123n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Coolant
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
factory-approved, nitrite and amino-
free extended-duty antifreeze with
corrosion inhibitor. Your BMW center is
familiar with the official specifications.
Antifreeze and anti-corrosion agents
are hazardous to health. You should
always store them in their original
container and in a location which is out
of reach of children.
Extended-duty antifreeze with corro-
sion inhibitor contains the flammable
substance ethylene glycol. For this
reason, do not spill extended-duty anti-
freeze with corrosion inhibitor on hot
engine parts. It could ignite and cause
serious burns.<
Checking coolant levelCorrect coolant level when the engine
is cold (approx. 68 7 or +20 6):
1. Open the cap for the expansion tank
by turning it slightly counterclock-
wise to allow accumulated pressure
to escape, then open
2. The coolant level is correct when the
upper end of the red float is at least
even with the upper edge of the filler
neck, but no more than 0.8 in (2 cm)
above it Ð that is, up to the second
mark on the float (refer also to the
schematic diagram next to the filler
neck)
3. If necessary, add coolant.If the
coolant is low, slowly add coolant
until the correct level is reached Ð do
not overfill.
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the
disposal of extended-duty antifreeze
with corrosion inhibitor.<
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OverviewControlsMainte-RepairsDataIndex
The BMW Maintenance System has
been designed as a reliable means of
providing maximum driving and oper-
ating 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 its resale
value.
Service Interval DisplayWhile conventional systems rely on
milage alone to determine when service
is due, the BMW Maintenance System
reflects the actual conditions under
which the vehicle is operated: some
miles are more strenuous than others.
From a maintenance point of view,
62,000 miles (100,000 km) accumu-
lated in short-distance urban driving are
not the equivalent of the same distance
covered at moderate cruising speeds in
long-distance highway travel.
The BMW Maintenance System moni-
tors actual operating conditions as the
basis for defining when the Engine Oil
Service and Inspections I and II are
due.
This service strategy accurately reflects
your own vehicle's specific needs by
defining maintenance intervals
according to individual operating condi-
tions. However, drivers who cover only
extremely short distances Ð substan-
tially less than 6,200 miles (10,000 km)
annually Ð should still have the engine
oil changed at least every 2 years, as it
continues to age regardless of whether
the vehicle is used on a regular basis.
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models)/Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models)For additional information on required
maintenance intervals and procedures,
please refer to the Service and
Warranty Information Booklet (US
models) or the Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet (Canadian models).
As a precaution against corrosion, if
your vehicle is exposed to potential
damage from unimproved road
surfaces we suggest that you have the
body checked for damage from stone
chips and gravel at the same time.
We recommend that you refer all
maintenance and repair opera-
tions to your BMW center.
Be sure that all maintenance work is
confirmed in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US models), or in
the Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet (Canadian models). These
entries confirm that your vehicle has
benefitted from regular maintenance,
and are also required for warranty
claims.<
The BMW Maintenance System
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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
OBD interface socketThe interface socket for onboard diag-
nostics is located on the left-hand side
of the driver's side, behind a specially
marked cover located beneath the
instrument panel. The cover has the
letters OBD on it.
This interface makes it possible to
access data on emissions-related
components using special equipment.
An illuminated indicator informs
you of the need for service, not
that you need to stop the
vehicle. However, the systems should
be checked by your BMW center at the
next opportunity.
If the indicator blinks or flashes, this
indicates a high level of engine misfire.
Reduce speed and contact the nearest
BMW center immediately. Severe
engine misfiring over even a short
period of time can seriously damage
emission control system components,
especially the catalytic converter.
SERVICE ENGINE SOON
warning lamp for Canadian
models.
