Transfer Case Fluid

[335dsleeper]

Originally Posted by smyles

Annually?? talk about waste...

Did a bunch of maintenance on my X5 today. She has 197,800 miles on her.

Here's a pic of my transfer case oil with 55k miles on it. It's dark and dirty, which usually doesn't mean much but, all the metallic particles in the oil and at the bottom of the drain pan tells me 55k is far too long of an interval. We drive roughly 90% highway and this is my wife's DD, which is driven pretty easy.

After seeing this today, I'll be changing the transfer-case oil every 40k.

Also changed the following fluids.

Front diff- Had 97k on oil. Still looked/smelled clean.
Rear Diff- Had 97k on oil. Still looked/ smelled clean.
Transmission- Had 55k on fluid. Was dirty but didn't have a harsh smell. Hardly any metallic particular on the pan magnets, which I was pleased to see.

I will do the differentials annually and the transmission and transfer case every 40k from now on.

I used ista to reset the fluid monitors and settings in the transfer case and transmission.

[JoeyBimX5din]

Originally Posted by 335dsleeper

Did a bunch of maintenance on my X5 today. She has 197,800 miles on her.

Here's a pic of my transfer case oil with 55k miles on it. It's dark and dirty, which usually doesn't mean much but, all the metallic particles in the oil and at the bottom of the drain pan tells me 55k is far too long of an interval. We drive roughly 90% highway and this is my wife's DD, which is driven pretty easy.

After seeing this today, I'll be changing the transfer-case oil every 40k.

Also changed the following fluids.

Front diff- Had 97k on oil. Still looked/smelled clean.
Rear Diff- Had 97k on oil. Still looked/ smelled clean.
Transmission- Had 55k on fluid. Was dirty but didn't have a harsh smell. Hardly any metallic particular on the pan magnets, which I was pleased to see.

I will do the differentials annually and the transmission and transfer case every 40k from now on.

I used ista to reset the fluid monitors and settings in the transfer case and transmission.

what viscosity differential fluid did you use?

[JoeyBimX5din]

so I bought transfer case fluid from a BMW dealer here in Maryland, and the stuff in the bottle is closer to ATF then to 75w, and I double checked with the service manager and he confirmed its the right stuff. Am I missing something here?

Sorry to thread highjack

I don't think changing transfer case fluid at 40k is excessive at all. I think with as weak as these are, 30k may be more in line with a good change

[335dsleeper]

It's 75w.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...220397244~kt1/

[JoeyBimX5din]

hmm.

http://www.autohausaz.com/pn/FB-G052171A2

[335dsleeper]

75w90 Amsoil with 1 ounce of archoil in each.

Originally Posted by JoeyBimX5din

what viscosity differential fluid did you use?

[335dsleeper]

I’m not familiar with the BMW fluid, if it has different additive packages for the transfer case or not. I don’t know enough about their divider oil or what could or should be substituted. The transfer case takes just under a liter, buying the BMW fluid is easy and worth the additional money in my opinion. I’ll save money doing the work myself. I’m not saying there isn’t better fluid out there, I just can’t justify the time researching when there’s an OEM solution.

Originally Posted by JoeyBimX5din

hmm.

http://www.autohausaz.com/pn/FB-G052171A2

[heatmizr]

I would say with changing it so much more often that it matters a little less if you use fancy expensive oil or BMW branded oil, long as they are specified for this application.

[coolmayank]

Originally Posted by 335dsleeper

We drive a lot and have no plans of replacing the X5 until the X7 is released. We have just under 190k and haven't had any mechanical failures, no odd vibrations or noises from the diffs etc.

I do the F&R diff, transfer case and transmission fluids at least once a year. Oil every 5-7500 but have went as long as 12k. I tow more than most, prob 2-3k miles a summer.

It's cheap and easy maintenance, I also have a lift in my barn, which makes it rather convenient. The $315 spent annually to change the diff fluid, transfer case fluid and transmission filter/ fluid is worth it in my opinion.

ZF fluid and filter in the transmission
Amsoil in the Differentials
BMW X-drive fluid in the transfer case.

My x5m is at 72 K miles and I am not sure if previous owner changed these fluids. Any idea how many hours of labour involved in this work and how much it cost at stelarship. I do occasionally feel jerks in shift when In Sports or M mode

[philly42]

Originally Posted by coolmayank

My x5m is at 72 K miles and I am not sure if previous owner changed these fluids. Any idea how many hours of labour involved in this work and how much it cost at stelarship. I do occasionally feel jerks in shift when In Sports or M mode

I was trying to get a quote from the dealer while they were doing the airbag. The service rep said not to change it because it's lifetime fluid. I didn't want to deal with the "lifetime fluid" debate, so I just dropped it.

My miles are similar to yours and when I had someone at BMW pull the records on the service done on my car. Those fluids were not replaced. I plan on doing mine soon and will probably go with BMW fluid if I can get my hands on it.

FYI to all, before replacing the fluid quickly confirm with the sticker on the trans, diff and tc. The cost of putting in the wrong fluid is not worth the few seconds it takes to check the label.

[fsd350]

Originally Posted by philly42

I was trying to get a quote from the dealer while they were doing the airbag. The service rep said not to change it because it's lifetime fluid. I didn't want to deal with the "lifetime fluid" debate, so I just dropped it.

My miles are similar to yours and when I had someone at BMW pull the records on the service done on my car. Those fluids were not replaced. I plan on doing mine soon and will probably go with BMW fluid if I can get my hands on it.

FYI to all, before replacing the fluid quickly confirm with the sticker on the trans, diff and tc. The cost of putting in the wrong fluid is not the few seconds it takes to check the label.

+1 Best practice and a good point for sure