Should I change the Tranny Fluid? Or something else?

[mrbmwx5]

my tech said is life time no need to change it,but my SA said it safe to change it i'm ( currently 139k miles and still run like new.)

[STALKER]

Especially if you drive the car hard or if you tow things on a regular basis. If its a lease, and you are planning on returning the X5, then I would not worry to much. But for those of us who plan to keep it for a long time, changing your fluids on a regular basis is the best protective measure you can take IMO.

[Bimmer360]

but you haven't done it at 139k?

[mrbmwx5]

Originally Posted by Bimmer360

but you haven't done it at 139k?

i haven't done it at all.

[STALKER]

Originally Posted by mrbmwx5

i haven't done it at all.

I would get it done.

[zacman]

Originally Posted by mrbmwx5

i haven't done it at all.

mrbmwx5, bimmer360 and wallyX5, kewlX5.....just to name a few (and myself 125k) Are there any high mileage (120k +) X5ers that could chime in with some comments on if they have or haven't done this yet?? from my searching these are the highest mileage X's I could find, wallyx5 posted 193k and running strong.. he said he was going to do it.. that was earlier this month and no update yet.. I am IM him now to get an update... Anyone out there that could give your 2cents?? I am not trying to call anyone out, getting good miles out of the X is what its all about!!

[prwdmd]

There was something in one of the tech articles that said if you haven't changed the AT fluid before some point, lets say 100K, it may be better to just leave it alone. Apparently a lot of people who all of a sudden change the transmission fluid on a high mileage vehicle can develop problems afterwards. Cause is unknown, but possibly sludge or metal particles which before were previously clumped up and sitting dormant now get stirred up. As I said, I changed mine at 85K knowing this, kept my fingers crossed and everything seems fine.

[Bimmer360]

yup, i read that too so i am kind of skeptic up to now to do it. Stalker seem pretty confident that it's ok though. Perhaps, we can have him sign a document that his liable just in case our tranny goes bad because of that

Originally Posted by prwdmd

There was something in one of the tech articles that said if you haven't changed the AT fluid before some point, lets say 100K, it may be better to just leave it alone. Apparently a lot of people who all of a sudden change the transmission fluid on a high mileage vehicle can develop problems afterwards. Cause is unknown, but possibly sludge or metal particles which before were previously clumped up and sitting dormant now get stirred up. As I said, I changed mine at 85K knowing this, kept my fingers crossed and everything seems fine.

[STALKER]

Originally Posted by Bimmer360

yup, i read that too so i am kind of skeptic up to now to do it. Stalker seem pretty confident that it's ok though. Perhaps, we can have him sign a document that his liable just in case our tranny goes bad because of that

fax it over, lol.

[X5 in AK]

Originally Posted by prwdmd

There was something in one of the tech articles that said if you haven't changed the AT fluid before some point, lets say 100K, it may be better to just leave it alone. Apparently a lot of people who all of a sudden change the transmission fluid on a high mileage vehicle can develop problems afterwards. Cause is unknown, but possibly sludge or metal particles which before were previously clumped up and sitting dormant now get stirred up. As I said, I changed mine at 85K knowing this, kept my fingers crossed and everything seems fine.

This 'theory' has been floating around for a long time. It is in reference to all auto trannys, not just the ones in BMWs.
What is most likely happening is that proper cleaning procedures are not being followed when changing the fluid. Everything must be spotless clean before starting. This includes the drain plugs, around the pan, inside the pan, around the transmission body, everywhere. The inside of the pan must be cleaned with brake cleaner and blown dry with compressed air. And the filter must be changed.

It is much more likely that dirt is entering the tranny during the fluid change procedure than mystery particles that were trapped in the tranny that were miraculously set free by the clean fluid and start running around inside the tranny, fouling up the insides and causing it to expire.

Not changing your fluid is going to be detrimental to the life of your tranny. BMW 'lifetime' fluid is just that - When the tranny dies because the fluid was never changed, well, then, that was obviously the lifetime of the tranny. It is not a coinicedence that lifetime fluid appeared at the same time as free service from BMW.

Your call, but that is my 2 cents.