Transmission fluid change in high mileage 1

[Ladydragonz]

Been going through a bunch of DIY's for the transmission fluid change and am pretty confident that I can tackle this job myself.

I have decided that Ill be using Redline D4 ATF.

My ONE concern is that I don't know the last time the transmission fluid was changed if it was changed since its a lifetime fluid (BS BMW), i purchased the car in May 2015 @ ~127,000 miles and have since put on a good amount of miles, sitting at ~150,000. Only one previous owner that had the vehicle serviced regularly at BMW. Should I be concerned about changing the fluid, or am I just being a little careful. I can only imagine how disgusting the fluid must be.

Car is a daily I use to travel from Manhattan to Brooklyn daily, lots of NYC traffic. Shifting is decent, never slips but is quite notchy/rough especially in 1st. Any ideas, recommendations greatly appreciated.

[NorthernDancer]

Have you seen the Bav Auto DIY's? They are excellent and obviously geared for BMW's. Otherwise, go ahead.

[Ladydragonz]

Originally Posted by NorthernDancer

Have you seen the Bav Auto DIY's? They are excellent and obviously geared for BMW's. Otherwise, go ahead.

Yep I have actually watched a few of there DIY's. Planning on ordering everything I need soon.

[desertman123]

Get ready for the smell

[Ladydragonz]

Originally Posted by desertman123

Get ready for the smell

LOL is it really that bad? I am very curious about whats to come this weekend.

[nachob]

Originally Posted by Ladydragonz

Been going through a bunch of DIY's for the transmission fluid change and am pretty confident that I can tackle this job myself.

I have decided that Ill be using Redline D4 ATF.

My ONE concern is that I don't know the last time the transmission fluid was changed if it was changed since its a lifetime fluid (BS BMW), i purchased the car in May 2015 @ ~127,000 miles and have since put on a good amount of miles, sitting at ~150,000. Only one previous owner that had the vehicle serviced regularly at BMW. Should I be concerned about changing the fluid, or am I just being a little careful. I can only imagine how disgusting the fluid must be.

Car is a daily I use to travel from Manhattan to Brooklyn daily, lots of NYC traffic. Shifting is decent, never slips but is quite notchy/rough especially in 1st. Any ideas, recommendations greatly appreciated.

Is the car automatic or manual? Manual is very easy to change. You just need to jack it up, take the side plug and get a squeeze bottle with hose or pump to pump in until it pours out the side plug. I have done it several times already. That's after you drain it via the bottom plug. I don't know why you would not get BMW gear fluid. They have newer stuff now than what came in your car. The new cars use LT-5 and it should be backward compatible. I know some people use ATF in some manual gearboxes. It was used on some of the E36s and it is probably fine but just use BMW or the Pentosin Equivalent that has been approved for your gearbox. I tried Redline MTL on my E46 and found it good at first, but sluggish when not warm which is why many go to ATF. I would just use the stuff that was made for your car. A lot racing oils offer better protection for racing, high load conditions but are not tested for long term duration. They are intended to be changed often.

Anyway, get a sqeeze bottle with pickup at the bottom and a 12-18" hose to sqeeze the fluid in. It's a great DIY. Also, you should change the DIFF also. Again, I would use OE for that too. Best wishes.

[brytom]

If it's an auto trans, leave it alone. If it's a manual, it's real easy. Just make sure you can loosen the fill plug before you touch the drain plug. You'll be SOL if that fill plug is seized and you've already drained it, know what I am saying?

[1and1]

Auto is easy to do as well, just a few more steps & some additional cost involved. At high mileage there are a few solenoids & extra seals that should be replaced as well, but again all easily accessed & replaced.

There's a great DIY for the automatic here.

[Ladydragonz]

Originally Posted by nachob

Is the car automatic or manual? Manual is very easy to change. You just need to jack it up, take the side plug and get a squeeze bottle with hose or pump to pump in until it pours out the side plug. I have done it several times already. That's after you drain it via the bottom plug. I don't know why you would not get BMW gear fluid. They have newer stuff now than what came in your car. The new cars use LT-5 and it should be backward compatible. I know some people use ATF in some manual gearboxes. It was used on some of the E36s and it is probably fine but just use BMW or the Pentosin Equivalent that has been approved for your gearbox. I tried Redline MTL on my E46 and found it good at first, but sluggish when not warm which is why many go to ATF. I would just use the stuff that was made for your car. A lot racing oils offer better protection for racing, high load conditions but are not tested for long term duration. They are intended to be changed often.

Anyway, get a sqeeze bottle with pickup at the bottom and a 12-18" hose to sqeeze the fluid in. It's a great DIY. Also, you should change the DIFF also. Again, I would use OE for that too. Best wishes.

My car is standard not automatic. I did a ton of research on the forum for trans fluid and decided that this one would best suit my needs unlike MTL it doesn't have problems at cold temps.

[crowtrobot]

Originally Posted by Ladydragonz

LOL is it really that bad? I am very curious about whats to come this weekend.

Yes, it's pretty terrible. It'll linger for a few days if you spill too, so use lots of newspaper!

[ShocknAwe]

For manual:

1. Jack car & secure on stands
2. Remove transmission belly pan
3. Locate transmission case and drain/fill holes.
4. Remove Fill bolt
5. Place drain bucket under transmission
6. Remove Drain bolt
7. Catch all fluid in bucket
8. Replace drain bolt
9. Use transfer pump or suction gun to pump new transmission fluid into fill hole until it JUST dribbles out.
10. replace fill bolt
11. replace transmission belly pan
12. lower car

I like this suction gun for transmission fluid changes:
https://www.harborfreight.com/automo...gun-95468.html

[Ladydragonz]

*UPDATE* Fluid changed I am very surprised my fluid did NOT smell foul whatsoever (new stuff didn't smell good) and was not as filthy as i thought it was going to be. Shifting feels very smooth and I am very happy that this job is done, on to the next !