2002 BMW 745LI SEDAN warning

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91
limited system response up to a speed of
approx. 45 mph (70 km/h). Intervention for
stability-enhancement is reduced. Do not
make any modiÞcations to the DSC system.
Never allow anyone other than authorized
professional technicians to carry out
service or repairs on the DSC system.< Dynamic Brake Control DBC

When you apply the brakes rapidly, this
system automatically produces the
maximum braking force boost and thus
helps to achieve the shortest possible
braking distance during "panic stops." This
system exploits all of the benefits provided
by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake
pedal for the duration of the brake applica-
tion. When the brake pedal is released, the
DBC is deactivated.
In the event of a malfunction, the
warning lamp comes on with a
yellow lamp. Have the system
checked and repaired at your BMW center
as soon as possible.
Check Control messages, refer to page 80.
Please note the supplementary information
provided in the Control Display.
Warning lamp on Canadian models.Driving stability control/
ABS Antilock Brake System The concept ABS enhances active safety by preventing
the wheels from locking under braking.
ABS incorporates CBC and EBV. In case of malfunction
If the indicator lamp lights up in
yellow, this indicates that ABS has
been deactivated in response to a
system malfunction. Conventional braking
efficiency remains available without limita-
tions. Please have the system inspected at
your BMW center.
Cornering Brake Control CBC CBC is a technical advance based on ABS.
It provides further enhancements in vehicle
stability and steering response during lane
changes and cornering at high rates of
lateral acceleration. EBV Electronic brake-force
distribution EBV controls the brake system's applica-
tion pressure at the rear wheels to ensure
stable deceleration. In case of malfunction
If the brake system warning lamp
lights up in red, appearing together
with the yellow lamps for ABS and
DSC: the stability control is no
longer operational.
If all three lamps light up in yellow:
malfunction in the stability control
systems.
While you may continue, you should
remember to proceed cautiously and drive
defensively while avoiding full brake appli-
cations.
Please have the system checked at the
nearest BMW center.
Check Control status messages, refer to
page 80. Please note the supplementary
information provided in the Control Display.
Indicator and warning lamps on
Canadian models.
Dynamic Drive The concept Dynamic Drive minimizes body roll and
optimizes vehicle stability during cornering
and evasive maneuvers.

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
94
In the event of loss in tire pressure If the indicator lamp symbol in the Check
Control lights up in yellow, and a message
also appears, this indicates that the infla-
tion pressures in the tires have fallen to
below the specified level, which is normal
in every tire after a certain amount of time.
This alerts you to have the tires inflated to
the specified pressures as soon as
possible.
Please take note of the additional informa-
tion in the Control Display panel.
If you are prompted to check the tire
pressure shortly after a correction has
been made, this indicates that the
corrected values were not accurate. Please
check the inflation pressure again and
make corrections according to the inflation
pressure table. Then reinitialize the
system.< Flat tire If you have a flat tire, the indicator lamp
symbol in the Check Control will light up in
red, and a message will appear. In addition,
a gong sounds.
If this occurs, reduce vehicle speed imme-
diately and stop the vehicle. Avoid hard
and sudden steering and braking maneu-
vers. Replace the damaged tire.
The spare tire provided with your
vehicle is equipped with the elec-
tronics required to support RDC operation;
once the spare tire is installed, the pressure
in this tire will also be monitored following
system initialization.
Have the tires changed at your BMW
center. Your BMW center has the informa-
tion needed for working with RDC and is
equipped with the necessary special
tools. radio frequency as RDC can generate inter-
ference signals that may prevent the
system from operating as intended. The symbol will appear in yellow in the
Check Control panel and a message will
appear.
You will also see the same message
>in the event of a system fault
>if a wheel is mounted without the
appropriate electronics
>if, in addition to the spare tire, additional
wheels with RDC electronics are on board.
Please refer to the additional information
supplied in the Control Display, and have
the system inspected at your BMW center.
Self-leveling suspension*

In the event of malfunction
A Check Control message
appearing together with this symbol
indicates a malfunction in the self-
leveling suspension. Please take note of
the additional information in the Control
Display panel.
Stop and inspect the vehicle. If the rear of
the vehicle is visibly lower than the front,
possibly accompanied by a tilt noticeable
when you compare the left rear with the
right rear, you should respond by immedi-
ately proceeding to the nearest BMW
center. Drive with appropriate caution in
the meantime. The vehicle has reduced
ground clearance and driving comfort may
be noticeably reduced. Even if the attitude
of the vehicle is normal, you should consult
the nearest BMW center if the warning
lamp indicates a system fault.
Adaptive brake lamp The adaptive brake lamp indicates the
intensity with which you are applying your
brakes to drivers of following vehicles.

