X5M - Active M Differential - fluid change

[jandref321]

Originally Posted by philly42

Which route are you looking to do? I may go with the Liquimoly 75W90 GL-5 for all 3. The weight difference going from W90 to W85 is so small.

I ordered all Redline 75W90

[Headhunter.M3]

I just found this thread for my 2015 x5m. Have been wondering which fluid to use also. My dealer did not even know, ecstuning did not know, bimmer world did not know, finally turner motorsports and redline direct both were helpful. I ended up calling redline and they had the active Differential pulled up on their computer and recommended their 75w85 gear oil for the right and left limited slips and their 75w90 for the middle open diff. They said if you get any chatter to use their friction modifier so i oredered some of that too. Was only like 80 bucks total for all the fluid so i added some ecstuning magnetic drain plugs as my diff has a little oil seapage. I figured i would give it a try as it saves me over 200 bucks compared to bmws 75w85 carbon mod fluid liquid gold. I would not use liqui moly. I put liqui moly in my e90 m3 rear diff and it chattered like crazy i even added friction modifier. Then i changed it to the crazy expensive bmw fluid and the chatter went away immediately. I hope this is not the case with the redline fluid in my x5m but redline assured me it would be ok and they said that Castrol makes the oem fluid and their fluid is better base stocks so we will see. I will let you guys know if once I change the fluid. The guy on the phone was very knowledgable and seemed to know what he was talking about. Did not seem salesy.

I also recently changed transmission fluid. Just a drain and fill. No filter change. I used Valvoline max life as it meets zf lifeguard 8 specs. I was a little skeptical because its like 5 bucks a quart at meijer but it is working great. Shifts are much smoother. And the valvoline is red while the stuff coming out was gold. Lol we will see what happens. I drove around about 500 miles than drained and filled it again and seemed even smoother the next time. I am at 47k miles.

I asked my dealer about transfer case and front diff also they said to wait till 80k miles for those.

[Headhunter.M3]

I used to have a 2018 grand cherokee SRT. They also had a specific mopar fluid for their rear diff that is similar to the x5m. 75w85 electronic lsd fluid. Was like 50 a quart. I wonder if its similar to the bmw stuff. Because they share the same ZF 8speed transmission also. Not worth finding out for me tho but interesting lol!

[jandref321]

If this helps: https://www.xbimmers.com/forums/show....php?t=1533599

[TwinSnailz]

Originally Posted by jandref321

If this helps: https://www.xbimmers.com/forums/show....php?t=1533599

When i did my fluid change with the exact redline fluid as the op link above, it was not red in color. The oem fluid came out gold/brown and the new redline fluid was clean golden color. Not a hint of red that he has in the clear container.
Its been 4 months now and driving hard, no funny noises.

[jandref321]

Originally Posted by TwinSnailz

When i did my fluid change with the exact redline fluid as the op link above, it was not red in color. The oem fluid came out gold/brown and the new redline fluid was clean golden color. Not a hint of red that he has in the clear container.
Its been 4 months now and driving hard, no funny noises.

I think it only appears red because of the red cap and red hose in the bottle. I looked back through my other pictures and the coloring went between golden and red depending on the light.

[Headhunter.M3]

Do you guys have any clue how to change the transfer case fluid? I got under it and could only find one plug. Do I just suction the fluid out?

[jandref321]

Originally Posted by Headhunter.M3

Do you guys have any clue how to change the transfer case fluid? I got under it and could only find one plug. Do I just suction the fluid out?

Yep, suck it out and put new fluid in the same hole. Check out newTIS.info for fluid capacity. If you're swapping out the fluid, check to see if your solenoid gasket is leaking and replace that too.

[HPIA4v2]

So for both front and rear diffs, no filler and drain plugs; all fluids must be extracted from the top using samll hose with pump?

I have not looked in there yet but planning to do this on 30K miles X6M

[0-60Motorsports]

Originally Posted by jandref321

I contacted redline to see what they say. Here was their response:

I show in the X5 dynamic axle both right and left call for the SAF Carbon
In the center SAF-XO

The SAF Carbon Mod was previously a 75W90 viscosity now a 75W85 GL-5.
The SAF-XO is a 75W90 GL-5

The outer sections don’t require a GL-5, the center doesn’t use a high offset so technically doesn’t require a GL-5 either.

A GL-5 could be used in all three locations, the 75W85 or 75W90 in the outer and 75W90 in the center.

So i am going to go ahead and start planning to order diff fluids, thinking of going with redline as they make things easier by recommending their 75w90 in all three sections in the rear.

For the front diff shall i go for their 75w90 as well? Thanks.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/75w...uart-oil-57904

[X5MBeast]

You could use redline. I ended up using liquid moly instead

[0-60Motorsports]

Originally Posted by X5MBeast

You could use them redline. I ended up using liquid moly instead

Did you use this in the front differential as well?

[X5MBeast]

Originally Posted by 0-60Motorsports

Did you use this in the front differential as well?

I did not do the rear differential yet. Just the front, tc and trans.

[0-60Motorsports]

Originally Posted by X5MBeast

I did not do the rear differential yet.

Do you mean you have done the front (front axle) and not done the rear axle yet?

Any way I will be using the same redline i the front axle diff as well.

[X5MBeast]

Originally Posted by 0-60Motorsports

Do you mean you have done the front (front axle) and not done the rear axle yet?

Any way I will be using the same redline i the front axle diff as well.

Correct.

My coworker did the rear with the same redline fluid on his x5 and it’s been fine. He also just did a trip to PA from SC for Christmas with no problems.

[0-60Motorsports]

Originally Posted by X5MBeast

Correct.

My coworker did the rear with the same redline fluid on his x5 and it’s been fine. He also just did a trip to PA from SC for Christmas with no problems.

Great, Yeah redline for both front and rear diffs for sure

[0-60Motorsports]

Done yesterday

[pearlpower]

Originally Posted by 0-60Motorsports

Done yesterday

I understood the 2010 models used a different fluid than subsequent years?

[0-60Motorsports]

Originally Posted by pearlpower

I understood the 2010 models used a different fluid than subsequent years?

Same thing different day. I confirmed with redline. Should be just fine. Of course I will report back Street after I put some miles on the car.

[0-60Motorsports]

So just to update the thread Got the car back and the redline fluid for the diffs works just fine. The X5M since the first time of my ownership feels so smooth now. current mileage 60,100km

[pearlpower]

Originally Posted by 0-60Motorsports

So just to update the thread Got the car back and the redline fluid for the diffs works just fine. The X5M since the first time of my ownership feels so smooth now. current mileage 60,100km

How many miles with the new fluid?

[0-60Motorsports]

Originally Posted by pearlpower

How many miles with the new fluid?

200km since new fluids.