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Car Forum / BMW Cars / February 2006Question: How to check ATF level
This is usually a simple thing and ive been able to check this on every other car ive owned. I have a 1999 528i now and im trying to check the ATF level to make sure that its at the proper fill. I cannot locate where to check this level at, that seems to be no Dipstick within view other then the Oil stick. How do you check this on this car?  SignatureThank you, ~~~ Branden Nelsen > This is usually a simple thing and ive been able to check this on every > other car ive owned. I have a 1999 528i now and im trying to check the ATF > level to make sure that its at the proper fill. > > I cannot locate where to check this level at, that seems to be no Dipstick > within view other then the Oil stick. How do you check this on this car? You are correct. There is no dipstick or easy means to check the level. That's because BMW has deemed this to be a "lifetime" fill item. There is a method to fill and check the level of the automatic transmission, but it involves having the car running and elevated on a lift. Signature-Fred W > This is usually a simple thing and ive been able to check this on > every other car ive owned. I have a 1999 528i now and im trying to [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Dipstick within view other then the Oil stick. How do you check this > on this car? If there are no visible oil leaks under the car you can safely assume the oil is still inside the transmisson. If there is a substantial leak then it needs repairing. Huw Trans fluid temp between 30 and 50 degrees C. Headlights on. Shift from Park, to Drive, back to Park or Neutral. Remove fill plug on side of trans pan. If fluid dribbles out, you're done. If no fluid comes out, fill until it does, using the correct fluid. 99 528i might take Dexron III ATF, but more likely takes the Texaco fluid, at about $12/litre. Brett Anderson www.bmw-stuff.com > This is usually a simple thing and ive been able to check this on every > other car ive owned. I have a 1999 528i now and im trying to check the ATF > level to make sure that its at the proper fill. > > I cannot locate where to check this level at, that seems to be no Dipstick > within view other then the Oil stick. How do you check this on this car? the above is all well and good, but the car has to be level to do this - so unless you're a particularly small chap or have a full on scissor lift, you won't be able to get under teh car - whilst it's still level - to undo and check anything. > the above is all well and good, but the car has to be level to do this > - so unless you're a particularly small chap or have a full on scissor > lift, you won't be able to get under teh car - whilst it's still level > - to undo and check anything. Well, it's possible to drive the car up on ramps and then jack up the back end up to be level (use jack stands of course!!). This would need to be done *after* the fluid has already been brought up to temperature and then you would have to exercise the transmission shifter (P-R-N-D-N-R-P) with the parking brake on after jacking. Signature-Fred W > Trans fluid temp between 30 and 50 degrees C. > [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > Brett Anderson > www.bmw-stuff.com Yep, the only trick to Brett's procedure above is getting to the fill plug on the side of the transmission with the car still level and the engine running. Now if you happen to be a professional mechanic and have a rack/lift like Brett you're all set. But for the home garage DIY guys like us it's a bit trickier... Signature-Fred W > Trans fluid temp between 30 and 50 degrees C. > Headlights on. > Shift from Park, to Drive, back to Park or Neutral. > Remove fill plug on side of trans pan. > If fluid dribbles out, you're done. If no fluid comes out, fill until it > does, using the correct fluid. It must be obvious to one not so thick as me, but why headlights on? Signature*The modem is the message * Dave Plowman dave@davenoise.co.uk London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. > It must be obvious to one not so thick as me, but why headlights on? Engine computer bumps the idle by 50 - 100 rpm when the lights are on. Brett Anderson KMS |
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