22.08.2021

BMW E39 what kind of oil for automatic transmission. Changing the oil in an automatic transmission (automatic transmission) on a BMW E39. Preparing the car for an oil change

The BMW E39 is a middle-class car, available in sedan and station wagon body styles. Production of the premium model began in 1995, and in 1999 assembly was organized at Russian plant"Avtotor" in Kaliningrad. In 2000, the E39 family underwent modernization. The engine range of the car consisted of gasoline engines volumes of 2.0, 2.2, 2.5, 2.8 and 3.0 liters (from 150 to 230 hp), as well as 8-cylinder engines with a volume of 3.5 and 4.4 liters (235-286 hp). Diesel 4-cylinder engines of 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 liters had power from 115 to 193 hp. With. By the end of 2004, the total production volume of E39 was 1 million 470 thousand units.

Automatic transmission oil change schedule

According to the recommendations of experienced motorists and specialists, the frequency of oil changes in the BMW E39 automatic transmission is 60-100 thousand km. Below are examples of the most negative climatic factors and driver errors, in which the oil in the automatic transmission wears out at an accelerated rate. It becomes unusable ahead of schedule, so the oil will have to be changed twice as often as specified.

The driver suddenly exceeds the speed, actively accelerates and brakes unnecessarily
The machine is regularly used off-road, where there is a lot of sand, snow, gravel or stones (regardless of the type of surface), and is also exposed to negative impact ambient temperature
The gearbox is constantly overloaded and overheats due to frequent shifts, for example, in urban environments where there are a lot of traffic light jams
The machine is subjected to overload (towing loads or maximum speed).

Signs of untimely oil change in automatic transmission

Slipping when changing gears, which also occurs when driving uphill
A drop in oil pressure in the line to a critical level, which indicates a lack of oil in the automatic transmission, damage to the dump valve oil pump or the presence of wear products in the solenoids and valve body
The car is unable to move even with a working automatic transmission.

Original – Mobil LT71411
Alternative – Castrol, Shell, Mobil

How much oil is needed for a BMW E39 automatic transmission

Year of manufacture – 1995-2004

Automatic transmission oil with 2.0 150 l engine. With. gasoline – 7 l
Automatic transmission oil with 2.5 170 l engine. With. gasoline – 7 l
Automatic transmission oil with 2.8 193 l engine. With. gasoline – 7 l
Automatic transmission oil with 3.5 235 l engine. With. gasoline – 7 l
Automatic transmission oil with 4.8 286 hp engine. With. gasoline – 7 l
Automatic transmission oil with 2.5 163 l engine. With. diesel – 7 l
Automatic transmission oil with 2.9 184 l engine. With. diesel – 7 l
Automatic transmission oil with 2.9 193 l engine. With. diesel – 7 l

Hello, today we will look at the process of changing the oil in an automatic transmission with BMW car E39. Automatic transmission requires special attention and the oil in it must be changed on time. Some argue that when using an automatic transmission under normal conditions, the oil needs to be changed after 100,000 km, but this is not true. The oil may become dark after 30,000 km, so change the oil every 30-50 thousand km depending on your driving style. In general, it is better to regularly check the oil level in the box and its color. Also, when changing the oil in the box, you need to change the oil filter, because if the oil filter becomes unusable and is not changed in time, the box will slowly begin to “die.” Before you get ready to change the oil in the box, you should purchase: new oil for the box, a crankcase cover gasket, an oil filter for the box, a new washer for the drain and filler bolts.

First, we drive the car into a pit or lift it on a lift, remove the engine protection, if any. Now unscrew the drain plug on the box and drain the used oil into a previously prepared container. Now unscrew the bolts along the contour of the box pan cover and remove it, be careful there is a little oil on the pan.

Now you need to unscrew the filter; it is held on by 3 bolts.

The filter also contains oil, so remove it carefully. Now we install a new filter with new bolts. There is a magnet on the lid of the tray that collects metal shavings; it needs to be cleaned well. We install the pan cover in place with a new gasket, tighten the drain bolt with a new washer and unscrew the filler bolt. Now we pour new oil through the filler hole with a syringe until it starts to flow out, after that we screw the plug into place, start the car for a few seconds and pour more oil into the box, again until it flows, now we screw the filler plug with a new washer - you're done.

