[E81]

Maybe this will help http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...67&hg=32&fg=20

Part number 9 is the sticker and in the part description it says

For vehicles with
Active steering = No
S217A=No
09 Label, oil container-power steering pump CHF 11.S

So my guess is that vehicles without active steering should use CHF 11.S. However the reservoir number you gave is not the same than the one in realoem picture.

[Socket]

Originally Posted by whiteblue

An online VIN check wont give an answer.

Take your VIN to the BMW dealer. Let them do the top up. Topping up at the dealer wont cost very much but gives you 100% safety and another 100% warranty.
Ask what fluid they used or ask for a detailed bill then on your way home buy the appropriate fluid and make a DIY flush

+1

[emilebos]

Originally Posted by E81

Maybe this will help http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...67&hg=32&fg=20

Part number 9 is the sticker and in the part description it says

For vehicles with
Active steering = No
S217A=No
09 Label, oil container-power steering pump CHF 11.S

So my guess is that vehicles without active steering should use CHF 11.S. However the reservoir number you gave is not the same than the one in realoem picture.

Don't know how much to trust this site, but it does identify my power steering fluid reservoir part number 32416768094 as being one that takes ATF..

http://www.findpart.org/part/bmw-32416768094/

..and matching the data on realoem, the other similar part number 32416851218 is listed to take CHF 11S.

[emilebos]

UPDATE: Went to see my local dealer on Friday for hopefully a more reliable answer. Spoke to the very helpful service manager who took a screen print from their KSD2 service data system after searching on my VIN...

KSD2 data lists CHF 11S as the default steering fluid for my car, with an alternate fluid of ATF DEXTRON II. So in my case either steering fluid is suitable (but cannot be mixed). And further to this the service manager advised the steering fluid smell can also identify which fluid is in use. Seeing as the color of my fluid is a browny shade, we then went and did the smell test on my fluid compared to that of another car in for service (a 2011 335i) which was using CHF 11S and still had its green 'USE CHF' sticker in place on the cap. Smell was the same, unlike that of the ATF Dextron II which I had purchased a couple of weeks ago which smells distinctly different.

[mattp90]

I have a 06 325xi that had the chf11s sticker on the cap when I got it but I blew it off one day when I was washing the engine bay, my fluid is real muddy looking and I am going to suck the old fluid out with a fluid transfer pump and refill, can I refill it with the red line D4 ATF or do I need to stick with the chf11s?

[MiniXP]

Originally Posted by mattp90

I have a 06 325xi that had the chf11s sticker on the cap when I got it but I blew it off one day when I was washing the engine bay, my fluid is real muddy looking and I am going to suck the old fluid out with a fluid transfer pump and refill, can I refill it with the red line D4 ATF or do I need to stick with the chf11s?

If the sticker said chf11 then use that.

[Beberle]

My 2009 E91 has CHF for power steering fluid. I put my old fluid in a clear bottle and confirmed its green and agrees with the sticker. It was pretty dark at 70k miles so shaking the bottle made it easier to see the color on the sides. . Luckily, a single $25 liter is enough to change out the fluid a couple times. Not sure how may have 'discovered' this, but the can has its own built in nozzle.

[613328i]

I have a dilemma. I'm wanting to do the turkey baster method but realized my power steering has the green sticker (CHF) but it has red ATF in it. Just bought the car. 2007 328i with 100 km.
Would having the wrong fluid in it for who knows how long, cause any damage to the internal reservoir filter?
Should I do a COMPLETE flush now, and then do the turkey baster method for future maintenance?

[emilebos]

Originally Posted by 613328i

I have a dilemma. I'm wanting to do the turkey baster method but realized my power steering has the green sticker (CHF) but it has red ATF in it. Just bought the car. 2007 328i with 100 km.
Would having the wrong fluid in it for who knows how long, cause any damage to the internal reservoir filter?
Should I do a COMPLETE flush now, and then do the turkey baster method for future maintenance?

I recall the main issue with putting the wrong type of fluid in is the risk of failed seals resulting in leaks and costly repairs.

