Transmission Fluid Change DIY

[MPDano]

Originally Posted by RenaissanceMan

i believe that is the verified consensus now. it is apparently backwards-compatible with what was in there originally.

Thank you sir. Since not done this before, I bet there is a special size torx or allen for the fill plug?

[admranger]

Originally Posted by MPDano

Thank you sir. Since not done this before, I bet there is a special size torx or allen for the fill plug?

I don't recall what size it was, but I do recall wishing I had a spare fill plug when I did it...on my reman'd tranny the plug was buggered up...

[mbk]

Hey I'm a new x5 owner and I'm having the same problem as a lot of the people on here with the car clunking back into first when coming to a stop.

Last week I bought a 2005 e53 3.0d with 110,000ks on it. I done a bit of research in regards to which oil to use when carrying out the partial fluid change to try and solve the clunking problem. I found that the ZF 6HP26 gearbox that my car has should take the BMW recommended ZF Lifeguard 6.. I also found a few other suitable oils that can be used.

ZF Lifeguard 6 & 6 Plus - Shell M1375.4
('02 on 6 & 7 Series, '06 on 3, 5 Series and X5 with ZF 6 speed automatic BMW# 83 22 0 142 516, 83 22 0 144 137, 83 22 0 406 929, VW/AUDI # G 055 005, G 055 162 )

I found a Nulon oil that even had "suitable for ZF Lifeguard 6" on the bottle in the list (bottom right), so that filled me with confidence.

Full Synthetic Multi Vehicle Automatic Transmission Fluid- Nulon Australia

Removing the filling plug was a nightmare as it was filled in with some hard as .... resin and was smoothed level at the top of the Allen key hole as if it was like that from factory and made so it wasn't to be removed. After dropping a section of the exhaust to gain decent access to get at the resin I completed the oil change as previously posted on here..
The car now stops without a clunk if I come to a slow stop.. But the faster I come to a stop, the clunk is still there, although less severe.
I tried to get the car 100% level by using ramps and my sloped driveway but I'm sure it wouldn't have been perfect.. Do u think this might be the reason? Like maybe the oil level isn't perfect so when I apply the brakes harded and the car stops quicker, the oil that's in there shifts to one end and messes up the down shift since when I slow much steadier everything seems fine...

[SlickGT1]

Nope, that is the nature of these transmissions. I say, learn to live with it. I even swapped out my solenoids not too long ago, because my reverse was getting screwy. That helped a shit load. But, occasionally, it still does it. And I have done like 4 drain and fills with a computer, with Lifeguard 6 fluid.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by mbk

I found a Nulon oil that even had "suitable for ZF Lifeguard 6" on the bottle in the list (bottom right), so that filled me with confidence.

It shouldn't. Nulon is advertising a generic fluid that they claim works for 98% or something like that of all transmissions, and reduces inventory stocking challenges for resellers. You need a fluid that actually meets the spec, not one designed primarily for inventory planning. ZF doesn't make fluid themselves, but they do control the specification, and package fluid that does meet the spec. Make sure whatever you use is actually certified to that spec.

[mbk]

I figure it does meet the specifications since it specifically states that fluid in the list of 11 for the same application.
Full Synthetic Multi Vehicle Automatic Transmission Fluid- Nulon Australia

I haven't seen suitable for ZF Lifeguard6 mentioned on any other oil, and I don't imagine it's a overly common one. It seems to me that it was engineered to work for ZF Lifeguard6 applications and therefore be fine in a car that uses that oil no?

[ants_oz]

MBK,

Did you also read the fine print for that fluid? I had checked it out also.

* Recommended not to mix with other ATF fluids.
# Dry fill recommended

Dry fill means torque converter out and drained.

[mbk]

Yeah I read the back and didn't see anything like that... And just re read it cause u scared the shit outta me.. No where does it say anything similar to what your saying.. Maybe when u looked at it it was an earlier variation or maybe u looked at the semi synthetic

[JCL]

Originally Posted by mbk

I figure it does meet the specifications since it specifically states that fluid in the list of 11 for the same application.
Full Synthetic Multi Vehicle Automatic Transmission Fluid- Nulon Australia

I haven't seen suitable for ZF Lifeguard6 mentioned on any other oil, and I don't imagine it's a overly common one. It seems to me that it was engineered to work for ZF Lifeguard6 applications and therefore be fine in a car that uses that oil no?

No.

It does not say that it meets the specification. It says that it is suitable, but doesn't specifically note that it meets it. Those in the business know how to interpret those types of vague marketing claims, because many of those specs they list are mutually exclusive. It can't meet them all, by definition. So they are spouting BS. They are depending on the confusion to increase sales.

If you want to be sure, go to the ZF site and read the list of all the various fluids that actually meet the spec. It is unfortunate that marketers want to intentionally confuse their potential customers, but it is what it is.

For a non trans fluid example, imagine they were selling whiskey. You want to buy a good single malt. You find a bottle of Grant's in the local shop, pretty cheap. It says on it "suitable for drinking by those who only drink single malts". Great, you think. This is a single malt, no? Then you see the note to liquor shops that advises them that if they stock this generic blended whiskey, they don't need to carry any others. Reduces inventory costs.

Don't be a victim.

[mbk]

Well looks like it's to late for me.
If it's like u say and doesn't match the specs identically, but still says "suitable" it should still be alright yeah? I mean it's gotta be better than just throwing any old multi purpose oil in since they've listed it.
In other words it might not be the best whiskey on the market but it'll still do the job well haha