BMW 7 series, E38 (USA)
Automatic transmission fluid capacity & service interval
BMW 7 series, E38 (USA) automatic transmission fluid capacity ranges from 5,4 liters to 13,1 liters. The data covers 2 configurations.
The configuration chart below lists fill volumes and service intervals for each engine and trim variant.
| Type | Specifications |
|---|---|
| 740i (1996-2001) |
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Additional Notes
- The 740i from 1994-1996 with a green rating plate carries a service fill capacity of 5.5 liters, while the total system capacity including the torque converter reaches 13.1 liters, indicating a significantly larger transmission unit than the later variant.
- The 740i from 1996-2001 has a service fill capacity of 5.4 liters, a figure close to the earlier green rating plate unit, yet the total capacity including the torque converter is only 9 liters, a notably smaller combined volume.
- The torque converter differential between the two 740i configurations is substantial. The 1994-1996 green rating plate unit holds 7.6 liters in the torque converter and associated passages, compared to 3.6 liters in the 1996-2001 unit, reflecting a fundamental difference in transmission design between the two generations.
- The green rating plate designation on the 1994-1996 BMW 7 Series, E38 (USA) 740i identifies a specific transmission variant, as the rating plate on an automatic transmission typically encodes build tolerances and fluid specifications used during factory assembly and overhaul procedures.
- Both 740i configurations carry a normal use condition, meaning the stated capacities apply under standard operating conditions rather than severe-duty cycles such as frequent towing or extreme temperature environments.
- The service fill figures of 5.5 liters and 5.4 liters across the two 740i variants represent the fluid volume required during a routine drain-and-fill service, not a full overhaul, which requires the larger torque converter-inclusive figures of 13.1 liters and 9 liters respectively.