07 BMW X5 E70 3.0d transmission fluid

[david2047]

Hey guys,

Does anyone know what transmission fluid that a 07 BMW X5 E70 3.0d uses?
I bought my X5 this year, it is about 136,600 km now, it seems like it has never change the transmission fluid as the service log doesn't include this category.

I've watched a lot of video about changing transmission fluid, I believe I can change it myself, but a wrong transmission fluid can damage the transmission, so does anyone know what transmission fluid I should use?
Do you guys recommend changing the transmission fluid several times in a month to get all the oil transmission fluid out?

Apart from that, I'm servicing my car recently, I've changed the engine oil, oil filter, air filter, carbon air filter, microfilter and replaced the windshield spray nozzle myself.
I'm gonna replace the glow plug and control unit, swirl flap, vacuum pump oring, change the coolant, brake fluid. power steering fluid and paint the car and rim later
If you have any ideas or advice about doing these job, could you share with me?

I usually use these 2 websites:
1. https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/
To search how to do the job
2. https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/select
To search the part number
Hopefully it helps.

I'm a new user, I learnt a lot about E70 here, thanks guys

[ard]

G'day.


Use ZF6 fluid. Its what is in it now, and since you cannot change it all at once, just use that. Plus, there is **NO** other fluid that BMW nor ZF recommends.


(and yes, people that sell other fluids will 'recommend' theirs.)


I do a 2x drain/fill every 60-70k. Drain, rough fill (use old seal, just semi-tight) then drive for 5 minutes to get it all hot, select all gears a few times. Then drain and final fill (with careful top off procedure)


The tasks you propose seem reasonable, not that difficult. There are a few threads on the GPs and controller....


For transmission parts stuff, snoop over at thectsc.com...not that they can ship to you, but some good info.


newtis is essential.


I also use some of the dealer parts websites, they can be a bit newer than realoem. bmwofsouthatlanta, getbmwparts and BMW of san francisco. But there are others I am blanking on.


136k? She'd hardly broke in!

[david2047]

Originally Posted by ard

G'day.


Use ZF6 fluid. Its what is in it now, and since you cannot change it all at once, just use that. Plus, there is **NO** other fluid that BMW nor ZF recommends.


(and yes, people that sell other fluids will 'recommend' theirs.)


I do a 2x drain/fill every 60-70k. Drain, rough fill (use old seal, just semi-tight) then drive for 5 minutes to get it all hot, select all gears a few times. Then drain and final fill (with careful top off procedure)


The tasks you propose seem reasonable, not that difficult. There are a few threads on the GPs and controller....


For transmission parts stuff, snoop over at thectsc.com...not that they can ship to you, but some good info.


newtis is essential.


I also use some of the dealer parts websites, they can be a bit newer than realoem. bmwofsouthatlanta, getbmwparts and BMW of san francisco. But there are others I am blanking on.


136k? She'd hardly broke in!

Cheers mate!
I'll check those web later

I reckon this fluid fit my transmission
https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/...re/561468.html

I also wanna replace the whole oil pan, as it seems like I can't only replace the filter for the transmission fluid.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/263958285518

What do you think?

[ard]

Originally Posted by david2047

Cheers mate!
I'll check those web later

I reckon this fluid fit my transmission
https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/...re/561468.html

I also wanna replace the whole oil pan, as it seems like I can't only replace the filter for the transmission fluid.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/263958285518

What do you think?

again, that is the wrong fluid.


Buy ZF6 fluid


Pennrite is claiming it is a BMW fluid, or that it is "designed for"...you are relying on pennrite.


The only fluid approved by the AT manufacturer is ZF fluid. And it IS differnt than non-ZF fluids.


Some people report using non-zf fluids without issue. Ive nver heard of Pennrite. Sounds like they are re-packaging mercon and calling it BMW fluid, based on reading the specs.




And yes, you need to replace the whole pan, the filter is integrated. Buy a ZF made pan, otehr cheap copies have had issues- mismatch on the pickup tube OD, leading to oil starvation on turns

[david2047]

Originally Posted by ard

again, that is the wrong fluid.


Buy ZF6 fluid


Pennrite is claiming it is a BMW fluid, or that it is "designed for"...you are relying on pennrite.


The only fluid approved by the AT manufacturer is ZF fluid. And it IS differnt than non-ZF fluids.


Some people report using non-zf fluids without issue. Ive nver heard of Pennrite. Sounds like they are re-packaging mercon and calling it BMW fluid, based on reading the specs.




And yes, you need to replace the whole pan, the filter is integrated. Buy a ZF made pan, otehr cheap copies have had issues- mismatch on the pickup tube OD, leading to oil starvation on turns

Do you mean I should only use this transmission fluids
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-zf-parts...3220142516~zf/
It is 20 usd per Liter
What will happen if I use the pennrite one?

