COMPLETE Guide: BMW X3 (ZF) Transmission Fluid Change & Filter Replacement

[@jy031976]

hello Professor. Which OBD2 Interface do you recommend. Also I could not find exact rear jack point to lift back of the car

[@profsg]

For BMW, this is the most budget-friendly scanner (e.g. to read ATF temperature on a BMW) I have found so far: * LAUNCH X431 Elite for BMW ($129): amzn.to/49PQbvy I confirmed with the seller that the above works for this job but it's slower compared to the Pro version ($150). You may also check out other options in the video description if you need related features for other makes & models. As for the rear jack point, use the rear differential. See this video at 1:29: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHyWppmAjMSViqcsi=EcuJDe2Ds606YDw8&t=89 Ideally, use a jack pad or a piece of wood between your jack and rear differential when you jack it up. Hope this helps.

[@profsg]

I'd like to add a note and send you to this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6jFh4WYg66qoaMsi=LcqIMBi_SIjVC5OP&t=128 which shows clearly how to jack up from the rear. For my BMW, I usually back it up onto ramps (rear wheels on the ramps with parking brakes engaged) and don't have video footage for what you were looking for. Also, I am going to post a short about safety with raising both the front and rear. Briefly, do NOT jack up from the rear while your font wheels are on ramps. The front may roll without parking brakes and it's unsafe that way. Be safe!

[@jy031976]

@@profsg thank you so much

[@nigelharris175]

Without any doubts, the best, most informative and straightforward video ever posted on KZbin regarding your ZF8 gearbox transmission fluid service. 10 stars! :)

[@profsg]

I am thrilled it was helpful and informative. Appreciate your support!

[@PH-md8xp]

That is a very high honor given the millions, or dare I say billions of “how-to” videos on KZbin. 👍🏼

[@gabrielbianco22]

Hola! Soy mecanico y poseedor de un bmw x3 f25 y me paso lo mismo, en agencia dicen que no se remplaza el aceite, pero el fabricante de la transmision dice que si, entre 80000 y 150000 km dependiendo el tipo de uso. La cuestion es que el aceite no se degrada, el problema es la microviruta que despiden los engranajes y discos por el propio desgaste. La idea es cambiar aceite y filtros para que no llegue a las valvulas, que son electroimanes y estos pegarian la viruta y provocan que se bloqueen. ademas en el intercambiador una vez entra mugre no puede salir.. Elegiste la mejor opcion para ahorrar mucho dinero a futuro... buen video, y buen trabajo! Saludos desde Argentina

[@profsg]

¡Gracias! You are exactly right about shavings over time and renewal of fluid for the functioning of valves without blockage. Thanks again for the greetings from Argentina! Espero con ansias la final de la Copa América el domingo y una victoria argentina. ¡Soy un gran fan del equipo de Argentina desde hace décadas!

[@catalinbandas]

thank you very much a lot of valuable information for an enthusiastic owner who is ready to roll his sleeves,

[@profsg]

You are very welcome! So glad it's helpful!

[@highendtrends3508]

Bro, this is a great video! Super explanatory and very well detailed. You sound like a great professor I had back in college. Great job!👏

[@profsg]

Thank you! Glad it was helpful!

[@kalani1987]

Hi Professor. I do believe in changing the ZF pan/filter if never done before or every other fluid change. That way you can get rid of all the shavings on the magnets. I have a ZF 6HP26 in my Hyundai I bought used and plan on replacing the fluid on a timely basis. Lifetime Fluid is only during the warranty period

[@profsg]

Replacing the filter every other fluid change makes sense! But I feel comfortable leaving it alone after the first replacement. Consider the amount of shavings in the factory ("break in") fluid, we can expect less in the next 100k miles. Certainly if you are comfortable doing it and your budget allows, it doesn't hurt to replace the filter too.

[@SparX3M]

Extremely well done. Thank you

[@profsg]

So glad you liked it! Appreciate the feedback!

[@jacquescarrier9713]

Thank's from Canada, Québec Montreal, great video merci... (I have a BMW x3 2008) just buy in december 2023, and the KLM is just 179,000 but I will change all the oil in the mécanic...

[@profsg]

De rien. Glad it helped! This sounds like a plan. Keep us posted.

[@FrankDAmico-dr5dl]

Excellent video!

[@profsg]

Thank you! Glad you liked it.

[@bobrahmadi8588]

This really helpful😍🙏🏻

[@profsg]

Glad it was helpful!

[@torstivuorma2905]

So good!

[@profsg]

Thank you! Glad you liked it!

