Changing ATF
- Thread starter hetraa
- Start date
Re: Changing ATF
I changed mine at 40 000 km. Used Esso oil. Shifts were slightly smoother. That's about it.
But the drained old ATF did contain metal bits. I can't imagine how that would be good for the gearbox...
I changed mine at 40 000 km. Used Esso oil. Shifts were slightly smoother. That's about it.
But the drained old ATF did contain metal bits. I can't imagine how that would be good for the gearbox...
Re: Changing ATF
i believe that the conclusion on e46fanatics is that changing fluids in a high mileage gearbox is strongly associated with gearbox failure soon afterwards. not sure of the cut-off point for mileage, but i think it might be 50,000miles?
do a search there for some explanations as to why and the exact mileage.
i believe that the conclusion on e46fanatics is that changing fluids in a high mileage gearbox is strongly associated with gearbox failure soon afterwards. not sure of the cut-off point for mileage, but i think it might be 50,000miles?
do a search there for some explanations as to why and the exact mileage.
Re: Changing ATF
Louis: read about it over there, they seem undecided abt the issue too...they got some monitoring threads on pple who have changed it...
cbs:mines at 87k now, think i better change soon after hearing abt yr metal bits...
saw yr car at bvo with rear bumper missing...whatcha doin...
Louis: read about it over there, they seem undecided abt the issue too...they got some monitoring threads on pple who have changed it...
cbs:mines at 87k now, think i better change soon after hearing abt yr metal bits...
saw yr car at bvo with rear bumper missing...whatcha doin...
chickenbackside said:
emiffy
Well-Known Member
Re: Changing ATF
ATF: either
(1) change early (general consensus around 40k-60k km) and change often, or
(2) don't change at all.
BMW life-time fill for the gearbox. Some say it's marketing BS. Some say that ATF technology is there, and besides, apart from ATF, the gearbox has a fix lifespan anyway, so changing ATF is a WOM (waste of money).
Personally, I'd go with (1) unless I had a gearbox with > 70k km, then I'll just drive it until it conks out.
Just my 2c worth.
ATF: either
(1) change early (general consensus around 40k-60k km) and change often, or
(2) don't change at all.
BMW life-time fill for the gearbox. Some say it's marketing BS. Some say that ATF technology is there, and besides, apart from ATF, the gearbox has a fix lifespan anyway, so changing ATF is a WOM (waste of money).
Personally, I'd go with (1) unless I had a gearbox with > 70k km, then I'll just drive it until it conks out.
Just my 2c worth.
ninja07
Well-Known Member
Re: Changing ATF
Changed mine at BVO at 60k km using their recommended high performance ATF Dexron III but don't know which brand. Changed gearbox filter and gasket as well.
PML did not change it at all under the 1st owner.
Think I am going to change regularly from now on.
Changed mine at BVO at 60k km using their recommended high performance ATF Dexron III but don't know which brand. Changed gearbox filter and gasket as well.
PML did not change it at all under the 1st owner.
Think I am going to change regularly from now on.
Chewy
Member
Re: Changing ATF
hello guys, been following the forum for a while......saw topics on Transmission, so just a question for your advice and enlightenment.
DO you guys experience delayed gear change when driving of in the morning w/o warm up?
Not sure if this is normal for e36? thank you.
hello guys, been following the forum for a while......saw topics on Transmission, so just a question for your advice and enlightenment.
DO you guys experience delayed gear change when driving of in the morning w/o warm up?
Not sure if this is normal for e36? thank you.
Re: Changing ATF
Doing a minor makeover. Will post once it's done.
hetraa said:
Doing a minor makeover. Will post once it's done.
martmode8850
Well-Known Member
Re: Changing ATF
same here... think it is supposed to be like this... gears dont shift up so easily when cold... at normal operating temp, shifting is normal...
Chewy said:
same here... think it is supposed to be like this... gears dont shift up so easily when cold... at normal operating temp, shifting is normal...
piggyboyz
Core Group Members
Re: Changing ATF
It may be that the oil within the transmission has not warned up and therefore the oil is thicker and hence slower in reaction.
If upon warm up, the car beahve normally, then it should be ok but beaing in mind that it is also a sign of a aging torque convertor. My former E36 was like that and then at warm up, it will take about 3 second before it goes in to reverse gear. U hate it when u r parking the car with a few car waiting to pass u.
The reason is that over time, the oil will get thicker and will help to balance and irregularity within the clutch plate in the tranny. By draining out all the oil at this stage, u will affect the residual pressure within the gearbox which may cause the plates to run out of place, causing a direct failure.
