Check my 60K service order

[LivesNearCostco]

My transmission also has the yellow sticker, though I don't remember what it says on it.

My transmission was different from everyone else's and I am glad I checked it before I bought fluid, because it takes a different weight oil than the other kinds. I have a yellow sticker that reads MTF2 and I needed 75W-80.

[danewilson77]

My transmission also has the yellow sticker, though I don't remember what it says on it.

That?

[LivesNearCostco]

yeah, that's probably what mine says, MTF "Lifetime" 1, and Newjack's says MTF "Lifetime" 2. I wonder if it's really the same transmission with just a new standard and new-and-improved MTF? I think the BMW/Pentosin MTF2 can be used in the older transmissions that specify MTF1, right?

[goofiefoot]

So, dumb question. If mine is labeled "Life Time Oil. No Oil Change" I don't need to change the oil, right?

[Newjack]

So, dumb question. If mine is labeled "Life Time Oil. No Oil Change" I don't need to change the oil, right?

No you still need to change it. BMW redefined lifetime oil to 100K miles. I would do it once every 30K-40K to ensure a healthy transmission life.

[johnrando]

There are many threads on this all over various forums. You'll get a variety of opinions. My best answer is do research and decide for yourself. While BMW says don't change it, it's lifetime EDIT: (or 100K based on Newjack's post), I'm going to change mine around 60K, and then after. There is a line of thought that says if you don't change it before 75K, don't (due to seals, etc), so do it before if you want to.

[brettbimmer]

Mike Miller would tell you to change the trans. fluid now, (actually every 30K if his "Old School Service" routine is followed), otherwise you will be changing the transmission itself later. Go for it for the small cost of a few quarts of fluid. I have done mine twice, and I am not quite let to 60K. That said, I am planning to keep the car around for the long haul, so my theory is service her hard if I ask her to play hard! FWIW, I have been using Red Line MTL for this, but there are about 10,000 opinions as to what fluid is best.

[webster]

your list looks good. i'm at 55.4k and just had the cooling system done. my maintenance list to date (purchased 8/2011 w/ 51k miles):

- FCABs (Meyle HD)
- Cooling System (equiv of ECS level 2 kit, w/ Stewart water pump)
- Transmission Fluid
- Diff Fluid
- PS Fluid (should go thru at least 3 quarts to thoroughly flush)
- Brake Fluid
- Tires
- Fuel Filter
- Cabin Filter
- New Battery (Duralast Gold 94R)


i like to think she's tip top at the moment.

[johnnyrad]

I would say while your doing your pulleys, you could do the ac pulley and power steering pulley while your in there. The original ps pulley is plastic (at least mine was) so you can upgrade to the aluminum one for not much more. Not that it's prone to failure, but it's plastic and who knows. Your ac pulley is really not that much more work ( I think it's 3 or 4 bolts and your belts will be off). I say this because I did all five of mine and I'm glad I did the ac pulley because even though it didn't make any noise while running, the bearing's were shot anyway. Just my two cents. Good luck and happy wrenching!

[goofiefoot]

I jacked the car up and determined the transmission is a MTF-LT-2. Seems like transmissions fluids are in high debate on the BMW forums, as I found absolutely no clear answers on the best fluid to use. What I did decipher is the Redline MTL may work well in my warm climate, but Redline also lists D4 ATF for both the LT-1 and LT-2 trannies. Ugh.



It also looks like I need to buy a new socket (8mm hex), as my plugs are different than every other photo I've seen in searching for MT fluid changes. Yay, more tools.

As far as my pulleys, I still have no idea what I really need. The ECS kit comes with a new water pump pulley. It looks like the driver's side tensioner is hydraulic, but the A/C tensioner is definitely mechanical.





Thoughts?