1998 BMW 740I Owners Manual

24n
Hazard warning flashers Warning triangle
*
First-aid kit
The push-button flashes rhythmically
when the hazard flashers are on.
To help you to locate the switch, the
button is also lighted whenever the car
lamps are on.380de039
The hazard warning triangle is stored
underneath the luggage compartment
lid in the onboard tool holder where it is
quickly available.
Comply with legal requirements
which cover the availability of a
hazard warning triangle in the car.< 394de053
Stored between the rear seats. Pull the
lever (arrow) and fold the cover forward.
Some of the articles in the first-aid
kit may be used within a limited
time only. For this reason, check the ex-
piration dates of each of the items regu-
larly, and replace any whose expiration
dates have passed. You can acquire re-
placements in any drugstore or phar-
macy.
Comply with legal requirements which
cover availability of a first-aid kit in the
car.< 380de086

25n
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

26n
Tire inflation pressureThe inflation pressures are indicated on
a sticker attached to the B-pillar behind
the driver's door (visible with door
open). Check tire pressuresAll pressure specifications are indicated
in psi (kilopascal) with cold tires (cold =
ambient temperature).
For vehicles with Tire Pressure Control
(RDC)
*:
After a correction of the tire inflation
pressure, reactivate the system. Refer
to page 94.
460de163
Check tire inflation pressures reg-
ularly - at least every two weeks
and before beginning a longer trip. In-
correct tire pressure can otherwise lead
to tire damage and accidents.
Also check the inflation pressure of the
spare tire. Inflate the spare tire to the
highest inflation of any tire on your vehi-
cle.<
Comply with tire approval
specificationsThe inflation pressures in the table ap-
ply to tires from BMW-approved manu-
facturers. Your BMW center is familiar
with these pressures. Higher pressures
may be specified for tires from other
manufacturers. You will find a list of ap-
proved tires beginning on page 136.
Your vehicle is equipped with tires that
not only meet US standards, but also
European standards. We recommend
the exclusive use of BMW-approved
tires.

27n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Tire inflation pressureTires
Tire inflation pressures in
psi (kilopascal)
235/60 R 16 100 H M + S
235/60 R 16 100 W
245/55 R 16 100 W
235/50 ZR 18
Rear: 255/45 ZR 18
215/65 R 16 98 Q M + S
235/60 R 16 100 Q M + S
245/55 R 16 100 Q M + S 33 (230)
29 (200)41 (280)
33 (230) 33 (230)
33 (230)41 (280)
41 (280)
outside of the US/Canada: US/CDN:

28n
Locks and security systems:
Keys30
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer31
Central locking system32
Door locks – outside32
Radio remote control33
Door locks – inside36
Luggage compartment lid37
Luggage compartment39
Alarm system40
Electric power windows42
Security glass43
Sliding/Tilt sunroof44
Adjustments:
Seats46
Steering wheel49
Mirrors50
Seat, mirror and steering wheel
memory51
Car Memory, Key Memory53
Passenger safety systems:
Safety belts54
Airbags55
Child restraints57
Child restraint installation58
Child-safety locks58
Driving:
Steering/Ignition lock59
Starting engine59
Switching off engine60

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
29n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Parking brake61
Automatic transmission62
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic65
Indicator/Headlamp flasher68
Washer/Wiper system/Rain
sensor68
Rear window defroster70
Cruise control70
Everything under control:
Odometer, outside temperature
display72
Tachometer72
Energy control73
Fuel gauge73
Temperature gauge74
Service Interval Display74
Check Control75
Multi-Information Display
(MID)78
Digital clock79
Onboard computer84
Technology for safety and
convenience:
Park Distance Control (PDC)90
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic Sta-
bility Control (DSC)92
Electronic Damper Control
(EDC)93
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)94Lamps:
Parking lamps/Low beams96
Instrument panel rheostat96
High beams/Parking lamps97
Fog lamps97
Interior lamps97
Reading lamps98
Controlling the climate
for pleasant driving:
Automatic climate control100
Rear passenger-area air
conditioning105
Seat heating106
Steering wheel heating106
Rear window blind107
Independent ventilation
system107
Cabin convenience:
Integrated Universal
Remote control108
Glove compartment110
Center armrests111
Additional storage areas113
Cup holder113
Cellular phone113
Ashtray114
Cigarette lighter115
Rear footrests115
Loading and transporting cargo:
Ski bag116
Cargo loading118
Roof-mounted luggage rack118

30n
KeysKey with radio remote control1 Master key with transmitter for radio
remote control.
2 Spare key for storage in a safe place,
such as your wallet. This key is not in-
tended for continuous use.
3 Door and ignition key
The locks for the luggage compart-
ment lid and glove compartment can-
not be operated with this key – this is
useful for valet parking, for instance.380us012
Replacement keysReplacement keys are available exclu-
sively through your authorized BMW
center. Your BMW center is obligated to
ensure that a person requesting a key is
authorized to do so since the keys be-
long to a security system (refer to "Elec-
tronic vehicle immobilizer" on page 31).

31n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Electronic vehicle immobilizerThe key to securityYour BMW is equipped with a passive
anti–theft system. This electronic immo-
bilization system is designed to reduce
the susceptibility of your vehicle to theft
by making it impossible to start the en-
gine using any means other than the
special keys furnished with the vehicle.
Your BMW center can cancel the elec-
tronic system authorization for individ-
ual keys (for instance, in the event of
loss). A deactivated key can no longer
be used to start the engine.390de015
How the electronics workAt the heart of this system is an elec-
tronic chip which is integrated into the
key. The lock mechanism itself is actu-
ally a dual-function device, simulta-
neously serving as a communications
interface designed to allow the security
system to maintain a continuous stream
of variable, vehicle-specific signals with
the electronic circuitry in the key. The
system will not release the ignition, fuel
injection and starter unless it recog-
nizes an "authorized" key.
Force applied to the key can dam-
age the integrated electronic cir-
cuitry. A damaged key can no longer be
used to start the engine.<