DIY - E70 Transfer Case Fluid Change

[Sophisticated Redneck]

It is highly recommended you change your transfer case oil every 75-100K miles. Changing the fluid and re-calibration will often solve many transfer case issues that most dealers would instead make you believe requires a new transfer case.

Below are instructions on how to change your transfer case fluid without having to remove the cross member which can save hours of work, making it a simple 30 minute process. Re-calibration instructions are also included. This Guide covers the ATC 45L, ATC 450, & ATC 700 which are all used on various sub models of the E70.

You will need:

Car ramps/jacks/jack stands, etc

14mm Flex Head Wrench: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01F512F7Y?th=1

14mm Allen Wrench: https://www.amazon.com/Bondhus-12284.../dp/B002YNQP5A

(1) Liter of DTF1 BMW transfer Case Fluid: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...id-83220397244

(2) Drain/fill Plugs: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ial-drain-plug (Please note the ATC 45L used in some sub-models does not have a drain plug so you only need one)

Fluid transfer pump, many to choose from, I recommend: https://www.amazon.com/ABN-Manual-AT.../dp/B07NVZQ99P

Low profile oil filler adapter (if your pump does not include one): https://www.amazon.com/Transmission-.../dp/B07G4D1DBZ

12 inches of Small diameter rubber hose (1/4") for removing the old fluid (this is needed for the ATC 45L Transfer case only)

Instructions:

- Using a Dremel, cut off 17mm in length from the 14mm allen wrench. Insert this piece into the 14mm flex head wrench. Use a small piece of tape to provide just enough friction so the cut allen wrench stays in place but can still be moved when it comes time to flip the wrench to tighten. See pictures for more details.

- Raise vehicle on jack stands or on ramps, try to have your X5 as level as possible.

- Locate and remove the oil fill plug on the transfer case (see pics), this is a very tight fit with the crossmember in place however with the tool you have just made it can be done.

- Remove drain plug on transfer case, allow all oil to drain. All transfer cases hold only approx 600-700ml (just over half a quart) so do not be alarmed when only this amount comes out. (For the ATC 45L ONLY: use the small piece of tubing inserted through the oil fill hole to drain the old oil. You must guide this hose down past the internal gears. Use a transfer pump to assist. Try to get at least 500ml out.

- Replace drain plug on applicable models and tighten to 60nm

- Using transfer pump & fill tube, fill transfer case until oil just starts to drip out of the fill hole (approx 600-750ml depending on transfer case model)

- Replace fill plug and tighten to 60nm

- Perform Transfer case Re-calibration (This is critical to do, Do not skip this step) using ISTA or Foxwell NT530 or higher scanner. ISTA instructions are below.

[Sophisticated Redneck]

ATC 450:

[Sophisticated Redneck]

ATC 45L:

[Sophisticated Redneck]

ATC 700:

[Sophisticated Redneck]

Transfer Case Calibration:

Hook up battery charger (at least 10amp model)

Turn on ignition all the way (do not start engine) and hok up D-CAN cable/laptop. Once connected with ISTA select:

Operations>>>Read Out Vehicle Data>>>Complete Identification.

After tests are complete, clear any faults with the transfer Case.

Next Select:

Vehicle Management>>>Service Functions>>>Power Train

Now Select:

Transfer Box Transmission Control Unit>>>Transfer Box (VTG) Calibration

A prompt comes up asking you if you have cleared all faults, engine off, etc.

Select Yes to perform calibration.

You will hear the servo motor in the transfer case engage for a few seconds. After this a screen will show the calibration results. Expect a correction in the area of 0.1-1.5 degrees.

Close out ISTA and switch off ignition. Calibration is now complete.

[Dawgz]

Very nice. I recently changed the tcase fluid but didn't reset the calibration. Will need to see if protool can do it.


**Update** protool does have the feature.

Done today


.

[heatmizr]

Thank You Redneck!
The fluid change itself seems straightforward. But being completely unfamiliar with any diagnostic tools, Would someone have the time and inclination to list the ones that could be used to do the reset here, and what they require (phone/tablet/laptop) and cost?
I will need to dive in here and any direction will save me time and be greatly appreciated! I have no idea what I would be getting into...

[Bengineer330]

Thought I would add to this conversation since I had an issue doing the transfer case fluid change yesterday.

This is the 3rd time I've done it and this time when I reset the adaptations I got a value of -0.6. No big deal. Thought I was fine and got in the car and drove to the grocery store. When turning into the parking lot and then into the parking space it started to bind. I threw my hands up like a child in disgust of myself.

