What to look for / service around 75k miles

[4.8isX5]

So my X is gonna hit 75k this week...

Im wondering what you guys here have run into or recommend to check and look for.

So far i have:

Check belts, if they look bad replace.

Gonna do trans fluid / filter sometime this winter, what fluids do you guys recommend that is cheaper but still meets specs? I have read around some and people give different solutions.

I do suspension components way too much on my other cars, family, and friends, X doesnt really exibit any symptoms of balljoints/control arms/bushing etc so far, when it does ill be swapping those.

Transfer case oil, what type is recommended, and im assuming no filter for it? Just drain and refill fluid, how much do i need.

Front+Rear diffs i did with mobil1 full syn like 1-2 weeks after i bought it back at 63k.

Going to get alignment when i get new tires for rear, current ones are shot, i dont NEED to use my X so i just drive it when its dry out, in the rain rear fishtails when driving at speed on hwy lol.

Power Steering fluid, is it just straight ATF? Does it need to be any special type? Or can i just use this? Valvoline.com > Products > MaxLife > Automatic Transmission Fluid MaxLife > MaxLife® DEX/MERC ATF

^ Posting that one cause i run it in the trans of nissan pathfinder in my family and runs nice. Unless it doesnt meet "specs" or something.

Oh and spark plugs i did like 2-3k ago-ish, so those are done as well..


If i could get some replies for my questions that be great, and the final question is basically what am i overlooking, or did i get it all?

Thanks.


Edit:

Just remembered, coolant flush, what type you guys recommend, & how much do i need of it. Should i do it now or wait?

[tmv]

Originally Posted by 4.8isX5

So my X is gonna hit 75k this week...

Im wondering what you guys here have run into or recommend to check and look for.

So far i have:

Check belts, if they look bad replace.

Gonna do trans fluid / filter sometime this winter, what fluids do you guys recommend that is cheaper but still meets specs? I have read around some and people give different solutions. <- I would only use ZF fluid and OE filter. Give the X what it deserved. You might be fine with other fluids.

I do suspension components way too much on my other cars, family, and friends, X doesnt really exibit any symptoms of balljoints/control arms/bushing etc so far, when it does ill be swapping those.<- suspension components are usually 100k miles maintenance items

Transfer case oil, what type is recommended, and im assuming no filter for it? Just drain and refill fluid, how much do i need.

Front+Rear diffs i did with mobil1 full syn like 1-2 weeks after i bought it back at 63k.

Going to get alignment when i get new tires for rear, current ones are shot, i dont NEED to use my X so i just drive it when its dry out, in the rain rear fishtails when driving at speed on hwy lol.

Power Steering fluid, is it just straight ATF? Does it need to be any special type? Or can i just use this? Valvoline.com > Products > MaxLife > Automatic Transmission Fluid MaxLife > MaxLife® DEX/MERC ATF
If it says "ATF" on the cap, just use any ATF.

^ Posting that one cause i run it in the trans of nissan pathfinder in my family and runs nice. Unless it doesnt meet "specs" or something.

Oh and spark plugs i did like 2-3k ago-ish, so those are done as well..


If i could get some replies for my questions that be great, and the final question is basically what am i overlooking, or did i get it all?

Thanks.


Edit:

Just remembered, coolant flush, what type you guys recommend, & how much do i need of it. Should i do it now or wait? <- I did it every other year. How long since the last time?

Stop worry too much and just enjoy the X

[4.8isX5]

Dont know when coolant was changed so will do that and trans filter/oil and transfer case as well,, still have to take a peek at the belt but if its good i wont bother..

Any answers to transfer case oil? And how much i need?

[JCL]

Brake fluid if it hasn't been done in the last 24 months.

[4.8isX5]

Jcl, thanks,, what fluid you guys use? Can i use the blue valvoline dot4 syn one?

Do you have to trigger the abs module with software? I know on my a4 you do.

[JCL]

Any reputable name brand DOT4, IMO. Has to be fresh, not a stale can sitting around. Unless you are tracking the vehicle it won't make any difference which one you use. And if you were tracking the vehicle the 24 month change interval would be far too long in any case.

If you don't get any air in the system, ie never let the reservoir go dry, you shouldn't have to cycle the ABS module. OTOH, if you let it draw air, that air can become trapped in the ABS module, and it can be a pain to get it out. You will need a computer that can cycle the module if that happens. So don't let it happen.

[4.8isX5]

I have GT1/inpa and all that stuff in case, but i always make sure it doesnt go dry, was just wondering regardless maybe it did need to be actuated even though not dry.

[JCL]

It shouldn't need it, but there may be benefits to flushing all of the old fluid out by cycling the module, I suppose. I've always worked on the principle that the water collects at the lowest point, so what is at the calipers is more important than anything else.

Just thought of another item - you may want to do the cabin filter if it hasn't been done in a couple of years.

[4.8isX5]

Ok cool,

I already did air+cabin after i bought it last year.. Good thought though for anyone who reads this and forgot about them.

[JCL]

For the transfer case you have the x-drive version (2004-2006) so you need the special BMW transfer case fluid. Your clutch packs depend on the additives in that fluid. There isn't a comparable fluid out there, you need to use the proprietary one. You don't need much, a quart or so IIRC, but it isn't cheap. Get it from the dealer. You can't use the Dexron that the earlier models used.