BimmerXdrive wroteIt can resolve it. My issue was resolved after I changed the fluid. I have a 2019If I were to start feeling the mentioned shuddering when turning slow etc from transfer case/diff is it too late at that point? Or would a fluid change fix the issue if done immediatly?
49KVIEWS
242REPLIES
146APPRECIATES
74ACTIVE PEOPLE
2 days agoLAST POST
Aimster82 wroteGood to know. What exactly were the symptoms you felt before fluid change? ThanksIt can resolve it. My issue was resolved after I changed the fluid. I have a 2019
Aimster82 wroteMine were resolved as well 2019 x5 with 50k milesIt can resolve it. My issue was resolved after I changed the fluid. I have a 2019
Astone22 wroteGreat to know thanks. What were the noticble symptoms and how soon after did you do the fluid change?Mine were resolved as well 2019 x5 with 50k miles
BimmerXdrive wrotedata point from my 2021 X5 45eIf I were to start feeling the mentioned shuddering when turning slow etc from transfer case/diff is it too late at that point? Or would a fluid change fix the issue if done immediatly?
- Feb 2025: road hazard in right rear tire prompting replacement
- Jul 2025: @37k miles shuddering at slow speed (turning, acceleration from stop, reversing while parking, braking)
- Aug 2025: transfer case fluid changed resulting in complete resolution of symptoms
nZtiZia wroteGreat info you shared thanks. Few questions from that. The rear tire replacement was same make just higher tread? Would you assume that rear tires would have more effect towards the transfer case then front tires even though xdrive? I also have read lower tire pressure can cause wear to transfer case.data point from my 2021 X5 45e
Feb 2025: road hazard in right rear tire prompting replacement
Jul 2025: @37k miles shuddering at slow speed (turning, acceleration from stop, reversing while parking, braking)
Aug 2025: transfer case fluid changed resulting in complete resolution of symptoms
I?m also of the belief the tread mismatch (Feb to Jul) contributed to my incident
BimmerXdrive wrote1) yes, replacement tire was same make and model (i wasn't given the tread difference at the time, but the set had close to 20k miles on them when the tire was replaced)Great info you shared thanks. Few questions from that. The rear tire replacement was same make just higher tread? Would you assume that rear tires would have more effect towards the transfer case then front tires even though xdrive? I also have read lower tire pressure can cause wear to transfer case.
2) unknown to me if the 40:60 front:rear bias in BMW's xDrive may have some effect
3) lower tire pressures relative to what exactly? my cold tire pressures call for 35F/42R, but i regularly run 37F/45R as that is what my TPMS recommends
nZtiZia wroteLow tire pressure slightly reduces tire diameter, making that axle spin a bit faster than the other. The xDrive system then slips the transfer case clutch to compensate, which can generate heat and alter the TC fluid’s friction, leading to shudder. The BMW TC shudder bulletin tells techs to check tire pressures, tire sizes, and tread differences first, since mismatched rolling circumference can make the transfer case work harder. I would assume this is at extremely low tire pressures long term along with those other factors. It’s plausible that your tread differences may have accelerated TC wear. I’m glad to know if I start to feel the shudder etc. immediate fluid change can resolve the issue. Fingers crossed I don’t deal with this anytime soon.3) lower tire pressures relative to what exactly?
BimmerXdriveat the time of replacement, I contemplated getting a whole new set, but who knows if I ultimately would?ve had transfer case issues later than I did despite all new tires
I asked earlier ??relative to what?? meaning relative to pressures stated on the tire placard or in TPMS? as mentioned, i was a touch overinflated relative to the tire placard (still am)
nZtiZia wroteGotcha yea I would assume well below stated psi could possibly have an effect. Funny I had a service apt at bmw dealership today for some minor issues under warranty. I ask my SA about transfer fluid change and he said def! do it by 30k cost of $800-900. Meanwhile BMW says lifetime fluid. What a joke. Hopefully class action lawsuit gets finalized.
at the time of replacement, I contemplated getting a whole new set, but who knows if I ultimately would?ve had transfer case issues later than I did despite all new tires
I asked earlier ??relative to what?? meaning relative to pressures stated on the tire placard or in TPMS? as mentioned, i was a touch overinflated relative to the tire placard (still am)
BimmerXdrive wroteThe real joke is $800-900 for a 45 min job and a bottle of oil. I bet they said it with a straight face too. These folks get numb to their absurd pricesGotcha yea I would assume well below stated psi could possibly have an effect. Funny I had a service apt at bmw dealership today for some minor issues under warranty. I ask my SA about transfer fluid change and he said def! do it by 30k cost of $800-900. Meanwhile BMW says lifetime fluid. What a joke. Hopefully class action lawsuit gets finalized.
