2004 BMW 525I SEDAN check engine

Under the hood
180
Checking coolant level
Correct coolant level with the engine cold,
approx. +687/206:
1.Turn the cap of the expansion tank
counterclockwise to allow any accumu-
lated pressure to escape, then continue
turning to open
2.The coolant level is correct when the
coolant extends to between the MIN
and MAX marks on the filler neck, refer
to the diagram adjacent to the filler
neck
3.If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant
up to the specified level Ð do not overfill.
Brake fluid
The symbol lights up and a mes-
sage appears on the Control Dis-
play: the brake-fluid level in the
container is too low.
The brake fluid reservoir is located under
the microfilter housing trim panel on the
driver's side of the vehicle. To have brake
fluid added to the system, or to have the
source of any brake fluid loss traced and
rectified, please contact your BMW center,
which can also supply the factory-
approved Ð DOT 4 Ð brake fluids.
Brake fluid is hygroscopic: it absorbs
moisture from the atmosphere over
the course of time.
To ensure that the brake system continues
to provide safe and reliable performance,
remember to have the brake fluid changed
every 2 years at the latest, refer to page 66
and to the Service and Warranty Informa-
tion Booklet for US models or the Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian
models.
Brake fluid is toxic and also damages vehi-
cle paintwork. Always store these agents in
tightly-closed original containers kept well
away from the reach of children.
Do not spill the fluid and do not refill the
brake fluid reservoir to beyond the MAX
mark. Should it come into contact with hot
engine components, the brake fluid could
ignite and cause personal injury in the form
of burns.<
Always observe all applicable rules
and regulations for environmental
protection when disposing of used brake
fluid.<
Warning lamp for Canadian models.
Brake hydraulic systems
A low brake-fluid level combined with
longer-than-usual pedal travel could be a
sign that one of the brake system's hydrau-
lic circuits has failed.
Proceed to the nearest BMW center.
Remember that pedal travel may be
increased, and there may also be a sub-
stantial increase in the amount of pedal
pressure required to brake the vehicle.
Please adapt your driving style accord-
ingly.<

Mobility
181Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Maintenance
The BMW Maintenance
System
The BMW Maintenance System is
designed to ensure that your vehicle will
continue to furnish consistent reliability
combined with optimal safety. The service
schedule also includes operations related
to the vehicle's comfort and convenience
features, such as replacement of the filters
for the inside air. The ultimate objective is
to ensure economical maintenance by pro-
viding the ideal service for your vehicle.
Should the day come when you decide to
sell your BMW, you will find that a complete
dealer service history is an asset of inesti-
mable value.
CBS Condition Based Service
CBS is a more advanced version of the Ser-
vice Interval Display. Sensors combine with
highly-specialized algorithms to supply
service information that reflects your vehi-
cle's actual operating conditions more pre-
cisely than ever before.
The system now provides individual dis-
plays of the times or distances remaining
until the deadlines for specific service
operations as well as legally prescribed
inspections:
>Engine oil
>Brakes: separate for front and rear
>Brake fluid
>Spark plugs >Vehicle check
>Depending on national regulations:
legally prescribed inspections.
CBS monitors both current and upcoming
service requirements. Your vehicle stores
this information continuously in the ignition
key while the vehicle is being driven. You
should therefore hand over to the BMW
Service Advisor the key you last used to
drive when you take your vehicle for ser-
vice. After accessing the data stored in the
vehicle key, your BMW Service Advisor is
able to suggest precisely the right array of
service procedures for your own individual
vehicle.
By letting you define a service and mainte-
nance regimen that reflects your own indi-
vidual requirements, Condition Based Ser-
vice builds the basis for trouble-free
driving.
You can find more detailed information on
the service requirement display on
page 66.
Make sure the date in the Control
Center is always set correctly, refer to
page 75, as otherwise the effectiveness of
Condition Based Service CBS is not
ensured. Booklet for US models and Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet for Cana-
dian models
Please consult your Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US models and
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models for additional information
on service requirements.
Have service and repair operations
performed at your BMW center.
Take the time to ensure that these service
procedures are confirmed by entries in
your vehicle's Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US models and War-
ranty and Service Guide Booklet for Cana-

