F15 X5 Differential Fluid

[suitedcboy]

I have an F15 with DHP and when I changed the rear center I drained it for an hour, maybe 90 minutes, and I put about 1.2L to fill it to spill out level. I used GM Carbon Mod 75/85 in the outer side gear/clutch compartments. I got it from a GM dealer that sells on Amazon. GM 92184900. GM uses a few diffs requiring the same spec fluid and a litre bottle is $30 or a little less. You need 3 of the BMW $68 1/2 litre to get the 1.1 L it takes to fill those two compartments. I know people have said they used 75w140 synthetic gear lube for that but using the wrong fluid may not be like the TC where wrong fluid gives symptoms. If the wrong fluid is used and the diff fails to lock you might not know it in many situations.

[Chilled]

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Never seen anyone pull 1.2L out of the F85. Been all over that side of the forum putting my kit together. Can you share your sources?

Sure, there were other threads where it has comeup, and it has comeup every now and then in random threads. Hard to find.

https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...1820554&page=8

Yes the official capacity is like 950ml. Maybe what we drained was what the dealerships put in on the first service post break in. Dono.

[skoold2003]

OK, I’m an idiot! Long story short, I put the G3 in the front by mistake. The next day I transferred it back out to a clean bottle and put the G2 in.

Now I have a bottle of G3 that was sitting in the front diff for a day and I’m wondering if it would be OK to use it for the rear. I’d just buy a couple of new bottles but it’s $150 and 2-3 weeks out. Am I safe to use the stuff that I put in and took out of the front diff?

[happydude]

Originally Posted by skoold2003

OK, I’m an idiot! Long story short, I put the G3 in the front by mistake. The next day I transferred it back out to a clean bottle and put the G2 in.

Now I have a bottle of G3 that was sitting in the front diff for a day and I’m wondering if it would be OK to use it for the rear. I’d just buy a couple of new bottles but it’s $150 and 2-3 weeks out. Am I safe to use the stuff that I put in and took out of the front diff?

I would think it would be fine, but I’m no expert. The weights 75w-85 and 70w-80 are similar and they are both GL-5. I accidentally ran with the 75w-85 carbon mod in my rear diff for 40k miles if that makes you feel better.

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by skoold2003

OK, I’m an idiot! Long story short, I put the G3 in the front by mistake. The next day I transferred it back out to a clean bottle and put the G2 in.

Now I have a bottle of G3 that was sitting in the front diff for a day and I’m wondering if it would be OK to use it for the rear. I’d just buy a couple of new bottles but it’s $150 and 2-3 weeks out. Am I safe to use the stuff that I put in and took out of the front diff?

Idk what G3 is exactly but I’m running the same fluid in both front and rear middle (75w-90). I promise you it won’t matter.

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by Chilled

Sure, there were other threads where it has comeup, and it has comeup every now and then in random threads. Hard to find.

https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1820554&page=8

Yes the official capacity is like 950ml. Maybe what we drained was what the dealerships put in on the first service post break in. Dono.

Ya I evenetually saw like a handful of people mention it. I drained the stuff right into my oil pan so could care less what came out. 1.2L is probably what they take before they start to drain out or damn close. Manual calls for .95 so that’s what I put. Well as close to it as possible. Basically pumped until it I couldn’t get anymore out of the bottle. Left a little bit inside and in the tube. So just assumed that’s as close to .95 as I could get. Lmao.
Couldn’t even get the full .9x into the front before it started spilling out. It was close though. It definitely all but stopped dripping before I closed up the drain. Oh well. Next guys problem. Haha jk

[skoold2003]

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Idk what G3 is exactly but I’m running the same fluid in both front and rear middle (75w-90). I promise you it won’t matter.

The G3 Hypoid Axle Oil is the recommended rear oil and the G2 is front.

Originally Posted by happydude

I would think it would be fine, but I’m no expert. The weights 75w-85 and 70w-80 are similar and they are both GL-5. I accidentally ran with the 75w-85 carbon mod in my rear diff for 40k miles if that makes you feel better.

Well it’s good to hear that the diffs aren’t too sensitive to what you put in. The part of my story that I was more concerned about was whether I can use the fluid that I put in and took back out. It got pretty dark after sitting in there for a day. I cleaned the water bottle out with alcohol and tried to make it as sterile as possible.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by Silververtu

Looks very straight forward.

Thanks for the links!

This is a super easy maintenance item. You’ll be happy you did it and didn’t pay for labor.

[happydude]

Originally Posted by skoold2003

The G3 Hypoid Axle Oil is the recommended rear oil and the G2 is front.



Well it’s good to hear that the diffs aren’t too sensitive to what you put in. The part of my story that I was more concerned about was whether I can use the fluid that I put in and took back out. It got pretty dark after sitting in there for a day. I cleaned the water bottle out with alcohol and tried to make it as sterile as possible.

Did you buy from FCPEuro? Maybe just order another and use their lifetime warranty.

[skoold2003]

Originally Posted by happydude

Did you buy from FCPEuro? Maybe just order another and use their lifetime warranty.

You see, this is why I love this forum.. brilliant idea! Also, this is why I love FCPeuro because they are sending me new oil under their policy. I wish I could buy all my car parts from them!

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by skoold2003

You see, this is why I love this forum.. brilliant idea! Also, this is why I love FCPeuro because they are sending me new oil under their policy. I wish I could buy all my car parts from them!

