I have a 2012 Clubman S with a manual transmission.

Is there a "how to" for changing the oil in the gearbox?

What is the recommended oil for the manual transmission in these cars?

 

I used Redline MTL on my 08 S and seemed to work just fine:


Also pick up a pumper to make it easy, something like this:

How to with pics right here:
http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...Oil_Change.htm

Extremely easy, should take less than 30 min. Make sure to first remove the TOP (fill) plug before you drain! Otherwise, if you can't get the fill plug off for some reason, you're stuck with no MTF.

 

Also used redline mtl, glad you're not overlooking the tranny fluid. I learned the hard way.

 

What is the recommended mileage change for the manual trans. ?

 

I have traditionally used 50,000 miles for manual transmission service

 

For other cars and I'll do the same for my JCW is I'll take the mileage at which the factory says to change the transmission fluid and cut it by anywhere from a 1/3 to 1/2.

I should know my JCW's transmission change interval but I don't, but say it is 60K miles. I could decide to have this fluid changed at 45K miles maybe even 30K miles.

But this will be *after* I have the transmission fluid changed early. I just had the engine oil changed at around 2100 miles (and before that at 350 miles). Next engine oil change will happen at 5K miles or about 2900 miles after the 2100 mile oil change.

At 5K miles my plan is to have the transmission fluid changed. Then in 30K to 45K miles I'll have it changed again.

Just like I'm a fan of early engine oil/filter services for a new car I'm also a fan of early transmission/diff fluid services for a new car.

 

The fluid used will be listed on a bright colored tag on the bottom of the transmission. Typically MTF2 or MTFLT4 depending on if you have the limited slip unit installed. You will need to buy 2 liters of fluid, typical fill is 1.7 to 1.9 liters depending on the transmission. There is a drain plug on the bottom of the back side and the fill is half way up on the back side of the transmission. You can pump the fluid in from the bottom or get a funnel with a clear hose and have someone pour the fluid in the funnel and you hold the hose in the transmission.