I've been using the Valvoline Max ATF in my E39 for 12 years. No problems. However, after the first change at a shop, I jacked it up, leveled it off, & checked the level myself. Over a quart low. DIY ever since.
Good advice. I would like to add that people should double the change interval that most automakers recommend. Many mechanics recommend 50000 mile changes for "life time transmissions" . Finally there are cheap fixes for aging transmissions for several companies like transgo. I had the late shifting p1811 on my Buick and fixed it with a pan drop and some springs from transgo. I could have done it with some washers but the transgo was more of a sure thing. Lastly it doesn't hurt to periodically check the transmission with a scan tool to keep ahead of the break downs. Say hello to the cat for me: hope it is doing well.
White paper towel test indicates wear by color variation. Brown means the end is near. Black means means seriously start thinking about a new transmission.
GREAT words to the wise! Change the fluid & filter, especially on the ZF units, in my opinion. I have never run the car hard when it is cold. Glad that you stress that point. Good video Nathan.
So if I've never had anything done with transmission can i change fluid? Theres about 200k miles and its an 05 grand Prix GT with originalfluid and filter
@@priestchurch88 you can, but at the current mileage, you can run a serious risk of causing existing wear damages to to magnified. It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't scenario. At this point.
Good afternoon wondering if I could ask you a question I have a 530 I BMW 2003 I checked all the fuses everything good new battery new starter but it still just clicks when I put power to the front positive cable on top of the engine it starts right up any advice hope you don’t mind
The wife's Neon went 270 thousand miles before the transmission finally failed. Fluid was changed very regularly. If it weren't for the filter falling down from the little o-ring stick up in there deal, I reckon it would still have the original transmission in it.
@@dogsplantscarsneatstuff176 It's on its 2nd engine, and had a fresh head gasket, cooling system and timing belt before the trans went out. Now since the whole car is more or less brand new, it should go another 200 + thousand before it finally dies.
@@HollywoodHornet Was this a lightly used engine that had 20K to 50K miles, factory engine, completely reworked original engine or none of the above. The reason I ask is that all the info out there saying that the neon was such a huge failure for chrysler, you made this car a great success. This is definitely the little engine that could!
@@dogsplantscarsneatstuff176 The original engine made it to 200 thousand miles. The current engine was from a junkyard and had 80 thousand on it at the time of install. Now the car has 270 something thousand on it, giving the current engine roughly 150 thousand miles. It is the little Neon that could. I give Chrysler the business all the time for making crap, yet their bottom of the line econobox has proved to us all that the car can drive a distance greater than the distance between the Earth and moon...and on the factory transmission no less. I tell the wife all the time I her car, but if I'm honest, it's very reliable and gets awesome mileage. It rides like shit compared to my e38 but I can fill it up and have money to spare with a $20 bill.
Great topic! Nathan, thanks for your informative video. Question on changing fluid. On a 96 bmw 328iC automatic, with 72K: After changing Fluid and filter, when adding new fluid to fill point, then starting vehicle to add more, what is the best way to make certain you are filling the transmission with ATF fluid within the correct temp range if you do not have internal temp gauge? Would a laser heat thermometer on the pan be ok?
All things online say that anywhere from 5-15 minutes of running it would be the temp to check it. The most important thing is that’s it’s running to check the fluid.
Great video. My question is do you recommend a fluid and filter if you've purchased a higher mileage BMW with an unknown history. I've always been told by old timers that it can be better to leave good enough alone on auto transmissions, and you can open a can of worms by changing it. Any truth in that? Thanks!
I got a 2003 dodge Dakota it’s got 130000 miles started slip around 100000 miles bc the place flushed the trans and it hadn’t been done regularly by the previous owner I still drive it I put no slip in it and it slips still but just hold the rpm’s where it should shift and it shifts but I’m just wondering if I should get a new trans or what to do
Hi there, i have 07 750li with zf6hp26 trans,my vehicle start going into park from drive aftere vehicle worm up,will not do it when it's cold, error code iam getting is 4E89 SV 1 or SV 2 mechanically jammed.Have you seen a code error like this. I replaced all mechatronic sleeves and all solenoids, followed fill procedure engine off ,engine running at 40c .Reset adaptation,still having the same problem.I recently replaced the valvebody with used one but i used my old TCM module installed on it. because I couldn't flash the one that came with the used valvebody ,still have same problem same error code. could you please help me with this problem what it could be.thanks.
