Let's talk Transmission Maintenance...

[Westlotorn]

I read a little about this same ZF Tranny in Ford Trucks, same issues as in the X5's. They fill the tranny running in park in the Ford applications as well to reach the full level. They did mention using an infra red gun to determine proper temp when doing the fill up of this tranny.

[Dieseldonkey]

Interesting and informative thread!
2010 x35d e70
142,000 miles original transmission fluid
Contemplating...

[Ozer]

Originally Posted by Dieseldonkey

Interesting and informative thread!
2010 x35d e70
142,000 miles original transmission fluid
Contemplating...

Change it before its too late. I noticed better, crisp shifting after mine was changed. If you cant DIY, find a mechanic from a BMW shop that will do work on the side. Thats what i did and paid $200 labor for changing all the drive line fluids.

[Ricky Bobby]

Before I go through 14 pages of this thread, my wifes 2013 35D is coming in soon with 42k miles - I'd like to be sure the Trans lives a long and happy life.

IF YOU DONT SUBSCRIBE TO "LIFETIME" SERVICE, would it be prudent to do 50k drain and fill intervals, 50k flush and fill interval, or maybe 100k drain and fill? I tend to be pro-active with my maintenance

[Ozer]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Before I go through 14 pages of this thread, my wifes 2013 35D is coming in soon with 42k miles - I'd like to be sure the Trans lives a long and happy life.

IF YOU DONT SUBSCRIBE TO "LIFETIME" SERVICE, would it be prudent to do 50k drain and fill intervals, 50k flush and fill interval, or maybe 100k drain and fill? I tend to be pro-active with my maintenance

I had mine done at 125k miles, mostly highway driven with some city and not really towing besides a small boat here and there. My tech said the fluid "wasn't bad at all" so if you don't town and aren't 99% city driven then i say 75k should be the minimum you should start to think about changing. I would say close to 100k will be fine. If you are experiencing any weird shifting issues then a change may be worth it soon.

[80stech]

I would not do any "flushing" at any interval.

[Ozer]

Originally Posted by 80stech

I would not do any "flushing" at any interval.

Yeah no flushing, just drain and replace filter first time around, then next time around just drain and fill the fluid.

Do the front and read diffs and transfer case towards 100k, they are easy to do. ECStuning sells kits with plugs or you can source the parts yourself.

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by Ozer

Yeah no flushing, just drain and replace filter first time around, then next time around just drain and fill the fluid.

Do the front and read diffs and transfer case towards 100k, they are easy to do. ECStuning sells kits with plugs or you can source the parts yourself.

Sounds great and yes no flushing -

OK I will plan for perhaps doing diffs, X-fer case fluids, and trans fluid/filter around 75k and then doing all fluids at 150k - sounds like a great plan of attack - I'll read through the thread a bit more but I assume its a ZF filter and fluid kit?

[Ozer]

Yeah use ZF kit and need 6Qt of oil. It takes like 5 + little bit more.
I got my kit from a seller on ebay for a really good price. It, it may be posted back a page or two on this thread.

[Ricky Bobby]

Perfect! Debating if I want to stick with the BMW magic oil in the engine or use my favorite Rotella T6 (I mean honestly, 1.0 ash in the T6 vs. 0.8 in the BMW stuff for a 60% price difference) - I believe in changing oil and filters often so my X5 will never see more than 7500 miles between OCI's going forward -