[mweisdorfer]

Was at the dealer a while back and the service manager advised me to change out the power steering fluid at 50k. I looked it up and BMW considers it a lifetime fluid. BMW will not pay to have it changed out for he claimed it was not covered under warranty. What do you all think??

[ENINTY]

There is no such thing as changing the power stearing fluid. The SA is lying to you.

[username604]

he just randomly stated to change it at 50k? i'd follow the manual, or talk to a tech, SA's don't know everything.

[michaelalex17]

that sounds right

[jaybird124]

Originally Posted by ENINTY

There is no such thing as changing the power stearing fluid. The SA is lying to you.

thats kind of a bold statement. Thats actually an important fluid to change out.

[VTECaddict]

BMW considers it "lifetime" and therefore will not include it in the free maintenance. But if you plan on keeping the car for a long time, it won't hurt to change it at 50k. Same for the other "lifetime" fluids like transmission, differential, etc.

[Bamaben]

Originally Posted by jaybird124

thats kind of a bold statement. Thats actually an important fluid to change out.

Yeah, I was getting quotes for all the fluid changes and my sa had $119 for ps fluid change. I told him I didn't know they would do it and he said sometimes they see little metal flakes in it and recommend it. He said they don't have a quote in the system for trans fluid because it is sealed and lifetime fluid. I said I have MT and it was 2 bolts to drain and fill and he said he'd have to get a quote from the foreman.

[fdsasdasdf]

I'd go ahead and do it. You can do it using the "turkey baster" method and do a relatively good change. Not as thorough as a full PSF change, but still pretty effective. Not sure if this method works with E90s or not (I don't see why not), but it'll cost you $8 to do and 30 minutes of your time.

I call BS on that lifetime fluid crap. My power steering fluid was very dark when I took it out. It should be dark red-ish.

[bsamoul]

Originally Posted by jaybird124

thats kind of a bold statement. Thats actually an important fluid to change out.

he's joking at the OP's typo. You should never have to change you power steAring fluid, but you should change your power steEring fluid

[ENINTY]

Originally Posted by bsamoul

he's joking at the OP's typo. You should never have to change you power steAring fluid, but you should change your power steEring fluid

Ah, a man who pays attention to detail!

[jaybird124]

Originally Posted by bsamoul

he's joking at the OP's typo. You should never have to change you power steAring fluid, but you should change your power steEring fluid

Originally Posted by ENINTY

Ah, a man who pays attention to detail!

Gotcha! My apologies. it had been changed when I read it.

[ideliver]

Originally Posted by ENINTY

There is no such thing as changing the power stearing fluid. The SA is lying to you.

This is incorrect.

50,000 is a very reasonable interval. Please read Mike Miller's "Old School Maintenance Guide" for a good idea on how to maintain your car. He writes a Q

[ideliver]

Originally Posted by ideliver

This is incorrect.

50,000 is a very reasonable interval. Please read Mike Miller's "Old School Maintenance Guide" for a good idea on how to maintain your car. He writes a Q

Edit: I see what u did there. Haha

[ENINTY]

Originally Posted by ideliver

This is incorrect.

50,000 is a very reasonable interval. Please read Mike Miller's "Old School Maintenance Guide" for a good idea on how to maintain your car. He writes a Q

Mike Miller's maintenace schedule is nothing more than BMW's schedule pre- 1996 model year (depending on vehicle), so it's not like he has the corner on BMW maintenance information.

BTY, I have a 2006 E90 325i with over 139,000 miles on it now followng the current BMW schedule, a 1997 Z3 1.9L with 145,000 following the 1997 BMW maintenance schedule, and I had a 1989 E30 325i that went 295,000 miles following BMW's 1989 (old school maintenace schedule - which actually doesn't call for a power steering flush and called for OCIs between 9,000 and 12,000 miles on petrol-based oil).

But thanks for the advice anyway.

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by Bamaben

. He said they don't have a quote in the system for trans fluid because it is sealed and lifetime fluid. I said I have MT and it was 2 bolts to drain and fill and he said he'd have to get a quote from the foreman.

I had my dealer change the MT fluid in my E46. As I wanted Redline, I purchased the fluid myself for about $20 and the dealer installed it, charging for one hour's labor. It significantly eased shifting when cold.

Tom

[rogerdiaz]

Where is the power steering fluid reservoir? Would like to check fluid level.Pic please.

[mike-y]

right side of the engine. Looks like a bottle with green markings on the cap. mine usually has a little residue on it that I wipe off from time to time.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by rogerdiaz

Where is the power steering fluid reservoir? Would like to check fluid level.Pic please.

Open the hood and look right. It should be a black cylinder with a gear shaped reservoir cap. It should also have a green sticker on the tip of the outside of it.

To replace the fluid, you will need a brake fluid vacuum. I did not use the BMW fluid. I used Amsoil transmission fluid. I checked with Amsoil and the tech there stated it could be used in LIU of BMW fluid.

You have to suck out the fluid first and then turn the steering wheel all the way to the right and left and manually pump the rest of the old fluid out of the entire system.