2003 BMW M5 SEDAN check engine

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Text messages are used to alert the
driver to system malfunctions with the
ignition key in position 2 and higher.
The alert is accompanied by a gong.
1 Status symbol for messages
2 Display
3 CHECK button
Messages warning of system malfunc-
tions are assigned one of two priority
levels.
39mus027
Priority 1
These defects are immediately indi-
cated by a gong and a flashing warning
symbol 1. Simultaneous defects will be
displayed consecutively. These status
messages remain in the display until the
defects are corrected. They cannot be
deleted by pressing the CHECK
button 3:
>"RELEASE PARKINGBRAKE"
>"COOLANT TEMPERATURE"
The coolant is overheated. Stop the
vehicle and switch off the engine
immediately. Refer to page 117
>"STOP!ENGINE OILPRESS"
The oil pressure is too low. Stop the
vehicle and switch off the engine
immediately. Refer to pages 16, 115>"CHECK BRAKE FLUID"
The level has dropped nearly to the
minimum. Top up the brake fluid at
the earliest opportunity. Refer to
page 118. Have the source of the
brake fluid loss diagnosed and cor-
rected at your BMW center
>"TIRE DEFECT"

Reduce vehicle speed immediately
and stop the vehicle. Avoid hard
brake applications. Do not oversteer.
Refer to page 83
>"LIMIT"
*
This is displayed if the programmed
speed limit has been exceeded.
Refer to page 73.
Check Control

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Check Control Priority 2
These displays appear for 20 seconds
with the ignition key in position 2. The
warning symbols remain after the mes-
sage disappears. The messages can be
recalled again with CHECK button 3.
>"TRUNKLID OPEN"
This message appears only when you
initially begin a trip
>"DOOR OPEN"
This message appears after a defined
road speed has been exceeded
>"FASTEN SEAT BELTS"
*
In addition to this message, an indi-
cator lamp with the safety belt icon
appears and an acoustic signal is
sounded
>"WASHER FLUID LOW"
Too low; top up fluid at the next
opportunity. Refer to page 115
>"CHECK ENGINE OIL LEV"
The oil level is at the absolute min-
imum, so add engine oil as soon as
possible. Refer to page 115. Until
then, do not drive more than approx.
30 miles (50 km)>"TIRE PRESSURE SET"
The Flat Tire Monitor has adopted the
tires' current inflation pressures as its
reference levels. Refer to page 82
>"TIRECONTROL INACTIVE"

Transient malfunctions and system
errors in the Flat Tire Monitor. Refer
to page 83
>"CHECK BRAKE LIGHTS"
A lamp has failed or the electrical cir-
cuit has a fault. Refer to pages 126
and 132 or consult a BMW center
>"CHECK LOWBEAM LIGHTS"
"CHECK SIDE LIGHTS"
"CHECK REAR LIGHTS"
"CHECK FRONT FOGLAMPS"
"CHECK LICPLATE LIGHT"
"CHECK HIGHBEAM LIGHT"
"CHECK BACK UP LIGHTS"
Defective bulb or circuit. Refer to
page 124 and following and
page 132 or consult a BMW center>"CHECK BRAKE LININGS"
Have the brake pads checked at your
BMW center. Refer to page 108
>"CHECK COOLANT LEVEL"
The coolant level is too low; top off
at the next opportunity. Refer to
page 118
>"CHECK FILLER CAP"
Check to see whether the fuel filler
cap has been properly closed. Refer
to page 21
>"ENGINE FAILSAFE PROG"
Indicates a malfunction in the elec-
tronic engine-management system,
which then reverts to an emergency
default program allowing continued
operation at reduced power and
lower engine speeds.
Please have the system inspected by
your BMW center
>
"OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE 24 7
(Ð 5.0 6)"This temperature display is only an
example. The current temperature is
displayed at outside temperatures of
37.5 7 (+3 6) and below. Refer also
to page 63.

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Check ControlDisplays after completion of a tripAll of the malfunctions registered during
the trip appear consecutively when the
key is turned to position 0.
The following displays will appear when
appropriate:
>"LIGHTS ON"
This display appears when you open
the driver's door after parking the
vehicle
>"KEY IN IGNITION LOCK"
>"CHECK ENGINE OIL LEV"
Add the engine oil at the earliest
opportunity (next stop to refuel).
Refer to page 115.
Status messages remain available for
a period of approx. three minutes after
the display goes out and the key is
removed from the ignition. Press the
CHECK button 3 to display these mes-
sages. If there were multiple messages,
press the CHECK button repeatedly to
view them all in sequence.
To check the Check ControlPress the CHECK button 3 with the
ignition key in position 2:
CHECK CONTROL OK appears in the
display.
There are no faults in the monitored
systems.ComputerYou can find descriptions of the com-
puter starting on page 73 and in the
"Owner's Manual for Onboard Com-
puter."
You can have the Check Control
and computer messages dis-
played in a different language.<

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Flat Tire MonitorThe conceptThe Flat Tire Monitor keeps track of the
inflation pressures in your tires as you
drive. The system provides an alert
whenever the inflation pressure drops
significantly in one of the tires.
To initialize the Flat Tire Monitor system
with the correct tire inflation pressures,
start by checking the inflation pressures
in all four tires, comparing them with
the figures specified in the tire inflation
pressure table (page 23). Then correct
the tire inflation pressures as neces-
sary. Now you can activate the system. The Check Control (refer to page 66)
will inform you if the tire inflation pres-
sure of one the tires has dropped signif-
icantly.
Activating the system1. Turn the ignition key to position 2
(do not start the engine)
2. Press the button and maintain pres-
sure until the message "SET TIRE
PRESSURE" appears in the Check
Control (several seconds)
3. As you drive, the Flat Tire Monitor
automatically enters the system ini-
tialization mode in which it stores the
current pressures as its reference
figures. The initialization process
lasts for ten minutes or somewhat
longer. Once it has been completed
the Tire Pressure Monitor is able to
detect and warn of flat tires.39mde119
Repeat this process after altering the
tire inflation pressure, changing the tire,
or rotating the wheels.
Do not carry out a new initialization of
the system, if you correct the inflation
pressures to the already specified tire
pressures.

