Transmission Fluid

steve090619 · 03-01-2022, 05:47 AM

Does the transmission fluid need to be changed? I couldn't find any info in manual.

PPMKING · 03-01-2022, 07:39 AM

BMW considers transmission fluid a long term fluid that's only necessary to change when repairs are being done to trans. That being said, some people say it should be done around 60-70k miles based on the maker of the trans. My experience owning multiple BMWs including 5 series, I've never changed it, and my trans lasted well over 100k miles.

Joe-BMW33 · 03-01-2022, 12:37 PM

On my E39, I did a drain and refill at 100k miles and another drain and refill at 125k miles. But the official guidance from BMW is that they are lifetime sealed.

AP · 03-01-2022, 12:51 PM

I thought read somewhere that ZF recommend a change at some point

I'm no mechanic but no matter how good a synthetic oil may be , it surely can't last for ever?

Joe-BMW33 · 03-01-2022, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AP

I thought read somewhere that ZF recommend a change at some point

I'm no mechanic but no matter how good a synthetic oil may be , it surely can't last for ever?

Exactly. That's why most people do a drain and refill at 100k miles.

AP · 03-01-2022, 12:53 PM

Yeh quick google and found this

https://www.hobenool.eu/en/transmission-oil-change/

ezaircon4jc · 03-01-2022, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AP

I thought read somewhere that ZF recommend a change at some point

I'm no mechanic but no matter how good a synthetic oil may be , it surely can't last for ever?

I thought I read ZF recommends a fluid change (flush to get it all) every 50K-75K miles.

Joe-BMW33 · 03-01-2022, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Quote:

Originally Posted by AP

I thought read somewhere that ZF recommend a change at some point

I'm no mechanic but no matter how good a synthetic oil may be , it surely can't last for ever?

I thought I read ZF recommends a fluid change (flush to get it all) every 50K-75K miles.

Never flush the transmission fluid. Drain and refill twice. Flush can loosen shavings and cause damage. Drop the pan the first drain and inspect.

At least this is what all us E39 owners live by. We do it at 100k and the again 20-30k miles.

ezaircon4jc · 03-01-2022, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Never flush the transmission fluid. Drain and refill twice. Flush can loosen shavings and cause damage. Drop the pan the first drain and inspect.

At least this is what all us E39 owners live by. We do it at 100k and the again 20-30k miles.

Not according to the head transmission calibrator at Ford. He said that if there is anything in the filter (shavings) there are bigger problems lurking in the future.

My dealer does a flush and I've yet to have an issue (so far, 2 F10's). I've always done a flush & exchange.

But, to each their own...

NGT2 · 03-01-2022, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Quote:

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Quote:

Originally Posted by AP

I thought read somewhere that ZF recommend a change at some point

I'm no mechanic but no matter how good a synthetic oil may be , it surely can't last for ever?

I thought I read ZF recommends a fluid change (flush to get it all) every 50K-75K miles.

Never flush the transmission fluid. Drain and refill twice. Flush can loosen shavings and cause damage. Drop the pan the first drain and inspect.

At least this is what all us E39 owners live by. We do it at 100k and the again 20-30k miles.

This is a random place to drop this in, but you're doing all this talk about the E39. I know the E39 is a favorite of many, but I really love the look of the old E34. I'd love to have one of those in mint condition to drive recreationally.

Joe-BMW33 · 03-01-2022, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Never flush the transmission fluid. Drain and refill twice. Flush can loosen shavings and cause damage. Drop the pan the first drain and inspect.

At least this is what all us E39 owners live by. We do it at 100k and the again 20-30k miles.

Not according to the head transmission calibrator at Ford. He said that if there is anything in the filter (shavings) there are bigger problems lurking in the future.

My dealer does a flush and I've yet to have an issue (so far, 2 F10's). I've always done a flush & exchange.

But, to each their own...

I'm not sure what a Ford guy has to do with it, but I'm speaking more about the E39 where the dealer would not touch the transmission that BMW deemed as lifetime. But we know better so we do a drain and refill to not upset the sediment.

You open up your G30 tranny at 100k miles and I'll guarantee you will have shavings in the bottom of the pan. I bet you do now. A small about is normal.

I can't speak to every BMW model and transmission, but from what I've read and heard over the years, a flush of a 100k miles transmission is asking for trouble vs a drain and refill.

Joe-BMW33 · 03-01-2022, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NGT2

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Quote:

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Quote:

Originally Posted by AP

I thought read somewhere that ZF recommend a change at some point

I'm no mechanic but no matter how good a synthetic oil may be , it surely can't last for ever?

