Page 178 of 215

178n
BatteryRemoval and installation 
Do not disconnect the battery 
when the engine is running. If you 
do so, the ensuing voltage surge will 
damage the vehicle's onboard 
electronics. 
Do not make any modifications in the 
wires to the positive terminal. If you do 
so, the protective function of the safety 
battery terminal is no longer ensured. 
Repair and disposal must be performed 
by trained technicians only.<
When removing the battery, disconnect 
the cable on the negative terminal first, 
then the cable on the positive terminal. 
Loosen the center adjusting screw on 
the battery retaining strap (use the 
screwdriver included with the onboard 
tool kit) and disconnect the strap.
When installing a battery, connect the 
positive terminal first, then connect the 
negative terminal.
When installing a battery, be sure 
that it is mounted properly and that 
the retaining bracket is installed with the 
center adjustment screw. If this is not 
done, the battery will not be adequately 
secured in case of an accident.<
Charging the battery Charge the battery in the vehicle only 
when the engine is not running. 
Before doing any work on the 
electrical system, be sure to 
unclamp the cable from the battery's 
negative terminal. Failure to do so can 
result in short circuits, a fire or personal 
injury.<
If you plan to park the vehicle for longer 
than 4 weeks, disconnect the battery 
from the vehicle electrical system by 
disconnecting the cable at the negative 
terminal. Have the battery recharged 
with an appropriate battery charger.
If the vehicle is parked for more than 
12  weeks, remove the battery, recharge 
it and store it in a cool yet frost- and 
dust-free area. During storage, have the 
battery recharged every 3 months. 
Also, recharge the battery before it is 
reinstalled. If this is not done, the 
battery will not be serviceable. Every 
time the battery is discharged, espe-
cially over extended periods, its service 
life is reduced.
Return used batteries to a 
recycling center or your BMW 
center. Maintain the battery in an 
upright position for transport and 
storage. Secure the battery to prevent it 
from tilting during transport.< 
Storage periods during which the 
battery is disconnected are not 
taken into consideration by the Service 
Interval Display for changing the brake 
fluid. 
For this reason, be sure that the brake 
fluid is changed every two years, 
regardless of the information displayed. 
Please read the pertinent information 
on page 148.< 
     
        
        Page 192 of 215

192n
Tire Pressure Control* Self-diagnostics This system regularly checks tire pres-
sure and monitors all four tires even 
while driving, so you do not have to. 
Behind the valve stem in every wheel, 
there is an extended-life electronic chip 
that contains a pressure sensor, a 
transmitter and a battery. The pressure 
is measured in extremely short time 
intervals and then transmitted by a 
radio signal. If an irregularity is 
detected, the transmission rate is 
increased. 
Located near each wheel and 
embedded in the vehicle body is an 
antenna that receives signals from the 
wheel. A central electronics system 
evaluates the quadruple signals and 
forwards any changes. 
The RDC provides an important contri-
bution to driving safety.46cde078
All 
of the important electrical and elec-
tronic systems in the vehicle are tested 
regularly and automatically Ð the driver 
does not have to perform any extra 
operations or adjustments.
The indicator lamps come on brießy 
after the ignition has been turned on, for 
example.
While you are driving, the functional 
status of the actuator motors (for the 
windshield wipers, power windows, 
seats, etc.) is constantly being analyzed 
by electrical measurements in the relays.
In the same manner, the electrical 
resistance of the airbag ignition genera-
tors and all of the remaining airbag 
components is measured at all times. Any 
fault in this system would be detected 
immediately by a current ßuctuation that 46cde052
would necessarily accompany it.
 The fault 
would be indicated immediately by the 
airbag warning lamp.
Even after you shut off the engine, the 
overall functional status of your vehicle is 
monitored. For example, all of the ßaps of 
the heating and ventilation system travel 
to the nearest limit position. This action 
ensures that the system will be able to 
provide defrosting, regardless of other 
circumstances, e. g. if a malfunction in the 
air conditioner/automatic climate control 
system
* should occur during the night 
while the vehicle is parked.
A calibration cycle runs every tenth time 
the engine is shut off. During this cycle, 
the actuator motors of all the heating and 
ventilation ßaps travel to their limit stops 
in both directions. The limit positions and 
the return travel paths are checked in this 
manner in order to ensure that appro-
priate adjustments for the operating 
elements can be made at any time.
You will hear the sounds of the air ßaps as 
the air conditioner/automatic climate 
control* carries out its self-diagnostic 
functions after the ignition has been shut 
off. All of the other self-diagnostics func-
tions operate silently in the background.
Any possible faults detected during these 
self-diagnostics can be read out and 
corrected by your BMW center
 during the 
next regularly scheduled maintenance. 
     
        
        Page 199 of 215
199n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Capacities 
Notes
Fuel tank 
Reserve gal. (liters)
gal. (liters)approx. 16.6 (approx. 63) 
approx. 2.1 (approx. 8)Fuel specification: page 27
Windshield/headlamp washer system quarts (liters) approx. 5.6 (approx. 5.3) Specifications: page 144
Cooling system including heater circuit quarts (liters) approx. 8.9 (approx. 8.4) Specifications: page 147
Engine oil filter change quarts (liters) approx. 6.9 (approx. 6.5) BMW High Performance 
Synthetic Oil
Specifications: page 146
Manual and automatic transmission, transfer box 
and differentialÐ Lifetime fluid, no fluid 
change required