Page 66 of 155

66n
Fuel gauge  Temperature gauge  Service Interval DisplayOnce the indicator lamp stays on 
continuously, there are still approx. 
2 gallons (8 liters) of fuel in the fuel 
tank.
For fuel tank capacity, refer to 
page 143.
Certain operating conditions (such as 
those encountered in mountainous 
areas) may cause the needle to fluc-
tuate slightly.
Please refuel early, since driving 
to the last drop of fuel can result in 
damage to the engine and/or catalytic 
converter.<
When you switch on the ignition, the 
indicator lamp lights up briefly as an 
operation check.
BlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at 
moderate engine and vehicle speeds.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the 
warning lamp comes on briefly to 
confirm that the system is operational.
If the lamp comes on during normal 
vehicle operation: the engine has over-
heated. Switch off the engine immedi-
ately and allow it to cool down.
Checking coolant level, refer to 
page 117.Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating temperature. The 
needle may rise as far as the edge of 
the red sector in normal operation.
Remaining distance to serviceThe displays shown in the illustration 
appear for a few seconds when the 
ignition key is in position 1 or after the 
engine is started.
The next service due appears with the 
message OIL SERVICE or INSPEC-
TION, together with the distance 
remaining in miles (kilometers) before 
the next scheduled service. The 
computer bases its calculations of the 
remaining distance on the preceding 
driving style.
A flashing message and a "Ð" in front of 
the number mean that the service 
interval has already been exceeded by 
the distance shown on the display. 
Please contact your BMW center for an 
appointment. 
     
        
        Page 115 of 155

115n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Engine oilChecking oil level1. Park the vehicle on a level surface
2. Switch 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 marks on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption 
is directly influenced by your driving 
style and vehicle operating conditions.
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.
Adding engine oilWait until the level has dropped to just 
above the lower mark before adding oil. 
However, you should 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.<
Recommendation: have the oil changed 
by your BMW center. 
     
        
        Page 147 of 155

Everything from A to Z
147n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Break-in procedures104 
Bulbs and lamps 
replacement125 C 
California Proposition 
65 Warning120 
Can holder, refer to 
beverage holder93 
Capacities143 
Car care, refer to the "Caring 
for your vehicle" manual 
Car phone94 
Car wash systems, refer to 
the "Caring for your 
vehicle" manual 
Care of upholstery materials, 
refer to the "Caring for your 
vehicle" manual 
Cargo area35, 97 
capacity142 
Cargo area cover97 
Cargo area lighting33 
Cargo loading99 CBC (Cornering Brake 
Control)18, 73 
Cellular phone94 
refer also to the separate 
"Owner's Manual"94 
Center (high-mount) brake 
lamp128 
Center armrest92 
Central locking system28 
control button32 
Changing a wheel129 
Check Control67 
Checking engine oil 
level115 
Checking tire pressures24 
Child-restraint systems51 
Cigarette lighter94 
Cigarette lighter socket94 
Clean rear window62 
Clean the headlamps62 
Cleaning windshield62 
Clock67 
refer also to the "Radio 
Owner's Manual" Clothes hooks105 
Clutch104 
Cockpit14 
Coin box93 
Compartments92 
Compression ratio140 
Computer68 
refer also to the "Owner's 
Manual Onboard 
Computer" 
Configuring individual 
settings via Vehicle and 
Key Memory54 
Convenience operation via 
the door lock 
power windows31 
sliding/tilt sunroof31 
Coolant117, 143 
Coolant temperature 
gauge66 
Cooling system including 
heating circuit, 
capacity143 
Copyright4 
Cornering Brake Control 
(CBC)18, 73 Correct sitting posture40 
Cruise control63 
Cruising range69 
Curb weight142 
D 
Data 
dimensions141 
technical140 
weights142 
Daytime driving lamps82 
DBC (Dynamic Brake 
Control)74 
Deep water105 
Defrost windows87, 89 
Defroster, rear 
window86, 90 
Digital clock67 
Dimming rearview mirror48 
Dipstick, engine oil115 
Displacement140 
Display lighting83 
Displays15 
Disposal 
antifreeze and anti-
corrosion agents117 
battery133 
brake fluid118 
engine oil116  
     
        
        Page 148 of 155

Everything from A to ZDistance warning70 
Door keys28 
Doors 
electrical malfunction31 
locking and unlocking29 
manual operatiom31 
DOT Quality Grades, 
tires108 
Draft-free ventilation87, 90 
Drawbar weight142 
Drink holder, refer to 
beverage holder93 
Drive belts17 
Driving notes105 
DSC (Dynamic Stability 
Control)19, 73 
Dynamic Brake Control 
(DBC)74 
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)19, 73 E 
Electric power windows37 
Electrical malfunction 
doors31 
fuel filler door22 
sliding/tilt sunroof39 
tailgate33 Electrical power socket95 
Elements of operation14 
Energy Control65 
Engine compartment 
essentials113 
Engine coolant143 
Engine data140 
Engine oil 
capacity143 
consumption115 
disposal116 
quality116 
specifications116 
viscosity116 
Engine oil level115 
checking115 
indicator lamp19 
Engine specifications140 
Engine speed140 
F 
Fault displays67 
Filling capacities143 
Fittings, tow starting and 
towing135 
Flashlight92 
Flat Tire 
Monitor80, 109, 132 Flat tires107, 129, 132 
Fog lamps83 
Follow me home lamps82 
Front fog lamps83 
Front seat adjustment40 
Fuel consumption69 
display66 
Fuel filler door22 
electrical malfunction22 
manual operation22 
Fuel gauge66 
Fuel injection system140 
Fuel reserve indicator 
lamp66 
Fuel tank capacity143 
Fuel tank gauge66 
Fuses133 
G 
Gasoline gauge66 
Glove compartment92 
Gross vehicle weight142 H 
Handbrake57 
Hands-free system94 
microphone94 Harman Kardon premium 
sound system91 
Hazard warning triangle22 
HDC (Hill Descent 
Control)77 
Head restraints43 
Headlamp cover, care125 
Headlamp flasher83 
Headlamp washer 
system114 
capacity143 
Headlight control82 
Heated seats46 
High beams20, 60, 83 
bulb replacement125 
High Performance Synthetic 
Oil116 
Hill Descent Control 
(HDC)77 
Holder for beverage 
cans93 
Hood release112 
Horn14