E36 Technical Infomation


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BMW General Technical info for 3 series E36 Models

BMW Recommended Lubricants & Fluids

Below is the list of recommendations from BMW for the E36 models and MAY apply to other models. Contact your dealership if you are unsure.

Engine Oil
Type	API "Certified for gasoline engines"
Viscosity	SAE 10W/40 to 20W/50
Cooling System	50/50 mixture of ethylene glycol based antifreeze
Manual Transmission
Green label (1992)	Gear Lubricant Special (GLS)
Red label (1992)	DEXRON III Type ATF
No Label (1992)	80W GL-4
1993 or later	DEXRON III Type ATF
Automatic Transmission
1992 - 1996	DEXRON III Type ATF
1997 and later	Special Lubricant Fluid (SLF)
Final Drive Unit	Hypoid gear oil
Braking System	DOT 4 brake fluid
Power Steering	DEXRON II Type ATF

BMW Recommended Capacities

Below is the list of recommendations from BMW for the E36 models and MAY apply to other models. Contact your dealership if you are unsure.

Engine Oil (including Filter)
4 Cylinder Engine	4.7 quarts
6 Cylinder Engine	6.8 quarts
Cooling System
4 Cylinder Engine	6.8 quarts
6 Cylinder Engine	11 quarts
Manual Transmission
1992	1.2 quarts
1993 & later
318, 320, and 325	1.2 quarts
328 & Z3	1.3quarts
Automatic Transmission	3.2 quarts
Differential
4 Cylinder Models	1.2 quarts
6 Cylinder Models	1.8 quarts
Power Steering	1.5 quarts

Ignition System
Spark Plug Type
4 Cylinder Engine	Champion RC9YC
6 Cylinder Engine
2.5L	Champion RC9YC
2.8L	Champion R12YC
Spark Plug Electrode Gap (All Models)	0.035 inch (for spark plugs above only, do not use this gapping guide if using other types of sparks plugs)
Drivebelts
Used drivebelts	5.0 to 6.0 ft-lbs
New drivebelts	4.0 to 5.0 ft-lbs
Brakes
Brake pad friction material minimum thickness	5/64 inch
Parking brake shoe friction material minimum thickness	1/16 inch

BMW Recommended Torque

Below is the list of recommendations from BMW for the E36 models and MAY apply to other models. Contact your dealership if you are unsure.

Torque is very important, if ignored serious damage could occur, see How to Change Motor Oil

*All numbers are in Ft-Lbs unless stated

Engine oil pan drain plug
M12 plug	26
M22	44
Cylinder block coolant drain plug	21
Automatic transmission oil drain plug	133-150 in-lbs
Automatic transmission oil filter/level plug
1994 and earlier	Not available
1995 and on	74
Automatic transmission fluid pan bolts	62 to 71 in-lbs
Automatic transmission oil screen screws	44 in-lbs
Manual transmission drain plug	37
Manual transmission oil filter/level plug	37
Differential filter/level and drain plugs	52
Spark plugs	22
Wheel bolts	74

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Page last updated 03/10/2010

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