20 February 2016

How to Change Engine Oil on a BMW 3 Series E90






Tutorial for replacing engine oil & filter on BMW 3 Series E9X (06-12) with N51, N52, N54, N55 engines.

Tools:
Parts:  
Recommended:  
Steps:
  • If engine is cool, start your car for 5-10 minutes to warm oil. If engine is hot, wait around 30 minutes to prevent being burned.  
  • Lift BMW with a jack and jack stands or drive onto ramps. 
    • Driving onto ramps is preferable if equipped with sports suspension and/or aerodynamic package due to low clearance.
    • Jack one side and place jack stand or a ramp. Repeat on other side if  front bumper will be damaged driving up ramp or low profile jack cannot access the front jacking point. 
  • Open hood and remove oil filter using Assenmacher Oil Filter Housing Wrench.
    • The oil filter cap is shown below and the oil filter wrench goes on top. Place a 21 mm socket where the red circle is and loosen filter cap. 
    • Place rags or shop towels around the oil filter to minimize spills when pulling out filter. 

  • Locate oil drain plug access door. Door is located behind the front jacking point on RWD models and behind the transfer case beef up plate as shown below. Use a flat head screw drive and turn screw counter-clockwise to unlock shown in red circle below.
  • Place an oil drain pan beneath door.
  • Use a 17 mm socket and remove oil drain plug. Around 7 quarts (6.5 liters) of oil will drain out. 
    • Drain plug is highlighted in red below. 
    • I suggest wearing gloves to protect your hands.
  • Remove and replace oil filter and two rubber O-rings while oil is draining. 
    • Remove old filter from cap by pulling.
    • I use a scribe to remove the old O-rings. Be careful not to damage the oil filter cap, especially the threads.
    • Install new oil filter and two O-rings. Refer to the picture below from the Bentley BMW 3 Series Service Manual.
      • Coat sealing O-rings with new oil
      • Place large O-ring in correct location. Do not place in gap between cover and threads, place it in the correct gap below.
  • Install new filter into oil filter housing and torque to 18 ft-lbs.
  • Remove and replace copper washer on drain plug.
  • Reinstall drain plug using 17 mm socket and torque to 18 ft-lbs. Do not over tighten. 
  • Close access door and lock with screwdriver.
  • Remove drain pan and lower BMW. 
  • Remove oil fill cap and refill crankcase with 7 Quarts (6.5 liters) of oil.
    • I pour 1 quart of oil into oil filter housing and 6 quarts into the engine. 
    • Oil fill cap may be round or square depending on year and engine. N55 is pictured below.
  • Reinstall oil fill cap and start engine. Check for any oil leaks and confirm the oil warning light is not on or goes out. 
  • Check oil level in iDrive or the information center on the dash. Two conditions must be met to show oil level:
    • Oil must reach normal operating temperatures 
    • Start engine and idle or drive around for at least 6 minutes
Notes:
  • Dear BMW, bring back the oil dipstick.
  • Wipe away old oil in the oil filter housing after removing the filter.
  • Many enthusiasts like Mobil 1, Castrol Edge European formula, or Shell PurePlus 0w-40 synthetic oils. As long as BMW's oil requirements are met you will be fine. Please refer to the owner's manual. 
  • I recommend using wheel chocks for safety. 
  • Picture below has useful information from Bentley's BMW 3 Series Service Manual   
  • To reset CBS go to CBS explained



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