104n
To ensure that your vehicle provides 
maximum economy throughout a long 
service life, we request that you comply 
with the following recommendations: 
Engine and differentialUp to 1,200 miles (2,000 km):
Drive at varying engine speeds and 
road speeds, but do not exceed 
4,500 RPM or a road speed of 100 mph 
(160 km/h) during this initial period.
Do not apply full throttle and avoid 
pressing the accelerator beyond the 
kickdown point.
After 1,200 miles (2,000 km), you can 
gradually increase the engine speed or 
road speed.
Follow the same break-in procedure if 
either the engine or the differential is 
replaced in the future.
TiresDue to technical factors associated 
with their manufacture, tires do not 
achieve their full traction potential until 
an initial break-in period has elapsed. 
For this reason, drive cautiously during 
the first 200 miles (300 km).Brake systemBrake pads and disks do not attain their 
optimal wear patterns until after approx. 
300 miles (500 km).
To break-in the separate parking brake 
drums, apply the parking brake lightly 
when coasting to a standstill (at a traffic 
signal, for instance), provided that traf-
fic conditions allow you to do so.
To avoid corrosion, repeat this proce-
dure from time to time.
The brake lamps do not come on 
when the parking brake is set.
Vacuum for the brake system servo unit 
on your BMW is available only when the 
engine is running. When you move the 
car with the engine off Ð when towing, 
for example Ð substantially higher levels 
of pedal force will be required to brake 
the vehicle.<
Brakes:
Do not drive with your foot resting 
on the brake pedal. Even light but con-
sistent pedal pressure can lead to high 
temperatures, brake wear, and possibly 
to brake failure.
Aquaplaning:
Reduce your speed when you drive on 
wet or slushy roads. If you do not, a 
wedge of water can form between the 
tires and the road surface. This phe-
nomenon is referred to as aquaplaning 
or hydroplaning. It is characterized by a 
partial or complete loss of contact be-
tween the tires and the road surface. 
The ultimate results are loss of steering 
and braking control.
Driving through water: 
Do not drive through water that is 
deeper than 1 foot (30 cm). If you must 
drive through water accumulations up 
to that depth, drive only at walking 
speed. Driving at a faster speed could 
cause damage to the engine, the elec-
trical systems and the transmission.
Package tray:
Never use the rear window shelf to 
store heavy or bulky objects. If you do 
so, such objects could pose the risk of 
injury to vehicle occupants during brak-
ing or evasive maneuvers or in a crash.
Break-in procedures Driving notes  
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine oilChecking the oil level 1 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 between the 
two graduations on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption 
is directly influenced by your driving 
style and vehicle operating conditions.460de051
The space between the two marks on 
the dipstick corresponds to approx. 
1.1  US quarts (1 liter). Do not fill beyond 
the upper mark on the dipstick. Excess 
oil will damage the engine.460de189
To add oil Wait until the level has dropped to just 
above the lower mark before adding oil. 
However, never let the oil drop below 
the lower mark. 
BMW engines are designed to 
operate without oil additives; the 
use of additives could lead to damage 
in some cases. This also applies for the 
manual transmission, automatic trans-
mission, differential and the power 
steering system.<462de245 
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Capacities 
Notes
Fuel tank 
reserve gal. (liters)
gal. (liters)approx. 16.6 (approx. 63)
approx. 2.1 (approx. 8)Fuel specification: Page 26
Windshield washer system/
Headlamp washer system
*
quarts (liters) approx. 5.6 (approx. 5.3) For details: Page 124
Cooling system including heater circuit quarts (liters) approx. 8.9 (approx. 8.4) For details: Page 128
Engine oil and filter change quarts (liters) approx. 6.9 (approx. 6.5) BMW High Performance 
Synthetic Oil 
For details: Page 126
Manual transmission, automatic transmission 
and differentialÐ Lifetime fluid, no fluid change 
required.