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.
Mobility
179Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Adding engine oil
Wait until the level has dropped to just
above the lower mark or a message
appears on the Control Display before add-
ing oil.
BMW engines are designed to oper-
ate without additives, and their use
could even lead to damage in some cases.
This also applies to the automatic transmis-
sion, the differential and the power steering
system.<
Recommendation: have oil changes per-
formed only by 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 oil, grease, etc., well out of the reach
of children; always observe all warning
labels on the containers.<
Always observe all applicable rules
and regulations for environmental
protection when disposing of used oil.<
Specified engine oils
The quality of the engine oil selected has
critical significance for the operation and
service life of an engine. BMW approves
only specific oils after confirming their suit-
ability for use in its vehicles with extensive
testing.
Use only approved BMW High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil.
If you are unable to obtain BMW High Per-
formance Synthetic Oil, you can add small
amounts of another synthetic oil between
oil changes. Use only oils with the API SH
specification or higher. Ask your BMW center for details con-
cerning the specific BMW High Per-
formance Synthetic Oil or synthetic oils
which have been approved.<
You can also call BMW of North America at
1-800-831-1117 or visit this website:
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this informa-
tion.
Viscosity ratings
Viscosity is the oil flow rating as defined in
SAE classes.
The selection of the correct SAE class
depends on the climatic conditions in the
area where you typically drive your BMW.
Approved oils are in SAE classes
5W-40 and 5W-30.<
These oils may be used for driving in all
ambient temperatures.
Coolant
Do not add coolant to the cooling sys-
tem when the engine is hot. Escaping
coolant can cause burns.
Antifreeze and anticorrosion agents are
hazardous to health. Always store these
agents in tightly-closed original containers
kept well away from the reach of children.
Antifreeze and anticorrosion agents are
flammable. Therefore, do not pour over hot
engine parts, as otherwise they could catch
fire and cause burns.
Always observe the instructions for use
provided on the containers.<
Always observe all applicable rules
and regulations for environmental
protection when disposing of used anti-
freeze and anticorrosion agents.<
Everything from A to Z
202
Everything from A to Z
Index
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System 77
Ð indicator lamp 77
Acceleration assistant 54
Accessories, refer to Your
individual vehicle 5
"Activation time" for
independent
ventilation 95
Active cruise control 59
Ð malfunctions 64
Active head restraints,
front 40
Active roll stabilization 80
Active seat 42
Active seat ventilation 42
Active steering 82
Adaptive Head Light 88
"Address book" for
navigation 120
Address for navigation
Ð deleting 120
Ð entering 116
Ð selecting 120
"Add to address book" for
navigation 120
"Add to destination
list" 118
Adjusting temperature for
upper body 93
Adjusting the thigh
support 37
"After door is opened" 39
"After unlocking" 39
Airbags 83
Ð indicator lamp 84
Ð sitting safely 36
Air circulation, refer to
Recirculated air 91
Air distribution
Ð automatic 91
Ð individual 93Air flow, refer to Air
volume 91
Airing, refer to
Ventilation 94
"Air recirculation on /
off" 44
Air vent outlets of
automatic climate
control 90
Air volume 91
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications 169
Alarm system 32
Ð avoiding unintentional
alarms 33
All around the steering
wheel 10
"All channels" 138
"All doors" 28
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires 175
"AM", wave-
band 130, 134
Antenna for portable
phone 150
Antifreeze
Ð coolant 179
Ð washer fluid 57
Anti-theft system 27
Anti-trapping mechanism
Ð glass roof 35
Ð windows 34
Approved axle loads, refer
to Weights 200
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to
Weights 200
Arrival time, refer to
Computer 71
Ashtray
Ð front 99
Ð rear 100
Assistance window 18Assisting systems, refer to
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control 78
AUC Automatic
recirculated-air
control 91
"Audio" 131
Audio 130
Ð adjusting the tone 131
Ð controls 130
Ð switching on/off 130
Ð volume 131
Audio systems, refer to
Tone control 131
Automatic
Ð air distribution 91
Ð air volume 91
Ð cruise control 58, 59
Ð storing stations 135
Automatic car wash, refer
to Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Automatic climate
control 90
Ð automatic air
distribution 91
Ð settings using the Control
Center 92
Ð switching off 92
Automatic curb monitor 39
Automatic headlamp
control 87
"Automatic programs" 93
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC 91
Automatic steering wheel
Ð adjustment 43