Let's talk Transmission Maintenance...

[autoque]

Thanks for the clarification, JCL. I understand it completely now.

From what I know, Mercedes-Benz vehicles have a routine scheduled ATF change in their maintenance. BMW trannys wouldn't have a higher chance of something going wrong than the Benz's 7 speed AT when chainging the ATF, woud it?

[JCL]

Originally Posted by autoque

Thanks for the clarification, JCL. I understand it completely now.

From what I know, Mercedes-Benz vehicles have a routine scheduled ATF change in their maintenance. BMW trannys wouldn't have a higher chance of something going wrong than the Benz's 7 speed AT when chainging the ATF, woud it?

The risk exists with all automatic transmissions, it is not brand-specific. I don't know the likelihood of a BMW problem vs a DB problem.

There is no correct answer. One option costs money for the fluid change, may help extend long term life, may not help extend long term life at all, and may cause short term damage. The other option doesn't cost money, may not hurt long term life, and removes the small risk of short term damage due to a change. You can see how many judgement calls have to be involved given all the conditional clauses, above. Thus, manufacturers have not settled on a single strategy, and some manufacturers have switched back and forth. It is a crap shoot.

I just decided myself that since there was no evidence of it extending transmission life, I would keep the money in my pocket in the mean time. It isn't like the fluid wears out. The additives can become depleted over time, but the fluid is filtered and still does the same job as when it was new. I think that the point at which the fluid causes a problem is well past the point at which the transmission has failed for non-lubricant related issues.

[pokemon]

My 08 X5 with 3.0 has a ATF leaks at the pan gasket now (66000Km), do you know where and how to check the ATF level?

[JCL]

Yes, underneath at the fill plug. With the transmission at operating temperature, and the engine running.