Transmission Fluid Change Question

dwagenseller · #1 02-01-2008, 05:53 PM

I have a 2001 X5 4.4i to which I changed the fluid and filter around 50,000 (dealership did it). I now have 150,000 on it and I just replaced 5L of fluid but not the filter. Should I go back in and replace the filter and add 5L more?

NOVAX5 · #2 02-01-2008, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwagenseller

...I now have 150,000 on it ...

darn, i hope my x last that long. 83K miles now and worried.

dwagenseller · #3 02-01-2008, 06:18 PM

I hope your trany last that long as well. I went through a replacement on my 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee and it was a nightmare. BMW are built so much better.

Bimmer360 · #4 02-01-2008, 07:29 PM

mine is 100K and not even worried and runs like new. I never changed fluid and filter on my tranny, it doesnt hurt to do so, and BMW stated lifetime so either is fine. Its one's call i guess. make sure you replace the recommended parts like watre pump, thermostat, etc....also, it depends on how drive it. BMW last for quite sometime.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NOVAX5

darn, i hope my x last that long. 83K miles now and worried.

Aimster · #5 02-01-2008, 06:19 PM

108,000 on mine.
Haven't touched transmission fluid.
Maybe I should.

I call BMW Fairfax and they laugh at me and tell me I don't have to do it. o well

dwagenseller · #6 02-01-2008, 06:50 PM

I'm too old school and believe in changing fluids. Nothing is lifetime.

Bimmer360 · #7 02-01-2008, 07:35 PM

Yes, they would just laugh. BMW engineers wouldn't stand behind that statement if its not true. But like i said, its one's call, it doesnt hurt if you change it and i dont think it will create problems if you wait.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aimster

108,000 on mine.
Haven't touched transmission fluid.
Maybe I should.

I call BMW Fairfax and they laugh at me and tell me I don't have to do it. o well

dkl · #8 02-01-2008, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer360

Yes, they would just laugh. BMW engineers wouldn't stand behind that statement if its not true. But like i said, its one's call, it doesnt hurt if you change it and i dont think it will create problems if you wait.

Well...guess what? Those BMW engineers had changed their mind about the lifetime fluids. My 2004 is stating 100k miles interval for the tranny fluid.

JCL · #9 02-01-2008, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkl

Well...guess what? Those BMW engineers had changed their mind about the lifetime fluids. My 2004 is stating 100k miles interval for the tranny fluid.

Do you think they changed their mind or did they change the transmission? 2004 was the facelift. IIRC the X5 got a 6 speed. If they had changed their mind they would have published a revised service schedule. They didn't do so.

John Galt · #10 02-02-2008, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCL

Do you think they changed their mind or did they change the transmission?

GM uses the exact same transmission as the early E53's that supposedly have lifetime fluid. GM suggests changing the tranny fluid (with DexIII) every 50k miles under the following conditions:

Quote:

Change automatic transmission fluid if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these conditions:

In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches 90F or higher
In hilly or mountainous terrain
When doing frequent trailer towing
Uses such as high performance operation

If you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, the fluid and filter do not require changing.

If the manufacturer of the transmission suggests 50k mile fluid changes under moderately heavy use, I think I trust that more than I trust BMW's "lifetime no matter what" approach.