Gearbox and diff oil

[Mazza]

As it’s raining today, thought I would play in the garage !!!

Due to a problem with the sump nut when I first got the car, it had two engine oil changes about 2000 miles ago so I know that’s all ok, and since doing the rocker gaskets no leaks.

Coolant was done when I did the thermostat ( about 2000 miles ago) and the system was flushed at the same time. Level when cold has remained at the correct level.

The brake / clutch fluid colour looks pretty good so will leave that for now.

Power steering fluid renewed when I changed one of the hoses that was leaking.

but unsure about gearbox and diff oils.
The manual refers to ‘specially formulated synthetic lifetime’ gear oil SAF-XO for the diff, and MTF LT-1 for the gearbox and doesn’t need to be changed..... REALLY ??????

Can anyone confirm this???

 

[5harp3y]

lifetime fill gearbox oils are for the warranty period.

they should be changed

i'm putting redline ATF in my gearbox

 

[Mazza]

Oh.....so BMW don’t think the car will last very long then

Suppose I had better get them done as recently clocked up the 100000 and don’t know when they were last changed.
Diff not a problem as I can get to it without lifting the car......but gearbox going to be pain in the bum !

 

[Zeti]

Yes, it's perfect timing for a change of "the life time" oil! BMW recommends every 150000 km. So you're on!
And I believe they expected long service, but not the status of historical car for the Zed 3...but we made it possible!

 

[colb]

Check what fluid your model takes, there is (was) a label on the gearbox showing what to fill it with, some take oil others take ATF.
If the label is still there all well and good if not come back here for advice with full details of your car year build date, engine size etc. for advice. Make sure the level plug can be undone before draining the fluid. I used a plastic tube routed down through the engine compartment to the level plug hole and poured my ATF in using a funnel till it came out of the filler plug hole. Worth doing transforms your gear change. Opie oils will have good advice on fluids you require.

 

[Ryan]

Is it just mileage that determines an oil change for gearbox or diff? Mine's only at 38k miles but is 16 years old???

 

[Zeti]

The diff only has the "life time" which means every 125-150000 km. The gear has, as I remember every second Inspection 2, which is about every 40000 km.
But for safety I will change it every 8-10 years, if no mileage. It's only 1,1 liter for M44.

 

[5harp3y]

Is it just mileage that determines an oil change for gearbox or diff? Mine's only at 38k miles but is 16 years old???

Might be worth changing anyway .you wouldn't let engine oil sit for years without changing etc

 

[Zeti]

For syhthetic oil, max 2 years, but car producers say even each year...which I find slightly exaggerated, if no mileage done.

 

[Davyhoogy]

This is what I used

 

[Mike68]

I changed both diff & box oil last year, only 36K on the car but as others have said the oil degrades over time whether the car is being used or not. An easy job & worth it for the peace of mind.

 

[abh29]

I bought the oil -- D4ATF--from Opie including this one for the gearbox,
I also bought a couple of new plugs in case I damaged them,cost very little from Main Dealer.

Gear change greatly improved with new oil , car had done about 90,000miles

I understand "lifetime oil" means the oil is not changed until the gearbox packs up due to the oil losing its lubricating properties.

Interesting reading

https://www.redlineoil.com/bmw-what-red-line-products-do-i-need