Engine oil, DCT & Diff Fluid questions...

[TypeOne]

Hey guys, I want to change all of the fluids in my car instead of sending it to BMW so I'm looking for some recommendations on which fluids to use.

My 2015 M3 has about 45k miles on it and had the 40k mile service completed in July of this year. Plugs, filters and engine oil change. On Thanksgiving, I was driving and my engine oil level warning light came on saying I needed to add a quart of oil. I stopped and added some 0-30W. The warning didn't go away and told me to add another quart, so I did. Now the level is reading normal.

That has me feeling a little weird so I want to drain all of the oil out and do a fresh change. I'm also going to send some oil to Blackstone to have it analyzed to get a better idea of what the engine is doing.


1. Engine Oil
I know this has been covered a lot and I've read through most of the threads I can find about it. It seems that I'll just use the OEM BMW oil which is the 0-W30.

ECS shows two types of oil kits... Pre-09/14 and post 09/14 build dates. Does anyone know why these are different?

Is the BMW Twin Power Turbo oil the best to use? Is it worth spending the extra $ on a "better" oil?

Typically, in my other cars I would run Motul or Amsoil... but I know the S55 and BMW are very particular about what type to use.


2. DCT Fluid
I'm aware that BMW calls it "lifetime" fluid, but my car has about 45k miles on it and the trans does some weird stuff when it's cold. It has developed a sort of slip, almost like a traditional torque converter AT trans where it will shift into 2nd and then doesn't really want to go anywhere.

If I let the car sit and warm up for 10 mins, it shifts fine.

I'm thinking of having the fluid changed, or, at least attempting to change it myself. I know there are special tools required and that unless BMW does it, you can't get some of the old fluid out.

Has anyone changed their own DCT fluid? Any suggestions? Would you suggest this be a dealer only type of service?


3. Rear Differential Fluid
It seems that the rear diff fluid for the MT trans is different than for the car equipped with a DCT. Is that true?

ECS has a "differential service kit"
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-assemble...kit/f8xdiffkt/

It says: "2 Bottles of Genuine BMW Motorsport Rear Differential Fluid (SAF-XJ+FM)"

I'm assuming this is the best fluid to use in the rear diff, but I also see Reline and Castrol.

Sorry for the long-winded post but I'd really like to get my car serviced up with the best and, most importantly, correct type of fluids.

Thanks for reading.

[James0518]

I've been these Amsoil products for about 5k miles now...
Motor Oil: https://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-produ...il/?code=EFOQT
DCT Fluid: https://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-produ...id/?code=DCTQT
Diff Fuild: https://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-produ...40/?code=SVOQT

The car feels more confident with smoother engagements. Would recommend

[TypeOne]

Originally Posted by James0518

I've been these Amsoil products for about 5k miles now...
Motor Oil: https://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-produ...il/?code=EFOQT
DCT Fluid: https://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-produ...id/?code=DCTQT
Diff Fuild: https://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-produ...40/?code=SVOQT

The car feels more confident with smoother engagements. Would recommend

Nice! Thanks for the input.

Did you change the DCT fluid yourself?

[gatorfast]

1. The difference between 9/14 cars before and after is the drain plug. Before 9/14 you will need to buy a new drain plug for the oil change and after you can reuse the existing plug. As for oil, the BMW 0w30 or 5w30 will obviously work perfectly and is high quality. If you wanted something cheaper/easier to get you could pick up a 5qt jug of castrol 0w40 at Walmart for around $25. Its also LL-01 certified. Stick with OEM filter.

2. Never had a DCT car so cant comment much other than saying the fluid likely does not need to be changed and will be fine for the duration of your ownership. But if you insist on changing then I would recommend having a shop do it.

3. Yes I would stick with the OEM diff fluid.

[hellokitty]

I opted to run Redline 5W-30. HTHS of 3.7 & NOACK of 6%.

https://www.redlineoil.com/5w30-motor-oil

BMW 0W-30 is certified to be LL-01FE approved. Unfortunately the FE designation has a HTHS limit. This is what ultimately lead my decision to run non-OEM oil.

Regardless, you can't go wrong as long as you do an intermediary oil change every 5-6k miles as long as you stay within the stated viscosity (0w-30 or 5w-30).

[TypeOne]

Originally Posted by hellokitty

I opted to run Redline 5W-30. HTHS of 3.7 & NOACK of 6%.

https://www.redlineoil.com/5w30-motor-oil

BMW 0W-30 is certified to be LL-01FE approved. Unfortunately the FE designation has a HTHS limit. This is what ultimately lead my decision to run non-OEM oil.

