how often do you change tranny fluid?

wuddup122 · 01-18-2015, 07:23 PM

Considering changing my tranny fluid on my 2009 328i xDrive AT with 38k miles. Is it too early for a tranny fluid change?

1chanc3 · 01-18-2015, 07:30 PM

AT or MT? It makes a difference.

wuddup122 · 01-18-2015, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1chanc3

AT or MT? It makes a difference.

AT.

parabola · 01-18-2015, 08:12 PM

You can easily stretch it to 60k.

jwalker87 · 01-19-2015, 01:21 PM

The Mike Miller maintenance guide recommends 60k, using the BMW ATF and filter replacement.

datbimmer · 01-19-2015, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1chanc3

AT or MT? It makes a difference.

What about manual do you guys ever change it ? And Diff ?

DUI Elite · 01-19-2015, 01:55 PM

Every 50k miles with new filter every 100k miles (for auto)

3s4u2 · 01-19-2015, 03:15 PM

This question truly depends on how you drive your car. If you drive with the petal on the floor all the time you may want to change it early, if you drive it like a very old gentleman that has problems seeing, you might wait till 100K. I changed mine every 50K and my E90 now has over 237,000 miles on it. The E90 325i has the ZF Auto trans, I think the 328i have the GM trans...

wuddup122 · 01-19-2015, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3s4u2

This question truly depends on how you drive your car. If you drive with the petal on the floor all the time you may want to change it early, if you drive it like a very old gentleman that has problems seeing, you might wait till 100K. I changed mine every 50K and my E90 now has over 237,000 miles on it. The E90 325i has the ZF Auto trans, I think the 328i have the GM trans...

I'm a new BMW owner and keep hearing people say BWM aren't reliable as Japanese. I never thought BMW cars would last. It still running with 237k miles is pretty impressive. Any major repairs over the years?

1chanc3 · 01-19-2015, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by datbimmer

What about manual do you guys ever change it ? And Diff ?

Like others have stated, it depends on your driving, but essentially:

Manual: Most manufacturers recommend that manual transmission fluid be changed every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. Under heavy-duty use, some manufacturers suggest changing transmission fluid every 15,000 miles.

Automatic: Service intervals for an automatic transmission vary from every 30,000 miles ... to "never". The typical service interval is 60,000 to 100,000 miles.

I know BMW uses these "lifetime" fluid, but I would still change it every so often.

datbimmer · 01-19-2015, 04:34 PM

I was sure it was the other way around for the ... to "never" ...

gray boy · 01-19-2015, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wuddup122

Considering changing my tranny fluid on my 2009 328i AT with 38k miles. Is it too early for a tranny fluid change?

perfect time,you will get less than 4 qts usually. and once you see its quite dirty you will want to change it again. make sure the temp is 85-100f. u have GM 6 spd?

m328XI · 01-19-2015, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wuddup122

Considering changing my tranny fluid on my 2009 328i AT with 38k miles. Is it too early for a tranny fluid change?

I would do the coolant and brake fluid, AT tranny is good until at least 60K unless you drive it hard.

Per Mike Miller, "operating fluids wear on mileage, not time"

Question # 1 ( page 41 of 46) on Mike Millers Maintenance deals with "garage queens" cars that are not driven often. The car in question is going to hit 30K around the 10 year mark and Mike tells him to go by mileage, not time.

wuddup122 · 01-19-2015, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gray boy

perfect time,you will get less than 4 qts usually. and once you see its quite dirty you will want to change it again. make sure the temp is 85-100f. u have GM 6 spd?

You mean I will drain out less than 4 qts.? How many qts do I need? I'm not sure if I have a GM or ZF. Is there a way to find out without lifting up the car? Thanks.

wuddup122 · 01-19-2015, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m328XI

I would do the coolant and brake fluid, AT tranny is good until at least 60K unless you drive it hard.

Per Mike Miller, "operating fluids wear on mileage, not time"

Question # 1 ( page 41 of 46) on Mike Millers Maintenance deals with "garage queens" cars that are not driven often. The car in question is going to hit 30K around the 10 year mark and Mike tells him to go by mileage, not time.

The reason I want to do a tranny fluid change is because rough downshifting. Not sure this will help. But people say is the shift solenoids that need to be replaced.

justpete · 01-19-2015, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by datbimmer

What about manual do you guys ever change it ? And Diff ?

Every 35K miles. Red Line MTL in trans, Red Line gear oil and friction modifiers in LSD.

calicolorado · 01-20-2015, 12:18 AM

As others have said, 60K is right for ATF changing. I stretched our X5 a bit longer (82K) and had a complete fluid exchange performed on a BG dialysis machine at our independent BMW mechanic. The shifts went from a bit wayward to absolutely perfect, reminiscent of grandpas '94 740il when it was new.

We have 100k on the car now and it's perfecto.

calicolorado · 01-20-2015, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wuddup122

You mean I will drain out less than 4 qts.? How many qts do I need? I'm not sure if I have a GM or ZF. Is there a way to find out without lifting up the car? Thanks.

Ideally, you want to exchange the fluid completely. Don't drain and refill, this only partially changes the fluid. An independent BMW mechanic can do this on a fluid 'dialysis' machine. This is a job I'm willing to pay for since automatic transmissions are so expensive to replace and repair. It's worked for us.