I thought I read ZF recommends a fluid change (flush to get it all) every 50K-75K miles.

Never flush the transmission fluid. Drain and refill twice. Flush can loosen shavings and cause damage. Drop the pan the first drain and inspect.

At least this is what all us E39 owners live by. We do it at 100k and the again 20-30k miles.

This is a random place to drop this in, but you're doing all this talk about the E39. I know the E39 is a favorite of many, but I really love the look of the old E34. I'd love to have one of those in mint condition to drive recreationally.

I'd love to have an E34 as well! Just classic. Definitely one with three pedals. I had an E32 which is the 7 series from the same generation as the E34. Very similar inside and out. I loved that car.

Personally I'd love an E28 as well. Just classic. My first BMW was a brand new E30 and boy do I wish I still had that. The only 5 series I skipped in my driving lifetime besides the E34 was the E60, which may have been BMW's worst car ever made, inside and out.

1 First generation (E12; 1972–1981)
2 Second generation (E28; 1981–1988)
3 Third generation (E34; 1988–1996)
4 Fourth generation (E39; 1995–2003)
5 Fifth generation (E60/E61; 2003–2010)
6 Sixth generation (F10/F11/F07/F18; 2010–2017)
7 Seventh generation (G30/G31/G38; 2016–present)

NGT2 · 03-01-2022, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Quote:

Originally Posted by NGT2

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Quote:

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Quote:

Originally Posted by AP

I thought read somewhere that ZF recommend a change at some point

I'm no mechanic but no matter how good a synthetic oil may be , it surely can't last for ever?

I thought I read ZF recommends a fluid change (flush to get it all) every 50K-75K miles.

Never flush the transmission fluid. Drain and refill twice. Flush can loosen shavings and cause damage. Drop the pan the first drain and inspect.

At least this is what all us E39 owners live by. We do it at 100k and the again 20-30k miles.

This is a random place to drop this in, but you're doing all this talk about the E39. I know the E39 is a favorite of many, but I really love the look of the old E34. I'd love to have one of those in mint condition to drive recreationally.

I'd love to have an E34 as well! Just classic. Definitely one with three pedals. I had an E32 which is the 7 series from the same generation as the E34. Very similar inside and out. I loved that car.

Personally I'd love an E28 as well. Just classic. My first BMW was a brand new E30 and boy do I wish I still had that. The only 5 series I skipped in my driving lifetime besides the E34 was the E60, which may have been BMW's worst car ever made, inside and out.

1 First generation (E12; 1972–1981)
2 Second generation (E28; 1981–1988)
3 Third generation (E34; 1988–1996)
4 Fourth generation (E39; 1995–2003)
5 Fifth generation (E60/E61; 2003–2010)
6 Sixth generation (F10/F11/F07/F18; 2010–2017)
7 Seventh generation (G30/G31/G38; 2016–present)

Yeah I haven't read any positive reviews on the E60. But I have seen lots of positive comments on the E39. A couple of things I've seen, probably on here, seem to think the upcoming generation may be styled similar to the E39.

I like low, wide, and "flat". I feel like the G30 is sort of a modernized look on the E34. But maybe that's just me seeing what I want to see.

I have a hard time thinking I will like the next gen more than the G30, but I'm usually late to the game on coming around to new designs. I'm 37 with the consumer habits of an old man. I definitely think the G30 is one of the best looking 5's, even if a lot of enthusiasts feel it's lost some of the driving feel/fun of the previous generations.

Joe-BMW33 · 03-01-2022, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NGT2

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Quote:

Originally Posted by NGT2

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Quote:

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Quote:

Originally Posted by AP

I thought read somewhere that ZF recommend a change at some point

I'm no mechanic but no matter how good a synthetic oil may be , it surely can't last for ever?

I thought I read ZF recommends a fluid change (flush to get it all) every 50K-75K miles.

Never flush the transmission fluid. Drain and refill twice. Flush can loosen shavings and cause damage. Drop the pan the first drain and inspect.

At least this is what all us E39 owners live by. We do it at 100k and the again 20-30k miles.

This is a random place to drop this in, but you're doing all this talk about the E39. I know the E39 is a favorite of many, but I really love the look of the old E34. I'd love to have one of those in mint condition to drive recreationally.

I'd love to have an E34 as well! Just classic. Definitely one with three pedals. I had an E32 which is the 7 series from the same generation as the E34. Very similar inside and out. I loved that car.