Originally Posted by skoold2003

Well it’s good to hear that the diffs aren’t too sensitive to what you put in. The part of my story that I was more concerned about was whether I can use the fluid that I put in and took back out. It got pretty dark after sitting in there for a day. I cleaned the water bottle out with alcohol and tried to make it as sterile as possible.

Lol
Yes sorry I knew that. I meant like the weights. GL2 vs GL3 means little in the broad scheme. BMW used to recommend the same oil and then as if someone farted. They changed to a slightly different one.

[skoold2003]

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Lol
Yes sorry I knew that. I meant like the weights. GL2 vs GL3 means little in the broad scheme. BMW used to recommend the same oil and then as if someone farted. They changed to a slightly different one.

I always thought their recommendation was to keep the filthy old oil from the factory in it..

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by skoold2003

I always thought their recommendation was to keep the filthy old oil from the factory in it.

They still have a recommended oil for it upon replacing. Some models they say Diff is lifetime. Others not. Either way they have oils listed and they differ from front to rear and if you have LSD.

[skoold2003]

Originally Posted by Maverik259

They still have a recommended oil for it upon replacing. Some models they say Diff is lifetime. Others not. Either way they have oils listed and they differ from front to rear and if you have LSD.

This guy explains BMWs angle of trying to screw us pretty well. Plus it’s helpful for anyone trying to do this job.
My front diff had some tubing mounted below the fill plug which made it super awkward to get to.

https://youtu.be/aG4bb6S6V2w

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by skoold2003

This guy explains BMWs angle of trying to screw us pretty well. Plus it’s helpful for anyone trying to do this job.
My front diff had some tubing mounted below the fill plug which made it super awkward to get to.

https://youtu.be/aG4bb6S6V2w

so did i. made it a real treat to get that bolt back in. Assumed it was Active Steering lines.

[Kurt23]

Hi All,

New to the group. I have a question (thanks to all for the advise) relating to a spring changes (rear wheels) I got some noise coming up, took it to dealer and they say it is differential needs replacing. Haven’t had this noise previously until the spring change. Any ideas!? Could it be that oil/fluid needs replacing!? Just over 100k F15 X5!
Thanks 🙏🏼

[JamesInSJ]

Originally Posted by Kurt23

Hi All,

New to the group. I have a question (thanks to all for the advise) relating to a spring changes (rear wheels) I got some noise coming up, took it to dealer and they say it is differential needs replacing. Haven’t had this noise previously until the spring change. Any ideas!? Could it be that oil/fluid needs replacing!? Just over 100k F15 X5!
Thanks 🙏🏼

Find an independent BMW shop. Can't count the number of threads between here and Facebook groups where BMW shops have messed up cars. Use them under warranty, do everything else yourself or with an independent shop. They'll actually take the time to figure out the real problem and not just throw parts...and your money...at it until they find the culprit.

[e90gene]

Hi all, I wonder if anyone used RedLine 75W85 on F15 front and rear differentials and how's experience so far? Also, did you guys filled the front and rear diff up to a fill plug? I ran into some posts where people are saying that the front diff needs 600 ml which is about 200 ml less if filled up to a full plug.

[Variante Alta]

Originally Posted by e90gene

Hi all, I wonder if anyone used RedLine 75W85 on F15 front and rear differentials and how's experience so far? Also, did you guys filled the front and rear diff up to a fill plug? I ran into some posts where people are saying that the front diff needs 600 ml which is about 200 ml less if filled up to a full plug.

I just competed this service on my 2015 35d M Sport and used Redline 75w80 GL-4 in the rear diff and LiquiMoly 75W90 GL-5 for the front diff (see pic). I filled both to the point of having fluid dripping out - no need to measure (except with the rear you want to be careful as you have to hunt around to suck out the used oil as there’s no drain plug - there is a danger that you don’t remove enough of the old to make the new worth while, IMO). The rear fluid (used) wasn’t too bad looking; the front was darker. I’ve noticed no real difference in feel or performance but also was not having any concerns so I’m not surprised it feels the same. I pull a 5,000 lb travel trailer occasionally so preemptive replacement seemed like the collective wisdom (the X5 also has 100,000 miles so it’s time in any case).

An easy service with reasonable tools (I have an Quick Jack which is great), front is harder due to the undercarriage stuff you have to remove and the fill plug is a little bit challenging. I used a hex driver with a narrow wrench to loosen and tighten it. I tried just about every combination of extended ratchet drives with no luck due to the awkward angle of attack and narrow space. Wrench and hex drive bit made it quite easy.

[e90gene]

Thank you, I was under impression that GL5 is required for the rear diff but looks like the RedLine GL4 works as well.

[Warnd4]

Valvoline 75W-90 in both front and rear diff;
This is one idea that I did adopt from that one guy on UToooob. He clearly stated that he’s tested it true over 50,000 miles.
Transfer Case oil for sure is BMW, but other good, less costly alternatives probably exist
My 2014 X5 35d is riding smooth as silk now, and I’m gaining confidence in the Valvolne solution ( engine oil Penzoil PPE 5W-40 ).

[bmwx5er]

Originally Posted by Warnd4

My 2014 X5 35d is riding smooth as silk now, and I’m gaining confidence in the Valvolne solution ( engine oil Penzoil PPE 5W-40 ).

Are you using the right oil for your 35d? AFAIK, Pennzoil PPE 5w40 only has LL01 certification and not LL04 that’s used in diesel engines. Did you mean 5w30, which meets LL04?