2nd Gen Countryman (F60) Talk (2016-2024) Second Generation Countryman discussion. F60

F60 Differenctial oil change

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 9, 2024 | 04:20 PM
  #1  
heticor's Avatar
heticor
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
5 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 54
Likes: 15
Differenctial oil change

I am looking for the procedure how to the replace the differential oil, transfer case, and transmission.

type oil, and quantity.
 
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2024 | 07:08 PM
  #2  
Mini-Titan's Avatar
Mini-Titan
4th Gear
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 363
Likes: 162
From: Charlotte Metro area
The differential only has a fill plug...no drain. So, it's a matter of getting a new fill plug, sticking a tube into the differential and aspirating whatever volume you can get, and refilling with the SAME VOLUME you removed. Unlike MOST differentials, this is NOT a "fill until it runs out" process. It will be over-filled if you fill until it runs out.. The differential fluid is a 70w80 concoction that costs about 80.00 for half a liter. When I did the two F60's I've had, I believe I was able to get right at 350 mL aspirated out of each one. So, 350 went back in. No fluid ran out of the fill hole of either one.
8-speed auto is what both of my F60's have. I did a drain-and-refill. I did NOT have the correct tool to bring the trans temp up to the specified temp where the standpipe defines the correct level when the car is running (and I believe in park after shifting through the gears). Another hard thing about doing it this way is the car is supposed to be running...but you have to take the airbox out to get to the fill plug. I guess you over-fill it so you don't have to go back in and take everything apart again if you didn't have quite enough? Expensive fluid to purposefully put too much in. Instead, I did a similar drain, measure, and refill with exactly the same volume of fluid...and both the drain and the fill fluid were exactly the same temperature. I did this by draining the fluid after not driving for over-night, and the new fluid was stored right by the car. Doing it this way, I can drain about 2.75 quarts. I put that much back in...go drive a while, and repeat the overnight parking and do it again. I probably only replace about 1/2 of the total volume. But, these are "lifetime" fluids, so what I do is better than nothing.
That leaves us with two more fluids. Transfer case and "Hang-on-clutch" (assuming you have All4 system). I've never done either because the instructions I find say the viscosity of the new fluids must be programmed into the computer after their respective changes. The transfer case fluid is going to be an "aspirate and refill" similar to the differential. I'm not sure about the Hang-on-clutch (this is located just in front of the rear differential). If I end up keeping the car for what I'd guess would be 75,000-100,000 miles, I'll probably have both of these done at a shop at about 50,000 miles. Again, both are "lifetime fluids", although I certainly don't trust the transfer case fluid to last in very good condition much past 100,000 miles.
The drained Rear Diff fluid was very nice in appearance, as was the transmission fluid....both looked very much like the new replacement fluid. Both cars were done with about 30,000 miles on them So, at 30,000 miles I'd say you are WELL ahead of taking good care of those fluids. Perhaps 50,000 miles would be more than sufficient.
Hope this helped!
 

Last edited by Mini-Titan; Oct 10, 2024 at 11:25 AM. Reason: clarity
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2024 | 10:24 AM
  #3  
ECSTuning's Avatar
ECSTuning
Platinum Sponsor
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 36,758
Likes: 2,548
From: Wadsworth, Ohio
Yep more info here on it:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...placement.html
 
__________________

MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2024 | 11:22 AM
  #4  
Mini-Titan's Avatar
Mini-Titan
4th Gear
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 363
Likes: 162
From: Charlotte Metro area
Also note that my 2019 JCW Countryman compared to my 2020 JCW Countryman, there was a change in Transmission fluid from ATF 6 to ATF 7. I know the 2020 has a much firmer shift feel...so there is perhaps a different friction coefficient used in the two versions of ATF. Make sure you get the right one for your vehicle.
 
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2024 | 12:54 PM
  #5  
heticor's Avatar
heticor
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
5 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 54
Likes: 15
Capacities

Thank you for the good information.

any body know the amount a type of fluids for :

Automatic Transmission, I believe this AT is 7 liters but I not sure.
Transfer case
Rear differential
Front differential
 
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2024 | 02:19 AM
  #6  
Mini-Titan's Avatar
Mini-Titan
4th Gear
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 363
Likes: 162
From: Charlotte Metro area
If you are doing a drain/refill, I only get about 3.5 quarts out. Transfer case, I don't know, but it's an "aspirate and refill" job, which is definitely less than a quart. Rear diff is an aspirate and refill...which is about 350 ml (the 70w80 fluid comes in a 500 ml bottle, and is expensive!). Don't know anything about the front differential. But, these cars also have a Hold-on-Clutch fluid just in front of the rear differential.

I've read that there may be coding involved when changing either the Transfer Case or HOC fluids...apparently the computer/sensors are very picky about current viscosity...
 

