07-23-2021, 08:28 AM | #1 |
New Member
2
Rep 10
Posts |
High Mileage Transmission Fluid Change?
I have a 435i automatic trans with 130k miles. To my knowledge the trans fluid has never been touched. Is it still recommended not to touch the fluid at this point or say screw it and roll the dice?
|
07-23-2021, 07:58 PM | #2 |
Lieutenant Colonel
481
Rep 1,571
Posts |
I just changed mine for the first time at 164,500. The original fluid looked, smelt and felt almost new. Most of my mileage has been highway. No issues so far with the late change. I intend to change again around 200K to more fully change out the old fluid as you only exchange about 2/3 of the fluid with a normal drain/fill process.
|
07-24-2021, 09:37 AM | #4 | |
Lieutenant Colonel
878
Rep 1,686
Posts
Drives: 2014 428i and 2018 X5
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Buford, GA
|
Quote:
ZF…The company that makes the transmission recommends you change it by 70,000 miles.
__________________
___________________ 2014 F32 428i M-Sport 2018 F15 M-Sport |
|
Appreciate
1
Mta19812.00 |
07-24-2021, 11:18 AM | #6 |
Private First Class
45
Rep 144
Posts |
OP, if you go by ZF's most recent recommendation, you'll want to change the transmission oil at 100.000 KM / 60.000 miles or 8 years, whichever comes first. Initially, their recommendation was 150.000 KM. It's the sort of things, such as differential fluid floss, you do for the peace of mind, such that your tranny won't break down in the middle of nowhere.
These are ZF's recommendations: ZF - Transmission fluid tips, Transmission fluid lubricants -ZF The procedure is straightforward. FCP Europe has a couple intuitive videos you should definitely watch: BMW F30 transmission fluid change BMW F30 transmission fluid DIY Make sure you bring the transmission to the recommended temperature range (40-50 C) by shifting for about 10 secs into each gear, as this will make it possible to completely top off the transmission with ATF fluid after the initial fill, ensuring smooth transmission operation. At that point, you could either reset the adaptation values to speed up the transmission's relearning process, or let it self-adjust for 100 miles |
Appreciate
1
Mta19812.00 |
07-24-2021, 01:42 PM | #7 | |
First Lieutenant
222
Rep 375
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-24-2021, 03:57 PM | #9 | ||
Lieutenant General
3570
Rep 10,350
Posts |
Quote:
They now recommend a "shorter interval" for operating conditions with high temps AND load, or on vehicles with unknown history. However, they no longer define what a shorter interval is.
__________________
"Drive more, worry less. "
435i, MPPK, MPE, M-Sport Line |
||
Appreciate
0
|
07-29-2021, 02:33 PM | #10 |
New Member
2
Rep 10
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-29-2021, 02:35 PM | #11 | |
New Member
2
Rep 10
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-31-2021, 01:35 PM | #12 | ||
Lieutenant General
3570
Rep 10,350
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
"Drive more, worry less. "
435i, MPPK, MPE, M-Sport Line |
||
Appreciate
1
Mta19812.00 |
07-31-2021, 02:28 PM | #13 | |
Major General
4527
Rep 5,392
Posts
Drives: 2015 BMW 335i x-Drive Auto
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: New Jersey/Philadelphia
|
Quote:
BMW's definition of "lifetime" is until the car is out of any warranty or any legal obligation that they have. After that they could care less if it falls apart because their goal is only to sell new cars. The theory is that when the transmission goes way past the point where the fluid needs to be replaced, that internal parts wear and the particles build up in the old original fluid. The fluid becomes thicker and almost becomes a new system, closing the gaps between the worn parts. So the transmission can run smoothly will the old thick fluid but run poorly with new fresh fluid. When that old fluid is replaced by new thinner fluid the wear gaps in the internal parts are exposed and the transmission doesn't function as smoothly as it did. I've talked to a couple Indy shops who swore that the return rate with transmission complaints was too high so they stopped doing first transmission services if the mileage was over 100k miles. I've even heard of some shops replacing the old transmission pan with its integral filter, but draining, saving and refilling the new pan with the old fluid. Hope this helps! |
|
Appreciate
1
Mta19812.00 |
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|