Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
2003 BMW X5 44iFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE
Quick Lookups: Fluids
| FLUID CAPACITIES | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fluid Type | Application | Standard | Metric | Fluid Spec | Note | S/H | |
| Air Cond Compressor Oil | N/A | N/A | PAG 46 | See Underhood Decal. | S | ||
| Air Cond Refrigerant | 0.98 LBS. | 0.44 KG | R-134a | S | |||
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | N/A | N/A | ESSO LT 71 141 | Fill to bottom of filler plug hole. Lifetime fluid. | S | ||
| Brake Fluid | N/A | N/A | DOT 4 ESL (Extended System Life) Brake Fluid | S | |||
| Differential Gear Oil | N/A | N/A | Lifetime fluid, no fluid change required. BMW Synthetic Final Drive Oil. | S | |||
| Engine Coolant | 4.4L Eng | 13.03 QTS. | 12.33 L | Ethylene Glycol long-term Antifreeze | Having corrosion inhibitors that are compatible with aluminum radiators. | S | |
| Engine Oil | 4.4L Eng | w/Filter | 8.50 QTS. | 8.04 L | SAE 5W-40 and SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Oil | S | |
| Fuel Tank | 4.4L Eng | 24.60 GALS. | 93.12 L | Reserve tank capacity: 2.6 gals. | S | ||
| Manual Transmission Fluid | 1.37 QTS. | 1.29 L | A yellow label with the letters "MTF LT 1" is located next to the oil filler plug. No oil change is required for this entire service life of these transmissions. In the event of a repair, the transmission must only be filled with the long-term oil. ESSO/EXXON MTF LT 1. BMW Part. No. 83 22 9 408 942. | S | |||
| Power Steering Fluid | N/A | N/A | BMW Automatic Transmission Fluid (BMW Part No. 81 22 9 400 272) or PENTOSIN CHF 11S Fluid (BMW Part No. 83 29 0 429 576) | The hydraulic fluid reservoirs and/or the reservoirs cap are marked to show which type of oil/fluid should be used; BMW Automatic Transmission Fluid or PENTOSIN CHF 11S. | S | ||
| Transfer Case Fluid | w/NV125 | N/A | N/A | Automatic Transmission Fluid DEXRON III | S | ||
| Transfer Case Fluid | w/X-Drive Transfer Case | N/A | N/A | TF0870 | S | ||
| Windshield Washer Fluid | w/Headlamp Washer | 8.20 QTS. | 7.76 L | Fill with water and - if required - with a washer antifreeze (according to manufacturer's recommendations). Mix the washer fluid before adding it to the reservoir. | S | ||
| Windshield Washer Fluid | w/o Headlamp Washer | N/A | N/A | Fill with water and - if required - with a washer antifreeze (according to manufacturer's recommendations). Mix the washer fluid before adding it to the reservoir. | S | ||
Factory Service Tools
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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