Changing the lubricant in the box is one of the inevitable procedures maintenance car. With all this, it is possible to carry out the function without the help of others, without the help of professionals. This also applies to the BMW E39: it’s not difficult to change the oil in the automatic transmission with your own hands. However, it is worth considering that to change you will need a certain set of tools.

A correct oil change in an automatic transmission on a BMW E39 is impossible without selecting the appropriate lubricant. And here you need to understand: automatic transmissions are very demanding on the composition of the lubricant. The introduction of an unsuitable product will lead to breakdown of the automatic transmission and premature repair. Because it is recommended to fill in the box BMW E39 original BMW oil. This is a liquid with BMW ATF D2 marking, Dextron II D specification, article number 81229400272.

Original oil BMW ATF Detron II D

You definitely need to understand the article number - the markings may vary slightly, but the article numbers do not change. The proposed oil is used by the BMW concern when filling into the automatic transmission of the fifth series, to which the E39 belongs. The introduction of other options is permissible only when a unique lubricant is unattainable. You need to select a suitable liquid based on official approvals. Total available four tolerances: ZF TE-ML 11, ZF TE-ML 11A, ZF TE-ML 11B and LT 71141. And the purchased lubricant must correspond to at least one of them. Among the analogues, we can recommend the following:

Ravenol with article number 1213102.
SWAG with article number 99908971.
Mobil LT71141.

We still need to understand - automatic transmission oil is also used in power steering. Therefore, it is recommended to change fluids at the same time, purchasing lubricant in a volume sufficient for both units. But there is a problem - the manufacturer often does not show the required amount of oil for a full change. Because lubricating fluid for the BMW E39 you have to take it with a supply, from 20 liters.

Change the automatic transmission oil? or not! and how to change it CORRECTLY?

Now you need to find the drain plug. Its position is indicated in the service book, which is recommended to be kept nearby at all times. You need to find the drain plug from below, on the crankcase pan. The plug is unscrewed and the liquid is combined into a container prepared in advance. Then the plug is screwed back. But this is not yet a complete draining of the oil from the Automatic transmission on the BMW E39 - you still need to remove the pan and change the filter. The process looks like this:

Carefully unscrew the bolts around the perimeter of the pallet. The pan is removed to the side, but keep in mind that there is still used oil left in it.
After removing the pan from the parts, the remaining oil will begin to drain into the gearbox. Here again you will need a container for used lubricant.
Use a Torx screwdriver to remove the oil filter. It is impossible to clean it; it definitely needs to be replaced. You should take the spare part according to the advice from the service book. One of the options recommended by drivers is oil filters VAICO offices.

But it’s worth considering that if you slow down at this step, only 40-50% of the used lubricant will be removed from the system.

The second step involves active washing of the automatic transmission (with the engine running) and cleaning of the pan. You should start by removing used oil and iron filings from the pan. It is not difficult to find the shavings - they stick to the magnets and look like a dark, black-brown paste. In advanced cases, iron “hedgehogs” form on magnets. They need to be removed, the used oil should be poured out, and the pan should be thoroughly washed. A number of experienced drivers advise washing the pan with gasoline. But this is not the best idea. 100 employees believe that special cleaning products should be used.

It is necessary to carefully wash both the pan and the bolts of oil. Then the insulating silicone gasket is removed and replaced with a new one. More The gasket must be treated with silicone sealant! Now the pallet is installed in place and painstakingly secured. Then you need to unscrew the filler plug and fill the automatic transmission with oil. It is most convenient to use a syringe for these purposes. The box must be filled to the bottom edge of the filler hole. Then the plug is screwed into place.

Next you need find the heat exchanger. From the outside, it looks like a block like a radiator, with 2 pipes located side by side. A clear description can be found in the vehicle's service book. In the same document you need to find the direction of oil movement through the heat exchanger. Hot lubricant enters the heat exchanger through one of the pipes. And the second serves to remove cooled water. This is exactly what is needed for the upcoming flushing. The process looks like this:

The oil supply hose is removed from the pipe. It must be carefully removed to the side without damaging it.
Then another hose of a suitable size is put on the pipe. Its second end is directed into an empty container to drain used oil.
The assistant is given a signal to start the engine. The gear shift lever must be placed in the neutral position. After 1-2 seconds, dirty oil will come out of the hose. More than 2-3 liters should flow out. The flow weakens - the engine turns off. It is important to keep in mind: The automatic transmission should not operate in oil starvation mode! In a similar mode, wear increases, parts overheat, which, in turn, will lead to early repairs.
Unscrews filler plug and The automatic transmission is filled with oil approximately to the level of the lower edge of the filler hole. The plug is screwed in.
The procedure is repeated with starting the engine and cleaning through the heat exchanger. This should be repeated until relatively clean oil flows out. It’s worth keeping in mind that lubricant is purchased with the expectation of similar cleaning of the box. But it is not recommended to get too carried away with washing, otherwise there will be no lubricant left to fill the box.
The final step is to install the heat exchanger hoses in place.

Subtleties and nuances of changing oil in automatic transmission BMW E39

If we talk about changing the oil by draining the old one and filling in the new one, then this is called a partial change. The full one is done on a special stand and also includes washing the box. It is carried out by passing several portions of oil through the unit until it is completely clarified, which takes from 15 to 20 liters. So if you haven’t changed the oil for a long time or your car is used with a lot of mileage, and the oil in the automatic transmission has never been changed, you will have to fork out for a complete replacement.
It is extremely important to know the brand of old oil, since it and the volume to be filled vary greatly depending on the year of manufacture of the car and the engine number (with different motors different automatic transmissions were aggregated). Information on this can be found on the Internet.
IN total 2-5 liters may be required. oil, since it needs to be filled in as much as the old one is drained. The volume of old oil is determined by the position of the torque converter, which is impossible to guess.

Tools and materials

New oil, container for old oil and oil filter;
Gasket for the pallet (you can use the old one, thoroughly coating it with autosealant on both sides, but it is better to purchase a new one);
VD-40;
4 staples (2 pieces each angular and straight). They may not be needed if you carefully unscrew the pan;
2 screwdrivers or keys for small and large hexagons;
10mm wrench;
A special syringe for filling oil into the box.

How to change the oil in an automatic transmission BMW E39

To get started, you will need a number of preparations. First, find yourself an assistant. Then, find a room with a car lift (a pit will not work, rear wheels should rotate freely). And finally, it is necessary that the room be warm, otherwise the thickened oil will not drain well.

1) Raise the car on a lift and unscrew the drain plug using a small hex wrench.

2) Place the container and wait for the oil to drain.

3) Using a 10mm wrench, carefully unscrew the pan. If the bolts are soured, use VD-40.

4) The insides of the gearbox are visible.

5) Wash the tray using gasoline and a brush.

7) Using a large hex wrench, unscrew the filler plug.

8) Be careful not to damage it with a screwdriver, otherwise you will have to tinker a lot with unscrewing it.

9) Install a new oil filter and pan gasket.

10) Install the pan and tighten the drain plug.

11) Arm yourself with a special syringe.

12) And add oil until it flows back.

13) Screw on the filler plug, but do not overtighten.

14) Ask an assistant to start the engine.

15) Unscrew the plug. Don't worry, the oil won't leak because the torque converter has already drawn it in during operation.

16) Add oil until it comes back.

17) Again, do not tighten the plug completely.

18) Now the assistant must switch the automatic transmission to all modes in turn.

19) After this, the box must be switched to Drive (D) and the car must be “accelerated” to 140 -160 km/h. Control the process of switching steps; there should be no jerks or jolts.

20) Have an assistant move the selector to the N position (P will also work).

21) Add oil again as much as it will fit.

22) Then tighten the plug completely, turn off the engine and remove the car from the lift.

As you can see, the process of changing the oil in a BMW E39 automatic transmission is not too complicated; the main difficulties lie in the area of preparation, since a garage with a car lift is not easy to find.

If you did everything correctly, the automatic transmission will faithfully serve you for its entire service life until the next replacement. That's all, good luck on the roads!

Changing the lubricant in the gearbox is one of the mandatory vehicle maintenance procedures. In this case, it is possible to carry out the procedure independently, without the help of specialists. This also applies to the BMW E39: here it is easy to change the automatic transmission oil with your own hands. However, it is worth considering that replacement will require a certain set of tools.

Which oil is better to choose for an automatic transmission on a BMW E39?

