3.0 Manual Transmission Oil Change?

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Charliet33

I'm planning to change mine but I can't find the required amount. I expect that 2 qts will be sufficient. True??

I plan to use Redline D4 ATF in both the tranny and the xfer case.

You don't list your vehicle details in your signature line or in your profile, so there is no way to tell......but it is important to note that that fluid is only suitable for transfer cases in pre-2004 (non x-drive) models.

Not sure which transmission you have either, but that is a whole other debate.

[Charliet33]

Originally Posted by JCL

You don't list your vehicle details in your signature line or in your profile, so there is no way to tell......but it is important to note that that fluid is only suitable for transfer cases in pre-2004 (non x-drive) models.

Not sure which transmission you have either, but that is a whole other debate.

JCL,

Thanks for the advice. Sorry that I haven't taken the time to add more data. It's a 2001 so the synthetic should be fine. I'm curious why the later (XDrive) design is not compatible with synthetic.......please enlighten me.

ct

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Charliet33

JCL,

Thanks for the advice. Sorry that I haven't taken the time to add more data. It's a 2001 so the synthetic should be fine. I'm curious why the later (XDrive) design is not compatible with synthetic.......please enlighten me.

ct

Nothing to do with synthetic or not. The recommended fluid isn't synthetic but any Dexron fluid should do, as it isn't a demanding application from a fluid performance perspective. People seem to think that synthetic has some inherent advantage, due to marketing $$ more than anything. The fluid you list doesn't meet the BMW spec but should work fine.

X drive transfer cases have clutch plates to vary torque distribution front/rear. Those clutch plates depend on specific friction additives in the fluid to work properly. Only the BMW fluid has those friction modifiers. There is no aftermarket fluid that has them since there isn't a published spec.

[Charliet33]

Ah yes.....shades of Positraction from 60's/70's GM musclecars. I had a '67 GTO and a '70 Trans AM. Both required special stuff for their "Posi" rear ends. "Only BMW fluid will do" reminds me of CHF 111 required for the power steering of my 94 e34 530i.

Anyway, I won't worry about it until I find a 6 speed X5 with the sport package.

I like this 2001 model so well that I'm looking for another!

ct