Mobility
195Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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.
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.
Mobility
197Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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.<
Everything from A to Z
218 Check Control 82
Ð "Check" 83
Checking engine oil
level 195, 195
Checking inflation
pressure 188
Child's seat 56
Child-restraint system 56
Child-safety lock 58
Cigarette lighter 116
Cleaning, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cleaning windshield 70
"Climate" 18, 21
"Clock" 88
Clock 80
Ð setting time and date 88
Closing
Ð from inside 36
Ð from outside 33
Closing assist
Ð doors 37
Ð luggage compartment
lid 38
Cockpit 10, 14
Coin holder, refer to front
center armrest 114
Cold start 61
"Color" for TV mode 164
"Comfort"
Ð "EDC" 94
Comfort Access 34
Ð battery changing 35
Comfort features 14
Comfort seat 45
Ð in rear 46
"Comm." 24
"Communication"
18, 21, 175
Compact Disc, refer to
CD 158
Compartments, refer to
Storage
compartments 114Computer, refer to Control
Center 17, 84
Ð automatic climate
control 106
Ð "BC" 86
Ð changing settings 88
Ð display, menus 21
Ð displays on the Control
Display 85
Ð language selection 88
Ð setting brightness 89
Ð setting time and date 88
Ð status lines 23
Ð symbols 19
Condition Based Service
CBS 198
Confirming a menu item on
the Control Display 18
Connecting car vacuum
cleaner 116
Consumption
display 84, 85
"Contrast" for TV mode 164
Control Center 17
Ð adjusting the
brightness 89
Ð assistance window 22
Ð automatic climate
control 106
Ð changing settings 88
Ð changing the menu
page 19
Ð display, menus 21
Ð displaying help texts 22
Ð language selection 88
Ð lists 19
Ð menus 21
Ð rear 23
Ð selecting units of measure
and display format 88
Ð setting time and date 88
Ð status lines 23
Ð symbols 19
Ð symbols and lists 19
Control Display 17, 18
Ð in the rear 23
Ð switching off 18
Controller, refer to Control
Center 17Controls 10, 14
Convenience operation of
windows and glass
roof 36
Convenience starting
feature 61
"Coolant" 198
Coolant 195, 196
Cooler, refer to Rear
cooler 113
Country of destination 133
Courtesy lighting 101
Creating voice address
book 142
Cruise control 71
Ð active cruise control 73
Cruising range 85
Cup holder, refer to
Beverage holders 115
Curb weight 214
Current fuel
consumption 85
D
Data 212
"Date" 88
Daytime driving lamps 99
DBC Dynamic Brake
Control 93
Defrosting the windshield,
refer to Defrosting
windows 104
Defrosting windows 104
Defrost setting 104
"DELETE" for
navigation 136, 137
Destination 133
Destination during
navigation
Ð selecting in
Information 135
Ð selecting using voice 143
Destination entry 132
Destination guidance
Ð interrupting 141
Ð terminating 141
Destination list 136
"Dest. input" 132
"Detour" 141