Redline DCTF in 6MT

[Mendoteach]

It's time for me to change my tranny oil. In the past, and in another BMW I currently own, I have used various Redline products for the manual transmission with great success. Sometimes this included mixing Redline gearbox products (including their ATF). After a bit of confusion–partly induced by ECS tuning and other sites which suggest Redline MTL (doesn't meet LT-5)–I inquired with Redline about what product they recommended for the 6MT gearbox in the F80. Turns out it's their product for dual clutch gearboxes, Redline DCTF. It meets BMW LT-5. Has anyone tried this? Thoughts?

[JeffB-M3]

I recently read a thread on this in the last 2-3 weeks. The feedback was positive enough that I ordered some which will arrive late this week. Hopefully I'll get it swapped next week along with the engine oil and differential fluid...all from Redline.

[Mendoteach]

I ordered some too. Will provide feedback on any perceived differences in shifting. I already have some Castrol for the differential. I see the Motul also specifies their DCT fluid as meeting the LT-5 spec. for the F80 6MT, not any of their others that I've used in the past, including there ATF fluids. I was just taken back a bit when the Redline rep. said that's the fluid to use.

[Kilabyte]

Keep us posted.

[JeffB-M3]

Scheduled for Redline fluid swap for engine, MT, and diff next Thursday. Will share my impressions.

[Mendoteach]

Do you know which Reline they are planning on using for the tranny? Also, I'm curious about which product they are using for the diff. I was unaware the Redline made a product for the diff.

[JeffB-M3]

Originally Posted by Mendoteach

Do you know which Reline they are planning on using for the tranny? Also, I'm curious about which product they are using for the diff. I was unaware the Redline made a product for the diff.

I bought the "new to you" fluid kit from Bimmerworld.

Red Line Euro-Series 5W40, 7 quarts
Mahle OEM oil filter
Red Line MT-LV for manual transmission, 2 quarts
Red Line 75W140 for rear axle differential, 2 quarts
Red Line Fuel System Cleaner
Genuine BMW coolant, 1 liter
Pentosin LV DOT4 brake fluid, 250mL

[Mendoteach]

That's a cool idea, "new to you." I like to change the fluids in any vehicle I get unless I have proof they were just changed. I like a clean starting point.

[JeffB-M3]

So I went back over this thread, read a few other threads, and contacted Redline to ask if the MT-LV is the proper fluid. They confirmed that the DCTF is the fluid they recommend. I contacted Bimmerworld and provided them the email from Redline. They are going to correct their New To You package to include the correct manual transmission fluid and are sending me the DCTF fluid and a return shipping label.

I have read that others on the message board have used the Redline manual transmission fluid without any issues but I want to follow the recommendation directly from Redline.

I may have to reschedule my fluid change which is scheduled for Thursday as I'm not confident the DCTF will arrive in time.

[JeffB-M3]

My fluid swap got completed this morning with Redline DCTF going into the manual transmission. Shifts have smoothed out considerably. I sometimes had issues getting the car into 1st gear but now it goes in easily. I've only driven the car 6 miles thus far so I'll report back if anything changes.

[Mendoteach]

Changed my 6MT fluid at 30,000 miles with Motul's DCTF (meets BMW spec.) and it is absolutely lovely. Buttery smooth and clean.

[Soul Coughing]

So I have read disparaging information on this site about the correct fluid. Initially I had found the the correct transmission fluid for the manual 6 speed transmission is the Redline MTL fluid, but it is in fact DCTF (even though the D and the C in the label stands for dual clutch?) as said by the Redline tech?

[jpy1980]

Originally Posted by Soul Coughing

So I have read disparaging information on this site about the correct fluid. Initially I had found the the correct transmission fluid for the manual 6 speed transmission is the Redline MTL fluid, but it is in fact DCTF (even though the D and the C in the label stands for dual clutch?) as said by the Redline tech?

Looks like it according to the Redline website!

[Soul Coughing]

Thanks jpy1980 I finally got around to changing out the fluid in my 6mt and the difference is pretty big! It shifts so much more smoothly than before!

[jpy1980]

Originally Posted by Soul Coughing

Thanks jpy1980 I finally got around to changing out the fluid in my 6mt and the difference is pretty big! It shifts so much more smoothly than before!

I bet what came out was pretty dark, huh?

[Soul Coughing]

Originally Posted by jpy1980

I bet what came out was pretty dark, huh?

It was! I wish I had changed it earlier! I'm curious to see how long the smoother shifting will last. With my S2000, you could get a couple thousand miles of smooth shifting before it felt like it needed a change, hopefully its not that bad!