If the fuel filler cap is not on tight
enough, the OBD system can
detect leaking vapor and the indicator
will light up. If the fuel filler cap is then
tightened, the indicator will usually go
out after a short period of time.<
Everything from A to Z
151n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Brake system108, 109
brake pads110
brake rotors,
corrosion110
defect in hydraulic
circuits109
disc brakes110
Break-in procedure108
Bulbs and lamps,
replacement131 C
California Proposition
65 Warning126
Canned beverage
holder100
Capacities147
Car care, refer to the "Caring
for your vehicle" manual
Car phone100
Car wash systems, refer to
the "Caring for your
vehicle" manual
Care of upholstery materials,
refer to the "Caring for your
vehicle" manual Cargo loading103
CBC (Cornering Brake
Control)18, 81
Cellular phone
refer also to the
"Telephone Owner's
Manual"
Center (high-mount) brake
lamp134
Center armrest99
Central locking system28
inside control button32
Changing a wheel135
Charging the battery139
Check Control76
Check engine oil level121
Checking coolant level123
Checking tire pressures24
Child-restraint systems59
Cigarette lighter101
Cleaning headlamps71
Cleaning windshield71 Clock76
refer also to the
"Telephone Owner's
Manual"
Clutch108
Cockpit14
Coin box100
Compartments99
Compression ratio144
Computer76
refer also to the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer"
Configuring individual
settings via Vehicle and
Key Memory63
Consumption78
display75
Convenience operation via
driver's door lock
fully-automatic convertible
top31
power windows31
Convertible top
compartment panel35
Convertible top, fully
automatic operation42 Coolant123
capacity147
Coolant temperature
gauge75
Cooling system,
capacity147
Copyright4
Cornering Brake Control
(CBC)18, 81
Correct sitting posture48
Cruise control72
Cruising range78
Cup holder, refer to
beverage holder100
Curb weight146
D
Data
dimensions145
engine144
weights146
Daytime driving lamps87
DBC (Dynamic Brake
Control)82
Defrost windows92, 94
Digital clock76
Dimensions145
Dipstick, engine oil121
Displacement144
Everything from A to ZDisplay lighting88
Displays15
Disposal
antifreeze and anti-
corrosion agents123
battery139
brake fluid124
engine oil122
Distance warning79
Door keys28
Doors
electrical malfunction31
locking and unlocking29
manual operation31
DOT Quality Grades,
tires114
Draft-free ventilation92, 95
Drive belts17
Driving notes109
DSC (Dynamic Stability
Control)81
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control19, 81
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)82
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)19, 81
E
Easy access to the rear51
Electric power seats,
adjustment49
Electric power windows38
Electrical malfunction
doors31
fuel filler door22
luggage compartment
lid33
Electrical malfunction,
closing only
fully-automatic convertible
top44
Elements of operation14
Emergency release of
luggage compartment lid
from luggage
compartment's interior34
Energy Control74
Engine and differential108
Engine compartment
essentials119
Engine coolant, refer to
coolant123 Engine data144
Engine oil
consumption121
disposal122
fluid capacity147
quality122
specifications122
viscosity122
Engine oil level121
check121
indicator19
Engine oil pressure
indicator17
Engine speed144
Engine, starting64
Engine, switching off65
Enlarging luggage
compartment35
Entering the rear51
Exterior mirrors55
F
Failure messages76
Filling capacities147
Fittings, tow starting and
towing141
Flashlight96 Flat Tire
Monitor85, 115, 138
Flat tires113, 135, 138
Floor panel, luggage
compartment35
Fog lamps88
Follow me home lamps87
Front fog lamps88
Front reading lamps89
Fuel consumption78
Fuel consumption
display75
Fuel filler door22
electrical malfunction22
manual operation22
Fuel gauge75
Fuel reserve indicator75
Fuel specifications23
Fuel tank capacity147
Fuel tank gauge75
Fuel-injection system144
Fully-automatic convertible
top42
electrical malfunction,
closing only44
manual closing44
Fuses139
Everything from A to Z
155n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Seats48
adjustment48
adjustment
precautions48
Securing cargo103
Securing child-restraint
system59
Selector lever, automatic
transmission67
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet (US
models)125
Service Interval
Display75, 125
Setting the temperature91
Shiftlock67
Side airbags56
Sitting correctly with
airbags48
Ski bag102
Socket for electrical
appliances101
Spare key28
Spare tire135
Speedometer15
Sports seat, adjustment49
Standing lamps88
Starting the engine64 Steering wheel lock64
Stopping the vehicle65
Storage compartments99
Stowing cargo103
Stroke144
Switching off the engine65
Symbols8
Synthetic oils122
T
Tail lamps
bulb replacement133
Tank capacity147
Technical data144
Technical
modifications10, 126
Telephone preparation100
Temperature display
outside temperature77
Temperature gauge
engine coolant75
Temperature
layering92, 95
Temperature setting91, 94
Third brake light134 Tilt alarm sensor37
operating via remote
control30
switching off37
Tire change135
Tire condition113
Tire inflation
pressures24, 113
checking24
indicator83
monitoring83
Tire inflation pressures
table25
Tire Pressure Monitor
(RDC)83, 115, 138
Tire pressures24
refer also to tire inflation
pressures
Tire replacement114
Tire tread113
Tires108
Tools130
Torque144
Tow fittings141
Towing the vehicle141
Track145
Transmission66 Transmitter keys28
Transporting children
safely59
Tread depth, tires113
Tread wear113
Trip odometer74
Trunk lid, refer to luggage
compartment lid33
Trunk, refer to luggage
compartment35
Turn signal
indicators20, 69
Turn signals
bulb replacement132
Turning radius145
U
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading115
Universal Transmitter97
Use antifreeze, radiator123 V
Vehicle keys28
Vehicle Memory63
Vehicle weight146
Vehicle, starting64
Ventilation90, 93
draft-free92, 95