Questions and Answers

BMW 528i Transmission Fluid And Filter Q. I am working on a 1997 BMW 528i and the manual states that this car has a maintenance free transmission. There is no dipstick for the transmission and I was wanting to know if a filter and fluid change was out of the question. the car has over 100,000 miles on it.

A. The transmission is not really sealed. It is possible to do a transmission fluid and filter change. All you need do is drop the transmission pan. There may or may not be a drain plug on the pan.

Once the pan is down, there are three bolts holding the transmission filter in place. Remove the bolts and the transmission filter will come out. Be careful, some more transmission fluid will drain out.

When the new transmission filter is in and the transmission pan is in place and properly tightened, start the engine, remove the fill plug on the side of the transmission pan and fill it until it starts to come out. When it does install the drain plug, apply the brake and run through all the driving gears. Check the fluid level and top off or let drain as needed.

I would recommend going to a BMW Dealer and getting the transmission fluid. BMW uses a special fluid in their transmissions.

If you have the GM Turbo-Hydramatic transmission, the procedure is basically the same with a few minor differences.