1998 BMW 740I warning

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RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Refueling Fuel specifications
Before filling the tank, shut off the
engine. If you do not, fuel cannot
flow into the tank and the "Check En-
gine" warning lamp may come on.<
To open the fuel filler door, press
against its forward edge.
To unlock the fuel filler door if there is a
malfunction of the central locking sys-
tem, refer to page 178.
When handling fuels, comply with
all of the applicable safety precau-
tions and regulations pertaining to fuels.
Never carry spare fuel containers in
your vehicle. Whether empty or full,
these containers can leak, cause an ex-
plosion, or lead to fire in the event of a
collision.<
384de011
Open the filler cap carefully to
prevent fuel from spraying out.
Fuel spray may cause injury.
Do not top off. Topping off may cause
fuel spillage.<
Keep the filler cap in the bracket at-
tached to the fuel filler door.
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle
completely into the filler pipe. Pulling
the nozzle out of the pipe during refuel-
ing
>results in premature pump shutoff
>and will reduce the effect of the
recovery vapor system on the pump.
Close the fuel cap carefully after
refueling. A loose or missing cap
will activate the "Check Engine“ lamp.<
380de633
Use unleaded gasoline only.
Minimum octane requirement: 91 AKI.
BMW engines are equipped with knock
sensors and will adapt automatically
to different octane ratings, provided
that the minimum octane requirement
(87 AKI) is met.
Fuels with higher octane ratings will
provide enhanced performance and
lower fuel consumption, while the use
of fuels with lower octane ratings will
have the opposite effect.
Do not use leaded fuels. The use
of leaded fuels will cause perma-
nent damage to the system's oxygen
sensor and the catalytic convertor.<
AKI = Anti Knock Index

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Central locking system Door locks – outsideThe conceptThe central locking system is ready for
operation as soon as you close the
driver's door. The system engages and
releases the locks on the
>doors
>luggage compartment lid
>fuel filler door.
The central locking system can be
operated
>from outside via the driver's door or
luggage compartment lock and with
the remote control
>from inside via the central locking
button.
The fuel filler door remains unlocked
when you activate the system from in-
side the vehicle.
The anti-theft system is automatically
armed whenever you activate the cen-
tral locking system from outside the ve-
hicle. The alarm system is also acti-
vated or deactivated.
In the event of an accident, the central
locking system unlocks automatically
(only those doors which were not
locked separately with the safety lock
buttons). Refer to page 36. In addition,
the hazard warning flashers and interior
lamps come on.
To engage and release locksOne turn of the key in the driver's door
lock unlocks the driver's door only.
Turning the key a second time unlocks
all of the remaining doors, the luggage
compartment lid and the fuel filler door.
When a door is opened, the inte-
rior lamps and the exterior door
handle illumination are switched on.
Switching off is automatic.< 380de015
Convenience operating modeYou can also use your remote control
transmitter to open and close the elec-
tric power windows and the sliding/tilt
sunroof.
>To open: With the door closed, turn
the key to the "Unlock" position and
hold it.
>To close: With the door closed, turn
the key to the "Lock" position and
hold it.
Watch the closing process care-
fully and be sure that no one is
trapped by the closing motion. The
movement stops when you release the
key.< Manual operation(in the event of an electrical failure)
Turn the key all the way to the extreme
left or right to unlock/lock the door.

