Perhaps I skimmed the posts too hastily and missed some important details. Through 2001, BMW stated that gearbox fluid was a lifetime fill. They switched to 100K mile replacement intervals for the 2002 model year. You are therefore within BMW rules if you have 90K kilometers. However, many people—including myself—change their transmission fluid more frequently, such as every 50–60 thousand miles. Additionally, replace the filter along with the transmission fluid.
Any transmission fluid that is compatible with 71141 should be suggested, as a simple drain will not remove the oil from the cooler lines or the torque converter. I just so happened to use VW 71141 fluid, which was $15/liter from a VW dealer offering discounts. Others, like Redline, claim to be appropriate for 71141. In addition, people utilize alternative numbers that might not include 71141. It’s interesting to see that Mobil1 and Valvoline no longer support 71141.
You should be fine using engine oil as long as it is listed as LL01 on the BMW list. Some locations provide oil at a lower price from a BMW dealer than some of the other options on the list.
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The following is a typical transmission service:
- removing the transmission pan and inspecting it
- whenever necessary, replace the transmission filter
- examining the transmission fluid for wear and tear
- removing the old fluid and replacing it with new
If you’ve ever had to replace your slush box, you are aware of how expensive it can be. All of these things help your transmission last longer.
To find out when the transmission in your car needs to be serviced, consult the owner’s manual. This should happen every 30,000 to 60,000 miles, depending on how you drive your BMW.
Depending on your driving habits and commute, you should have the “lifelong” fluid checked to see if it is dirty or polluted at least every 50,000 miles. By doing this, you can prevent transmission damage by flushing the fluid and replacing it as soon as possible.
Earlier today, a ZF official film criticizing BMW for even installing “lifetime oil” on their automatic transmission-equipped BMWs appeared on Reddit.
This video from ZF is most likely the one that BMW doesn’t want any of its owners to watch. Yesterday (August 16, 2019), an intriguing Reddit thread brought up a two-year-old YouTube video from ZF Transmissions from a German Trade show in which two of their sales people, for lack of a better term, throw some epic shade at BMW.
In essence, they advise against believing BMW’s placard, which claims that its automatic transmission oil is lifetime, and that you should instead empty and replace ATF fluid every 100,000 KM, or around 62,000 miles.
In the video, ZF explains that you will likely find a warning label from BMW informing you that the ATF inside your newer BMW is lifetime if you look behind the transmission filter.
Then ZF goes through a very detailed but logical explanation of how your automatic transmission experiences such high levels of wear and tear, heat cycles, and daily abuse that, after traveling for a significant amount of time, used ATF fluid is unable to meet the needs of the average automatic user.
Only recently have automakers advertised their fluids as “lifetime,” possibly to entice you into an automatic in the first place. The ATF fluid inside BMW owners’ transmissions definitely can endure the abuse they dish out since many BMW owners are unlikely to keep their vehicles for more than 100,000 miles (over the long haul).
There is no such thing as a fluid that actually lasts a lifetime, as any auto owner worth his salt knows, and this is what ZF preaches.
A quick search on Amazon reveals that their filter/oil pan combos, along with the price of oil, will likely cost you between $100 and $200. However, compared to a new transmission after relying on your supposedly “lifetime fluid,” that cost is pennies to the dollar for a service that you’ll only perform about once every three years.
In all honesty, ZF undoubtedly upgrades the transmission oil filters that are included into their oil pans, and if questioned, they probably have an excellent explanation for doing so. But if you’re not building your own automatics, ZF is king in the domain of OE automatic providers.
Don’t pay attention to manufacturers, though, when it comes to their lifelong fluids. When the manufacturer of your automatic transmission advises it, replace your ATF fluids and filter. To find out who produces your automatic and what they advise, you’ll probably need to do some investigation, but the data is there.
Did you previously believe that the fluids and filter in your ZF transmission would last forever? Unsure if your vehicle is a ZF automatic or not? Tell me in the comments section below. I’ll assist you in any case.
How frequently should BMW transmission fluid be changed?
You don’t even need to drive your BMW to see these warning signals of transmission trouble. Step outside of your vehicle after starting it. Is it scratchy sounding? Your transmission may be having problems if you hear unexpected noises like grinding, slamming, rumbling, or other odd noises.
Check for any odd scents emanating from the vehicle while you’re out there. Every 30 to 60 thousand miles, your BMW’s gearbox fluid should be changed; if it isn’t, it may begin to smell. The transmission fluid could have a pleasant or burning odor (although it could also be the coolant.) Your car should be taken in for an inspection if it emits any strange smells.
Does BMW advise changing the gearbox fluid?
