Confused

[IrishX5]

I'm confused. I read somewhere that I should change the ATF fluid on my 2001 X5 after 100k miles. I need to change the strainer as well.

So I went to RealOEM, inserted my car details and the below came up. It seems to suggest there is no strainer on my auto box.

Odd ?? Am I missing something here ??


http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...21&hg=24&fg=15

[Robert Platt Bell]

Check the sticker on the side of the transmission. Chances are, it is BMW's special "lifetime" fluid, which is kind of pricey. Even my manual transmission had it.

As for the strainer, you got me.

I would check out the Bentley manual. If you don't have one, get one, it is a font of knowledge. Not cheap, but good information rarely is...

[Filehorse]

ATF Filter

As for the ATF fluid, you need to be thinking in terms of maybe 60,000 miles instead of 100,000. Also, if you have a ZF transmission, there are fluids other than the Esso LT711441 which are fully compatible and perform flawlessly. This "Lifetime Fluid" issue has been beat to death over on the E39 forum.
<img src="http://members.roadfly.org/filehorse/SigPic 2-26-05.jpg" height=225 width=300>

Filehorse
Knoxville, TN
BMWCCA #407627

2002 525i Steptronic Sport/Premium | Build Date: 05/02
81,000 Ultimate Driving miles
Xenons
Style 81s | Bridgestone Potenza RE960 AS
Titanium Gray | Gray Leather
35% LLumar ATR LLumaStar tint
Valentine 1 | Hardwired
Steering wheel position memory w/Alzheimers
"Lifetime" ATF replaced at 40,000; Switched to Valvoline MaxLife @ the 80,000 mile service
"LIfetime" Final Drive gear oil replaced at 81,000; Redline 75W-90 GL-5
StopTech SportStop slotted rotors w/Axxis Deluxe Advanced pads
StopTech SS Braided Brake Lines

2001 E46 325i (Jet Black) Forced Retirement 6/28/09

2001 E46 325i (Orient Blue) Forced Retirement 10/09

1989 E30 325i (Alpine White) Retired