what kind of transmission oil i need for my 325i 2005

Dec 18, 2005 8 Replies

i need to find what kind of transmission oil i need and where i can get it,if anyone can help me? thanks


You shouldn't need any.

Auto or manual?

Manual should get a drain and fill of a good quality synthetic every 30K miles. BMW uses D4 ATF but a lot of BMW techs recommend a slightly heavier lubricant. Redline ATF or MTL would be a good choice. Do the Diff and the PS too.

BMW recommends an auto drain and fill at 100K. That's too late to do much good. I think you need to use their particular version of snake oil for the auto trans ... it's VERY expensive. The Diff and PS should be done at 30K.

R / John

This link should help.

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Oil filter housing is the larger black-topped cylinder at the front of the engine. It has a 36mm hex "nut" molded into it and requires a 36mm wrench or socket to remove. The filter is held in place on the cap and slides easily off for replacement. Replace the big "O" ring on the cap, the filter, and screw the cap back on (not much torque, but more than finger tight ... you'll need a wrench.) The cylinder to its right (looking from the front to rear of engine) is the PS reservoir ... cap is removed by hand.

Oil drain is on the passenger side of the engine sump pan. Oil fill is that square cap on the ribbed (ignition) engine cover (has "BMW" in silver and several silver ribs molded in) it even has an oil can symbol molded into the cap to keep it simple. The 325 should take 6.9 quarts to reach the fill mark on the dipstick.

To fill the trans, you need to remove the fill plug (same wrench as the drain ... 15, 17 mm? Can't remember) on the passenger side of the trans. Fill until it runs out of the fill hole (about 1.point something quarts) with synthetic D4 ATF or (better in my opinion) Redline MTL.

Good luck, John

No, that's differential oil. All wrong for the BMW trans. If you can find that, you should be able to find some synthetic ATF.

R / John

The fill point for the transmission (which is what you are referring to correct?) is a bolt much like the one you loosened when you drained it. Just up higher on the transmission.

A suggestion - since you have to leave for a trip.. call the BMW roadside assistance - have the car flat-bedded to your friendly local dealer, then call a cab to take you where you have to go.

There are some people who should not turn a wrench.

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