Transmission Oil Change interval for Automatic?

[Ralph123x]

Hey all,

I have a 2012 BMW 128i, automatic trans. About 65k miles in USA.

I'm confused on if I need to change my automatic transmission fluid or not. Every place says different things. Some say I don't need to change it for auto. Mike Miller and etc. says change every 60k miles. Others say change every 100k miles. I'm not sure which one is true.

I do want to mention that my car shifts very smooth currently imo. If it's working smooth, leave it alone?

Thanks for the input!

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by Fer123x

Hey all,

I have a 2012 BMW 128i, automatic trans. About 65k miles in USA.

I'm confused on if I need to change my automatic transmission fluid or not. Every place says different things. Some say I don't need to change it for auto. Mike Miller and etc. says change every 60k miles. Others say change every 100k miles. I'm not sure which one is true.

I do want to mention that my car shifts very smooth currently imo. If it's working smooth, leave it alone?

Thanks for the input!

I would definitely change it. Did mine at around 50,000 miles only as a preventative measure. Shifted fine before and was a bit better afterwards. Just whoever does it, make sure it is refilled correctly.

[Ralph123x]

Originally Posted by gjm120

I would definitely change it. Did mine at around 50,000 miles only as a preventative measure. Shifted fine before and was a bit better afterwards. Just whoever does it, make sure it is refilled correctly.

Gotcha! And I'm assuming you have automatic transmission as well?

May I ask which fluid you've used? I've read people here recommend "Redline ATF-D4" but that seems like it's only for the manual gearbox.

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by Fer123x

Gotcha! And I'm assuming you have automatic transmission as well?

May I ask which fluid you've used? I've read people here recommend "Redline ATF-D4" but that seems like it's only for the manual gearbox.

Yes AT and I think you're correct about the Redline ATF-D4 being for MT.

I think any good synthetic Dexron VI would be fine to use.
My car was still under wtty when I did it so I used Genuine BMW fluid & filter. It was probably foolish to spend the extra vs something else. I mean, would BMW have done a forensic evaluation of my AT if it failed?

[Ralph123x]

That's awesome, thanks for the details.

I just bought the genuine Transmission Filter Kit (Part #24152357284). Will probably just use Valvoline MaxLife Dexron VI.

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by Fer123x

That's awesome, thanks for the details.

I just bought the genuine Transmission Filter Kit (Part #24152357284). Will probably just use Valvoline MaxLife Dexron VI.

If you are going to DIY and haven't already done it, this is pretty good.

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=995991


PS: I'm not sure his adaptation reset procedure works and from what I've gathered, isn't necessary on the GM AT.

[Ralph123x]

Got it changed with Valvoline MaxLife ATF - DEX VI.

The first change it shifted rough and made noises. Took it back to the mechanic and we found out it wasn't filled at the proper temperature with the car running. The fluid was low (Only took 4 qt). Tried to fill more after letting car run for awhile; this time it took more fluid in.

First it took only 4qt, but when doing it while running, it took 2 more qt. Total it took 6qt.

Now shifts the same as before. Which is very well and smooth. At 65k miles, my old fluid wasn't too bad.

I did the whole fluid, pan gasket, and transmission filter.

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by Fer123x

Got it changed with Valvoline MaxLife ATF - DEX VI.

The first change it shifted rough and made noises. Took it back to the mechanic and we found out it wasn't filled at the proper temperature with the car running. The fluid was low (Only took 4 qt). Tried to fill more after letting car run for awhile; this time it took more fluid in.

First it took only 4qt, but when doing it while running, it took 2 more qt. Total it took 6qt.

Now shifts the same as before. Which is very well and smooth. At 65k miles, my old fluid wasn't too bad.

I did the whole fluid, pan gasket, and transmission filter.

Glad you got it filled correctly. At least you / your mechanic caught the error quickly. I've heard of people wondering why their car shifted poorly and being surprised it had to be filled running at a certain temperature.

[Ralph123x]

Originally Posted by gjm120

Glad you got it filled correctly. At least you / your mechanic caught the error quickly. I've heard of people wondering why their car shifted poorly and being surprised it had to be filled running at a certain temperature.

oh for sure! I got really worried on the drive home. Started researching and thought my transmission was toast or something. Then people were saying you have to fill it while running which I don't think they did. And later we found out that was the case.

[Blau]

I'm not doing the fluid change on my trans b/c I want it to granade so my wife won't question it when I manual swap.

Join me brother.

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by WeShallCallHerBlau

I'm not doing the fluid change on my trans b/c I want it to granade so my wife won't question it when I manual swap.

Join me brother.

I keep wanting a manual but then appreciate the laziness of the auto. I'd love to have a 2nd 128i with MT but talk about impractical.

[m_thompson]

We did an oil & filter change at 50k miles. Had to fight with the dealer to get them to do it. There was a big improvement in the shifting. Did it again at 100k miles. This time they only changed the oil. Had to fight with them to change the filter. Plan to do oil & filter again at 150k.

[Artdnj]

Originally Posted by m_thompson

We did an oil & filter change at 50k miles. Had to fight with the dealer to get them to do it. There was a big improvement in the shifting. Did it again at 100k miles. This time they only changed the oil. Had to fight with them to change the filter. Plan to do oil & filter again at 150k.

What was cost for filter/fluid change at the dealer?