BMW 5 Series F10 - Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) and Pan Replacement N55 DIY - 2011 535i F10

Here is the kit I have purchased:
www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-...
These guys also offer the kit for sale, but two reasons I did not choose them were: price was higher and shipping only to USA.
www.thectsc.com/products/oil-c...

[@PhilipBarrett1]

Excellent detail! Thanks. I’ve done this job on my 2012 F10 and this video is good. I even used the same pump from harbor freight. I would highly recommend ZF fluid, and a BMW OE filter. Both can be obtained from FCP as well. Also, and I think another commenter mentioned it, but the last bit of fill should take place with the vehicle running to pull the rest into the trans.

[@rbitrossome]

Nice ....this helped me out since in the FCP Euro video they demonstrate on an X5 which has really easy access to the fill plug. My 535 is like yours and when I crawled under the car and saw the difficulty I was really disappointed. Thankfully I got to see you troubleshoot almost exactly the same situation!

[@K.T.789]

Thank you for uploading this!

[@Crazyfootballguy]

Excellent video. Very helpful! Great job.

[@gbalstad]

Thanks dude, nice work!

[@dan5979]

what a job. I would like to do this but I would need a lift to make life easier. Bravo my friend.

[@tonylittles688]

Good job..you made me a little nervous not having blocks behind the wheels and Jack holders when you had it jacked up..LOL. But that was some good stuff.

[@chrisisgay2228]

Change your transmission fluid don't listen to all the trash talk just do it!!! Sooo smooth just like new

[@misie2k]

You can put it into neutral by screwing in the bolt that is next to the transmission, on the driver side.

[@erdoganog]

i used the ZF fluid and that thing smells awful even empty plastic bottles of it stunk my house ... However how was the smell of yours? i now sometimes get a wiff of that smell under car when its hot and air blowing i do not see any leaks i wonder if the oil got around the pan while filling? thus having the smell?

[@trai1ertrash]

EXcellent video, i own the same, 2011 535i xdrive, i am at 59,000 miles and want to to this service at 60k. i prefer to do it myself when possible. I have no idea what the dealer would charge but i imagine a lot. i subscribe to you, hope to see more DIY 535 stuff.

[@sebastiantevel898]

Most indy and tranny shops would do it for about 200$ plus supplies, which in most cases you could buy. I would not go under the car on jacks for saving 200$. IMHO.

[@kjhnsn7296]

Indy shop near me wants $1200.

[@Kim42034]

Nice tutorial video! Do u think i need a torque wrench also?

[@mcolan123]

Hello everyone ! My car has 145k miles . Runs good and shift fine but when I am about to park and just roll a foot or so before pressing the brake I can hear like a small jerk .. not often ... what do you guys think ? Should I change the oil or is it too late ? Thanks in advance

[@pin22pin]

Thank You you sir ROCK. Did you consider taking the remaining fluid from the torque converter?

[@yogi799]

I drained and refilled twice hoping that would be sufficient.

[@chrisisgay2228]

2015 bmw 528i cold fill around 4 quarts then started it tell got to 110 degrees then added almost a nother quart yell it ran out.

[@michaelbennett8847]

The torque for pan bolts is 10nm

[@J.l198]

I have a 535i 2011 with only 56k miles, should I do this maintenance? It’s easy but I’m just unsure if this will cause slipping, it’s the perfect mileage to do it so might as well do it….

[@198888joshua]

Can I do only lifting the front car , I heard should be level

[@federicopuca1966]

congratulations for the excellent "do it yourself", I do not understand the words in the video, I would like to know how many liters of oil you used, because I know that without specific machinery does not come out all the oil from the automatic gearbox. You do not have thought to use a cleaning additive to add to the old oil before draining it? How many km did you have and how many have you traveled with oil change, did you have any improvements in driving quality or otherwise problems? thank you and greetings !

[@yogi799]

Tranny still running great, knock on wood. Many kilometers put on since the change.

[@198888joshua]

Hi how much fluid did you add in the pan?

[@samaanalkhaldi2364]

Is there any way to drain the torque converter also? I think there is a good amount of old fluid still inside it. Very helpful video, thanks.

[@yogi799]

the theory says that if you flush like that twice , you are getting most dirty fluid out because old fluid mixes with a large amount of fresh one. So it's by means of dilution. I did that and I recommend it.

[@tomytza123tomescu2]

if you remove it from the gear box yes you can drain it. is very simple to remove it.

[@cobrav427]

Exellent video. Please I need to know before o after 60.000 km I need to change the oil? The car is BMW GT . thanks in avance.

[@yogi799]

60k kms is a bit early but of course wouldn't hurt. Recommended is about 60k miles.

