[TC330Ci]

Has anybody changed transmision fluid.
Can you do it with a topside extractor.
If not, where is the drain plug?

 

[Guest84]

Per the manual under Transmissions:

"Manual and Automatic transmissions, transfer box, and differential: Life time fluid, no fluid change required"

 

[TC330Ci]

lifetime lubricant

I realize the manual says its lifetime and needs no change, but I want to upgrade to the redline ATF which is a much better product and produces smoother shifts, especially after installing a ssk.

-T

 

[ayn]

Per the manual under Transmissions:

"Manual and Automatic transmissions, transfer box, and differential: Life time fluid, no fluid change required"

IMHO, there is no such thing as "lifetime fluid".

I remember an article in the Roundel saying ATF should be changed every 100k miles or something. Not sure about manual transmission. I can check the Bentley for you when I get home tonight.

--Andrew

 

[ayn]

Re: lifetime lubricant

I realize the manual says its lifetime and needs no change, but I want to upgrade to the redline ATF which is a much better product and produces smoother shifts, especially after installing a ssk.

-T

redline ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid?) and SSK (short-shift kit?)? huh? i must be missing something...

--Andrew

 

[JPinTO]

IMHO, there is no such thing as "lifetime fluid".

I remember an article in the Roundel saying ATF should be changed every 100k miles or something. Not sure about manual transmission. I can check the Bentley for you when I get home tonight.

--Andrew

I'm not sure what to do with my car. I have a manual transmission and the car has 56,000miles/90,000km already. Should I be changing the MT fluid or just leave it alone as the "liftetime" fluid implies? Dunno.

 

[TC330Ci]

ATF in Manual tranny

BMW require ATF in their manual transmissions. (the only difference is the weight of the gear oil)
The change to Redline 4DATF was recommended by Rob Levingston(sp?) at UUC and I've seen it reported many times on UUCdigest for other manual BMW's (mostly e36 M3's)

-T

 

[WAM]

Transmission fluid change

On the Getrag transmissions, as fitted to the 325i, the drain are fill plugs are next each other, on the right side of the transmission housing.

You would have to get under the car to do it.

 

[ayn]

Re: ATF in Manual tranny

BMW require ATF in their manual transmissions. (the only difference is the weight of the gear oil)
The change to Redline 4DATF was recommended by Rob Levingston(sp?) at UUC and I've seen it reported many times on UUCdigest for other manual BMW's (mostly e36 M3's)

-T

I didn't know that... cool... changing to Redline is definitely a good idea though, also look into differential, clutch and brake fluid.

--Andrew

 

[ayn]

Hi TC330Ci, I looked it up in my Bentley manual for you. I think the tranny fluid in the manual e46's are filled with BMW MTF LT-1, it might be the same as the ATF with different weight, I don't know for sure... anyway, here's the instructions on replacing transmisison fluid, seems very easy:

• Drive vehicle for a few miles to warm transmission
• Raise and safely support vehicle to access drain plug
• Place a drain pan under transmission and remove drain plug at bottom of transmission (there is a picture, but i dont think u can miss it, it's the huge plug in the middle of the bottom of your transmission)
• Install and torque drain plug to 50 Nm
• Remove fill plug (u cant miss this one either, it looks the same as the drain plug but it's on the side)
• Slowly fill transmission with fluid until fluid overflows fill hole
• Install and torque fill plug to 50 Nm

replacing the ATF in the automatic transmission is a bit more complicated. another reason to get a manual next time! =)

--Andrew

 

[TC330Ci]

Tranny fill

Thank you ayn.

-TC