[David_Vasha]

Is it a good idea to change my tranny fluid at 105,000? I have a BMW f10 535xi and I don't know if it's ever been changed before.

[Wht550jersey]

You can buy the filter kit , I know a lot of people change it around 80k , even tho bmw says lifetime

[95blkmax]

Just last week I changed my trans fluid, and I just broke into 112k miles.

Original fluid in there. It was very dark but was not burnt-smelling at all. I checked the magnets in the old trans pan and they barely had a thin coating of dust on them. So thankfully the wear was very minimal.

I used the ZF 8HP service kit from FCP Euro, using the ZF filter and Liqui Moli fluid and it's working great (it was like $144). It came with 7 liters but I only used like 3.5. In day to day driving I can't tell the difference. In WOT pulls it shifts a tad faster. I'm happy with it.

Anywho, when I started draining it I figured I'd collect it in a clean container. I was basically checking that it didn't smell burnt and the magnets weren't full of crud. Had this been the case I would have just pumped the old fluid back in and mounted the old filter pan. But once I noticed it smelled like normal fluid (just dark), and the magnets had minimal matter on them, I went ahead and changed it.

[Unspec]

Very good idea. Pretty easy and straight forward. Do yourself a favor and buy or make a power filler, it makes the whole job a lot less messy. You can DIY a power filler for 20 bucks.

Don't undo the drain hole until you've loosened the fill port. Use a long arm 8mm allen key for it, the one Husky makes is the one I used. Pickup a 8mm and 9mm ratcheting box wrench, you'll need to remove two small metal shields that prevent access to the fill nut. Observe proper tightening pattern.

[OnlyGerman]

I would change it only if you plan on keeping the car long term. If you plan to sell within a few years and the trans is ok just leave it alone.

[OnlyGerman]

Originally Posted by 95blkmax

Just last week I changed my trans fluid, and I just broke into 112k miles.

Original fluid in there. It was very dark but was not burnt-smelling at all. I checked the magnets in the old trans pan and they barely had a thin coating of dust on them. So thankfully the wear was very minimal.

I used the ZF 8HP service kit from FCP Euro, using the ZF filter and Liqui Moli fluid and it's working great (it was like $144). It came with 7 liters but I only used like 3.5. In day to day driving I can't tell the difference. In WOT pulls it shifts a tad faster. I'm happy with it.

Anywho, when I started draining it I figured I'd collect it in a clean container. I was basically checking that it didn't smell burnt and the magnets weren't full of crud. Had this been the case I would have just pumped the old fluid back in and mounted the old filter pan. But once I noticed it smelled like normal fluid (just dark), and the magnets had minimal matter on them, I went ahead and changed it.

Best to use ZF Fluid.. you only do it once.

[lsturbointeg]

is there a DIY on this guys?

[95blkmax]

Originally Posted by OnlyGerman

Best to use ZF Fluid.. you only do it once.

I was of this train of thought as well. But after researching Liqui Moli in particular I found tons of folks using it on their 8HPs if various platforms (BMW and Audi alike) and people are very happy with it. I still agree with you that if you want that peace of mind then yes, go ahead and get the ZF stuff. But for me, I felt comfortable after the research I did on it to use LM fluid

[David_Vasha]

Originally Posted by 95blkmax

I was of this train of thought as well. But after researching Liqui Moli in particular I found tons of folks using it on their 8HPs if various platforms (BMW and Audi alike) and people are very happy with it. I still agree with you that if you want that peace of mind then yes, go ahead and get the ZF stuff. But for me, I felt comfortable after the research I did on it to use LM fluid

My independent mechanic uses liqui moly top tec 1800 for their fluid. They've been doing a lot of tranny fluid changes with that fluid but idk I am so on the fence on either zf or top tec. Honestly, is there really a difference?

[Unspec]

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

is there a DIY on this guys?

I'm about to do it again this Friday, I'll document the process

[95blkmax]

Originally Posted by David_Vasha

My independent mechanic uses liqui moly top tec 1800 for their fluid. They've been doing a lot of tranny fluid changes with that fluid but idk I am so on the fence on either zf or top tec. Honestly, is there really a difference?

I guess time will tell! Folks are saying that it's working perfectly fine for a while. Me, I only have about 70 miles on it so far having tested in traffic, cruising and WOT pulls. Transmission seems to be happy. I'll report back once I get another 500 miles. With transmissions if they act right after that much with new fluid, it's TYPICALLY good to go

[lsturbointeg]

Originally Posted by Unspec

I'm about to do it again this Friday, I'll document the process

photos would be awesome bro!

[Surly73]

A whole collection of stuff linked and attached.

My recommendations -

use ISTA, don't reset adaptations, use ZF fluid (since you're mixing in half of the existing and the price is not outrageous from FCP), have a helper, changing the filter is just as important as changing the fluid - especially the first time.

ZF recommends changing fluild and filter every 100,000km (60k miles).


https://blog.fcpeuro.com/how-to-serv...p-transmission

(ISTA) Transmission control unit - oil level adjustment.pdf

2015_8HP_alle_Oelbefuellvorschrift_EN.pdf

ZF_SI_Oelwechselkit_8HP (50130 EN 04.2016).pdf





xHP - Adaptations.pdf

[David_Vasha]

What does ISTA do? I saw a video on the ZF beginners doing a fluid change and they didn't use ista?

[Surly73]

Originally Posted by David_Vasha

What does ISTA do? I saw a video on the ZF beginners doing a fluid change and they didn't use ista?

Read the doc with ISTA in the title. It says it all.

https://f10.5post.com/forums/attachm...4&d=1583239004

[Unspec]

You don't 100% need ISTA. Primarily useful for reading transmission fluid temp, since you need to top off when the fluid has reached a certain temp, but if you have something else that can read the temp it's fine as well.

[Wht550jersey]

Great info

[Surly73]

Originally Posted by Unspec

You don't 100% need ISTA. Primarily useful for reading transmission fluid temp, since you need to top off when the fluid has reached a certain temp, but if you have something else that can read the temp it's fine as well.

Agreed - there are other test sets that can read transmission temp. Conveniently ISTA also walks you through the process at each click too (gear selection, top up etc...)

[Trainwreck914]

Subscribed

[Wht550jersey]

I just bought the kit from fcp euro hopefully get this done next weekend

[BurrNinja]

Torque pro gives transmission temp reading for those who can spend 5$ and dont have access to a laptop with software on it.

[BurrNinja]

Just changed transmission pan and fluid, at 100,854 miles. Fluid was getting dark, dusting of metal on magnets and filter was dark. Used FCPeuro Liquimoly fluid and pan. Its a night and day difference. Glad I did it now then waiting to long.