[@yogi799]

60k miles is 100k kms

[@KNKLHEAD]

Excellent info. I am going to do this with my 2012 BMW 535i. I am going to try to heat the transmission oil up a bit before draining and try not to burn myself on exhaust to get oil flowing nicely. Also, I want to be sure the car may be level and last -- it was my idea, but I DID also discover a guy from a TV show that confirmed my idea: Enema bag to fill oil. :) I may post how that works out. Appreciate the review.

[@TheViewFromUpHere]

Did the gasket come off with the old pan or did you have to remove it from the bottom of the transmission? Did the new gasket sit on top of the pan? Thanks

[@yogi799]

IIRC the gasket is somehow integrated into the pan. I do not recall scraping the old one off like in the traditional setups. Also, if my video doesn't show it, it means there is no concern and you can proceed :-)

[@ceezauto213]

Is this the same process as the 2010 bmw 550i gt ?

[@accord705]

Nice video, did you notice any differences in the transmission after the fluid change?

[@yogi799]

Nope. But then I didn't change it because it was running rough. Just preventive maintenance.

[@yogi799]

Nope and i presume it's a good sign. Just preventive maintenance... before anything actually goes wrong.

[@irismasor1853]

C. K. How many miles did you change the trany fluid and filter. I plan to change mine. Thanks for video.

[@sebastiantevel898]

@@yogi799 I have been in racing (bikes) for a few years when I was a teen. The rule of thumb from the techs was that we change fluids when they are still good.

[@yez9502]

Hi does four wheels need to be on same height to measure oil level? Or Just lift up front wheel is fine? Thx

[@factsoverfeelings9228]

car shouldve been leveled throughout this whole vid. follow professionals only.

[@CJDrischler]

Thank you very much!! If I could I’d shake your hand and buy you a beer

[@yogi799]

Ha ha no worries bud. You just did! Glad I could help. Mine is running like new 4 years later.

[@mannarmylie4195]

How did a quart of fluid come out when the fill plug was removed? That suggests the actual fill point is higher OR the lower end of car was not raised?

[@harrisonsmith8195]

If the engine was running, no fluid should come out. This occurred since he removed fill plug with engine off .

[@kjhnsn7296]

Car is off and raised at front end only.

[@mannarmylie4195]

@6:20 use a regular Allen key with a metal pipe a handle.

[@david_vash]

How is the transmission holding up? Thinking about doing this soon

[@yogi799]

4 years later like new.

[@dementisband]

ive watched a workshop video from ZF directly emphasizing that the temperature of the oil should be 30c when beginning the process and they did an adaptation of the gears (shifting from 1st to 3rd) during the fill process. they also did NOT use the drain method, they used the replacement method by filling the new oil till the old one comes out and drains. hope you have absolutely zero issues with your mechatronic after this.

[@yogi799]

Thanks , all is good. Why wouldn't it? Think of it this way. PUT IN exactly the same amount that comes OUT. Heck, account 100 ml more for drips and other waste. You are getting it pretty darn close, to 1% probably if not less. If any electronic equipment were to fail due to 1% difference in fluid amount, it would be a terrible design and failures would be rampant. Few drops would leak out through your pan gasket and your tranny is toast. Tonne of fear-mongering with this fill procedure if you ask me. But i know why they do it. They do it because most folks are probably careless and put random amount of fluid back in. so they'd rather show you these anal instructions because hardly anyone will measure fluid the way i did....

[@yogi799]

To me, you can screw up much more easily by measuring temperature incorrectly, than to put the same amount of fluid back in.

[@federicopuca1966]

congratulations for the excellent "do it yourself", I do not understand the words in the video, I would like to know how many liters of oil you used, because I know that without specific machinery does not come out all the oil from the automatic gearbox. You do not have thought to use a cleaning additive to add to the old oil before draining it? How many km did you have and how many have you traveled with oil change, did you have any improvements in driving quality or otherwise problems? thank you and greetings !

[@MrLaloman18]

There is NOT one single damn video on YT that shows or recommends or suggests if there is or you must change all the Transmission's valve body seals, that includes the sleeve where the control connector is, the 4 tube seals inside the trans when you remove the control unit, the square pressure seals, etc.... 6 in total seals that the ZF-6HP 6 speed transmission has.... The F10 uses the ZF 8 speed transmission but no one suggest or claims if this transmission has these seals and if it does, no stating if they need to be replaced when changing trans oil which is a complete transmission maintenance job! I can't find shit on FCPeuro either! Yet Amazon has the full trans body seal kits for less than $30 for the BMW ZF 6 speed transmissions.... Any info from anybody that knows anything will be soo much appreciated! Thanks...

[@tareqzakarneh221]

how many miles on your car ?

