The General Motors 5L40E 5-speed automatic transmission was produced in Strasbourg from 1998 to 2009 and installed in many popular BMW models under its own designation, the A5S360R. This transmission, also known as the M82 and MX5, was also installed in the Cadillac CTS, STS, and the first SRX.
Specifications
| Type | automatic transmission |
| Number of gears | 5 |
| Type of drive | rear / all wheel |
| Engine volume, l | up to 3.6 |
| Torque output, Nm | up to 340 |
| Recommended oil | DEXRON VI |
| Oil capacity, liter | 8.9 |
| Partial replacement, liter | 6.0 |
| Maintenance | every 60 000 km |
| Gearbox lifespan, km | ~300 000 km |
| Weight, kg | 80.5 |
In 1998, GM introduced a 5-speed automatic to replace the 4-speed 4L30-E. This is a conventional hydromechanical automatic transmission built around a Ravigno gearbox and intended for rear- and all-wheel-drive vehicles with a longitudinal engine. This transmission handles torque up to 340 Nm, while its enhanced version, the 5L50, can handle up to 422 Nm. A four-speed version of this automatic, designated the 4L40E, was also available.
Gear ratios GM 5L40E
Using the 2005 Cadillac STS with a 3.6-liter engine as an example:
| Main | 3.42 |
| 1st | 3.42 |
| 2nd | 2.21 |
| 3rd | 1.60 |
| 4th | 1.00 |
| 5th | 0.75 |
| Reverse | 3.03 |
Using
The transmission was installed on:
- BMW 3-Series E46 in 1998 – 2006;
- BMW 5-Series E39 in 1998 – 2003;
- BMW X3-Series E83 in 2003 – 2005;
- BMW X5-Series E53 in 1999 – 2006;
- BMW Z3-Series E36 in 2000 – 2002;
- Cadillac CTS I (GMX320) in 2002 – 2007;
- Cadillac SRX I (GMT265) in 2003 – 2009;
- Cadillac STS I (GMX295) in 2004 – 2007;
- Land Rover Range Rover 3 (L322) in 2002 – 2006;
- Opel Omega B (V94) in 2001 – 2003;
- Pontiac G8 1 (GMX557) in 2007 – 2009;
- Pontiac Solstice 1 (GMX020) in 2005 – 2009;
- Saturn Sky 1 (GMX023) in 2006 – 2009.
Disadvantages of the GM 5L40 gearbox
- A problem with automatic transmissions in the early years of production is a defective thermostat. A failure of the thermostat causes the transmission to constantly overheat, leading to accelerated wear of many components. The expensive rubber-coated pistons are particularly susceptible to wear from high temperatures.
- Another weak point of this family of automatic transmissions is the torque converter. Under vigorous driving, critical clutch wear occurs even after 80,000 km, often resulting in vibrations, wear of the clutch bushing, and severe lubricant leaks.
- With infrequent oil changes, the valve body quickly becomes clogged with wear debris from the clutch, causing strong jolts, jerks, and twitching during gear shifts. Overhauls often lead to wear of the valves, bushings, and springs in the hydraulic accumulators.
- This transmission uses a high-performance petal-type oil pump, which does not tolerate dirty oil or prolonged high-speed driving. Such an oil pump can wear out quickly, and then there will be knocking noises when shifting.
