I have an 03 330i with a steptronic trans and 93,000 miles on the clock. I've spoken to two independent shops one says not to change the fluid at this point since it is the original fluid, the other says to flush and change the fluid, depending on who you speak to at the dealer one tech says leave it alone the other says change it at 100 K. I'm confused. Any advice?
Transmission Fluid
- Thread starter Johninjax
- Start date
The idea being that any build up in the transmission could be broken loose and may create a problem where none existed before. This tranny has the original oil in it, one of the dealers techs (no kid btw) says leave it alone if it isn't causing any problems.I checked the indies first as they are reputable and cheaper than the dealer.
Engine operates at much higher temps than transmission.....
With the new improved transmission fluids flushing is not that common anymore same cause the differentials.....
This is more common with trucks or off-road vehicles operated at high revolution and high torque in hot and dusty environment.
This comes from my long time hobby of off-roading and truck modification before falling in love with the Bimmer.....
Jay
With the new improved transmission fluids flushing is not that common anymore same cause the differentials.....
This is more common with trucks or off-road vehicles operated at high revolution and high torque in hot and dusty environment.
This comes from my long time hobby of off-roading and truck modification before falling in love with the Bimmer.....
Jay
Automatic tramssion fluid is a highly detergent oil based product. Its weight, in oil numbers is about 10 weight. In addition to making the transmission shift, it is formulated to keep the rubber seals inside the transmission soft and pilable.
One of the oldest tricks in cars is to change the oil and filter, leave it one quart low (for a five quart oil reservoir, more for a bigger reservoir), add a quart of transmission fluid and drive the car for a day or so, then change the oil and filter again. Loosens up all the gunk in the engine, and can raise the oil pressure due to more open oil passages.
In my opinion, if putting new transmission fluid in the car loosens up things that are in place because the transmission fluid is gummy enough to hold them in place, you needed to change the transmission fluid a long time ago.
One of the oldest tricks in cars is to change the oil and filter, leave it one quart low (for a five quart oil reservoir, more for a bigger reservoir), add a quart of transmission fluid and drive the car for a day or so, then change the oil and filter again. Loosens up all the gunk in the engine, and can raise the oil pressure due to more open oil passages.
In my opinion, if putting new transmission fluid in the car loosens up things that are in place because the transmission fluid is gummy enough to hold them in place, you needed to change the transmission fluid a long time ago.
I concur with what Pete says! I for one do not believe in "lifetime fluids", what is a lifetime? To BMW it might just be the end of the warranty period, or 100k miles? I have also heard stories about people who changed their fluid for the first time after about 100k and thereafter they had problems. Maybe their transmissions were due to fail regardless? I put well over 250k on an old 733 with an automatic and I changed the fluids regularly, never a problem. I think if I owned a "lifetime fluid" BMW I would have it changed every 30 - 60k for myown piece of mind. Just some thought and I should mention that in a recent Roundel and Bav Auto newsletter they discussed this and both tech authors disagreed with the principal of "lifetime fluids". Some thought?
I've heard this a while ago. The problem has been mentioned already, new fluid breaking down the gunk that is somehow keeping the tranny functioning. If you change the fluid regularly from the start, you don't have the gunk buildup so it's not a problem. When the previous owner didn't change the fluid for over 100k miles, there could be some gunk buildup (keeping the tranny working) that the new fluid might just loosen. I personally completely agree with the regular interval fluid changes even if the fluid is so called "lifetime" but I can't decide what would be the better path to take when the fluid has been sitting there for a long time.
I've heard both sides too, someone having tranny problems where a fluid change fixed them and also, people buying cars that never had their ATF changed and after a change the tranny gives out. I would love to believe that the later is not true but would not test it out personally (unless I am getting a new tranny the next day that is).
Its all up to you, good luck with whatever you decide to do.
I've heard both sides too, someone having tranny problems where a fluid change fixed them and also, people buying cars that never had their ATF changed and after a change the tranny gives out. I would love to believe that the later is not true but would not test it out personally (unless I am getting a new tranny the next day that is).
Its all up to you, good luck with whatever you decide to do.