2008 X5 3.0si - Power Steering Fluid

[snowymountains]

Hello, thought I would post some info about power steering fluid since I just went through dropping my sub frame which required disconnecting the steering rack and draining all of the PS fluid.

On my power steering reservoir it is marked ATF Oil Only.

So I went to an import parts store and got some German Auto Trans fluid.

However, when I went to put it in it was red in color. The fluid that drained out during my sub frame drop was amber in color. So with a little research here's what I found.

There is a type of ATF fluid that is made by Pentosin. It is called Pentosin ATF1 and is amber in color.
Pentosin - Transmission Fluid

If you are needing to change your PS fluid and the reservoir says ATF Oil only and the fluid is amber than this is what you need.

Hope this helps someone.

[alefcole]

I thought you could use pentosin CHF 11S power steering fluid. Any harm on using 11s??

[snowymountains]

The information I posted is specific to BMW's that have ATF Oil only on the power steering reservoir. If you have this marking than no you can't use CHF 11S.

You can only use that if your reservoir marking says CHF.

[Orthotist]

It seems like some say ATF oil and others are the CHF11S. I have a 2009 X5 4.8I and it says CHF11S on reservoir.

[Price]

Depends on whether you have Adaptive Drive or not.

[josiahg52]

8/2011 X5 xDrive35d w/o AD and my reservoir says CHF11S.

[the_ulf]

active steering uses CHF as well. i has it.