1998 BMW 740I Owners Manual

144n
Engine oilEngine oil specificationsThe quality of the engine oil selected
has critical significance for the opera-
tion and service life of an engine. Based
on extensive testing, BMW has ap-
proved only certain engine oils.
Use approved "longlife oils" only.
If it should ever occur that it is impossi-
ble to purchase an approved "longlife
oil," you may use small volumes of the
"special oils" approved by BMW for
topping up between oil changes.
You may use oils with the specification
API SH only if the special oils are also
not available.
Call 1-800-831-1117, or ask your
authorized BMW center for de-
tails concerning the specific "longlife
oils" or "special oils" which have been
approved.<
Viscosity ratingsViscosity is the oil flow rating as estab-
lished in SAE classes.
The selection of the correct SAE class
depends on the climatic conditions in
the area where you drive your BMW.
BMW recommends the use of oils in
SAE classes SAE 0W-X or SAE 5W-X,
where "X" stands for a specification
such as 30, 40 or 50.
These oils may be used for driving in all
ambient temperatures.
If you are using SAE class 10W-X, you
may continue to drive for short periods
at temperatures below this limit. How-
ever, the engine's cold-starting charac-
teristics may be impaired.
460de162

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RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Engine oil
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the dis-
posal of used oil.<
Recommendation: Have the oil
changed by your BMW center.
Continuous exposure to used oil
has caused cancer in laboratory
testing.
Any skin areas that come into contact
with oil should therefore be thoroughly
washed with soap and water.
Store oils, greases, and similar materi-
als so that they are inaccessible to chil-
dren. Comply with all warnings on the
containers.<

146n
Coolant
Do not add coolant to the cooling
system when the engine is hot.
Escaping coolant can cause burns.
To avoid the possibility of damage later
on, never use anything other than fac-
tory-approved, nitrite and amino-free
extended-duty antifreeze with corrosion
protectant. Your authorized BMW cen-
ter is familiar with the official specifica-
tions.
Antifreeze and anti-corrosion agents
are hazardous to health. Store anti-
freeze and anti-corrosion agents in their
original containers where they are inac-
cessible to children.
Extended-duty antifreeze with corrosion
inhibitor contains ethylene glycol - a
flammable substance. For this reason,
do not spill antifreeze with corrosion in-
hibitor on hot engine components. It
could catch fire and cause serious
burns.<
Correct coolant level when the engine
is cold (approx. 687/206):
Unscrew the cap from the expansion
tank.
The coolant level is correct when the
end of the red float is aligned with the
upper edge of the filler opening (refer to
the arrow in the illustration or the sche-
matic diagram next to the cap).
The coolant is a mixture of water and
extended-duty antifreeze with corrosion
inhibitor. Always maintain the pre-
scribed all-season 50:50 mixture ratio
for year-round protection against inter-
nal corrosion. No other additives are re-
quired.
Replace the coolant every four years.380de081
To add coolantWait until the engine cools before re-
moving the cap from the expansion
tank. The needle of the coolant temper-
ature gauge in the instrument cluster
must be located in the blue zone; other-
wise, there is a danger of scalding.
1 Start by turning the cap counter-
clockwise. Pause to allow any accu-
mulated pressure to escape, then re-
move the cap
2 If the coolant is low, slowly add cool-
ant until the correct level is reached –
do not overfill.
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the dis-
posal of extended-duty antifreeze with
corrosion inhibitor.<

