[SlickShift]

I recently picked up a new-to-me X3M and it just alerted me it's in need of a center and rear diff fluid change. I'm pretty handy with regular maintenance (have a Quick Jack, done diff service on older BMWs, etc.) so I was going to do it myself.

I searched the forums and YouTube and couldn't find any guides. Is anyone familiar with the process? I'm assuming it's more than drain and fill. I hope it at least has a drain plug since this isn't a "lifetime" fluid. TIA

[BobsM3Coupe]

How many miles on it?

[SlickShift]

Originally Posted by BobsM3Coupe

How many miles on it?

A little over 35K

[rmnoonan]

Bump. Anyone find a diy?

[kidxin]

Bump does anyone know

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

This should be a fairly simple straight forward process. Locate both up & lower plugs. Make sure the top plug (the fill hole is broken loose) & free before you loosen up the lower drain plug. Buy the proper / appropriate fluids & carefully pour them in.

[TacosRule!]

here's the rear diff procedure OP. there is none listed for central/main

EDIT: here's the central one as well.

[kidxin]

Originally Posted by saabster2010

here's the rear diff procedure OP. there is none listed for central/main

EDIT: here's the central one as well.

Thankyou so much. We require two bottles of those fluid.

[SM2]

Originally Posted by TacosRule!

here's the rear diff procedure OP. there is none listed for central/main

EDIT: here's the central one as well.

How Many Fluids are Required, the guide doesn't provide that information. Or Keep adding until it starts to seep out of the fill hole?

[Diskz]

Originally Posted by SM2

How Many Fluids are Required, the guide doesn't provide that information. Or Keep adding until it starts to seep out of the fill hole?

It says on the guide for the rear diff it takes 1L of fluid. Though, most people usually fill until it seeps out then close up the fill plug.

[SM2]

Originally Posted by Diskz

It says on the guide for the rear diff it takes 1L of fluid. Though, most people usually fill until it seeps out then close up the fill plug.

Thanks missed it.

[evanlol1225]

I’m assuming 75w90 is what everyone used for this?

[Diskz]

Originally Posted by evanlol1225

I’m assuming 75w90 is what everyone used for this?

For the rear I would highly recommend sticking with oem G4 fluid. There’s been reports of groaning noises when using different options.

For the front it calls for G2 or G5, but haven’t seen any issues with going with other manufacturers like on the rear.

[evanlol1225]

Originally Posted by Diskz

For the rear I would highly recommend sticking with oem G4 fluid. There’s been reports of groaning noises when using different options.

For the front it calls for G2 or G5, but haven’t seen any issues with going with other manufacturers like on the rear.

Thanks for the feedback, easy enough to be safe

[curiousmints88]

Quick question - I’m new to this but I was wondering where to find the fill pump?

[Potatohead-M2]

Originally Posted by curiousmints88

Quick question - I’m new to this but I was wondering where to find the fill pump?

You mean to squirt the oil in? There are a million on Amazon

[curiousmints88]

Yep to squirt the oil - will any generic one work?

[Potatohead-M2]

Originally Posted by curiousmints88

Yep to squirt the oil - will any generic one work?

Yes, just need something to overcome gravity because there is not enough space to put the bottle above the fill hole.

[curiousmints88]

Just ordered the parts, thanks for the help everyone. Here’s to hoping I can just work under the car, I just moved and don’t have a jack yet…

[Resu]

Interesting. Not the normal fill 'til it seeps.

The capacity for the rear axle differential must always be observed!
On filling to the lower edge of the oil filler opening, the rear axle differential would be overfilled.

[Potatohead-M2]

So does anyone know the actual oil change interval on the transfer case?

I've read everything from "the vehicle will tell you" like the OP in this thread, to "lifetime" (~90000 miles). I did the rear diff on the weekend and was going to wait a bit for the trans and front diff, but I honestly forgot about the transfer case and wondering if I should do it as well or just do it when I do the trans.

I've also read on the rear diff, every third oil change, every fifth oil change and lifetime 90,000 miles (all after the initial 1200 mile change) as well, so this is all pretty confusing. Vehicle is at 32.5k miles.

[TacosRule!]

Originally Posted by Potatohead-M2

So does anyone know the actual oil change interval on the transfer case?

I've read everything from "the vehicle will tell you" like the OP in this thread, to "lifetime" (~90000 miles). I did the rear diff on the weekend and was going to wait a bit for the trans and front diff, but I honestly forgot about the transfer case and wondering if I should do it as well or just do it when I do the trans.

I've also read on the rear diff, every third oil change, every fifth oil change and lifetime 90,000 miles (all after the initial 1200 mile change) as well, so this is all pretty confusing. Vehicle is at 32.5k miles.

Well, everything is 60K miles (belts, tensioners, all fluids, etc, as part of the major service) but I'll do em every 30k miles. It's a grand or so in parts and labor, vs 5K if you blow it due to lack of maintenance.