Mine has been doing it for a month. Started 1000 miles after I changes the fluid and filter. Got it from the dealer. Fluid level is right on point. I do have a slight missfire mostly around town light throttle I can't really feel them but I see them in mode 6 data. Not many I had 16 misses on my 7 minute drive this morning. Not sure if it's related or if they are 2 separate issues. Only has 64000 miles on it
Wow that is extremely unfortunate. But yet very common. Biggest reason why that happened to your car is it was more than likely neglected from the very day it left the factory. An when you changed the filter and trans fluid, it then became so clean and viscosity level was so high. So basically the dirt and metal deposits were actually embedded in the gears and keeping it alive. Once you changed it, it then lost all the good bacteria that was keeping it alive from being neglected. Thats sadly what happens to CVTs. If you previous owners failed to change it. Once you as the new owner changes it, it than just goes into full kill it self mode cause it no longer has the dirty oil to save it. Very sad, I hope you’re life got better
My fluid has been over by a quart to quart and a half since I bought it and I’ve been meaning to straighten it out with a filter change since I don’t have a drain plug I put it off for months now I just got a slip when taking off from a stop it seems to be semi random but it started the other night when the temperature dropped to freezing cold outside . Hopefully I fix this tomorrow with filter and fluid change also doing the a and b shift solenoids
Use only ZF Lifeguard Fluid in all BMW ZF fitted transmissions. Each lifeguard fluid is specific to the transmission e.g Lifeguard 5, 6, 7, 8 etc The viscometrics ( viscosity index ) are different for each.
I have a 2011 Bmw 328i XDrive with 94k on it. Car fax has no history of the transmission being serviced!!! I’m going to change the fluid & filter! I’m not going to do a complete flush…. I want to use Valvoline transmission fluid. Will this damage the transmission not doing a complete flush & mixing old fluid with new fluid….?
My 535i transmission is slipping right now. Once it warmed up after about 20-25 minutes it would drive, if it’s cold NO engagement. Is it because of low transmission fluid? Please advice! Thank you
nathan i just picked up a 1994 740i as a rolling restoration the car sat for 8 years i pulled the carfax there is no maintenance on this car should i do a fluid and filter change on the transmission or should i leave it be i dont want to break it any worse than it is the car is in sorry shape im trying to bring it back need advice 230k on the car
Yo nate, i just took my car to aamco for a fluid an pan change and dude did it while it was still hot an said it only held 5bottles but the kit came with 7, now i notice that my mph is alot lower with rpm being higher and it just started whining, its a 2014 550i. What could it be?
I've been using the Valvoline Max ATF in my E39 for 12 years. No problems. However, after the first change at a shop, I jacked it up, leveled it off, & checked the level myself. Over a quart low. DIY ever since.
My trans only feels like it slips on the higher rpms of full on acceleration
Good advice. I would like to add that people should double the change interval that most automakers recommend. Many mechanics recommend 50000 mile changes for "life time transmissions" . Finally there are cheap fixes for aging transmissions for several companies like transgo. I had the late shifting p1811 on my Buick and fixed it with a pan drop and some springs from transgo. I could have done it with some washers but the transgo was more of a sure thing. Lastly it doesn't hurt to periodically check the transmission with a scan tool to keep ahead of the break downs. Say hello to the cat for me: hope it is doing well.
White paper towel test indicates wear by color variation. Brown means the end is near. Black means means seriously start thinking about a new transmission.
GREAT words to the wise! Change the fluid & filter, especially on the ZF units, in my opinion. I have never run the car hard when it is cold. Glad that you stress that point. Good video Nathan.
You're soundind like me Nate. Then again, I was a Transmission Tech for awhile in a shop. An actual honest shop. 😁
Good for you. I bet you learned a lot that saved you a ton of money.
@@dogsplantscarsneatstuff176 I actuallt did. Yes.
So if I've never had anything done with transmission can i change fluid? Theres about 200k miles and its an 05 grand Prix GT with originalfluid and filter
@@priestchurch88 you can, but at the current mileage, you can run a serious risk of causing existing wear damages to to magnified. It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't scenario. At this point.
