I searched and didn't find the answer. I recall seeing somewhere that a touring with self leveling suspension uses different power steering fluid. Just wanted to confirm.
What power steering fluid do I need in my 540? Thanks.
LOOK ON YOUR P/S RESERVOIR CAP! More than likely you have a ATF unit.
2 13 006Bleeding power steering unit
Warning!
Danger of poisoning if oil is ingested/absorbed through the skin!
Risk of injury if oil comes into contact with eyes and skin!
Important!
Adhere to the utmost cleanliness. Do not allow any dirt to enter the hydraulic system.
Using contaminated equipment to add fluid may introduce dirt particles into the fluid reservoir and significantly reduce the service life of the power steering system. Do not use any filler funnels or similar!
The fill level may only be checked or adjusted when the engine is stopped! The fluid temperature should be approx. 20 °C here.
Ensure that the cap is fully screwed in prior to the fill level check.
Note:
To avoid mix-ups when filling with hydraulic fluid, mark the fluid reservoirs or their caps with identification marks.
ATF Automatic transmission fluid CHF Pentosin CHF11S
- Thoroughly clean fluid reservoir and its immediate surroundings
- Check and correct fill level
Note: The fill level can come to rest above the ”MAX” mark when the engine is at normal operating temperature. This is dictated by the design in that the marking on the dipstick is referred to a fluid temperature of 20 °C. With the engine at normal operating temperature (approx. 50-60 °C fluid temperature) adjust a fill height 10 mm above the ”MAX” mark. Do not under any circumstances draw off the fluid to the ”MAX” mark when the engine is at normal operating temperature.
Hydraulic fluid: BMW Service Operating Fluids- Start engine
- Turn steering wheel left and right twice in each case up to full lock; if necessary, top up hydraulic fluid (e.g. if hydraulic system is completely drained)
- Move steering wheel to straight-ahead position and turn off engine
- Check and correct fill level with engine stopped
- Check hydraulic system for leaks
Last edited by StephenVA; 05-02-2018 at 08:16 PM.
Current Garage Highlights
2003 525iT TiSilver
2002 M5 TiSilver
1998 528i KASCHMIRBEIGE METALLIC (301) (Goldie)
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2005 X5 4.8is
2004 325iTs (2x)
1973 Pantera L
1971 Dodge Dart Swinger "Lite Package"
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack Alpine White
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack GoManGo Green
1969 Road Runner 383
1968 Barracuda Formula S 340 Sea Foam Green
What’s the power steering fluid have to do with the SLS? Either regular ATF or the CHF11S, my wagon’s got regular springs out back, actually happy about that, screw Airbags, I like the expensive , CHF11S in both my E39’s.
Set the controls for the heart of the sun
No matter what you put in there, it'll leak so as long as it's one or the other and yes, check it out on your car 1st but I too can not see why there would be a difference in a car with bags or springs, having to do with said bags or springs. They're not connected and on opposite ends of the car. I am however, no expert and it'll be good to quash this.
It’s ATF on all E39’s... the SLS on the E39 tourings is air-powered, not hydraulic. You must be thinking about the E34 which used a hydraulic SLS setup in the rear along with different fluid, different pump, and different reservoir.
1995 525i 5-speed - Thread
I couldn't understand what the PS fluid had to do with SLS either. But, I thought I read something about it in the past. Obviously some use ATF and some use Pentosin. I'm not sure what causes the difference. But it's a BMW so it wouldn't surprise me if a totally unrelated system was that difference maker...
My PS reservoir cap doesn't look like any in the pictures above. But it looks like I need the Pentosin...
- - - Updated - - -
This is why I ask the question! Doesn't this directly contradict StephenVA's post?
^ Stephen's post wasn't e39 specific. CHF was used in earlier 5-series and, because it is a hydraulic fluid, it was also used for hydraulic brake assist and SLS.
[IMG][/IMG]
I have a 99 touring w/o SLS that takes ATF. Also have a 01 touring w/o SLS which takes CHF. All the information that I've seen indicates that the cars can use either type fluid, but they cannot be mixed.