Last edited by Mini-Titan; Oct 23, 2024 at 02:25 AM. Reason: add
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2025 | 07:10 AM
  #7  
njaremka's Avatar
njaremka
Alliance Member
5 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 7,535
Likes: 2,503
From: WNY
Originally Posted by Mini-Titan
The differential only has a fill plug...no drain. So, it's a matter of getting a new fill plug, sticking a tube into the differential and aspirating whatever volume you can get, and refilling with the SAME VOLUME you removed. Unlike MOST differentials, this is NOT a "fill until it runs out" process. It will be over-filled if you fill until it runs out.. The differential fluid is a 70w80 concoction that costs about 80.00 for half a liter. When I did the two F60's I've had, I believe I was able to get right at 350 mL aspirated out of each one. So, 350 went back in. No fluid ran out of the fill hole of either one.
8-speed auto is what both of my F60's have. I did a drain-and-refill. I did NOT have the correct tool to bring the trans temp up to the specified temp where the standpipe defines the correct level when the car is running (and I believe in park after shifting through the gears). Another hard thing about doing it this way is the car is supposed to be running...but you have to take the airbox out to get to the fill plug. I guess you over-fill it so you don't have to go back in and take everything apart again if you didn't have quite enough? Expensive fluid to purposefully put too much in. Instead, I did a similar drain, measure, and refill with exactly the same volume of fluid...and both the drain and the fill fluid were exactly the same temperature. I did this by draining the fluid after not driving for over-night, and the new fluid was stored right by the car. Doing it this way, I can drain about 2.75 quarts. I put that much back in...go drive a while, and repeat the overnight parking and do it again. I probably only replace about 1/2 of the total volume. But, these are "lifetime" fluids, so what I do is better than nothing.
That leaves us with two more fluids. Transfer case and "Hang-on-clutch" (assuming you have All4 system). I've never done either because the instructions I find say the viscosity of the new fluids must be programmed into the computer after their respective changes. The transfer case fluid is going to be an "aspirate and refill" similar to the differential. I'm not sure about the Hang-on-clutch (this is located just in front of the rear differential). If I end up keeping the car for what I'd guess would be 75,000-100,000 miles, I'll probably have both of these done at a shop at about 50,000 miles. Again, both are "lifetime fluids", although I certainly don't trust the transfer case fluid to last in very good condition much past 100,000 miles.
The drained Rear Diff fluid was very nice in appearance, as was the transmission fluid....both looked very much like the new replacement fluid. Both cars were done with about 30,000 miles on them So, at 30,000 miles I'd say you are WELL ahead of taking good care of those fluids. Perhaps 50,000 miles would be more than sufficient.
Hope this helped!
Which "tool" did you use to suck out the fluids?
 
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2025 | 08:01 AM
  #8  
Mini-Titan's Avatar
Mini-Titan
4th Gear
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 363
Likes: 162
From: Charlotte Metro area
I have what is called a "weighted sump", which is a flexible plastic tube with metal weights at the end. (It's used in heart surgery and some other types of surgeries.) I've seen metal tubes bent at an angle, with a plastic hose attached to it. Something that can curve over the fill hole entry point and reach down toward the low-point works well.
 

Last edited by Mini-Titan; Jun 5, 2025 at 08:02 AM. Reason: clarity
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2025 | 08:53 AM
  #9  
njaremka's Avatar
njaremka
Alliance Member
5 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 7,535
Likes: 2,503
From: WNY
Originally Posted by Mini-Titan
I have what is called a "weighted sump", which is a flexible plastic tube with metal weights at the end. (It's used in heart surgery and some other types of surgeries.) I've seen metal tubes bent at an angle, with a plastic hose attached to it. Something that can curve over the fill hole entry point and reach down toward the low-point works well.
Gotcha, thanks. I'm planning out my fluid change....
 
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2025 | 06:50 PM
  #10  
Mini-Titan's Avatar
Mini-Titan
4th Gear
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 363
Likes: 162
From: Charlotte Metro area
If you do the transfer case, let me know if you had to take some underside bracing/bracket off. I haven't yet found a 2020 YouTube on whether that's in the way on my model year. Thanks!
 

Last edited by Mini-Titan; Jun 5, 2025 at 06:51 PM. Reason: add
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2025 | 03:39 AM
  #11  
njaremka's Avatar
njaremka
Alliance Member
5 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 7,535
Likes: 2,503
From: WNY
Originally Posted by Mini-Titan
If you do the transfer case, let me know if you had to take some underside bracing/bracket off. I haven't yet found a 2020 YouTube on whether that's in the way on my model year. Thanks!
 
