CHF11S or ATF for 2003 3.0i?
 

Hello all,

I have searched around and there is a lot of discussion about this, I am in the middle of power steering intake hose replacement along with the fluid reservoir. When buying new one in the part shop the guy said I need a green fluid (which I gather is CHF11S), as it is what is marked on the cap.

The old fluid was red, and true enough, it says ATF only on my original cap.

I believe that BMW has switched to CHF on most models eventually and that;s why the new reservoirs have a new marking. My question is:

Should I even consider switching to CHF11S or do I stick with ATF? I suspect I should keep using what was already in there, but wanted to check what are your experiences.

Thanks.

Stick with the ATF if that is the original. Your wallet will thank you. Just use the ATF cap so you or the next owner will know what's in it.

Thanks upallnight, that's exactly the plan I had in mind. I will just swap the O-ring from the new cap.

There used to be a sticker that comes with the new replacement reservoirs that are going into BMWs with the old ATF PS reservoirs.

EDIT: yep, they still have it..and the parts people should seemingly notice this in the database. The label's part number is:71246798132 and should be offered when buying a replacement reservoir or lid for owners that have the old ATF reservoir which is no longer available.

If you click the link...you can see that the ATF label is offered for item #1 &#2 in the part number index: RealOEM.com - Online BMW Parts Catalog

I had an ATF only cap, used Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF in my PS reservoir, works fine.

I use Dexron III since that was around when the X was built.

I actually have pentosin, chf11s. I don't think the parts are different, but my cap calls for it.

Do you mean you actually have the "green" CHF 11 S fluid in your reservoir...or are you just saying that you have the CHF 11 S reservoir...but there's (red) ATF fluid inside of it?

I ask because BMW stopped making the small black plastic ATF reservoirs and lids to those reservoirs...and the superceded part is to install the CHF 11 S reservoirs and caps as replacement for either if a new one or replacement is called for.

If your PS system has ATF in it...you don't have to switch over to CHF 11 S (unless one wants to). BMW provided labels to be used to help identify that the vehicle still uses ATF even though it may have a CHF 11 S lid or lid & reservoir installed due to a need to replace the reservoir or lid.

I have always had chf11s on the cap, and the fluid was deff not red the first time I did a flush. When I was replacing the leaking PS lines, I also got a new reservoir and cap. Both, have chf11s on it, stamped, but look identical to what I used to have, less the green sticker now.

:thumbup: Thanks for the reply (& clarification)