Maintenance System
The BMW Maintenance System has been
devised with the following objectives: to
maximize vehicle safety, reliability, and resale
value by minimizing breakdowns resulting
from wear, and minimizing cost and inconven-
ience by computing maintenance intervals
based upon the specific manner in which
each individual vehicle is driven.
Maintenance intervals on motor vehicles have
conventionally been specified based upon
accumulated mileage. However, driving condi-
tions have a major influence on routine
maintenance requirements; distance traveled
is only one of the significant factors. A vehicle
driven for 50,000 miles of short trips in the
city with numerous cold starts, prolonged
periods of idling, stop-and-go driving, and
high engine speeds during acceleration
requires more frequent maintenance intervals
than a vehicle driven for 50,000 miles for long
distances at low engine speeds primarily at
operating temperature.
The advanced technologies at BMW have led
to the development of the unique BMW
Condition Based Service System which
computes the actual optimum maintenance
requirements based not only upon the
accumulated mileage, but taking into account
important factors such as high or low engine
speeds, short or long trip driving, and condi-
tion of the engine oil and brake pads.
The BMWMaintenance System
Condition Based Service CBS
CBS is a development of the Service Interval
Indicator System. Sensors and sophisticated
algorithms take even more detailed account
of the various conditions of vehicle use.
The remaining times for selected mainte-
nance tasks as well as any legally prescribed
dates are displayed to you individually:
Engine oil
Brakes – front and rear separately
Microfilter
Brake fluid
Spark plugs
Vehicle check
Required State Inspection(s)
CBS thus determines the current and future
maintenance requirements. This data can
also be read from the vehicle key by your
BMW Service Advisor and used to propose
the optimum scope of maintenance.
Have maintenance and repair work performed
by your BMW center. Make sure that the
maintenance work is stamped in this Service
and Warranty Information Statement. These
entries are the evidence of regular mainte-
nance of your vehicle and a requirement for
warranty claims.
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Green lamps
No service is currently required.
You can request more detailed information on
every entry.
Turn the controller to scroll through the list,
then confirm the selected entry.
Confirm to exit the list.
The vehicle’s current service status is auto-
matically saved in the vehicle’s ignition key.
The Service Advisor at your BMW center has
a device called a key reader. When your
Service Advisor inserts your key into the key
reader, all pertinent vehicle and servicing
data will be available, and a customized
maintenance checklist is printed out based on
the specific operations called for by the
Condition Based Service.
The performance of certain subsequent
maintenance elements, as required by the
BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty, will be
specified at intervals computed by the BMW
Service Interval Indicator as follows:
– Oil Service: Engine oil should be changed
with the engine at operating temperature.
Note:Change oil at least once a year.
All 2004 model year 6 Series are factory-
filled with BMW High Performance Synthetic
oils. At the time of the printing of this booklet,
the following oils are strongly recommended
and approved by BMW:
•BMW High Performance 5W-30 Synthetic
Oil (BMW part number 07 51 0 017 866)
•Mobil 1 5W-30
•Mobil 1 5W-40
BMW is evaluating various synthetic oils for
inclusion in our list of recommended engine
oils. For the most current list of synthetic oils,
please contact your BMW center, or call
BMW of North America, Inc. at 1-800-831-
1117. You can also obtain this information
from our website, www.bmwusa.com/.
If you need to add oil between oil changes
and are unable to obtain BMW High
Performance Synthetic Oil, Mobil 1 or another
special oil on the list, use a synthetic oil with
an API rating of SH or higher.
The following maintenance elements must be
performed at the mileage/time stated (time
intervals begin from the vehicle’s production
date):
- Brake Fluid Service: Change brake fluid
every two years, or when specified by CBS.
- Oxygen Sensor Service: The oxygen
sensor deteriorates strictly on a mileage
basis and must therefore be replaced
every 100,000 miles to maximize vehicle
fuel economy and minimize exhaust pollu-
tion.
- Spark Plug Service: Replace at 100,000
miles, or when specified by CBS.
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