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00 740iS
84 635 (euro)
88 M6
84 745i
88 325iX
92 850i (6 spd)
Mine all have ATF in them! There was a posting on the M5 board years ago that some of the 98's has CHF in them out of the factory. My 98 528 uses ATF so who knows what came in the early M5s. By the way not to start an "Oil flame", I actually use Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF with no issues going on 8 years and multiple cars.
Info Required: Those who have cars with CHF, is the cap marked or any other color besides black?
Note this image from the ECS website:
Last edited by StephenVA; 05-03-2018 at 08:59 AM.
Current Garage Highlights
2003 525iT TiSilver
2002 M5 TiSilver
1998 528i KASCHMIRBEIGE METALLIC (301) (Goldie)
Former Garage Highlights
2005 X5 4.8is
2004 325iTs (2x)
1973 Pantera L
1971 Dodge Dart Swinger "Lite Package"
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack Alpine White
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack GoManGo Green
1969 Road Runner 383
1968 Barracuda Formula S 340 Sea Foam Green
Nope, my caps have no markings on them, the fluids were that greenish fluid that CHF is, on both cars, so I have been using CHF with no issues.
Set the controls for the heart of the sun
Green = CHF
Red (Rosa) is ATF
I guess I should have posted that originally and not created confusion. Oh well another oil flame string replies coming up!
Last edited by StephenVA; 05-03-2018 at 02:43 PM.
Current Garage Highlights
2003 525iT TiSilver
2002 M5 TiSilver
1998 528i KASCHMIRBEIGE METALLIC (301) (Goldie)
Former Garage Highlights
2005 X5 4.8is
2004 325iTs (2x)
1973 Pantera L
1971 Dodge Dart Swinger "Lite Package"
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack Alpine White
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack GoManGo Green
1969 Road Runner 383
1968 Barracuda Formula S 340 Sea Foam Green
How about this, the cap says CHF, but the car has ATF in the system.
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00 740iS
84 635 (euro)
88 M6
84 745i
88 325iX
92 850i (6 spd)
1995 525i 5-speed - Thread
This debate was all over the M5 board many years ago as some cars had the plastic ID ring around their P/S cap neck showing CHS-11 was inside. The label was in English so there are a few out there with the Green stuff. The only rule I can think of is that if your car came with XX stay with XX. Unless you flush out everything before swapping over.
There is not much up on their website for insight and or deep technical info and yes their catalog shows CHF-11 for our cars. Weird. http://www.pentosin.net
CHF 11S (synthetic oil based)
Size: 1 liter (1.06 quarts), Part# 1405116
5 liters (1.32 US gallons), Part #1405216
20 liters (5.28 US gallons), Part #1405208
Color: Dark Green
CLICK HERE FOR CHF 11s SPEC SHEET
- Audi (1990-2005); Spec. TL 52 146.00
- BMW (1990 on; check owners manual)
- Chrysler Crossfire
- Dodge Sprinter (all years)
- Jaguar (1990 on)
- Land Rover (all years)
- Mercedes-Benz (staggered models starting 1990 - check vehicle owners manual); Spec. 345.0
- MINI (all years)
- Porsche (1990-2005)
- Rolls Royce
- Saab (1990-2005)
- Volkswagen (1990-2005) Spec. TL 52 146.00
- Volvo (03/1998-2002)
Last edited by StephenVA; 05-04-2018 at 09:24 AM.
Current Garage Highlights
2003 525iT TiSilver
2002 M5 TiSilver
1998 528i KASCHMIRBEIGE METALLIC (301) (Goldie)
Former Garage Highlights
2005 X5 4.8is
2004 325iTs (2x)
1973 Pantera L
1971 Dodge Dart Swinger "Lite Package"
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack Alpine White
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack GoManGo Green
1969 Road Runner 383
1968 Barracuda Formula S 340 Sea Foam Green
E34 uses the power steering fluid for the SLS. AFAIK the new power steering caps (from BMW) all say use CHF and they now sell a sticker that says "USE ATF" -- this is the opposite of the older caps. I've been running Mercon 5 in one E46 and Dex in my other E46 with no complaints. Mercon 5 is not Dex compatible, but it is synthetic and more stable in temperature extremes. A bit thinner too so slightly less assist.