There is nothing u can do about it since changing oil at this stage may just kill it immediately. The good thing to know is that there are a lot of re-conditioned out there and even the price of the re-manufactured gearbox from factory has come down quite a fair bit.
There had been a few cases of such and PML has taken a stance to avoid changing tranny oil unless it's by owner request and consequence made known.
And by the way, the oil is a lifetime oil and definition of lifetime is not equal to our COE. The lifespan of the gearbox is only around 130k, anythjing more, it's bonus
Chewy said:
It may be that the oil within the transmission has not warned up and therefore the oil is thicker and hence slower in reaction.
If upon warm up, the car beahve normally, then it should be ok but beaing in mind that it is also a sign of a aging torque convertor. My former E36 was like that and then at warm up, it will take about 3 second before it goes in to reverse gear. U hate it when u r parking the car with a few car waiting to pass u.
The reason is that over time, the oil will get thicker and will help to balance and irregularity within the clutch plate in the tranny. By draining out all the oil at this stage, u will affect the residual pressure within the gearbox which may cause the plates to run out of place, causing a direct failure.
There is nothing u can do about it since changing oil at this stage may just kill it immediately. The good thing to know is that there are a lot of re-conditioned out there and even the price of the re-manufactured gearbox from factory has come down quite a fair bit.
There had been a few cases of such and PML has taken a stance to avoid changing tranny oil unless it's by owner request and consequence made known.
And by the way, the oil is a lifetime oil and definition of lifetime is not equal to our COE. The lifespan of the gearbox is only around 130k, anythjing more, it's bonus
Re: Changing ATF
i experienced this sometimes, the gear 2 drags till 3500-4000 rpm then change up...
normally shifts at 2500...
nt sure whether is this a major issue, but when i brought it up to PML, they just top up the ATF, and reset computer...
Chewy said:
i experienced this sometimes, the gear 2 drags till 3500-4000 rpm then change up...
normally shifts at 2500...
nt sure whether is this a major issue, but when i brought it up to PML, they just top up the ATF, and reset computer...
martmode8850
Well-Known Member
Re: Changing ATF
fully agree with piggy... my take is 130k to 150k kms for the normal life span... i think higher powered cars may have shorter tranny life spans...
piggyboyz said:And by the way, the oil is a lifetime oil and definition of lifetime is not equal to our COE. The lifespan of the gearbox is only around 130k, anythjing more, it's bonus
fully agree with piggy... my take is 130k to 150k kms for the normal life span... i think higher powered cars may have shorter tranny life spans...
Chewy
Member
Re: Changing ATF
Thanks piggy for the advice.....so i'm not the only one experiencing it. it usually take about 1 or 2 km before gear shift smoothly, btw hatraa do you experience a jerk when your gear shift during cold drive?, not too sure if it will cause further damge to tranny, logically thinking if gear is force to shift when it is not cold and not ready = damage right?
Thanks piggy for the advice.....so i'm not the only one experiencing it. it usually take about 1 or 2 km before gear shift smoothly, btw hatraa do you experience a jerk when your gear shift during cold drive?, not too sure if it will cause further damge to tranny, logically thinking if gear is force to shift when it is not cold and not ready = damage right?
autozoom42
Member
Re: Changing ATF
RPM shows how fast your engine is running and km/h shows the speed of your wheel.
But there is nothing to show you how is your AUTOGearbox output. If your RPM is increasing and your wheel speed (km/h) is not gaining its increase, this is an indication that your ATF is losing its properties.
It is time to change your ATF even though it has not reached the service time. Usually normal ATF (mineral one) will last less than 40,000km.
Synthetic ATF can much much longer due to the additives used.
RPM shows how fast your engine is running and km/h shows the speed of your wheel.
But there is nothing to show you how is your AUTOGearbox output. If your RPM is increasing and your wheel speed (km/h) is not gaining its increase, this is an indication that your ATF is losing its properties.
It is time to change your ATF even though it has not reached the service time. Usually normal ATF (mineral one) will last less than 40,000km.
Synthetic ATF can much much longer due to the additives used.
marko-polo
Well-Known Member
Re: Changing ATF
Had quite different experiences with both my cars after having changed the ATF. With my E46-318i, after the ATF change at approximately 80,000km, gear change was somewhat jerky for the first couple of days with slight hint of knocking, eventually it disappeared. As for my E39-520i, the shift was silky smooth after the ATF.
Had quite different experiences with both my cars after having changed the ATF. With my E46-318i, after the ATF change at approximately 80,000km, gear change was somewhat jerky for the first couple of days with slight hint of knocking, eventually it disappeared. As for my E39-520i, the shift was silky smooth after the ATF.