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Alarm systemThe vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the lug-
gage compartment lid is opened
>To movement inside the vehicle (inte-
rior motion sensor)
>To variations in the vehicle tilt sensor
such as occur during attempts to
steal the wheels or tow the vehicle
>To interruption of battery voltage.
The system responds to unauthorized
vehicle entry and attempted theft by si-
multaneously activating the following:
>Sounding an acoustical alarm for
30 seconds
>The hazard warning flashers are acti-
vated for approx. five minutes
>The high beams flash on and off in
the same rhythm.
To arm and disarm the alarm
systemWhen the vehicle is locked or unlocked
by using a key or with the remote con-
trol, the alarm system is also simulta-
neously armed or disarmed.
The interior motion sensor is activated
approx. 30 seconds after you have fin-
ished locking the car.
The system indicates that it has been
correctly armed by switching on the
hazard flashers for a single cycle and by
emitting an acoustical signal.
When the system is active, you can still
gain access to the luggage compart-
ment by pressing button 3 on the re-
mote control transmitter. When the lid is
closed, it is armed once again.
Indicator lamp displays>The indicator lamp on the top of the
instrument panel flashes continu-
ously: The system is armed
>The indicator lamp flashes during
arming: door(s), the hood or luggage
compartment lid are not completely
closed. Even if you do not close the
alerted area, the system begins to
monitor the remaining areas, and the
indicator lamp flashes continuously
after 10 seconds. However, the inte-
rior motion sensor is not activated
>If the indicator lamp goes out when
the system is disarmed: No unau-
thorized entries have been detected
in the period since the system was
armed380de020

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Airbags
For your safety, comply with the
following instructions for the air-
bags. If you do not, the airbags may not
be able to provide their maximum pro-
tection. All passengers in the vehicle
should be aware of and comply with
this information:
The airbags are supplemental restraint
devices designed to provide extra pro-
tection; they are not a substitute for
safety belts. Wear your safety belt at all
times. The airbags will not be triggered
in the event of a minor accident, a vehi-
cle roll-over, or collisions from the rear.
In these situations, the safety belts pro-
vide optimal protection.
Adjust your seat to a position that pro-
vides maximum distance between you
and the steering wheel, the instrument
panel and the door while still allowing
comfortable and safe access to all vehi-
cle controls.
Hold the steering wheel at the rim
(hands at the "9 o'clock and 3 o'clock"
positions) in order to avoid injuries to
the hands or arms if the airbag is trig-
gered.
Never allow any objects to obstruct the
area between the airbag and the driver/
passenger.
Do not use the cover panel above the
passenger-side airbag as a storage
area.
Do not apply tape or stickers or other
material over the padded steering
wheel hub, the instrument panel, the
side trim panels of the front or rear
doors and the roof pillars or the sides of
the headliner, or modify them in any
other way.
Do not install a rear-facing child-re-
straint device on the front passenger
seat.
If your vehicle is equipped with side air-
bags in the rear, be sure that child seats
are installed correctly and with the
greatest possible distance from the
door. Do not allow children to lean out
of the child's seat in the direction of the
door. Otherwise, serious injuries could
occur if the airbag is triggered.<
Even when all these guidelines are fol-
lowed, there is still a small residual risk
of injuries to the face, hands and arms
occurring in isolated instances. The ig-
nition and inflation noise may provoke a
mild temporary hearing loss in extremely
sensitive individuals.
Airbag warning information is also pro-
vided on the sun visors.
For additional information concerning the
airbag system, refer to pages 15 6, 18 4.This is the right way a child should sit in
a child restraint when rear side bags
(arrow) are installed.
380de637

59n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Steering/Ignition lock Starting engine0 Steering lock engagedThis is the only position in which the ig-
nition key can be inserted and removed.
An acoustic warning sounds when you
fail to remove the ignition key before
opening the driver's door.
After removing the key, turn the steer-
ing wheel slightly to the left or right until
you hear the lock engage.380de010
Your vehicle is equipped with an inter-
lock. For this reason, the ignition key
cannot be turned to position 0 and re-
moved until the selector lever is in posi-
tion P.
In addition, the selector lever is locked
in position P when the ignition key is in
position 0 or removed from the ignition
switch.
To move the selector lever out of P, the
ignition key must be turned at least to
position 2.1 Steering lock disengagedYou will find that it is often easier to turn
the ignition key from position 0 to posi-
tion 1 when you move the steering
wheel slightly to help disengage the
lock.
Individual electrical equipment and ac-
cessories are available for use.2 Ignition onAll electrical equipment and accesso-
ries are available for use.3 Starting engineBefore starting
>Press the parking brake pedal
>Place the selector lever of the auto-
matic transmission in P or N.
Do not allow the engine to run in
enclosed spaces. The exhaust
gases contain carbon monoxide, an
odorless and colorless, but highly toxic
gas. Breathing the exhaust gases poses
an extreme health risk, and can lead to
unconsciousness and death.
Never leave the car unattended with the
engine running, as such a vehicle repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.< Starting engine>Start the engine. Do not press the ac-
celerator pedal.
Your BMW is equipped with the
convenience starting feature.
Simply turn the key to position 3 (starter)
and then release it immediately.
The starter continues to operate auto-
matically until the engine starts.

