[Tomnavigator]

If you changed your transmission fluid yourself, How many liters of fluid were used to refill the transmission. I need to know how many liters of fluid is actually used in a transmission fluid change. I just did a transmission fluid change and only used 5 liters to refill the transmission. Now I am worried it may be 1 liter short. I was expecting to use 6 liters of fluid.
I used the procedure published by ZF transmissions and topped off the fluid with the engine running when the temperature got to 40c. The car was level with each tire on ramp (4 ramps used). One variable is that I installed an aluminum pan. The pan looked like it was the same size as the original plastic one but I did not measure the actual depth. The part number information of the pan is:
URO Parts 24152333903PRM Transmission Oil Pan & Filter Kit

I drove the car around and it shifts fine. However, i don't want to risk the transmission and am tempted to put the car back on ramps to check the fluid level again unless 5 liters is the normal amount used to change out the fluid. I don't want to recheck it unless other people have been using 6 liters instead of 5 liters.

I am anal and would like more than one reply to feel comfortable. Please reply even if your experience is the same as someone else that replies.

[Sgop335]

Couple questions come to mind,
Why were you expecting 6l
If you followed the fill method, didnt you keep filling atf w the engine running etc. (and cycling thru the gears) till atf started dripping out of the fill hole?
If that was the case how could you fill any more

[ky0u]

If you followed the procedure including the fill til spill part, I believe the discrepency may be due to you performing a fluid change rather than a fluid flush.

The "change" is a long term interval maintenance item, which you did. But not all of the fluid is flushed out when doing this. I'm not exactly sure how much is left but it may explain why how much you put in did not match the volume capacity? I believe I had around 1 qt if not slightly more when I did my pan + fluid change.

[Tomnavigator]

The information I read on the ZF 6hp26 transmission in the 335d shows 6 liters of fluid. It does not indicate if that is the total capacity or if that is what changes out when you change the fluid. I bought 7 liters to make sure I would have enough fluid. When I did the drain then refill, I used almost exactly 5 liters of fluid. Since I was expecting 6 liters, I am now concerned that I somehow did not refill with enough fluid. Instead of lifting the car up on ramps (all four wheels) taking the cover off the transmission, and checking the fluid level again (a lot of work just to feel better). I know several people on this forum have changed out their transmission fluid themselves. So, I decided to ask on this forum if other people used 5 liters for a drain / refill of their transmission or 6 liters. If others used 5 liters then I am good. If others used 6 liters then I am one liter short and I need to do refill procedure again the extra work and lift my car up to finish refilling the transmission. Someone on this forum has to remember how many liters of fluid they used.
Please save me the work of doing the refill again unnecessarily by letting me know how many liters you used

[Tomnavigator]

ky0u Thanks for your reply. Did you start with 6 liters. If so then you used 5 liters like I did.

For anyone who asks why I am worried about the fill if I followed the procedure. It is because these transmissions are so expensive I don't want to ruin mine because I under filled my transmission. The easiest way for me to sleep at night is to ask on this forum if 5 liters is what other people used for a drain/refill with replacing the transmission pan.

[335dlci]

7 quarts can fit sometimes.

[BB_cuda]

I've done 1 drain and fill and 5 L was the normal amount. We have E90 335d and E70 35d.

I've also done 2 dropped mechatronics, 4 sleeve change, bridge adapter, mechatronics sleeve changes. Its closer to 7L for this "deeper" service.

As long as you fill until it starts to run out and fluid is plenty warm, you're fine. I also run an aluminum pan but it's from an Alpina 7 series and the fins were machined down to have no clearance worries. The internal capacity of this one is quite similar to the black plastic OE ones.

Since others commented about capacities. At one point, I considered doing a fluid flush by filling and draining at the heat exchanger connections but opted to wait another fill/drain cycle. I did read that empty system capacity was on the order of 9L. Not sure I whole heartedly agree with this unless our torque converter has a small capacity. The lines and heat exchanger will also have a small contribution. I struggle to believe that the TC, lines, and heat exchanger only hold ~ 2L.

