Recommended replacement interval for the part category Oil filter : 12 month / 15000 km

Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
BMW 3 Touring (E46) 330 xd … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change oil filter and engine oil on BMW 3 (E46) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

All the parts you need to replace – Oil Filter for 3 Touring (E46) and other BMW models

Alternative products

Oil filter

Replacement: engine oil and filter – BMW E46 touring. Tools you might need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      All-purpose cleaning spray
                    
                      Drive socket # 17 
                    
                      Drive socket # 36 
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Flat Screwdriver
                    
                      Funnel
                    
                      Oil drain pan
                    
                      Microfibre towel
                    
                      Fender cover

Buy tools

AUTODOC recommends:

Replace the oil filter every time when changing motor oil.
All work should be done with the engine stopped.
Wear gloves to prevent contact with hot liquid.

Replacement: engine oil and filter – BMW E46 touring. Recommended sequence of steps:

Step 1

Open the hood.
Step 2

Use a fender protection cover to prevent damaging paintwork and plastic parts of the car.
Step 3

Unscrew the oil filler plug.
Step 4

Lift the car using a jack or place it over an inspection pit.

Replacement: engine oil and filter – BMW E46 touring. Tip:
The vehicle must be on even keel, and if it is at an angle, the drain plug must be at the lowest point.
Step 5

Clean the area of the oil pan drainage hole. Use a wire brush. Use all-purpose cleaning spray.
Step 6

Unscrew the drain plug. Use a drive socket #17. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 7

Put a waste oil container with at least 7 l capacity under the drainage hole.
Step 8

Drain the used oil.

Replacement: engine oil and filter – BMW E46 touring. Professionals recommend:
Caution! The oil may be hot.
Step 9

Unscrew the oil filter. Use a drive socket #36.
Step 10

Remove the oil filter.
Step 11

Prepare a container for the old oil filter. Put the old oil filter in the container.

Replacement: engine oil and filter – BMW E46 touring. Tip from AUTODOC:
Move up the container. The oil starts to drain out of the drainage hole immediately after you have removed the oil filter.
Step 12

Cover the oil filter housing with a microfibre towel to prevent dirt and foreign objects from getting into the system.

Step 13

Detach the oil filter from the filter cover.

Step 14

Remove the oil filter cover O-ring. Use a flat screwdriver.
Step 15

Clean the oil filter housing cap. Use all-purpose cleaning spray.
Step 16

Install a new O-ring to its mounting seat on the filter cover.
Step 17

Install the new oil filter to the mounting seat on the filter cover.

Please note!
Make sure to install the filter correctly. Don't mix up the sides of the part.
Step 18

Remove the microfibre towel from the oil filter housing.

Step 19

Clean the oil filter seat.

Step 20

Lubricate the rubber seal of the new filter with a little amount of fresh oil.

Step 21

Screw the new filter into its place.
Step 22

Screw the cap. Use a drive socket #36. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 25 Nm torque.

Replacement: engine oil and filter – BMW E46 touring. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
Wait until the oil has completely drained from the drainage hole.
Step 23

Clean the area of the oil pan drainage hole.
Step 24

Screw in the new drainage plug and tighten it. Use a drive socket #17. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 25 Nm torque.
Step 25

Lower the car.
Step 26

Remove the oil filler cap. Insert the funnel.
Step 27

Pour oil into the engine through the filler. Required amount of oil: 6.5 L.

Replacement: engine oil and filter – BMW E46 touring. AUTODOC experts recommend:
Use the oil recommended by the manufacturer.
Step 28

Check the oil level using the dipstick. Top up oil if necessary.

Please note!
The oil level should be between the Min and Max marks.
Step 29

Tighten the oil filler cap.
Step 30

Run the engine for a few minutes. After the oil pressure warning light goes out, stop the engine.
Step 31

Check the oil level 5 minutes after the stop of the engine operation using a dipstick and add oil if necessary.

Replacement: engine oil and filter – BMW E46 touring. AUTODOC recommends:
The oil level should be between the Min and Max marks.Make sure that the oil filler cap is properly tightened.Check the threaded plug of the drainage hole and the oil filter seal for tightness. If necessary, carefully tighten them up.
Step 32

Remove the fender protection cover.
Step 33

Close the hood.

Replacement: engine oil and filter – BMW E46 touring. Tip from AUTODOC:
Note that oil pressure warning light, which indicates insufficient pressure in the lubrication system, may be on for a longer time than usual. After a few seconds, the oil will fill all the channels, and the light will go out. To protect the environment from pollution, be sure to dispose of the used filters at special collection points.

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