2004 BMW 645CI COUPE Owner's Manual

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Temperature
The temperature grades are A, the highest,
B, and C, representing the tire's resistance
to the generation of heat and its ability to
dissipate heat when tested under con-
trolled conditions on a specified indoor lab-
oratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and
reduce tire life, and excessive temperature
can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C
corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and A repre-
sent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire
failure.<
RSC – run-flat tires
You will recognize run-flat tires by a circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the
side of the tire, refer to page 168.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter properties than
summer tires.
Tire condition
Before driving off, inspect your tires for
tread wear, signs of damage and foreign
objects lodged in the tread, and check the
tread depth.
Minimum tread depth
The tread depth should not drop below
0.12 in/3 mm, although, for example, Euro-
pean legislation only specifies a minimum
tread depth of 0.063 in/1.6 mm. At tread
depths below 0.12 in/3 mm there is an increased risk of high-speed hydroplaning,
even when only small amounts of water are
present on the road surface.
As winter tires display a noticeable loss in
their ability to cope with cold-weather driv-
ing conditions once the tread wears to
below 0.157 in/4 mm, to ensure continued
safety you should always have such tires
replaced.
Wear indicators at the tread-groove base,
refer to arrow, are distributed over the tire's
circumference and are marked on the side
of the tire with TWI – Tread Wear Indicator.
These indicators signal at a tread depth of
0.063 in/1.6 mm that the legal wear limit
has been reached. The tread is then no
longer visible at these points.
Tire damage
Due to low-profile tires, please note
that wheels, tires and suspension
parts are more susceptible to road hazard
and consequential damages.
Unusual vibrations encountered during
normal vehicle operation can indicate tire
failure or some other vehicle defect. This
can, for example, be caused by driving over
curbs. These kinds of problems may also
be signaled by other changes in vehicle
response, such as a strong tendency to pull
to the left or right.
In these cases, immediately reduce speed.
Drive cautiously to the nearest BMW center
or tire dealer or, if necessary, have the
vehicle towed there.
Tire damage, extending to sudden and
complete loss of pressure in extreme
cases, can pose a potentially lethal safety
hazard for the vehicle's occupants and
other road users alike.<

Wheels and tires
168
Run-flat tires
You will recognize run-flat tires by a circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the
side of the tire.
Run-flat tires consist of self-contained tires
and special rims. The tire reinforcement
ensures that the tire retains some residual
safety in the event of pressure drop and
driving remains possible to a restricted
degree.
Continuing driving with a damaged
tire
Driving on run-flat tires with tire damage
can continue, depending on the vehicle
load and the severity of the tire damage, at
a maximum speed of 50 mph/80 km/h.
You can estimate the possible mileage for
continued driving on the basis of the fol-
lowing general indications:
>With low load:
1 to 2 persons without luggage:
Approx. 155 miles/250 km
>With medium load:
2 persons, luggage compartment full, or
4 persons without luggage:
Approx. 94 miles/150 km
>With full load:
4 persons, luggage compartment full:
Approx. 30 miles/50 km.
Drive reservedly and do not exceed
a speed of 50 mph/80 km/h. In the
event of pressure loss, vehicle handling
changes. This includes reduced track sta-
bility in braking, extended braking distance
and altered natural steering characteristics.
If unusual vibrations occur while the vehicle
is being driven, this can indicate final failure of the damaged tire. Reduce speed and
stop as soon as possible. Do not continue
driving. Contact your BMW center.<
New wheels and tires
You can find out the right wheel-tire combi-
nation from your BMW center. It is another
vital factor in ensuring reliable operation of
various vehicle systems such as ABS and
DSC. Have the wheel and tire assemblies
balanced every time either a wheel or a tire
is replaced.
Only have new wheels and tires
mounted by a specialist. If this work is
performed inexpertly, there is a danger of
damage and associated safety risks.<
Retreaded tires
BMW does not recommend the use of
retread tires, as otherwise driving
safety may be reduced. Possible variations
in the design and the age – which could be
substantial – of the carcasses can lead to
unusually rapid wear.<
The right wheels and tires
BMW recommends that you use only
wheel and tire combinations that
BMW has tested and approved for your
particular vehicle. Variations in factors such
as manufacturing tolerances mean that
even wheels and tires with identical official
size ratings could actually have different
dimensions than the approved units – these
differences could lead to body contact, and
with it the risk of severe accidents. If non-
approved wheels and tires are used, BMW
cannot evaluate their suitability, and there-
fore cannot be held liable for driving
safety.<
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single tread
configuration from a single manufacturer.
After a flat tire, always remember to have
the specified wheel and tire combination
remounted on the vehicle as soon as pos-
sible.