Mobility
183Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Rules and regulations
California Proposition 65
Warning
California laws require us to issue the fol-
lowing warning:
Engine exhaust and a wide variety of
automobile components and parts,
including components found in the interior
furnishings in a vehicle, contain or emit
chemicals known to the State of California
to cause cancer and birth defects and
reproductive harm. In addition, certain flu-
ids contained in vehicles and certain prod-
ucts 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 acces-
sories contain lead and lead compounds.
Wash your hands after handling.
Used engine oil contains chemicals that
have caused cancer in laboratory animals.
Always protect your skin by washing
thoroughly with soap and water.<
OBD connector
The Onboard Diagnostic OBD interface
socket is located on the left of the driver's
side under the instrument panel and under
a cover.
The cover has the letters OBD on it.
The purpose of the OBD system is to
ensure proper operation of the emission
control system for the vehicle's lifetime.The system monitors emissions-related
components and systems for deterioration
and malfunction.
An illuminated indicator lamp
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.
Indicator lamp for Canadian mod-
els.
Under certain conditions, the indicator will
blink or flash. This indicates a rather severe
level of engine misfire. When this occurs,
you should reduce 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.
When the fuel filler cap is not properly
tightened, the OBD system can
detect the vapor leak and the indicator
lamp will light up. If the filler cap is subse-
quently tightened, the indicator lamp
should go out within a few days.<

Giving and receiving assistance
192
Jump-starting
When your battery is discharged you can
use two jumper cables to start your vehicle
with power from the battery in a second
vehicle. You can also use the same method
to help start another vehicle.Use only
jumper cables with fully-insulated clamp
handles.
To avoid the risk of potentially fatal
injury, always avoid all contact with
electrical components while the engine is
running. Carefully adhere to the following
sequence, both to prevent damage to one
or both vehicles, and to guard against pos-
sible personal injuries.<
Preparing
1.Check whether the battery of the other
vehicle has a voltage of 12 Volts and
approximately the same capacitance in
Ah. This information can be found on
the battery
2.Switch off the engine of the support
vehicle
3.Switch off any consumer units in both
vehicles.
There must not be any contact
between the bodies of the two vehi-
cles, as otherwise there is a danger of short
circuits.<
Connecting the jumper cables
To avoid personal injury from sparks,
always observe this sequence when
connecting jumper cables.<
On your BMW, the so-called starting-aid
terminal in the engine compartment serves
as the battery positive terminal, refer also
to Engine compartment overview on
page 178. The symbol + is embossed on
the cover.
1.Open the cover of the BMW starting-aid
terminal. To do so, pull the tab
2.Attach one end of the jumper cable
plus/+ to the positive terminal of the
battery or a starting-aid terminal of the
vehicle providing assistance
3.Attach the second end of the cable to
the positive terminal of the battery or to
a starting-aid terminal of the vehicle to
be started
Your BMW has a special nut as body
ground or negative pole.
4.Attach one end of the jumper cable
minus/Ð to the negative terminal of the
battery or to an engine or body ground
of the vehicle providing assistance

Everything from A to Z
204 Cargo, securing 109
Cargo area
Ð locking separately 31
Caring for artificial leather,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Caring for leather, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for light-alloy
wheels, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Caring for plastic, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for the carpet, refer
to Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for the vehicle finish,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Car jack
Ð jacking points 188
Car keys, refer to Central
keys with remote
control 26
Car phone 151
Ð installation location, refer
to Center armrest 98
Ð refer to Portable
phone 150
Ð refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Car radio, refer to
Radio 134
Car wash 106
Ð refer also to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Catalytic converter, refer to
High temperatures 106
"Categories" 138
CBC Cornering Brake
Control 78
CBS Condition Based
Service 181
"CD" 130CD changer 144
Ð adjusting the tone 131
Ð controls 130
Ð fast forward/reverse 146
Ð installation location 144
Ð listening to a CD 144
Ð playing a track 145
Ð random order 146
Ð repeating a track 145
Ð selecting track 145
Ð switching on/off 130
Ð volume 131
CD for navigation 114
CD player 141
Ð adjusting the tone 131
Ð controls 130
Ð fast forward/reverse 142
Ð playing a track 142
Ð random order 142
Ð repeating a track 142
Ð selecting tracks 141
Ð switching on/off 130
Ð volume 131
Center armrest 98
Center console, refer to
Comfort area 14
Central keys with remote
control 26
"Central locking" 38
Central locking system 27
Ð from inside vehicle 30
Ð from outside vehicle 27
Changes, technical, refer to
Parts and accessories 6
Changing a wheel 187
Changing selector-lever
positions 55
Changing the direction
display for navigation 124
Changing the language on
the Control Display 74
Changing the
measurement units on the
Control Display 74
Changing wheels 174
CHECK button 69
Check Control 68
"Check Control
messages" 69
Check Gas Cap 168Checking the air pressure,
refer to Tire inflation
pressure 170
Child's seat 45
Child-restraint fixing
LATCH 47
Child restraints 45
Child-restraint system 45
Child-safety lock 48
Chock 187
Chrome parts, care, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cigarette lighter 100
Circulation of air, refer to
Recirculated-air mode 91
"City" for destination
entry 117
Cleaning, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Cleaning headlamps
Ð washer fluid 57
Cleaning windshield 57
"Climate" 41
Clock 65
Ð 12/24 hour mode 74
Ð setting the time and
date 74
Closing
Ð from inside 30
Ð from outside 27
Cockpit 10
Comfort area 14
Comfort seat 37
"Communication" 152
"Communication
interface" 161
Compact Disc
Ð refer to CD changer 144
Ð refer to CD player 141
Compact wheel
Ð inflation pressure 171
Ð wheel change 187
Compression ratio, refer to
Engine data 198
Computer 70
Ð clock, 12/24 hour
mode 74
Ð displays on the Control
Display 70

