Hi all,
I need your opinions on transmission and differential fluids.
I have an automatic transmission BMW Z4 with 50k miles. The fluid inside I believe is "lifetime" transmission fluid, given the name by BMW. I called up my local dealer and they said that they normally don't recommend changing the transmission fluid. I've read differing opinions online stating that the transmission fluid only lasts the "lifetime" of the car which is normally around 100,000 miles, hence the term "lifetime". I think BMW also recently renamed the term to long-life transmission fluid.
Anyways, I called up some shops and one of the shops also recommended against changing this "lifetime" fluid. Some online references state that changing the transmission fluid is a good thing to do. Is leaving the fluid alone a good idea? If not, what should I replace it with?
Spec: Seven quarts of BMW or equivalent ATF. The spec is ESSO LT71141
Would you guys recommend I change the transmission fluid anytime soon? Also, what fluid should I use?
I also have not replaced my differential fluid in 50k miles. Being a 2 seater sports car, I don't tow anything and I drive hard about 20% of the time. What oil would you all recommend for my diff?
Spec: Synthetic 75/90 Gear Oil
I don't know if relevant or not, but I just recently changed my engine oil with German Castrol Syntec 0w-30 european formula. I'll be sticking with German Castrol for the engine oil from hereon out.
My completed questionnaire in case you need it:
1. What kind of vehicle you have
BMW Z4 with 50k miles, M54 engine
2. What your owner's manual says -- not just viscosity, but certifications (look for acronyms like API SM, ILSAC GF-4, etc.) and change intervals as well
"BMW Long-life rating LL-01 Approved Synthetic Oils for the US Market", "Use only oils with an API rating of SM or higher."
taken from the BMW website: BMW recommended oil list
Change internal is 15,000 miles, but I usually change it around 7,500 miles or at least once a year
3. Where you live
NJ, USA
4. How you drive (easy? hard? fast? slow?)
About 80% of the time I'm cruising, 20% of the time I like to drive hard
5. What your daily drive is like (short trips? long trips? city? highway?)
Short trips, mostly city
6. Whether your car has any known problems
No known problems
Thanks in advance!
I need your opinions on transmission and differential fluids.
I have an automatic transmission BMW Z4 with 50k miles. The fluid inside I believe is "lifetime" transmission fluid, given the name by BMW. I called up my local dealer and they said that they normally don't recommend changing the transmission fluid. I've read differing opinions online stating that the transmission fluid only lasts the "lifetime" of the car which is normally around 100,000 miles, hence the term "lifetime". I think BMW also recently renamed the term to long-life transmission fluid.
Anyways, I called up some shops and one of the shops also recommended against changing this "lifetime" fluid. Some online references state that changing the transmission fluid is a good thing to do. Is leaving the fluid alone a good idea? If not, what should I replace it with?
Spec: Seven quarts of BMW or equivalent ATF. The spec is ESSO LT71141
Would you guys recommend I change the transmission fluid anytime soon? Also, what fluid should I use?
I also have not replaced my differential fluid in 50k miles. Being a 2 seater sports car, I don't tow anything and I drive hard about 20% of the time. What oil would you all recommend for my diff?
Spec: Synthetic 75/90 Gear Oil
I don't know if relevant or not, but I just recently changed my engine oil with German Castrol Syntec 0w-30 european formula. I'll be sticking with German Castrol for the engine oil from hereon out.
My completed questionnaire in case you need it:
1. What kind of vehicle you have
BMW Z4 with 50k miles, M54 engine
2. What your owner's manual says -- not just viscosity, but certifications (look for acronyms like API SM, ILSAC GF-4, etc.) and change intervals as well
"BMW Long-life rating LL-01 Approved Synthetic Oils for the US Market", "Use only oils with an API rating of SM or higher."
taken from the BMW website: BMW recommended oil list
Change internal is 15,000 miles, but I usually change it around 7,500 miles or at least once a year
3. Where you live
NJ, USA
4. How you drive (easy? hard? fast? slow?)
About 80% of the time I'm cruising, 20% of the time I like to drive hard
5. What your daily drive is like (short trips? long trips? city? highway?)
Short trips, mostly city
6. Whether your car has any known problems
No known problems
Thanks in advance!
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