Uh huh..... So...., what’s all that got to do with E39’s?
Anyway, I have not had any problems, using CHF11S in my 530, which I sold a short while ago, I use it in the 540 and the 528, also in my ‘03 Mini Cooper S. Here’s a cool thing about CHF11S and leaky BMW hoses, CHF does not stain the driveway as bad as ATF does. You can actually leave it alone, and the weather washes it away.
Set the controls for the heart of the sun
One or the other can be used. But they DO NOT MIX.
Sorry, I don't mean to be the OP who posts then never replies. My shoulder went out on me so I've been buckeled over in pain for a few days... No time to deal with PS fluid!
Anyways, here's what I have. Looks like ATF, but it looks pretty junky.
20180509_184402.jpg20180509_184500.jpg
I may just top it up for now, then flush it out once I get a bit more time to do deeper maintenance.
Yep, nasty ATF. Suck out what you can with a turkey baster and refill with Mobil 1 syn ATF. You have the ZF version of the reservoir. Most leak, the hoses leak, the cap seal leaks so everyone replaces them all at the same time.
Last edited by StephenVA; 05-10-2018 at 11:31 AM. Reason: wrong application needs 540 parts see later post
Current Garage Highlights
2003 525iT TiSilver
2002 M5 TiSilver
1998 528i KASCHMIRBEIGE METALLIC (301) (Goldie)
Former Garage Highlights
2005 X5 4.8is
2004 325iTs (2x)
1973 Pantera L
1971 Dodge Dart Swinger "Lite Package"
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack Alpine White
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack GoManGo Green
1969 Road Runner 383
1968 Barracuda Formula S 340 Sea Foam Green
Current Garage Highlights
2003 525iT TiSilver
2002 M5 TiSilver
1998 528i KASCHMIRBEIGE METALLIC (301) (Goldie)
Former Garage Highlights
2005 X5 4.8is
2004 325iTs (2x)
1973 Pantera L
1971 Dodge Dart Swinger "Lite Package"
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack Alpine White
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack GoManGo Green
1969 Road Runner 383
1968 Barracuda Formula S 340 Sea Foam Green
So um, what happens if you mix them ? I topped up with the CHF stuff. Sure enough, the cap says ATF.
No. Description Supp. Qty From Up To Part Number Price 01 SUCTION HOSE 1 32411095514 $41.83 02 Hose clamp D=20,9-24,1 1 32111131345 $2.12 03 Hollow bolt M18X32 1 32411117183 $7.53 04 Gasket ring A18X24-CUSN 2 32411093598 $0.71 05 PRESSURE HOSE ASSY 1 32411093926 $229.83 06 Hollow bolt M14X1,5X26 2 02/2012 32416783886 $2.11 06 Hollow bolt M14X1,5X26 2 32416852469 07 Gasket ring A14X20-CUSN 4 32411093596 $0.31 08 Return pipe 1 32411094205 $108.07 10 Gasket ring A16X22-CUSN 2 32411093597 $0.27 11 O-ring 10,82X1,78/FPM 2 17211742636 $0.80 12 COOLING COIL 1 17111141819 $107.30 13 Hex bolt with washer M8X30-Z3 1 07119915085 $0.62 14 Hose clamp D=16,6-20MM 1 16121180242 $1.08 15 Return pipe 1 32411095515 $41.26
Last edited by StephenVA; 05-10-2018 at 11:35 AM. Reason: You have a 540-all have a steering box, my error
Current Garage Highlights
2003 525iT TiSilver
2002 M5 TiSilver
1998 528i KASCHMIRBEIGE METALLIC (301) (Goldie)
Former Garage Highlights
2005 X5 4.8is
2004 325iTs (2x)
1973 Pantera L
1971 Dodge Dart Swinger "Lite Package"
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack Alpine White
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack GoManGo Green
1969 Road Runner 383
1968 Barracuda Formula S 340 Sea Foam Green
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