DIY: ATF change GM A5S-390R

Originally Posted by sammy2303

Is there anyway to tell what auto-transmission type I have on my '04 325xi without
reading attempting to read the pan label? Also, do you really have to drop the front axle on
the xi to get to the ATF fill plug?

After removing the pan on my 2003 xi I found a fill plug on the R/H passenger side of the tranny. It was at the same level as the L/H side fill plug. This is what I used when I refilled my tranny 30,000 mile ago and no worries.

122K. Did a fluid/filter change yesterday with Dex VI. The fill plug decided to create problems this time and did not want to break loose without a fight. I broke two 8 mm box end wrenches trying to use them with the T45 socket. Finally went to Grainger and $4 later came home with a L-shape T45 tool. Worked like a charm! Will do another change soon. Stay tuned.

Update: Did another drain and fill about 150 miles later. Monitored the ATF temperature with INPA. Without dropping the pan the work is done much faster.

my first post here. thank you very much to member starless for showing a great diy.

Prepared 15L of dexron, 2 filter and 2 gasket

did mine today. a little different than others, which is a E46 318ci with GM 4 speed gearbox (fill plug location is different than 5spd model).

124k miles (203,000km), never been changed any fluid(orginal 8072 ATF). Drain & drop the pan with filter replaced. No reverse problems occured before. Drained 4L out from drain plug, drop the filter another 1L came out. Drained fluid was very brownished, no burnt smell. , oil pan magnetic with some amount of metalic sluge as photo showed by other members around bmw community, replace with fresh dexron.

Refill procedure as same as the 5spd model, refill almost 4L, with engine running bring up the temperate and monitored by inpa, add another 1L, job finished.

Did a test drive after, i can feel it has acclerated better, upshift, downshift had improved than before.

planning to drive for some 200miles, then drain and refill.

Will do a 2nd drain and 3rd drain will drop the pan again, replace with second new filter.


Played with a strong magnetic against the sludge on oil pan before clean with brake cleaner, see the sluge on video on below link:


* sorry guys, my english is not good, i'm from asia.

will report again for the next 2 drain.

How many quarts or liters did some of you guys ran through until it started turning bright red?

Sent from my SCH-R760 using Bimmer App

Originally Posted by bimmer765

How many quarts or liters did some of you guys ran through until it started turning bright red?

Sent from my SCH-R760 using Bimmer App

You do 2 drain and fills. You'll be able to drain around 6 quarts with the filter change the first time and around 4 quarts without the filter and without dropping the pan the second time. After the 2nd time you'll have mostly new atf in the gearbox.

I'm going to go ahead and resurrect this thread only to continue the infinite talk about "what ATF fluid to use"

I have a green sticker (GM) tranny and the texaco fill P/N which has obviously been superseded by DEX-VI.... I have looked for the OEM stuff and I just can't find it anywhere whatsoever so I think I will be choosing DEX-VI

I just hope it's the right decision lol

How much should I be paying a good BMW shop to do this ? I wouldn't be to brave to do this kind of job by myself.

With 124k on my car and no ATF changes I should probably do this asap.
I just hope I don't have the elusive and hard to find fluid.

I haven't gotten under the car for the purpose of looking at a sticker to find out.
Plus I'll have to buy another pair of jack stands..

Edit:
According to the Bently manual I have the "GM A5S 360R" AT.
Do I still need to look at the plate to see what kind of fluid they used in it?
Or is a certain type of fluid standard for this model?

what area and part of the transmition that will cause of leaks?

Originally Posted by danfey

what area and part of the transmition that will cause of leaks?

generally, for AT transmission:
Output shaft seal, and gear selector seal.

following note, on last drain.

1st drain. drop pan, new filter refill with unknown brand d3.
(oil was pumped from barrel, brought from local transmission servicing)

drove 200km. significant improvement.

2nd drain, drain and refill with United Oil D3 (now, oil brand mixing)
(brought from same servicing garage, manufactured in singapore)
drove 6000km already.

ready to drop pan, change new filter and refill with same United Oil D3.

i might probably do a fourth drain and fill with valvoline DEX/MERC ATF. or MaxLife DEX/MERC ATF (maxlife just a bit worry about those extra additives)

still running good. thanks for the diy info. ~

i have 2000 bmw 328ci AT and there is a oil leak in the middle of engine and trans. and can you give me an idea what is the prob and how can i fix that..tnx!

hi guys! can i used Lucas trans stop leak? i have some leak in the middle of engine and trans ?tnx!