Under the hood
178
Engine compartment 
1Filler neck for engine oil, refer to Top-
ping up engine oil 
2Brake fluid reservoir, located beneath 
the microfilter cover, refer to page 180
3Starting-aid terminal, refer to page 192
4Dipstick for engine oil, refer to Check-
ing the oil level. The dipstick is further 
toward the rear on the 545i
5Washer fluid reservoir of the headlamp 
and windshield cleaning systems, refer 
to page 57
6Expansion tank for coolant, refer to 
page 179
Engine oil 
Checking oil level 
1.Park the vehicle on a level surface 
2.Switch the engine off after it has 
reached normal operating temperature 
3.After approx. 5 minutes, pull the dip-
stick 4 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 should extend to between the 
two marks on the dipstick. 
As is the case with fuel economy, the rate 
at which the engine uses oil is strongly 
influenced by driving style and operating 
conditions.
The oil quantity between the two marks on 
the dipstick is approx. 1.6 US quarts/
1.5  liters. Do not fill beyond the upper mark 
on the dipstick. Excess oil can damage the 
engine.  
Reference 201
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Capacities 
Notes
Fuel tank
Reserve gal/liters
gal/litersapprox. 18.5/70
approx. 2.1/8Fuel quality: page 169
Window and headlamp 
washer system quarts/liters approx. 3.2/3 For details: page 57
Engine with oil filter 
renewal
525i/530i
545iquarts/liters
quarts/liters6.9/6.5
8.5/8.0BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil.
Oil grades: page 179
Manual, automatic 
transmission and 
differential Ð Lifetime fluid, no fluid change
required