The oil pans of automatic transmissions bear the inscription: Long Life No Change. This may suggest that the oil is not changed, but the manufacturer of these transmissions themselves, recommends regular maintenance. Our service center has specialized equipment for professional oil changes in static or dynamic versions.
Should you change the oil in the automatic transmission in BMW cars?
ATF oil used in automatic transmissions is marked on the oil pan with the slogan:
Long Life No Change
In the past, authorized car service centers remained of the opinion that the oil in automatic transmissions is non-changeable. However, the manufacturers of these transmissions themselves (e.g., ZF) report that the oil is subject to periodic replacement. The replacement distance depends on the temperature of oil use and how the vehicle is operated.
The durability of ATF oil (resistance to oxidation) is guaranteed up to 160,000 kilometers, if its operating temperature is constant at 80℃. Above the normal operating temperature – city driving, in the mountains, towing a trailer, dirty ATF radiator – the oxidation rate doubles every 7℃.
Below is a table with oil change mileage depending on the temperature of use.
From the above table, we can conclude that under optimal operating conditions, where the temperature of the oil in the box does not exceed 87℃, the period until oil change is 80,000 kilometers. Such operating conditions are difficult to achieve because the oil coolers in most BMW models, are located at the front of the vehicle between the air conditioning radiator and the engine coolant radiator.
The temperature there usually fluctuates around 100 degrees. In the case of large engines with a capacity of more than 3,000 ccm, the temperature rises even to 120 degrees. Then the distance to be replaced decreases dramatically to a mileage of less than 10,000 kilometers.
Similar operating conditions prevail when the vehicle is operated in heavy road conditions:
- towing a semi-trailer,
- city driving – frequent acceleration and stopping of the vehicle,
- long highway mileage,
- sporty driving conditions.
How to ensure a long service life for automatic transmissions in BMW?
The design life of automatic transmissions from the manufacturer ZF is provided for a distance of 250,000 km. The following tips help keep them in top shape.
- Ensure proper oil levels, through periodic inspection.
- Regularly changing the oil according to the way the vehicle is used, at least every 80,000 kilometers.
- Immediate repair of the transmission in case of malfunctions – failure mode, gear slips, jerks when shifting and downshifting.
What does an automatic transmission oil change consist of?
We can change the oil in the automatic transmission in a static or dynamic way.
Static replacement involves:
- draining the used oil from the transmission,
- replacing the oil filter (in newer models together with the oil sump),
- filling the box with the correct amount of new oil,
- deleting the old adaptations and performing a new adaptation of the box.
Dynamic oil change consists of:
- flushing the box and the oil cooling system with a cleaning agent,
- drain the used oil from the box,
- replacing the oil filter (in newer models, together with the oil sump),
- flushing the transmission and cooling system with new oil,
- filling the system with new transmission oil.
The dynamic method allows the cleaner to penetrate the oil channels, torque clutch and radiator much more thoroughly. The dynamic method requires specialized equipment and more gear oil. Typically, 10 to 20 percent more oil is used in this method compared to the static method.
After performing the steps described above, it is necessary to delete the existing adaptations of the transmission and perform a new adaptation.
Adaptation of the automatic transmission is performed while driving with a diagnostic computer on a longer road section. After performing the full adaptation procedure, the transmission is prepared for operation with new gear oil.
Update 12.07.2021 – new recommendations from the manufacturer of ZF transmissions regarding oil changes
Due to numerous cases of automatic transmission damage when using the dynamic method, ZF recommends static replacement. Pressure injection, or dynamic replacement, can cause damage to mechatronics, seals and friction components. We wrote about the update on our blog.
As a specialized BMW service center, we have direct contact with component manufacturers. That’s why we inform our customers about the new recommendations – both online on the website and offline during a visit to Katowice.
For the time being, we leave the dynamic oil change offer for BMW automatics visible and are monitoring developments.
At what time will the oil in an automatic transmission be changed?
The procedure for changing the oil assumes taking action when the oil temperature is below 50 degrees celsius. Under normal operating conditions, it can take several to several hours for the temperature of the box to drop on its own. A dynamic oil change along with a new transmission adaptation can take about five hours.
For the convenience of our customers, we offer to leave the car at the service the previous day and pick it up the next day in the afternoon. We also offer a replacement car for the duration of the repair.
Does BM Cars offer a warranty on its oil change service and what does it cover?
We provide a 24-month warranty for all services performed at our service center. Also in the case of an oil change in an automatic transmission, we provide such a warranty. Of course, it covers the replaced parts, i.e. the oil filter (in newer models together with the oil sump) oil, sump gasket, control line sealing sleeve (if it was also replaced).
The warranty provided does not cover trouble-free operation of the transmission for a period of 24 months. The oil change itself is an activity designed to ensure that the life of the transmission is extended.
An oil change will not repair damage to the box itself. If the transmission is malfunctioning, jerks when shifting gears, hangs up when shifting, or slips when accelerating, the only way to improve it is with a comprehensive repair.
What elements make up the cost of an oil change in a BMW?
The cost of an automatic transmission oil change consists of the following steps and materials:
- vehicle and transmission diagnostics,
- oil change,
- oil filter, oil, additional sealing elements,
- deletion of old adaptations and new transmission adaptation.
I have never changed the oil in my transmission, and I have driven more than 100,000 kilometers. Is it possible to replace an automatic transmission with a manual transmission?
As much as possible!
Due to the cost of repair and operation of automatics, sometimes it is better toreplace the transmission with a manual one. Before starting such an operation, we discuss all the details involved and provide a full estimate of the available options.
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