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Recommended tire sizes and makes
BMW tests certain tire brands for each tire
size, classifies them as road-safe and
approves them. You can find out about
these at specialized dealers or at your
BMW center. Observe any country-specific
regulations, e.g. on making a correspond-
ing entry in the vehicle documents.
The factory-mounted tires have been spe-
cially selected to provide optimized perfor-
mance when installed on your vehicle; if
properly cared for, they will provide a com-
bination of safety and excellent ride com-
fort.
Run-flat tires
In the event of replacement, use run-flat
tires, refer to page 168, as there is no spare
wheel available for flats.
For safety reasons, BMW recom-
mends that you do not have damaged
run-flat tires repaired; they should be
replaced.<
Special characteristics of winter
tires
BMW recommends winter tires for use in
cold winter driving conditions. Although all-
season M+S tires provide better winter
traction than summer tires, they generally
fail to provide the same levels of cold-
weather performance as winter tires.
Run-flat tires
If you switch from summer to winter tires,
or vice versa, use run-flat tires, refer to
page 168, as in the event of a flat tire there
is no spare tire available. Your BMW center
will be glad to advise you.
Observing speed ratings
Never exceed the maximum speed for
which the winter tires are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to ser-
vice tires can lead to damage and acci-
dents. Have this work performed by skilled
professionals only. The technicians at your
BMW center will be glad to assist you with the required professional knowledge and
specialized equipment.<
Storage
Always store wheels and tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light as pos-
sible. Always protect tires against all con-
tact with oil, grease and fuels. Do not
exceed the maximum tire inflation pressure
indicated on the side wall of the tire.
Snow chains*
BMW only tests certain snow chains, clas-
sifies them as road-safe and approves
them. Consult your BMW center for more
information. BMW recommends using
these approved, narrow-link snow chains.
These snow chains are approved exclu-
sively for use in pairs on the rear wheels
with the tire size 245/45 R 18.
Observe the manufacturer's instructions
when mounting snow chains.
Do not exceed a vehicle speed of 30 mph/
50 km/h with the chains mounted.
Do not initialize the Runflat Indicator
after mounting snow chains.
When you are driving with snow chains, it
can be beneficial to switch off DSC briefly,
refer to page 77.<

Under the hood
170
Under the hood
Never attempt to perform any service
or repair operations on your vehicle
without the required, professional technical
training. If you are unfamiliar with the ser-
vice procedures and precautions, always
have any required work on your vehicle
carried out at your BMW center. If this work
is performed inexpertly, there is a danger of
damage and associated safety risks.<
Hood
Releasing
Pull the lever located under the left side of
the instrument panel.
Opening
Press the release handle and open the
engine hood.
Closing
Close the hood from a height of approx.
16 in/40 cm with momentum. It must be
clearly heard to engage.
Make sure that the closing path of the
engine hood is clear, as otherwise
injuries may result.
If you see any signs that the hood is not
completely closed while you are driving
your vehicle, you should stop at once and
close it securely.<

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Engine compartment
1Filler neck for engine oil, refer to
Topping up engine oil
2Brake fluid reservoir, located beneath
the microfilter cover, refer to page 173
3Dipstick for engine oil, refer to
Checking oil level
4Starting-aid terminal, refer to page 184
5Washer fluid reservoir of the headlamp
and windshield cleaning systems, refer
to page 62
6Expansion tank for coolant, refer to
page 172
Engine oil
Checking oil level
1.Park the vehicle on a level surface with
the engine at operating temperature
2.After approx. 5 minutes, pull the
dipstick 3 out and wipe it off with a
clean lint-free cloth, paper towel, or
similar material3.Carefully push the dipstick all the way
into the guide tube and pull it out again
4.The oil should extend to between the
two marks on the dipstick.
The engine oil consumption is dependent
on driving style and driving conditions.
The oil quantity between the centers of the
two marks on the dipstick, refer to arrows,
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.

