Redline DCTF DCT fluid

[bigjae1976]

http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=146&pcid=9

Hmmm....an easier to get and less expensive alternative. Due for a DCT flush over the winter.

[kawasaki00]

I am due this winter also. Have to buy a bottle and check it out.

[bigjae1976]

So how would you determine if this stuff is up to par besides just taking Red Line's word for it? Not that I don't trust Red Line...

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=146&pcid=9

Hmmm....an easier to get and less expensive alternative. Due for a DCT flush over the winter.

Never heard of Red Line DCTF seems it's better for extra lubrication and protection !
I've changed my Pentosin last year at 30K miles just only as precaution !
They are saying Pentosin it's up to the DCT lifetime ...but who knows ?

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Never heard of Red Line DCTF seems it's better for extra lubrication and protection !
I've changed my Pentosin last year at 30K miles just only as precaution !
They are saying Pentosin it's up to the DCT lifetime ...but who knows ?

I don't trust that. E46 autos were lifetime fills...until you lost reverse.

I think there is good data that the OE fill will last a long time as far as mileage and severity of usage. Like most synthetic oils, I think you need a change interval due to contamination from moisture and suspended material from wear and tear.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

I don't trust that. E46 autos were lifetime fills...until you lost reverse.

I think there is good data that the OE fill will last a long time as far as mileage and severity of usage. Like most synthetic oils, I think you need a change interval due to contamination from moisture and suspended material from wear and tear.

Exactly !
That's why like I said above I've changed my Pentosin at 30K as precaution and is always better , no risks here !

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Exactly !
That's why like I said above I've changed my Pentosin at 30K as precaution and is always better , no risks here !

I do have a thought on this. I'd rather get all fresh fluid into the DCT instead of half steppin' and just do a drain and fill. I remember I changed out the tranny fluid in my Mazda 3 by disconnecting the feed and return line to the cooler. You dip the return line in a gallon of fresh fluid and put the feed line into a big bucket. You turn the car on and put it into drive and you'll have all new fluid in your tranny in about 2 minutes.

I see the DCT lines to the cooler are held in by a single bolt into a dual fitting. Looks like you can separate the lines so you can dip them into some buckets.

Good idea? Or terrible?

[s85e90]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

I do have a thought on this. I'd rather get all fresh fluid into the DCT instead of half steppin' and just do a drain and fill. I remember I changed out the tranny fluid in my Mazda 3 by disconnecting the feed and return line to the cooler. You dip the return line in a gallon of fresh fluid and put the feed line into a big bucket. You turn the car on and put it into drive and you'll have all new fluid in your tranny in about 2 minutes.

I see the DCT lines to the cooler are held in by a single bolt into a dual fitting. Looks like you can separate the lines so you can dip them into some buckets.

Good idea? Or terrible?

Good idea but you should be able to jump the wires with the car off allowing the pump to circulate

[bigjae1976]

Hmmm...might have to ask my BMW mechanic buddy about this.

The bad thing about doing that is you will waste some perfectly good fluid. I went through 2 extra quarts above the specified fill. Not as hesitant to do this with a $20/qt bottle vs $40 or whatever BMW is charging.

But you will get 99% fresh fluid into the tranny...quickly!

[kawasaki00]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

So how would you determine if this stuff is up to par besides just taking Red Line's word for it? Not that I don't trust Red Line...

I can run it on the oil machine at work and see what is in it. Will have to get a bottle of pentosin to compare though.
Most redline products are not all that great so I will check before dumping in a fluid other than OEM into a very expensive tranny.

[Killerfish2012]

Originally Posted by kawasaki00

I can run it on the oil machine at work and see what is in it. Will have to get a bottle of pentosin to compare though.
Most redline products are not all that great so I will check before dumping in a fluid other than OEM into a very expensive tranny.

+1! BMW drivers by rule, always want to cheap out on maintenance. I bought my '09 M3 may of this year, with 98K miles on the odo. DCT was in excellent shape, but I did a 100% flush with Pentosin FFL-4 which is oem fluid. The oem pentosin came out black, but despite this the trans still functioned great. I had 4 full track days with the vehicle this year, and the trans with the new fluid is fine. So I can say without a doubt that oem Pentosin might not last a lifetime, but it is good till at least 100K miles. Any old DCT fluid has to be taken with a big grain of salt, and caution.