Service advice

Q

I would appreciate some servicing advice regarding my 2012 BMW X3 2.0d auto. This has done only 73K miles, however as I intend to keep it for a while I was considering changing all the fluids including transmission and diffs.

My question is to do with the transfer box. Looking at CM Dec 2019, it details changing the fluids on a 2008 X5, however I have read elsewhere that for a 2012 X3 F25 model you need to reset the transfer box settings ‘VTG’ using the manufacturers software or similar? Can you confirm if this is something I need to be concerned about or not?

I understand the diff drain plugs have O-rings which I guess will need renewing? Ken Wilson

A

From the details I have from Autodata, they do not mention any resetting of the transfer box settings, and only give the capacity of

0.6 litres and the grade of BMW DTF-1 synthetic. The only note made is that some transfer boxes may not have a drain plug and the oil will need to be syphoned out, and that the tightening torque of the plugs is 60Nm.

However, oil monitoring is performed by the VTG control module to determine when an oil service is due. The VTG calculates transfer case and clutch wear based on the amount of slip, engagement pressure (torque), speed and mileage. This calculation accounts for normal ‘dry’ road driving, ‘adverse’ road driving and ‘other’ road extreme driving. Depending on individual vehicle usage and driving styles along with driving conditions, the transfer case oil service interval will vary.

When a service is due, this will be indicated by a fault code and by updating the VTG control module with the necessary reset and adaption procedure, this will prevent this occurring.

The fault code from the details I have will not trigger the EML, but will sit in the control module until retrieved.

Owning and servicing the X3 yourself, you may wish to purchase the Foxwell NT530 Full Systems Scan Tool – BMW at £164, which should cover all your resetting needs and would I am sure be a worthwhile investment. It would be advisable to check with the retailer here https://bit.ly/cmy4fst to ensure the tool will cover your needs, though I believe this should be suitable and will certainly cover many of the systems you may require, such as ABS, airbags, engine, etc.