Regardless, you can't go wrong as long as you do an intermediary oil change every 5-6k miles as long as you stay within the stated viscosity (0w-30 or 5w-30).

Ah, good information, thank you!

[TypeOne]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

1. The difference between 9/14 cars before and after is the drain plug. Before 9/14 you will need to buy a new drain plug for the oil change and after you can reuse the existing plug. As for oil, the BMW 0w30 or 5w30 will obviously work perfectly and is high quality. If you wanted something cheaper/easier to get you could pick up a 5qt jug of castrol 0w40 at Walmart for around $25. Its also LL-01 certified. Stick with OEM filter.

2. Never had a DCT car so cant comment much other than saying the fluid likely does not need to be changed and will be fine for the duration of your ownership. But if you insist on changing then I would recommend having a shop do it.

3. Yes I would stick with the OEM diff fluid.

Awesome! I was wondering what the deal was with the build dates... glad it's pretty simple. Thanks!!

[James0518]

Originally Posted by TypeOne

Nice! Thanks for the input.

Did you change the DCT fluid yourself?

Had a shop do it. I bought all new drain and fill plugs from BMW.

[aboulfad]

If you want to attempt or learn about the DIY for your various fluid change as well specs, get yourself a free copy of ISTA and read. Changing DCT oil isn't as easy as a MT... specs, details, tool,... are all in ISTA. (Google ista+ download link)

[rosenbergendo]

For the DIY guys how do you turn off the warning to service in the idrive display?

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by rosenbergendo

For the DIY guys how do you turn off the warning to service in the idrive display?

What warning? I guess I never got it bcoz I am good to my car if it's a reminder to do the scheduled service, I have not come across a method to remove it, but doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

[rosenbergendo]

The red alert in notifications.

[TypeOne]

Originally Posted by aboulfad

If you want to attempt or learn about the DIY for your various fluid change as well specs, get yourself a free copy of ISTA and read. Changing DCT oil isn't as easy as a MT... specs, details, tool,... are all in ISTA. (Google ista+ download link)

I hadn't really planned on changing the DCT fluid if it's a really involved job like it apparently is. I'll have BMW deal with it, but I will be changing the oil and diff fluids myself at my shop.

[robertg]

How many liters of fluid do you need for the diff?

The factory fluid is part # 83-22-2-35-357-992 (1 liter)

The drain plug part number is: 33-11-75-25-064 (Need 2).

The parts manager at BMW of Silver Spring says you need one liter but other posts on here say you need 2.

So how many?

[FlyingLow78]

Originally Posted by robertg

How many liters of fluid do you need for the diff?

The factory fluid is part # 83-22-2-35-357-992 (1 liter)

The drain plug part number is: 33-11-75-25-064 (Need 2).

The parts manager at BMW of Silver Spring says you need one liter but other posts on here say you need 2.

So how many?

I just did my diff fluid and it took exactly two bottles. I didn't replace either of the drain plugs because they were still in perfect condition.

[robertg]

Interesting because two dealers I called today said 1 bottle not 2.

[gatorfast]

Originally Posted by robertg

Interesting because two dealers I called today said 1 bottle not 2.

The amsoil website, which I have found to be reliable, says 1 liter is needed for the diff.

[chetrickerman]

The rear diff takes 2 half liter bottles.

[robertg]

The stuff only comes in 1 liter bottles....

https://www.getbmwparts.com/search?s...AF-XJ%2BFM%29+


So why again do I need 2 if the diff takes 2 half liter bottles?

[gatorfast]

Originally Posted by robertg

The stuff only comes in 1 liter bottles....

https://www.getbmwparts.com/search?s...AF-XJ%2BFM%29+


So why again do I need 2 if the diff takes 2 half liter bottles?

The dealer says 1L, various online references say 1L, so I would go with 1L. If you want to take precaution, buy 2 liters so you have an extra available if needed. Drain the fluid and measure it to see if its one liter or two and then add the appropriate amount. If only one is needed then return the unopened second bottle.

[djpeetur]

for DCT
you need new

ECS Magnetic DCT Oil Drain Plug
ES#: 2986560

DCT Transmission Filter
ES#: 2771689


SUCTION FILTER UNIT
ES#: 3198374

DCT Transmission Oil Pan
ES#: 3213425

-14 Pan screws
-Transmission Oil