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Washer fluids Engine oilHeadlamp and windshield
washer systemCapacity in US quarts (liters).
Windshield washer:
Approx. 3.7 US quarts (3.5 liters)
With headlamp-washing system:
Approx. 6.3 US quarts (6.0 liters).
Fill with water and Ð if required Ð with a
washer antifreeze (according to manu-
facturer's recommendations).
We recommend that you mix the
washer fluid before adding it to
the reservoir.< 39mde128
Intensive-cleaning washer
reservoirCapacity approx. 1.1 US quarts
(1.0 liter).
Fill with intensive-cleaning washer fluid.
It resists freezing down to approx. Ð 17
7 (Ð 27 6) and is available from your
BMW center.
Antifreeze agents or intensive-
action washer fluids for the
washer systems are highly inflammable.
For this reason, keep them away from
sources of flame and store them only in
their original containers. Store them so
that they are inaccessible to children.
Comply with the instructions on the
containers.<39mde129
Checking oil level 1. Park the vehicle on a level surface
2. Allow the engine to run at operating
temperature for at least 15 seconds
at idle, then shut it off
3. After approx. one minute, 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. 39mde042

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Coolant Brake fluidChecking coolant level and
adding coolantCorrect coolant level when the engine
is cold (approx. 68 7/20 6):
In the translucent container's visible
range, as far as the graduation marked
KALT/COLD.
1. Turn the cap counterclockwise
slightly in order to allow accumulated
pressure to escape
2. If the coolant is low, slowly add
coolant until the correct level is
reached Ð do not overfill.
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the dis-
posal of extended-duty antifreeze with
corrosion inhibitor.<39mde111
Brake fluid level
The warning lamp for the brake
system hydraulic circuits comes
on and/or the message "CHECK
BRAKE FLUID" appears in the
Check Control:
Brake fluid level too low.
To add brake fluidThe brake fluid reservoir is located
under the microfilter housing on the
driver's side of the vehicle. For adding
brake fluid or for determining and cor-
recting the cause of brake fluid loss,
consult your BMW center. Your BMW
center is familiar with the specifications
for factory-approved brake fluids
(DOT 4).
Brake fluid loss may result in extended
brake pedal travel. If this occurs, refer
to the information on page 108.
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that is,
it absorbs moisture from the air
over time.
In order to ensure the safety and reli-
ability of the brake system, have the
brake fluid changed every two years at
a BMW center. Refer also to the Service
and Warranty Information Booklet (US
models) or the Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet (Canadian models).
Brake fluid is hazardous to health and
damages the vehicle's paint. You
should always store it in its original
container and in a location which is out
of reach of children. Do not spill the
fluid and do not fill the brake fluid reser-
voir beyond the MAX mark. The brake
fluid could ignite upon contact with hot
engine parts and cause serious burns.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the dis-
posal of brake fluid.<

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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. 380us008
Service Interval DisplayConventional systems rely solely on
distance traveled to determine when
service is due. The BMW Maintenance
System, on the other hand, began many
years ago to take the actual conditions
under which the vehicle is driven into
consideration. After all, different drivers
can accumulate mileage in very dif-
ferent ways.
From a maintenance point of view,
62,000 miles (100,000 km) of short-dis-
tance driving cannot be compared with
62,000 miles (100,000 km) of long-dis-
tance highway travel.
In response to this fact, the BMW Main-
tenance System monitors operating
conditions as the basis for determining
the optimum service intervals for your
individual vehicle. The BMW Mainte-
nance 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)/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 War-
ranty and Service Guide Booklet (Cana-
dian 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 vehicle's maintenance
and repairs performed at your
BMW center.
Be sure that all maintenance work is
confirmed in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US models) or the
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models). These entries are
your proof that the vehicle has received
regular maintenance. They are also a
requirement for warranty claims.<
The BMW Maintenance System

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OBD interface socketThe Onboard Diagnostic (OBD) inter-
face socket is located on the left of the
driver's side at the bottom of the instru-
ment panel and under a cover. The
cover has the letters "OBD" on it.
The purpose of the OBD (Onboard-
Diagnostics) system is to assure proper
emission-control system operation for
the vehicle's lifetime by monitoring
emissions-related components and
systems to detect deterioration and
malfunction.390us739
An illuminated indicator informs
you of the need for service, not
of the need to stop the vehicle.
However, the systems should be
checked by your BMW center at the
earliest possible opportunity.
Under certain conditions, the indicator
will blink or flash. This indicates a rather
severe level of engine misfire. When
this occurs, you should reduce the
speed and consult the nearest BMW
center as soon as possible. Severe
engine misfire over only a short period
of time can seriously damage emis-
sions-control components, especially
the catalytic converter.
Service Engine Soon warning
lamp for Canadian models.
When the fuel filler cap is not
properly tightened, the OBD
system can detect the vapor leak and
the indicator will light up. If the filler cap
is subsequently tightened, the indi-
cator should go out within a few days.<