Lifetime Fluid? Power-steering and Transmission fluid flush
#1
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I don't buy into the "lifetime fluid" claims made by BMW for certain components. My E61 currently sits with 83,000 miles on the clock. This weekend I decided to flush the power steering and transmission fluid.
I used CHF-11S for the power steering and Mercon XT6QSP for the transmission; power-steering was flushed x2 and the transmission was flushed once and then flushed again when I replaced the oil filter/pan.
Some rear-diff fluid is in the mail and I will tackle that shortly; I will follow a similar protocol a expect similar results.
I hope these photos can help if you are deciding between changing your fluid or not. Please keep in mind the fresh power-steering fluid looks like green mouthwash and the fresh transmission fluid looks like fruit-punch.
Evan
Power steering fluid 1st flush
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qnj6MciyguU/U3g5Bd7SmRI/AAAAAAAAD7M/-3WDy_iBboc/w684-h911-no/IMG_2058.JPG)
ATF 1st flush
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k_ER1Nc59OU/U3g5TIKxhAI/AAAAAAAAD8M/xXwXscd_i-E/w1215-h911-no/IMG_2097.JPG)
ATF 1st flush
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-G3egE_hkkfs/U3g5WeS1J9I/AAAAAAAAD8Y/Fk6tnU6hHjE/w1215-h911-no/IMG_2099.JPG)
ATF flush 2
![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/DVmGZ0lzc_on3ZYES2I_UDRKy2TENhIqcr61OhHJfO0=w1215-h911-no)
ATF flush 2
I used CHF-11S for the power steering and Mercon XT6QSP for the transmission; power-steering was flushed x2 and the transmission was flushed once and then flushed again when I replaced the oil filter/pan.
Some rear-diff fluid is in the mail and I will tackle that shortly; I will follow a similar protocol a expect similar results.
I hope these photos can help if you are deciding between changing your fluid or not. Please keep in mind the fresh power-steering fluid looks like green mouthwash and the fresh transmission fluid looks like fruit-punch.
Evan
Power steering fluid 1st flush
ATF 1st flush
ATF 1st flush
ATF flush 2
ATF flush 2
#2
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My Ride: 2004 BMW 530i
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hey man can you help me out too? according to bmw my atf fluid hasnt been changed and i have 135,243 miles on my 04 530I BMW she runs great! Just sometimes feels like its a little sluggish to respond
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#3
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Evan
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Turned the wheel back and forth (lock to lock) and then pumped it out with one of those $5 Harbor Freight hand pumps. Filled it up with fresh fluid, turned the wheel back and forth again to make sure the system was full and mixed. Completed this two times.
Evan
Evan
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My Ride: 2006 535d Sport
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Thanks, I have heard of people removing the hydraulic lines and letting the steering pump itself pump out old fluid which seemed like a lot of messy messing around.
#7
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I hear ya, it is always hard to pump something and be content with the clenliness as there is likely a layer of nasty sediment covering the bottom. If funds/time allows it seems like a good idea to do a double flush.
#10
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A quick question.. Does your car have 1. active steering 2. active roll stabilization/dynamic drive?
The steering pump is different in this case.. does it elvolve the oil change in your (member's) opinion?
Thanks!
The steering pump is different in this case.. does it elvolve the oil change in your (member's) opinion?
Thanks!