[@mickmc1498]

Wouldn't it be easier to Jack car and put 4 ramps up. Front and back..I do all the Time. More room for oil changes etc

[@matreyia]

10nm for pan bolts.

[@Brendenbandguy]

You’re actually supposed to do final fill with it running

[@harrisonsmith8195]

That's right. First add fluid cold until it overflows (~2.5L). Then start car and cycle thru the gears, including the 'manual shift' by moving lever to left, then bumping it down and back up thru forward gears. Keep your foot on the brake, ESPECIALLY IF the drive wheels are on the ground. Warm to operating temp. If you have a scanner, that's 40-45°C. Get back under car and top it off again. Total of about 4-5L for this 8 speed auto trans.

[@ademc8872]

Good video, but car needs to be level and running + trans oil temp needs to be around 40-50*c.

[@socommaster]

My 2011 bmw 535i xdrive has 78k miles and it was never changed. Is it too late to change it now? Im worried it might slip

[@yogi799]

i don't think it is too late.

[@drone1028]

No it's not, ZF recommends between 60-80k miles. So you are right at the end. I would do soon if i was you.

[@sebastiantevel898]

@@drone1028 And that recommendation is on the safe side because it applies: if you drive hard a lot, idle way too long or tow a lot. Otherwise 150k miles or the "lifetime" BS statement by the car manufacturers, is not exactly BS at all. That means if you drive like a dad or a soccer mom, the fluid will last 150k miles no problem.

[@drone1028]

@@sebastiantevel898 good info. I would not push it to 150k though, especially if bought used. I'm at 62k, and plan on doing it 75k if i still have the car.

[@sebastiantevel898]

@@drone1028 I would not push it to 150k either. I am also at 60k on a N55 engine, car that I got at 50k, so not knowing how it was driven before, I will do it soon.

[@YScy-gx6jq]

hey you have a video on how to replace the mechatronic unit?

[@yogi799]

sorry bud, sounds scary, prob beyond my paygrade. good luck. check the bimmerfest forum. post on there, one guy has a link to complete service manual and it could be shown in there. if you cannot get ahold of him i will connect you

[@YScy-gx6jq]

@@yogi799 thank you

[@yogi799]

@@YScy-gx6jq hey i've found it, try this www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f10-535i-lim/repair-manuals/

[@YScy-gx6jq]

@@yogi799 cool , thank you, but Im stuck on how to put the shift valves parking lock back to the position so i can put the mechatronics, I have a 2010 535i GT, and if different from F10. Thank you so much for trying man. you are so cool.

[@monacocross4241]

way you change oil if bmw dyler not recomendet , plus you change not genuine oil ?

[@MickD464]

BMW says you don't need to change the automatic transmission fluid but ZF (the manufacturer of the transmission, where BMW buys it) says it needs to be done at 60k miles. Also it's a complete non-sens to believe that oil is good for life.

[@monacocross4241]

@@MickD464 what has changed for everyone after a year problem come for gearbox , i think german is smarter than english , if you change oil for gearbox need after make adaption, and update sowtware for gearbox ;

[@monacocross4241]

@@MickD464 no point change oil if you not change filter for gearbox , same engine you change oil no change oil filter >?

[@dopus1]

@@monacocross4241 Oil filter is integradted in the oilpan. Meaning oil and filter chage= new oilpan. There are options on the aftermarked where u can get an oil pan with replacable filter for this ZF automatic transmission. but ZF and BMW OE pan has integrated filter (probably the same part , made by the same factory)

[@calvinmkhonza8687]

Hi. The label says " Life time oil" so why must one change the oil?

[@yogi799]

Because nothing is lifetime, maybe their BS is.

[@geogabi77]

How many miles on your vehicle the time you did this vedio?

[@yogi799]

About 60k miles. 90k kms

[@ivansanchez8510]

Any downsides flushing a 535i with a little over 100k miles?

[@yogi799]

No. Do it ASAP.

[@yogi799]

200k might be a different story, but 100k is not too late.

[@enofier4883]

is important to change the oil? thank you

[@yogi799]

Yes, once every 60k miles or so is a safe bet. You can get away with more miles but do not NOT change it.

[@enofier4883]

@@yogi799 in germany no one change the oil gearbox because i live in germany

[@mrgustavoperez]

I was under the understanding that the correct level is exactly at fill hole when the car is sitting flat.

[@yogi799]

Probably but supposedly fluid has different volume based on the temperature....

[@pasindurathnayake4260]

Car Should be flat for what i know, btw great video ck

[@dopus1]

@@yogi799 You can use ista D diagnostic software to read oil temp. I am thinking of doing an oil change on my own 2013 520d with an ZF8HP45. But it looks a little complicated. Especially without a carlift.

