Thanks.

I would NOT recommend this. you may get stuck in a situation where you can not remove the filler plug and then you are screwed.

IF you want to try this, I'd recommend you loosen, but do not remove, the filler nut and then go at the drain nut. At least this way you will know you can remove the filler nut and replace fluid.

Regarding the transmission fluid used in the pre-’04 4.4i and 4.6is E53 5-speed transmissions - in terms of viscometrics, density, chemical compatibility, air solubility/anti-foaming, shear resistance, flash point, etc., etc., other ATFs may deliver a similar spec. to Esso/Mobil LT71141 but this entirely misses the most important point.


http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/i...adged71141.jpg
The 5HP24 is fitted with a controlled slip converter i.e. the torque converter lock-up clutch isn’t only switched ‘on’ or ‘off’ but is also controlled to slip at speeds of up to 50rpm (around 1kW power dissipation). This enabled ZF to dispense with the traditional LUC torsional vibration damper in the torque converter to save weight and space.

The friction characteristics of this clutch were optimised specifically around LT71141. It is essential that the static-to-dynamic friction characteristic & the dynamic coefficient of friction increases as slip speed increases to prevent control oscillation and these friction characteristics must fit within the relatively tight band shown in the graph below.


http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/i...ficientLUC.jpg

If you use any other fluid there’s a strong possibly that it doesn’t contain identical friction modifiers and you run a high risk of burning out the converter lock-up clutch, harsh LUC shifts and oxidising the oil (leaving the transmission vulnerable to other problems too).

It’s expensive stuff but, if you wanted to shop around, the following are all genuine Mobil LT71141 fluid :

ZF Lifeguardfluid5 (ZF Part No. S671 090 170)
Audi / VW - Part No. G 052162 A1 / A2 / A6
BMW - Part No. 8322 9407807
Citroen - Part No. Z 000169756
Jaguar - Part No. JLM 20238
Land Rover - Part No. STC4863
Mercedes Benz - Part No. A 0019892203
Peugeot - Part No. Z 000169756
Porsche - Part No. 999.917.547.00


Phil

another update. it's been 6 years and 100k miles since my first post in this thread (first page).

x5 4.4 now has 150k miles. I still have the original transmission filter! Ive been draining/filling the pan with penzoil mult atf (esso compatible) at every other oil change since 50k miles.

some observations: trans would hesitate shifting into first coming to a stop. I would change the fluid and problem would go away for months. issue will eventually resurface more and more frequently until I change the fluid again.

Still use Castrol import multi vehicle atf. Not a single problem, tranny works great. Tranny and truck have 155000+ Km on them. Tranny fluid isn't magic.......It's fluid. Too many people believe in smoke and mirrors.

March 2011, I completed my cross country trip towing a 5,000 pound trailer without any issues. We traveled from Virginia to Washington State, approximately 2,800 miles in six days. We encountered plenty of weather along the way, golf ball size hail, heavy rains, and a snow blizzard through the Oregon mountains. The snow had me very concerned with the fear of jack knifing, however, we made it through the mountains without a scratch, driving with a max speed of 20 - 30 MPH with DSC on the whole time. We arrived at our new home in the Seattle area around 3:00 PM, safe and sound. While unloading the X5 I heard a hissing sound from the rear right wheel, upon close inspection of the tire I noticed it had picked up a two inch screw along our lengthy drive and ultimately got a flat tire, which I repaired later on that day. Today as I write this, the X5 has 96K miles on the clock and it's still driving strong without any issues. Here's a pic of my rig at a truck rest stop:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_...rytrip2011.jpg

Behind the trailer is my wife's 2010 BMW 335 Xi, "NOT" being towed.

I'm still contemplating whether or not to replace the X5 tranny fluid, any recommendations?

The pan on my 2006 is different than the pan on my 2001. Both are 4.4 X5. I've done the filter on the 01 but I don't want to open the 06 pan until I know which is the fill port. Anyone have an idea?
Thanks in advance
Steve

There are two holes on the 06. One is really big, and is indented up. The smaller one is the drain. The big one, with an up lip, is the fill.

:dunno:No confusing here! (Drain plug and fill plug are located mostly on the
same spot on all BMW's. For this reason, I've done a little research for you
based on where the fill plug is located on your (2006 x5 4.4i) and it's found to be located at the same area as mine which is a (2001 X5 4.4i). See picture for detail... & you know that your drain plug is under the pan as usual.

So this is the other side of the transmission, and it can be used from 2004 through 2006 BMW X5.