BMW ATF Basics

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BMW ATF Basic By chankl This is something I picked up while trying to find more information on E38 automatic gearbox over the Internet. The author called the ATF as "lubricant". Sorry, didn't bother with the formatting. Just a plan cut-and-paste. Lubrication BasicsNo Dipstick? What=s up with that?by Don JohnsonServicing vehicles gets more complicated every year. In the past, servicing an automatic transaxle/transmission consisted of:Removing the transmission pan. Installing a new transmission filter. Cleaning the pan and installing it with a new gasket (Note: The BMW A4S310R has two sumps so you'll need two new gaskets). Filling the transmission to the recommended level with the proper fluid.Sounds pretty simple, don't you think? Sure it does. But, what about the fluid? At one time you had basically two types of automatic transmission fluids to choose from, DEXRON and type F. Today there is DEXRON-III, MERCON, MERCON V, ATF+3, some special transmission fluids and Type F from which to choose. So, make sure you choose the proper fluid for the application by referring to the vehicle owner=s manual.However, it doesn't stop there. Drain intervals have changed as well. Today there are drain interval requirements ranging from every 15,000 miles to "Fill for Life." Knowing this, lube technicians must follow the required drain interval or they may interfere with the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) service warranty.Taking all of this into consideration, what else? What if the transmission doesn't have a dipstick? General Motors is using the 4T40E four-speed automatic transaxle/transmission that doesn't have a dipstick for checking the fluid level. How do you check the fluid level after you have serviced it?The transmission fluid has to be in the temperature range of 70E to 90EF (21E to 32EC). With the parking brake set, shift the transaxle/transmission through all the gears and return the lever to the park position. At this temperature with the engine idling in park, remove the transaxle/transmission check plug. If fluid begins to run out, the unit is overfilled. Allow the fluid to drain until there is a slight flow of fluid from the check plug hole. This is the proper fill level.However, if no fluid runs out, add the proper transmission fluid through the trans fluid fill cap (usually under the hood on the driver's side - the passenger side for RHD model in Malaysia) in one pint increments until the fluid slightly flows from the check plug. Reinstall the check plug and the job is finished.Here is a list of additional automatic transmissions/transaxles that also do not have dipsticks:Audi: S4100, A601F, 01KBMW: A4S310R, A5S310Z, A5S560Z, ZF 5HP30, ZF 5HP19Chevrolet: 4T40E four-speed TransaxleIsuzu: 4L30E (same as A4S310R in the BMW)Pontiac: 4T40E four-speed TransaxlePorsche: 911 models (1996-1997), Boxter models, and the 924, 944, 928, and 968Volkswagen: Passats (1998-1999) with 01M Transaxle, A4 and Passats with FWD 01VIf you find a transaxle without a fluid dipstick that is not mentioned above, follow the vehicle manufacturer's procedures for proper service. Now, wasn't that fun!Don Johnson is the vice president of Product Engineering at Pennzoil Products Co. He Is a member of the API Lubricants Committee. He is an active member of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and the Society of Tribologists and Lubricants Engineers (STLE). Readers may write to him at: PO Box 2967, Houston, TX 77252-2967