Everything from A to Z
206 Directory for navigation,
refer to Address
book 120
Disc brakes 107
Displacement, refer to
Engine data 198
Display lighting 88
Displays
Ð refer to Cockpit 10
Ð refer to Control Display 17
Ð refer to Instrument
cluster 12
Displays on the windshield,
refer to Head-Up
Display 85
Disposal
Ð brake fluid 180
Ð coolant 179
Ð engine oil 179
Ð vehicle battery 189
Distance, refer to
Computer 71
Distance cruise control,
refer to Active cruise
control 59
"Distance to destin.Ò 71
Distance to destination,
refer to Computer 71
Distance warning, refer to
Park Distance Control 76
Divided rear seat back,
refer to Fold down rear
seat 101
Door entry lighting 89
Door keys 26
Door lock 29
"Door locks" 28
Doors
Ð manual operation 29
Ð remote control 28
DOT Quality Grades 173
Draft-free ventilation 94
"Driver" 42
"Driver's door only" 28
Driving light, refer to
Parking lamps/low
beams 87
Driving notes 106
Driving stability control 78
Driving tips, refer to Driving
notes 106Dry air, refer to Cooling
function 91
Drying the air, refer to
Cooling function 91
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control 78
Ð indicator lamp 78
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control 79
Ð indicator lamp 79
DVD for navigation 114
Dynamic Brake Control 79
Ð indicator lamp 79
Dynamic Driving Control 54
"Dynamic route" for
navigation 121
Dynamic Stability
Control 78
Ð indicator lamp 78
Dynamic Traction
Control 79
Ð indicator lamp 79
E
EBV Electronic Brake Force
Distribution 78
"Edit" on the portable
phone 154
Electrical malfunction
Ð door lock 29
Ð fuel filler door 168
Ð glass roof 35
Ð luggage compartment
lid 31
Electrical power windows,
refer to Windows 33
Electronic Brake
Force Distribution EBV 78
Electronic Stability
Program ESP, refer to
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control 78
Emergency assistance,
refer to Roadside
Assistance 191
Emergency call 190
Emergency operation, refer
to Manual operationEmergency release of
luggage compartment lid
from luggage
compartmentÕs interior 32
Emergency services, refer
to Roadside
Assistance 191
"Emission inspect." 67, 67
"Enable services" 162
"End call" 154
Energy-conscious driving,
refer to Energy Control 66
Energy Control 66
Engine
Ð breaking-in
procedure 106
Ð data 198
Ð speed 198
Ð starting 49
Engine compartment 178
Engine coolant 179
Engine hood 177
Engine oil
Ð adding 179
Ð checking the oil level 178
Ð prescribed oils 179
Engine output, refer to
Engine data 198
Engine speed 198
"Enter address" 116
Entering destination 117
Entering house number or
intersection 117
Entering switch-on times of
independent ventilation/
heating 95
Entering the address 116
Entering the
intersection 117
Entering the town/city for
navigation 117
Entering zip code for
navigation 117
"Entertainment" 130
"Entertainment
settings" 131
"Equalizer" 133
"Equalizer", audio
systems 131

Reference 215
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Voice phone book 158
Volume 130
Ð audio sources 130
Ð portable phone 152
Ð speed-dependent 132
Ð voice instructions 125
Volume of the luggage
compartment 200
W
Warning and indicator
lamps 13
Warning messages, refer to
Check Control 68
Warning triangle 191
Washer fluid 57
Ð content of the
reservoir 58
Ð reservoir of the cleaning
systems 58
Water on the road,
floods 107
Waveband 134
"WB" 130, 137
Wear indicators in the
tires 174
Weights 200
Wheelbase, refer to
Dimensions 199
Wheel changes 187
Wheels and tires 170
"Where to go?" 164
Width, refer to
Dimensions 199
Windows 33
Ð convenience opening 28
Ð convenience operation 29
Ð safety switch 34
Windshield washer
system 57
Ð washer fluid 57
Ð washer nozzles 57
Windshield wipers 57
Ð blade replacement 184
Winter tires 175
Ð speed limit selection 72
Ð storage 175
Wiper blade
replacement 184
Wiper system 57"With freeways" for
navigation 121
Wordmatch principle for
navigation 122
Working in the engine
compartment 177
Wrenches/screwdrivers,
refer to Onboard tool
kit 184X
Xenon lamps 185
Ð replacing the bulbs 185