Personally I'd love an E28 as well. Just classic. My first BMW was a brand new E30 and boy do I wish I still had that. The only 5 series I skipped in my driving lifetime besides the E34 was the E60, which may have been BMW's worst car ever made, inside and out.

1 First generation (E12; 1972–1981)
2 Second generation (E28; 1981–1988)
3 Third generation (E34; 1988–1996)
4 Fourth generation (E39; 1995–2003)
5 Fifth generation (E60/E61; 2003–2010)
6 Sixth generation (F10/F11/F07/F18; 2010–2017)
7 Seventh generation (G30/G31/G38; 2016–present)

Yeah I haven't read any positive reviews on the E60. But I have seen lots of positive comments on the E39. A couple of things I've seen, probably on here, seem to think the upcoming generation may be styled similar to the E39.

I like low, wide, and "flat". I feel like the G30 is sort of a modernized look on the E34. But maybe that's just me seeing what I want to see.

I have a hard time thinking I will like the next gen more than the G30, but I'm usually late to the game on coming around to new designs. I'm 37 with the consumer habits of an old man. I definitely think the G30 is one of the best looking 5's, even if a lot of enthusiasts feel it's lost some of the driving feel/fun of the previous generations.

I love both my E39 and my G30. Totally different cars and generations. One thing I will say, arguably my E39 handles better than the G30.

ezaircon4jc · 03-01-2022, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

I'm not sure what a Ford guy has to do with it, ....

A transmission, is a transmission is a transmission. The ZF is in more than a few American cars.

Joe-BMW33 · 03-02-2022, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

A transmission, is a transmission is a transmission. The ZF is in more than a few American cars.

Flush vs. Drain/Pan-Drop/Refill is an age old debate, so take this for what it's worth:

https://blog.amsoil.com/transmission...ich-is-better/

Downsides of a Transmission Flush
For one, it’s more expensive. And some people warn against performing a flush on a transmission using old, dirty fluid.

The flushing procedure may cause some fluid to move in the opposite direction of normal flow due to eddy currents, which may increase the risk of dislodging debris and causing it to settle somewhere it shouldn’t.

2022M550i · 03-02-2022, 12:30 PM

I personally would do it the old fashion way. Drop the pan...especially if you can't verify the condition of the oil that they are flushing it with.

Eddy current....using electrical phenomena to describe a mechanical process. Sacrilege!

2022M550i · 03-02-2022, 01:02 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...ature=emb_logo

I've been using blackstone for years, with respect to engine oil analysis. Great company.

raduron10 · 03-03-2022, 08:42 AM

Like any other fluid it is better to change it at some point, even the manufacturer of the transmission recommends it. I think around 50-60k miles would be okay to do it.

admranger · 03-03-2022, 09:50 AM

I did a fluid and filter change on a previous BMW X5 I had. It wasn't that hard, but it was messy.

You need either a diagnostic tool that reads the trans temp or a thermometer that you can use in the garage. The fill level is determined when the fluid has reached a specific temp. Because I live in Vegas, there are times of the year it is too hot to do this change as the temps are higher than the fluid temp you need for a full fill! Timing is everything.

I used these guys for replacement fluid and filter:California Transmission Company

I plan on changing the fluid/filter at 60k miles with the ZF fluid.

RonronEG · 03-03-2022, 01:46 PM

I'm going to find a good independent shop to do mine soon. I trust ZF over BMW on the requirement. If I had access to a lift I'd definitely do it myself.

eightball805 · 03-06-2022, 02:11 PM

I had an E34 525i with an automatic, there comes a point in the life of the transmission where if you have not changed the fluid it becomes lifetime for the transmission, the fluid will get so contaminated it will wear out internal components to the point where that debris is essential to the operation of the transmission. I recently drained and filled the 8spd on my jeep at 110k and it needed it, my 540 is only about 50k so i will probably wait for 80kish, the filter on my jeep was pretty much full and lots of fuzzies and sludge at the bottom.

