v Oil Change using Fluid Transfer Pump

[nelsonjmbf]

• I have a 2004 BMW 525i, I still have the engine that has a dipstick rather than the oil level being checked thru the idrive system. I am wondering if it is ok to use a fluid transfer pump to drain my oil rather than needing to jack up my car and go under to do it. It is not an electric pump just a lil handheld one but it is sold by walmart for this type of thing I just wanted to make sure it is ok tp use on my car before doing it? If it is safe to use does anyone know if it is better to pump the old oil out thru where the filter goes or thru the dipstick tube?

[iregj]

It's safe to use, some people even say it's better. Just make sure you remove ALL the old oil by measuring how much you pump out. Do it thru the dipstick.

[nelsonjmbf]

ok, thanks. and yea i have a new oil drain plug i want to replace just because the car is 14 years old and i am unsure when/if it was ever rreplaced, the car has very low miles and as far as i am told and can tell hasn't had very many problems, when looking in engine bay besides the normal wrenching marks that come from maintence there are no other marks visable, honestly most of the stuff looks as tho it has never been touched, i am very lucky and greatful to have gotten this car so i am trying to do everything i can to keep it in the condition i got it in if not even better, i have wanted this car for a long time, now that i have it i intend to keep it.

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one more thing, about how much oil should i pull out of the car? normal cars its 5 quarts right? i have heard something like 6.5-7.5 in a BMW, but like i said i am not very knowledgable when it comes to automotive stuff yet lol

[jtbgonesailing]

You have the m54 inline 6 in your car that takes 6.9 qts of oil with a filter change. Call it good to go with a even 7 qts of oil. Use a LL 01 BMW approved oil. WalleyMart has 5qt jugs of Castrol Euro Formula 0w40, which is LL01 approved, for $23-25 per jug. Pick up 2 and your good. Also use a good oil filter, like a Mann filter. If you are not draining the oil sump, measure how much oil you're extracting so you don't overfill, even though the m54 has a oil dipstick.

[nelsonjmbf]

in the store the guy who sold me my oil said i should run 10w-30, i ended up getting valvoline full synthetic high mileage 10-30, i am at 120k miles on my engine do u think i should go back and attempt to exchange this oil because on another posting people are saying 0w-30 or 05w-30 is what i should run? i dont know if it makes a difference but i live in the middle/northern part of california so it does get pretty hot out here in the summers but not all that cold in the winters, no snow for sure lol

[jtbgonesailing]

Here's a good read on the e60. Take the time go through it and pick up information along the way. Nice section on diy and maintenance. Will be worth the read. This document started in 2013 and has been edited many times, with over 35k downloading along the way. Someone must be getting something out of it.

After reading, make your own informed decision on oil and filters for your 525i.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Eu2...9Z5QtIlh7/view

[nelsonjmbf]

awesome thank you very much i will most definantly go through the document, and ok will do i just didnt want to run it if it was going to do any harm to my engine at all.

[jtbgonesailing]

You're welcome. Don't think the Valvoline high mileage full synthetic 10w30 would hurt the engine at all, just feel you could do better and for less money.