Di Di D Dodge ! Your heard me Stutter ! Right ! LOL
I have not changed the fluid on my 05 Corolla at all. It has over 300,000 miles on it. Still going.
Daily content is gonna get you to 100k very soon 👍
Good afternoon wondering if I could ask you a question I have a 530 I BMW 2003 I checked all the fuses everything good new battery new starter but it still just clicks when I put power to the front positive cable on top of the engine it starts right up any advice hope you don’t mind
Thanks for sharing Nathan. What do you think about the spill and fill method.
I have a 08 335i with 177,000km do you recommend a trans flush or fluid change and it’s all wheel drive. So I’m not sure if it’s a GM or ZF trans.
The wife's Neon went 270 thousand miles before the transmission finally failed. Fluid was changed very regularly. If it weren't for the filter falling down from the little o-ring stick up in there deal, I reckon it would still have the original transmission in it.
That is mind blowing!
A neon to go almost 300k is amazing! Was this without major engine work?
@@dogsplantscarsneatstuff176 It's on its 2nd engine, and had a fresh head gasket, cooling system and timing belt before the trans went out. Now since the whole car is more or less brand new, it should go another 200 + thousand before it finally dies.
@@HollywoodHornet Was this a lightly used engine that had 20K to 50K miles, factory engine, completely reworked original engine or none of the above. The reason I ask is that all the info out there saying that the neon was such a huge failure for chrysler, you made this car a great success. This is definitely the little engine that could!
@@dogsplantscarsneatstuff176 The original engine made it to 200 thousand miles. The current engine was from a junkyard and had 80 thousand on it at the time of install. Now the car has 270 something thousand on it, giving the current engine roughly 150 thousand miles.
It is the little Neon that could. I give Chrysler the business all the time for making crap, yet their bottom of the line econobox has proved to us all that the car can drive a distance greater than the distance between the Earth and moon...and on the factory transmission no less. I tell the wife all the time I her car, but if I'm honest, it's very reliable and gets awesome mileage. It rides like shit compared to my e38 but I can fill it up and have money to spare with a $20 bill.
The ZF transmissions are the most reliable things on BMW even compared to most other makes
Great topic! Nathan, thanks for your informative video. Question on changing fluid. On a 96 bmw 328iC automatic, with 72K: After changing Fluid and filter, when adding new fluid to fill point, then starting vehicle to add more, what is the best way to make certain you are filling the transmission with ATF fluid within the correct temp range if you do not have internal temp gauge? Would a laser heat thermometer on the pan be ok?
Buy a different car 😂 u probably already have older bmw's are money pits
@@jrockaz548 not true, the older bmws are built way stronger than newer BMWs.
All things online say that anywhere from 5-15 minutes of running it would be the temp to check it. The most important thing is that’s it’s running to check the fluid.
Brilliant, perfect!👌
Nissan armada 07 automatic reverse gear is slipping all other gears work great changed the fluid and filter still not working help ??
Great video. My question is do you recommend a fluid and filter if you've purchased a higher mileage BMW with an unknown history. I've always been told by old timers that it can be better to leave good enough alone on auto transmissions, and you can open a can of worms by changing it. Any truth in that? Thanks!
Yep the new fluid can mix with old bits of fluid left in the case and cause issues.
I got a 2003 dodge Dakota it’s got 130000 miles started slip around 100000 miles bc the place flushed the trans and it hadn’t been done regularly by the previous owner I still drive it I put no slip in it and it slips still but just hold the rpm’s where it should shift and it shifts but I’m just wondering if I should get a new trans or what to do
GMC envoy 2005 where do you put your transmission fluid at
Hi there, i have 07 750li with zf6hp26 trans,my vehicle start going into
park from drive aftere vehicle worm up,will not do it when it's cold,
error code iam getting is 4E89 SV 1 or SV 2 mechanically jammed.Have
you seen a code error like this. I replaced all mechatronic sleeves and
all solenoids, followed fill procedure engine off ,engine running at 40c
.Reset adaptation,still having the same problem.I recently replaced the
valvebody with used one but i used my old TCM module installed on it.
because I couldn't flash the one that came with the used valvebody
,still have same problem same error code. could you please help me with
this problem what it could be.thanks.
