Differential Oil Change
03-12-2010, 05:35 PM
#41
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My Ride: 2006 BMW 550i
i guess it makes sense to change the plugs, since they're cheap and have integrated o-rings.
the recommened fluid from bmw is:
Castrol SAF-XO 75w-90 for most 5-series
Castrol SAF-XJ 75w-140 for cars with limited slip (m5)
the problem is that you cant find this fluid in the usa. and my dealer only has it in drums.
i think you'd be alright picking any synthetic gear oil in the same weight.
i'm gonna try the lucas synthetic 75w-90. it supposedly has some of their additive to "stick" better.
the recommened fluid from bmw is:
Castrol SAF-XO 75w-90 for most 5-series
Castrol SAF-XJ 75w-140 for cars with limited slip (m5)
the problem is that you cant find this fluid in the usa. and my dealer only has it in drums.
i think you'd be alright picking any synthetic gear oil in the same weight.
i'm gonna try the lucas synthetic 75w-90. it supposedly has some of their additive to "stick" better.
03-13-2010, 08:45 PM
#43
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My Ride: 2006 BMW 550i
my car has 85k miles, and my old fluid literally looked like new. i've never seen used diff oil look that clean.
i guess the factory diff fluid could literally be lifetime.
i guess the factory diff fluid could literally be lifetime.
04-11-2010, 04:46 AM
#44
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My Ride: E60 530i
Model Year: 2004
Engine: M54
Just did the diff. oil change at 60k miles. Fluid looked a little bit "old" when comparing with the fresh Amsoil. Drained out 1 Qt 8oz, and filled in 1.5 Qt. I had to get a SK long 14mm hex bit socket to unscrew the fill plug. My 14mm snap-on hex bit was not long enough and was blocked by the rear frame right after the heat sink.
05-09-2010, 12:08 PM
#45
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My Ride: 2008 535i Titanium Silver, Black Dakota Leather with Bamboo Wood, Sport-Premium-Cold Weather Packages, Sport Auto with Shift Paddles, Navigation, iPod & USB adapter, Satellite Radio, Heated Rear Seats
08 535i doesn't have drain plug. I'm planning to change the diff oil later but how can I change the diff oil?
05-09-2010, 12:31 PM
#46
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Attachment 105243
08 535i doesn't have drain plug. I'm planning to change the diff oil later but how can I change the diff oil?
08 535i doesn't have drain plug. I'm planning to change the diff oil later but how can I change the diff oil?
05-09-2010, 12:56 PM
#47
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05-09-2010, 01:47 PM
#48
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#2 is the fill plug. The plug that is depicted in your picture is indeed the drain plug. If you look carefully up more on the differential housing cover, you should be able to see the drain plug. The location of the fill plug is the reason why you will need a rubber hose and pump to refill the diff fluids, after the drain process has been completed.
05-09-2010, 03:51 PM
#49
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My Ride: 2008 535i Titanium Silver, Black Dakota Leather with Bamboo Wood, Sport-Premium-Cold Weather Packages, Sport Auto with Shift Paddles, Navigation, iPod & USB adapter, Satellite Radio, Heated Rear Seats
#2 is the fill plug. The plug that is depicted in your picture is indeed the drain plug. If you look carefully up more on the differential housing cover, you should be able to see the drain plug. The location of the fill plug is the reason why you will need a rubber hose and pump to refill the diff fluids, after the drain process has been completed.
Maybe I'm wrong but I think #2 is not the fill plug.
According to realoem.com, there are 7 #2s, Hex blot with washer, for vehicles with Auto trans. 2 #2s: M10X25-10.9ZNS3 and 5 #2s: M10X60-10.9ZNS3. I think #2 is for the trans cover, not the fill plug.
#3 is located at almost the same spot as Rizbel's car, 545i. If #3 is the drain plug, I don't think it doesn't drain used diff oil completely. :thumbsdown:
05-09-2010, 04:19 PM
#50
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My Ride: 2007 BMW 550i Sport Pkg, 6MT
While I don't think auto transmission fluid can last life long or engine oil can last 15k miles, I do believe manual transmission oil and differential oil can be life time oil with today's synthetic oil.
So, don't bother.
So, don't bother.