2002 BMW 525I SPORT WAGON oil

140n
Engine oilChecking oil level1. 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 in between
the two marks on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption
is directly influenced by your driving
style and vehicle operating conditions.390de647
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.460de189
Adding engine oilWhile you should wait until the level has
dropped to just above the lower gradu-
ation before adding oil, you should
never allow the oil level to fall below
this marking.
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 only.390de626

141n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Engine oil
Continuous exposure to used oil
has caused cancer in laboratory
testing. For this reason, any skin areas
that come into contact with oil should
be thoroughly washed with soap and
water.
Always store oil, grease, etc., out of
reach of children. Comply with all
warning labels and information on lubri-
cant containers.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the
disposal of used oil.<
Specified engine oilsThe quality of the engine oil selected
has critical significance for the opera-
tion and service life of an engine.
Based on extensive testing, BMW has
approved only certain engine oils.
Use only approved "BMW High
Performance Synthetic Oil."
If you are unable to obtain "BMW High
Performance Synthetic Oil," you can
add small amounts of synthetic oil in
between oil changes. Only use oils with
the API SH specification or higher.
Ask your BMW center for details
concerning the specific "BMW
High Performance Synthetic Oil" or
"synthetic oils" which have been
approved.<
You can also call BMW of North
America at 1-800-831-1117 or visit the
website: www.bmwusa.com to obtain
this information.
Viscosity ratingsViscosity is the oilflow rating as estab-
lished in SAE classes.
The selection of the correct SAE class
depends on the climatic conditions in
the area where you typically 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.

144n
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.
390us702
Service Interval DisplayWhile conventional systems rely on
distance traveled alone to determine
when service is due, the BMW Mainte-
nance System has for years considered
the actual conditions under which the
vehicle operates, because mileage can
be accumulated in very different ways.
From a maintenance standpoint,
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 loads on the
vehicle covers every kind of operating
situation. However, even those who
drive only short distances Ð significantly
less than 6,000 miles (10,000 km) annu-
ally Ð should have the engine oil
changed at least every 2 years since oil
deteriorates over time, regardless of
use.
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models) or Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models)For additional information on mainte-
nance intervals and procedures, please
refer to the Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet (US models) or the
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models).
As a precaution against corrosion, it is
advisable to have the body checked for
damage from rocks or gravel at the
same time, depending upon operating
conditions.
Have your BMW center do the
maintenance and repair.
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 will constitute your proof
that the vehicle has received regular
maintenance. They are also required in
the event of a warranty claim.<
The BMW Maintenance System

173n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Capacities

Notes
Fuel tank
Reservegal. (liters)
gal. (liters)approx. 18.5 (approx. 70)
approx. 2.0 (approx. 8) Ð BMW 525i, 530i
approx. 2.5 (approx. 10) Ð BMW 540iFuel specification: page 25
Windshield washer system
with headlamp washer system
Intensive cleaning systemquarts (liters)
quarts (liters)
quarts (liters)approx. 3.7 (approx. 3.5)
approx. 6.3 (approx 6.0)
approx. 1.1 (approx 1.0)For details: page 139
Cooling system including
heater circuitquarts (liters) 11.1 (10.5) Ð BMW 525i, 530i
12.7 (12.0) Ð BMW 540iFor details: page 142
Engine oil and filter change quarts (liters) 6.9 (6.5) Ð BMW 525i, 530i
7.9 (7.5) Ð BMW 540i"BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil."
For details: page 141
Manual transmission, automatic
transmission and differentialÐ Ð Lifetime fluid, no fluid
change required