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RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Brake fluidBrake fluid level
Brake hydraulic system warning
lamp comes on, "Check brake
fluid" appears in the Check Con-
trol display: The brake fluid level
is too low in the reservoir.
Fill up to upper mark ("MAX" level visi-
ble through the transparent reservoir).
Any BMW center can provide you with
information on factory-approved brake
fluids (DOT 4).
Brake fluid loss results in extended
pedal travel. Refer to the information on
page 128.
380de080
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that is,
it absorbs moisture from the air
over time.
In order to ensure the operating safety
of the brake system, have the brake
fluid changed every two years by your
BMW center. Refer also to the Service
Warranty Information Booklet (US mod-
els) or to the Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet (Canadian models).
Brake fluid is toxic and damages the ve-
hicle's paint. Always store brake fluid in
the original containers. Keep the con-
tainers tightly closed and out of reach
of children. Do not spill brake fluid. Do
not fill beyond the "MAX" level in the
reservoir. The brake fluid could ignite
upon contact with hot engine parts and
cause serious burns.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the dis-
posal of brake fluid.<

148n
Oil for power steering/Level control system
*
Vehicle Identification Number
Power steeringWith the engine off, unscrew the reser-
voir cap and remove the cap with dip-
stick. Then push the dipstick into the
reservoir again.
The fluid level should be in between the
marks on the dipstick.
Screw the reservoir cap back on.
Contact your BMW center if the fluid is
low, as only ATF may be used and spe-
cial knowledge is required for topping
up.380de078
Power steering/Level control
system
*
With the engine shut off, loosen the
knurled nut and remove the reservoir
cap.
With the vehicle empty, the fluid level
should be barely 0.2 in (5 mm) above
the screen bottom.
Correct the fluid level if required. Al-
ways use Pentosin CHF 11S.
Position the reservoir cap and tighten
the knurled nut. Make sure the cover is
properly seated.380de079
In the engine compartment, stamped on
the right-hand strut dome (arrow) and
on the upper edge of the instrument
panel on the left side.380de074

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RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
The BMW Maintenance SystemThe BMW Maintenance System has
been designed as a reliable means of
providing maximum driving and operat-
ing safety – and as cost-effectively as
possible for you.
Please keep in mind that regular main-
tenance is not only necessary for the
safety of your vehicle, but also plays a
significant role in maintaining the resale
value of the vehicle.380us008
Service Interval DisplayAdvanced technology is employed to
calculate the optimal maintenance in-
tervals, which are then indicated in the
Service Interval Display. While conven-
tional systems rely on distance traveled
alone to determine when service is due,
the BMW Maintenance System has for
years considered the actual conditions
under which the vehicle operates.
From the point of view of maintenance,
62,000 miles (100,000 km) accumulated
in short-distance urban driving are not
the equivalent of the same distance
covered at moderate speeds in long-
distance highway travel. In response to
this fact, the BMW Maintenance System
monitors operating conditions as the
basis for determining the optimum ser-
vice intervals for your individual vehicle.
The BMW Maintenance System in-
cludes the Engine Oil Service and In-
spections I and II.
Determining the maintenance intervals
according to the actual loads on the car
covers every kind of operating situation.
However, even those who drive only
short distances – significantly less than
6,200 miles (10,000 km) annually –
should have the engine oil changed at
least every 2 years since oil deteriorates
over time, regardless of use.
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models)/Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models)Please refer to the Service and War-
ranty Information Booklet (US models)
or to the Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet (Canadian models) for addi-
tional information on maintenance inter-
vals and procedures.
Depending upon operating conditions,
as a precaution against rust it may be a
good idea to have the body checked for
stone damage and chips at the same
time.
Have your BMW center do the
maintenance and repair. Your BMW
center is always informed on the latest
maintenance work and repair tech-
niques and equipped with the required
special tools. In addition, checking
parts known from experience to be sub-
ject to wear is a permanent part of the
maintenance specifications. Be sure
that all maintenance work is confirmed
in the Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models) or in the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet (Canadian
models). These entries will constitute
your proof that the vehicle has received
regular maintenance. They are also re-
quired in the event of a warranty claim.<

