North American Motoring

Mini Cooper 2001-2013: How to Change Transmission Fluid in the 6 Speed Manual

The oil in the 6 speed Getrag manual transmission of your Mini Cooper doesn't degrade anywhere near as fast as your engine oil, but if you want smooth shifts, you should change it occasionally.

By Jeffrey Smith - June 29, 2016

This article applies to the Mini Cooper (2001-2013).

The first generation MIni Cooper S used a 6 speed manual from Getrag, as did all of the manual equipped second generation cars. Over time that oil will loose some of its lubricating properties, and also get full of microscopic metal and other particles. If you have notice a degradation in the smoothness and speed of your shifts, it may be time to replace the transmission oil. Mini suggests the oil is good for the lifetime of the car, but what they really mean is that it will work for the lifetime of the warranty without being changed. If you plan on keeping your car, you ought to change it by the time the odometer turns over 50k miles. Many aggressive performance drivers, who like the ability to shift as quickly as possible, suggest it should be changed every 30k miles, and they suggest Redline 75W90 GL4 gear oil. Read on and we'll show you how to change it.

Mini Cooper 2001-2013: How to Change Transmission Fluid in the 6 Speed Manual

Materials Needed

  • Ratchet with 8mm Allen head socket
  • Torque wrench
  • Transmission fluid fill pump
  • Drain pan
  • 2 quarts of transmission oil

Step 1 – Lift your Cooper and set on jack stands

Although you'll be working under the front end, you'll want to get all four wheels up and have the car level, so you can get the correct amount of fluid back in the car. Jack the car up and place the four jack stands under solid areas, like the factory spare tire jacking points.

  • Always use the factory jacking points to lift your car safely
    Figure 1. Always use the factory jacking points to lift your car safely.
  • Get all four wheels up on jack stands and make sure your Cooper is level
    Figure 2. Get all four wheels up on jack stands and make sure your Cooper is level.

Step 2 – Remove plug and drain fluid

When you look under your Mini Cooper, and follow the axle back to the transmission case, you'll see both the drain and fill plugs, which are 8mm Allen head. Remove the upper fill plug first, to insure you can refill the transmission after draining it, as well as to allow air in to help facilitate draining. Place the drain pan under the drain plug and remove the drain plug to let the fluid drain completely into your pan.

Use an 8mm Allen socket and remove the fill plug first, then the drain plug
Figure 3. Use an 8mm Allen socket and remove the fill plug first, then the drain plug.

Pro Tip

Gear oil is very foul smelling, so avoid getting it on your clothes or in your nose. It is also slippery, so be sure to clean up any spilled ASAP to prevent falls.

Step 3 – Inspect the spent fluid

The Getrag transmission in these cars does have a small magnet inside the transmission to collect metallic particle, but it does not have a magnetic drain plug. You can get magnetic plugs from many aftermarket sources, and this is a great time to add that extra bit of protection. To get an idea of the health of your transmission, you can run a magnet through the old oil in the drain pan and see how much metal it picks up. If you find any chunks, you should plan on having an expert look deeper into the transmission in the near future. If the magnet comes out a little hair, covered with tiny particles, that is normal.

A normal amount of particles for a transmission with 50k miles on it
Figure 4. A normal amount of particles for a transmission with 50k miles on it.

Step 4 – Add new fluid

Once the old fluid has completely drained, it is time to fill it with new fluid. There is a crush washer on the plugs, which you may want to replace with a new one, especially on the drain plug. All Mini Coopers with the 6 speed manual take about two quarts, but some may take a little bit less. Just fill until fluid starts to drip out of the fill hole.

  • Replace the drain plug and torque it to about 30 ft-lbs (50 Nm).
  • Insert the pump hose into the transmission fill hole.
  • Slowly pump the contents of the first quart into the transmission, careful not to spill it.
  • Start pumping the second quart, but stop when the fluid starts weeping out of the fill hole; about 3/4 of the bottle.
  • Once the transmission is full, replace the fill plug and torque it to 22 ft-lbs (30Nm), or 32 ft-lbs (43Nm) for the Cooper S.
  • Fluid pump screwed into quart of oil
    Figure 5. Fluid pump screwed into quart of oil.
  • Insert hose in fill hole, and fill with fluid
    Figure 6. Insert hose in fill hole and fill with fluid.

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