ATF Change interval

[FIRZ67]

My car just clock 35K mileage and went to one outside workshop to ask about normal servicing.The Service Advisor told me that I need to change the ATF.May I know any of our member here had their ATF change at 35K mileage and when should be the right time for the normal ATF change.From the service Info on our OBC,it does not indicate the due mileage for ATF.Some says that the BMW gearbox is seal for life and you don't need to do ATF change at all.At the moment feel a bit jerky at the upshift during the lower gear.

 

[Schwepps]

Yes, BMW ATF is supposed to be 'lifetime' and doesn't need changing. Better go back to your dealer for BSRI work rather than do it outside, which will void your gearbox warranty.

 

[MSport]

Yes, BMW ATF is supposed to be 'lifetime' and doesn't need changing. Better go back to your dealer for BSRI work rather than do it outside, which will void your gearbox warranty.

Since we're on this, do you or anyone have the BSRI schedule and the stuff they do at each schedule other than change your engine oil? Like inspect brake pads or ATF or brake fluid.... etc.

Anyone?

 

[Schwepps]

Your smart car tells the SA what to do, not a piece of paper. When you send your car in, they stick your key-fob into a reader and get a printout. You can ask to see the printout. It's the basis for their work and also their claim from BMWM. If you want work done that's not on the printout, you'll have to take out your credit card.

MSport, you have a 325i Sports, so you can see the remaining mileage for all the checks in your iDrive under Settings - Info - Service. :top:

 

[FIRZ67]

Yes, BMW ATF is supposed to be 'lifetime' and doesn't need changing. Better go back to your dealer for BSRI work rather than do it outside, which will void your gearbox warranty.

Schwepps,

My car is year 06 and it is no longer under warranty or BSRI.I need to do it at AB/IA/SA or outside at my own expenses.Anyway is there any software / firmware upgrade required to improve the gearbox smoothness?

 

[Schwepps]

OIC. Dunno about software upgrade, but you can only get that in the dealers anyway. Whichever way you go, better get it fixed by someone who knows BMW gearboxes. Don't just leave it. In my E36, it started something like that - not feeling quite right, then started skipping gears, then finally konked. But mileage was a lot higher than 35k of course. Just kicked it in the butt and sold it.

 

[Toffeeman]

Has anyone changed ATF at AB? At Volvo, while the gearbox oil is not required to change like BMW, Federal Auto will change the ATF fluid if requested.

 

[elixir]

My car just clock 35K mileage and went to one outside workshop to ask about normal servicing.The Service Advisor told me that I need to change the ATF.May I know any of our member here had their ATF change at 35K mileage and when should be the right time for the normal ATF change.From the service Info on our OBC,it does not indicate the due mileage for ATF.Some says that the BMW gearbox is seal for life and you don't need to do ATF change at all.At the moment feel a bit jerky at the upshift during the lower gear.

Bro, changing the ATF may not solve the proberm. sometimes, it may be worst. that sounds like some typical workshop who tries to make easy money. How does the 'servise advisor' justify knows that the ATF is due to be changed??? sorry if i sounded harsh. Seems like he's better than all the engineers BMW. My advise is to send your car to any reliable workshop/gearbox specialist. Let them do the checking or diagnose for any error.then you decide form there.:top:

 

[totoro]

bros, my e46 318i mileage is about 99k km. just changed my atf oil few weeks ago. (ZF Longlife) original gear oil. about rm60+ a liter.

the result is .......DISASTER!!!!!

haha no la. its great actually. very smooth. there is no harm changing oil laaa. PROBLEM WILL ONLY OCCUR IF YOUR MECHANIC PANDAI-PANDAI TUKAR TYPES/SPEC OF ATF OIL. Just buy back the original atf oil (the one bmw manufacturer used ----- depending what model of your bmw).

remember!!! diff model , diff atf specs!!

 

[astroboy]

.. I do a little bit of everything mentioned here and I guess I have to find my competitive advantage.

Hi! Jack! :wink:

 

[astroboy]

Since we are in this topic for E9x ATF, I like to share the following, published by ZF Transmission.

Maintenance recommendations ZF automatic transmissions

For the first time the 3 series will see a six speed Automatic Transmission (GA6HP19Z)
with STEPTRONIC.

ZF 5 and 6-speed as well as the ZF 4HP20 automatic transmissions are filled maintenance-free with specially developed partially synthetic ATF oils. Maintenance-free fills are intended for normal operating conditions. Especially driving at very high operating temperatures can result in accelerated aging or increased wear of ATF oils. In the event of operating conditions, such as:

- highway driving in top speed range,
- offensive, sporty driving style,
- frequent trailer operation,

.. being above average, oil purification (oil change) on automatic transmissions is recommended between 80,000 km and 120,000 km, or 8 years, depending on the load.

In each case, only released ATF oil may be used for oil changes. And oil changes must be performed in accordance with the relevant specifications.

Emergency Release
In case of an emergency (e.g. failure of the power supply system), the selector lever can
be released by operating the emergency release. The emergency release is accessible
by removing the selector lever cover. The selector lever is released by pressing on the
pawl.

Stationary Disconnection
The gearbox features a stationary disconnection (uncoupling) function for the torque converter.

The torque converter is disconnected from the drivetrain instead of running the
engine against the torque converter when the vehicle is stationary. By disconnecting the
torque converter with the vehicle stationary, the engine is subject to minimum load and
fuel consumption is reduced.

Disconnection (uncoupling) of the torque converter is achieved as a function of the
following signals:

• Brake operated
• Selector lever position D
• Gear oil temperature > 20°C and < 120°C
• No trailer signal applied


Now ain't the above a lot more easier to "swallow" than people keep telling u it's "LIFETIME" !! :wink:

Cheers!