Changing ATF

Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
  • MEMBER
  • 2011 BMW 328XI
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
My friend's car has a loff of gears while he started it one day, barely moves in reverse, will drive forward just a bit when cold. I scanned it and had codes 56bb, 56b8. I took the pan off after draining the fluid. Barely 2.5l came out and was black. Can you tell me how much is supposed to be added on a drain and fill and what fluid other than BMW fluid? Going to do that first before investigating more. It's a AWD car.
Sunday, January 23rd, 2022 AT 6:51 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
SQM
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,383 POSTS
Hello,

The total transmission fluid capacity is 9 - 10 litters, depending on the oil cooler that was used from the factory.
Unfortunately, BMW does not provide the drain and fill capacity as most of the time that quantity will vary depending on temperature and other factors.
Usually, the best method is to measure the amount of fluid that comes out and refill accordingly.
I know you are in a predicament about not having enough fluid as you should have gotten more than just 2.5L of fluid.
The trick is to add fluid through the port, until fluid comes out of it then it is considered full.

The fluid type that can be used is Dexron VI for most US spec vehicles. You might want to call your local dealer and provide them with the VIN to find the fluid type as some of them used a different fluid.

I have attached the fluid adding procedure below.

Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/automatic-transmission-problems
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Sunday, January 23rd, 2022 AT 8:57 PM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
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This is a GM transmission which has the metal pan not the plastic one on zf transmissions.
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Sunday, January 23rd, 2022 AT 9:05 PM
Tiny
SQM
  • MECHANIC
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If it is a GM GA6L45R transmission, then Dexron VI will work.
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Sunday, January 23rd, 2022 AT 9:07 PM

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