2002 BMW 745LI SEDAN Owners Manual

Refueling
168
Refueling Fuel filler door
Always switch off the engine before
refueling. If you do not, fuel cannot be
filled into the tank and a message in the
Check Control will appear.<
To open and close: press the rear edge of
the fuel filler door.
Manual release In the event of an electrical defect in the
system, you can release the fuel filler door
manually:
1.Lift the handle to remove the cover
panel on the right side of the luggage
compartment
2.Extract and then pull the handle with the
fuel pump symbol.
Always observe all applicable precau-
tions and regulations when handling
fuels. Never carry spare fuel containers in
your vehicle. Whether empty or full, these
containers can leak, cause an explosion,
and lead to fire in the event of a collision.<
Simple and environmentally friendly
When handling fuels always observe
any safety guidelines posted at the
filling station.<
Keep the filler cap in the bracket attached
to the fuel filler door.
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle
completely into the filler pipe. Pulling the
nozzle out of the pipe during refueling
>results in premature pump shutoff
>can lead to reduced efficiency in the
fuel-vapor recovery system.
The fuel tank is full when the filler nozzle
clicks off the first time.
Close the filler cap carefully after
refueling, continuing until you hear
the detent engage. While closing, be sure
not to pinch the strap between the cap and
the filler pipe. A loose or missing cap will
activate a message in the Check Control.<
Fuel tank capacity, approx. 23.2 US gallons
(88 litres), including the reserve capacity of
approx. 2.6 gallons (10 litres).
Never attempt to continue driving
until the tank is completely empty, as
engine functions could be affected, and the
vehicle could sustain damage as a result.<

At a glanceControlsDriving tipsCommunicationsNavigationEntertainmentMobilityReference
169
Fuel specifications The engine uses lead-free gasoline only.
Required fuel:
>Premium Unleaded Gasoline,
min. 91 AKI.
AKI = Anti-Knock Index.
Do not use leaded fuels. The use of
leaded fuels will cause permanent
damage to the system's oxygen sensor and
the catalytic converter.<

Wheels and tires
170
Wheels and tiresTire inflation pressure Information for your safety The factory-mounted radial tires have been
specially selected to provide optimal
performance when installed on your
vehicle; if properly cared for they will
furnish a combination of tremendous safety
and excellent ride comfort.
It is not merely the tire's service life, but
also driving comfort and Ð above all else Ð
driving safety that depend on the condition
of the tires and the maintenance of the
specified tire pressure.
Incorrect inflation pressure is a frequent
cause of tire damage. Tire inflation pres-
sures also have a substantial effect on your
BMW's handling response.
Check tire inflation pressures regu-
larly Ð at least every two weeks and
before beginning a longer trip. If you fail to
observe this precaution you may be driving
on tires with incorrect tire pressures, a
condition that can not only compromise
your vehicle's stability, but also lead to tire
damage and the risk of an accident.
Remember to check the inflation pressure
in your spare tire. Inflate the spare tire to
the highest pressure specified for any tire
on the vehicle.<
The inflation pressures, provided on a label
affixed to the B-pillar, are visible when the
driver's door is open.
To check tire pressures The table on the next page provides the
correct inflation pressures for cool
(ambient temperature) tires in psi/kilo-
pascal.
Vehicles with RDC Tire Pressure Monitor:
Remember to reactivate the system after
correcting your tire pressures, refer to
page 92. Comply with tire approval
specificationsThe inflation pressures in the table apply to
tire sizes and tires from BMW-approved
manufacturers. Your BMW center is familiar
with these pressures. Higher pressures
may be specified for tires from other manu-
facturers.

At a glanceControlsDriving tipsCommunicationsNavigationEntertainmentMobilityReference
171
BMW 745i, 745LiTire condition Tire tread Ð Tire damageInspect your tires frequently for tread wear,
signs of damage and for foreign objects
lodged in the tread. Check the tread depth.
Tread depth should not be allowed to go
below 0.126 in (3 mm), even though the
legally specified minimum tread depth is
only 0.063 in (1.6 mm). The locations of the
tread wear indicators are indicated by the
letters TWI at various points on the side of
the tire; when the tread wears to a depth of
0.063 in (1.6 mm), the wear indicators
appear to warn you that the tread has worn
to the minimum legal level. At tread depths
below 0.126 in (3 mm) there is an increased
risk of aquaplaning, even when only small
amounts of water are present on the road
surface. Never attempt to continue driving on
a flat tire. Because a flat tire will seri-
ously impair your vehicle's handling and
braking response, attempts to drive on a
flat tire can lead to loss of control over the
vehicle.
To avoid loading the tires beyond their
approved carrying capacity, never overload
the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which
damage develops inside the tires. The ulti-
mate result can assume the form of a
sudden air loss.
Unusual vibrations during vehicle opera-
tion, of the kind that can be caused by
contact with curbs, etc., may indicate that
a wheel, tire or other vehicle component is
damaged. These kinds of problems may
also be signalled by other changes in
vehicle response, such as a strong
tendency to pull to the left or right. Should
this occur, respond by immediately
reducing your speed. Carefully proceed or
have your vehicle towed to the nearest
BMW center or tire dealer to have the
wheels and tires inspected.
Tire damage, extending to sudden and
complete loss of pressure in extreme
cases, can pose a potentially lethal safety
hazard for the vehicle's occupants and
other road users alike.< Tire specifications
Pressure specifications in
psi/kPa
245/55 R 17, including M+S
245/50 R 18, including M+S 32/220 35/240 35/240 42/290
Front: 245/45 R 19 32/220 Ð 35/240 Ð
Rear: 275/40 R 19 - 35/240 Ð 42/290
Front: 245/40 R 20 32/220 Ð 35/240 Ð
Rear: 275/35 R 20 Ð 35/240 Ð 42/290

