs to either add something else OR start all over again and bite the bullet with the $tealer fluid or MERCON SP if I have the nerve to go there......LOL
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      10-24-2013, 06:29 AM   #71
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And since the Lincoln Navigators use the same tran 6HP26 and use MERCON SP would this not be the same fluid as OEM BMW fluid AKA ZF LG6..........

So I would assume it is safe to mix in my situation.
I can get it for $11. ltr.
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      10-24-2013, 08:42 AM   #72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CMYACHTIE View Post
And since the Lincoln Navigators use the same tran 6HP26 and use MERCON SP would this not be the same fluid as OEM BMW fluid AKA ZF LG6..........

So I would assume it is safe to mix in my situation.
I can get it for $11. ltr.
Yes. Land Rover as well.
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      10-24-2013, 08:46 AM   #73
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CMYACHTIE View Post
According to the Pentosin catalog:
545I
V8 4.4L
2004-2005
Anti-Freeze: NF-G11; 1.5 L............................... 8114117
Auto. Trans. Fluid: ATF1; 1 L.......................... 1058107
Auto. Trans. Fluid: ATF1; 5 L.......................... 1058206
Auto. Trans. Fluid: ATF1; 20 L......................... 1058219
Auto. Trans. Fluid: ATF1; 60 L......................... 1058303
Auto. Trans. Fluid: ATF1; 210 L........................ 1058305

And from what I have read many people have used this fluid in E60 6HP26 transmissions, so I am not worried about using the ATF 1, as it is equivalent to the OEM BMW/ZF fluid, but am now unable to get the required two liters to do the additional oil change and therefore needs to either add something else OR start all over again and bite the bullet with the $tealer fluid or MERCON SP if I have the nerve to go there......LOL

Oh I know what you're saying. I was just going by their list 1/2013 list. Perhaps ZF just wants you to use their own fluids.
Attached Images
File Type: pdf TE-ML 11_en0700.pdf (108.4 KB, 400 views)
File Type: pdf CRP-116_Pentosin_ATF1_V3.pdf (213.1 KB, 247 views)

Last edited by F32Fleet; 10-24-2013 at 08:51 AM..
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      10-26-2013, 05:00 AM   #74
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Also some interesting comments here and listing CASTROL and another alt. would be great to know if any of these people put this in their tranny's 5 years ago and how it is going today.................
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...1487959&page=2
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      07-04-2014, 03:44 AM   #75
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Still running good with the mercon sp at 115k miles. Seriously feels like new. I think it's safe to say, it's okay fluid for the zf 6h19
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      07-04-2014, 10:29 PM   #76
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CMYACHTIE View Post
Also some interesting comments here and listing CASTROL and another alt. would be great to know if any of these people put this in their tranny's 5 years ago and how it is going today.................
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...1487959&page=2
Quote:
Originally Posted by E90dima View Post
Still running good with the mercon sp at 115k miles. Seriously feels like new. I think it's safe to say, it's okay fluid for the zf 6h19
Castrol for me, 4 years later still going strong. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=367729
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      11-18-2014, 12:37 AM   #77
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E90dima View Post
Still running good with the mercon sp at 115k miles. Seriously feels like new. I think it's safe to say, it's okay fluid for the zf 6h19
Thanks. Great info. I just ran into this today.
If you have 115k miles on it, how many miles have you driven on Mercon SP???
Sounds like it drives and shifts great?

I have 335i so will Mercon SP sounds like it's compatible as well?
Wally world don't carry it. Where else can I find it? Autozone, Pepboys, O'reallys?

Is there anyone else chime in on reliability/longevity?
It would be great to hear comments from guys who can list mileage and good/bad on this Mercon SP fluid in our cars. I mean it supposed to be Shell LG6 compatible. This ZF trans is also in Jaguars/Rovers too. They're also talking about the same thing.

Let the chimes begin......

Last edited by 2fast4; 11-18-2014 at 12:56 AM..
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      02-24-2015, 12:21 PM   #78
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Researching LifeGuard 6 and came across this thread.

So is anyone running the Valvoline MaxLife ATF or Import MV ATF as previously mentioned?

