BMW Power Steering Fluid Type | ATF | CHF 11S |
What is the recommended power steering type for my BMW? Check the list of the recommended BMW power steering fluids shown below.
- 1990+ and newer BMWs use Pentosin CHF-11S, which is readily available online. Up to 2.5 quarts are needed for a complete power steering flush. The full list of BMW vehicles that use CHF-11S can be found below.
- 1990 and older BMWs use Pentosin CHF 7.1
Don’t use off-the-shelf power steering fluid on BMW vehicles. Always verify the recommended BMW power steering fluid. See the owner’s manual.
What power steering fluid will be used on a BMW if CHF-11S is unavailable?
If CHF-11S is unavailable, using Dexron III automatic transmission fluid (ATF) is betterif the owner’s manual recommends it or if “ATF Only” words are printed on top of the power steering cap.
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Should I use CHF-11S or ATF on the BMW power steering system?
CHF-11S is preferred over ATF fluid.
Automatic Transmission Fluid can be used on BMWs as a substitute fluid. The word “ATF” can be used on the power steering fluid cap. One downside of using ATF as a substitute for the recommended BMW power steering type is that over time, ATF in the BMW power steering system can make seals brittle and eventually develop leakage.
BMW vehicles fitted with hydraulic brake boosters and rear self-leveling systems share the same reservoir as the power steering system.
BMW Power Steering Fluid Color
Remove the power steering cap to verify which fluid type is used in your BMW.
- If the color of the power steering fluid is RED, ATF fluid is present.
- If the color of the power steering fluid is GREEN, CHF-11S is present.
Mixing power steering fluids is not recommended.
Pentosin CHF-11S Uses
- MINI – uses it as P/S Fluid only
- BMW – uses it as P/S Fluid and Hydraulic System Fluid
Compatibility
| Model Year | Model | SubModel | BodyType |
| MINI Compatibility | |||
| 2002 – 2012 | Cooper | ||
| 2011 – 2012 | Cooper Countryman | ||
| BMW Compatibility | |||
| 2011 | 1 Series M | ||
| 2008 – 2012 | 128i | ||
| 2008 – 2012 | 135i | ||
| 1992 | 318i | Sedan | |
| 1993 – 1998 | 318i | ||
| 1992 – 1997 | 318is | ||
| 1995 – 1999 | 318ti | ||
| 2000 | 323Ci | ||
| 1998 – 2000 | 323i | ||
| 1998 – 1999 | 323is | ||
| 2001 – 2006 | 325Ci | ||
| 1992 – 1993 | 325i | Sedan | |
| 1994 – 1995 | 325i | ||
| 2001 – 2006 | 325i | ||
| 1992 – 1995 | 325is | ||
| 2001 – 2006 | 325xi | ||
| 2000 | 328Ci | ||
| 1996 – 2000 | 328i | ||
| 2007 – 2012 | 328i | ||
| 2009 – 2012 | 328i xDrive | ||
| 1996 – 1999 | 328is | ||
| 2007 – 2008 | 328xi | ||
| 2001 – 2006 | 330Ci | ||
| 2001 – 2006 | 330i | ||
| 2001 – 2006 | 330xi | ||
| 2009 – 2011 | 335d | ||
| 2007 – 2012 | 335i | ||
| 2009 – 2012 | 335i xDrive | ||
| 2011 – 2012 | 335is | ||
| 2007 – 2008 | 335xi | ||
| 1989 – 1995 | 525i | ||
| 2001 – 2007 | 525i | ||
| 2006 – 2007 | 525xi | ||
| 1997 – 2000 | 528i | ||
| 2008 – 2012 | 528i | ||
| 2009 – 2010 | 528i xDrive | ||
| 2012 | 528i xDrive | ||
| 2008 | 528xi | ||
| 1994 – 1995 | 530i | ||
| 2001 – 2007 | 530i | ||
| 2006 – 2007 | 530xi | ||
| 1989 – 1993 | 535i | ||
| 2008 – 2012 | 535i | ||
| 2010 – 2012 | 535i GT | ||
| 2011 – 2012 | 535i GT xDrive | ||
| 2009 – 2012 | 535i xDrive | ||
| 2008 | 535xi | ||
| 1994 – 1995 | 540i | ||
| 1997 – 2003 | 540i | ||
| 2004 – 2005 | 545i | ||
| 2006 – 2012 | 550i | ||
| 2010 – 2012 | 550i GT | ||
| 2010 – 2012 | 550i GT xDrive | ||
| 2011 – 2012 | 550i xDrive | ||
| 2012 | 640i | ||
| 2004 – 2005 | 645Ci | ||
| 2006 – 2010 | 650i | ||
| 2012 | 650i | ||
| 2012 | 650i xDrive | ||
| 1988 – 1992 | 735i | ||
| 1988 – 1992 | 735iL | ||
| 1993 – 1995 | 740i | ||
| 1997 – 2001 | 740i | ||
| 2011 – 2012 | 740i | ||
| 1993 – 2001 | 740iL | ||
| 2011 – 2012 | 740Li | ||
| 2002 – 2005 | 745i | ||
| 2002 – 2005 | 745Li | ||
| 2006 – 2012 | 750i | ||
| 2010 – 2012 | 750i xDrive | ||
| 1988 – 2001 | 750iL | ||
| 2006 – 2012 | 750Li | ||
| 2010 – 2012 | 750Li xDrive | ||
| 2004 – 2006 | 760i | ||
| 2003 – 2008 | 760Li | ||
| 2010 – 2012 | 760Li | ||
| 1994 – 1997 | 840Ci | ||
| 1993 – 1997 | 850Ci | ||
| 1995 | 850CSi | ||
| 1991 – 1992 | 850i | ||
| 2007 – 2008 | Alpina B7 | ||
| 1995 – 1999 | M3 | ||
| 2001 – 2006 | M3 | ||
| 2008 – 2012 | M3 | ||
| 1991 – 1993 | M5 | ||
| 2000 – 2003 | M5 | ||
| 2006 – 2010 | M5 | ||
| 2006 – 2010 | M6 | ||
| 2004 – 2012 | X3 | ||
| 2000 – 2012 | X5 | ||
| 2008 – 2012 | X6 | ||
| 1996 – 2002 | Z3 | ||
| 2003 – 2012 | Z4 | ||
| 2000 – 2002 | Z8 | ||
| 2003 | Z8 | Alpina |
Part Numbers
- 1987 to 9/1991 production – All BMW Models
- Pentosin CHF 7.1
- Part Number: 81 22 1 468 879
- 1990 on – All Models – Check owner manual
- Pentosin CHF 11S
- 82 11 1 468 041
Febi Bilstein makes CHF-11S fluid as well. Common part numbers for Febi are: 83290429576 / 83 29 0 429 576 Febi Bilstein / 83-29-0-429-576
We hope you find the BMW Power Steering Fluid Type guide helpful. For more help with your BMW, check these troubleshooting and repair guides.
