2001 BMW 525i ATF

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240-6
I Automatic Transmission Automatic transmission fluid (ATF)
The E39 automatic transmission is filled with either Dexron Ill
ATF or Texaco 80728, a life time oil.
CA UTIOI\C
Use only the transmission fluid that is approved for use by
BMW All other fluids will cause non warrantable transmis-
I sion damage.
Mixing different types of transmission fluids will lead to
transmission failure.
NOTE-
The type of transmission lubricant used can be found on a
stickeron the transmission pan. Dexron
111ATF (blacksticker)
reads "ATF-Oil': Special life time oil (green sticker) reads
'Life-Time Oil': If in doubt, consult an authorized
BMW dealer
for alternate fluid use and current information regarding
transmission operating fluids.
ATF level, checking
Check ATF level if there is evidence of a leak, a complaint re-
lated to fluid level or afler transmission repairs.
The automatic transmission is not equipped with a dipstick.
Checking the ATF level requires that the transmission be at
operating temperature during the checking procedure.
NOTE-
Vehicle must be level throughout tests
- Drive vehicle to warm up ATF to operating temperature.
- Connect BMW diagnostic scan tool DiSplus, MoDiC, GTI or
equivalent to determine transmission oil temperature.
ATF level checking
Fluid temperature
30' - 50°C (85' - 120" F)
- With engine running, switch on air conditioning to increase
engine idle speed.
- Apply parking brake.
- While applying foot brake firmly move gear shift selector
lever through
all gear positions, pausing in each gear briefly.

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Automatic Transmission
- Raise and safely support vehicle.
CA U JIOG
Male sure the car is stable and well supported at all times.
Use a professional automotive lift
orjack stands designed for
the purpose. A floorjack is not adequate support
4 With engine running and selector lever in PARK, remove filler
plug (arrow)
(A5S 360R transmission shown, refer to other
illustrations for location of filler and drain plugs on other
transmissions).
If a small stream of fluid runs out of the filler hole the level
is correct.
If no fluid
leaks out when plug is removed, fluid level is to
low. Add ATF fluid until it starts to overflow.
Install filler plug using a new sealing ring.
Hot ATF can scald. Wear eye protection and protective cloth-
ing andgloves during
the check. If the tmnsmission was over-
filled, hot ATF will spill from the filler hole when the
fill plug is
removed.
ATF, draining and filling
The procedure given here includes removal and installation of
the fluid strainer (filter). Refer to illustrations in Automatic
transmission fluid
pan and strainer.
Remove ATF drain plug
(1) and drain fluid into container.
WARNING-
ATFshould be warm when draining. Hot ATFcan scald. Wear
eye protection, protective clothing and gloves.
Remove transmission pan mounting bolts and remove pan.
Remove pan gasket and clean
gasket sealing surface.
- Pull ATF strainer from transmission pump housing. If strainer
sealing ring remains in pump housing remove using a seal
puller.
- Installation is reverse of removal.
Always replace seal for drain plug and all
gasket(s)
and O-rings.
Clean sump and sump
magnet(s) using a lint-free cloth.
Tighten transmission pan bolts in sequential order.
Using filler plug
(2), fill transmission with approved ATF.
Check fluid level as described earlier.

