Final Drive Fluid Spec Question

gsinnc · Jul 22, 2022

OK ... this may be a dumb question and before someone suggests RFM ... I already checked the manuals for both my 2016 RT and 2018 GS and neither has the recommended final drive oil spec. I have been using BMW C-SAF-XO 75w-90 API GL5 but a buddy with a new 1250 RS says his manual recommends GL3 ??

He was asking me what he should use and now I am confused and wondering if I am used the correct final drive oil.

Thanks in advance !

20774 · Jul 22, 2022

Wow, that would be astounding if that were correct! Going back several generations in oil specs? Do you suppose a quick read of the manual might show GL3 when it really said GL5? A 5 and 3 can look similar at a glance. :dunno

WWeldin · Jul 22, 2022

Hi Ed,

You might have your buddy check again to make sure it said G3, without the letter L. It is just a BMW marketing gimmick. Most dealers do not even carry that FD oil. Ask.

Any brand name oil 75 / 90 GL5 will suffice.

Cheers,

gtrider · Jul 22, 2022

SAF-XO has been renamed: https://www.amazon.com/Castrol-Synt...life+75w-90+differential+fluid,aps,295&sr=8-5

Available through Amazon but not generally on the shelf at FLAPS.

Best,
DeVern

gsinnc · Jul 22, 2022

WWeldin said:
Hi Ed,

You might have your buddy check again to make sure it said G3, without the letter L. It is just a BMW marketing gimmick. Most dealers do not even carry that FD oil. Ask.

Any brand name oil 75 / 90 GL5 will suffice.

Cheers,

I think you’re right I think it is G3 and not GL3. I just stopped in to my local BMW dealer and asked them what is the correct final drive and they pulled out a bottle of the G3 and said this is what they’re recommending on all of the liquid cooled bikes the 1200s and 1250s.

Of course the MSRP on a 500 mL bottle of the G3 is $50

WWeldin · Jul 22, 2022

I should have posted 70W / 80 for the oil viscosity, which is what is in my manual.

Afterall, oil prices are high these days and it has the BMW roundel on it. :bolt

gsinnc · Jul 22, 2022

WWeldin said:
I should have posted 70W / 80 for the oil viscosity, which is what is in my manual.

Afterall, oil prices are high these days and it has the BMW roundel on it.

Yeah and the manual has a different weight spec now and the G3 bottle has NO weight indicated on it.

gsinnc · Jul 22, 2022

Thanks for the fast response !! THAT is why I love being a BMW owner!

WWeldin · Jul 22, 2022

Wow, it has a shelf life. Whoda thunk?

gsinnc · Jul 22, 2022

WWeldin said:
Wow, it has a shelf life. Whoda thunk?

Wooooah ... just saw that !! Ugh! Really?

Omega Man · Jul 22, 2022

gsinnc said:
Wooooah ... just saw that !! Ugh! Really?

I wouldn’t worry about it. I would embrace it reminding me of when I bought it.
I still mark’em with a Sharpie.

OM

gsinnc · Jul 22, 2022

Omega Man said:
I wouldn’t worry about it. I would embrace it reminding me of when I bought it.
I still mark’em with a Sharpie.

OM

Yep ... that's exactly what I do with my oil. Mark the box (buy a 6 pack) with the date purchased.

Dann · Jul 27, 2022

This what my dealer uses. He doesn't carry that BMW G3 oil

BTW Castrol SAF-XO is the same thing as:2003-2009 Land Rover Range Rover Differential Oil - Rear Differential - Castrol LRN7591 - Syntrax Long Life; Equivalent to: Castrol SAF-XO

Available at Land Rover dealers for a fraction of the price

WWeldin · Jul 28, 2022

There is also some Mopar oil that is similar. Not cheap, but may be available in a wider market.

91kT8pfta-L._AC_SX466_PIbundle-2,TopRight,0,0_SH20_.jpg

oldcamper · Jul 29, 2022

?
Walmart 80-90 GL5 gear oil sells for about 5 bucks a quart.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Super-Tech-Gear-Lubricant-SAE-80W-90-1-Quart-Bottle/16913697

That BMW gear oil must be really good stuff ...

LFarling · Jul 30, 2022

OldCamper said:
?
Walmart 80-90 GL5 gear oil sells for about 5 bucks a quart.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Super-Tech-Gear-Lubricant-SAE-80W-90-1-Quart-Bottle/16913697

That BMW gear oil must be really good stuff ...

And Mobil 1 is a great value. All this stuff over FD oil. Why would you want to pay anyone's price when Mobil 1 is about as good as it gets?

That BMW oil which is probably a Castrol product labeled as BMW. IMHO I will take a Mobile 1 oil product over any Castrol oil any day of the week.

gsinnc · Jul 30, 2022

LFarling said:
And Mobil 1 is a great value. All this stuff over FD oil. Why would you want to pay anyone's price when Mobil 1 is about as good as it gets?

That BMW oil which is probably a Castrol product labeled as BMW. IMHO I will take a Mobile 1 oil product over any Castrol oil any day of the week.

As long as my bikes are under warranty I am using exactly what BMW Mothership says to use. Besides the final drive change is relatively infrequent and only calls for 180 ML. But that is just me

LFarling · Jul 31, 2022

gsinnc said:
As long as my bikes are under warranty I am using exactly what BMW Mothership says to use. Besides the final drive change is relatively infrequent and only calls for 180 ML. But that is just me

It is a spec, not the Word According to BMW.

I change my FD with every oil change have on every BMW I own. 6 OZ is a small amount to worry over cost. Well unless your buying BMW FD oil.

I use Liqui Moly FD fluid in my GS from new. But I have used Mobil 1 in my LT and RT with no issues.

Warranty or not, if the specs are right you have no issues at all on what BRAND you use, only that the spec is right.

gsinnc · Jul 31, 2022

LFarling said:
It is a spec, not the Word According to BMW.

I change my FD with every oil change have on every BMW I own. 6 OZ is a small amount to worry over cost. Well unless your buying BMW FD oil.

I use Liqui Moly FD fluid in my GS from new. But I have used Mobil 1 in my LT and RT with no issues.

Warranty or not, if the specs are right you have no issues at all on what BRAND you use, only that the spec is right.

Yes ... that is what I was suggesting. Some of what has been suggested is not "exactly" what the mothership suggests. And as you note even if you but they BMW stuff it's not all that much to spend on your $20,000+ motorcycle. Especially if you do it yourself. But I see guys saving a few bucks on oil filters and oil. But to each his/her own. If you want to use a Wal-Mart filter or Oil I say go for it.

Final Drive Fluid Spec Question

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