1998 BMW 740I engine oil

139n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Engine compartment – BMW 740i/L1 Brake fluid reservoir147
2 Power steering fluid reservoir/
Level control system148
3 Auxiliary terminal for jump
starting179
4 Engine oil dipstick143
5 Engine oil filler neck143
6 Coolant expansion tank146
7 Reservoir for headlamp
and windshield washer system142
8 Fuse box176

141n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Engine compartment – BMW 750iL1 Brake fluid reservoir147
2 Power steering fluid reservoir/
Level control system148
3 Auxiliary terminal for jump
starting179
4 Engine oil filler neck143
5 Coolant expansion tank146
6 Engine oil dipstick143
7 Reservoir for headlamp
and windshield washer system142
8 Fuse box176

143n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Engine oilChecking the engine oil1 Park the vehicle on a level surface
2 Shut the engine off after it has
reached normal operating tempera-
ture
3 After approx. 5 minutes, pull the dip-
stick out and wipe it off with a clean
lint-free cloth, paper towel, or similar
material
4 Push the dipstick all the way into the
guide tube and pull it out again
5 The oil level should be in between the
two graduations on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption
is directly influenced by your driving
style and vehicle operating conditions.380de076
The oil volume between the two marks
on the dipstick corresponds to approx.
1.1 US quarts (1 liter). Do not fill to be-
yond the upper mark on the dipstick.
Excess oil will damage the engine.460de189
Adding engine oilWait until the level has dropped to just
above the lower mark before adding oil.
However, do not wait until the oil drops
below the lower mark.
BMW engines are designed to op-
erate without oil additives. The
use of additives could lead to damage
in some cases. This is also true for the
automatic transmission, the differential
and the power steering system.< 380de077

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

145n
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.<

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

149n
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.<

197n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Capacities
Notes
Fuel tank
Reserve gal. (liters)
gal. (liters)approx. 22.5 (approx. 85) – BMW 740i/L
approx. 25.1 (approx. 95) – BMW 750iL
approx. 2.6 (approx. 10.0) – BMW 740i/L
approx. 3.2 (approx. 12.0) – BMW 750iLFuel specification: Refer to
page 25
Windshield washer
incl. headlamp-washing systemquarts (liters)
quarts (liters)approx. 4.7 (approx. 4.5)
approx. 6.5 (approx. 6.0)For details: Refer to page 128
Cooling system including
heater circuitquarts (liters) 13.2 (12.5) – BMW 740i/L
13.7 (13.0) – BMW 750iLFor details: Refer to page 130
Engine oil and filter change quarts (liters) 7.9 (7.5) – BMW 740i/L
8.5 (8.0) – BMW 750iLApproved HD oil for gasoline
engines. Specifications: Refer
to page 144
Automatic transmission – – Lifetime fluid, no fluid change
required
Differential quarts (liters) 1.7 (1.6) Approved hypoid gear oil
(specifications are available
from any BMW center)