M a r t y wroteAbsolutely! I purposly asked to hear the absurdity. Once he said the price I told myself I’ll do it myself or Indy shop.The real joke is $800-900 for a 45 min job and a bottle of oil. I bet they said it with a straight face too. These folks get numb to their absurd prices
Called my trusted Indy.his rate schedule is probably the same if not more than Dealer...I asked what a TC case would run, he asked no ATF, I stated I'm at X miles, only just thinking a TC flush....his POV was not a money grab. Told to circle back 10K later and just do a full all in fluid swap. Granted, everyone's got a different take...as he could have booked me for a TC swap but his opinion was not needed.
On a side note do the X5/6Ms have the same transfer case issues as they have the fluid changed as part of the maintenance schedule.
Aimster82 wroteDoesn't this validate that BMW put the "wrong fluid" in these vehicles at the time of assembly? All of these fluid changes should be paid for by BMW. I paid for mine at 35K miles out of concern that the transfer case would fail. I hope the class action law suit is settled in favor of all the owner of vehicles that left the SC Assembly Plant with the "wrong fluid".It can resolve it. My issue was resolved after I changed the fluid. I have a 2019
rmorin1249 wroteNo, not at all. The wrong fluid was never used. The SIB is referring to the fluid breaking down and no longer meeting the specs. This is caused because the TC has too small of a reservoir and the fluid overheats during use. The "factory filled" wording is there because it is/was not a maintenance item that would have been changed.Doesn't this validate that BMW put the "wrong fluid" in these vehicles at the time of assembly? All of these fluid changes should be paid for by BMW. I paid for mine at 35K miles out of concern that the transfer case would fail. I hope the class action law suit is settled in favor of all the owner of vehicles that left the SC Assembly Plant with the "wrong fluid".
Changing the fluid does not prevent the issue from happening but rather starts the clock over again.
TurtleBoy wroteOK, I won't disagree with your premise but if the TC was poorly designed BMW should admit it and cover the cost of replacing those TCs that did fail since fluid replacement was not included in the routine maintenance requirements just like engine oil and filter changes.No, not at all. The wrong fluid was never used. The SIB is referring to the fluid breaking down and no longer meeting the specs. This is caused because the TC has too small of a reservoir and the fluid overheats during use. The "factory filled" wording is there because it is/was not a maintenance item that would have been changed.
Changing the fluid does not prevent the issue from happening but rather starts the clock over again.
rmorin1249 wroteThey should but it will cost them millions so they will have to be forced to do something with the lawsuit.OK, I won't disagree with your premise but if the TC was poorly designed BMW should admit it and cover the cost of replacing those TCs that did fail since fluid replacement was not included in the routine maintenance requirements just like engine oil and filter changes.
BimmerXdrive wroteMaybe I missed it, but did BMW make any changes in the LCI (or sooner) to the TC to avoid the problem occurring or do I need to worry about this in my 2026?Low tire pressure slightly reduces tire diameter, making that axle spin a bit faster than the other. The xDrive system then slips the transfer case clutch to compensate, which can generate heat and alter the TC fluid’s friction, leading to shudder. The BMW TC shudder bulletin tells techs to check tire pressures, tire sizes, and tread differences first, since mismatched rolling circumference can make the transfer case work harder. I would assume this is at extremely low tire pressures long term along with those other factors. It’s plausible that your tread differences may have accelerated TC wear. I’m glad to know if I start to feel the shudder etc. immediate fluid change can resolve the issue. Fingers crossed I don’t deal with this anytime soon.
Also, as a practical matter, the tire circumference is an interesting topic. I am not an engineer but it has some logic that different circumferences from front to rear could cause additional heat/wear in drivetrain components. If so, why do they specify such wildly different tire pressures from front to rear. I have the square 20 inch tires. Recommended pressure on the door is 33F/41R. Clearly this would lead to some modest difference in circumference between F/R tires. I would assume given the issues they have been having with this for at least 4-5 yrs they would have adjusted the recommended pressures by now.
I keep my front tires a little lower than the door and my rears a good deal less for both better ride quality and to reduce understeer. No TPS warnings. Is this going to be an issue?
2026 X5 From PM wroteNo they did not. The G65 is supposed to have a redesigned TC.Maybe I missed it, but did BMW make any changes in the LCI (or sooner) to the TC to avoid the problem occurring or do I need to worry about this in my 2026?
Also, as a practical matter, the tire circumference is an interesting topic. I am not an engineer but it has some logic that different circumferences from front to rear could cause additional heat/wear in drivetrain components. If so, why do they specify such wildly different tire pressures from front to rear. I have the square 20 inch tires. Recommended pressure on the door is 33F/41R. Clearly this would lead to some modest difference in circumference between F/R tires. I would assume given the issues they have been having with this for at least 4-5 yrs they would have adjusted the recommended pressures by now.
I keep my front tires a little lower than the door and my rears a good deal less for both better ride quality and to reduce understeer. No TPS warnings. Is this going to be an issue?
The difference in tire pressure is negligible as far as the circumference goes. They are different to induce the correct handling characteristics, understeer.
