Page 115 of 162

115
Tire condition, tire pressureAt tread depths below approx. 3/16  in / 
4 mm, winter tires display a perceptible 
decrease in their ability to cope with 
winter driving conditions, and should be 
replaced in the interest of safety.
Comply with the specified tire inflation 
pressures – and be sure to have the 
wheel and tire assembly balanced 
every time you change a tire or wheel.Snow chains*BMW has assessed the safe perfor-
mance of certain specific tire brands 
and approved them for use. Consult 
any BMW center for details. BMW rec-
ommends using approved fine-link 
snow chains only. Use them inpairs on 
either summer or winter tires, but only 
on both rear wheels.
Comply with all manufacturer's safety 
precautions when mounting the chains. 
Do not exceed a speed of 30 mph / 
50 km/h when using snow chains.
You cannot mount snow chains on the 
following tires:
225/50 R 16
225/45 R 17
225/40 R 18
245/40 R 17255/35 R 18Winter tires
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
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        Page 121 of 162

121
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 also applies to the 
manual transmission, the automatic 
transmission, the differential, and the 
power steering system.<
Recommendation: have the 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., out of 
reach of children. Comply with all warn-
ing labels and information on contain-
ers.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the dis-
posal of used oil.<
Specified engine oilsThe quality of the engine oil is 
extremely important for the operation 
and service life of an engine. Based on 
extensive testing, BMW has approved 
only certain grades of engine oil.
Use only approved BMW High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil.
If an approved BMW High Performance 
Synthetic Oil should be unavailable, you 
may use small amounts of other syn-
thetic oils for topping up between oil 
changes. Use only oils with the specifi-
cation API SH or higher.
Ask your BMW center for details 
concerning the specific BMW 
High Performance Synthetic Oil or syn-
thetic oils that have been approved.<
You can also call BMW of North Amer-
ica toll-free at 1-800-831-1117 or visit 
this 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 drive your BMW.
Approved oils are in SAE classes 
5W-40 and 5W-30.<
These kinds of oil may be used for driv-
ing in all ambient temperatures.
Engine oil
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        Page 124 of 162

124Maintenance
The BMW Maintenance SystemThe BMW Maintenance System has 
been designed as a reliable means of 
providing maximum driving and operat-
ing safety – and as cost-effectively for 
you as possible.
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 the resale 
value of the vehicle.Service interval displayWhile conventional systems rely on dis-
tance traveled alone to determine when 
service is due, the BMW Maintenance 
System has for years taken the actual 
conditions under which the vehicle 
operates into consideration, because 
miles can be traveled in many different 
ways:
From a maintenance point of view, 
62,000 miles/100,000 km of short-dis-
tance urban driving cannot be com-
pared with 62,000 miles/ 100,000  km of 
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 use of the vehi-
cle covers every kind of operating situa-
tion. Minimal use drivers – significantly 
fewer than 6,200 miles/10,000 km 
annually – should have the engine oil 
changed at least every 2 years since oil 
deteriorates over time, regardless of 
use.
Service and Warranty Information 
Booklet for US models/ 
Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian modelsFor additional information on required 
maintenance intervals and procedures, 
please refer to the Service and War-
ranty Information Booklet for US mod-
els, or the Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian models.
As a precaution against rust, it is advis-
able to have the body checked for dam-
age from rocks or gravel at the same 
time, depending upon operating condi-
tions.
Have your BMW center perform 
maintenance and repair.
Be sure that all maintenance work is 
recorded in the Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet for US models, or 
in the Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian models. These 
entries are your verification of regular 
maintenance on your vehicle and are 
required for the performance of war-
ranty repairs.<
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        Page 152 of 162

Everything from A to ZA
ABS Antilock Brake System 
18, 109
Accessories 5
Activated-charcoal filter 96
ADB Automatic Differential 
Brake 77
Adding brake fluid 123
Air conditioning 88, 94
Air distribution 90, 94
Air nozzles 88, 92
Air outlets 88, 92
Air pressure 111
check 24
Air supply 90, 94
Airbags 18, 52
Alarm system 38
Anchorages 105
Antifreeze 122
Antilock Brake System (ABS) 
18, 109
Anti-theft system 38
Armrest 98
ASC+T Automatic Stability 
Control plus Traction 18, 
19, 77
Ashtray
front 100
rear 100
AUC Automatic recircu-
lated-air control 95Automatic car wash, refer to 
the Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Automatic climate control 92
Automatic cruise control 68
Automatic Differential Brake 
(ADB) 77
Automatic dimming, interior 
rearview mirror 51
Automatic headlamp 
control 85
Automatic recirculated-air 
control (AUC) 95
Automatic Stability Control 
plus Traction (ASC+T) 18, 
19, 77
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic 19, 63
Average fuel 
consumption 75
Average speed 75
Avoiding unintentional 
alarms 39
Axle loads 148
B
Backrest, adjusting 44
Backup lamps 62
replacing bulb 133Battery
charge 140
charge current 18
discharged 140
Belts 47
Beverage holder 98, 99
Blind, sun protection 96
Blower 90, 94
BMW High Performance 
Synthetic Oils 121
BMW sports seat 44
Bore 146
Bottle holder, see Beverage 
holder 98
Brake hydraulic system 18
Brake lamps
replacing bulb 133
Brake pads 19
Brake, parking 61
Brakes, malfunctions 110
Break-in procedures 108
Bulb, replacing 131
C
California Proposition 65 
warning 126
Can holder, see Beverage 
holder 98
Capacities 149
Car care, refer to the Caring 
for your vehicle brochureCar telephone
refer to the separate 
Owner's Manual
Car vacuum cleaner, con-
necting 100
Car wash, refer to the Caring 
for your vehicle brochure
Cargo loading 104
Cassette player operation, 
refer to the Owner's Man-
ual for Radio
CBC Cornering Brake 
Control 18, 109
CD player operation, refer to 
the Owner's Manual for 
Radio
Cellular phone 99
Center armrest 98
Center high-mount brake 
lamp 134
Central locking system 30
button 34
Charge indicator lamp 18
Check Control 72
Child-restraint mounting 
system (LATCH) 56
Cigarette lighter 100
Cleaning windshield 68
Clock 73
setting, refer also to the 
radio or onboard com-
puter Owner's Manual
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