BMW Oil Change Guide
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Materials Required
Tools Required:
- 17MM Socket
- Ratchet
- Oil Filter Cap Removal Tool
- Oil Pan
- Funnel
- Oil Filter
- 6.5 Quarts Full Synthetic Oil
- Engine Oil Additive (recommended)
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Start w/ Cold Engine
Ensure you conduct this oil change on a cold engine. Doing this DIY on a warm engine could lead to cross-threading the oil pan bolt or burning yourself.
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Lift Vehicle
Lift vehicle off of the ground from the driver's side.
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*NOTE
Try positioning the floor jack onto the jack pad so it does not bend the side skirt (as seen above).
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Position Drain Pan
Position drain pan underneath the vehicle's oil pan. Ensure it's placed so the motor oil will flow into it and not miss.
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Loosen Oil Plug
Loosen the oil pan plug by rotating the 17MM socket and ratchet counter-clockwise (direction of the white arrow).
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Remove Oil Plug
Continue to hand-thread the oil plug out of the pan until it's completely removed and oil starts to pour out.
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*NOTE
Ensure the metal oil plug crush washer (white arrow) is fully removed from the pan. This washer can stick to the oil pan over time, appearing to be removed when it's not.
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Allow Oil To Drain
Allow all of the oil to drain from the pan. To be the most time efficient, the oil filter can be removed while the oil is draining.
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Loosen Oil Filter Cap
Loosen the oil filter cap using the oil filter cap removal tool or 27MM wrench, depending which oil filter cap you have installed.
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Remove Oil Filter
Remove the oil filter and cap from the engine by, ensuring not to drip oil throughout the engine bay.
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Remove Old Filter
Remove the old oil filter from the cap by pulling it upward, out of place.
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Remove & Replace Oil Filter Cap Gaskets
Remove and replace the two oil filter cap gaskets using a flathead screwdriver.
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Install New Oil Filter
Install new oil filter onto cap by pushing it firmly down into place.
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Lubricate Oil Filter Gaskets
To ensure a tight fit of the new oil filter, lubricate the two new gaskets by spreading a thin layer of new oil over them.
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Re-Install Oil Cap
Re-install the oil cap by pressing it down into place and twisting it clockwise until it's fully flush.
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Torque Oil Filter Cap
Torque the oil filter cap to 18 ft-lb. Do not over-tighten this cap.
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Install New Oil Plug Washer
Install the new metal washer onto the oil plug.
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Re-Install Oil Plug
Align the oil plug threads properly and hand-thread it clockwise into place until it can't be tightened anymore.
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Torque Oil Plug
Gently torque the oil plug to 18 ft-lb. Do not over-tighten this plug.
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Open Engine Oil Filler Cap
Open the engine oil filler cap by loosening it counter-clockwise.
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Insert Oil Funnel
Using a funnel is highly recommended when filling up on oil, to avoid spillage that could drip onto electronics, or create fumes.
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*Recommended
It's highly recommended to use a high-quality friction reducer such as this one. These products reduce friction and enhance the lubricating qualities of your oil, leading to a quieter, longer lasting engine.
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Add Oil Additive
Add the recommended amount of oil additive to your engine.
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Add New Oil
Add 6.5 quarts of full-synthetic oil to your engine. Since an additive was added in the prior step, we will subtract that amount from the 6.5 quarts needed.
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Example: 6.5 quarts motor oil recommended minus 0.1 quarts of additive equals 6.4 quarts needed.
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Remove Funnel
Remove the funnel, ensuring oil doesn't spill in the engine bay.
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Close Oil Filler Cap
Close the oil filler cap by wiggling it down into place, then turning clockwise until an audible click can be heard.
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Test Start Vehicle
Test start the car to ensure the engine operates properly and no leaks are present.
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Check Engine Oil Level
With the vehicle running, use the BC button to navigate to the oil menu. Allow engine to run until oil level is displayed. The meter should preferably be fully centered. If oil level is at the 'min' value, add until sufficiently filled.
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Oil Change Complete!
Good job changing your BMW's oil and filter all by yourself! Be sure to conduct an oil change every 3,000-5,000 miles and routinely keep an eye on your oil level throughout this period.