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Automatic Transmission
NOTE-
Use new ATF pan bolts purchased from BMW Alternatively,
clean old bolts and coat with
LoctiteB thread locl pound or equivalent
Automatic transmission fluid capacity
with torque converter
7.8 liters (8.3 US qt)
without torque converter
3.3 liters (3.5 US qt)
A5S 360R 1 A5S 390R
with torque converter
without torque converter 9 liters (9.5 US qt)
4 liters (4.2 US qt)
A5S 3252 (2.5 liter engine)
with torque converter
without torque converter
8.9 liters (9.4 US qt)
6.2 liters (6.5 US qt)
A5S 3252 (3.0 liter engine)
with torque converter
8.7 liters (9.3 US qt)
without torque converter
6.1 liters (6.4 US qt)
A5S 5602
with torque converter 13.1 liters (13.8 US qt)
without torque converter
5.5 liters (5.8 US qt)
A5S 4402
with torque converter
without torque converter 9.7 liters (10.2 US qt)
4.0 liters (4.2 US qt)
Tightening torques
ATF drain plug to ATF pan
A4S 310R 33 Nm (24 ft-lb)
A5S 360R I A5S 390R (M14) 20 Nm (15 It-lb)
A5S
3252 35 Nm (26 ft-lb)
A5S 560Z 50 Nm (37 ft-lb)
A5S
4402 (MI 6) 30 Nm (23 ft-lb)
ATF fill plug
to transmission housing
A4S 31 OR 25 Nm (I8 ft-lb)
A5S 360R 1 A5S 390R (M14) 20 Nm (1 5 ft-lb)
A5S 3252 30 Nm (23 ft-ib)
A5S 5602 100 Nm (74 ft-lb)
A5S 4402 (M18) 35 Nm (26 ft-lb)
ATF pan to transmission (M6)
A4S 310R
A5S
360R 1 A5S 390R
A5S 3252
A5S
5602
A5S 4402
12 Nm (9 ft-lb)
10 Nm (7 ft-ib)
6 Nm (4 ft-lb)
10 Nm (7 ft-lb)
10 Nm (7 ft-lb)

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240-9
Automatic Transmission
Automatic transmission
fluid pan and strainer
1. ATF strainer
2. ATF strainer seal
3. Pan gasket
4. Sump magnet
5. ATFpan
6. Filler plug
7. Drain plug

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Automatic ~ransmissionl
II I
4 Install engine support across engine bay. Raise and safely
support vehicle.
Make sure the car is stable and
we1 supported at all times.
Use a professional automotive lift
orjaclc stands designed for
CAUTIOI\C
Removal of transmission will cause engine to tip unless en-
gine support is used.
- Remove splash shields from underside of vehicle.
- &cylinder models: Detach front stabilizer bar from stabilizer
bar
links. Swivel stabilizer bar upward.
- Drain ATF from transmission as described earlier.
- Remove exhaust system and exhaust heat shield. See 180
Exhaust System.
- Disconnect driveshaft from transmission and hang to one
side. See
260 Driveshaft.
4 With selector lever in park:
Hold
linkage clamping bolt (A) stationary when loosening
selector lever cable clamping nut
(6).
- Loosen cable clamping nut and remove cable from bracket
(ASS
3252 transmission shown).
- Where applicable, disconnect vehicle speed sensor harness
connector.
4 Disconnect main electrical harness connector(s) from trans-
mission by turning bayonet lock
ring(s) (arrows) counter-
clocltwise.
A4S
310R transmission: Harness connector at right rear of
transmission.
ASS
360R / ASS 390R transmission: Harness connector
(arrow) at right rear of transmission.
ASS 3252 transmission: Two connectors (arrows) on left
side of transmission.
ASS 5602 transmission: Harness connector at right rear of
transmission.
- ASS 4402 transmission: Harness connector at top left rear
of transmission.
- Remove wiring harness from transmission housing

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240-1 3
Automatic ~ransmissionl
- Blow out oil cooler lines with low-pressure compressed air
and flush cooler with clean ATF twice before reattaching lines
to transmission.
CA UTIOG
Wear safety glasses when worling with compressed air:
@ Do not reuse ATF used for flushing.
- Remainder of installation is reverse of removal, noting the fol-
lowing:
Reinstall driveshafl using new nuts.
Install new sealing washers on transmission cooling line
banjo bolts.
Install new O-rings on transmission cooler lines, where
applicable.
Inspect engine drive plate (flywheel) for cracks or elongat-
ed holes. Replace
if necessary.
Be sure bellhousing alignment dowel sleeves are located
correctly. Replace damaged sleeves.
Checlc to be sure torque converter is seated correctly in
transmission during final installation.
Use
BMW special tool 24 2 300 to align three mounting
tabs on torque converter with indentations on drive plate
(flywheel).
Fill transmission with clean ATF until oil level is even with
fill hole. Then check fluid level as described earlier.
Adjust gearshift mechanism. See
250 Gearshift Linkage.
NOTE-
In order to avoid difficulties in transmission removal at a fu-
ture time, use washers with Torx-head mounting bolts.