On my manual 328i, I did the fluid myself, in my driveway-Redline D4 ATF, recommended in the 6 speed Getrag 217. Redline MTL is ok too (I use it in my 2002 and in-laws 535i), but Redline recommends the D4 ATF.

3s4u2 · 01-20-2015, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wuddup122

I'm a new BMW owner and keep hearing people say BWM aren't reliable as Japanese. I never thought BMW cars would last. It still running with 237k miles is pretty impressive. Any major repairs over the years?

Nothing major;
2 starters
2 batteries
1 blower fan (Easy DIY)
THIS-> http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=645198

Out of all five BMW I have owned this 06 E90 325i has been the most dependable easy on the pocket BMW I have ever owned. If it blew-up today I would be sad but I have certainly gotten my moneys worth out of it.

wuddup122 · 01-20-2015, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calicolorado

Ideally, you want to exchange the fluid completely. Don't drain and refill, this only partially changes the fluid. An independent BMW mechanic can do this on a fluid 'dialysis' machine. This is a job I'm willing to pay for since automatic transmissions are so expensive to replace and repair. It's worked for us.

On my manual 328i, I did the fluid myself, in my driveway-Redline D4 ATF, recommended in the 6 speed Getrag 217. Redline MTL is ok too (I use it in my 2002 and in-laws 535i), but Redline recommends the D4 ATF.

Thanks for the info. And how much do they charge for a flush?

wuddup122 · 01-20-2015, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3s4u2

Nothing major;
2 starters
2 batteries
1 blower fan (Easy DIY)
THIS-> http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=645198

Out of all five BMW I have owned this 06 E90 325i has been the most dependable easy on the pocket BMW I have ever owned. If it blew-up today I would be sad but I have certainly gotten my moneys worth out of it.

is the tranny shifting smooth? and any issue with engine burning oil? thanks!

biscut · 01-20-2015, 01:36 PM

I have the GM trans in my 328XI. I do pan drop, not a flush every fall. I use MaxLife ATF as it meets the Dex VI required in that trans.

01-18-2015, 07:23 PM	#1
wuddup122 Private 8 Rep 51 Posts Drives: 09 BMW 328i xDrive Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: NYC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 328i xDrive [0.00]	how often do you change tranny fluid? Considering changing my tranny fluid on my 2009 328i xDrive AT with 38k miles. Is it too early for a tranny fluid change? Last edited by wuddup122; 01-19-2015 at 10:48 PM..
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01-18-2015, 07:30 PM	#2
1chanc3 Major 148 Rep 1,100 Posts Drives: 2010 e92 335i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	AT or MT? It makes a difference. __________________ 2010 335i Coupe- Monaco Blue Metallic
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01-18-2015, 08:12 PM	#4
parabola Lieutenant 30 Rep 447 Posts Drives: 2015 VW GTI Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	You can easily stretch it to 60k.
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01-19-2015, 01:21 PM	#5
jwalker87 Major 319 Rep 1,023 Posts Drives: '08 335i, '11 335xi, '01 Z3M Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA iTrader: (2)	The Mike Miller maintenance guide recommends 60k, using the BMW ATF and filter replacement. __________________ 2001 e36/7 M Roadster 5spd 2008 e90 335i 6spd 2011 e90 335xi 6spd 2011 e70 x5 diesel 2010 Ducati Monster 696
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01-19-2015, 01:55 PM	#7
DUI Elite ///M at Heart 90 Rep 1,954 Posts Drives: 06 SGM E90, 15 BSM E84 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (4)	Every 50k miles with new filter every 100k miles (for auto) __________________ \| 3-IM \| AA Headers \| Eurocharged Stage-3 \| BMW PI \|
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01-19-2015, 03:15 PM	#8
3s4u2 Beamer Mantic 82 Rep 1,191 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Prem Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	This question truly depends on how you drive your car. If you drive with the petal on the floor all the time you may want to change it early, if you drive it like a very old gentleman that has problems seeing, you might wait till 100K. I changed mine every 50K and my E90 now has over 237,000 miles on it. The E90 325i has the ZF Auto trans, I think the 328i have the GM trans... __________________ 2006 325i 2006 M5 2008 X5 4.8i 2014 X5 50i M-Pkg
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01-19-2015, 04:34 PM	#11
datbimmer Wastegate Rattle 113 Rep 897 Posts Drives: 335i m6t nav sport Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	I was sure it was the other way around for the ... to "never" ...
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01-20-2015, 12:18 AM	#17
calicolorado Second Lieutenant 163 Rep 276 Posts Drives: F10 M5 Comp 6-spd Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: SoCal iTrader: (1) Garage List 2015 BMW M5 [0.00] 1972 BMW 200/ [0.00] 2020 BMW X7 40i [0.00]	As others have said, 60K is right for ATF changing. I stretched our X5 a bit longer (82K) and had a complete fluid exchange performed on a BG dialysis machine at our independent BMW mechanic. The shifts went from a bit wayward to absolutely perfect, reminiscent of grandpas '94 740il when it was new. We have 100k on the car now and it's perfecto. __________________ 2015 M5 Comp 6-spd manual 1972 2002 2003 Audi TT Coupe 225 2011 Highlander 4WD
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01-20-2015, 01:36 PM	#22
biscut Private 3 Rep 95 Posts Drives: 2008 328XI Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: NewYorkistan iTrader: (0)	I have the GM trans in my 328XI. I do pan drop, not a flush every fall. I use MaxLife ATF as it meets the Dex VI required in that trans.
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