Maintenance Items - Replacement schedule

[MichaelInChicago]

Hi everyone,

Do you know when and/or at what mileage the following have to be replaced for a 2015 650xi GC?

- Transmission oil
- Brake fluid
- Power steering fluid
- Spark plugs
- Engine air filter
- Cabin filter

Thanks

[Opie55]

Brake fluid has pretty much a universal replacement interval of every 2 years on any car. It's not because it wears out, but because brake fluid absorbs water. That both lowers its boiling point which can reduce braking in hard driving and can lead to corrosion in the system. If you buy it at the dealer, you will get regular DOT4 fluid in a BMW bottle - same fluid you can buy at any auto parts store. If you get it at a Mercedes Dealer you can get DOT4+ which has a higher boiling point and is not typically found in stores.

As for filters, I do that totally by sight because how dirty they get varies so much by how and where you drive. But 25K is probably a good rule of thumb.

I think plugs are recommended at 40-50k. I'll do mine then regardless.

I don't think you have power steering fluid? I think only convertibles still had hydraulic systems and that GC's had electric.

[FinalRenegade]

The GCs still have hydraulic steering ; I think all xDrive 6 series got the Hydraulic steering, we haven't moved to electric yet

Source : Caranddriver 6 series specs

[Opie55]

Then where is the fluid reservoir located? I even looked on ebay at a '15 - same year as mine and where I have a PS reservoir, the GC has a blank spot. Maybe not an XDrive? Maybe its not a convertible distinction but an XDrive distinction? I'll have to look at some more pics.

[Opie55]

I stand corrected. I see now that XDrives still have a fluid reservoir.

[ezmaass]

Originally Posted by Opie55

I stand corrected. I see now that XDrives still have a fluid reservoir.

Correct, the xDrive cars still had hydraulic steering. I'm a big fan of hydraulic steering, but it did limit BMW's ability to use systems like automated parallel parking as a result.

[Opie55]

Regarding tranny fluid, you can search and read on this subject until you fall asleep. On these cars and other brands, there is a debate between it being "lifetime" or every 60k or so. Then there those who will say don't change it because the particles and gunk in it provide for closer tolerances and better operation, and that changing it will make things worse. I view those people much as I do those who believe the earth is flat or that we never went to the moon. The net (sane) result of research is that the maker, ZF, recommends every 60k. Works for me. That means I need to change my fluid in about 28k miles, or about 4 years from now.

No idea on PS fluid. Not very often.

[ezmaass]

Originally Posted by Opie55

Regarding tranny fluid, you can search and read on this subject until you fall asleep. On these cars and other brands, there is a debate between it being "lifetime" or every 60k or so. Then there those who will say don't change it because the particles and gunk in it provide for closer tolerances and better operation, and that changing will make things worse. I view those people much as I do those who believe the earth is flat or that we never went to the moon. The net (sane) result of research is that the maker, ZF, recommends every 60k. Works for me. That means I need to change my fluid in about 28k miles, or about 4 years from now.

No idea on PS fluid. Not very often.

Agreed. Changing the transmission fluid is critical maintenance despite any claims of "lifetime" fluids.