Changing the oil in the rear axle gearbox (BMW X5 E53)

The oil change in the rear axle gearbox of the BMW X5 E53 must be carried out in the following order. Warm up the rear axle gearbox of the car to operating temperature by running 7-10 km at high speed. Unscrew the plugs (1 and 2, Fig. 2.49) drain and filler holes.

• Allow the oil to drain from the rear axle gearbox, and dispose of the drained oil. Replace the plug sealing rings. Clean and screw in the drain plug (1), tightening it to a torque of 65 Nm (6.5 kgf·m) if the sealing ring is rectangular in cross-section or to a torque of 60 Nm (6.0 kgf·m) if the sealing ring is steep in cross-section.
• Fill the rear axle gearbox oil until it starts to overflow. Allow excess oil to drain and clean the automatic transmission housing. Replace the sealing ring, screw in and tighten the filler plug (2) to the torque specified above.