Do it yourself
Frequently asked questions about cars and motorcycles
Car tutorial (Do it yourself) Motorcycle tutorial (Do it yourself) Frequently Asked Questions

How to Change the Engine Oil and Filter on a BMW 3 Series E46

Model: BMW Serie 3 E46 - Years 1998-2006
Part: Engine oil

To change the engine oil and oil filter on a BMW 320d E46, work on a flat and safe surface, preferably with the engine warm. Turn off the engine, open the hood, and prepare a container for the used oil, gloves, and rags. If you need to access from underneath, lift the car with a jack and jack stands before going under the vehicle. For draining, locate the oil pan drain plug and position the container under the drain point. Loosen the plug with the appropriate tool and allow the oil to completely drain. During drainage, avoid spilling on components and shields, then reinstall the plug with its seal in good condition and tighten it without overdoing it. Next, move to the oil filter, which in this configuration is a cartridge located in the engine compartment. Unscrew the filter housing cap with the correct socket, remove the old cartridge, and replace the cap seals (O-rings) if applicable, lightly lubricating them with clean oil before reassembly. Insert the new cartridge into the filter housing and screw the cap back on securely. At this point, pour new oil into the filler neck, adding it gradually while checking the level. Start the engine for a few seconds, turn it off, and wait a few minutes, then recheck the level and top off if necessary.

Posted on 5 August 2026 by ScegliAuto

Video tutorial

Related tutorials

How to change oil and filter on the BMW E46 Series E version
How to change oil and filter on the BMW E46 Series E version
BMW Serie 3 (1998-2006 / E46) In this video we see how to change the motor oil on a BMW 3 Series E46 version: first we open the oil tank cap and pull up the inspection dipstick. W…
Removing Engine Oil Level Sensor on BMW 3 Series E46
Removing Engine Oil Level Sensor on BMW 3 Series E46
BMW Serie 3 (1998-2006 / E46) Today, you will learn how to remove and replace the engine oil level sensor on a BMW 3 Series E46. First, open and lift the hood. Using a socket wren…
How to Reset the Oil Light on the BMW 3 Series E46
How to Reset the Oil Light on the BMW 3 Series E46
BMW Serie 3 (1998-2006 / E46) If the oil light appears on the instrument cluster of your BMW 3 Series E46 (model years 1998-2006) despite having already changed the oil and the co…

Other guides you may be interested in

How to Replace the Remote Battery for the Volvo XC40?

In this tutorial, you will see how to replace the battery in the remote for the Volvo XC40, a very simple and quick operation. For this, you will need a replacement battery of type CR2032 and possibly a small flathead screwdriver. First, remove the front cover by pressing the button on the metal ring, then locate the second button, press it as well, and remove the opposite cover. Next, open the circular cap, take out the old battery, and insert the new one in the opposite direction. Finally, reassemble everything.

Watch the video!


by ScegliAuto

More videos