2003 BMW M5 SEDAN engine oil

68n
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.<

114n
Engine compartment essentials 1 Reservoir for brake fluid (under
the housing of the microfilter)118
2 Auxiliary terminal for jump
starting1333 Engine oil dipstick115
4 Engine oil filler neck116
5 Coolant expansion tank1186 Reservoir for the intensive-cleaning
system115
7 Reservoir for the windshield and

headlamp washer system115
39mde150

115n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
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

116n
Engine oilThe 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
To add oil While you should wait until the level has
dropped to just above the lower marks
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 is also true for the
manual transmission, the differential,
and the power steering system.<
Recommendation: have the oil changed
by your BMW center only.39mde110
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.
Store oil, grease, etc., out of reach of
children. Comply with warning labels
and information on containers.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the dis-
posal of used oil.<

117n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Engine oil CoolantSpecified engine oils The quality of the engine oil is
extremely important for the function
and service life of an engine. Based on
extensive testing, BMW approves only
certain grades of engine oil.
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 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
"special 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 information.
Viscosity ratings Viscosity is the oil flow 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.
Do not add coolant to the cooling
system when the engine is hot.
If you attempt to do so, escaping
coolant can cause scalds. To avoid the
possibility of secondary damage, never
use anything other than factory-
approved, nitrite and amino-free
extended-duty antifreeze with corrosion
inhibitor. Your BMW center is familiar
with these specifications.
Antifreeze and anti-corrosion agents
are hazardous to health. You should
always store them in their original con-
tainers and in a location which is out of
reach of children. For this reason, do
not spill antifreeze with corrosion inhib-
itor on hot engine parts. It could ignite
and cause burns.<

119n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
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

120n
Technical modifications California Proposition 65 WarningLight-emitting diodes (LEDs)Light-emitting diodes installed behind
translucent lenses serve as the light
source for many of the controls and dis-
plays in your vehicle. The concept
behind their operation is related to that
employed for lasers.
Do not remove the protective lens
and avoid staring directly at the
unfiltered beam for extended periods
(several hours), as inflammation of the
iris could result.<
California laws require us to state the
following warning:
Engine exhaust, some of its con-
stituents, and certain vehicle com-
ponents contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects and
reproductive harm. In addition, certain
fluids contained in vehicles and certain
products of component wear contain or
emit chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and birth
defects or other reproductive harm.
Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead
compounds. Wash your hands after
handling.
Used engine oil contains chemicals that
have caused cancer in laboratory ani-
mals. Always protect your skin by
washing thoroughly with soap and
water.<

143n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Capacities
Notes
Fuel tank
of which reserve gal. (liters)
gal. (liters)approx. 18.5 (approx. 70)
approx. 2.5 (approx. 10) Fuel specification: page 22
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 115
Cooling system including heater
circuitquarts (liters) 12.7 (12.0) For details: page 117
Engine oil filter change quarts (liters) 6.9 (6.5) "BMW High Performance Synthetic
Oil," for details: page 117
Manual transmission and differential Ð Oil change at the 1,200-mile-service,
then the oil never needs to be
changed again