Your thoughts on auto tranny fluid change
02-23-2011, 03:40 PM
#11
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My Ride: 2006 525XI, Jet black on Dakota beige. Premium and winter packages. I consider myself a purist and intend to keep my car absolutely stock and shiny.
2008 328I Convertible, Sapphire black on beige interior. Premium package, NAV, iPod adapter.
Retired: 2002 325I, Titanium silver on black leather. Premium package. Absolutely stock and proud of it.
Screw it!!! I'm going to do it. I've had the tranny fluid changed on both of my previous Bimmers (E36, and E46 which I still own with 115K miles on the clock) and I've never had a problem. I know that the E60s are finicky, but they can't be that bad, can they?
02-23-2011, 04:01 PM
#12
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My Ride: 2008 550i Sport
Here's the DIY:
https://5series.net/forums/topic/881...n-drain-refill
Only downside is the cost. The filter is integrated into the pan therefore to change the filter you have to replace the pan at $200+. Also, the fluid is $25 bucks and it requires 6-liters
https://5series.net/forums/topic/881...n-drain-refill
Only downside is the cost. The filter is integrated into the pan therefore to change the filter you have to replace the pan at $200+. Also, the fluid is $25 bucks and it requires 6-liters
02-23-2011, 06:43 PM
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My Ride: 2005 530i, Premium Package, Grey Leather, Rear Euro Reflectors
People will debate the pros and cons of auto box fluid change till the end of time. I am in the camp of replace the fluid every 80k miles. No fluid is going to last a lifetime, unless you believe the "lifetime" is the period of time it takes the old and dirty fluid to kill the transmission.
Bottom line is that the fluid picks up wear particles from the transmission and the viscosity and ability of the fluid to do it jobs changes. Some say new fluid will cause debris to dislodge and make the tranny fail. Hogwash...there should not be any debris in the transmission to dislodge. It may clean it up a bit, but that is a good thing.
Many poeple are having good results using BG flushing services. But, if you do it yourself, you are only changin a fraction of the fluid each time...so do it more often and you are good to go.
Just do it, nothing bad will happen unless the tech screws up the process.
Bottom line is that the fluid picks up wear particles from the transmission and the viscosity and ability of the fluid to do it jobs changes. Some say new fluid will cause debris to dislodge and make the tranny fail. Hogwash...there should not be any debris in the transmission to dislodge. It may clean it up a bit, but that is a good thing.
Many poeple are having good results using BG flushing services. But, if you do it yourself, you are only changin a fraction of the fluid each time...so do it more often and you are good to go.
Just do it, nothing bad will happen unless the tech screws up the process.
02-23-2011, 06:46 PM
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you have greater chance of transmission failure with low pressure, since the clutches are more prone to slipping.
02-25-2011, 06:14 AM
#16
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My Ride: 2006 525XI, Jet black on Dakota beige. Premium and winter packages. I consider myself a purist and intend to keep my car absolutely stock and shiny.
2008 328I Convertible, Sapphire black on beige interior. Premium package, NAV, iPod adapter.
Retired: 2002 325I, Titanium silver on black leather. Premium package. Absolutely stock and proud of it.
Here's the DIY:
https://5series.net/forums/topic/881...n-drain-refill
Only downside is the cost. The filter is integrated into the pan therefore to change the filter you have to replace the pan at $200+. Also, the fluid is $25 bucks and it requires 6-liters
https://5series.net/forums/topic/881...n-drain-refill
Only downside is the cost. The filter is integrated into the pan therefore to change the filter you have to replace the pan at $200+. Also, the fluid is $25 bucks and it requires 6-liters
Also, how was the bottom of the old pan? Was it full of metal, grime, gunk, etc.?
Thanks for the great write-up.
02-25-2011, 10:05 AM
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Ill give my input. IMO at 68k I wouldnt bother. But I def would at the 100k mark. Nothing is lifetime like everyone is saying. When I had my 99 540i auto I asked the dealer at 110k about changing my tranny fluid. They looked at me like I was retarded. They said the tranny is sealed and its lifetime fluid yada yada. Im sure bmw would love to sell you a new tranny out of warranty because you bought into their lifetime garbage (this is what im thinking as they are explaining this to me). I was starting to hear a little whine in first gear this is what prompted me to ask. I went ahead and did it anyway. The whine disappeared and the shifts were exceptionally smoother. I also picked up another mpg overall. I also do not buy into the "loosen up parts, gonna lead to failure" argument. Ive never heard of anyone having tranny failure because they changed the fluid. It eventually breaks down and doesnt do its job as well as it did day one. Common sense.