Wheels and tires
172
Tire replacement To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single tread
configuration from a single manufacturer.
BMW tests and approves specific wheel
and tire combinations. DOT Quality Grades Treadwear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform
to Federal Safety Requirements in
addition to these grades.< TreadwearThe treadwear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear
one and one-half (1g) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from
the norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.TractionThe traction grades, from highest to lowest,
are AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire's ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on specified govern-
ment test surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
The traction grade assigned to this
tire is based on straight-ahead
braking traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.< TemperatureThe temperature grades are A (the highest),
B, and C, representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to
dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and
reduce tire life, and excessive temperature
can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C
corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher
levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required by law.
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in combina-
tion, can cause heat buildup and possible
tire failure.<
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Quality grades can be found where appli-
cable on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width. For
example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
Do not use retreaded tires, since
driving safety may be impaired.
Possible variations in the design and the
age (which could be substantial) of the
carcasses can lead to unusually rapid
wear.< Tire age The tire's date of manufacture is indicated
on the sidewall:
DOT ... 4901 indicates that a tire was
manufactured in week 49 of the year 2001.
Regardless of milage or wear, BMW
recommends that you replace all tires Ð
including the spare tire Ð after a maximum
of 6 years, even though the tires may have
a theoretical service life of up to 10 years.

At a glanceControlsDriving tipsCommunicationsNavigationEntertainmentMobilityReference
173
Wheel and tire
combinationsThe right choice
Use only wheel and tire combinations
that BMW has approved for your
particular vehicle. Variations in factors such
as manufacturing tolerances mean that
even wheels and tires with identical official
size ratings could actually have different
dimensions than the approved units. These
differences could lead to body contact, and
with it the risk of severe accidents . If non-
approved wheels and tires are used, BMW
cannot evaluate their suitability, and there-
fore cannot be held liable for driving
safety.<
BMW tests certain tire brands for each tire
size, classifies them as road-safe and
approves them. Consult your BMW center
for more information. Observe any country-
specific regulations, e.g. on making a
corresponding entry in the vehicle
documents.
The correct combination of wheels
and tires is a vital factor in ensuring
reliable operation of various vehicle
systems such as ABS and DSC.
It is therefore important to ensure that tires
from a single manufacturer with a single
tread configuration are always mounted on
all vehicle wheels. After a flat tire, always
remember to have the specified wheel and
tire combination remounted on the vehicle
as soon as possible.<
Storage Always store wheels and tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light as
possible. Always protect tires against all
contact with oil, grease and fuels.
Special characteristics of
winter tires Choosing the right tire BMW recommends winter tires Ð M+S
radial tires for use in cold winter driving
conditions. Although all-season M+S tires
provide better winter traction than standard
summer tires with H, V, W and ZR speed
ratings, they generally fail to provide the
same levels of cold-weather performance
as winter tires.
When mounting, always install winter tires
of a single tread configuration and from a
single manufacturer on all four wheels to
ensure safe tracking and secure steering
response. Observe speed ratings
Never exceed the maximum speed for
which the tires are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and acci-
dents.
Have this work performed by skilled
professionals only. The technicians at your
BMW center will be glad to assist you with
the required professional knowledge and
specialized equipment.<
Tire condition, tire pressure Because winter tires display a noticeable
loss in their ability to cope with cold-
weather driving conditions once the tread
wears to below 0.16 in (4 mm), to ensure
continued safety you should always have
such tires replaced.
Always maintain the specified inflation
pressures in all tires, and remember to
have the wheel and tire assemblies
balanced every time either a wheel or a tire
is replaced. Snow chains*

BMW narrow-link snow chains
are
approved exclusively for use in pairs on
the rear wheels, and should only be

Wheels and tires
174 mounted on rear tires with the dimensions
245/50 R 18. Observe the manufacturer's
instructions when installing snow chains.
Do not exceed a vehicle speed of 30 mph
(50 km/h) with the chains mounted.

At a glanceControlsDriving tipsCommunicationsNavigationEntertainmentMobilityReference
175
Under the hood Hood To release Pull the lever located under the left side of
the instrument panel.
Never attempt to perform any service
or repair operations on your vehicle
without the required, professional technical
training. When you are unfamiliar with the
service procedures and precautions,
always have any required work carried out
at your BMW center. Unprofessional
attempts at service and repair, and the
incorrect handling of parts and materials
that can occur during such attempts,
constitute a potential safety hazard, both
for the vehicle's occupants and for other
road users.< To open Pull the release handle and open the hood.
To close Allow the hood to fall from a height of
approx. 12 in (30 cm), ensuring that you
hear the detent engage securely.
Observe the same precautions that
apply to all closing operations by
ensuring that the hood's travel range is
clear and unobstructed before allowing the
hood to fall into position.
If you see any signs that the hood is not
completely closed while driving your
vehicle, you should stop at once and close
it securely.<