Auto tranny fluid

asiflicious · 11-20-2017, 05:49 PM

Hey everyone, it's pretty common knowledge that BMWs "lifetime" ATF is not actually lifetime. I'm at 37k miles on my 2010 135i automatic. When would you guys recommend getting a transmission fluid flush? I've heard 50/60/100k miles and other people say just leave it alone. Anyone have a good answer?

mr.fabulous · 11-20-2017, 08:45 PM

Do yours now and then again every 30K (I don't know what fluid to use in yours, research that). Get it first while it's young and you'll be OK. Wait for an extended period... say, 70K... and then please leave it (adding fresh ATF to an aging tranny causes small bits of varnish to break free from the valve body and that destroys the thing). Do it now, and then keep doing it.

asiflicious · 11-21-2017, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.fabulous

Do yours now and then again every 30K (I don't know what fluid to use in yours, research that). Get it first while it's young and you'll be OK. Wait for an extended period... say, 70K... and then please leave it (adding fresh ATF to an aging tranny causes small bits of varnish to break free from the valve body and that destroys the thing). Do it now, and then keep doing it.

Really? 36k seems rather soon but I'll start looking into it and finding out how much it'll cost

gjm120 · 11-21-2017, 04:19 PM

I'm planing to DIY mine at around 50,000 miles. I'm hoping that falls into early enough range.

tock172 · 11-21-2017, 09:57 PM

The fluid you want is ZF Lifeguard. There various versions, so look up which number applies to your ZF 6-speed auto.

As far as intervals go, ZF actually recommends 80,000 to 100,000 KM, or approximately 50,000 to 65,000 miles.

Personally, I've rolled the dice on this. I had the fluid changed in my E46 (very similar ZF 5-speed auto) above 100k and put another 50k miles on the car without an issue. I also own a Civic with a worn automatic transmission. I've had the fluid done in that car 2-3 times now, and it's approaching 200k on the original transmission. When I had my DCT fluid leak repaired by BMW, I shelled out over $200 for fresh DCT fluid, otherwise they were going to reuse my old stuff!

11-20-2017, 05:49 PM	#1
asiflicious Captain 690 Rep 968 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Winchester, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW M2 [10.00]	Auto tranny fluid Hey everyone, it's pretty common knowledge that BMWs "lifetime" ATF is not actually lifetime. I'm at 37k miles on my 2010 135i automatic. When would you guys recommend getting a transmission fluid flush? I've heard 50/60/100k miles and other people say just leave it alone. Anyone have a good answer?
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11-20-2017, 08:45 PM	#2
mr.fabulous Captain 209 Rep 893 Posts Drives: Women Crazy Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Florida Gulf Coast iTrader: (0)	Do yours now and then again every 30K (I don't know what fluid to use in yours, research that). Get it first while it's young and you'll be OK. Wait for an extended period... say, 70K... and then please leave it (adding fresh ATF to an aging tranny causes small bits of varnish to break free from the valve body and that destroys the thing). Do it now, and then keep doing it. __________________ 2011 135i MSport 6MT AW/black, 72Kmiles, bone stock, moneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoney I LOVE THIS CAR
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11-21-2017, 04:19 PM	#4
gjm120 Colonel 2182 Rep 2,806 Posts Drives: 2013 128i, 2021 230i Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: East Texas iTrader: (1)	I'm planing to DIY mine at around 50,000 miles. I'm hoping that falls into early enough range. __________________ E82 / BMWP Springs / Koni Yellows / M front control arms / Adjustable front endlinks / M rear guide rods / Whiteline Poly RSFB
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11-21-2017, 09:57 PM	#5
tock172 Beachtown Bill Collector 582 Rep 1,062 Posts Drives: 2012 135i Join Date: May 2011 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1) Garage List 2012 BMW 135i [0.00] 1999 Lexus LS400 [0.00] 1985 BMW 325e [0.00]	The fluid you want is ZF Lifeguard. There various versions, so look up which number applies to your ZF 6-speed auto. As far as intervals go, ZF actually recommends 80,000 to 100,000 KM, or approximately 50,000 to 65,000 miles. Personally, I've rolled the dice on this. I had the fluid changed in my E46 (very similar ZF 5-speed auto) above 100k and put another 50k miles on the car without an issue. I also own a Civic with a worn automatic transmission. I've had the fluid done in that car 2-3 times now, and it's approaching 200k on the original transmission. When I had my DCT fluid leak repaired by BMW, I shelled out over $200 for fresh DCT fluid, otherwise they were going to reuse my old stuff! __________________ 2012 BMW 135i Space Grey Metallic M-Sport DCT Dinan S2
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