Some routine service actions such as changing the engine unit oil may seem evident and essential, while others such as changing the gearbox oil from its BMW X3 may appear to be less automatic. However, make no mistake, changing the gearbox is just as essential as changing the engine unit oil. This article content will explain the role of the gearbox oil, then, why it is necessary to change the gearbox of your BMW X3, and finally, how to change the gearbox oil of a BMW X3 .

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Role of gearbox oil on a BMW X3

So we begin our article content with the role of gearbox oil on a BMW X3. The objective of this short introduction is to make you understand the benefit of this fluid which ensures the good performance of your motor vehicle. The gearbox of your car has the mission to demultiply the power transmitted by the engine unit and send it back to your wheels . It is done up of pinions and gears that will allow the wheels to rotate at different speeds depending on the curves and the gear engaged. It will work with the help of an axle and a differential. All these parts will need to be strongly lubricate to action accurately, limit friction and tolerate the high temperatures produced by the engine unit and friction. Your transmission oil has a high viscosity and will prevent the formation of filings or gear breakage, so it is necessary to the proper working of the gearbox.

Why changing the gearbox oil from a BMW X3?

Now we’ll find out what’s the point of draining the gearbox oil of your BMW X3?

Interest of gearbox oil changing BMW X3

There are some concerns to change the gearbox of your motor vehicle frequently, we will list them and outline them below:

  • As time passes, the oil will lose its viscosity because of friction and temperature rise, which will bring about less lubrication of the gears and pinions and therefore risk to break some of them.
  • Same as viscosity, time and temperature rise will lower the oil resistance to the engine unit temperature, So it will fluidize much more easily when the engine heats up, which is not good for your gearbox.
  • Accumulation of metallic residues: Finally, regardless if you constantly have a quality oil, a gearbox is an component that wears out and generates iron filings with friction, the oil will pick them up and if it gathers up too much these residues can get into gears and break them.

When to do the gearbox oil change on a BMW X3?

If you want to do an automatic or manual gearbox oil change on BMW X3 or strong> the process is not the same, nevertheless, dealers do not give mileage recommendations to change the oil in your gearbox, however when you do an intervention on the gearbox it is advisable to change it, in any other case here are the reasons to make you think about doing this oil change.

Oil change for manual gearbox BMW X3

  • Gears are jumping: you are probably missing oil and you may have a gearbox oil leak, please find out our content page on gearbox leaks on BMW X3 for more info.
  • The gearbox cracks when you change gears: The oil has absolutely lost viscosity and is too fluid, so the gears get stuck.
  • Difficulty to shift gears: Same problem as just before, the oil is undoubtedly too fluid.

Automatic gearbox oil change

  • A slow begin from the neutral position to the first one: quite often a viscosity problem.
  • Difficulty or even impossibility to shift gears: Lack of oil

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How to change gearbox oil of a BMW X3?

Finally, to conclude this content page, we will explain you how to empty the gearbox oil of your BMW X3 , it’s less difficult than you might presume, here are the few actions to stick to to do it accurately:

  • Heat your BMW X3 for about 10 minutes to get a fluid oil, place it flat on 4 stands.
  • Install a drain pan under the drain plug, open it, and clean it well because it will probably gather filings.
  • Let all the oil run out until it’s all gone.
  • Change and tighten the cap, then fill with a syringe through the filler cap with the manufacturer’s recommended dose

If you wish more guides on the BMW X3, go to our BMW X3 category.