Power Steering Fluid

[dougpham]

Attention for all 2006 BMW X5 4.4, power steering fluid reservoir indicates ATF fluid. But it is not ATF, it is called Lubrizol Additive Fluid from BMW only. My steering has a small noise present when I turn steering wheel at low speed. BMW San Francisco corrects this issue with BMW technical Bulletin which suggests that they need to use Lubrizol. Thank BMW, my car is under warranty. It will be costly to correct Steering wheel noise. You can use ATF at own risk.

Keep that in mind.

Thanks

[X5 Meister]

You are partially correct. It DOES use ATF, however if there is any squeaking noise in the power steering gear BMW now adds this lubricant (a small quantity of it) to the reservoir. It is Lubrizol 6178 ; BMW P/N 83 29 0 447 661. Retails for $13.09 per 50 ml bottle which is all you need.
This is NOT a replacement for ATF, just an additive. The system DOES USE ATF. And there is a special procedure for adding this additive, you just don't dump it in.

Originally Posted by dougpham

Attention for all 2006 BMW X5 4.4, power steering fluid reservoir indicates ATF fluid. But it is not ATF, it is called Lubrizol Additive Fluid from BMW only. My steering has a small noise present when I turn steering wheel at low speed. BMW San Francisco corrects this issue with BMW technical Bulletin which suggests that they need to use Lubrizol. Thank BMW, my car is under warranty. It will be costly to correct Steering wheel noise. You can use ATF at own risk.

Keep that in mind.

Thanks

[dougpham]

X5 Meister,

You are absolutely right, I just looked at the work order paper from BMW SF, it is called as Flush procedure, and they also mark L on my reservoir cap. Thank you for providing the part number of Lubrizol ; BMW P/N 83 29 0 447 661. I will not DIY power steering fluid, my car is under warranty for 100K, 2012. I'll learn how to DIY when my car is not under warranty. Can you share with us how to add this magic addive fuid in the power steering?

My X5 also has pinging noise when it is around 2000 RPM when the car is warm. It sounds like valve noise, but it does not loose power. I can replicate it at the dealer during the morning rush. I need to bring it back during the afternoon when my X5 is driven a while. Do you know any thing about it?

Thank Meister,

Doug