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Originally Posted by 1badassX5
I'm about to do my 60k mile service on my 4.4i X5 and I was wondering what types of oils should i use i was thinking of going redline with my motor oil, atf, and differential. However i read my manual and the differential fluid said it was life time but I really don't believe in anything lasting for a lifetime and I really want to change it? Any recommendations on the oils? With my service I am planning to change all my filters air filter, oil filter, fuel filter, spark plugs, and doing a coolant flush. Am I missing anything else to change if i did please tell me?
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I have a 2001 4.4i April build and have "been there, done that" - BE CAREFUL with the replacements as follows:
Engine oils - Stay with a major brand FULLY synthetic oil. I use Mobil 1 15W-50 in Houston, TX but for colder climates a 5W-40 is more applicable. Use the highest viscosity available considering your ambient temperature for maximum engine protection.
ATF - The ZF transmission in your vehicle has a VERY SPECIFIC fluid requirement, deviation from which will SEVERELY damange the transmission clutches. The fluid requirement P/N can be found on the GREEN label on the transmission pan (mine is P/N 83229407807 @ $25.40 per QUART!!).
Transfer Case - My used oil was not dyed red as per the BMW Dexron III replacement recommendation. I did a viscosity check and found it to be essentially the same as the transmission oil so I replaced it with the high $$$$ transmission oil (requires just under 1 quart).
Differentials - My 2001 does not have Xdrive (I think 2004+ has Xdrive) but the gear oil is FULLY SYNTHETIC "Castrol SAF XO" which you should use.
Filters - Leave the fuel filter alone as it will tell you via reduced engine power at full throttle if it is becoming restricted. Make sure you open the engine oil filter canister and R&R the oil filter BEFORE YOU DRAIN THE ENGINE OIL as oil from the canister will drain into the engine pan when it is opened. The OEM air filter is a higher $$$ activated carbon type which the dealers usually replace with a standard air filter; make sure you get the carbon filter if you want to minimize exhaust fumes entering the vent system.
Spark plugs - Leave them alone! They are good for 100,000 miles! Mine currently have 78,000 miles on them and the engine still runs as good as when the vehicle was delivered.
Coolant - DON'T USE THE GREEN STUFF!!. The coolant in the system is the latest formulation which does NOT contain 'dissolved solids" as does the green stuff. Its the dissolved solids that attack the water pump seals and coat the entire inside of the coolant system with an insulative layer which compromises heat transfer in an effort to prevent corrosion. The latest formulations (BMW's "BLUE" stuff and GM's DexCool "ORANGE" stuff) use organic chemistry which is essentially lifetime (even though BMW says to R&R it). Their advantage is that they do not attack the water pump seals and do not coat the interior of the coolant system thus allowing maximum heat transfer.
Brake fluid - You missed this one. Every 2 years you should flush the brake system since brake fluid absorbes water from the air which will boil at high temperatures (at the slave cylinders) and cause corrosion within the system. This will take 2 people to do, one to pump the brake pedal while the other opens/closes the slave cylinder valves. "Thief" the used fluid from the master cylinder reservoir prior to beginning, refill it with new fluid and make sure it doesn't get empty while flushing or it will suck air necessitating that you start all over again. Flush each slave cylinder (there is a specific wheel order which I don't remember) until the fluid runs clean.
I sourced the transmission oil, transfer case oil and differential gear oil from the dealer for simplicity sake and I'm sure I paid more but didn't have to spend my time searching.