[Persian Whisperjet]

My 2011 uses ATF but when I changed it last week it sure did smell like some weird mineral oil. I know it's ATF because I changed it myself two years ago. Yes, i changed my fluid twice in two years. Hey, it's an easy job.

[BB_cuda]

Originally Posted by Persian Whisperjet

My 2011 uses ATF but when I changed it last week it sure did smell like some weird mineral oil. I know it's ATF because I changed it myself two years ago. Yes, i changed my fluid twice in two years. Hey, it's an easy job.

Did you actually drain system and if so can you explain how? Or did you just suck out oil from the reservoir. The suck out method is what I was planning to do. Even if I have to do it a couple times with a drive in between to mix old and new, I think this would suffice. I only have 51,000 miles and ATF is pretty cheap.

[Persian Whisperjet]

Originally Posted by BB_cuda

Did you actually drain system and if so can you explain how? Or did you just suck out oil from the reservoir. The suck out method is what I was planning to do. Even if I have to do it a couple times with a drive in between to mix old and new, I think this would suffice. I only have 51,000 miles and ATF is pretty cheap.

I just did the "suck out" method. Filling to the top, running the car, left lock to right lock 2-3 times and then repeat -- you can fill and drain the reservoir maybe three times before your liter of ATF is gone.

[taibanl]

Originally Posted by DreiD

It does in the pic...but to the eye it just looks brown.

From this can we rule out CHF at least? It could also be traditional PS Fluid, no?

Probably mixed due to "top offs" during dealer service. I had that problem.

[remlemasi]

Originally Posted by DozerDan82

ATF is a hydraulic fluid. End of the day it is a pump forcing fluid on a 'ram' that moves via the pressure. At what point are you splitting hairs. As long as the viscosity is close to what the pump is rated for run it.

The issue isn't whether the fluid will allow the rack to function or not, it's a concern with the seals being rated for CHF vs ATF.

[RJ_]

I'm not a diesel guy, but a few things to clarify:

Mixing CHF-11s and ATF does not have any adverse interactions regarding seals, precipitates, etc. BMW uses many of the same components in cars calling for either one.

CHF flows better at low temperatures, so the steering won't feel so heavy in the winter.

The only downside to mixing the two is that ATF reduces this benefit of CHF.

[Kyle335D]

Reviving this thread a little. Went to BMW and Auto-zone and had the mechanics take a look at the fluid, they told me it appears to be 11s (attached picture). I am thinking about buying a gallon of redline ATF and going over kill with the turkey baster method to get all the old fluid out. On amazon it's pretty cheap.

[RJ_]

Originally Posted by Kyle335D

Reviving this thread a little. Went to BMW and Auto-zone and had the mechanics take a look at the fluid, they told me it appears to be 11s (attached picture). I am thinking about buying a gallon of redline ATF and going over kill with the turkey baster method to get all the old fluid out. On amazon it's pretty cheap.

Do you want to run ATF over CHF-11s for some reason? What's your motivation? A liter of CHF is <$20.

Also, you can crack loose the lower power steering line on the rack and drain all the fluid that way. Give a few turns lock to lock with the wheels in the air, close it up, and top off the reservoir.

View post on imgur.com

from here: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1178301

[Kyle335D]

Originally Posted by RJ_

Do you want to run ATF over CHF-11s for some reason? What's your motivation? A liter of CHF is <$20.

Also, you can crack loose the lower power steering line on the rack and drain all the fluid that way. Give a few turns lock to lock with the wheels in the air, close it up, and top off the reservoir.

View post on imgur.com

from here: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1178301

Yea judging from the amount of diesel owners using ATF over the CHF. I was wanting to use to proper fluid for the job, which seems to be ATF. Having 2 sources tell me that the car appears to have old CHF got me worried that dealer or previous owner just topped it off with CHF or flushed it and replaced with CHF. I am probably just over concerned that using the wrong one is going to take a toll on the PS pump.

[335stoner]

if CHF is better for cold temps I would imagine that is where the main difference is. colder climates probably not in the US use CHF.

then I also think the statement about eating seals might be true, but seeing that i have not come across the option for running one fluid or the other. I would think that the parts would be rated for the "harsher" of the two.

my car has ATF

[Kyle335D]

Originally Posted by 335stoner

if CHF is better for cold temps I would imagine that is where the main difference is. colder climates probably not in the US use CHF.

then I also think the statement about eating seals might be true, but seeing that i have not come across the option for running one fluid or the other. I would think that the parts would be rated for the "harsher" of the two.

my car has ATF

I believe that all of the e9x petrols are using CHF-11's, I believe the diesels are the acceptation to that.

[Owen81]

Just going by the specs, CHF-11s seems to be the superior fluid (without knowing what the additives are)