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95
The display consists of two stages:
>Normal braking:
The brake lamps in the tail lamp assemblies
and the high-mount brake lamp on the rear
tray light up during braking.
>Heavy braking and braking with ABS:
The tail lamps also light up with the same
intensity as the standard brake lamp units
to enhance the warning effect of the brake
lamps.

Lamps
96
LampsParking lamps/low beams Parking lamps (side marker lamps)

With the switch in this position, the
front, rear and side vehicle lighting
is switched on. You can use the side
marker lamps for parking. For lighting on
one side for parking as an additional
feature, refer to page 97.
Low beams
When you switch off the ignition
with the headlamps on, the head-
lamps go out, and only the parking
lamps remain on.
"Follow me home" lamps:
After parking the vehicle and
switching off the headlamps, you can use
the headlamp flasher control to activate the
headlamps (low beam) for a period of
roughly 40 seconds. You also have the
options of extending this period or, as an
alternative, having this function deacti-
vated.<
"Lamps on" warning If you switch off the ignition while the head-
lamps are on, when you subsequently open
the driver's door a buzzer will sound for
several seconds, while the Check Control
will provide you with an additional reminder
in the form of a message alerting you to the
fact that the headlamps have not been
switched off
.
Daytime driving lamps
*
If you wish, you can leave the light switch in
the low-beam position:
All external lamps go out when you switch
off the ignition.
Always observe all applicable laws
governing the use of daytime driving lamps.
You can switch on the parking lamps when
needed using the standard procedure
described under Parking lamps.
You can have the daytime driving
lamps on your vehicle programmed to
operate as desired.< Automatic headlamp control
When you set the switch to this
position, the system activates and
switches the headlamps on and off
(low beams) in response to changes in
ambient light conditions, for instance, in
tunnels, at dawn and dusk, and in rain and
snow. The green indicator lamp next to the
symbol is illuminated when the low beams
are on.
Following automatic activation the
vehicle's external lighting remains on
when you switch on the fog lamps.<
The automatic headlamp control
cannot serve as a substitute for your
personal judgment in determining when the
lamps should be switched on in response
to ambient lighting conditions. For
example, the system cannot detect fog. To
avoid safety risks, you should always
switch on the lamps manually under these
conditions.<
You can have the sensitivity of the
headlamp control system adjusted on
your vehicle.<

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119
Brake system Braking with ABS The best way to achieve optimal response
from the ABS is to apply maximum pres-
sure to the brake pedal during emergencyÐ
panic stops. Since the vehicle maintains
steering responsiveness, you can never-
theless avoid possible obstacles with a
minimum of steering effort.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combines with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits to indi-
cate to the driver that ABS is in its active
mode.
Do not drive with your foot resting on
the brake pedal. Even light but
consistent pedal pressure can lead to high
temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure.< Disc brakes
Driving in wet conditions While driving in wet conditions and in
heavy rain, it is a good idea to apply light
pressure to the brake pedal every few
miles. Monitor traffic conditions to ensure
that this maneuver does not endanger
other road users. The heat generated in this
process helps dry the pads and rotors to
ensure that full braking efficiency will then
be available when you need it. Hills You can retain full and unimpaired braking
efficiency by downshifting to a gear in
which only minimal brake applications are
needed when descending long or steep
downhill stretches.
You can further enhance the engine's
braking effect by selecting a lower gear in
the automatic transmission's manual
mode, downshifting as far as first gear on
extremely steep stretches, refer to
page 68. This strategy helps you avoid
placing excessive loads on the brake
system.
Corrosion When the vehicle is driven only occasion-
ally, during extended periods when the
vehicle is not used at all, and in operating
conditions where brake applications are
less frequent, there is an increased
tendency for corrosion to form on rotors,
while contaminants accumulate on the
brake pads. This occurs because the
minimal pressure which must be exerted by
the pads during brake applications to clean
the rotors is not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors,
the brakes will tend to respond with a
pulsating effect that even extended appli-
cation will fail to cure.
Never allow the vehicle to coast with
the transmission in neutral Ð or with
the engine switched off; there is no engine
braking when the transmission is in neutral,
and no power-assist for brakes and
steering when the engine is not running.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area around the
accelerator and brake pedals and obstruct
their movement.< Brake pads
If the brake pad wear indicator lamp
appears in the Check Control,
accompanied by a text: please take
careful note of the additional information in
the Control Display panel.
Warning lamp for Canadian models.
The brake pads have reached their
minimum pad thickness. Have them
replaced at your BMW center as soon as
possible.
For your own safety: use only brake
pads that BMW has released for your
particular vehicle model. Because BMW
cannot assess the suitability of other brake
pads for use on your vehicle, we are unable
to assume continued responsibility for the
vehicle's operating safety if non-approved
pads are installed.<

