Changing Fluids Frequency

[TTSam]

I have searched and read all the threads on how often different fluids should be changed.

However - I wanted to get the opinion of some of the GTA members for our climate. I have changed miles to kilometers from the other threads.

My 2010 E92 has 38,000 km.

I do the once a year maintenance oil and filter, and every 6 months in between pay for another. It is averaging out to around 1 oil change every 8,000 km or so. I do not track the car.

My service screen tells me I need a brake fluid change in a month, so I will do that.

The other threads seem to indicate that for a long time keeper the following should be done: so I am looking to do these at the 40,000 km mark.

- Air filter every 24000
- Brake fluid every two years
- Coolant every 3-4 years
- Differential and transmission oil and plugs every 48,000

Next year when I reach 48,000 I will do:

- Spark plugs every 48,000
- Power steering fluid every 48000

Overkill -or not?

[bobblehead]

in cabin filter change - once every two years
Service the brakes - once a year - - just to be sure the pads are wearing out evenly for all
check belts & hoses condition - once every 3 yrs

spark plugs - 48K, that's a bit overkill

[TTSam]

Originally Posted by bobblehead

in cabin filter change - once every two years
Service the brakes - once a year - - just to be sure the pads are wearing out evenly for all
check belts & hoses condition - once every 3 yrs

spark plugs - 48K, that's a bit overkill

Thanks Bobblehead..............

I will add the in cabin filter for the 40,000 km, and do the full brake inspection next month when the brake fluid is being changed.

A lot of people on the other threads agree with you that the spark plugs are not necessary.

[bobblehead]

spark plugs are generally good for 100,000km ... if you want to 'baby' the ride, then do it at about 60km ... because it's considered to be kind of expensive side of maintenance.

[Gearhead999s]

Originally Posted by bobblehead

in cabin filter change - once every two years
Service the brakes - once a year - - just to be sure the pads are wearing out evenly for all
check belts & hoses condition - once every 3 yrs

spark plugs - 48K, that's a bit overkill

My plugs are toast long before 48000 kms.The last set that was changed under normal service at 40000kms on my 08 where eroded away.

[tdott]

Originally Posted by bobblehead

spark plugs are generally good for 100,000km ... if you want to 'baby' the ride, then do it at about 60km ... because it's considered to be kind of expensive side of maintenance.

BMW recommends 37,000 miles = 59,545km.

I do it every 40-50k which I think is good with my driving. If your driving is alot of long highway trips and you do alot of mileage in a year, then you can push them to 60k.

Plugs and pretty cheap and easy to DIY.

[TTSam]

Originally Posted by tdott

BMW recommends 37,000 miles = 59,545km.

I do it every 40-50k which I think is good with my driving. If your driving is alot of long highway trips and you do alot of mileage in a year, then you can push them to 60k.

Plugs and pretty cheap and easy to DIY.

Not really a DIY guy - although I did replace the mirror covers with CF units!

Won't mention the dealer but here are the prices I was quoted (includes labour)

Air filter change (probably just get my own drop in filter and do myself)

a. $125

b. .5HRS

2. Coolant change

a. $195

b. 1HR

3. Differential oil change

a. $300

b. .75HR

4. Transmission oil and plugs change

a. $156 for the transmission oil

b. .75HR

5. Spark plugs

a. $615

b. 2.5hrs

6. In cabin filter change (seems expensive?)

a. $335

b. 1HR

[bobblehead]

^ you can do all those things at an indep shop.

You can call up shop such as RMP for a quote and you can see the price difference. Perhaps, the drive is well worth it to save some $ ?
http://www.rmpmotors.com/?page_id=474

[tdott]

Whoa, I enjoy small DIY projects, it's like bonding with your car lol. I do my own in between oil changes also.

Plugs cost me $90 from amazon.com
Diff Fluid $40 2L
Coolant $30
Power Steering CHF $30 2L
Brake Fluid $30 2L
K&N Filter $80

10w60 20L $180
2x oil filters $50

I also change DCT fluid also, but that was done at a friends shop. Fluid alone was $120 for 6L.

All that was done this summer whenever I had a free weekend. Basically all fluids + plugs were changed this summer for <$700. Ready for many out of warranty miles ahead.

But yea I understand if you don't have the time or the space/tools. But I enjoy it and it saves me money.

[TTSam]

Originally Posted by tdott

Whoa, I enjoy small DIY projects, it's like bonding with your car lol. I do my own in between oil changes also.

Plugs cost me $90 from amazon.com
Diff Fluid $40 2L
Coolant $30
Power Steering CHF $30 2L
Brake Fluid $30 2L
K&N Filter $80

10w60 20L $180
2x oil filters $50

I also change DCT fluid also, but that was done at a friends shop. Fluid alone was $120 for 6L.

All that was done this summer whenever I had a free weekend. Basically all fluids + plugs were changed this summer for <$700. Ready for many out of warranty miles ahead.

But yea I understand if you don't have the time or the space/tools. But I enjoy it and it saves me money.

I will probably do the filters - but the coolants I will have the dealer do especially while under warranty.

Maybe when I retire and the car is out of warranty - I will have time to try doing the fluids.

[TTSam]

In my research of how often fluids should be changed and how often BMW recommends - I found the attached file.

Now I am assuming BMW of North America includes Canada - seeing as we are located in North America.

The service maintenance check list shows the following:

Every 3rd engine oil service - replace air intake cleaner element

Every 2nd oil change starting at 26071 km (16,200 miles) - replace air cleaner

Every oil change after 1200 mile - change AC system microfilter (is that the cabin filter?) Interesting since mine has never been changed.

Sparks - every 59545 km or 37,000 miles

[bobblehead]

fancy name for ac sys microfilter ... aka in cabin filter

[Steve P.]

Originally Posted by TTSam

In my research of how often fluids should be changed and how often BMW recommends - I found the attached file.

Now I am assuming BMW of North America includes Canada - seeing as we are located in North America.

The service maintenance check list shows the following:

Every 3rd engine oil service - replace air intake cleaner element

Every 2nd oil change starting at 26071 km (16,200 miles) - replace air cleaner

Every oil change after 1200 mile - change AC system microfilter (is that the cabin filter?) Interesting since mine has never been changed.

Sparks - every 59545 km or 37,000 miles

So where does it say to change the coolant? Why are guys doing coolant changes with such low mileage on their cars?

[TTSam]

Originally Posted by Steve P.

So where does it say to change the coolant? Why are guys doing coolant changes with such low mileage on their cars?

Steve

See the PDF file attachment in my post above regarding BMW North America fluid changes.

Some people simply want to change fluids more often than BMW recommends, in particular for oil, especially those that track their cars.