N62 automatic transmission fluid change questions

[haigha]

Hello! It's been a while since I've posted!

My 04 4.4 has just over 40k miles on it (garage queen!). It'll be 16 years old in October. There is a leak from the sleeve with the electronic wires. I need to drop the pan to replace the sleeve. As part of that procedure I will need to change the ATF.

I've read a number of useful threads here, including all 259 posts currently in this one:

https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...hange-diy.html

I've also watched several videos, this two-parter being the most informative, though not specifically for the N62:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZbA-OqoPJQ

1. This diagram of the bottom of the pan shows the 17mm hex bit fill plug and 5mm hex bit drain plug on the bottom of the pan:

http://www.thectsc.com/images/pdf/6h...fluidlevel.pdf

a. How is it that the fill plug is on the bottom of the pan? There is also an 8mm hex bit plug on side of the pan, on the passenger's side, which I would think would be used to fill the transmission. Is that the one to fill until it starts overflowing?

b. Can the 17mm hex bit plug be used to drain the ATF more quickly than the 5mm one?


2. The instructions linked to above say, in part: Step on the brakes firmly, apply parking brake fully and shift to D and R, briefly pausing in each position before shifting back to the Park position.

a. How long is briefly? Two seconds? Five seconds?

b. Is there any advantage to letting the wheels spin after shifting into gear, or could this damage the transmission or another component?


3. The ECS tuning kit I bought comes with the 5mm and 17mm hex bit plugs.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...rsrc=bvadomain

a. Shouldn't the 8mm hex bit plug mentioned above be replaced too?

b. There are two thick magnetic washers in the kit. I haven't seen any video mention them. They're in the second picture in the horizontal image gallery below the main picture in the link above. Any idea what they are for?


Sorry if I missed any answers to the above questions on the site. I did search and do a lot of reading.

Thanks!