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145
providing the best reception in the AM and
FM wavebands.To select a stored station 1.Select the waveband
"FM" or "AM"
Each time you confirm "AM" the system
alternately switches between the AM
waveband and the "Autostore" mode.
Each time you confirm "FM" the system
alternately switches between "Memorized
Station" and the "Autostore" mode.
2.Turn and press the controler to select a
stored stationor
1.>>Radio (menu)<<
2.>>Station 1 ..12<<.<
Weather BandWeather Radio is a service of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Ð
NOAA Ð of the U.S. Department of
Commerce. Weather messages are
repeated every four to six minutes and are
routinely revised every one to three hours,
or more frequently if needed. Most of the
stations operate 24 hours daily. During
severe weather, National Weather Service
forecasters can interrupt the routine
weather broadcasts and substitute special
warning messages. If you have a question
concerning NOAA Weather Radio, please
contact your nearest National Weather
Service Office, or write to National Weather
Service Ð Attn: W/OM11Ð, National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration, 1325
East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD.
20910.To select Weather Band1.Select "WB" and confirm your selection
2.Turn and press to select a broadcast
frequency/channel in the Weather Band.

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Adding engine oil Wait until the level has dropped to just
above the lower mark before adding oil.
BMW engines are designed to
operate without additives, and their
use could even lead to damage in some
cases. This also applies to the automatic
transmission, the differential and the power
steering system.<
Recommendation: have your oil changed at
your BMW center.
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., well out of
the reach of children; always observe all
warning labels on the containers.<
Please observe all environmental-
protection rules and regulations when
disposing of used oil.< Specified engine oils The quality of the engine oil selected has
critical significance for the operation and
service life of an engine. BMW approves
only specific oils after confirming their suit-
ability for use in its vehicles with extensive
testing.
Use only approved BMW High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil.
If you are unable to obtain BMW High
Performance Synthetic Oil, you can add
small amounts of another synthetic oil
between oil changes. Use only 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 this website:
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this informa-
tion.
Viscosity ratingsViscosity is the oil flow rating as defined 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.Coolant
Do not add coolant to the cooling
system when the engine is hot.
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 anticorrosion agents are
hazardous to health. Always store these
agents in tightly-closed original containers
kept well away from the reach of children.
Extended-duty antifreeze with corrosion
inhibitor contains ethylene glycol Ð a flam-
mable substance. For this reason, do not
spill antifreeze with corrosion inhibitor on
hot engine parts. It could ignite and cause
serious burns.<
Always observe all applicable rules
and regulations for environmental
protection when disposing of used
extended-duty antifreeze with corrosion
inhibitor.<

Under the hood
178
Checking coolant level Correct coolant level with the engine cold Ð
approx. 58 7 (20 6):
1.Turn the cap of the expansion tank
counterclockwise to allow any accumu-
lated pressure to escape, then continue
turning to open
2.The coolant level is correct when the
coolant extends to between the MIN and
MAX marks on the filler neck, refer to the
diagram adjacent to the filler neck
3.If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant
up to the specified level Ð do not overfill. Brake fluid
The symbol lights up and a
message appears in the Check
Control panel:
The brake fluid in the reservoir has fallen to
below the minimum level.
The brake fluid reservoir is located under
the microfilter housing trim panel on the
driver's side of the vehicle. To have brake
fluid added to the system, or to have the
source of any brake fluid loss traced and
rectified, please contact your BMW center,
which can also supply the factory-
approved DOT 4 brake fluids.
Brake fluid is hygroscopic: it absorbs
moisture from the atmosphere over
the course of time.
To ensure that the brake system continues
to provide safe and reliable performance,
remember to have the brake fluid changed
every two years at the latest, refer to
page 79 and to the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US models) or the Warranty and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models).
Brake fluid is toxic and also damages
vehicle paintwork. Always store brake fluid
in tightly-closed original containers kept
well away from the reach of children.
Do not spill the fluid and do not refill the
brake fluid reservoir to beyond the MAX
mark. Should it come into contact with hot
engine components, the brake fluid could
ignite and cause personal injury in the form
of burns.<
Always observe all applicable envi-
ronmental rules and regulations when
disposing of used brake fluid.<
A low brake-fluid level combined with
longer-than-usual pedal travel could be a
sign that one of the brake system's
hydraulic circuits has failed.
Proceed to the nearest BMW center.
Remember that pedal travel may be
increased, and there may also be a
substantial increase in the amount of pedal
pressure required to brake the vehicle.
Please adapt your driving style accord-
ingly.<
Warning lamp for Canadian models