Is transmission fluid lasts forever ?

Hi,

Just a quick question. I've got a 325ci 2005 with a manual transmission. I'm at 138 000 km and am wondering if I should change the transmission and diff fluid. The dealer says it should last forever, but I'm skeptical.

I had a civic before and blew the transmission bearings around 160 000 km.

What do you guys think ?

Thanks for your help.

no.

Change it!!

OOkkay. That confirms what I thought.

They're idiots.

Thank you people.

Manufacturer says the fluid is lifetime. If you never change your fluid, it will last exactly the lifetime of your trans or diff!!

You decide if you would like to possibly extend the life of your driveline components.

I have an automatic with 136k on it, I'm guessing it's too late to change the fluid now, because I heard if I do it will speed up the tranny failing on me. Is this true or should I go ahead and change it?

Originally Posted by ecfrankyboy

Hi,

Just a quick question. I've got a 325ci 2005 with a manual transmission. I'm at 138 000 km and am wondering if I should change the transmission and diff fluid. The dealer says it should last forever, but I'm skeptical.

I had a civic before and blew the transmission bearings around 160 000 km.

What do you guys think ?

Thanks for your help.

Dealers give moron answers to questions like this.
I'd change the fluid if it was my car and had high miles on the trans. Even 136K miles!
But what does a guy who owns a manual know?

Change the fluid, as long as you use the appropriate fluid you cannot hurt anything. You will also get an idea of what shape the transmission is in once you have the pan down. It is a myth that changing the fluid will cause problems. Fluid oxidizes, breaks down, gets dirty and looses it friction coefficient over time.

Again, your transmission will last exactly as long as the fluid if you never change it. This may be 60k mile, this may be 160k miles??? You decide.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showpos...16&postcount=1

?

^ double thread? I always heard that if you change the fluid it will go bad sooner but I'm going to change it either way along with differential fluid after brakes and tune up for the winter

...and figure out what fluids to use, make sure you either use OE or read enough fluids threads that you actually feel bloated.

Change your fluids but don't drink any of them. Also, good time for other things too, you know...like maybe fuel filter, coolant flush, etc.

Oh jea coolant overhaul was completed last week...doing inspection 2 so fuel filter is definitely in there, oem fluid is definitely the way to go no doubt about that...but what happens if I get thirsty? Still don't drink the fluid?

Originally Posted by SHOoff11

I have an automatic with 136k on it, I'm guessing it's too late to change the fluid now, because I heard if I do it will speed up the tranny failing on me. Is this true or should I go ahead and change it?

There's an argument against changing the fluid in a high-mileage auto that has never had a fluid change - that you might disturb sludge that otherwise would stay put and not do any harm. Personally, I don't buy that, but you should be aware that not everyone has the same opinion.

On the manual and diff, there's no credible argument against changing it, other than what brainwashed dealers say about lifetime fill. Change it. Opinions on the interval vary from 30k to 50k miles.

Originally Posted by Wolrab

On the manual and diff, there's no credible argument against changing it, other than what brainwashed dealers say about lifetime fill. Change it. Opinions on the interval vary from 30k to 50k miles.

++1 on this

When I did mine at 32K they were very good looking. Haven't done my trans since then, and not sweating it. But on my list.

I'm going to repeat myself again.

Replace all fluids in all parts in all vehicles--period! No exceptions.

changing fluid will make it not last as long huh.........................do you realize the logic or lack of , of this statement?

your engine wont last as long if you change the oil either, so don't do it



seriously, change it, do not flush it, flushing is the problem, not draining and refilling.................altho i'm not sure why you'd need to flush a manual anyway

just for anyone reading

So lets take this thread on a quick turn

On a Manual , would you use OEM BMW Maunal Tranny fluid, or something else? Again I'm mainly just wondering if it has to be to a certian spec like the oil... SO sorry ahead of time if this goes into a giant flame war on Tranny Oil, im just wondering I'm doing a diffrental fluid change and might as well do the tranny because I don't know if it was ever done (probably was just don't know when).

Flush it, I do mine every 30k or 3 years.

Originally Posted by Wibbles

So lets take this thread on a quick turn

On a Manual , would you use OEM BMW Maunal Tranny fluid, or something else? Again I'm mainly just wondering if it has to be to a certian spec like the oil... SO sorry ahead of time if this goes into a giant flame war on Tranny Oil, im just wondering I'm doing a diffrental fluid change and might as well do the tranny because I don't know if it was ever done (probably was just don't know when).

I use Redline D4 ATF. Some people use Pentosin, some use Genuine, some use Redline MTL. All are fine

Originally Posted by rcsummers

Flush it, I do mine every 30k or 3 years.

there is no reason to flush any transmission, particles, sludge, metal fragments etc get into places they shouldn't and cause wear where they wouldn't have otherwise , let the fluid and things break down on their own , change the fluid for newer fluid properties

there is a filter on an engine, so you don't need to flush, there is a filter on an auto, so you don't need to flush...............both of these have filters for a reason

there is no, and has never been a filter on a manual trans or a differential

for a reason

it is meant to be drained and refilled ...and that's it