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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 oilWhile you should wait until the level has
dropped to just above the lower mark
before adding oil, you should never
allow the oil level to fall below this
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
at your BMW center.
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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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Battery FusesBattery careThe battery is maintenance-free, that is,
the original electrolyte will normally last
for the service life of the battery under
moderate climatic conditions.
Please consult your BMW center
whenever you have any questions
concerning the battery. The battery is
completely maintenance-free; the
following section is provided for your
information only.<
Never disconnect the battery
when the engine is running; the
ensuing voltage surge would seriously
damage the vehicle's onboard elec-
tronic systems.<
Charging the batteryWhen charging the battery in the
vehicle, leave the engine off at all times.
Connect the charge cables to the termi-
nals in the engine compartment. For
terminal locations refer to Jump-
starting on page 140.
Return used batteries to a recycling
point or your BMW center. Maintain
the battery in an upright position for
transport and storage. Secure the
battery against tilting during transport.<
The fuses are located in the glove
compartment behind a cover secured
by two snap clips.
Do not attempt to repair a blown
fuse or replace it with a fuse
having a different color or amperage
rating. To do this could cause a fire in
the vehicle resulting from a circuit over-
load.<
Page 150 of 159

Everything from A to ZA
ABS (Antilock Brake
System)19, 109
Access to the rear51
Accessories10
Activated-charcoal filter96
Adaptive Transmission
Control (ATC)68
ADB (Automatic Differential
Brake)81
Adding
brake fluid124
coolant123
engine oil121
washer fluids120
Adjusting
electric power seats49
head restraints50
lumbar support50
mirrors55
steering wheel54
Air conditioning90
temperature setting91
Air distribution91, 94
Air nozzles90
Air outlets
ventilation90, 93 Air supply91, 94
Airbags18, 56
sitting correctly48
Alarm system28, 36
Antifreeze and anti-
corrosion agents123
disposal123
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)19, 109
Anti-theft system28, 29, 32
Aquaplaning109
Armrest99
ASC+T (Automatic Stability
Control plus Traction)80
Ashtray
front100
rear101
ATC (Adaptive Transmission
Control)68
Attach vehicle vacuum
cleaner101
AUC (Automatic recircu-
lated-air control)95
Automatic climate
control93, 94
Automatic cruise control72 Automatic Differential Brake
(ADB)81
Automatic dimming feature,
mirrors56
Automatic headlight
control87
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC)95
Automatic Stability Control
plus Traction (ASC+T)80
Automatic transmission67
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic18, 67
Average fuel
consumption78
Average speed78
Axle loads146
B
Backup lamps66
bulb replacement133
Battery139
care139
charging139
disposal139
Battery charge current
indicator17 Belts, safety52
Beverage holder100
Blower91, 94
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil122
BMW Maintenance
System125
BMW sports seat,
adjustment49
BMW Universal
Transmitter97
Bore144
Bottle holder, refer to
beverage holder100
Brake fluid124
disposal124
warning lamp17, 124
Brake fluid level109
Brake hydraulic system,
warning lamp17
Brake lamps
bulb replacement133
Brake pads19
A-Z
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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
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