BMW e46 Automatic Transmission Fluid and Filter Change.wmv

How to change the Automatic Transmission Fluid and Filter in a BMW 330i equipped with a GM Automatic Transmission 5L40E which is the AS5-390R. This is the same procedure for all GM based Automatic Transmissions found in the 3 series, Z3, and Z4.

Make sure you have a T40, and T45 Torx socket, 10mm socket, razor, screw driver, plenty of rags, at least four jack stands, and two jacks, safety glasses and Nitrile Gloves, plus a case of ATF Dexron VI.

The Mobil Dexron VI (or other synthetic blend) will replace Texaco ETL 8072B as the ATF.

I performed a two part change to ensure most of the fluid was exchanged. First part was just a drain and fill without pan removal, this exchanged about 4 quarts. Drove the car 100 miles and then did a full drain and filter change (this video) and that exchanged about 6 quarts. This will ensure that 80-90% of the fluid is exchanged.

Post change the manual 5 speed shifting (especially downshifts) were much faster. All Automatic shifts under power were as good or better than before. Fortunately magnet on the bottom of the pan did not have much even after almost 100k miles on the original fluid.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• BMW
• 325i
• 330i
• AS5-390R
• 5L40E
• GM Strasbourg
• Auto Transmission
• Mobil
• Dexron VI
• Filter
• How to
• Fluid
• Dan Tsuchiya
• Sir Fixa Lot
• eBay
• AutoHaus AZ
• 3 Series

[dantsuchiya]

Don't over tighten them and they normally don't loosen by themselves, the factory is pretty good about tightening them. If you want to tighten them, don't use much more force than 5-7 ft lbs which is like grabbing a 3/8 inch drive at the pivot point and torquing it with only wrist torque.

If you have a leak, it may be that your pan could be slightly warped in a location from over-tightening and what I would recommend is replace the gasket and apply some RTV sealant on both sides and assemble.

[dantsuchiya]

It's no more than 7 ft lbs for the 20 little bolts because there is a rubber gasket on the inside of the metal so that seals it up pretty well. I just did an estimation by holding the ratchet at the pivot axis and turning it like it was a T-handle. I went around once at less than 5 ft lbs and then just cinched them up to spec the second round. I've driven it 250 miles and no leaks

[TheHungryArtist]

When you tighten the 20 screws, how tight you did it? I think mines are loose and what to tight them but I don't want to over do them

[MREVIL1127]

will this work on auto xi models?

[Keflynn63]

What were the torque specs of the 20 bolts?