To change or not to change ATF fluid 3.0 x5
 

I am kind of torn on if I should change my ATF fluid in my 2001 auto 3.0 e53 X5. It was changed about 4 years or so ago at 100,000 miles and now has 137,000 miles. I will probably only put 2k miles a year tops on this this thing.

Is it overkill to change it out so soon? The fluid only has 37k miles on it now. It shifts fine, but would probably shift better with some new fluid.

I haven't changed mine at 155K
they tell me its lifetime, I take that that as MY lifetime

Yes. Why do you think it would shift better with new fluid?

Is there a reason new fluid would not help this old tranny shift better, however small?

No lifetime fluid, ZF shot that BS down.

60 to 100k mile fluid changes are the way to go.

FWIW, BMW considers "lifetime" as surpassing 100k miles. :rolleyes:

Did several drain/fills and filter change on the last fill at 100k miles, almost 180k now with no issues.

Yea guys Lifetime is a relative term lol They're not talking your lifetime , in general though I checked the color of mine recently granted I only have 50K miles basically on my E53 but it looked practically new so as of now not worried about it.
At 100k or so I may change it out along with the filter. It's pretty simple guys maintain your vehicle it will run forever it's like preventative medicine lol

Yes. Your transmission has systems that adapt to the characteristics of the fluid that it has in it (the fluid characteristics that change over time, like viscosity and frictional characteristics for clutch engagement). Until the fluid is outside the range that the transmission can handle, there is no benefit to changing it. The transmission won't know the difference. It isn't a lubrication issue, since lubrication places such a low demand on the fluid.

If you want to do it, fine, go for it. Just don't try and claim that it is for the benefit of the transmission. It is for your feelings of having done something.

How can you judge the quality of a fluid by the colour? If it is burnt (smell), sure. But colour? Why would that matter at all?

OK thanks. I will let it slide until 50k miles, which will be 150k on the X5 and that will take about 5 years to get there.

80k - 100k / fluid & filter change... that's straight from a good friend that owns a transmission shop.

I have owned many vehicles of all types and makes. lived by those rules and have never had any trouble :)