How to Service a BMW 525i

1. Engage your BMW's emergency brake. Jack up the front end and slide jack stands under the front frame. Lower the vehicle so that it rests on the jack stands.
2. Slide under your BMW and position the drain pan under the oil plug. Remove the oil plug with your socket set. Allow all of the oil to drain and then replace the oil plug.
3. Remove the oil filter with an oil filter wrench. Twist counterclockwise with the wrench to loosen the filter. Once the seal is broken, hand twist the filter off and allow any oil to drip free into the drain pan. Wipe the area down with an old shop rag.
4. Twist the new filter in clockwise by hand until you cannot turn it any more. Tighten it with the oil filter wrench. Do not tighten too tight, as it can break the filter gasket.
5. Jack the vehicle up off the jack stands, remove the stands and then lower your BMW to the ground.
6. Open the oil fill hole on the right hand side of your engine and add six qts. of oil. Check the owner's manual of your BMW, as recommended oils differ with different BMW years. Typically, though, BMW's take 5W30 synthetic oil. Allow a few minutes for the oil to settle and check the oil with your dipstick. If it is still low, add an extra quart.
7. Check your automatic transmission fluid. Do this by starting your car first. Pull the ATF dipstick out, wipe it, reinsert it and then look at the reading. If it is low, add some automatic transmission fluid.
8. Check the rest of your fluids, including the washer fluid in your wiper reservoir, brake fluid and power steering fluid. Again, reference your owner's manual to locate these individual fluid tanks if you do not already know where they are.
9. Check the air pressure in all four of your tires. The recommended pressure is 32 psi. If your tire pressure is low, bring your BMW to a filling station and add air.