Transmission Fluid Change DIY

[Bobby G]

Thanks. I've been under the car but I haven't seen any leaks. Also in looking thru the threads would using dexron vi be the correct ATF?.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Bobby G

Thanks. I've been under the car but I haven't seen any leaks. Also in looking thru the threads would using dexron vi be the correct ATF?.

No, Dexron VI is for the GM transmission in the 3.0 models. Read the label on your transmission; it will call for a specific BMW fluid, although some have used a VW equivalent.

[Bobby G]

Thanks.

[John Galt]

I would check around to see what the success rate is for changing the tranny fluid with your specific tranny (ZF 5HP24?) and what people are using. Dex VI would probably not be my first choice unless many people using it successfully.

I think that specific tranny is well known for problems.

In any case, you may find it helpful to read through my thread: http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ed-bmw-gm.html

[fast4d]

another update. it's been 6 years and 100k miles since my first post in this thread (first page).

x5 4.4 now has 150k miles. I still have the original transmission filter! Ive been draining/filling the pan with penzoil mult atf (esso compatible) at every other oil change since 50k miles.

some observations: trans would hesitate shifting into first coming to a stop. I would change the fluid and problem would go away for months. issue will eventually resurface more and more frequently until I change the fluid again.

[HEISING]

Still use Castrol import multi vehicle atf. Not a single problem, tranny works great. Tranny and truck have 155000+ Km on them. Tranny fluid isn't magic.......It's fluid. Too many people believe in smoke and mirrors.

[mgbmwx5]

March 2011, I completed my cross country trip towing a 5,000 pound trailer without any issues. We traveled from Virginia to Washington State, approximately 2,800 miles in six days. We encountered plenty of weather along the way, golf ball size hail, heavy rains, and a snow blizzard through the Oregon mountains. The snow had me very concerned with the fear of jack knifing, however, we made it through the mountains without a scratch, driving with a max speed of 20 - 30 MPH with DSC on the whole time. We arrived at our new home in the Seattle area around 3:00 PM, safe and sound. While unloading the X5 I heard a hissing sound from the rear right wheel, upon close inspection of the tire I noticed it had picked up a two inch screw along our lengthy drive and ultimately got a flat tire, which I repaired later on that day. Today as I write this, the X5 has 96K miles on the clock and it's still driving strong without any issues. Here's a pic of my rig at a truck rest stop:



Behind the trailer is my wife's 2010 BMW 335 Xi, "NOT" being towed.

I'm still contemplating whether or not to replace the X5 tranny fluid, any recommendations?

[supersteve]

The pan on my 2006 is different than the pan on my 2001. Both are 4.4 X5. I've done the filter on the 01 but I don't want to open the 06 pan until I know which is the fill port. Anyone have an idea?
Thanks in advance
Steve

[SlickGT1]

There are two holes on the 06. One is really big, and is indented up. The smaller one is the drain. The big one, with an up lip, is the fill.

[mysweetx5]

No confusing here! (Drain plug and fill plug are located mostly on the
same spot on all BMW's. For this reason, I've done a little research for you
based on where the fill plug is located on your (2006 x5 4.4i) and it's found to be located at the same area as mine which is a (2001 X5 4.4i). See picture for detail... & you know that your drain plug is under the pan as usual.