How are the Mercon SP guys doing now, long term?
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      10-06-2015, 02:37 PM   #79
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Bump.
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      10-13-2017, 12:21 PM   #80
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I changed to maxlife atf about 2 years ago and my 06 e90 has about 209k miles no issues yet. about to change the pan and fluid again with maxlife atf
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      05-10-2019, 02:39 PM   #81
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I use Amsoil and my car shifts great
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      05-11-2019, 10:25 AM   #82
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I have had problems with Redline in the past (not on the e90). so, based on past experience, I'd take their 'compatibility' claims with a grain of skepticism.

I have nothing to say about the other options listed (although I have the same feeling for Redline and Royal Purple since the companies operate on a similar market segment). I went with Lifequard 6 direct from ZF, that way I got it for only twice as expensive as normal oil, instead of 10x for the precious fluid.

One thing that decided me to pay the extra price is that it is impossible to completely empty the trans and torque converter. Even if the new oil is perfectly appropriate, you end-up running a mix of two oils, and that could cause some unwanted interactions.
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      06-21-2019, 12:52 PM   #83
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Quote:
Originally Posted by charmer37 View Post
I use Amsoil and my car shifts great
Could pls be more specific and tell me which one (just looked at Amsoil and there are several to choose from) you’re using?
Thx
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      06-23-2019, 07:36 AM   #84
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Turkeybaster115 View Post
You can get the lifeguard6/Shell M-1375.4 fluid for $4.68/quart here: http://www.ryderfleetproducts.com/cg...uct_detail.jsp

Before you get this fluid consider the following; which are my opinions, drawn from online research. Shell was tapped by ZF/Ford, to make this fluid for maximum fuel efficiency. it has very similar specs to amsoil's fuel efficiency transmission fluid:

http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/atl.aspx (Scroll to the bottom of the page).

If you are in/out of warranty, want to change your ATF fluid, with oem, for considerably less than what the dealer will charge, then get the mecron SP stuff. Now for those who have higher torque vehicles with the 6hp19/26 transmissions, you might want to opt for a fluid that will trade you gas mileage for decreased fluid temps. This is especially true if you plan on occasional racing, or power increasing modifications. If you look at amsoil, and redline, you find that they each offer a line of racing/high temp fluid products. These products offer better thermal protection for racing or high torque vehicles. Looking closely, there're specs differ from the fuel efficient lines. Most notebly: KV @ 40C 7.5-10cst; KV @ 100C 34-53cst VI: 177+, Flash point 225 F+. Clearly the higher the fluid's KV/VI/Flash point, the more shear stable it is under abnormal stress.

The above listed racing fluids are on the high end. You can have slightly more thermal protection than stock with several other fluids(KV 40C: 7-8, KV 100C 34-38, VI 165+, Flash Point 212 C+:

-Castrol multi-vehicle atf TE ML 11A
-Pentosin ATF 1 TE ML 11B
-castrol transmax TE ML 11B, 14C!

None TE ML optoins include:
-amsoil universal atf
-valvoline max life
-royal purple max gear
-etc.
Just read this bottom of spec sheet:

http://www.royalpurple.com/wp-conten...ax_atf_pds.pdf
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      09-01-2019, 04:44 PM   #85
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Valoline Maxlife

So where does Valvoline max life fall into this ? Was at the auto parts store and they had it listed as a substitute for ZF trans use.......
I have been using it in my 328I with the GM trans and I just put it in my 335I with the ZF, haven't driven it yet...
would Mecron SP be better than Max life atf ?
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      09-05-2019, 01:17 PM   #86
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IIRC Liqui Moly Top Tec ATF 1800 would work as well.
Quite cheap over at fcpeuro @$6.99/l.
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      09-14-2019, 03:30 AM   #87
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Ive been running maxlife on my ZF and it seems to like it. Shifts great
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      09-22-2019, 05:22 AM   #88
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CMYACHTIE View Post
Could pls be more specific and tell me which one (just looked at Amsoil and there are several to choose from) you’re using?
Thx
.

Amsoil signature series fuel efficient atf, I get it for $10 a bottle at my local car-quest.
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