[@miguelc9358]

Hard keep track of how many liters were removed or added but good to know on somethings not to do lol

[@yogi799]

Really? That hard? Nothing like inventing problems that don't exist. 😂😁

[@yogi799]

It's called drain into the pan. Then into a jug. Done. 😁

[@miguelc9358]

Nah I just hate when you're half way in the video and then someone goes oops I shouldn't of done that I should of done it this way. I'm just tired of going through 5 different videos to get the ideal process lol I've better stuff to do lol

[@david_vash]

How is this holding up

[@yogi799]

no problems thousands of miles later (prob about 20-30k) 2.5 years later

[@arlie46325i]

is it the same with 535GT ?

[@YScy-gx6jq]

Arli Chandra it it’s not, did you get your done?

[@arlie46325i]

@@YScy-gx6jq haven't done it bro... not at this moment due to partial lock down in Indonesia 😅

[@jameskelly9510]

How is the bmw today?

[@yogi799]

If you're asking whether the ATF change has harmed the car... :-) No, the transmission shifts nicely. Next ATF change many years away...

[@jameskelly9510]

Awesome love the feed . I have a 2014 bmw 535d xdrive ! Thank you for the videos.

[@omarelmeslouhi2550]

Os not thé atm œil for Life time ? Nice vidéo btw

[@MrRADIBOG]

You have to start the engine for 20-30 seconds so it sucks the oil from the pan into the transmission and then pump rest of it

[@danielk4560]

the owners manual didnt make any mention of this, although it does make sense logically. are you sure?

[@MrRADIBOG]

I am positive 👍

[@cataMBlin]

You are right, the engine start and change gears from 1 to 8 and back.

[@JeanEstel]

Don't forget the important fact it has to be between a certain temperature because the fluid expands when hot

[@sebastiantevel898]

@@JeanEstel True. Yet is also true that it expand less than 1%, which means considering the volume of fluid in the pan and the size of the pan, the discrepancy is less than 50ml of fluid, in the total of 8.5 liters, that fits inside the whole transmission. I assume 50ml is negligible.

[@bmwsincekid]

Never understand it why nit using original zf oil

[@yogi799]

Two potential reasons. 1. not available. 2. way more expensive. So if you can have a substitute, especially from Germany.. basically the same oil probably AND available in your local area then why not...

[@bmwsincekid]

C. K. Zf Is Available almost every where 2nd Way more cheaper 300 dollar for a kit filter oil bolts I dont think its expensive compared to a used gearbox 1800-3000$ :)) ONLY USE ZF thats what it meant to be used not aftermarket oils where u save 70-150 dollars and risking your gearbox in My opinion ! Zf8Hp Gearbox is the best in the world

[@makemoneyonline8793]

C. K. There’s so many alternatives to the ZF fluid, I used Liqui Moly Top Tech 1800 Atf in my Bmw 325i E90, The Price they want for ZF Lifeguard6 is ridiculous, The alternative fluids work just as well or better than Lifeguard6👍

[@matreyia]

Start engine, start AC at low speed. Wait for transmission ATF to come to temperature of 89F to 110ºF. While engine is running, and ATF is in the range of the temperature - continue to fill until overfill, then let fluid dribble out at very slow drip and close up plug. Do not fill when ATF is lower temperature or higher temperature than the above temperatures. ATF reacts to temperatures and expands and contracts such that you will get wrong amounts if you fill outside those temperatures. Shifting and damage will occur from incorrect filling.

[@noordajani1588]

when the fluid drips after you fill it, should you allow it to drip until it stops, or should you install the plug immediately and not allow the oil to drip? I am confused about the part

[@chrisisgay2228]

​@Noor Dajani let it come out tell its a very little strem then plug it ....it's full

[@uswwt]

Does it looks like this guy got under the car to fill the fluid with just a jack? Hopefully not, never trust your life with just a jack. Use jackstands, ramps and put more stuff under the car to be absolutely sure.

[@yogi799]

No, there is a barely visible jack stand next to the jack. Always at least 2 modes of protection. 19:55.

[@user-iw4jb3ye1k]

감사합니다우크라이나의희망과평온이있길기원합니다

[@scottcrawford4148]

You should not get under the car with only a jack holding it up.

[@TheEnzoferrari12345]

How not to service a ZF-845!

[@yogi799]

thanks, enjoy your method. car running great thousands of miles later.

[@radek3329]

Don't ever do that like this guy on video! He did all mistakes that beginner can do. I'll be suprised if car is still running. Really. Car didn't level out, then You fullfill oil pam with like 1l of oil. Then You should warm up gearbox to 30-50 degrees (shift also by all gears but not driving car!) and then on running engine fulfill oil.

[@yogi799]

Car still runs like new many thousands of miles later.

[@yogi799]

Same amount of fluid in as out. Rather simple.