Transmission Fluid Change

HERR FSTIR · 05-04-2012, 06:33 PM

Thought I would post this picture of my tranny oil to give people an idea of what it looks like after just a couple thousand miles. Although some type of particulate analysis would be more meaningful, I thought a simple picture might serve as motivation for any U.S. 1M owners who didn't have the tranny oil changed at the 1200 mile service to go ahead and do so.

Also wanted to thank //BYU for setting up the MTF-5 group buy. The procedure for changing the fluid was simple, but refilling was a little messy since the fill plug is in an awkward spot. I ended up using a syringe and clear tubing from home depot. Total fill volume was 1.3 liters (just as //BYU had indicated). The fill and drain plugs require 8 mm hex bit (I torqued these to 25 ft/lbs).

Picture below shows old oil (syringe) versus new (clear tubing).

CarJunkie · 05-05-2012, 08:01 AM

My dealer still had it on the work order for the 1200 mile service, but didn't have the oil in stock. They ordered it and changed the fluid when it came in, free of charge. Good thing!

Simsims · 05-06-2012, 06:53 PM

oil turning black does NOT mean it needs to be changed.

not saying that you shouldn't change it, but using color as an indicator is definitely wrong

Dan Parker · 05-06-2012, 07:17 PM

+1

Most fluids turn black after a few heat cycles. I change the diff fluid in my race car 6-8 times per year and it's always black. I send a lot of fluids to BlackStone Labs for analysis and the darkest of trans fluids have always passed their tests.

That must have taken a long time and a lot of pumping to add the fluid. Most auto parts stores sell a more efficient fluid exchanger for under $20. With said pump I can change the trans fluid in 10-15 minutes.

HERR FSTIR · 05-06-2012, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simsims

oil turning black does NOT mean it needs to be changed.

not saying that you shouldn't change it, but using color as an indicator is definitely wrong

I agree, and that is why I stated in the initial post that a particulate analysis would be more meaningful.

The rationale for changing the oil was not the color, but rather BMW's recommendation of doing this service at 1200 miles (except for vehicles in the U.S. due to limited availability of MTF-5).

Refilling it with the syringe didn't take too long. Maybe 10 minutes at most.

robertm · 05-06-2012, 08:10 PM

You used that little syringe to add the fluid? Go to autoparts store and buy the little hand pump thing they sell. It's usually about $7 and turns it into about a 2 minute process getting the fluid in. If the bottle is too tall or too narrow just cut some off the neck.

///M1 · 05-07-2012, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robertm

You used that little syringe to add the fluid? Go to autoparts store and buy the little hand pump thing they sell. It's usually about $7 and turns it into about a 2 minute process getting the fluid in. If the bottle is too tall or too narrow just cut some off the neck.

It is exactly what I did and that is exactly how long it took me.

Thx again to BYU for the mini GB. My fluid looked pretty much like the pic by OP.

///BYU · 05-07-2012, 10:15 PM

Glad to be able to help out the forum. Thanks, HERR FSTIR and everyone, for sharing the how-to.

05-04-2012, 06:33 PM	#1
HERR FSTIR Captain 119 Rep 771 Posts Drives: LBB M2C, VO 1M, GSA 1200 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Frozen Tundra iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 BMW X3M Compet ... [0.00] 2019 BMW S1000R [0.00] 2019 M2 Competition [0.00] 2018 BMW 1200 GSA [0.00] 2011 1M Coupe [9.75]	Transmission Fluid Change Thought I would post this picture of my tranny oil to give people an idea of what it looks like after just a couple thousand miles. Although some type of particulate analysis would be more meaningful, I thought a simple picture might serve as motivation for any U.S. 1M owners who didn't have the tranny oil changed at the 1200 mile service to go ahead and do so. Also wanted to thank //BYU for setting up the MTF-5 group buy. The procedure for changing the fluid was simple, but refilling was a little messy since the fill plug is in an awkward spot. I ended up using a syringe and clear tubing from home depot. Total fill volume was 1.3 liters (just as //BYU had indicated). The fill and drain plugs require 8 mm hex bit (I torqued these to 25 ft/lbs). Picture below shows old oil (syringe) versus new (clear tubing). Attached Images
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05-05-2012, 08:01 AM	#2
CarJunkie Colonel 2617 Rep 2,819 Posts Drives: e82 1M, f87 M2cs Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Tri-Cities, Washington iTrader: (1) Garage List 2020 M2cs [0.00] 2011 BMW 1M [0.00]	My dealer still had it on the work order for the 1200 mile service, but didn't have the oil in stock. They ordered it and changed the fluid when it came in, free of charge. Good thing!
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05-06-2012, 06:53 PM	#3
Simsims Captain 37 Rep 615 Posts Drives: 119/220 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Ottawa iTrader: (0)	oil turning black does NOT mean it needs to be changed. not saying that you shouldn't change it, but using color as an indicator is definitely wrong __________________ VO 1M - everything except sunroof RIP BSM 135i 2009-2011
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05-06-2012, 07:17 PM	#4
Dan Parker Major 79 Rep 1,421 Posts Drives: 2012 Golf R Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Georgia iTrader: (0)	+1 Most fluids turn black after a few heat cycles. I change the diff fluid in my race car 6-8 times per year and it's always black. I send a lot of fluids to BlackStone Labs for analysis and the darkest of trans fluids have always passed their tests. That must have taken a long time and a lot of pumping to add the fluid. Most auto parts stores sell a more efficient fluid exchanger for under $20. With said pump I can change the trans fluid in 10-15 minutes. __________________ Dan Parker Last edited by Dan Parker; 05-07-2012 at 10:17 AM..
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05-06-2012, 08:10 PM	#6
robertm Major 450 Rep 1,358 Posts Drives: 2020 M2 Comp Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: dfw iTrader: (0)	You used that little syringe to add the fluid? Go to autoparts store and buy the little hand pump thing they sell. It's usually about $7 and turns it into about a 2 minute process getting the fluid in. If the bottle is too tall or too narrow just cut some off the neck.
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05-07-2012, 10:15 PM	#8
///BYU Lieutenant 269 Rep 470 Posts Drives: AW 1M Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Salt Lake City, UT iTrader: (1)	Glad to be able to help out the forum. Thanks, HERR FSTIR and everyone, for sharing the how-to.
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