03-01-2022, 05:47 AM	#1
steve090619 Lieutenant 178 Rep 546 Posts Drives: bmw 540xi Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: ny iTrader: (0)	Transmission Fluid Does the transmission fluid need to be changed? I couldn't find any info in manual.
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03-01-2022, 07:39 AM	#2
PPMKING Private 69 Rep 91 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW M550i Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	BMW considers transmission fluid a long term fluid that's only necessary to change when repairs are being done to trans. That being said, some people say it should be done around 60-70k miles based on the maker of the trans. My experience owning multiple BMWs including 5 series, I've never changed it, and my trans lasted well over 100k miles.
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03-01-2022, 12:37 PM	#3
Joe-BMW33 Major General 7338 Rep 6,749 Posts Drives: '18 M550i\|'21 X5\|'03 540i Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Boston iTrader: (1) Garage List 2013 VW Tiguan [0.00] 2015 Infiniti QX60 [0.00] 2021 BMW X5 [0.00] 2003 BMW 540i [0.00] 2018 BMW M550 [10.00]	On my E39, I did a drain and refill at 100k miles and another drain and refill at 125k miles. But the official guidance from BMW is that they are lifetime sealed. __________________ 2018 M550ix\|Carbon Black\|Dinan Modifications\|2003 540i\|Jet Black\|M-Sport\|2021 X5 Mineral White Prior BMW's: 1987 325e\|1993 740i\|1998 740il\|2001 530i\|2002 745li\|2007 750li\|2006 750li\|2001 530i\|2012 535xi\|
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03-01-2022, 12:51 PM	#4
AP Major General 2782 Rep 5,094 Posts Drives: G30 M550 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I thought read somewhere that ZF recommend a change at some point I'm no mechanic but no matter how good a synthetic oil may be , it surely can't last for ever?
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03-01-2022, 12:53 PM	#6
AP Major General 2782 Rep 5,094 Posts Drives: G30 M550 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Yeh quick google and found this https://www.hobenool.eu/en/transmission-oil-change/
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03-02-2022, 12:30 PM	#17
2022M550i Lieutenant Colonel 3034 Rep 1,556 Posts Drives: 2022 M550i, 2015 Viper Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	I personally would do it the old fashion way. Drop the pan...especially if you can't verify the condition of the oil that they are flushing it with. Eddy current....using electrical phenomena to describe a mechanical process. Sacrilege!
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03-02-2022, 01:02 PM	#18
2022M550i Lieutenant Colonel 3034 Rep 1,556 Posts Drives: 2022 M550i, 2015 Viper Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...ature=emb_logo I've been using blackstone for years, with respect to engine oil analysis. Great company.
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03-03-2022, 08:42 AM	#19
raduron10 Private First Class 45 Rep 135 Posts Drives: Bmw G30 Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Italy iTrader: (0)	Like any other fluid it is better to change it at some point, even the manufacturer of the transmission recommends it. I think around 50-60k miles would be okay to do it.
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03-03-2022, 09:50 AM	#20
admranger Retired Curmudgeon 2985 Rep 4,047 Posts Drives: ‘19 X3M40i, ‘18 m550i Join Date: May 2011 Location: Las Vegas, NV iTrader: (1)	I did a fluid and filter change on a previous BMW X5 I had. It wasn't that hard, but it was messy. You need either a diagnostic tool that reads the trans temp or a thermometer that you can use in the garage. The fill level is determined when the fluid has reached a specific temp. Because I live in Vegas, there are times of the year it is too hot to do this change as the temps are higher than the fluid temp you need for a full fill! Timing is everything. I used these guys for replacement fluid and filter:California Transmission Company I plan on changing the fluid/filter at 60k miles with the ZF fluid. __________________ '19 X3 M40 Carbon Black/Oyster, '23 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit, Past BMWs: '18 M550i, '18 330 GT, '16 X5 40e, '11 E90M3, '06 X5 4.4, '03 330i ZHP, '02 M3, '97 Z3 2.8, '95 M3 (2x), '94 530i (manual), '92 525i (manual), '88 M3, '87 325iS
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03-03-2022, 01:46 PM	#21
RonronEG Lieutenant 336 Rep 471 Posts Drives: BMW 540i Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Northern California iTrader: (0)	I'm going to find a good independent shop to do mine soon. I trust ZF over BMW on the requirement. If I had access to a lift I'd definitely do it myself.
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03-06-2022, 02:11 PM	#22
eightball805 New Member 14 Rep 21 Posts Drives: G30 540I, E46 330I Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I had an E34 525i with an automatic, there comes a point in the life of the transmission where if you have not changed the fluid it becomes lifetime for the transmission, the fluid will get so contaminated it will wear out internal components to the point where that debris is essential to the operation of the transmission. I recently drained and filled the 8spd on my jeep at 110k and it needed it, my 540 is only about 50k so i will probably wait for 80kish, the filter on my jeep was pretty much full and lots of fuzzies and sludge at the bottom.
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