[carve]

My 07 335i will hit 30k soon- a traditional change interval for ATF. Many trannys these days will go "long enough" with no maintaince, which I think is why they're calling this a "lifetime fill". However, I'm sure this transmission is very expensive. Also, if I go beyond 50k, I hear it's best not to change the fluid (or is that just flush the fluid?). I'd like to give it a little preventive care to extend it's life.

This is my first automatic and I'm a bit confused about what to do. There is zero maintaince info in the manual. Has anyone changed the ATF in their 335i? What fluid do I use? Are the drain & fill plugs even accessible? Any tips?

[KkSc]

you may post this thread at the Turbo section!

[Neon01]

Check here for what some believe is a good maintenance schedule:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ighlight=break

Unfortunately, he's very vague about ATF changes, and his only real advice is to consider switching to a manual gearbox. What he basically says is that BMW now recommends changing the fluid every 100k miles, and that you can't do it yourself because they don't sell the fluid and an equivalent 3rd party fluid is not known. They also apparently charge on the order of $500 for the flush/fill, so it's not something to be done often.

Hope this is somewhat helpful.

[vgame64]

ZF says you should change it at ~50,000 miles. I personally recommend that if you are going to change it, to do it at about 30,000 miles because anything after that and some gunk can dislodge causing bigger problems.

You won't get any help from BMW because they feel the fluid is a lifetime fill (lifetime for BMW = 100,000 miles or when it fails) and most dealers won't touch it (or will charge a lot).

I suggest to use BIMRS to find a good independent mechanic that will change the fluid and filter for you every 30,000 miles. (It's a bit overkill but it will help keep your tranny alive until 200,000) The fluid is a bit expensive, but its worth it IMO... (If this is all too much, stick with a 6MT.)

(I changed my engine oil/filter and transmission oil/filter, at 1200 for break in and plan to do the same at 30,000; if you have an xdrive, add transfer case to that list. I tried to change my rear differntial fluid but couldn't find the fill bolt.).

[cvc 22349a]

What fluid did you use for the AT?

[vgame64]

Originally Posted by cvc 22349a

What fluid did you use for the AT?

I'm not sure as I don't have the drum anymore. I just brought my car to my dealer, gave the parts guy my vin, and he had the service guy jack it up quickly to read a sticker on the tranny.

I think it was some Esso or Shell fluid with a BMW part number and it came in a large container. (I don't think it was a Dexron 3/6 variety).

[volkswackin]

its made by shell i think..only sold in bulk..

[ZFF]

Mercedes also has a similar "lifetime" trans fluid (I think Mercedes uses a very similar ZF auto trans).

Mercedes used to say it was "lifetime" and should never be changed. However, on our '06, Mercedes sent out an update to all owners, saying the trans is a "one time" transmission.

They now recommend the fluid be changed once, at 39,000 miles (not sure how they came up with that very specific number!).

[ENINTY]

Originally Posted by vgame64

ZF says you should change it at ~50,000 miles. I personally recommend that if you are going to change it, to do it at about 30,000 miles because anything after that and some gunk can dislodge causing bigger problems.

You won't get any help from BMW because they feel the fluid is a lifetime fill (lifetime for BMW = 100,000 miles or when it fails) and most dealers won't touch it (or will charge a lot).

I suggest to use BIMRS to find a good independent mechanic that will change the fluid and filter for you every 30,000 miles. (It's a bit overkill but it will help keep your tranny alive until 200,000) The fluid is a bit expensive, but its worth it IMO... (If this is all too much, stick with a 6MT.)

(I changed my engine oil/filter and transmission oil/filter, at 1200 for break in and plan to do the same at 30,000; if you have an xdrive, add transfer case to that list. I tried to change my rear differntial fluid but couldn't find the fill bolt.).

There is no drain bolt. The plug on the cover is the fill plug. You need to suck the fluid out then refill through the fill plug.

[karanaggarwal7]

mates

my 320d had hit a bump due to which the automatic gearbox oil cooler broke.
I have found a new one but wonder how to fill oil and how much to fill in automatic transmission. can i fill Castrol TQ D?
Please help.

[jamieciambelli]

it is shell ..part # m-1375.4 only sold in bulk

[Samuel L Jackson]

I'd do the transmission fluid change sooner than later (100k miles). My parents drive a Lincoln LS which has a sealed ZF transmission, it's got a ton of tranny problems which probably could have been avoided it they did earlier fluid changes.

[gino58]

see my post with pictures under maintenance diy. I also have ZF auto trans on 2006 325i zsp and it has both fill and drain plug. it can be different from 335. Warning label says lifetime oil but at the same time says "use only BMW oil #." I guess lifetime to BMW is 100K miles that's why they tell you what trans oil to use with part #.

[M3 Eater]

so that black can in the front that say A T F stands for.......not automatic transmission fluid I assume?

[thefox456]

never change the ATF it's made for LIFETIME use otherwise if you do just prepare your pocket to pay more damages

[Turkeybaster115]

Please do a search guys. We have extensively discussed this topic, in several threads.

[Chriztofor]

Well if its worth anything, here is my DIY on my 325i

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...y+transmission

[conceptbass03]

Using the advice from Turkeybaster and some of the few other great DYI people here, I did my ATF change for my 330i. I took it to an independent shop and they pretty much let me use their lift and lent me a hand while I changed it for $40, which is a great deal IMHO. In total after dropping the car down and shifting through the gears and then making sure that it was topped off, the total time was maybe about an hour and twenty minutes. My car had 50,320 miles on it and it is a CPO. I plan on keeping it for awhile so doing this gave me a peace of mind. I wanted to take pictures of the fluid but once it started coming out it was pretty messy. Either way, the fluid was only slightly discolored from the new fluid I put in there. The hardest part though was finding a hose and funnel that fit together and fit into the fill hole and trying to find a metric wrench to get the fill plug loose.

[Chriztofor]

You have nice people in Mississippi. Never heard of a place letting you fix your car on their premises for $40 and giving you a hand! Their liability carrier would flip if they found out or even deny coverage because they violated the conditions of the policy.

[conceptbass03]

haha yeah they had signs posted everywhere saying employees only in the shop. Back home where I'm from in Florida they would have freaked out and not let you in the shop but this family owned shop in Mississippi had never done the ATF change on newer BMW's because they had also always assumed it was "lifetime". So it was almost like a learning situation for them too because several of them were standing there watching me and the owner work on it! People make fun of Mississippi all the time (me being one of them) but I will tell they are some of the nicest people!