Any reason not to use Valvoline for diff fluid?

[javarithms]

Need to change my diff fluid. Is valvoline a good fluid?

https://www.amazon.com/Valvoline-Syn...DKIKX0DER&th=1

[Reddevils7]

Why not just stick to OEM? I believe for the E9x you want the SAF-XJ+FM

[chocstraw]

Probably not going to cause any damage but could cause a bit of chatter, IIRC it's on slow left turns, it makes a weird noise. It can change how quickly it locks up, which could be a positive or negative depending on your driving preference.

[fs34]

Use the OEM fluid. Period. If you go through the trouble to do it, what’s the extra $100-$150 matter. People have been trying to get around this but the diff needs friction modifier and no one has cracked the code.

Do FCP or ECS and get a lifetime replacement. Pay once, never again after that. I’m on my 3rd free change.

[e90sanmarino]

OEM is way to go my friend. Both my M3 and my friends F82 m4 made chatter noise at low speed in the parking lot using aftermarket fluid. The noise went away right after changing to OEM.

[M3SQRD]

I use Red Line 75W140 since 1200 mile service and have had zero issues.

Edit - I didn’t mention that I’m running Red Line 75W140 in a stock 3.15 FD DCT diff (‘12) and a diffsonline 3.62 FD DCT LSD (‘09). Both have stage 2 tunes with 8600 rpm redline. No issues, no noises. BTW, IMO, the 3.62 FD DCT LSD is the best mod you can add to a NA e9x M3!! The difference between the acceleration of the stock 3.15 FD and the 3.62 FD is huge. It’s 3ish cars on a 1/4 mile but it’s on track that you really notice the difference with better acceleration because the rpm is higher at corner exit for most corners or it requires a downshift but it still keeps rpms around 7-7.5k for great pull out of the corner.

[amrazM]

using aftermarket fluid in my diff resulted in low speed noise while making tight turns, I switched back to oem fluid, which is expensive but it was the remedy.

[djsilverjohnson]

You can use it, but you'll still need to add a bottle of LSD additive or it will chatter.

[RocketyMan]

Originally Posted by djsilverjohnson

You can use it, but you'll still need to add a bottle of LSD additive or it will chatter.

Evidence to the contrary...

[djsilverjohnson]

Originally Posted by RocketyMan

Evidence to the contrary...

I know it comes with it but it is not enough. It still chattered until I added more.

[SkiFly01]

Originally Posted by M3SQRD

I use Red Line 75W140 since 1200 mile service and have had zero issues.

I too run it and have 0 Issues with street or track and get it with the FCP Euro warranty.

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by SkiFly01

I too run it and have 0 Issues with street or track and get it with the FCP Euro warranty.

I’ve been buying from BimmerWorld since 2001 and buying diff fluid from them since 2004. I’m fine with continuing to support BW on diff fluid changes which have long fluid chance intervals (FCIs). Same thing with DCT & ZT8AT FCIs being long, I don’t have a problem buying it from BW. I’m now using Red Line products in all of my engines, DCTs, ATs, and diffs.

[egebhardt]

"You must use the manufacturer's recommended fluids in your automobile or else."

1 - We're all heard absolute statements but 95% of owners have experimented with something other fluid whether they are aware of it or not. Gasoline is an automotive fluid too.

2 - Furthermore, if a substitute is 1/2 price and is the difference between that fluid being replaced or not at all, it might be best to replace the fluid.

3 - If some non-OEM fluid ruins something expensive, that is BAD.

4 - It's only $100 more so why not? It's NOT 100 bux more. It's every fluid you buy for the rest of your life. That's why it is so heavily debated.

5 - Manufacturer's change specs all the time. Maybe the bottle changes color but was that a materials change too? It's hard to know because they won't tell you.

Point is: we all know these general statements but we have to think for ourselves on a daily basis. There's NO absolute specific answer on every specific day. For example, I saw someone substitute Hershey's Syrup for some alternative brand in Hershey, PA. The sh!t hit the fan.

To the OP, I've used the Valvoline in all (11) of my E36M3s and they were all OK. The Valvoline is cheap and highly recommended in 1000 cars. It's worth a try. Don't go beating on the diff initially. If it sounds fine, it probably is. If is sounds bad, buy some BMW SAF-XJ+FM.

I read in my records the Previous Owner said the diff made noise after a diff fluid change at the dealer. He took it back to the dealer to have them put SAF-XJ+FM in there. Then it was quiet. Maybe the dealer put in the wrong stuff. Maybe the dealer didn't change it at all. I'll never know.

[egebhardt]

Originally Posted by fs34

Do FCP or ECS and get a lifetime replacement. Pay once, never again after that. I’m on my 3rd free change.

Maybe you live near one of those guys.
It's a great idea for the consumer but many criteria have to be met over the course of years. Then you have to ship used oil at your co$t. Then you don't get complete replacement if the price went up. Inflation.
FCP Euro knows what they are doing.

[fs34]

Originally Posted by egebhardt

Maybe you live near one of those guys.
It's a great idea for the consumer but many criteria have to be met over the course of years. Then you have to ship used oil at your co$t. Then you don't get complete replacement if the price went up. Inflation.
FCP Euro knows what they are doing.

I’ve been reimbursed the replacement ie original value I paid for each oil change with FCP Euro. They are banking on laziness. The same as auto parts stores have done with lifetime warranty’s.

It baffles me that many will throw hundreds/thousands on aesthetic “mods” and cheap out on something like diff fluid.

I’m not made of money but I knew there was an M tax when I bought the car. You can save in other areas by going OE(bushings, etc) but whatever the friction modifier mix is for these diffs, no one seems to be able to recreate it. So for things like this, I pay the price for the unicorn semen or whatever they make it with. To each his own.

FCP gets my loyalty because they are spot on and if they make a mistake, they fix it immediately.

My e90 gets the BMW diff fluid because that’s the spec.

[Helmsman]

My diff started to chatter in low speed turns with fairly fresh OE fluid (by dealer). Went completely silent after I replaced with Castrol 75w140 Syntrax. From what I've read BMW use the same fluid but with additional FM. Weird but what happened.

[Honda]

Originally Posted by Helmsman

My diff started to chatter in low speed turns with fairly fresh OE fluid (by dealer). Went completely silent after I replaced with Castrol 75w140 Syntrax. From what I've read BMW use the same fluid but with additional FM. Weird but what happened.

hmm...interesting finding

[Honda]

Originally Posted by djsilverjohnson

I know it comes with it but it is not enough. It still chattered until I added more.

Which LSD liquid did you add more?