How many here have owners manual with contradicitionary information on AT service

[bmw540san]

Not trying to start a debate but a simple question:

My service booklet says to replace AT fluid at 100K miles, yet the owners manual states it's lifetime. It's kind a funny.

[Ricky Bobby]

Owners manual is meant to be read by people who lease their cars.

Service manual is written by mechanics. I'd trust the intervals in service manual

[TiAgX5]

I asked the Service Manager at a FL BMW dealer, was told the trans fluid change info was incorrect, and BMW is revising all manuals to state fluid is "lifetime".

Was also told BMW defines "lifetime" as exceeding 100k miles!

FWIW, ZF built the trans and recommends fluid/filter change.

[BigBlack48is]

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

I asked the Service Manager at a FL BMW dealer, was told the trans fluid change info was incorrect, and BMW is revising all manuals to state fluid is "lifetime".

Was also told BMW defines "lifetime" as exceeding 100k miles!

FWIW, ZF built the trans and recommends fluid/filter change.

+10000

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by trader4

If BMW defines the lifetime of their cars as 100K miles, they should put that in the sales literature. It should do wonders for their sales. You would think BMW would define exactly what "lifetime" means, but if they have, I haven't seen it anywhere. And it's certainly an important thing that should be clearly spelled out.

As we all know a BMW service mgr. does not speak for BMW. Undefined, lifetime means you never need to change it. In the handy dandy Bentley version of the BMW service manual, lifetime is defined as--No oil change is required for the entire service life of these transmissions. It also says if repairs have to be made to the transmission or transmission oil cooler, use only the recommended lifetime fluid to refill. Under troubleshooting a transmission--Minor automatic transmission problems may be corrected by changing the automatic transmission fluid (ATF) and filter. It goes on to explain how to diagnose the problem which would identify if a fluid change is needed. There is nothing that even implies don't ever change the fluid if the transmission is working fine.

So, if the transmission is working fine you can leave it alone if you choose. If the transmission is not working right changing the fluid might fix it. If you want to change the fluid just because you think it is a good idea it is not a Bozo no-no.

[JCL]

If you think the fluid is good for 100,000 miles and that is lifetime, then go ahead. Transmission lifetime isn't defined in miles. It is defined in lifetimes. All that means is that the fluid is good for as long as the transmission goes, and that that transmission lifetime mileage isn't impacted positively by early fluid changes.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by JCL

If you think the fluid is good for 100,000 miles and that is lifetime, then go ahead. Transmission lifetime isn't defined in miles. It is defined in lifetimes. All that means is that the fluid is good for as long as the transmission goes, and that that transmission lifetime mileage isn't impacted positively by early fluid changes.

[Quicksilver]

Here we go again........

[bmw540san]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

Here we go again........

LOL, I did say I don't want to start another debate.

I made up my mind about the change or not, but I'll keep it to myself in the interest of not starting the debate.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by bmw540san

LOL, I did say I don't want to start another debate.

I made up my mind about the change or not, but I'll keep it to myself in the interest of not starting the debate.

Ah, come on, it's always fun!!!!