Bimmer Smooth
08-21-2014, 10:30 PM
I had changed my transmission fluid and filter on my 95' 525i about a year ago. I had filled the fluid up to the insert hole level and closed it up. I knew then that the fluid should have been heated to 180 deg., but wasn't sure how to do so at the time. I had slippage in the transmission from starting out, and in reverse gears. It seemed to no downshift fast enough when stopping, and when trying to drive right away after stopping, it would slip. And when parallel parking, it would always slip into reverse, or hesitate before engaging the reverse gear. That same hesitation would happen in first gear as well when trying to accelerate from stop.
I knew at some point I had to add more transmission fluid, but always put it off, because I thought I would have to take it to a shop, and they would screw it up. I heard many stories of that happening by other Bimmer owners who took theirs to a shop that didn't realize the fluid had to be at a specific temperature in order to fill it correctly, so I was very hesitant.
Fast forward to now....I last week decided to take on the task myself, and thought I would share this for others who need to do so who have changed their fluid and filter.
1. I jacked up the car on jack stands (all 4 corners), and ran the car to NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE, which is the temp you need to add the transmission fluid.
2. Removed the fluid insert bolt plug on side of transmission.
3. Used a hand pump to pump in fluid into trans.
4. Now the scary part.......put car in DRIVE, and as car wheels turned, added the fluid. It took an amazing 2 more quarts of fluid while in DRIVE.
5. Filled until the fluid began to pour out, then reinstalled plug, put car back in park, then shut off engine.
After this, I assumed I was done. I took the car down off the jacks and test drove, and it shifted PERFECTLY for the first time in over a year. Now I tried Reverse, and ARGH, not so great. It still did the same thing as before.
My question is, do I need to add fluid while in REVERSE gear in order to fill something in that area of transmission? I assumed that the fluid I added would take care of all the gears. Does anyone have an idea if that is true, before I jack it all up and try adding to the reverse gear?
Thanks!
I knew at some point I had to add more transmission fluid, but always put it off, because I thought I would have to take it to a shop, and they would screw it up. I heard many stories of that happening by other Bimmer owners who took theirs to a shop that didn't realize the fluid had to be at a specific temperature in order to fill it correctly, so I was very hesitant.
Fast forward to now....I last week decided to take on the task myself, and thought I would share this for others who need to do so who have changed their fluid and filter.
1. I jacked up the car on jack stands (all 4 corners), and ran the car to NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE, which is the temp you need to add the transmission fluid.
2. Removed the fluid insert bolt plug on side of transmission.
3. Used a hand pump to pump in fluid into trans.
4. Now the scary part.......put car in DRIVE, and as car wheels turned, added the fluid. It took an amazing 2 more quarts of fluid while in DRIVE.
5. Filled until the fluid began to pour out, then reinstalled plug, put car back in park, then shut off engine.
After this, I assumed I was done. I took the car down off the jacks and test drove, and it shifted PERFECTLY for the first time in over a year. Now I tried Reverse, and ARGH, not so great. It still did the same thing as before.
My question is, do I need to add fluid while in REVERSE gear in order to fill something in that area of transmission? I assumed that the fluid I added would take care of all the gears. Does anyone have an idea if that is true, before I jack it all up and try adding to the reverse gear?
Thanks!