E60 Discussion Anything and everything to do with the E60 5 Series. All are welcome!

Check transmission fluid level

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-13-2009, 11:04 AM
  #1  
Senior Members
Thread Starter
 
AlexFW's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Italy, Milano
Posts: 4,096
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 545i SMG with Limited Slip Differential
Model Year: 2005
Default

Hi members!

I visited a new dealer and asked to check the oil level.

Answer? EUR 90+ 20% VAT.

L O L ==> this is the first and last BMW, I'm tired of these pigs.

Especially considering they show "EUR 60 per hour" at the service, so cannot understand how check the level could take 90 minutes, but doesn't matter.

I know on the expansion tank there are two marks, min and max.

How can I have access to that little tank? Should the mechanic remove any plastic part?

Any PDF, TIS etc.?



Thanks!
Old 07-13-2009, 11:10 PM
  #2  
Senior Members
Thread Starter
 
AlexFW's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Italy, Milano
Posts: 4,096
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 545i SMG with Limited Slip Differential
Model Year: 2005
Default

Up Up
Old 07-14-2009, 05:16 AM
  #3  
Senior Members
 
pukka's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 1,845
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
My Ride: 2008 535i: (8/07 Build) Metallic Bronze, Beige NASCA Leather, Ventilated Seats, Sport Pkg, Cold Wxr Pkg, Logic-7 Sound, HUD, Night Vision, PDC, Split Rear Seats, NAV, Premium Pkg, Comfort Access, HD Radio, Sport Auto Trans Current mods: M-Aero Kit, JB4, Motorcepts 6000k HID Foglamps Umnitza ICE-Lite 10w LED 6000k AE's 1992 Camaro RS: Fully Restored w/Custom Interior, 5.0L V8, T-tops, OEM Z28 Foglamps, Inst Cluster, & Spoiler, Custom Sound, Too many engine mods to list
Default

Originally Posted by AlexFW' post='941019' date='Jul 13 2009, 03:04 PM
Hi members!

I visited a new dealer and asked to check the oil level.

Answer? EUR 90+ 20% VAT.

L O L ==> this is the first and last BMW, I'm tired of these pigs.

Especially considering they show "EUR 60 per hour" at the service, so cannot understand how check the level could take 90 minutes, but doesn't matter.

I know on the expansion tank there are two marks, min and max.

How can I have access to that little tank? Should the mechanic remove any plastic part?

Any PDF, TIS etc.?



Thanks!
I never heard of an expansion tank for motor oil - only coolant. As for checking the oil level you have two options:

1-trust the iDrive (BMW recommended)
2-drain the oil and measure it manually (which will still not tell you where you are between low and high)
Old 07-14-2009, 05:16 AM
  #4  
Senior Members
Thread Starter
 
AlexFW's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Italy, Milano
Posts: 4,096
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 545i SMG with Limited Slip Differential
Model Year: 2005
Default

Sorry, forgot to mention: I was talking about the SMG
Old 07-14-2009, 05:22 AM
  #5  
Senior Members
 
pukka's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 1,845
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
My Ride: 2008 535i: (8/07 Build) Metallic Bronze, Beige NASCA Leather, Ventilated Seats, Sport Pkg, Cold Wxr Pkg, Logic-7 Sound, HUD, Night Vision, PDC, Split Rear Seats, NAV, Premium Pkg, Comfort Access, HD Radio, Sport Auto Trans Current mods: M-Aero Kit, JB4, Motorcepts 6000k HID Foglamps Umnitza ICE-Lite 10w LED 6000k AE's 1992 Camaro RS: Fully Restored w/Custom Interior, 5.0L V8, T-tops, OEM Z28 Foglamps, Inst Cluster, & Spoiler, Custom Sound, Too many engine mods to list
Default

Yeah - I just re-read your post an realized it was about the tranny.

If no dipstick then you most likely need to get under the car and find the bolt hole on the tranny where the fluid gets poured into. There may be a level indicator on it. The old skool method is to stick your finger inside, if you can touch the fluid then the level is good. Otherwise just pour fluid in until it starts to come back out of the hole.

Hope this helps.
Old 07-14-2009, 05:52 AM
  #6  
Super Moderator
 
Rudy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Pittsburgh, PA USA
Posts: 17,310
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
My Ride: G30 M550i
Model Year: 2018
Default

If you're looking to check the gear oil, then I don't think there's an expansion tank. The attached .pdf shows how to drain it or top it off directly on the transmission case. Keep in mind that the SMG gearbox is the same as the manual gearbox...

RA__Draining_topping_up_gear_oil_in_manual_transmission.pdf
Old 07-14-2009, 07:53 AM
  #7  
Senior Members
Thread Starter
 
AlexFW's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Italy, Milano
Posts: 4,096
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 545i SMG with Limited Slip Differential
Model Year: 2005
Default

Originally Posted by Rudy' post='941710' date='Jul 14 2009, 03:52 PM
If you're looking to check the gear oil, then I don't think there's an expansion tank. The attached .pdf shows how to drain it or top it off directly on the transmission case. Keep in mind that the SMG gearbox is the same as the manual gearbox...

Attachment 84185

Rudy...

a) http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?mo...hg=23&fg=15

b) from 58pp PDF on SMG, page 3 :


? Expansion tank
The expansion tank makes sure that there is always sufficient hydraulic fluid available in the system.
The expansion tank has maximum and minimum marks for checking the oil level.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
BLACK_PRINCE54915
E60 Discussion
21
05-05-2015 12:39 PM
Steve J
E60 Discussion
2
04-17-2015 08:10 PM
BLACK_PRINCE54915
E60 Discussion
16
04-12-2015 04:36 AM
BYS2
E60 Discussion
3
04-08-2015 06:16 PM
ranger530i
E60 Discussion
3
03-18-2015 03:52 PM



Quick Reply: Check transmission fluid level



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 12:26 AM.