So after changing the big coolant radiator , you had no more 2-1 jolt? like when rpm was little up and tried to press gas? jolt was gone?

Now,when changing the radiator ,will i lose some of the tranny fluid?


Thank you,

Suggest you get a confirmation on the condition of the transmission fluid. The dealer reported, in a scan in a post above, that the fluid is burnt. If you confirm that, by an independnt check of the fluid, you will know that the transmission has been overheated, the fluid is toast, and if you have been running in that condition it is likely that the transmission internals are damaged as well. Clutch plates are the most likely to be heat damaged. Overheated clutch plates and fluid do not have the same friction characteristics as new, so the transmission slips then engages with a bang, just like you are experiencing. Software and such will not fix that problem. If the fluid is burnt, then you can try changing it, as well as fixing the root cause that caused it to overheat (sounds like the coolant radiator, above), but there aren't magic fixes that you can do with software that repair mechanical damage.

The jolt is common if you do 'rolling stops'. The trans normally takes off in 2nd gear. When you do a rolling stop and then press down on the throttle the trans downshifts to 1st rather abruptly.

My trans was replaced under CPO for this exact thing. Man, I hope it wasn't just a radiator issue...

If it were me, I'd do what JCL recommends above. The California Transmission Company (google it), has all the stuff you need for doing a trans fluid or fluid/filter change. They have quite a selection of parts too, if you get adventuresome and want to fix things inside the transmission.

Buy a new fill plug when you get your fluid/filter. Mine was not in the best shape on the rebuilt tranny they put in so having a spare is always handy.

Hi, JCL,

yes,they said about the oil to be burned , and what i wanted to do before i go deeper within the tranny, to change:
1. the big coolant radiator
2. do a tranny fluid change and filter

to see if this will help with my problem.

called around for a new radiator at napa,riebies,kragen auto parts and they are from 225$ and up,ebay at 95$.

now as far for tranny oil and filter kragen has it at 29.99$ for the kit : filter & gasket

oil at kragen :
Pentosin - Automatic Transmission Fluid
Part Number: ATF1-1L link here
15$ /qt
dont know how many qt i need and if this is ok oil for the x5,but is made in germany.

also coolant ,kragen has this:

Pentosin - Coolant/Antifreeze (blue color)
Part Number: PF-NF-1.5L link here

now,maybe is better to get the coolant from the dealer? i think was the blue color also and it was 24$ /gal.

i have to get all this parts ,change them and see if any difference with the jolt problem.

thank you,

yes,i may have to do a tranny oil and filter changed first ,then radiator after.

thanks for the advice!.

Since you will lose some ATF when you change the radiator it is better to do the radiator first, drain the ATF and replace the filter and then refill the trans. I would stick with factory oem filter in this case.

oem filter? , riebes auto parts told me that meets the oem stadards, dont know
how much is at the dealer,or maybe get a oem cheaper from online somewhere,also looking into the tranny oil where to get it and how much to get,
dont want to put some brand that may hurt the tranny,the kragen brand pentosin is made for german cars and made in germany,anyway ,i guess you right , radiator must be first as i dont want to add tranny oil later again...

thank you,

There are no published standards for the OE filter. What your supplier means is that it is the same physical size. It may be the same in other details, but who knows? Since you already have a transmission problem, why introduce additional variables? Buy it from the dealer, or here (they also sell the correct ZF fluid).

The CTSC - ZF Parts

Nothing wrong with Pentosin as a supplier, but that fluid you link is a universal fluid, designed for both GM and ZF transmissions. I wouldn't use it. Get the proper ZF Lifeguard fluid.

@JCL, thank you for replying!,

I did some reading in the forum and notice that Pentosin not worth to take that chance! ( also know that i have a green label,but i have to see what it say on it)

,are there any other brands that can be used ,that i can buy at autozone,napa,pepboys,reibies or just better to get the zf from online,just did not want to wait,but if no other that i may have to order online and wait.

also from my reading in the forum i will need about 6 liters ?


One other question that i was searching and did not find in the forum:

>Is there any modification to the pan that you can add the tranny oil from under the hood? , i know they are for some cars and curios if one is done for this model?! it will be
much easier to work on to changing the fluid in the future.


thanks you,

I would expect that you need closer to 8 litres than 6, but I haven't worked on that specific model.

There is no remote fill modification.