2003 BMW M5 SEDAN oil level

16n

Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself

The system runs a check on the
warning and indicator lamps marked
by "

l

" each time you switch on the
ignition. They each light up once for dif-
ferent periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these
systems, the corresponding lamp does
not go out after the engine is started or
it lights up while the vehicle is moving.
The following section describes how
you should respond.

Red: stop immediately

Alternator charge current

l

The battery is no longer being
charged. Indicates a defective
alternator drive belt or a problem with
the alternator's charge circuit. Please
contact the nearest BMW center.
You should never attempt to con-
tinue driving with a defective drive
belt, as the engine could overheat and
sustain serious damage. A defective
drive belt will also make the vehicle
harder to steer.

<

Engine oil pressure



l


May be accompanied by the
warning "STOP!ENGINE OIL-
PRESS" in the Check Control display
panel: stop the vehicle immediately and
switch off the engine. Check level of oil
in engine, top up as required. If oil level
is correct: please contact the nearest
BMW center.
Do not continue driving, as the
engine could sustain serious
damage from inadequate lubrication.

<



Brake hydraulic system

l

Have the brake fluid level
checked. Before driving further,
be sure to read the notes on pages 108
and 118.
The indicator lamp comes on together
with the "CHECK BRAKE LININGS"
message in the Check Control.
Brake hydraulic system warning
lamp for Canadian models.

65n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Coolant temperature gauge Service Interval Display BlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at mod-
erate engine and vehicle speeds.RedAccompanied by the warning,
"COOLANT TEMPERATURE" in the
Check Control: the engine is over-
heated. Shut off the engine immediately
and allow it to cool down.
To check coolant level, refer to
page 118.Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. The needle
may rise as far as the edge of the red
sector in normal operation. 39mde026
Green lampsThe number of illuminated lamps
decreases as the time for your next
maintenance visit approaches.Yellow lampThis field appears together with
OILSERVICE or INSPECTION.
Maintenance is due. Please contact
your BMW center for an appointment. Red lampThe maintenance deadline has been
passed.380us008

66n
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

67n
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.

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.<

Everything from A to ZA
ABS (Antilock Brake
System)17, 107
Activated-charcoal filter91
Active seat43
Adding
brake fluid118t
engine coolant118t
engine oil116t
washer fluid115t
Adjusting
backrest41
head restraints43
mirrors48
seats40
steering wheel47
temperature89
Air conditioning90
Air distribution89
Air pressure, tires22, 109
Air supply89
Airbags17, 49
Alarm system35
Anchorage points
child-restraint system with
tether strap52
Antifreeze118
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)17, 107
Aquaplaning107, 109 Ashtray
front97
rear98
Attach vacuum cleaner98
AUC (Automatic recircu-
lated-air control)90
Automatic climate
control87
removing condensation
from the windows89
Automatic cruise control61
Automatic curb monitor46
Automatic dimming
exterior mirror48
interior rearview mirror48
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC)90
Automatic steering wheel
adjustment47
Automatic windshield
washer60
Average fuel
consumption75
Average speed76
Avoiding unintentional
alarms36
Axle loads142
B
Backrest, adjusting41
Backup lamps59
bulb replacement126t
Battery131
care131
charging131
discharged133t
Belts44
Beverage holder97
Blower89
BMW active seat43
BMW comfort seat42
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil117
BMW M sport seat41
BMW Maintenance
System119
BMW Universal
Transmitter93
Bottle holder, refer to
Beverage holder97
Brake fluid118
disposal118
Brake hydraulic system,
brake pads16
Brake system108
brake fluid level108
brake linings108
malfunctions108t
Break-in procedures106 Bulbs and lamps124
C
California Proposition
65 Warning120
Capacities143
Car telephone97
Cargo loading102
Cellular phone97
refer also to the separate
Owner's Manual97
Center (high mount) brake
lamp127
Central locking system26
key31
Charging the battery132t
CHECK button66
Check Control66
Check engine oil
level115t
Check tire inflation
pressure22t, 109
Child seats51
Child-restraint
installation53
Child-restraint system with
tether strap52
Cigarette lighter98
Clock70
refer also to the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer"

Everything from A to Z
147n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Cockpit14
Code76
activating76
deactivating76
refer also to the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer"
selecting76
Comfort seat42
Compartments96
Computer73
refer also to the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer"
remote control77
Configuring individual
settings55
Consumption75
Convenience operation of
windows and sliding/tilt
sunroof27
Coolant117
disposal118
Coolant temperature
gauge65
Cooling, maximum90
Copyright4
Cover, roller sun blinds92
Cruise control61
Cruising range75 Cup holder, refer to
Beverage holder97
Curb weight142
D
Date
calling up70
changing70
refer also to the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer"
Daytime driving lamps84
DBC (Dynamic Brake
Control)17, 80
Deactivating
interior motion sensor36
tilt alarm sensor36
Deep water107
Defrosting position89
Defrosting the
windows89t
Digital clock70
refer also to the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer"
Dimensions141
Disconnecting the
battery133t
Displacement140
Display lighting85 Displays, instrument
cluster15
Disposal
brake fluid118
coolant118
engine oil116
Distance from
destination74
Divided rear backrest99
Door key26
Doors
manual operation27
remote control28
unlocking and locking27
DOT Quality Grades110
Driving notes107
DSC (Dynamic Stability
Control)17, 80
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)17, 80
Dynamic Driving Control81
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)17, 80
E
Electric power windows36
Electrical heating, exterior
mirror48 Electrical malfunction
doors27t
fuel filler door20t
luggage compartment
lid32t
sliding/tilt sunroof39t
Elements of operation14
Emergency release of
luggage compartment
lid from luggage
compartment's interior34
Engine compartment114
Engine coolant118
temperature gauge65
Engine data140
Engine oil
checking level115
consumption115
dipstick115
disposal116
grades117
level16
pressure16
temperature gauge64
Engine performance140
Estimated time of arrival75
Exterior mirrors48
automatic dimming48
electrical heating48