[ky0u]

Originally Posted by Tomnavigator

ky0u Thanks for your reply. Did you start with 6 liters. If so then you used 5 liters like I did.

For anyone who asks why I am worried about the fill if I followed the procedure. It is because these transmissions are so expensive I don't want to ruin mine because I under filled my transmission. The easiest way for me to sleep at night is to ask on this forum if 5 liters is what other people used for a drain/refill with replacing the transmission pan.

I started with 7 qts, and ended up filling about 5.5 total iirc. I used this kit.

If you are underfilled by a significant amount, you should notice issues with shifting behaviour or funny noises. If you filled until some fluid had started to leak out after completing the proper procedures, then you should be fine!

BB_cuda touched on what I was referring to in my original response, there is more fluid that is dumped out when doing the more in depth transmission flush but stays in the transmission when doing a regular fluid change/pan service

[Tomnavigator]

Thanks again to ky0u, 335dici, and BB_Cuda for your replies. I feel comfortable enough with a 5L fill to not lift the car up just to check the fluid levels because of your replies.
Cuda, I read all the transmission fluid change postings on this forum before I did my change and saw your posting from a while back (seems like it was a couple years ago) on the Alpina pan. That is why I went with the aluminum pan on my fluid change out. I eyeballed but did not measure the pans before I installed the aluminum one and they appeared the same depth. The pan I used was a URO 24152333903PRM.

I would add special thanks 335dici and BB_Cuda for the multiple times you have replied to my requests for help. It seems like every repair on these cars take special knowledge to be able to complete the work and your willingness to help others and convey the knowledge is greatly appreciated. I see that ya'll have been helping others for years.

[MaximE91]

there is a procedure to follow for the level, diagnosis is needed

[Tomnavigator]

Maxim91. Thanks for the info. I used a procedure published by ZF for our transmissions. I found the link to it when I researched trans fluid change on this forum. An abbreviated version of the procedure is to drain, refill, start vehicle, shift through gears, wait until temp gets to 30c, refill, wait until temp gets to 40c, refill, done. If temp gets to 50c turn off, let cool, repeat fill procedure. This posting was started because I only used 5 liters of fluid and was expecting to use 6. I got worried enough that I decided to ask others how much they used and am to lazy to put my car on blocks to check fluid level again following the fill procedure, when I don't really have a reason to think the fluid level is underfilled. It is easier to ask. I will probably check it again the next time I have the car on ramps (all 4 wheels). But, that may be a long time from now because I have done all the preventive maintenance I know of for this car this year and have no reason to lift the car again. This year has been devoted to making the car as dependable as possible. I don't like cars breaking down. I believe in fixing things before they break and doing all the routine maintenance recommended.

[Tomnavigator]

Maxim91. Thanks for the info. I used a procedure published by ZF for our transmissions. I found the link to it when I researched trans fluid change on this forum. An abbreviated version of the procedure is to drain, refill, start vehicle, shift through gears, wait until temp gets to 30c, refill, wait until temp gets to 40c, refill, done. If temp gets to 50c turn off, let cool, repeat fill procedure. This posting was started because I only used 5 liters of fluid and was expecting to use 6. I got worried enough that I decided to ask others how much they used and am to lazy to put my car on blocks to check fluid level again following the fill procedure, when I don't really have a reason to think the fluid level is underfilled. It is easier to ask. I will probably check it again the next time I have the car on ramps (all 4 wheels). But, that may be a long time from now because I have done all the preventive maintenance I know of for this car this year and have no reason to lift the car again. This year has been devoted to making the car as dependable as possible. I don't like cars breaking down. I believe in fixing things before they break and doing all the routine maintenance recommended. My car has been jacked up for over 3 months this year and I don't have much left to do to the car.