
116n
Winter tiresChoosing the right tireBMW recommends winter tires (M+S 
radial tires) for driving in adverse winter 
road conditions. Although all-season 
M+S tires provide better winter traction 
than standard summer tires with H, V, 
W, Y and ZR speed ratings, they gener-
ally fail to provide the same levels of 
performance as standard snow tires in 
winter driving. 
For of safe tracking and steering re-
sponse, install winter tires made by the 
same manufacturer having the same 
tread configuration on all four wheels.
Mount only winter tires approved by 
BMW. Any BMW center will be glad to 
provide you with information on the 
best winter tires for your particular driv-
ing conditions.Never exceed the maximum speed 
for that the tires are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to 
service tires can lead to damage and 
accidents.
Have this work performed by skilled 
professionals only. Your BMW center 
will be glad to assist you with both their 
expertise and the proper equipment for 
your vehicle.<
Tire condition, tire pressureWinter tires display a perceptible loss in 
their ability to cope with winter driving 
conditions once the tread wears to be-
low 0.16 in (4 mm), and should thus be 
replaced.
Comply with the specified tire inflation 
pressures – and be sure to have the 
wheel and tire assemblies balanced 
every time you change the tires.
StorageStore tires in a cool, dry place, away 
from light whenever possible. Protect 
the tires against contact with oil, grease 
and fuel.Snow chains
*
Use narrow-link BMW snow chains on 
summer or winter tires only in pairs and 
only on the rear wheels. Comply with all 
manufacturer's safety precautions when 
mounting the chains. 

124n
Engine oil Prescribed engine oilThe quality of the engine oil is extremely 
important for the function and life of an 
engine. Based on extensive testing, 
BMW has approved only certain kinds 
of engine oil. 
Use only approved "BMW High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil". 
If you are unable to obtain "BMW High 
Performance Synthetic Oil", you can 
add small amounts of synthetic oil in 
between oil changes. Only use oils with 
the API SH specification or higher. 
Ask your authorized BMW center 
for details concerning the specific 
"BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil" 
or synthetic oils that have been ap-
proved.<
You can also call BMW of North America 
at 1-800-831-1117 or visit this website: 
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this infor-
mation.
Viscosity ratings Viscosity 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 5W-30 or SAE 5W-40.
These oils may be used for driving in all 
ambient temperatures.
530us050 

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RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Engine oil
Always observe all environmental 
protection laws when disposing of 
used oil.<
Recommendation: Have the oil changed 
by your BMW center only.
Continuous exposure to used oil 
has caused cancer in laboratory 
testing. Any skin areas that come in 
contact with oil should be thoroughly 
washed with soap and water.
Always store oil, grease, etc., out of 
reach of children. Comply with all warn-
ing labels and information on lubricant 
containers.< 

129n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
The 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. With respect to the 
previous version, maintenance costs 
can clearly be reduced due to technical 
innovations. 
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. 462us022
Service Interval DisplayAdvanced technology is employed to 
calculate the optimal maintenance in-
tervals. These 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 that the vehicle operates, be-
cause miles can be traveled in many 
different manners:
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.
The BMW Maintenance System in-
cludes the Engine Oil Service and 
Inspections I and II.
Determining the maintenance intervals 
according to the actual loads on the car 
covers every kind of operating situation. 
Minimal use drivers – those who drive 
significantly less than 6,000 miles 
(10,000 km) per year – should neverthe-
less have the oil changed at least every 
two years, since engine oil ages regard-
less of the load.
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 Warranty and Service Guide Booklet 
(Canadian models) for additional infor-
mation on maintenance intervals and 
procedures.
As a precaution against rust, it might be 
a good idea to have the body checked 
for damage from rocks or gravel at the 
same time, depending upon operating 
conditions.
Have your BMW center do the 
maintenance and repair.
Your BMW center is always informed on 
the latest maintenance work and repair 
techniques and equipped with the re-
quired special tools. In addition, check-
ing parts known from experience to be 
subject 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 or the Warranty and 
Service Guide Booklet (Canadian mod-
els). These entries are your proof that 
the vehicle has received regular mainte-
nance. They are also a prerequisite for 
warranty claims.<
The BMW Maintenance System 

