2001 BMW 325XI oil

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine compartment Ð BMW 320i, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi 1 Brake fluid reservoir143
2 Engine oil dipstick139
3 Coolant expansion tank142
4 Engine oil filler neck139
5 Reservoir for the headlamp
* and
windshield washer system138
6 Auxiliary terminal for jump
starting173

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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
dipstick out and wipe it off with a
clean lint-free cloth, paper towel, or
similar material.
4 Carefully 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.462de244
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 is also true for the
manual transmission, the automatic
transmission, the differential, and the
power steering system.<462de245

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Engine oil Specified engine oilsThe quality of the engine oil is
extremely important for the function
and life of an engine. Based on exten-
sive testing, BMW has approved only
certain types of 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 volumes of other approved
synthetic oils for topping up between oil
changes. Use only oils with the specifi-
cation API SH or higher.
Ask your BMW center for details
concerning the specific "BMW
High Performance Synthetic Oil" or
other synthetic oils that have been
approved.<
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 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.
Approved oils are in SAE classes
5W-40 and 5W-30.<
These oils may be used for driving in all
ambient temperatures.
530us200

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine oil
Always comply with all environ-
mental protection guidelines and
regulations 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.
For this reason, thoroughly wash any
areas of skin that come into contact
with oil using soap and water.
Always store oils, grease and similar
materials so that they are inaccessible
to children. Comply with warning labels
and information on containers.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
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
intervals. These are then indicated in
the Service Interval Display. While
conventional systems rely on distance
traveled alone to determine when
service is due, the BMW Maintenance
System has for years considered the 460us112
actual conditions under which the vehi-
cle operates, because miles can be
traveled in many 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.
The BMW Maintenance System
includes the Engine Oil Service and
Inspections I and II.
Determining the maintenance intervals
according to the actual use of the vehi-
cle covers every kind of operating situa-
tion. Minimal use drivers Ð those who
drive significantly less than 6,000 miles
(10,000 km) per year Ð should neverthe-
less have the oil changed at least every
two years, since engine oil ages regard-
less of use.Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models)/Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models) Please refer to the Service and
Warranty Information Booklet (US mod-
els) or 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 perform
maintenance and repair.
Your BMW center is always informed on
the latest maintenance work and repair
techniques and equipped with the
required special tools. In addition,
checking 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 the
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models). These entries are
your verification for the regular mainte-
nance of your vehicle and are required
for the performance of warranty
repairs.<
The BMW Maintenance System

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Washing your vehicle You can have your BMW washed in
an automatic car wash, even when it
is new. Car wash systems that do not
employ brushes are preferable.
Wipe away tough dirt and loosen and
remove dead insects before washing
the vehicle.
In order to avoid spots, do not wash the
vehicle when the hood is warm, or
during or immediately after exposure to
strong sunlight.
When using an automatic car wash, be
sure that:
>The car wash system is suited for the
dimensions of your vehicle.
>No damage will occur on vehicles
with attached body accessories (such
as spoilers or antennas). Consult the
car wash operator if necessary.
>The wheels and tires of your vehicle
cannot be damaged by the convey-
ance devices of the car wash system.
>The vehicle is cleaned with minimum
brush pressure, and that ample water
is available for washing and rinsing.Vehicles with rain sensor:
Clean the windshield regularly. Wax
from automatic car washes or insects
can cause malfunctions in the function
of the rain sensor.
Deactivate the rain sensor
(refer to page 70) when passing
through an automatic car wash. Failure
to do so could result in damage caused
by unintended wiper activation.<
Parts of the vehicle that are
inaccessible to the automatic washer Ð
such as door sills, door and hood
edges, etc. Ð should be cleaned by
hand.
In the winter months, it is especially
important to be sure that the vehicle is
washed on a regular basis. Large quan-
tities of dirt and road salt are difficult to
remove, and they also cause damage
to the vehicle.
If spray wands or high-pressure
washers are used, be sure to
maintain an adequate distance between
the spray source and the vehicle's
surface. Inadequate distance and
excessive pressure can damage or
weaken the finish, making it more
susceptible to subsequent attack. In
addition, moisture could penetrate to
vehicle components, leading to long-
term damage.<
When cleaning the headlamps,
please observe the following:
Do not clean by wiping with a dry cloth
(this causes scratches). Never use
abrasives or strong solvents. Remove
dirt and contamination (such as insects)
by soaking with BMW Car Shampoo
and then rinsing with plenty of water.
Always use a deicer spray to remove
accumulated ice and snow Ð never use
a scraper.<
After washing the vehicle, apply
the brakes briefly to dry them.
Braking efficiency might otherwise be
reduced by the moisture and the brake
rotors could also be corroded.<
Caring for your vehicle