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. .
l~utomatic Transmission
Tightening torques
ATF drain plug to ATF pan
A4S 310R 25 Nm (I8 ft-lb)
A5S 360R I A5S
390R (M14) 18 Nm (14 ft-lb)
A5S 3252 35 Nm (26 ft-lb)
A5S 5602 50 Nm (37 ft-lb)
A5S 4402 (M
16) 30 Nm (23 ft-lb)
ATF fill plug
to transmission housing
A4S 310R 33 Nm (24 ft-lb)
A5S 360R I A5S 390R (M14) 18 Nm (14 ft-lb)
A5S
3252 30 Nm (23 ft-lb)
A5S 5602 100 Nm (74 ft-lb)
A5S
4402 (M18) 35 Nm (26 ft-lb)
Flex-disc to transmission output flange
MI0 (8.8 grade) 48 Nm (35 it-lb)
MI 0 (1 0.9 grade) 60 Nm (44 R-lb)
MI2 (8.8 grade) 81 Nm (60 ft-lb)
MI 2 (1 0.9 grade) 100 Nm (74 ft-lb)
MI4 140 Nm (103 it-lb)
Torque converter to drive plate 45 Nm (33 ft-lb)
(flywheel)
(MIO)
Transmission crossmember to chassis or transmission
M8 21 Nm (15 ft-lb)
MI0 42 Nm (32 it-lb)
Transmission cooler lines to transmission
Banjo bolt
(M18. A5S 4402 transmission)
Banio bolt
(M16)
25 Nm (18 ft-lb)
37 Nm (27 ft-lb) . . Banjo bolt cap screw
(M18, A5S 4402 transmission) 20 Nm (15 it-lb
Compression fitting
(MI4 or M16) 37 Nm (27 ft-lb)
Oil cooler
bracket to transmission
(M8) 21 Nm (15 ft-lb)
Transmission to engine
21 Nm (15 ft-lb)
42 Nm (31 ft-lb)
72 Nm (53 ft-lb)

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[~us~ension, Steering and Brakes - General
This section of the manual covers front and rear suspension,
braking and steering systems, and contains wheel, tire and
wheel alignment information and specifications. Also covered
here are the integrated braking and suspension systems in-
cluding
antilock braking (ABS), traction control (ASCIDSC),
and electronic height control (EHC).
Vehicle ride height information is at the end of this repair
group. Alignment information is in
320 Steering and Wheel
Alignment.
Aluminum suspension components
In order to reduce vehicle weight, aluminum suspension com-
ponents are used in some models. A test with a magnet will
easily reveal the metal used. If working with aluminum com-
ponents, be sure to read and follow the cautions below.
CAUTION-
* Due to the chemical and corrosion characteristics of alumi-
num, do not bring into contact with battery acid.
Do not use wire brushes with brass or iron bristles.
Only use brushes with stainless steel bristles.
Do not expose to flying sparks from
grinding/cutting op-
erations.
Do not subject to steel welding splashes.
Do not expose to temperatures over
80°C (176"F),
even for short periods. Temperatures in painting facili-
ties are not a problem.
The E39 front suspension subframe is used as a rigid mount-
ing platform for the front suspension arms, stabilizer bar and
steering gear.
The suspension arms, known as the lower control arms and
the tension struts (thrust arms), are connected to the
sub-
frame through rubber bushings. The arms are connected to
the steering
knucltles in a double pivot configuration.
Each front strut assembly includes a tubular strut and a coil
spring. The upper strut mount includes a bearing. The lower
end of each strut housing is fitted to the steering knuckle. The
integral wheel bearing and hub are bolted to the steering
Iknucltle.
6-cylinder and V-8 models use different steering systems and
other front suspension components.