[watchout-everyone]

Hello, I am looking to replace the transmission fluid in my 2011 328i E90 with manual transmission (no x-drive if that matters).


I watched several videos including FCPEuro and it looks like a very simple job (Jacking up the car, draining it, re-fill it, maybe clean the area). However, I read some confusing or conflicting info and wanted to double check.


1. Will I need to change any filter like when I change engine oil?
2. Should the car turned on when i refill it (all the way to ignition)?
3. Lastly, FCPEuro is recommending '75W80' but can I use '75W140' if I live in a hot region (Texas)?
4. Is there any risk of changing the fluid for the first time? I read a post where some mechanic said there is no point in changing it if it wasn't replaced for a long time... Not sure what to make of this. My understanding is the car only got it changed once and that was like 80k miles ago.

[BRG_N54]

Here is what Bentley says about the process:



No filter, AFAIK, and nothing about the ignition.

[eljay]

As above, very simple: level, drain, refill until it flows out, close. Done.

Important tip: first, remove the fill plug. That is to ensure you can refill the transmission in case the plug is seized, gets stripped etc. You don't want to run into issues with it after you drained all the fluid.

[watchout-everyone]

thank you everyone! very excited to go about this now

[ctuna]

No filters for the manual transmission I mean ytubes tell you how to do this.
Before you do the Drain plug make sure you can get the Add plug loose.
Use Redline D4 or D6 if you want smoother shifts.

There are many threads here on the Benefits of different oils .

[Bims328i]

Been curious about this as well. Already did the filter just need to do a few more drain and fills to flush the old fluid out. Nice to know sounds like it is just a drain in fill if not dropping the pan.

If you drop the pan least on GM trans you need to cycle through PRND M+/- 1-6 then add until it drains out.

Need to do this service soon.

[drawz]

Originally Posted by Bims328i

Been curious about this as well. Already did the filter just need to do a few more drain and fills to flush the old fluid out. Nice to know sounds like it is just a drain in fill if not dropping the pan.

If you drop the pan least on GM trans you need to cycle through PRND M+/- 1-6 then add until it drains out.

Need to do this service soon.

OP asked about manual transmission fluid change, which doesn't have a filter or any reason to drop the pan (there is no pan with the MT). Obviously no cycling PRND either!

[drawz]

Originally Posted by watchout-everyone

Hello, I am looking to replace the transmission fluid in my 2011 328i E90 with manual transmission (no x-drive if that matters).


I watched several videos including FCPEuro and it looks like a very simple job (Jacking up the car, draining it, re-fill it, maybe clean the area). However, I read some confusing or conflicting info and wanted to double check.


1. Will I need to change any filter like when I change engine oil?
2. Should the car turned on when i refill it (all the way to ignition)?
3. Lastly, FCPEuro is recommending '75W80' but can I use '75W140' if I live in a hot region (Texas)?
4. Is there any risk of changing the fluid for the first time? I read a post where some mechanic said there is no point in changing it if it wasn't replaced for a long time... Not sure what to make of this. My understanding is the car only got it changed once and that was like 80k miles ago.

Definitely follow the FCP video and you'll see no filter and no pan to worry about. Others have offered some good advice here as well. Manual transmissions don't have the theoretical risk of high mileage fluid change that automatics do.

However, please note that FCP recommends 75W80 transmission fluid, which is not the same as any 75W80 gear oil or differential fluid. I'm not even sure a 75W140 suitable for transmissions exists. Redline mentions this in their 75W80 MTL transmission fluid product listing:

Since most GL-5 gear oils for differentials are too slippery for manual transmissions, Red Line offers these products that ensure proper shifting while providing ultimate wear protection

Appropriate coefficient of friction for most manual transmission synchronizers (other's synthetic gear oils are often too slippery for proper synchro engagement)

There is much debate about the best fluid for our manual transmissions. Redline D4 & D6 (which are actually ATF) have been recommended. Some people like Redline MTF, although that apparently gets notchy in the cold. The Genuine BMW fluid seems to be a good all around option, but a bit more expensive. If you run through the Redline product finder, it recommends their D6 for your model.

Bimmerworld weighs in on the various options also: https://www.bimmerworld.com/About-Us...al-Oil/#manual

[whyzee125]

IMO the factory BMW fluid is the best. Lots of people try Royal Purple, various Redline, UUC's special sauce, etc. but there's always a downside like notchy when cold, grindy when hot, sticky feeling, etc.

I've tried a few and nothing was as consistent as the factory stuff.

[autoAER]

No filter in a manual, and no reason to have it running!

I used liqui-moly 85w90 fluid in my 330i. ~$9 a liter and shifts like butter!

