Transmission Fluid Change DIY

[TiminIndy]

I doubt it has ever been done. I have all mx records from 2nd owner (2010-2015) and nothing about it there and nothing in the CarFax report about it. He bought it CPO, so everything was done under the BMW warranty until Nov 2012. Unless the pan comes off to replace the AT Oil Cooler thermostat. This was replaced in Sept 2014 when they replaced the coolant expansion tank and auxiliary fan assembly, but I'm guessing no or they would have added that on this invoice:

[MPDano]

Did we have a picture where the 17mm allen fill plug is exactly located? Drop the Belly pan?

My wifes 2004 3.0 is slipping when cold. Actually been doing this for years. We just let it warm up and coast downhill until you can hear it engage.

Dex IV if I remember way back in this thread.

[bpathare]

My 2004 3.0 has 17mm normal (not allen) fill plug located on the driver side back corner just above where the pan meets the housing. The drain plug removal needs a Torx (like a star) drive bit T50 or T55 (I'm not sure). The fluid is Dextron VI BMW part 83222163514. 6 liters for dropping pan & fill. 4 liters if only drain & fill. This is for my 2004 3.0. Mostly same but doesn't mean exactly same for another 2004 3.0. Check it all out under the vehicle before you start. See this thread link. It has pics for 2001 3.0. My drain & fill plugs are like in these pics.
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...r-x5-3-0i.html

[MPDano]

Verified my numbers were different than yours but probably equivalent. Drain Plug is Torx T45 and the Fill Plug is a 17mm wrench. Went to Pelican and ordered my Oil (5+1 litre) and filter kit w/new bolts and a pump. They have never done me wrong. $125 shipped

Automatic Transmission Fluid (5 Liter)
Brand: Febi Bilstein Note: Equivalent to: Dexron VI, Texaco ETL-8072B. (2004 BMW X5 3.0i Sport Utility)
Part #: 83-22-0-397-114-M36

[MPDano]

Just did mine today. All the 10mm bolts were easy except for one. I ended up filling with about 7.5 quarts before it started to spill out the fill hole. Definitely more than I drained out. Torqued bolts to about 7 pounds, had to estimate as my Torque wrench numbers start at 10. I just dialed it down a few.

The big test is tomorrow am when it is cold.

[admranger]

Originally Posted by MPDano

Just did mine today. All the 10mm bolts were easy except for one. I ended up filling with about 7.5 quarts before it started to spill out the fill hole. Definitely more than I drained out. Torqued bolts to about 7 pounds, had to estimate as my Torque wrench numbers start at 10. I just dialed it down a few.

The big test is tomorrow am when it is cold.

Buy an inch-pound torque wrench. Your torque wrench isn't that accurate at the lower or higher range. It can be off by 20-30%.

[rvaughnp]

Had to post....

Performed the fluid change/flush 04'X5 135,000 miles.
Fluid was black and thin, didn't smell burnt, but 135k...
1st, drained. Filled back up and ran through gears. Drained.
Repeated.
Filled back up using Dexron VI. I have the GM 5L40-E trans.
Took the truck for a spin and man what a difference.
Used to be sluggish on occasion at take offs. Would rev up then catch when trying to passion highway. All that is gone. Drove around town and on freeway for about half an hour. My wife will be taking it to work tomorrow and give feedback through out the week.
I don't expect negative news as today was total difference to the positive.
Just wanted to give feedback for those worried about changing at high milage. Going forward, I plan on changing every 50k.

[semcoinc]

A couple years ago at 82k miles I changed my ATF to AMSOIL Signature Series ATF and changed the filter.

I did an initial fill and then changed the fluid 4X running about 20 miles between each drain and fill. Each drain and fill took about 4 qts. In this way, I got the entire system flushed with good fluid, minimizing or eliminating the old fluid residual rolling around in the converter and other places. A total fill is listed as 10.2 qts, so despite my perhaps overkill, I'm certain that I got to an all new fluid.


AMSOIL Signature Series Multi-Vehicle Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid

At 96K miles now with no complaints with a recent 1200 mile 4,000# trailer pull under my belt.



Mike

[oldskewel]

Originally Posted by rvaughnp

Had to post....

Performed the fluid change/flush 04'X5 135,000 miles.
Fluid was black and thin, didn't smell burnt, but 135k...
1st, drained. Filled back up and ran through gears. Drained.
Repeated.
Filled back up using Dexron VI. I have the GM 5L40-E trans.
Took the truck for a spin and man what a difference.
Used to be sluggish on occasion at take offs. Would rev up then catch when trying to passion highway. All that is gone. Drove around town and on freeway for about half an hour. My wife will be taking it to work tomorrow and give feedback through out the week.
I don't expect negative news as today was total difference to the positive.
Just wanted to give feedback for those worried about changing at high milage. Going forward, I plan on changing every 50k.

My '01 had a similar dramatic improvement in feel after I did its first change ever at ~168k miles, soon after buying it.
I followed up with two more D+F's over the following year, trying to not shock things and release debris too quickly. But then, I had more miles than you've got on yours.

[Clockwork]

Originally Posted by hayaku

here's another tip:

you may want to remove the drain plug first. while the oil is draining from there, you can remove the fill plug to allow air into the pan to help the oil drain instead of creating a vacuum and holding it up. that way there won't be so much oil spilling out from the fill plug.

You NEVER remove drain plug first!!! What happens if you can nor remove your fill plug then? You are SOL!!


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