Got it home, jacked it up...again...and double checked that the fluid was topped off.

Went to reset the adaptations and got a wildly different value of -5.6. Reset the adaptations a second time and got a value of -0.2. So I felt like it was accurate this time. Drove it to work this morning and around in circles in the parking lot. All seems good but now my ass sensor is on high alert of any drivetrain shudder.

Not sure what happened but I'll update the group if I find anything.

[evilchargerfan]

Originally Posted by Dawgz

Very nice. I recently changed the tcase fluid but didn't reset the calibration. Will need to see if protool can do it.


**Update** protool does have the feature.

Done today

you just helped protools earn 1 new customer

(i couldnt find this feature in carly nor my foxwell scanner)

[Dawgz]

Originally Posted by evilchargerfan

you just helped protools earn 1 new customer

(i couldnt find this feature in carly nor my foxwell scanner)

Awesome!

[snow_bound26]

Just bought a 2012 X5 diesel. How do I know what t-case that came with? Hoping to do trans, diffs, and t-case fluids sometime in the next month.

[Attacking Mid]

You have the ATC 700 that requires the special BMW fluid - https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...id-83220397244

or equivalent. I'm using the Shell S-Tec as I believe it's the same fluid and is significantly less expensive.

AM.

[mitch808]

Originally Posted by evilchargerfan

you just helped protools earn 1 new customer

(i couldnt find this feature in carly nor my foxwell scanner)

I'm finding carly to be less and less useful. They just don't care about the platform anymore.

The direction of their app seems to be more geared towards repairs and not coding too.

[TRENDSETTER]

Sorry to bump an old thread but what Tcase would I have i. My 2011 35i?

[Dekero]

Atc45L would be my guess, but use realoem.com to check and be sure.

[heatmizr]

I wanted to bump this thread up, because it is absolute MAGIC !
I've been needing to do this for many months, the TC grabbing was getting worse gradually. I hated tight turning. I was hoping to get it in this summer but my local indy shop has been so busy, I finally got tired of waiting and had the Dealer do it. (I bought the pre-paid oil service contract last year which was a good deal, and it was going in for the oil change anyway...)
They didn't realize (I didn't tell them) I was feeling the grabbing symptoms at first and thought I was just asking if they thought I should change it - they brought the car around and told me it was lifetime fluid, tried to send me on my way... I laughed and said, No, just please do it.

I could tell just leaving the parking lot it felt waaaay better, near my house I found an open area and did full turns at lock in both directions and it was SO SMOOTH!
I really can't believe the difference - Does the "reset adaptation" as they called it on the invoice affect anything else? Because I swear it feels smoother all around, even in the steering! Maybe just the joy of having good TC function is making me giddy...

PS - Dealer cost was $263 for fluid and reset. I think they gave me a small discount due to the misunderstanding.

[bluefish7]

Hey did you ever get any direction on the software of choice? I am abandoning Carly for good reasons but also need to do transfer case, would like to invest in a little for something that has more capabilities and might be usable for X5 as well as Wrangler. Thanks

Originally Posted by heatmizr

Thank You Redneck!
The fluid change itself seems straightforward. But being completely unfamiliar with any diagnostic tools, Would someone have the time and inclination to list the ones that could be used to do the reset here, and what they require (phone/tablet/laptop) and cost?
I will need to dive in here and any direction will save me time and be greatly appreciated! I have no idea what I would be getting into...

[JellyStyle]

Originally Posted by bluefish7

Hey did you ever get any direction on the software of choice? I am abandoning Carly for good reasons but also need to do transfer case, would like to invest in a little for something that has more capabilities and might be usable for X5 as well as Wrangler. Thanks

ISTA+ is free (i can get it to you)

[bluefish7]

Awesome, I've looked at links before but its been a while so any help appreciated

Originally Posted by JellyStyle

ISTA+ is free (i can get it to you)

[bluefish7]

On the ATC 700, don't need to go further on the draining than just draining correct? Don't need to snake a little hose around in there to vacuum out right?

Originally Posted by Sophisticated Redneck

ATC 700:

[Sophisticated Redneck]

Originally Posted by bluefish7

On the ATC 700, don't need to go further on the draining than just draining correct? Don't need to snake a little hose around in there to vacuum out right?

Yep you got it, that's only for the 45L version.

[Dekero]

Save hours of work by not taking off the crossmember?!?

It takes 6 bolts and less than 10 mins and allows you to check the TC mount as well with it off...

If this takes you hours, I'd hate to see how long the
Fluid change took you.