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  #1  
Old 11-13-2009, 12:03 PM
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:: ECS Tuning :: xDrive ~ X3 ~ OEM BMW Transfer Case Fluid ~ Now Available!!!

Have you replaced yours with in the last 60k? If not its a good idea. You won't not know it's bad till it's too late! It's always better to catch a potential problem in the garage than on the road!

This is the specific fluid that is used in the X3 models using BMWs xDrive all wheel drive system. Labeled as BMW as "Non-Lifetime" fluid.

Click HERE for more information.



As always please let me know if you have any questions! Feel free to shoot me a PM or email.

Cheers,
ECS Tuning

Last edited by ECS Tuning; 11-11-2011 at 04:58 PM.
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  #2  
Old 09-23-2010, 05:13 AM
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Is there a cheaper alternative to the oem TC fluid?
Perhaps Redline or Royal Purple?
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  #3  
Old 09-23-2010, 01:27 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dcaron9999 View Post
Is there a cheaper alternative to the oem TC fluid?
Perhaps Redline or Royal Purple?
For pre X-drive models it is just automatic transmission fluild. For X-drive models with clutch plates, which this fluid is intended for, I think you would be crazy to not use the BMW fluid, since the friction characteristics of the fluid matter. Companies like Redline and Royal Purple don't have the specification for the fluid, so anything they push will be a generic fluid that they just hope will work.
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Old 09-23-2010, 02:11 PM
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Thanks for your reply.

My 2004 X3 2.5i manual 6-speed tranny, has an 04/2005 production date according to RealOEM.com. I just realized I need the OEM fluid for this application.

I also wanted to refresh my TC fluid in the pre-owned 2002 330xi steptronic we just bought, and it looks like this can be fulfilled with the Redline D4 ATF.

Last edited by dcaron9999; 09-23-2010 at 04:34 PM.
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  #5  
Old 09-23-2010, 07:45 PM
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Your 330xi uses Dexron III in the transfer case. Redline D4 isn't certified as a Dexron fluid, but it is a generic fluid that Redline recommend for Dexron applications, and it is wet. That transfer case is a low stress application, with no clutch plates, so I think it would be fine.

Why not do the X3 first, and see how much fluid you have left? The transfer case holds very little.
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  #6  
Old 09-24-2010, 08:40 AM
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Based on your comments, I went and got the OEM TC fluid yesterday, and did the replacement. The oil that come out was black with a certain amount of bronze colored metal shavings in it. The first time I did the TC fluid swap is when I bought the pre-owned X3 with 91,000Kms on the odo. It now has 180,000Kms.

I have more than half of the bottle of the OEM TC fluid left - can I use it in my 330xi as well?

Thanks for your tips again.

Last edited by dcaron9999; 09-24-2010 at 10:44 PM.
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  #7  
Old 10-01-2010, 08:44 AM
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Any updates on my question ... "I have more than half of the bottle of the OEM TC fluid left - can I use it in my 330xi as well?"

Thanks.
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Old 10-01-2010, 11:45 AM
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I don't think anyone can say for sure. BMW don't publish specifications on the fluid, so at best it would be a guess.

The non x-drive uses ATF fluid, which is essentially a 10W hydraulic oil. The x-drive has friction modifiers added in to it because of the clutch plates for the torque distribution system. What we don't know is if the base fluid is a similar viscosity to the non x-drive fluid. If it is, it would work fine. If it isn't, you risk damaging the transfer case.

I know what I would do personally (compare the viscosity of the two fluids and make a judgement call) but I won't advise you to do that because of the risk. one pint of ATF probably costs about $3, so maybe you should just buy a Dexron III fluid. Your call.
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  #9  
Old 02-01-2011, 05:04 PM
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Thanks again for the orders everyone and let us know if you have any questions!
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  #10  
Old 02-08-2011, 07:27 PM
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I am new here. Great board and interesting thread! Here is my question. I read that the X-Drive transfer case must be reset by the dealer after the oil is changed. Here is the entire text of this information:

"The X-Drive transfer case must be reset electronically at the dealership after the oil is changed. You can change the transfer case oil yourself or have it done wherever you want, but the vehicle does have to go back to the dealer to have the transfer case reset. This “resetting” procedure is only possible on the BMW service computer.

Specifically the “reset” uses the actuator inside the transfer case to gauge the thickness of the remaining clutch material. The transfer case then relearns the end stops of the clutch pack to compensate for wear. The electric motor inside the X-Drive transfer case then knows how much it has to apply the clutch pack in order to transfer power when necessary.

Ordinarily under BMW’s condition-based service the X-Drive transfer case oil wear sensor will set a code (but no light) indicating the “need” for a transfer case oil change. This has been known to happen as early as 50,000 or as late as over 60,000. I don’t trust the sensor – it’s just a quart of oil. But you do have to pay for the reset, because as of now it is “dealer only.”


Does anyone have experience with getting the transfer case reset on an X3 (E83)?
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