2000 BMW 540I SEDAN engine oil

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
123n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Under the hood:
Hood143
Engine compartment144
Washer fluids148
Washer nozzles148
Engine oil149
Coolant151
Brake fluid152
Vehicle Identification
Number153
Care and maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System154
Caring for your car155
Airbags160
Vehicle storage160
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications161
OBD connector162 Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedure124
Driving notes125
Catalytic converter126
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)127
Disc brakes128
Brake system130
Winter operation130
Power steering132
Level control system132
Cellular phone133
Radio reception133
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure134
Tire condition134
Tire replacement135
Tire rotation136
Wheel and tire
combinations137
Winter tires138
Snow chains139
Approved wheel and tire
specifications140

145n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Engine compartment Ð BMW 528i1 Engine oil dipstick149
2 Reservoir for brake fluid (under the
housing of the microfilter)152
3 Auxiliary terminal for jump
starting182
4 Coolant expansion tank151
5 Engine oil filler neck149
6 Reservoir for intensive-cleaning
system
*
148
7 Reservoir for headlamp washer
* and
windshield washer system148

147n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Engine compartment Ð BMW 540i1 Reservoir for brake fluid (under the
housing of the microfilter)152
2 Auxiliary terminal for jump
starting182
3 Engine oil dipstick149
4 Engine oil filler neck149
5 Coolant expansion tank151
6 Reservoir for intensive-cleaning
system
*
148
7 Reservoir for headlamp washer
* and
windshield washer system148

149n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Engine oilChecking oil level1 Park the vehicle on a level surface.
2 Shut the engine off after it has
reached normal operating
temperature.
3 After approx. 5 minutes, pull the
dipstick 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 in between the
two graduations on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption
is directly influenced by your driving
style and vehicle operating conditions.390de076
The oil volume 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 oilWait until the level has dropped to just
above the lower mark before adding oil.
However, do not wait until the oil level
drops below the lower mark.
BMW engines are designed to op-
erate without oil additives; the use
of additives could lead to damage in
some cases. This is also true for the
manual transmission, the automatic
transmission, the differential, and the
power steering system.< 390de077

150n
Engine oilSpecified engine oils The quality of the engine oil selected
has critical significance for the opera-
tion and service life of an engine. Based
on extensive testing, BMW has ap-
proved only certain engine oils.
Use only approved "BMW High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil."
If you are unable to obtain "BMW High
Performance Synthetic Oil," you may
use small amounts of synthetic oil in
between oil changes. Only use oils with
the specification API SH or higher.
Ask your authorized BMW center
for details concerning the specific
"BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil"
or "synthetic oils" which 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 information.
Viscosity ratingsViscosity 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 typically drive your
BMW.
Approved oils are in SAE classes
5W-30 and SAE 5W-40.<
These oils may be used for driving in all
ambient temperatures.
530us050

151n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Engine oil Coolant
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the dis-
posal of used oil.<
Recommendation: Have the oil
changed by your BMW center.
Continuous exposure to used oil
has caused cancer in laboratory
testing. For this reason, any skin areas
that come into 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.<
Do not add coolant to the cooling
system when the engine is hot. If
you attempt to do so, escaping coolant
can cause burns.
To avoid the possibility of damage later
on, never use anything other than fac-
tory-approved, nitrite and amino-free
extended-duty antifreeze with corrosion
inhibitor. Your authorized BMW center
is familiar with the official specifica-
tions.
Antifreeze and anticorrosion agents are
hazardous to health. You should always
store them in their original container
and in a location which is inaccessible
to children.
Extended-duty antifreeze with corrosion
inhibitor contains the flammable sub-
stance ethylene glycol. For this reason,
do not spill antifreeze with corrosion in-
hibitor on hot engine parts. It could
catch fire and cause serious burns.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the dis-
posal of extended-duty antifreeze with
corrosion inhibitor.<
Checking coolant levelCorrect coolant level when the engine
is cold (approx. 687/206):
Unscrew the cap from the expansion
tank.
The coolant level is correct when the
end of the red float is aligned with the
upper edge of the filler opening (refer
to the arrow in the illustration), or max.
0.8 in (2 cm) higher, for instance up
to the mark on the float (see also the
schematic diagram next to the cap).380de081

154n
The BMW Maintenance System has
been designed as a reliable means of
providing maximum driving and operat-
ing safety Ð and as cost-effectively as
possible for you.
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.
Service Interval DisplayAdvanced technology is employed to
calculate the optimal maintenance in-
tervals, which 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 which the vehicle operates, be-390us702
cause mileage can be accumulated in
very different ways.
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.
In response to this fact, the BMW Main-
tenance System monitors operating
conditions as the basis for determining
the optimum service intervals for your
individual vehicle.
The BMW Maintenance System in-
cludes the Engine Oil Service and In-
spections I and II.
Determining the maintenance intervals
according to the actual loads on the car
covers every kind of operating situation.
However, even those who drive only
short distances Ð significantly less than
6,000 miles (10,000 km) annually Ð
should have the engine oil changed at
least every 2 years since oil deteriorates
over time, regardless of use.
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models) or Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet (Cana-
dian models)Please refer to the Service and War-
ranty Information Booklet (US models)
or to the Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet (Canadian models) for addi-
tional information on maintenance inter-
vals 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 (US models) or in
the Warranty and Service Guide Book-
let (Canadian models).
These entries will constitute your proof
that the vehicle has received regular
maintenance. They are also required in
the event of a warranty claim.<
The BMW Maintenance System

203n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Capacities

Notes
Fuel tank
Reserve gal. (liters)
gal. (liters)approx. 18.5
approx. 2.1
approx. 2.6 (approx. 70)
(approx. 8)
(approx. 10) Ð BMW 528i
Ð BMW 540iFuel specification: Refer to
page 29
Windshield washer system
with headlamp washer system
Intensive cleaning systemquarts (liters)
quarts (liters)
quarts (liters)approx. 3.7
approx. 6.3
approx. 1.1(approx. 3.5)
(approx. 6.0)
(approx. 1.0)For details: Refer to page 148
Cooling system including
heater circuitquarts (liters) 11.1 (10.5)
12.7 (12.0)Ð BMW 528i
Ð BMW 540iFor details: Refer to page 151
Engine oil filter change quarts (liters) 6.9 (6.5)
7.9 (7.5)Ð BMW 528i
Ð BMW 540i"High Performance Synthetic Oil"
for gasoline engines.
Specifications: Refer to page 150
Manual transmission, automatic
transmission and differentialÐ Ð Lifetime fluid, no fluid change
required