In your specific case a complete flush sounds like the best option followed by the turkey baster method in the future.

[613328i]

Ok thanks. Also, do you think the wrong fluid could do any harm to the resovoir filter?
Do the E90's that take ATF have a different filter setup?

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by emilebos

I recall the main issue with putting the wrong type of fluid in is the risk of failed seals resulting in leaks and costly repairs.

In your specific case a complete flush sounds like the best option followed by the turkey baster method in the future.

About how long do you think the ATF has been in the system? If there are no leaks, then why bother changing back to pentosin chf-11.

You can use synthetic ATF as your Power Steering Fluid. It will not harm the reservoir/filter.

I have been using Amsoil ATF for about 60,000 miles in my 07 335i, as Power Steering fluid. No issues.

If your over 100,000 miles, just change the reservoir/ filter, and of course the ATF. Maybe do the procedure 2x if your unsure it's synthetic ATF and your wanting to install synthetic ATF. I would.

You can use a brake vac like a Mitivac to vacuum the old fluid out. This tool is awesome. Well worth the investment, if you have a quality air compressor.

[BimmerNugget]

Pre LCI power steering reservoir cap says ATF fluid. So use that.

On LCI models it says to use CHF-11s, so use that. $4 at Walmart.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Prestone-...Fluid/43155500

I have LCI E90, I just changed P/S fluid last month using the turkey baster method.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by emilebos

Well, so much for my dealer's suggestion to check for an imprint of the correct fluid type on the top edge of the reservoir. There's no imprinted text there at all.

Lower down on the bottom half of the reservoir there's the part number 32416768094.

The 335's use petosin (CHF 11), for PS fluid from the factory; the 328's use ATF.

[ctuna]

My 325 says chf11 right on the cap.
06 325 xi wagon

"All 2006-on BMWs except the 2006 E46 require Pentosin CHF 11.S special hydraulic oil
in the power steering system. These cars all have a sticker on the top of the power
steering fluid reservoir cap setting forth whether they require Pentosin CHF 11.S.
Do not screw this up, or you will be in a world of hurt. Pentosin CHF 11.S is not
compatible with ATF or any other lubricant or hydraulic oil!
If your car uses ATF in the power steering system, Red Line D4 ATF is fine if you want
to use a premium product. I don’t recommend Red Line Synthetic Power Steering Fluid
for use in BMWs."

quote From the Mike Miller 3.13 old school maintenance schedule. Google Mike Miller BMW for
a copy

[emilebos]

Originally Posted by 613328i

Ok thanks. Also, do you think the wrong fluid could do any harm to the resovoir filter?
Do the E90's that take ATF have a different filter setup?

Not sure if the fluid reservoir filters are different, would think they are the same, but cannot confirm this?

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

The 335's use petosin (CHF 11), for PS fluid from the factory; the 328's use ATF.

My '06 325i E90 uses Pentosin CHF-11S

[613328i]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

The 335's use petosin (CHF 11), for PS fluid from the factory; the 328's use ATF.

My 2007 328 has the CHF 11 green sticker tho...

[Jim_B]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

The 335's use petosin (CHF 11), for PS fluid from the factory; the 328's use ATF.

My wife's 2009 328i xDrive uses CHF-11S.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by Jim_B

My wife's 2009 328i xDrive uses CHF-11S.

Hmm.. I stand corrected.

[baturbo]

Is this ok?

http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/Pro...1-Litre/540569

http://www.penriteoil.com.au/products/ldas

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by baturbo

Is this ok?

http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/Pro...1-Litre/540569

http://www.penriteoil.com.au/products/ldas

Take your choice :

A) synthetic ATF
B) Pentosin CHF 11s

Either or will work. You can even switch from one to another, but just make sure you do a complete flush. If doing a turkey baster method, then change the reservoir out and do it (3x) at least.

If your car has 100k, change the reservoir regardless if you are switching types of fluids or keeping the same.

You should change the fluid every 50k regardless of what's in there.