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Odometer, outside temperature display Tachometer1 OdometerYou can activate the displays shown in
the illustration with the ignition key in
position 0 by pressing the button in the
instrument cluster (arrow).2 Trip odometerTo reset the trip odometer to zero,
press the button (arrow) with the igni-
tion key in position 1 or 2.380us652
3 Outside temperature displayThe outside temperature appears in the
display panel as soon as you turn the
ignition key to position 1.
You can change the units of measure
(6/7) by
1 pressing and holding down the but-
ton (arrow) with the ignition key in po-
sition 1
2 while turning the ignition key to 0.Ice warningIf the outside temperature drops to ap-
prox. +37.57 (+36), a warning signal
sounds and the display flashes briefly.
The warning is repeated whenever the
temperature goes to at least +437
(+66), and then drops to +37.57
(+36) again.
The ice warning does not alter the
fact that surface ice can form at
temperatures above +37.57 (+36), on
bridges or shaded road surfaces, for in-
stance.<
Never allow the engine to operate with
the needle in the red overspeed zone of
the gauge.
To protect the engine, the engine-man-
agement system automatically inter-
rupts the fuel supply in this range; the
resulting effect resembles that associ-
ated with a sudden loss of power.380us004

74n
Temperature gauge Service Interval DisplayBlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at moder-
ate engine and vehicle speeds.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the
warning lamp comes on briefly to con-
firm that the system is operational.
Lights up while driving, or the message
"COOLANT TEMPERATURE” appears
in the Check Control: the engine is
overheated. Switch the engine off im-
mediately and allow it to cool down.380de007
Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. It is not un-
usual for the needle to rise as far as the
edge of the red zone in response to
high outside temperatures or severe
operating conditions.
Checking coolant level: Refer to
page 146.
Green lampsThe number of illuminated lamps de-
creases as the time for your next main-
tenance visit approaches.Yellow lampThis field appears together with
OILSERVICE or INSPECTION.
Maintenance is due. Please contact
your BMW center for an appointment.Red lampMaintenance is overdue.380us008

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RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Check ControlSystem malfunctions are reported in
text form and alerts or warnings are
each reported by a gong when the igni-
tion key is in position 2.
1 CHECK button
2 Status report symbol
3 Display
Messages concerning system faults
are differentiated based on two priori-
ties:380us111
Priority 1
These defects are immediately indi-
cated by a gong and a flashing warning
symbol (2). Several simultaneous de-
fects will be displayed consecutively.
These messages remain active until the
malfunction is corrected. They cannot
be cleared with CHECK button (1).
>RELEASE PARKING BRAKE
This message appears together with
an acoustic signal any time you begin
to drive and the parking brake is ap-
plied.
>COOLANT TEMPERATURE
Coolant overheated. Stop the vehicle
and switch off the engine immedi-
ately.
Refer to pages 74, 146.>STOP! ENGINE OILPRESS
Oil pressure too low. Stop the vehicle
and switch off the engine immedi-
ately. Refer to page 20.
>CHECK BRAKE FLUID
Indicates that brake fluid is down to
roughly minimum level. Top up the
brake fluid as soon as possible. Refer
to page 147. Have the cause of the
brake fluid loss corrected by your
BMW center.
>FLAT TIRE
*
Reduce vehicle speed immediately
and stop the vehicle. Avoid hard
brake applications. Do not oversteer.
Refer to page 95.
>LEVEL CONTROL INACTIVE
*
Please consult the nearest authorized
BMW center. Refer to page 130.
>SPEED LIMIT
*
This is displayed if the programmed
speed limit is exceeded.