Proper oil change in automatic transmission – current manufacturer’s recommendations

Dynamic oil changes in automatic transmissions are, according to ZF – not recommended. It can cause malfunctions and significantly affect the life of automatics in BMW and Mini. Read about the manufacturer’s current recommendations.

Why is the oil in automatic transmissions subject to change?

ZF’s automatic transmissions are filled with specially designed partially synthetic oils. At very high operating temperatures, the oil ages faster than under normal conditions. We have written about the details of the entire oil change operation using the dynamic and static method in our services section.

Under normal operating conditions, the oil is changed every 70,000 km. This distance is significantly reduced if the car is used in a non-standard way. For example:

• frequent achievement of high speeds
• driving with a trailer
• driving in a sporty style
• engine chip tuning

What were the previous recommendations for oil changes in automatic transmissions?

BMW and Mini Authorized Service Centers still do not recommend periodic oil changes in automatic transmissions. ZF’s recommendations are unequivocal. Oil should be changed every 70,000 km under normal operating conditions.

A very popular and media-publicized method of oil change was dynamic oil change, in which a pressurized machine injected new oil into the gearbox, while at the same time the used oil was taken away. Flushing formulations were also used to flush the box.

What are the new oil change recommendations for automatic transmissions?

According to the new recommendations of ZF, the oil should be changed using the static method – without pressure injection of new oil. When doing so, the gravity flushing method of the box with new oil can be used.

What is the reason for the change in the recommendations of the manufacturer of automatic transmissions?

Dynamic replacement often resulted in damage to gearboxes mainly due to the pumping of dirt and filings into the mechatronics channels. In addition, flushing preparations caused damage to the seals and friction components of the gearbox. Applying ZF’s new guidelines will guarantee their correct and long-lasting performance.

Which BMW car models are affected by the new recommendations?

ZF’s recommendations apply to all BMW and Mini models that use the company’s automatic transmissions. If you are not sure which transmission is in your car – please contact us.