2004 BMW 745i engine

Driving tips
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to as hydroplaning, and is characterized
by a partial or complete loss of contact
between tires and road surface, ultimately
undermining your ability to steer and brake
the vehicle.<
Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the
road if it is deeper than 1 ft/30 cm,
and then only at walking speed at the most.
Otherwise, the vehicle's engine, the electri-
cal systems and the transmission may be
damaged.<
Brake system
Braking with ABS
The best way to achieve the best response
from the ABS is to apply maximum pres-
sure to the brake pedal Ð panic stop. Since
the vehicle maintains steering responsive-
ness, you can nevertheless avoid possible
obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combines with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits to indi-
cate to the driver that ABS is in its active
mode.
Do not drive with your foot resting on
the brake pedal. Otherwise, even light
but consistent pedal pressure can lead to
high temperatures, brake wear and possi-
bly even brake failure.<
Disc brakes
Driving in wet conditions
While driving in wet conditions and in
heavy rain, it is a good idea to apply light
pressure to the brake pedal every few
miles. Monitor traffic conditions to ensure
that this maneuver does not endanger
other road users. The heat generated in this
process helps dry the pads and rotors to
ensure that full braking efficiency will then
be available when you need it.
Hills
You can retain full and unimpaired braking
efficiency by downshifting to a gear in
which only minimal brake applications are
needed when descending long or steep
downhill stretches.
You can further enhance the engine's
braking effect by selecting a lower gear
in the automatic transmission's manual
mode, downshifting as far as first gear
on extremely steep stretches, refer to
page 67. This strategy helps you avoid
placing excessive loads on the brake sys-
tem.
Never allow the vehicle to coast with
the transmission in Neutral Ð or with
the engine switched off Ð as there is no
engine braking when the transmission is in
Neutral, and no power-assist for brakes
and steering when the engine is not run-
ning.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area around the
accelerator and brake pedals and obstruct
their movement.<
Corrosion
When the vehicle is driven only occasion-
ally, during extended periods when the
vehicle is not used at all, and in operating
conditions where brake applications are
less frequent, there is an increased ten-
dency for corrosion to form on rotors, while
contaminants accumulate on the brake
pads. This occurs because the minimal
pressure which must be exerted by the
pads during brake applications to clean the
rotors is not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors,
the brakes will tend to respond with a pul-
sating effect that even extended applica-
tion will fail to cure.
Brake pads
If the brake pad wear warning lamp
appears in the Check Control,
accompanied by a text. Please take
careful note of the additional information on
the Control Display.

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You can change the camera angle by
turning and pressing the controller.
Notes or symbols that appear during
the playback of a film generally point
out different camera angles. These are
usually only briefly available.
With some DVDs the language, subti-
tles or camera angle is only possible
with the DVD-specific menu.
Refer to the information on your DVD for
possible selections.<
Opening DVD-specific
menu
Additional functions may be available on
DVDs. For example, the viewer can select
from several possible plots or display infor-
mation on the film.
1.Display DVD control, refer to page 166
2.Select "MENU" or "TOP" and confirm.
With "MENU" you can generally
open the DVD-specific main
menu. On some DVDs you will find an
additional menu called "TOP" in which,
for example, you can select music
scenes.<
To make a selection:
1.Use to select a function
2.Confirm selection with "OK".
To return to a previous menu:
Select or and confirm.
Language, subtitle or angle can also
be selected in the DVD-specific
menu.
Refer to the information on your DVD for
possible selections.<
Malfunctions/notes
The BMW DVD changer is a Class 1
laser product. Never remove the
cover from the housing. Do not operate the
unit if the cover is damaged. Operation
without the cover can lead to serious eye
injury from invisible laser beams.Always refer all repair and maintenance
operations to qualified technicians.
With self-recorded CDs or DVDs, labels
applied later can become detached during
playback due to the development of heat,
causing irreparable damage to the
device.<
Macrovision copy protection:
This product incorporates copyright
protection technology that is protected by
method claims of certain U.S. patents and
other intellectual property rights owned by
Macrovision Corporation and other rights
owners. Use of this copyright protection
technology must be authorized by Macrovi-
sion Corporation, and is intended for home
and other limited viewing uses only unless
otherwise authorized by Macrovision Cor-
poration. Reverse engineering or disas-
sembly is prohibited.<
To prevent CDs from being copied
illegally, they are often provided with
copy protection by the manufacturer.
Under certain circumstances this can pre-
vent or restrict the playing of CDs on the
DVD changer. In this case please contact
the CD dealer or manufacturer.<
If you play self-recorded audio CDs, faults,
e.g. drop-outs, can occur, or the CD is not
played at all.
The DVD changer can play the following
formats:
>Video DVD
>CD-DA, Audio CD
>CD-R.