Incredibly easy process, just follow the FCP euro video, literally just drain and fill

[fleetfoot]

Be sure to read this Bimmerworld guide when choosing your fluid:
https://www.bimmerworld.com/About-Us...ferential-Oil/

I went with Redline MT-LV as they recommended. You might as well do diff fluid while you’re under there. It’s the same tools and process, but you’ll want to choose a different fluid for the diff.

A few tips:
1) wear safety glasses. The fluid has a tendency to leak and splash. You don’t want it in your eyes.
2) you’ll need about 1.3L of transmission fluid, so buy 2 bottles

This is the full procedure I wrote up for myself:

Tools/Parts
• 8mm and 10mm sockets for splash shield and bracket
• 8mm hex bit for MT drain plug
• 14 or 17mm hex bit for diff fill plug
• Fluid pump
• Drain pan
• 2L MT-LV
• 1L 75w90 (diff)
-ratchet
-torque wrench
-safety glasses
-headlamp
-latex gloves
-towels


Steps
1. Transmission Fluid
a. Remove splash shield (seven 8mm nuts plus the 10mm bracket)
b. Remove transmission fill plug (near the top on the side) with 8mm hex bit
c. Place drain pan remove the 8mm hex drain plug to drain fluid
d. Replace drain plug and tighten to 18 ft-lbs
e. Fill with 1L+ of fluid until it starts to overflow
f. Tighten fill plug to 18 ft-lbs
g. Reattach splash shield
2. Differential Fluid
a. Remove 14/17mm fill plug
b. Use pump to pull fluid out
c. Use pump to refill until it overflows
d. Tighten fill plug to 44 ft-lbs

[watchout-everyone]

Originally Posted by fleetfoot

Be sure to read this Bimmerworld guide when choosing your fluid:
https://www.bimmerworld.com/About-Us...ferential-Oil/

I went with Redline MT-LV as they recommended. You might as well do diff fluid while you’re under there. It’s the same tools and process, but you’ll want to choose a different fluid for the diff.

A few tips:
1) wear safety glasses. The fluid has a tendency to leak and splash. You don’t want it in your eyes.
2) you’ll need about 1.3L of transmission fluid, so buy 2 bottles

This is the full procedure I wrote up for myself:

Tools/Parts
• 8mm and 10mm sockets for splash shield and bracket
• 8mm hex bit for MT drain plug
• 14 or 17mm hex bit for diff fill plug
• Fluid pump
• Drain pan
• 2L MT-LV
• 1L 75w90 (diff)
-ratchet
-torque wrench
-safety glasses
-headlamp
-latex gloves
-towels


Steps
1. Transmission Fluid
a. Remove splash shield (seven 8mm nuts plus the 10mm bracket)
b. Remove transmission fill plug (near the top on the side) with 8mm hex bit
c. Place drain pan remove the 8mm hex drain plug to drain fluid
d. Replace drain plug and tighten to 18 ft-lbs
e. Fill with 1L+ of fluid until it starts to overflow
f. Tighten fill plug to 18 ft-lbs
g. Reattach splash shield
2. Differential Fluid
a. Remove 14/17mm fill plug
b. Use pump to pull fluid out
c. Use pump to refill until it overflows
d. Tighten fill plug to 44 ft-lbs

Thank you! Will be doing the Differential Fluid too while at it.

[fleetfoot]

Be sure to read this Bimmerworld guide when choosing your fluid:
https://www.bimmerworld.com/About-Us...ferential-Oil/

I went with Redline MT-LV as they recommended. You might as well do diff fluid while you’re under there. It’s the same tools and process, but you’ll want to choose a different fluid for the diff.

A few tips:
1) wear safety glasses. The fluid has a tendency to leak and splash. You don’t want it in your eyes.
2) you’ll need about 1.3L of transmission fluid, so buy 2 bottles

This is the full procedure I wrote up for myself:

Tools/Parts
• 8mm and 10mm sockets for splash shield and bracket
• 8mm hex bit for MT drain plug
• 14mm hex bit for diff fill plug
• Fluid pump
• Drain pan
• 2L MT-LV
• 2L 75w90 (diff)

Steps
1. Transmission Fluid
a. Remove splash shield (seven 8mm nuts plus the 10mm bracket)
b. Remove transmission fill plug (near the top on the side) with 8mm hex bit
c. Place drain pan remove the 8mm hex drain plug to drain fluid
d. Replace drain plug and tighten to 26 ft-lbs
e. Fill with 1L+ of fluid until it starts to overflow
f. Tighten fill plug to 26 ft-lbs
g. Reattach splash shield
2. Differential Fluid
a. Remove 14mm fill plug
b. Use pump to pull fluid out
c. Use pump to refill until it overflows
d. Tighten fill plug to 33 ft-lbs