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2025 | 08:56 AM
  #12  
Steve500's Avatar
Steve500
1st Gear
5 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Mini-Titan
The differential only has a fill plug...no drain. So, it's a matter of getting a new fill plug, sticking a tube into the differential and aspirating whatever volume you can get, and refilling with the SAME VOLUME you removed. Unlike MOST differentials, this is NOT a "fill until it runs out" process. It will be over-filled if you fill until it runs out.. The differential fluid is a 70w80 concoction that costs about 80.00 for half a liter. When I did the two F60's I've had, I believe I was able to get right at 350 mL aspirated out of each one. So, 350 went back in. No fluid ran out of the fill hole of either one.
8-speed auto is what both of my F60's have. I did a drain-and-refill. I did NOT have the correct tool to bring the trans temp up to the specified temp where the standpipe defines the correct level when the car is running (and I believe in park after shifting through the gears). Another hard thing about doing it this way is the car is supposed to be running...but you have to take the airbox out to get to the fill plug. I guess you over-fill it so you don't have to go back in and take everything apart again if you didn't have quite enough? Expensive fluid to purposefully put too much in. Instead, I did a similar drain, measure, and refill with exactly the same volume of fluid...and both the drain and the fill fluid were exactly the same temperature. I did this by draining the fluid after not driving for over-night, and the new fluid was stored right by the car. Doing it this way, I can drain about 2.75 quarts. I put that much back in...go drive a while, and repeat the overnight parking and do it again. I probably only replace about 1/2 of the total volume. But, these are "lifetime" fluids, so what I do is better than nothing.
That leaves us with two more fluids. Transfer case and "Hang-on-clutch" (assuming you have All4 system). I've never done either because the instructions I find say the viscosity of the new fluids must be programmed into the computer after their respective changes. The transfer case fluid is going to be an "aspirate and refill" similar to the differential. I'm not sure about the Hang-on-clutch (this is located just in front of the rear differential). If I end up keeping the car for what I'd guess would be 75,000-100,000 miles, I'll probably have both of these done at a shop at about 50,000 miles. Again, both are "lifetime fluids", although I certainly don't trust the transfer case fluid to last in very good condition much past 100,000 miles.
The drained Rear Diff fluid was very nice in appearance, as was the transmission fluid....both looked very much like the new replacement fluid. Both cars were done with about 30,000 miles on them So, at 30,000 miles I'd say you are WELL ahead of taking good care of those fluids. Perhaps 50,000 miles would be more than sufficient.
Hope this helped!
There's a decent video on youtube of the BMW X1 showing that the rear haldex differential can be separated to drain all fluid, refill, and clean the hydraulic pump intake filter screen. Quite a teardown just for maintenance but at the same time, it's not a lot of teardown, the differential is a pretty simple unit. VW takes a huge win for making this far easier on their vehicles with the same style differentials.
 

Last edited by Steve500; Aug 1, 2025 at 09:13 AM.
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2025 | 03:09 PM
  #13  
njaremka's Avatar
njaremka
Alliance Member
5 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 7,535
Likes: 2,503
From: WNY
Originally Posted by Mini-Titan
If you do the transfer case, let me know if you had to take some underside bracing/bracket off. I haven't yet found a 2020 YouTube on whether that's in the way on my model year. Thanks!
To change the fluid in the transfer case, I only had to remove the splash shield. No bracing was in the way for me.
 
Reply
Old Dec 1, 2025 | 04:00 AM
  #14  
GeoCS's Avatar
GeoCS
1st Gear
Liked
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 22
Likes: 3
From: Athens Greece - Sweden- Got
i done mine , it was quite easy , auto transmission and only rear differential , need to do the hung on clutch and the front differential , if im not wrong

just beware for the auto transmission , get the temps through obd and drain a bit from underneath .
 

Last edited by GeoCS; Dec 1, 2025 at 05:54 AM.
Reply
Old Dec 1, 2025 | 06:43 AM
  #15  
Steve500's Avatar
Steve500
1st Gear
5 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by GeoCS
i done mine , it was quite easy , auto transmission and only rear differential , need to do the hung on clutch and the front differential , if im not wrong

just beware for the auto transmission , get the temps through obd and drain a bit from underneath .

you were able to clean the pickup filter on the pump of the rear differential?
 
Reply
Old Dec 1, 2025 | 06:54 AM
  #16  
GeoCS's Avatar
GeoCS
1st Gear
Liked
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 22
Likes: 3
From: Athens Greece - Sweden- Got
Originally Posted by Steve500
you were able to clean the pickup filter on the pump of the rear differential?
no nothing ! i didn't touch that , difficult access , i used to done that on my old golf R ,it was easy to remove it pump and screen filter .

i dont think is so mandatory to clean this filter , the oil replacement is the big deal on this kind of maintenance ,
but to be fair if i had better access , i would do even the filter , i remember at the old vw haldex some of them they were somehow clogged , it was like screen filter full of ***** ! not always ..

 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Yoshimura 1
R56 :: Hatch Talk (2007+)
4
Mar 11, 2024 06:40 AM
Buckey
F54 :: Clubman Talk (2015+)
0
Apr 18, 2018 08:32 PM
S1monLM
Drivetrain (Cooper S)
23
Aug 9, 2011 06:46 AM
Ex-Pat Brit
General MINI Talk
19
Dec 15, 2007 06:54 AM
S Curvz
Off-Topic :: Autos
8
Nov 8, 2006 06:52 AM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 12:23 AM.