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RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Caring for your carExterior finish To provide effective corrosion protec-
tion, multilayer paintwork is applied at 
the factory. Cataphoretic immersion 
priming techniques are supplemented 
using special body-cavity protectants, 
with the application of specially-devel-
oped and extensively tested materials.
A layer of flexible PVC is first applied to 
the undercarriage. Following this, a 
comprehensive undercoating treatment 
with a wax-based protectant is applied. 
Regular maintenance makes an impor-
tant contribution to maintaining the 
safety and resale value of your vehicle.
Increasing awareness of the effects of 
harmful environmental factors on vehi-
cle finishes have led paint and vehicle 
manufacturers to initiate ongoing pro-
grams designed to further improve the 
durability of their finishes. Despite this, 
environmental factors that occur locally 
or regionally can have negative effects 
on the finish of your vehicle. These 
should guide you in determining the fre-
quency and extent of your efforts to 
maintain the vehicle finish.
Depending upon material and type 
of impact (perforation of paint layer), 
physical stresses from sand, road salt, 
gravel, etc., can cause corrosion to 
start extending beneath the finish, start-
ing at the point of impact.Road dirt, tar spots, dead insects, ani-
mal droppings (strong alkali concentra-
tion) and tree excretions (resins and 
pollen) all contain substances capable 
of causing damage when allowed to re-
main on the finish of your car for any 
period of time (spots, etching, flaking, 
separation in the top coat).
In industrial areas, deposits of flue dust, 
lime, oily soot, precipitation containing 
sulfur-dioxide (acid rain) and other envi-
ronmental pollutants will damage the 
car's finish unless adequate care is pro-
vided – even though this generally lim-
ited to the outside horizontal surfaces.
In coastal regions, high levels of atmo-
spheric salt and humidity promote cor-
rosion.
In tropical zones temperatures of over 
1007 (406) in the shade prevail, in 
addition to heavy ultraviolet radiation 
and high humidity. Under those circum-
stances light colored paints reach tem-
peratures of up to 1807 (806) and 
dark paints up to 2507 (1206).
Caring for the vehicle finish Regular washing is a preventive mea-
sure against long-term effects from 
substances that are harmful to the vehi-
cle's finish, especially if you drive your 
vehicle in areas with high levels of air 
pollution or aggressive natural sub-
stances (tree resins, pollen).
Nevertheless, you should immediately 
remove especially aggressive sub-
stances. Failure to do so can lead to 
changes in the paint's chemical struc-
ture or to discoloration. Gasoline spilled 
during refueling, oil, grease and brake 
fluid should always be cleaned away 
immediately, as should bird droppings. 
All of these substances cause damage 
to the finish.
Any contamination remaining on the 
surface of the vehicle will be especially 
conspicuous after washing. Use clean-
ing fluid or alcohol with a clean cloth or 
cotton pad to remove. Remove tar 
spots with tar remover. After cleaning, 
the affected areas should be waxed to 
ensure continued protection.
A full range of car-care products is 
available from your BMW center.< 

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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 122
Cooling system including heater circuit quarts (liters) approx. 8.9 (approx. 8.4) For details: Page 126
Engine oil and filter change quarts (liters) approx. 6.9 (approx. 6.5) BMW High Performance 
Synthetic Oil 
Specifications: Page 124
Manual transmission, automatic transmission 
and differential– Lifetime fluid, no fluid change 
required 

Everything from A to Z
181n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
NNavigation system, refer to 
the radio operating 
instructions
Neckrest 48
New transmitter, radio 
remote control 147
Non-smokers package 96
Nozzles 122OOBD connector 137
Obstruction protection 44
Odometer 74
Oil
filling capacity 173
quality 124
viscosity 124
Oil additives 123
Oil change intervals, see the 
Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet
Oil consumption 123
Oil dipstick 123
Oil filter change 173
Oil level
check 123
indicator lamp 21
Oil pressure, indicator 
lamp 20
Oil specifications 124
OILSERVICE 76Onboard computer 77
Onboard computer, refer to 
the radio operating 
instructions
Onboard tool kit 140
Opening and closing
from inside 38
from outside 34
Outlets, ventilation 88
Outside temperature 
display 78
PPaint blemishes 131
Paint, care 131
Paintwork
minor repairs 132
waxing 132
Park Distance Control 
(PDC) 80
Parking brake 64
Parking help 80
Parking lamps 84, 85
bulb replacement 142
Parking, winter 111
PDC (Park Distance 
Control) 80
Performance 170
Pocket lamp 94
Pollen 93
Power steering 112
Power windows 44Preheat 62
Pressure monitoring, 
tires 82, 164
Pressure, tires 27, 113
RRadiator 173
Radio Data System 
(RDS) 162
Radio reception 112, 162
Radio remote control, new 
transmitter 147
Radio, refer also to the radio 
operating instructions
Rain sensor 70, 165
RDC (Tire Pressure 
Control) 82, 164
RDS (Radio Data 
System) 162
Reading lamps 86
Rear backrest, folding 98
Rear lamps 143
Rear window 
defroster 71, 92
Rear-view mirror 52
Reclining seat 47
Refueling 26
Remote control 35
Removal of the vehicle from 
service 136
Remove condensation, 
windows 91Replenish washer fluid 122
Reporting safety defects 7
Reserve control lamp 75
Restraint system 56, 60
Reverse 17, 65
Roller blind, sun 
protection 93
Roof load 172
Roof luggage rack 101
Rubber parts 110
SSafety belt height 
adjustment 55
Safety belt tensioner 162
Safety belts 55
safety belt height 
adjustment 55
Safety buttons 38
Safety feature 44
Seat
electric power 50
mechanical 47
Seat adjustment 47
Seat heating 93
Seat memory 51
Securing cargo 100
Securing loads 100
Selector lever, automatic 
transmission 66
Self-diagnostics 166