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Caring for your vehicleExterior 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 treat-
ment with a wax-based protectant is
applied. Regular maintenance makes
an important contribution to maintaining
the safety and value of your vehicle.
Increasing awareness of the effects
of harmful environmental factors on
vehicle finishes have urged paint and
vehicle manufacturers to initiate
ongoing programs 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 frequency 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,
starting at the point of impact.
Road dirt, tar spots, dead insects,
animal droppings (strong alkali effect)
and tree excretions (resins and pollen)
all contain substances capable of caus-
ing damage when allowed to remain on
the finish of your vehicle for any period
of time. This includes spots, etching,
flaking, and separations in the top coat.
In industrial areas, deposits of flue dust,
lime, oily soot, precipitation containing
sulfur-dioxide (acid rain) and other
environmental pollutants will damage
the vehicle's finish unless adequate
care is provided Ð even though this is
generally limited to the outside
horizontal surfaces.In coastal regions, high levels of
atmospheric salt and humidity promote
corrosion.
In tropical zones, temperatures of over
105 7 (40 6) in the shade prevail, in
addition to heavy ultraviolet radiation
and high humidity. Under those condi-
tions, light paints can reach tempera-
tures up to 175 7 (80 6) and dark
paints up to 250 7 (120 6).

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Caring for your vehicleCaring for the vehicle finish Regular washing is a preventive
measure against long-term effects from
substances that are harmful to the
vehicle's finish, especially if you drive
your vehicle in areas with high levels
of air pollution or aggressive natural
substances (tree resins, pollen).
Nevertheless, you should immediately
remove especially aggressive
substances. Failure to do so can lead
to changes in the paint's chemical
structure or to discoloration. Gasoline
spilled during refueling, oil, grease and
brake fluid should always be cleaned
away immediately, as should bird
droppings.
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.
Use cleaning and car-care
products that you can obtain at
your BMW center.<
Waxing your vehicle Protect the finish using carnauba or
synthetic-based waxes only.
The best way to determine when the
finish needs to be waxed is by noting
when water stops beading on the
surface.
You can use a glass cleaner to remove
any wax or silicone that may have been
left on the windows during waxing.
Use cleaning and car-care
products that you can obtain at
your BMW center.<
Paint damageYou can touch up small areas of paint
damage with a BMW spray paint or a
BMW touchup stick.
The paint color code for your vehicle is
provided on a sticker located on the
right hand side under the hood and on
the first page of your Service and War-
ranty Information Booklet (US models)
or Warranty and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models).
Damage caused by flying stones,
scratches, etc., must be touched
up without delay to prevent rust from
forming.
If corrosion has started to form in an
area with paint damage, remove all rust
and clean the area. Then prime the area
with a BMW Primer Stick. Finally, apply
the finish coat. Wait a few days, then
polish the repaired area. Finish by
applying a wax preservative.
More extensive paint damage should
be professionally repaired in accor-
dance with the manufacturer's instruc-
tions. Your BMW center uses original
BMW finish materials in accordance
with official repair procedures.