Everything from A to ZA
ABS (Antilock Brake
System)20, 131
Accessories10
Activated-charcoal
filter112
Active seat52
Adaptive Transmission
Control (ATC)70, 73
Add
antifreeze142t
brake fluid143t
engine coolant142t
engine oil140t
washer fluid139t
Adjusting
backrest50
head restraints52
mirrors57
seats48
steering wheel56
temperature105, 109
thigh support50
Air conditioning104
Air distribution105, 109
Air outlets104, 107
Air pressure26t, 133
Air supply105, 109
Air vent104, 107 Airbags20, 58
Alarm system42
Anchorages to secure the
load126
Antifreeze, disposal142t
Antifreeze, radiator142
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)20, 131
Anti-theft alarm system42
Anti-theft protection34
Approved axle weight171
Approved gross vehicle
weight171
Aquaplaning131, 133
ASC+T (Automatic Stability
Control plus Traction)21
ASC+T/DSC (Automatic
Stability Control plus
Traction/Dynamic Stability
Control)97
Ashtray, front117
Ashtray, rear118
ATC (Adaptive Transmission
Control)70, 73
Attach vacuum cleaner118
AUC (Automatic
recirculated-air
control)110 Automatic climate
control107
removing condensation
from windows109
Automatic cruise control78
Automatic curb monitor55
Automatic rear window
cleaning77
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC)110
Automatic Stability Control
plus Traction (ASC+T)21
Automatic Stability Control
plus Traction/Dynamic
Stability Control (ASC+T/
DSC)97
Automatic
transmission20, 70
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic20, 73
Average fuel
consumption86
Average speed86, 94
Avoid false alarms43t
Avoiding unintentional
alarms44
B
Backrest, adjusting50
Backup lamps
bulb replacement154t
Battery160
care160t
charging160t
discharged162t
disposal160t
Belts53
Beverage holder117
Blower105, 109
BMW active seat52
BMW comfort seat51
BMW Maintenance
System144t
BMW Universal
Transmitter113
Bottle holder, refer to
beverage holder117
Brake fluid143
adding143
Brake hydraulic system19
Brake lamps, bulb
replacement154t
Brake malfunctions132

Everything from A to Z
177n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Brake system132
brake fluid level132
brake pads20, 132
disc brakes132
malfunctions132
Break-in procedures130
Bulbs and lamps151t C
California Proposition
65 Warning145
Capacities173
Car care, refer to the "Caring
for your vehicle" manual
Car wash systems, refer to
the "Caring for your
vehicle" manual
Care of paintwork, refer to
the "Caring for your
vehicle" manual
Care of upholstery materials,
refer to the "Caring for your
vehicle" manual
Cargo area
lamps103
opening from the
inside40
Cargo loading126
Cellular phone117 Center (high-mount) brake
lamp155
Central locking
system32, 37
Changing a wheel/
tire157t
Charge indicator lamp19
CHECK button83
Check Control83t
Check engine oil
level140t
Child seat safety62
Child seats61
Child-restraint systems61
Child-safety locks64
Cigarette lighter118
Clean rear window77
Cleaning windshield77
Climate control, refer to
Automatic climate
control107
Clock88
for additional information
refer to the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer"
Cockpit14
Code, refer to immoblizer
function94
Cold start67
Combination switch76 Comfort seat51
Compartments116
Computer86
for additional information
refer to the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer"
remote control95
Computer in the MID91
Configuring personal
adjustments, Vehicle and
Key Memory64
Consumption display81
Consumption, fuel86, 93
Convenience operation of
windows and sliding/tilt
sunroof33
Convenience starting
feature67
Coolant142
Coolant temperature
gauge82
Copyright4
Cover, sun blinds112
Cruising range86, 93
Cup holder117
Cup holder, refer to
beverage holder117
Curb monitor55
D
Data link connector for
Onboard Diagnostics146
Date
calling up88
changing88
Daytime driving lamps101
DBC (Dynamic Brake
Control)20
Deactivating95
alarm system tilt
sensor43
interior motion sensor43
Deep water131
Defrost windows106, 109
Defroster mode106, 109
Digital clock in the MID88
Dimensions169
Dipstick, engine oil140t
Displacement168
Display lighting102
Displays16, 17
Disposal
antifreeze with corrosion
inhibitor142t
used batteries160t
used oils141t

