UPDATE: We were able to take the trailer out this past weekend after doing: - coolant change (without flushing or draining the engine block)... the coolant was nasty and I'm sure was not very effective - transmission oil change and replacement of the pan and filter, going with the standard ZF plasti...

I have an interim update: the car goes in for the transmission oil change in a couple of days, but I did my own coolant change this past weekend. The coolant that came out was dirty and not blue... looks like it may have been yellow at one time? In any case, it was a pain getting in and getting the ...

The other thing you can do to check is run your full VIN against a tool such as mdecoder on line. It will give you your ‘as built’ spec from the factory. That might give you some clues as to what the car left the factory with. Actually have it open in another browser tab! I have the factory pre-wir...

Hello and welcome. ZF recommend that all transmission fluids are replaced every 8 years or 50,000 Miles - so yours need doing. The oil change kit for the gearbox should include a new pan and filter assembly (comes as part of the ZF kit). What is the weight of your trailer with load? The E70 for Eur...

We took our 2012 35ix (ZF 8HP45 transmission) out with the trailer (about 3500lbs loaded) this weekend for the first time. My previous tow vehicle was a 2009 MB ML320, which was a diesel with a 7-speed transmission. Between the lower torque with the X5's gas engine (about 100 less) and the 8-speed t...