Using the phone in your vehicle
174
Using the phone in your vehicle
Safety notes
A car phone can provide many services, in
an emergency even initiating a lifesaving
rescue. However, bear the following in
mind:
Adjustments
To avoid posing an unnecessary haz-
ard due to inattention, both to your
own vehicle's occupants and to other road
users: never attempt to use the controls or
make entries unless traffic and road condi-
tions allow.<
Using the phone in your vehicle
Using a portable phone to make and
receive calls while driving is now ille-
gal in virtually every country in the world.
Always use your hands-free system, or
stop your vehicle in an area where you will
not pose a safety hazard to other road
users and switch the engine off.<
Antenna
When using the phone, ensure that
all persons in the area are at least
20 in/50 cm from the antenna. Never use
your BMW portable phone if the antenna is
damaged. Contact between your skin and
a damaged antenna can result in minor
burns.
If the antenna is damaged, have it replaced
immediately.<
Special environmental conditions
Do not use your phone from within a
garage, or near an open hood. The air
in these areas could contain fuel vapors,
and the phone might generate sparks that
could result in burns.
This same precaution applies to opening
luggage compartment lids on vehicles
equipped for operation using natural gas or
hydrogen, and to all vehicles with luggage
compartment-mounted batteries.Always switch off your BMW portable
phone in areas where blasting work is
being conducted with explosives. The
phone signals could potentially act as a
high-frequency transmitter and set off
explosions.
Always switch off your BMW portable
phone in areas where an increased explo-
sion danger is present. This category
includes filling stations along with fuel and
chemical storage depots, etc., and all
areas in which the air can contain fuel,
chemicals or metal particles. Under these
conditions, your BMW portable phone
could conceivably generate sparks that
could lead to a fire or explosion. Always
observe all legal regulations governing the
use of portable phones in the vicinity of fill-
ing stations, chemical factories and other
areas where an explosion potential exists.
Never use the BMW portable phone in hos-
pitals, care centers or at other locations
where medical equipment may be in oper-
ation, such as accident sites, etc.
Your service provider can furnish you with
more detailed information on legal regula-
tions governing the use of your phone.<
Medical equipment
Portable phones can generate inter-
ference capable of preventing hearing
aids and cardiac pacemakers from operat-
ing correctly. If you or any occupant of the
vehicle will be using such equipment, con-
sult a physician or the manufacturer of the
equipment to determine whether it is ade-
quately shielded against high-frequency
energy.
Persons with cardiac pacemakers should
bear the following in mind:
Always hold the switched-on BMW porta-
ble phone more than 15 cm away from the
cardiac pacemaker.
Do not carry the BMW portable phone in
your breast pocket.
Use the ear on the opposite side of the car-
diac pacemaker to reduce the likelihood of

Refueling
186
Refueling
Fuel filler door
Always switch off the engine before
refueling. If you do not, fuel cannot be
filled into the tank and a message will
appear in the Check Control.<
To open and close: briefly press the rear
edge of the fuel filler door.
Manual release
In the event of an electrical defect in the
system, you can release the fuel filler door
manually:
1.Lift the handle to remove the cover
panel on the right side of the luggage
compartment
2.Take the button with the fuel pump
symbol from the bracket and pull it to
unlock the fuel filler door.
Always observe all applicable precau-
tions and regulations when handling
fuels. Never carry spare fuel containers in
your vehicle. Whether empty or full, these
containers can leak, cause an explosion,
and lead to fire in the event of a collision.<
Simple and environmentally friendly
When handling fuels always observe
any safety guidelines posted at the
filling station.<
Put the filler cap in the bracket attached to
the fuel filler door.
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle com-
pletely into the filler pipe. Lifting the filler
nozzle during refueling
>results in premature pump shutoff
>can lead to reduced efficiency in the
fuel-vapor recovery system.
The fuel tank is full when the filler nozzle
clicks off the first time.
Close the filler cap carefully after refu-
eling, continuing until you hear the
detent engage. While closing, be sure not
to squeeze the strap which is fastened to
the cap. A loose or missing cap will activate
a message in the Check Control.<
Fuel tank capacity: approx. 23.2 gallons/
88 liters, including the reserve capacity of
approx. 2.6 gallons/10 liters.
Never attempt to continue driving
until the tank is completely empty, as
engine functions could be affected, and the
vehicle could sustain damage as a result.<

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Fuel specifications
The engine uses lead-free gasoline only.
Required fuel:
>Premium Unleaded Gasoline,
min. 91 AKI.
AKI = Anti-Knock Index.
Do not use leaded fuels. The use of
leaded fuels will cause permanent
damage to the system's oxygen sensor and
the catalytic converter.<

Mobility
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Engine compartment
1Engine oil dip stick, refer to Checking
oil level
2Brake fluid reservoir, located beneath
the microfilter cover197
3Reservoir for windshield and headlamp
washer system71 4Engine oil filler neck196
5Coolant expansion tank197
6Auxiliary terminal for jump-starting207
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 out and wipe it off with a clean lint-
free cloth, paper towel, or similar mate-
rial
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.

Under the hood
196 The oil quantity between the two marks
of the dipstick is approx. 1.65 US quarts/
1.5 liter. Do not fill beyond the upper mark
on the dipstick. Excess oil can damage the
engine.
Adding engine oil
Wait until the level has dropped to just
above the lower mark or a message
appears in the Check Control 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 your oil changed
at 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. 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
system 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.

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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.<
Checking coolant level
Correct coolant level with the engine cold Ð
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 in the Check Control:
The brake fluid in the reservoir has
fallen to below the minimum level.
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 two years at the latest, refer to
page 82 and to the Service and Warranty
Information 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 envi-
ronmental rules and regulations 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
hydraulic 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.<