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  #1  
Old 09-27-2010, 02:59 AM
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Change Transmission Fluid and Filter on X5 3.0i

Hi All,

I just replaced the transmission fluid and the filter on my 2001 BMW X5 3.0i which has 122K miles and never had ATF replaced. I’ve always hesitate to do it because BMW said it’s a “Lifetime Fluid”. But after seeing some people have done it, so I wanted to do my. The process it’s not too bad. I bought all my fluids and parts from www.pelicanparts.com . Make sure you use the SAME fluid said on the green label at the bottom of the transmission pan.

What you need:

6 Quarts of FUCHS Titan ATF 6000 SE ATF (P/N: 83 22 2 163 514)
1 Transmission filter kit (P/N: 24 11 7 557 069)
Oil manual pump to put the fresh ATF into the pan (see one of the pictures)
17mm socket (open the fill plug)
8mm Hex socket (open the drain plug)
Floor jack and Jack stands ( I used 2X6 studs)

If you only doing drain and fill, then you don’t need to remove the pan. For me at 122K miles, I went ahead replaced the filter kit also. Remember, you will only replace about 50% of the total ATF since the other 50% are up in the torque converter but that’s better than nothing.

First, you need to raise your SAV up. For me being small person 5’7”, 150lbs, I just needed 2-3 inch raise to work comfortably. I used two pieces of 2X6 studs (one about 24 inches and other 12inches), nailed them together with the short piece being on top flush on one end. The uneven end will act as a “ramp” for my SAV drive up onto and that gave me a total of 3 inches off the ground. You will need a total of 8 pieces of 2X6 to build for all four wheels. I found this is much SAFER for me going under the SAV than using the jacks. And a lot cheaper than have to purchase a floor jack and jack stands. Remember to pull your emergency brakes.

Make sure you’re able to loosing the fill plug first before drain the oil. The fill plug located on the Driver side just above the pan on the right. There is NO crush-washers on either one of them. There is NO hot exhaust pipe to worry about getting burn like the X5 4.4l. (See photo below)

Drain the oil first. The best time to drain is let the vehicle sit for hours or overnight for fluid settle down in the pan so you get most fluid drain. The drain plug uses TORX wrench (see below)

Now remove all 22 bolts around the bottom of the transmission pan. Be careful some fluids are still in the pan.

After the pan removed, pull down the filter using both hands. The filter holds in place by the O-rings and the base of the pan itself. There is no bolt or nuts holding the filter in place like some other vehicles. You will see there are “2 O-rings” attached to the nozzle. Make sure BOTH O-rings are removed with the old filter. Sometime one might stuck up inside. In that case, use the screwdriver to pry it out. And installing a new filter, make sure BOTH new O-rings are installed in the same manner. The new filter should come with 2 new O-rings. (See below photo). The purpose of O-rings is to provide tight seal to pump ATF fluid up into the torque convertor to lubricate the transmission gears. If not tight, gears may slipped.

Align the new filter in the same position as the old filter you had removed and PUSH up into the transmission.

Clean out the pan with degreaser to remove metal shaves accumulated at the bottom of the pan.

Install new pan gasket and lineup the pan. Hand snug each bolt until all 22 bolts on in place before torque them with the socket wrench.

Refilling new Transmission Fluids

I used the Sta-bil Quart manual pump (cost is $8.00) with clear hose to refill the ATF. With the engine shut off, put about 4 quarts of ATF (until a little bit start dribbling down the filler hole).

Hand tighten the filler plug and start the engine, once it reaches the operating temp shift through the gears slowly about 10 time or so. Make sure you have the emergency brake and brakes on while shifting since the car is still on the jacks or 2X6 studs like I do.

Now put the car in neutral with the engine running, loosen the filler plug and continue fill about another quart in until ATF start dribbling out the filler hole. Tighten the filler plug and torque it to 36lbft.

You are DONE!! It should takes approximately 5 ¼ quarts total. So buy 6 quarts should be plenty.

Good Luck!

More Related Resources:

http://blog.bavauto.com/bmw-tech-tips/bmw-automatic-transmission-fluid-filter-change-high-mileage

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e53-forum/35886-ok-i-did-transmission-fluid-flush-my-02-4-4i.html
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  #2  
Old 09-27-2010, 04:22 AM
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Great first post and DIY, welcome to the forum.
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Old 09-27-2010, 04:08 PM
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Wholy Shiii !!! I just found out my first Trans Fluid DIY was WRONG!

I unscrewed another bolt which is the wrong one according to the post, and filled the fluid in. And my X is still running!! for 10K miles already......
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Old 09-27-2010, 11:21 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMC530i View Post
Great first post and DIY, welcome to the forum.
Yeah, nice first post. Welcome to the club.
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  #5  
Old 09-29-2010, 07:56 AM
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Thanks for the great post! Did you notice any improvement in quality of your shifting?
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  #6  
Old 09-29-2010, 09:24 AM
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The first 100 miles didn't seems like much difference, but as the more I drive it, I've noticed a quicker shiftings led me to believe that the old fluid is blended w/ the new fluid and lubricating the entire system.

Before with the old fluid seemed like gear 1-3 were slow to react. Now it drives better and I feel better about with new fluid and filter replaced....kinda give me peace of mind.

Last edited by championscooter; 09-29-2010 at 09:31 AM.
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  #7  
Old 09-29-2010, 09:28 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LeiZ View Post
Wholy Shiii !!! I just found out my first Trans Fluid DIY was WRONG!

I unscrewed another bolt which is the wrong one according to the post, and filled the fluid in. And my X is still running!! for 10K miles already......


Do you have the X5 4.4? Because the filler plug for this model located on the opposite side (passenger side) and next to the exhaust pipe. You probably did it correctly.
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  #8  
Old 03-28-2013, 01:15 PM
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Me too.

Quote:
Originally Posted by LeiZ View Post
Wholy Shiii !!! I just found out my first Trans Fluid DIY was WRONG!

I unscrewed another bolt which is the wrong one according to the post, and filled the fluid in. And my X is still running!! for 10K miles already......
The bolt was on the same side as the 17mm filler bolt, but higher and toward the front of the tranny case. It's a 5mm inner hex bolt. I looked for a5s-390r tranny diagrams but found no info on this bolt. When I removed it, there was a slow and continuous drip of presumably tranny fluid. After I realized my mistake, I replaced this and filled through the correct filler port.

Test drove and so far so good. Anyone know what that smaller bolt goes to?

Thanks.
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  #9  
Old 03-28-2013, 04:34 PM
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There’s a pressure test plug close to the filler/level plug (for the diesels).



Maybe that was it?

Phil

Last edited by RRPhil; 03-28-2013 at 05:53 PM.
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  #10  
Old 03-28-2013, 04:46 PM
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Thumbs up That's the one.

Hey thanks Phil. That's the one exactly. So sounds like unscrewing and screwing this bolt won't be an issue.

I couldn't quite get the car totally level. Had to jack the back up and deflate the front tires (haha). Took about 4.8L of Dexton VI.

Only drove it for 13 miles or so but I'm already feeling a better engagement and crisper shifts.

Cheers,
Chewy
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