At a glanceControls Car care Repairs Technical Data Index
23
Refueling Fuel specificationTo unlock the filler door in the event of a
central locking system failure, refer to
page152.a
When handling fuel, comply with
the safety regulations displayed by gas
stations.cUnleaded gasoline only.
Minimum octane requirement: 89 AKI
BMW engines are equipped with knock
sensors and automatically adapt to op-
erate with fuels of different octane rat-
ings, as long as the minimum octane
requirement is met.
Higher octane fuels will provide in-
creased performance and fuel econ-
omy, while the use of gasoline with a
lower octane rating will have an adverse
effect.
a
Never use leaded fuel, as it would
cause permanent damage to both the
catalytic converter and the engine-man-
agement systemÕs oxygen sensors.c
AKI = Anti Knock Index
360de010
10 2
The catalytic converter reduces harmful
exhaust emissions.
It is designed for use with unleaded fuel
only.
Even minute quantities of lead would be
enough to permanently damage both
the catalytic converter and the system's
oxygen sensor.
To ensure efficient, trouble-free engine
operation and avoid potential damage:
dAlways have your car serviced in
accordance with maintenance
instructions.
dNever continue driving until the fuel
tank is empty.
dRespond to engine miss by switching
off the engine at once.
dNever tow-start the car unless the
engine is cold, or else unburned fuel
may reach the catalytic converter.
Better yet: use jumper cables!
dAvoid other situations in which the
fuel would not be (completely)
burned, for instance:
Frequent, extended, or repeated
starting attempts during which the
engine fails to start. (Switching off
and restarting a healthy engine
causes no damage).
Never let the engine run with any of
the spark-plug cables disconnected.
a
Always observe the above points
to prevent unburned mixture from
entering the catalytic converter. This
could result in overheating, leading to
serious damage.
High temperatures occur on all vehicles
equipped with a catalytic converter.
Heat shields are installed adjacent to
some sections of the exhaust system.
Never remove these shields; do not
apply undercoating to their surfaces.
When driving, standing at idle or park-
ing the vehicle, take care to avoid con-
tact between the exhaust system and
flammable materials (e.g., grass, hay,
leaves, etc.). Such contact could lead to
a fire, resulting in personal injury and
property damage.c
Traveling abroadAlways make sure that unleaded fuel
meeting your engineÕs octane require-
ments will be available when planning
trips outside the country. The use of
fuel failing to meet the official octane
requirements could result in engine
damage.
If you are considering traveling to a
country in which unleaded fuel is not
readily available, please remember that
leaded fuel will destroy the lambda oxy-
gen sensor and the catalytic converter
on your BMW. After operation on
leaded fuel, your vehicle will no longer
meet American and Canadian exhaust
emission standards, and there will also
be a loss of fuel economy. Upon your
return to the US or Canada, you will be
expected to comply with legal ordi-
nances requiring that you replace both
the oxygen sensor and the catalytic
converter, and to have the fuel system
flushed to remove any traces of leaded
fuel.
Catalytic converter
