DIY: Let's Change Our Transmission Fluid

[evilchargerfan]

The purpose of this post is to share my experience changing Transmission Fluid. Usual disclaimers apply ... break your car, not my fault.

I'm not sure if this thread will be considered as a good or poorly written DIY, but here goes! (NOTE: I am open to suggestions, editing where necessary, and those with talent feel free to help me annotate photos)




Our patient is a 2014 BMW i3 100K miles.

Original owner provided no service records, so we can assume its all original fluid.

Fluid was purchased from FCP Euro:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-hypoid-axle-oil-g1-3x500ml-83222295532

I printed out the following to assist me throughout the day:

Parts list:

- two 500ml bottles of fluid
- fluid transfer pump
- torque wrench
- ratchet
- 8 hex socket
- 14 hex socket
- 13 socket
- 5/8 socket
- gloves
- shop towels
- an oil drain pan
- a means of keeping your floor clean (ie: tarp)


Pre Requisites:
-jack up car by preferred method




* * * to be continued * * *

 

[evilchargerfan]

A view of how things look from underneath / the rear end

First thing to remove is this Triangle thing

Next up is the brace. The manual calls to remove just one side, I opted to remove both sides so I could get a nice look while I'm down there

A bit filthy, but here it is, with all bracing removed

HERE is where all the action takes place

PRY the clip, then gently lift up the insulation

This is what you'll reveal

Drain plug is size 14 hex, Fill plug is size 8 hex

* * * to be continued * * *

 

[evilchargerfan]

I removed the Fill Plug first

Next, remove the drain plug

OEM magnetic drain plug caught allot of debris

Yuck

A little over 500ml drained

Pump in new fluid slowly, until it starts to overflow a bit

I used one full bottle, and a little bit from a second bottle
(note, I did spill some here and there)

Wait a little for the fluid to stop dripping ...


Torque specs for Drain and Fill plugs = 35 NM

DONE! Just reinstall everything in reverse order

Torque specs for the Bracing:
28NM for the smaller m8 bolts
56NM for the bigger m10 bolts




For kicks and giggles, I checked ... there appears to be no option to reset adaptations

 

[evilchargerfan]

EXTRA NOTES:


LATER models may or may not have drain/fill plugs ... please be aware of this

I was not able to determine what the proper trans "operating temp" should be

I cleaned off the plugs and re used

I did replaced the crush ring

I re used the clip that was pry'd off, near the insulation

I will more than likely send off the fluid to get tested by BlackStone Labs

 

[Arm]

I've a 2018 i3s and hesitate to do this as a DIY. My dealer refused to do it even though I said I'd pay for it. If I could find a truly reputable BMW specialized service center, I'd ask them to do it but there really isn't one around me that I know of off-hand.

 

[Verde]

Wow, that's quite a lot of debris.

Great DIY, very nice to see the mechanics of the i3 without taking the covers off myself