[@ngtatsang]

Can’t you simply measure the fluid that came out and put in the same amount? Thank you for the excellent video!

[@profsg]

Glad you liked the video! This is a common question/practice but here are my reasons against it: 1) The premise of the volume-matched approach is that the existing/old fluid in the transmission was at the correct level. While no one would doubt a correct factory fill, chances are over the years the fluid might have been touched or lost/reduced due to leaking, fluid degradation, etc. You won't get to the correct level by matching an already incorrect old fluid level. 2) The volume of fluid varies at different temperature levels so you will have to measure both (old vs. new) at the same temperature. Especially for a vehicle with a lot of miles/services, I wouldn't trust the existing fluid level is correct.

[@ngtatsang]

@@profsgyou are absolutely correct.

[@firpofutbol]

Did you have to reset transmission adaptations afterwards, or was it all set just by following the procedure of this video?

[@profsg]

No, adaptation reset is not required on this transmission. It's all good following the procedure here. For the transfer case on this model, there is a procedure to reset its adaptation, which I did in another video.

[@utube4greenfuture]

Excellent video! How do I know if I have a ZF transmission on my 2006 BMW X3 3.0i?

[@profsg]

Glad you liked it! You can find such information on various BMW forums. For example, bimmerfest has a good writeup about the transmission and correct fluid on your X3's generation: www.bimmerfest.com/threads/us-x3-automatic-transmission-fluid-facts.677311/

[@richiec8862]

Hi, great video, did you notice if heat changes were smoother after oil change or just the same? Thanks

[@profsg]

Thank you! I didn't noticed any change. After all, the old fluid degraded but wasn't terrible when I replaced it. But regular maintenance like this renews the fluid for the long term.

[@dougluu1585]

Howdy Professor. Unrelated question, what brand DIFF fluid do you recommend besides OEM for BMW F30? Redline 75w85 a good alternative ?

[@profsg]

Yes, Redline offers great, compatible products for BMW differentials, which I used on my X3 F25: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHyWppmAjMSViqc Please do double check on Redline website for compatibility with your vehicle but I believe it uses the same 75W85 GL5 compatible fluid. No need to use pricey "BMW" oil.

[@Ryzn322]

Do you plan to do brake fluid flush for the bmw ?

[@profsg]

Thanks for asking! I performed brake flush and ABS bleeding at the end of this ABS replacement video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/enWTeqZ6aaZqrLc Hope it helps.

[@NickLimoncelli]

After intial fill,close fill and warm up.After warm up,do you keep engine running and remove plug to top off?

[@profsg]

Yes, absolutely! And this is super critical: keep engine running while you continue to fill fluid at the correct (warmed up) temperature. There is a lot of fluid circulating in the transmission with engine running. If engine is turned off at this point, extra fluid will return to the pan and overflow from the fill hole, making the level incorrect (very low). Hope this makes sense.

[@oyajibro1196]

After 218000 miles do you recommend me to change the oil or its too late? I don't have any issue with the transmission.

[@profsg]

With this number of miles, the easy answer is no. Don't touch it. But there are rare exceptions... for example, if it's all light, high-way driving, one can consider this to be equivalent of over 100,000 miles of normal driving and the transmission likely has much less wear and tear. An oil analysis will tell and, only then, you may consider a drain-and-fill if the fluid isn't in a terrible condition. Either way, there are risks and here is a related video on this topic: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmjMgmuejMh1ldk, which is focused on Toyota transmissions but the principles apply to reliable transmissions like ZF.

[@guo4366]

hello Professor, can I use valvoline ATF transmission fluid for BMW X1? thank you

[@profsg]

I would not recommend that. If it's a ZF transmission, follow ZF's recommendation. I know Valvoline makes good products and many people reported success using it on many different vehicles. But here is the catch. On the Valvoline Max-Life ATF label, for example, it appears it's compatible with virtually all makes and models. The reality is, they are very different fluid/types and it's impossible for one fluid to meet all specifications. I'd recommend sticking with ZF fluid specification, and you can shop around to get a reasonable price, e.g. from Rock Auto.

[@dougjamesvandals]

FCP euro has liquid moly supposedly OEM quality I used that

[@profsg]

@@dougjamesvandals Thanks for the insight! RockAuto offers the most competitive pricing but, for European parts/supplies that you cannot find there, FCP Euro is a good place to shop. Liquid Moly offers good stuff but I don't think they make LifeGuard Fluid 8 (for now I couldn't remember the exact manufacturer). Feel free to post a link to that Liquid Moly fluid so others may check it out.