Let’s clear up the greatest misunderstanding first: BMW “Lifetime Fluids.” BMW uses lifetime fluids that are designed to last the entire life of the car. They are synthetic fluids, which cost a lot more money but have a 100,000-mile lifespan. If someone has purchased a secondhand BMW, then the car is unquestionably closer to that mile threshold. In light of this, BMW frequently advises changing the gearbox fluid at 50,000 miles and thoroughly inspecting the transmission filter at the same time.
Should I replace my BMW’s gearbox fluid after 100,000 miles?
Naturally, you should replace the gearbox fluid in your car after roughly 100,000 kilometers. Most modern cars now have a transmission fluid replacement interval of over 100k miles. However, seasoned professionals advise changing your vehicle’s transmission fluid after 50k miles in order to maintain your CVT transmission properly.
However, if you have to choose, avoid changing your car’s gearbox fluid too soon or too late. A low transmission fluid level should also be avoided as it can affect how properly the transmission system operates.
It would be preferable to stay within the range of 50,000 miles and the manufacturer’s suggested interval for your car.
If your BMW requires transmission fluid, how can you tell?
Touch the fluid after removing the dipstick. Verify that it is still fairly transparent with a faint pink hue by looking at it. It needs to be replaced if you detect that it is contaminated or that it smells burning. To clean up the dipstick, use a rag.
When should a BMW 5 Series owner replace the gearbox fluid?
fluid for a BMW 5 Series transmission Your BMW 5 Series transmission may slip if you don’t frequently check your fluids at least every 30,000 miles or so.
BMW’s transmission is it sealed?
BMW Transmissions: Are They “Sealed”? All BMWs have been constructed with what the manufacturer refers to as a sealed transmission since 1993. Owners of these vehicles are advised against having their transmissions serviced.
The price of changing the gearbox fluid in a BMW
Best in Automotive Repair While parts are priced at $217, labor expenses are predicted to range between $148 and $187. Taxes and other fees are not included in this range, nor are your particular model year or geographic area taken into account. Additional fixes could be required.
How can I check the level of my BMW’s gearbox fluid?
- Start the vehicle. Warm up the engine before checking the gearbox fluid.
- Find the dipstick for the transmission fluid.
- Touch the fluid after removing the dipstick.
- To clean the dipstick, use a rag.
- Bring the liquid level up to full using a funnel.
How long does a BMW last?
But how many miles do BMW cars typically last? With good care, almost any BMW has the ability to last up to 200,000 or even 250,000 miles, and there will always be outliers that last even longer.
When ought my BMW transmission to be serviced?
You should change the fluid in most manual transmissions every 30,000 to 60,000 miles, and in most automatic transmissions every 60,000 to 100,000 miles.
What is the price of a BMW transmission?
You’re right; replacing a BMW transmission will probably be incredibly pricey. Service and components might cost between $3,000 and even $7,000. To receive a precise estimate, you’ll need to speak with your mechanic, though.
What results in a BMW transmission problem?
The main causes include low transmission fluid levels brought on by leaks, excessive heat, clutch failures, or external influences.
Overall, the following industries are rife with frequent BMW transmission problem warning signs:
- robotic sleeves
- Mechatronic Bridge Seal Adapter
- Button Valve
- Computer Application for EGS Trans
- faulty batteries
- First Gear Errors
- Being Trapped in Parks
- Gearbox Rumbling
- Converters of torque
After 100,000 miles, should I still change the gearbox fluid?
Yes is the clear-cut response. However, before this needs to be done, service intervals for new vehicles might be over 100,000 miles.
That makes this seemingly simple advise for car owners a bit of a paradox. The transmission fluid may never need to be replaced for those who don’t keep their new car for very long.
On the other hand, anyone who expects to retain a car for a long time or who purchased a secondhand car with a high mileage should consider adding that service to their budget.
Depending on the car, the time and cost can vary. A 2010 Camry should cost between $163 and $242 to have this maintenance done in Rochester, New York, according to RepairPal, a CR partner.
Whatever the cost, the work is necessary. You’ll spend less money having the fluid changed than you would if you had to replace the transmission after cutting corners on maintenance. Inadequate transmission maintenance could leave you stuck and with a hefty repair charge.
Finding out if your automobile or truck has been recalled can be made much easier with a few simple web tools. In addition to routine maintenance, a previous recall may mean that your transmission needs some significant repairs or has an extended warranty. Please visit the CR Car Recall Tracker.
What causes slipping in a BMW transmission?
Transmission fluid leaks or low fluid levels can make your shifting sluggish or unpredictable and cause your gears to slip. Gasket replacement is typically all that is required to repair a leak, although occasionally the fluid may also need to be flushed out and refilled.