Under the hood
172
Topping up engine oil
Wait until the level has dropped to just on
the lower dipstick mark before adding oil.
In this area a message also appears on the
Control Display.
Store oil, grease etc., well out of the
reach of children; always observe all
warning labels on the containers.<
Specified engine oils
The quality of the engine oil selected has
critical significance for the operation and
service life of an engine. BMW continu-
ously approves specific oils after confirm-
ing their suitability 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.
BMW engines are designed to oper-
ate without additives, and their use
could even lead to damage in some
cases.<
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.<
Coolant consists of water and the addition
of antifreeze and anticorrosion agent. Not
all commercially available additives are
suitable for your BMW. Ask your BMW cen-
ter for suitable additives.
Only use suitable additives, as other-
wise engine damage may result. The
additives present a health hazard; observe
the instructions on the containers.<
Always observe all applicable envi-
ronmental rules and regulations when
disposing of used coolant additives.<
Checking coolant level
1.The engine must be at ambient temper-
ature
2.Turn the cap of the expansion tank
counterclockwise to allow any accumu-
lated pressure to escape, then continue
turning to open

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3.The coolant level is correct when the
measuring range of the fill level indica-
tor is at the level of the upper edge of
the filler neck, also refer to the drawing
next to the filler neck
4.If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant
up to the specified level – do not overfill
5.Turn the cap until you hear a click
6.Have the reason for the coolant loss
eliminated as soon as possible.
Brake system
Malfunction
Brake fluid
The warning lamp lights up in red
in spite of the handbrake being
released; a message appears on
the Control Display.
Stop the vehicle immediately.
The brake fluid in the reservoir has fallen to
below the minimum level. At the same time,
a significantly longer brake pedal path is
noticeable. Have the system checked
immediately by a BMW center.
Warning lamp for Canadian models.
When you continue driving, an
increased brake pedal path can be
necessary, and significantly longer braking
distances might be required. Please adapt
your driving style accordingly.<
Brake pads
The warning lamp lights up in red
in spite of the handbrake being
released; a message appears on
the Control Display. The brake pads have
reached their minimum pad thickness.
Have the brake pads replaced as soon as
possible.
Warning lamp for Canadian models.For your own safety: use only brake
pads that BMW has approved for your
particular vehicle model. As BMW cannot
assess the suitability of other brake pads
for use on your vehicle, BMW is unable to
assume continued responsibility for the
vehicle's operating safety if non-approved
pads are installed.<

Maintenance
174
Maintenance
The BMW maintenance
system
The BMW maintenance system supports
the preservation of the traffic and operating
safety of your BMW. The service schedule
also includes operations related to the
vehicle's comfort and convenience fea-
tures, such as replacement of the filters for
the inside air. The ultimate objective is to
ensure economical maintenance by provid-
ing 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
Sensors and special algorithms take the
different driving conditions of your BMW
into account. Condition Based Service
uses this to determine the current and
future maintenance requirement. By letting
you define a service and maintenance reg-
imen that reflects your own individual
requirements, the system builds the basis
for trouble-free driving.
The service requirement display, refer to
page 65, individually displays the time or
distance remaining for selected mainte-
nance work and any legally required inter-
vals:
>Engine oil
>Brakes, front and rear separately
>Microfilter/activated-charcoal filter>Brake fluid
>Spark plugs
>Vehicle check
>Legally required tests depending on
local regulations.
Your vehicle stores this information contin-
uously in the master key while the vehicle is
being driven. After accessing the data
stored in the master key, your BMW Ser-
vice Advisor can suggest precisely the right
array of service procedures for your own
individual vehicle. You should therefore
hand over to the BMW Service Advisor the
key you last used to drive when you take
your vehicle for service.
Make sure the date in the Control
Center is always set correctly, refer to
page 74, as otherwise the effectiveness of
CBS Condition Based Service is not
ensured.<
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models and Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian 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-
dian models. These entries verify that your
vehicle has received the specified regular
maintenance, and may also be required
when submitting warranty claims.<