Mine has been doing it for a month. Started 1000 miles after I changes the fluid and filter. Got it from the dealer. Fluid level is right on point. I do have a slight missfire mostly around town light throttle I can't really feel them but I see them in mode 6 data. Not many I had 16 misses on my 7 minute drive this morning. Not sure if it's related or if they are 2 separate issues. Only has 64000 miles on it
Wow that is extremely unfortunate. But yet very common. Biggest reason why that happened to your car is it was more than likely neglected from the very day it left the factory. An when you changed the filter and trans fluid, it then became so clean and viscosity level was so high. So basically the dirt and metal deposits were actually embedded in the gears and keeping it alive. Once you changed it, it then lost all the good bacteria that was keeping it alive from being neglected. Thats sadly what happens to CVTs. If you previous owners failed to change it. Once you as the new owner changes it, it than just goes into full kill it self mode cause it no longer has the dirty oil to save it. Very sad, I hope you’re life got better
my bmw 320d f30 xdrive, I have a problem, when it changes from 4-5-6 it slips, what do you think could be
My fluid has been over by a quart to quart and a half since I bought it and I’ve been meaning to straighten it out with a filter change since I don’t have a drain plug
I put it off for months now I just got a slip when taking off from a stop it seems to be semi random but it started the other night when the temperature dropped to freezing cold outside .
Hopefully I fix this tomorrow with filter and fluid change also doing the a and b shift solenoids
My car started slipping. Checked trans fluid its lvl but black and stanks. Im going to change fluid and filters and hope we get back to running 😢
Car won't move only when cold its 2006 impala will changing fluids make it work again?
Use only ZF Lifeguard Fluid in all BMW ZF fitted transmissions. Each lifeguard fluid is specific to the transmission e.g Lifeguard 5, 6, 7, 8 etc The viscometrics ( viscosity index ) are different for each.
I have a 2011 Bmw 328i XDrive with 94k on it. Car fax has no history of the transmission being serviced!!! I’m going to change the fluid & filter! I’m not going to do a complete flush…. I want to use Valvoline transmission fluid. Will this damage the transmission not doing a complete flush & mixing old fluid with new fluid….?
My 535i transmission is slipping right now. Once it warmed up after about 20-25 minutes it would drive, if it’s cold NO engagement. Is it because of low transmission fluid? Please advice! Thank you
Did you ever figure this out?
Hey Nathan a little off topic for this video. Do you sell the insta software?
I bought it on eBay real cheap. Here’s the download link: www.black2000.co.uk/7777/ISTA_4.22.2.7z
Hopefully it didn’t expire yet
I got mine from Doctor Dean. I would hit him up!
@@lp2565 thanks bro I will.
300 000 miles with factory transmission fluid and filter. Still shifting
nathan i just picked up a 1994 740i as a rolling restoration the car sat for 8 years i pulled the carfax there is no maintenance on this car should i do a fluid and filter change on the transmission or should i leave it be i dont want to break it any worse than it is the car is in sorry shape im trying to bring it back need advice 230k on the car
Do it!, if it’s been sat that long!
UFO at 2:49
He's already had a ghost in one of his videos. :)
Haaa 🐝 😂lol
Good video Nathan !!
Hi, where is the your , shop,I put my car in the shop 2 time for the the same thing A+transmission;:and now is jeck :why...
Is a jerk considered a slip also thanks for the video
Thank you
We got a Dodge Ram 3500 that has to revéd in order to go, I mean, SLAM into reverse. Whiplash!!!!
🤣🤣🤣🤣 and it’s a V10, my guess it’s gonna need a whole new unit since it cost about the same to rebuild.
isn't your gas mileage over a month enough to pay for a brand new transmission?
Mower Moddin we rarely use it! But yeah, been doing some yard debris, recycling runs and it cost $100 in gas. It’s only has 120k miles.
Yo nate, i just took my car to aamco for a fluid an pan change and dude did it while it was still hot an said it only held 5bottles but the kit came with 7, now i notice that my mph is alot lower with rpm being higher and it just started whining, its a 2014 550i. What could it be?
Gotta fill it when its running
@@NathansBMWWorkshop took it back he did that still didn't take what fcp Euro provided
If you drive it hard alot it will break.😁
New Nissans are terrible had one go out on me from a rental with low miles
That was a useless video
Thanks for absolutely nothing on how to fix a transmission slip!!