[haigha]

Check whether the ATF you are looking at meets the specifications for your transmission.

I used Valvoline MaxLife on my 04 4.4i e53. It is not certified but meets the spec according to the label. I did three drain and fills to replace about 85% of the original fluid. Now my transmission shifts like new. The harsh shifting I had prior to that was likely do to low fluid because of a slow leak from the mechatronic sleeve. Check the recent thread about problems replacing that before attempting it on an E70. Still important to do if you suspect it is a source of a leak.

The Valvoline is about a fifth of the cost the ZF ATF, so the three flushes are a lot less expensive.

You'll see varying opinions. I'd seen enough success with MaxLife to give it a shot. I'm glad I chose that option.

Also be sure to follow the recommendations listed on this site and on various YouTube videos. The most important thing that people overlook is starting the engine and shifting through the gears (P-R-N-D) after the initial fill and then topping it off.

[ard]

Originally Posted by haigha

Check whether the ATF you are looking at meets the specifications for your transmission.

I used Valvoline MaxLife on my 04 4.4i e53. It is not certified but meets the spec according to the label. I did three drain and fills to replace about 85% of the original fluid. Now my transmission shifts like new. The harsh shifting I had prior to that was likely do to low fluid because of a slow leak from the mechatronic sleeve. Check the recent thread about problems replacing that before attempting it on an E70. Still important to do if you suspect it is a source of a leak.

The Valvoline is about a fifth of the cost the ZF ATF, so the three flushes are a lot less expensive.

You'll see varying opinions. I'd seen enough success with MaxLife to give it a shot. I'm glad I chose that option.

Also be sure to follow the recommendations listed on this site and on various YouTube videos. The most important thing that people overlook is starting the engine and shifting through the gears (P-R-N-D) after the initial fill and then topping it off.

ZF does **not** publish a spec for transmission flud for that transmission.


Which means you cannot buy a fluid that 'meets spec'.


Indeed if you READ the maxlife spec, it says that it is "Recommended for the following applications" and then lists various fluid specs. WTF? Not even meets spec. And again, none of them are ZF6 applications.



I am sure there are fluids that will work, many report wonderful results. But a report after a few days isnt what Id call a definitive report. There was one guy that came back in a year and said 'no issues'.


OP- you asked what flud to use.



If you want to change to something cheaper or not mfg certified, there are lots of choices. I wont be the one to ask

[david2047]

Originally Posted by haigha

Check whether the ATF you are looking at meets the specifications for your transmission.

I used Valvoline MaxLife on my 04 4.4i e53. It is not certified but meets the spec according to the label. I did three drain and fills to replace about 85% of the original fluid. Now my transmission shifts like new. The harsh shifting I had prior to that was likely do to low fluid because of a slow leak from the mechatronic sleeve. Check the recent thread about problems replacing that before attempting it on an E70. Still important to do if you suspect it is a source of a leak.

The Valvoline is about a fifth of the cost the ZF ATF, so the three flushes are a lot less expensive.

You'll see varying opinions. I'd seen enough success with MaxLife to give it a shot. I'm glad I chose that option.

Also be sure to follow the recommendations listed on this site and on various YouTube videos. The most important thing that people overlook is starting the engine and shifting through the gears (P-R-N-D) after the initial fill and then topping it off.

Cheers mate
Do you drive for a while between each drain?

[david2047]

Originally Posted by ard

ZF does **not** publish a spec for transmission flud for that transmission.


Which means you cannot buy a fluid that 'meets spec'.


Indeed if you READ the maxlife spec, it says that it is "Recommended for the following applications" and then lists various fluid specs. WTF? Not even meets spec. And again, none of them are ZF6 applications.



I am sure there are fluids that will work, many report wonderful results. But a report after a few days isnt what Id call a definitive report. There was one guy that came back in a year and said 'no issues'.


OP- you asked what flud to use.



If you want to change to something cheaper or not mfg certified, there are lots of choices. I wont be the one to ask

I've read a lot of your reply about the ATF of BMW on this forums
That's excellent
Cheers mate

[ltemup4650]

David,

I use Valvoline MaxLife. Others swear by ZF Lifeguard 6 and ZF Lifeguard 8. For what it's worth, the Valvoline MaxLife works great for me. They (Valvoline) list it as being compatible. An updated compatibility list from Valvoline lists the 6HP and 8HP trans. Here is the fluid:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Valvoline...allon/15125768

IMPORTANT!!! For the pan/filter, definitely use the ZF one. I bought an aftermarket one and the filter neck/o-ring was manufactured too small. This caused erratic shifting on turns as the fluid sloshed away from the valve body's intake. I wrote a recent thread on this. Here is the ZF one:

https://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog..._pg2.htm#item4