2004 BMW 325CI COUPE oil change

127
Adding engine oilOnly add engine oil when the oil level
has dropped to just above the lower
mark on the dipstick.
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.<
Recommendation: have the oil changed
at your BMW center.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.<
BMW engines are designed to
operate without oil additives; the
use of additives could even lead to
damage in some cases.<
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

130Maintenance
BMW Maintenance SystemThe BMW Maintenance System helps
maintain your vehicle's road safety and
operational safety. Comfort-related
aspects, such as the timely change of
filters for the air inside the vehicle, are
taken into consideration. The goal is to
optimize maintenance with respect to
low total cost of ownership.
If you should sell your BMW one day,
consistent service and maintenance will
prove to your advantage.
Service interval displayThe service interval display shows you
when an oil service, an inspection –
always alternating between I and II – or
a brake fluid change is due. The special
feature is that the service intervals are
calculated according to your BMW's
individual driving conditions instead of
from fixed mileage increments.
The technology developed for this
takes your personal driving style into
account, as well as your BMW's driving
conditions. After all, short-distance
driving, i.e. frequent cold starts, or driv-
ing off at high engine speeds, affects
your BMW differently from long-dis-
tance driving with the engine at consis-
tent operating temperature.
Special feature regarding engine
oil changeThe calculation of the service intervals
covers practically every kind of operat-
ing situation. If you drive very rarely,
however, you should have the oil
changed at least every two years, since
engine 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.

157
Capacities
Notes
Fuel tank
Reservegal./liters
gal./litersapprox. 16.6/63
approx. 2.1/8Fuel specification, refer to 24
Windshield/
Headlamp washer reservoir quarts/liters approx. 5.6/5.3Specifications, refer to page 126
Engine with oil filter change quarts/liters approx. 6.9/6.5 BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil
Specifications, refer to page 126
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to Z
161
Battery 145
charge 145
charge current 18
disposal 145
indicator lamp 18
jump-starting 147
remote control 28, 29
Belts, refer to Safety
belts 46
Beverage holders 100, 101
Blower
air conditioning 92
automatic climate
control 96
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oils 127
BMW Maintenance
System 130
BMW sports seat 43
Bottle holders, see Bever-
age holders 100, 101
Brake fluid 128
indicator lamp 18, 128
level 128
Brake force display 84
Brake lamps
bulb replacement 139
indicator lamp, defective
lamp 76
Brake lamps, refer to Brake
force display 84Brake pads
brake fluid level 18, 129
breaking in 112
Brake rotors
breaking in 112
Brake system
brake pads, indicator
lamp 19
Brake wear warning
indicator lamp 19
Brakes
ABS 115
brake fluid 128
brake force display 84
brake pads 114
breaking in 112
driving notes 113
indicator/warning lamp
18, 19
parking brake 61
Break-in procedures 112
Bulb replacement, refer to
Lamps and bulbs 137
Bulb, replacing 137
Buttons in steering wheel 21
C
California laws
event data recorders 132
Proposition 65
warning 132Can holders, see Beverage
holders 100, 101
Capacities 157
Car battery 145
Car care, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Car keys, refer to Keys 28
Car radio, refer to the
Owner's Manual for Radio
Car telephone
preparation 101
Car telephone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Car vacuum cleaner, con-
necting 102
Car wash, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Carpet care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cassette operation, refer to
the Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
CBC Cornering Brake Con-
trol 115
warning lamp 18
CD changer, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
CD operation, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard ComputerCenter high-mount brake
lamp
bulb replacement 140
Central locking system 28
button 32
passenger
compartment 32
Charge indicator lamp 18
Check Control 76
Check Gas Cap
indicator lamp 19
Child seats, refer to Child-
restraint systems 54
Child-restraint mounting
system (LATCH) 56
Child-restraint systems 54
Chock 142
Cigarette lighter 102
Cleaning chrome parts, refer
to the Caring for your vehi-
cle brochure
Cleaning light alloy wheels,
refer to the Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Cleaning the vehicle, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cleaning windshield 72
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to ZLuggage compartment lid 33
emergency operation 33
emergency release 35
indicator lamp 76
opening from inside the
vehicle 33
opening from outside 33
remote control 30
securing separately 33
unlocking manually 33
Luggage compartment light-
ing 33
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack 109
Lumbar support 44
M
Maintenance 76, 130
Maintenance system 130
Making telephone calls,
refer to the telephone
Owner's Manual
Malfunction
door lock 31
fuel filler door 23
Malfunction displays 76Manual operation
door lock 31
driver's door 31
fuel filler door 23
glass sunroof 40
luggage compartment
lid 33
Manual transmission 62
Master keys
with remote control 28
MC operation, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
MD operation, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Mechanical seats 42
Memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory 47
Memory, refer to Vehicle
Memory, Key Memory 58
Microfilter
air conditioning 93
automatic climate
control 98
Microphone 101
Mini disc operation, refer to
the Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Mirror
automatic curb monitor 48Mirrors 49
heated 49
memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory 47
Mobile Service 147
Modifications, technical,
refer to For your own
safety 5
Multifunction steering
wheel 21
Multifunction switch
turn signal indicator/head-
lamp flasher 70
washer/wiper system 71
N
Navigation system, refer to
the Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Neck restraints, refer to
Head restraints 45
Nets 100
Nozzles, refer to Ventilation
90, 94
Nylon rope, refer to Towing
and tow-starting the vehi-
cle 149
O
OBD interface socket 132
Odometer 74Oil
additives, refer to Adding
engine oil 127
capacity 157
dipstick 126
quality 127
Oil change interval, refer
to Service interval
display 130
Oil change intervals, refer to
the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US
models/Warranty and Ser-
vice Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
Oil consumption 126
Oil dipstick 126
Oil filter change 157
Oil level
checking 126
indicator lamp 18
Oil pressure
indicator lamp 18
OIL SERVICE 76
Oil types 127
Old batteries, refer to Dis-
posal 145
Onboard computer 78
Onboard computer, refer to
the Owner's Manual for
Onboard Computer
Onboard tool kit 136