Correctly changing the automatic transmission oil on a BMW E39 is impossible without selecting a suitable lubricant. And here it is necessary to remember: automatic transmissions are extremely demanding on the composition of the lubricant. Using the wrong product will lead to automatic transmission breakdown and premature repair. That's why it is recommended to fill into BMW E39 gearbox original BMW oil . This is a liquid with BMW ATF D2 marking, Dextron II D specification, article number 81229400272.

Original BMW ATF Detron II D oil

Be sure to remember the article number - the markings may vary slightly, but the article numbers do not change. The proposed oil is used by the BMW concern when filling automatic transmissions of the fifth series, to which the E39 belongs. The use of other options is only permissible when the original lubricant is not available. You must select a suitable liquid based on official approvals. Total available four tolerances: ZF TE-ML 11, ZF TE-ML 11A, ZF TE-ML 11B and LT 71141. And the purchased lubricant must correspond to at least one of them. Among the analogues we can recommend the following:

Ravenol with article number 1213102.
SWAG with article number 99908971.
Mobil LT71141.

You also need to remember - Automatic transmission oil is also used in power steering. Therefore, it is recommended to carry out simultaneous replacement of fluids, purchasing lubricant in a volume sufficient for both units. But there is a problem - the manufacturer often does not indicate the required amount of oil for complete replacement. Therefore, lubricant for the BMW E39 has to be purchased with a reserve of 20 liters or more.

When should you change the automatic transmission oil on a BMW E39?

On the issue of the frequency of automatic transmission oil changes in the BMW E39, there are several opinions that do not coincide with each other. The first opinion is from the car manufacturer. Representatives of the BMW concern say: automatic transmission lubrication is designed for the entire service life of the gearbox. No replacement is required, the lubricant does not deteriorate regardless of the driving mode. The second opinion is the opinion of many experienced drivers. Car owners claim that the first replacement should be carried out after 100 thousand km. And all subsequent ones - every 60-70 thousand kilometers. Car mechanics periodically support one side or the other.

But how do you know whose opinion is correct here? As always, the truth lies approximately in the middle. Manufacturer of rights - changing automatic transmission oil in BMW E39 not mandatory procedure. But this is true only if two conditions are met. The first condition is that the car will only drive when good roads. And the second condition is that the driver agrees to change the gearbox every 200 thousand kilometers. In this case, you don’t have to change the lubricant.

But it’s worth considering - the BMW E39 was produced from 1995 to 2003. And at the moment there is practically no car of this series with a mileage of less than 200 thousand km. This means that the oil must be changed without fail. And these are the ones available here recommendations for changing fluid:

Lubricant is added every 60-70 thousand kilometers. It is recommended to additionally check the automatic transmission for leaks. It is also worth paying attention to the color of the oil and its consistency.
Oil is purchased with a reserve. It will be needed to replace and flush the gearbox. The required volume depends on the specific automatic transmission model. The general recommendation is to fill the lubricant to the bottom edge of the filler hole. During the filling process, the car must stand on a flat surface, without tilting.
Do not mix different brands of liquids. During operation they react. And this leads to very unpleasant consequences.
Not worth carrying out partial replacement oils IN such a case the bulk of dirt and shavings remain in the box, which subsequently complicates the operation of the unit.

Replacement process

The procedure for changing automatic transmission oil begins with purchasing fluid and preparing tools. Everything has already been said above about the choice of lubricant. The only addition is that you need to buy extra oil: a certain amount will be used for flushing. The amount of fluid required for cleaning depends on the degree of contamination of the gearbox. The color of the purchased lubricant does not matter. Do not mix oils of different shades, but there are no such restrictions for a complete replacement.

List of necessary parts and tools for changing the oil in a BMW E39 automatic transmission:

Lift. The machine is fixed in a horizontal position. In this case, it is necessary to keep the wheels in a free, suspended state. Therefore, a pit or overpass will not work - you will need a lift. In certain cases, you can use a set of jacks. But they will be required to hold the car tightly in order to avoid unpleasant consequences.
Hex wrench. Required for drain plug. The size varies depending on the automatic transmission model and must be selected manually. A number of experienced drivers recommend using an adjustable wrench to unscrew the plug. But it should be used with caution so as not to deform the part.
A 10mm spanner or open-end wrench for unscrewing the crankcase protection. But it is recommended to prepare both keys for 8 and 12: the size of the bolt heads is sometimes different.
Torx screwdriver, 27mm. Needed to remove the oil filter.
New oil filter. When changing the oil, it is worth checking the condition of this spare part. In most cases it requires replacement. Strictly recommended purchase original spare parts BMW, or high-quality analogues available in the region.
Silicone transmission pan gasket. It is not recommended to purchase a rubber gasket - it often leaks.
Silicone sealant. Required for installing a new gasket after cleaning the automatic transmission pan.
A socket wrench (or ratchet wrench) for unscrewing the bolts holding the pan. The size of the bolts varies depending on the transmission model.
WD-40 product. Used to remove dirt and rust from bolts. Without WD-40, it is difficult to remove the crankcase protection and automatic transmission pan (the bolts stick and cannot be unscrewed).
A syringe or funnel and hose for filling in new oil. The recommended diameter is up to 8 millimeters.
A clean cloth for wiping the tray and magnets.
A hose that fits onto the heat exchanger pipe.
Transmission pan box cleaner (optional).
Container for draining used lubricant.
USB K+DCAN cable and laptop with BMW Standard Tools installed. It is better to look for a cable in the following format: K+DCAN USB Interface (INPA Compatible).

It is also recommended to find an assistant. Its main task is to start and stop the engine in time. By the way, there is one important point regarding washing. Some drivers recommend using gasoline or diesel fuel to clean the pan. This should not be done: such liquids react with oil. As a result, sediment appears, the lubricant becomes clogged, and the service life of the automatic transmission is reduced.

The last thing to remember is safety rules:

Do not allow liquids to come into contact with eyes, mouth, nose or ears. You should also work carefully with hot oil, as it can leave very unpleasant burns.
It is necessary to choose suitable, loose clothing for work. It’s worth remembering that your clothes will definitely get dirty. There is no need to take something that you would hate to ruin.
The machine must be well secured to the lift. Any negligence in this matter may result in serious injury.
Tools and parts should be handled with care and precision. Spilled oil can cause a fracture, sprain, or other injury. The same applies to a wrench thrown under your feet.

First stage

First stage - waste oil drain from the box itself. First, the crankcase protection is removed. It is recommended to wash it and treat the bolts with WD-40 to remove rust and scale. By the way, you should unscrew them carefully so as not to damage the silumin brackets. The plastic tray is also removable. Next, the lower part of the gearbox is cleaned. It is necessary to remove dirt and rust, as well as clean all bolts and plugs. This is where WD-40 comes in handy again.

Automatic transmission BMW E39 with pan removed

Now we need to find the drain plug. Its location is indicated in the service book, which is recommended to be kept nearby at all times. You need to look for the drain plug from below, on the transmission housing pan. The plug is unscrewed and the liquid is drained into a previously prepared container. The plug is then screwed back on. But this is not yet a complete draining of the oil from the automatic transmission on the BMW E39 - you still need to remove the pan and replace the filter. The process looks like this:

Carefully unscrew the bolts around the perimeter of the pallet. The pan is removed to the side, but it is worth remembering that there is still used oil left in it.
After removing the pan from the parts, the remaining oil will begin to drain into the automatic transmission. Here again you will need a container for used lubricant.
Use a Torx screwdriver to remove the oil filter. It is impossible to clean it; replacement is required. You should buy a spare part according to the recommendations from the service book. One of the options recommended by drivers is VAICO oil filters.

But it’s worth considering that if you stop at this stage, only 40-50% of the used lubricant will be removed from the system.

Second stage

At the second stage, the automatic transmission is actively washed (with the engine running) and the pan is cleaned. You should start by removing used oil and metal shavings from the pan. It is not difficult to find the shavings - they stick to the magnets and look like a dark, black-brown paste. In advanced cases, metal “hedgehogs” form on the magnets. They must be removed, the used oil must be poured out, and the pan must be thoroughly rinsed. A number of experienced drivers recommend washing the pan with gasoline. But it's not best idea. Service station workers believe that special cleaning products should be used.

It is necessary to thoroughly rinse both the pan and the bolts from oil. Then the insulating silicone gasket is removed and replaced with a new one. More The gasket must be treated with silicone sealant! Now the pallet is installed in place and carefully secured. After this, you need to unscrew the filler plug and fill the automatic transmission with oil. It is most convenient to use a syringe for these purposes. The gearbox must be filled to the bottom edge of the filler hole. The plug is then screwed into place.