Everything from A to ZDistance from
destination92
Distance warning96
Divided rear-seat
backrest119
Doors
manual operation33
opening and closing34
opening/closing from the
inside34
operation via remote
control34
DOT Quality Grades134
Driving notes131
DSC (Dynamic Stability
Control)21, 97
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)20
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)21, 97 E
Electric power seat50
Electric power windows44
Electrical malfunction
doors33
fuel filler door24
luggage compartment
lid38
sliding/tilt sunroof47
tailgate39 Elements of operation14
Emergency release of
luggage compartment lid
from luggage
compartment's interior41
Energy control81
Engine compartment138
Engine coolant82, 142
Engine oil140
consumption140
disposal141t
level20
pressure19
specifications141t
viscosity ratings141
Engine specifications168
Estimated time of arrival93
Exterior mirrors57
F
Failure messages83t
Filling the washer
reservoir139t
First-aid kit23
Fittings, tow-starting and
towing163t
Flashlight116 Flat tire133, 157t
Fog lamps102
bulb replacement153t
Follow me home101
Front ashtray117
Front fog lamps102
Front seat adjustment48
Fuel25
gauge81
quality25
specifications25
tank capacity173
Fuel consumption86, 93
average86, 93
indicator81
Fuel filler door24
electrical malfunction24
manual release24
Fuses160
G
Gasoline25
gauge81
quality25
Glass moonroof47
Glove compartment116
Grilles107
Gross vehicle weight171
H
Handbrake68
Hands-free system117
Hazard warning triangle23
Head restraints50
Headlamp covers,
care151t
Headlamp flasher76
Headlight washer
system139
Heated steering wheel56
Heating and
ventilation104, 107
Heating while stopped111
Heavy cargo126
Height adjustment
seats50
steering wheel56
Height of vehicle169
High beams21, 102
bulb replacement151t
High Performance Synthetic
Oils141
High-mount brake lamp155
Holder for canned
beverages117
Hood137
release137t
Horn14
Hydraulic Braking Assistant,
refer to DBC20

Everything from A to Zfor seat, mirror and
steering wheel54
related to individuals ("Key
Memory")64
related to the vehicle
("Vehicle Memory")64
Microfilter106, 112
MID (Multi-Information
Display)87
Mirrors57
adjusting57
defrosting57
memory setting54
Modifications,
technical10, 145
Monitoring inflation
pressure, tires99
Moonroof47
Multifunction buttons,
steering wheel22
Multi-Information Display
(MID)87 N
Non-smoker's
equipment118 O
OBD interface socket146
Odometer16, 80
Oil additives140 Oil change interval, refer to
the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US
models) or to the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models)
Oil consumption140
Oil dipstick140t
Oil level, indicator lamp20
Oil pressure, indicator
lamp19
Oil specifications141t
Oil viscosity141
Oils, disposal141t
OILSERVICE82
Old batteries160
Onboard computer, refer to
the "Owner's Manual for
Onboard Computer"
Onboard Diagnostic (OBD)
system146
Onboard tool kit150t
Opening and closing
from the inside37
from the outside33
using the key33
using the remote
control33
Opening the rear
window40 Operating range86
Outlets,
ventilation104, 107
Outside temperature
display80, 86
P
Park Distance Control
(PDC)96
Parked-car ventilation
system112
for additional information
refer to the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer"
Parking aid96
Parking brake20, 68
Parking lamps101
bulb replacement152t
Partition net123
Passenger-side mirror tilt
function55
PDC (Park Distance
Control)96
Pocket light116 Pollen filter106, 112
Power windows45
safety switch45
Power-slip control, refer to
ASC+T/DSC97
Q
Quality Grades, tires134 R
Rain sensor76
RDC (Tire Pressure
Monitor)99
Reading lamps103
Rear ashtray118
Rear window40
defroster105, 110
sun blinds112
wiper77
Rear window cleaning77
Rear-seat backrest
folding119
remove119
Rearview mirror57
Recirculated-air mode105
Reclining seat48
Refueling24
Releasing hood137