[@tajdidajman4889]

Is there any difference between this fluid and the bmw branded one?

[@profsg]

ZF Lifeguard 8 is the official fluid for this transmission. I assume the BMW-branded to be the same but more expensive because of the "BMW" on it. I found the best price on RockAuto.

[@tajdidajman4889]

@@profsg thanks, i was thinking the same

[@JerryK-j7y]

Can you measure how much fluid was drained and fill with the same amount of the fluid?

[@profsg]

I would not recommend this approach. You can do it but with a big IF. If you know for sure the existing fluid is at the correct level and you will measure the amounts at the same temperature.. Especially after many years and miles, there is a chance the fluid level is incorrect. Someone might have touched it or it's low due to leak/seepage or fluid degradation.

[@jacksoncurtis4618]

🙂👍

[@profsg]

Thanks for your support!

[@dougjamesvandals]

Hello ..did my fluid change although no scan tool ..got 4.5 qts in approximately more than came out i think. This was a yr ago and while wife was driving came to stop sign and car shifted i yo Park with a transmission message about coolant etc .. Forums say could be battery or low fluid

[@profsg]

What exactly is the transmission/coolant message? It'd be best to run a full scan of the system, know the exact diagnosis trouble codes (DTCs), and check your transmission fluid level accurately. For these purposes, I'd strongly recommend getting a scanner capable for full system diagnosis on BMWs. I've used Launch scanners (not a sponsor) and really like their products, which are truly capable and less expensive. Some of the most budget friendly options from Launch: 1. LAUNCH X431 Elite for BMW (slower, $129 after coupon): amzn.to/49PQbvy 2. LAUNCH X431 Elite PRO for BMW (faster chip, $150): amzn.to/49U1liT 3. LAUNCH X431 Elite for European cars ($209): amzn.to/4bw73c7 I know the least expensive option is still over $100, but they are a must-have to work on a BMW or other European brands. There are other options like ISTA+ software or BimmerLink+BimmerCode combo but none of these are less expensive and they are a bit more complex to set up in my opinion. If you can get one of these scanners for BMW, you will be able to scan what's going on and do an accurate fluid level check. Hope this helps but keep us posted if we can help further.

[@profsg]

I'd also like to add that I pumped in at least 5 quarts of the fluid in the 40 - 50 C temperature range. I used 6 quart bottles but some overflowed so I didn't know the exact amount but my estimate is 5 quarts or more. Also very important here, doing it at the correct temperature means TWO things: 1) fluid expands at a higher temperature so the amount won't be correct at a different temperature level, and 2) there is a transmission coolant bypass valve that will open at certain temperature, the premise of the correct measurement is that the valve is open and part of the fluid is going through the bypass. Because of both of these reasons, you must know the ATF temperature before attempting to check the level.

[@Lowvym]

I just did the change and git 5 extra mpg.

[@profsg]

Wow! This is great!

[@relaxat1732]

you are not using original filter from zf?

[@profsg]

Actually it was the OE ZF pan and filter (new version with a clear filter cover, manufactured by Hengst for ZF) used in the video. Here is a link to the kit on FCP Euro, which is now in the video description as well: www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-ga8hp45z-ga8hp70z-oil-pan-and-filter-kit-zf-24118612901?ads_cmpid=20176611495&ads_adid=149301813813&ads_matchtype=&ads_network=g&ads_creative=659497126029&ads_targetid=pla-293946777986&ttv=2&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwk8e1BhALEiwAc8MHiLb6lxRDHleQigpzyw6sF1U6yvO_AG_f_4kD8TyCvit4vXLIOvBD8xoCYcIQAvD_BwE

[@atxjax1]

Just out of curiosity,......why not just measure the fluid that came out and put the same amount back in?

[@profsg]

Good question! It's been a common practice but I have two main reasons against it: 1) The premise of the suggested volume-matched approach is that the existing/old fluid in the transmission was at the correct level. While no one would doubt a correct factory fill, chances are over the years the fluid might have been touched or lost/reduced due to a leak, etc. You won't get to the correct level by matching an already incorrect old fluid level. 2) The volume of fluid varies at different temperature levels so you will have to measure both (old vs. new) at the same temperature. I wish there were a simpler method for this replacement. But it's not worth taking the risk given how sensitive today's transmissions are to the fluid level.

[@tomkoolman]

Do you know how to reset the ADC light on dash? I checked the sensors and all of them work.

[@profsg]

I am not familiar with the ADC dash warning but suppose it's related to adaptive cruise/distance control. I'd scan the system and get the diagnosis code first.