Next you need find a heat exchanger. Externally, it looks like a block like a radiator, with two pipes located side by side. The exact description is in the car's service book. In the same document you need to find the direction of oil movement through the heat exchanger. Hot lubricant enters the heat exchanger through one of the pipes. And the second serves to remove cooled liquid. This is what is needed for further washing. The process looks like this:

The oil supply hose is removed from the pipe. It must be carefully removed to the side without damaging it.
Then another hose of a suitable size is put on the pipe. Its second end is directed into an empty container to drain used oil.
The assistant is given a signal to start the engine. The gear shift lever must be in the neutral position. After 1-2 seconds, dirty oil will come out of the hose. At least 2-3 liters should flow out. The flow weakens - the engine turns off. Important to remember: The automatic transmission should not operate in oil starvation mode! In this mode, wear increases, parts overheat, which, in turn, will lead to premature repairs.
The filler plug is unscrewed and the automatic transmission is filled with oil approximately to the level of the lower edge of the filler hole. The plug is screwed in.
The procedure is repeated with starting the engine and cleaning through the heat exchanger. Repeat until relatively clean oil flows out. It is worth remembering that lubricant is purchased with the expectation of cleaning the gearbox in this way. But it is not recommended to get too carried away with flushing, otherwise there will be no lubricant left to fill the gearbox.
The last step is to install the heat exchanger hoses in place.

BMW E39 heat exchanger with hose for draining used lubricant

Now all that remains is to fill the automatic transmission with oil and understand the automatic transmission settings.

Third stage

The oil filling procedure has already been described above. It looks like this: the filler hole opens, the automatic transmission is filled with lubricant, and the hole closes. Fill to the bottom edge. It is worth noting: the color of the liquid does not matter. The correct oil for replacement may be green, red or yellow. This does not affect the quality of the composition.

But it is too early to start the engine and check the operation of the gearbox. Now need to configure BMW E39 electronics accordingly if the gearbox is adaptive. It is worth noting that some drivers believe that the setting will be unnecessary. But it’s better to do it anyway. The process looks like this:

The program is installed on the laptop BMW Standard Tools. Version 2.12 will do. If necessary, you can install it on a computer, but it is unlikely that the car owner will have a home PC in the garage.
The laptop is connected to the OBD2 diagnostic connector located in the cabin. The program is required to detect the presence of an automatic transmission by default.
Now you need to find the adaptation reset in the program. Here the sequence is as follows:
- Find BMW 5 series. The name changes depending on the localization. We need a group of fifth series cars - the BMW E39 belongs to them.
- Next you need to find the actual E39.
- Now the item is selected Transmission— transmission.
- Next - Automatic transmission, gearbox. Or just automatic transmission, it all depends on the version of the program.
- Last points: Adaptations, and then - Erase adaptations. There may be several options here: erase adaptations, reset settings, reset adaptations. The point is that the previous settings are reset.

What is this for? Spent, drained oil has a different consistency from new fluid. But the automatic transmission is configured to work with old fluid. And therefore it is necessary to reset old settings. After this, the gearbox will be configured to work with the oil used.

Last stage: running the gearbox in each mode. The car has not yet been removed from the lift. You need to start the engine and drive the car for half a minute in each mode available for the automatic transmission. This will allow the oil to pass through the entire circuit. The system will also complete the setup, adapting to the new lubricant. It is strictly recommended to warm the oil to 60-65 degrees Celsius. Then the automatic transmission is switched to neutral (the engine does not turn off!), and lubricant is again added to the box. The principle is the same - fill to the bottom edge of the filler hole. Now the plug is screwed into place, the engine is turned off and the car is removed from the lift.

Overall, the process is complete. But there are a number of recommendations related to changing the oil. Immediately after replacement, it is advisable to drive at least 50 km in a soft, running-in mode. It is worth remembering: harsh operating conditions can provoke an emergency stop. Moreover, there is a chance that the emergency program will have to be reset at the official service center. The last recommendation: you should check the condition of the oil every year, in addition to changing the fluid every 60-70 thousand kilometers.

Knowledge Base

1 0 0

If you find an error, please select a piece of text and press Ctrl+Enter.