Topic: Lifetime Fluids question

[CSH]

BMW just crossed the 100K mark. According to the manual the following are lifetime fluids:

AT Fluid
Steering Fluid
Engine Coolant
Differential fluid.

I found a good Indy mechanic that is about 70% cost of a dealer.  My plan is to keep the car to atleast 300K (hopefully, barring major mechanical issues). Do you recommend to change one of more of the fluids?

Another question. How come the 07 Camry does not have Differential fluid? Is it because of RWD/FWD?


Some folks say replacing it 100K might cause more issues and others say the change is necessary if you plan to keep the vehicle for a long time.

[HeliDriver]

FWD cars don't have a separate differential, so no differential fluid to change. Change the transmission fluid and the differential gets taken care of as well.

I also like to keep my cars for a long time, so change out the fluids at 100k kms regardless of what the manufacturer says. Has worked fine for me, but YMMV.

Funny, but I took the Yukon in to have the brake fluid flushed (it had been four years) and the service advisor tried to talk me out of it. Said it was "lifetime" and he didn't want me wasting my money on something that wasn't necessary. I thanked him for his concern, but had them change it anyway.

[johngenx]

Lifetime means life of the warranty. Not the car. I've had cars with so-called lifetime fluids and changed them without any issues. One thing to note is that there might be special procedures so checkout out carefully before you go ahead.

An example is the trans fluid on most Mercedes models has the level set at a specific fluid temperature. So the dealers (and good indies) have the scan tool to bring the fluid to the correct temperature.

Also, many newer cars don't have dipsticks. Again, dealers and good. Indies have the right stuff.


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[ArticSteve]

AT Fluid
Steering Fluid
Engine Coolant
Differential fluid.


Coolant for sure.  Use BMW fluid.  Usually it's blue in colour.

then change Brake fluid.

check diff for level and water.  If OK, then leave alone.

Steering fluid - No

ATF...  a bit complex in those cars.  Dunno.   

[tpl]

I presume that you follow the schedule for brake fluid, used to be every 2 years and I had them do mine on time regardless of mileage.

Coolant for sure every few years with BMW coolant.
Diff 'fluid' is probably a synthetic gear oil  and probably lasts a long time in a 323 ( as distinct from an M-car!)
Power steering 'fluid' is probably normal hydraulic oil and should not need replacing for many years.
AT fluid.  I dunno but I'd check with the various BMW forums if there is a recommended replacement. fluid and replacement interval.

[CSH]

Thanks for all your replies
Brake fluid is on CBS and come up every 2 years, was last changed Sep 2014. Going in for oil and scheduled spark plug replacement (dont belieive its 96K) some people recommend changing it even sooner. Will get engine coolant changed.

Why is Spark plugs on Camry every 192K and BMW every 96K?

[CSH]

So went to the indy shop today.
Changes Spark Plugs $200
Oil $105
Coolant $80

Is this high low or avg for a BMW?

He said dont do AT fluid as they have seen issues in some cars they have done the work. Is this true or he simply does not have the equipment to do the change?
He also mentioned that the diff fluid is different from the AT fluid and is 80$. He said i can do it in June.

[safristi]

you have 20 spark plugs 

[aquadorhj]

So went to the indy shop today.
Changes Spark Plugs $200
Oil $105
Coolant $80

Is this high low or avg for a BMW?

He said dont do AT fluid as they have seen issues in some cars they have done the work. Is this true or he simply does not have the equipment to do the change?
He also mentioned that the diff fluid is different from the AT fluid and is 80$. He said i can do it in June.

i say that sounds about fair.

primo synthetic oil is 10$/L at least, your car needs 6, plus labor.
oe spark plugs are like 8~12$/piece, would take about an hour labor.
coolant, you don't really need to change yet, but if i were to pay to have it done, i would say that's fair price.

diff fluid is easy to change, takes about 1.5~2L,  maybe half hour labor.  oe stuff is like $20+ per liter.   so.. yeah, not bad.

i say your indy is very fair as long as the work is competent.

[No H2O]

According to the manual the following are lifetime fluids.

No such thing.

I'll believe it when the manufacturer gives me a lifetime warranty on the components those fluids lubricate.