150n
Caring for your carWashing your carYou can have your new BMW washed
in an automatic car wash. Car wash
systems that do not employ brushes are
preferable.
Wipe away tough dirt and loosen and
remove dead insects before washing
the car.
To prevent spots, avoid washing when
the hood is still warm, or immediately
after and during exposure to strong
sunlight.
When using an automatic car wash, be
sure that:
>The car wash system is suited for the
dimensions of your vehicle
>No damage will occur on vehicles
with attached body accessories (such
as spoilers or antennas). If you are
uncertain, consult the manager of the
car wash
>The wheels and tires of your vehicle
cannot be damaged by the convey-
ance devices of the car wash system
>The vehicle is cleaned with minimum
brush pressure, and that ample water
is available for washing and rinsing.Vehicles with rain sensor
*:
Clean the windshield regularly. Wax
from automatic car washes or insects,
for example, can cause malfunctions in
the function of the rain sensor.
Turn the rain sensor off in auto-
matic car washes. If you do not,
damage may occur if the wipers switch
on unintentionally.<
Parts of the car which are inaccessible
to the automatic washer - such as door
sills, door and hood edges, etc. -
should be cleaned by hand.
In the winter months, it is especially im-
portant to ensure that the car is washed
on a regular basis. Large quantities of
dirt and road salt are difficult to remove,
and they also cause damage to the ve-
hicle.
If spray wands or high-pressure
washers are used, be sure to
maintain an adequate distance between
the spray source and the vehicle's sur-
face.
Inadequate distance and excessive
pressure can damage or weaken the
finish, making it more susceptible to
subsequent attack. In addition, mois-
ture could penetrate to vehicle compo-
nents, leading to long-term damage.<
When cleaning the headlamps,
please observe the following:
>Do not clean by wiping with a dry
cloth (scratches). Never use abra-
sives or strong solvents to clean the
covers
>Remove dirt and contamination
(such as insects) by soaking with
BMW Car Shampoo and then rinsing
with plenty of water
>Always use a deicer spray to remove
accumulated ice and snow – never
use a scraper.<
After washing the car, apply the
brakes briefly to dry them. Braking
efficiency might otherwise be reduced
by the moisture, and the brake rotors
could also be corroded.<

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RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Caring for your carExterior finishTo provide effective corrosion protec-
tion, multilayer paintwork is applied at
the factory. Cataphoretic immersion
priming techniques are supplemented
using special body-cavity protectants,
with the application of specially-devel-
oped and extensively tested materials.
A layer of flexible PVC is first applied to
the undercarriage. Following this, a
comprehensive undercoating treatment
with a wax-based protectant is applied.
Regular maintenance makes an impor-
tant contribution to maintaining the
safety and value of your vehicle.
Increasing awareness of the effects of
harmful environmental factors on a ve-
hicle's exterior finish have led paint and
vehicle manufacturers to initiate pro-
grams designed to further improve the
durability of their finishes. Despite this,
environmental factors that occur locally
or regionally can have negative effects
on the finish of your vehicle. These
should guide you in determining the fre-
quency and extent of your efforts to
maintain the vehicle finish.Depending upon material and type of
impact (perforation of paint layer), phys-
ical stresses from sand, road salt,
gravel, etc., can cause corrosion to
start extending beneath the finish, start-
ing at the point of impact.
Road dirt, tar spots, dead insects, ani-
mal droppings (strong alkali effect) and
tree excretions (resins and pollen) all
contain substances capable of causing
damage when allowed to remain on the
finish of your car for any period of time
(spots, etching, flaking, separation in
the top coat).
In industrial areas, deposits of flue dust,
lime, oily soot, precipitation containing
sulfur-dioxide (acid rain) and other envi-
ronmental pollutants will damage the
car's finish unless adequate care is pro-
vided – even though this is generally
limited to the outside horizontal sur-
faces.In coastal regions, high levels of atmo-
spheric salt and humidity promote cor-
rosion.
In tropical zones, temperatures of over
1057 (406) in the shade prevail, in
addition to heavy ultraviolet radiation
and high humidity. Under those circum-
stances, light exterior finishes reach
temperatures of up to 1757 (806) and
dark finishes up to 2507 (1206).