A/T - Special Oil Requirements

Group 24
Automatic Transmission

Bulletin Number
24 03 95 (4265)

Woodcliff Lake, NJ
August1995
Product Engineering

SUBJECT:
M3 - ASS 310Z Automatic Transmission Oil Requirements

MODELS:
E36 - M3

Situation:
The operation of the A5S 310Z automatic transmission in the M3 can only be guaranteed to work properly if the new transmission fluid Esso LT 71141 is used. This oil is also designed to be used for the lifetime of the vehicle and does not need to be changed.

Esso LT 71141 is not to be used in a 530i with automatic transmission.

Action:
In the event that repairs must be made to this transmission, Esso LT 71141 is currently the only oil approved for use with the M3 automatic transmission. Mixing this oil with other grades of ATF will not guarantee the proper operation of the transmission and will lead to failure.

The part number of this mandatory transmission fluid is stamped on the cap which covers the filler plug of the oil pan.

Fluid level checking procedure:

The oil level in replacement transmissions is correct and need not be checked, nor is it necessary to check the oil level during the Quality Certification services (QC I and QC II).

In the event of a complaint, checking the oil level may be useful if there is evidence of leakage or if it is suspected that work has been undertaken on the transmission.

The following procedure should be followed when checking oil level on the A5S 310Z to ensure proper oil level:

1. The vehicle must be without load and standing on a flat, level surface. With the engine running, switch on the low beam headlights or the air conditioning. This will increase the idle speed and ensure that the transmission's oil pump supplies a sufficient volume of oil to reliably keep all oil passages filled with oil.

2. The transmission temperature must be between 20°C and 30°C before checking can begin. Use the Service Tester or the MoDiC to determine the transmission oil temperature.

3. Step on the brake firmly, apply parking brake fully and move the gear selector lever several times in succession through each gear position, pausing briefly in each gear.

4. With the engine running and the selector lever in PARK position, remove the filler plug located in the bottom of the oil pan. If a small stream of oil runs out, the fluid level is correct.

Note that some oil will always be trapped above the plug and run out when the plug is removed: this is not an indication of proper filling.

5. If no oil runs out when the filler plug is removed, the oil level may be low. Add oil until it starts to overflow.

6. With the engine running, reinstall the oil filler plug (tightening torque = 100 Nm - 73.8 lb.ft.).

SPECIAL NOTES ON OIL LEVEL CHECKING

It is preferred to begin checking with an oil temperature of 2000 and be prepared to reinstall the oil filler plug at 3000. The transmission will hold an extra 0.6 liters of oil this way versus topping off at 5000.

If the oil temperature rises above 5000 during the checking procedure, the resulting oil level will be too low.

If there is a suction sound during the fill-up procedure, air is being sucked in at the oil pick-up. This must be avoided as it will cause oil foaming resulting in a reduced oil level. If oil foaming is suspected, shut off the vehicle and repeat the fill-up procedure after waiting a few hours for the oil to settle down.

Adding oil (ATF) after repairs:

1. With the engine stopped, add oil to the transmission until it overflows.

2. Insert and tighten the filler plug, place selector lever into PARK and start the engine.

3. Remove the oil filler plug again, add oil until it overflows and reinstall the oil filler plug.

4. Check the oil level as described above.

Parts Information:
The oil required for the M3 is the same as that used in the E38. Esso LT 71141 was previously shipped to all dealers via automatic tool shipment. Additional quantities can be ordered under the following part number:

Description Part Number
Esso LT 71141 - 20 liter container 8322 9 407 807