Page 124 of 186

124Special operating instructions
Break-in proceduresTo ensure that your vehicle continues to 
provide maximum economy throughout 
an extended service life, we request 
that you devote careful attention to the 
following instructions.Engine and differentialThe first 1,250 miles/2,000 km:
Constantly vary both vehicle and engine 
speeds, remembering not to exceed 
4,500 rpm or vehicle speeds of over 
100 mph / 160 km/h:
Always obey all official speed limits.
Do not use full throttle, and avoid 
pressing the accelerator beyond the 
kickdown point during these initial 
miles.
You can then proceed to increase 
engine or vehicle speeds once the ini-
tial 1,250 miles/2,000 km have elapsed.
Please remember to observe the same 
break-in procedures if either the engine 
or the differential should have to be 
replaced later in the course of the vehi-
cle's service life.
TiresOwing to technical factors associated 
with their manufacture, tires do not 
achieve their full traction potential until 
an initial break-in period has elapsed. 
We thus ask you to drive with extra care 
during the first 200 miles/300 km.
Always obey all official speed limits.
When the vehicle is operated on 
wet or slushy roads, a wedge of 
water may form between the tire and 
the road surface. This phenomenon is 
referred to as hydroplaning, and can 
lead to partial or complete loss of trac-
tion, vehicle control and braking effec-
tiveness. Reduce your speed on wet 
roads.
before the brake pads and rotors 
achieve the optimal pad-surface and 
wear patterns required for trouble-free 
operation and an extended service life 
later on.
To break in the separate parking brake 
drums, apply the parking brake lightly 
when coasting to a standstill – at a traf-
fic signal, for instance; use caution to 
avoid posing a danger to other road 
users.
You can prevent corrosion in the drums 
by periodically repeating this proce-
dure.
The brake lamps do not come on 
when the parking brake is set.
Vacuum for the brake system servo unit 
on your BMW is available only when the 
engine is running. When you move the 
vehicle with the engine off – when tow-
ing, for example – substantially higher 
levels of pedal force will be required to 
brake the vehicle.
before the clutch starts to operate at 
optimum efficiency. Remember to 
engage the clutch carefully during this 
initial period. 
     
        
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139
Adding engine oilOnly add engine oil when the oil level 
has dropped to just above the lower 
mark on the dipstick.
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.
Store oils, grease and similar materials 
so that they are inaccessible to chil-
dren. Comply with warning labels and 
information on containers.<
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
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 
     
        
        Page 169 of 186
169
Capacities
Notes
Fuel tank
Reservegal./liters
gal./litersapprox. 16.6/63
approx. 2.1/8Fuel specification, refer to
page 25
Windshield/
Headlamp washer reservoir quarts/liters approx. 5.6/5.3Specifications, refer to
page 138
Engine oil and filter change quarts/liters approx. 6.9/6.5 BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil
Specifications, refer to page 138
Manual and automatic transmission and differential – Lifetime lubricant, no oil change 
required
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 
     
        
        Page 174 of 186

Everything from A to ZClock 89
12-/24-hour mode 89
setting, refer also to the 
Owner's Manual for 
Radio/Onboard Computer
Closing
from inside 34
from outside 31
Clothes hooks 125
Clutch
breaking in 124
Cockpit 14
Code, refer to the Owner's 
Manual for Radio/Onboard 
Computer
Coin box 115
Cold start, refer to Starting 
the engine 71
Compact disc operation, 
refer to the Owner's Man-
ual for Radio/Onboard 
Computer
Compartments 114
Compression ratio, refer to 
Engine data 166
Computer 90
Condensation, refer to Air 
conditioning mode 
104, 108
Configuring settings, refer to 
Vehicle Memory, Key 
Memory 70Connecting a vacuum 
cleaner, refer to Cigarette 
lighter 116
Consumption
display 86
Consumption, refer to Aver-
age fuel consumption 91
Control elements, refer to 
Cockpit 14
Convenience operation
from outside 33
windows 32
Convertible top
cleaning position 45, 50
closing in an 
emergency 48
electrical fault 48
indicator lamps 47
remote control 31
Convertible top activation
fully automatic top 46
manual top 41
Convertible top compart-
ment panel 37
Coolant 140
indicator lamp 19, 87
level 140
temperature gauge 87
Coolant water, refer to Cool-
ant 140
Cooling, refer to Tempera-
ture 104, 108Copyright 4
Cornering Brake Control 
(CBC) 125
warning lamp 19
Correct tires 132
Cruise control 84
indicator lamp 20
Cup holders, see Beverage 
holders 115
Curb weight, refer to 
Weights 168
Current consumption, refer 
to Energy control 86
Curve lighting, refer to 
Adaptive headlights 98
Cylinders, refer to Engine 
data 166
D
Dashboard, refer to 
Cockpit 14
Data
capacities 169
dimensions 167
engine 166
technical 166
weights 168
Daytime driving lamps 97
DBC Dynamic Brake Control 
19, 125
Deep water, refer to Water 
on roadways 125Defrost position, refer 
to Defrosting windows 
105, 108
Defrosting and demisting 
windows
air conditioning 105
automatic climate 
control 108
Defrosting windows 
105, 108
Defrosting windshield, refer 
to Defrosting windows 
105, 108
Demisting windows
air conditioning 105
automatic climate
control 108
Determining the maximum 
load 118
Differential
breaking in 124
Digital clock 89
Dimensions 167
Dipstick, engine oil 138
Disc brakes 126
Displacement, refer to 
Engine data 166
Display lighting, refer to 
Instrument lighting 98
Displays, refer to Instrument 
cluster 16