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 inconvenience
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, the
type of driving conditions has a major
influence on routine maintenance require-
ments; 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 service
interval indicator which computes the actual
optimum maintenance requirements based not
only upon the accumulated mileage, but taking
into account important factors such as engine
coolant temperatures, high or low engine
speeds, short or long trip driving, and number of
vehicle starts. The maintenance interval may
therefore be maximized with considerable
savings to owners of vehicles subjected to light
duty.
The service interval indicator consists of a
mileage reading, and the inscriptions “OIL
SERVICE” and “INSPECTION”.
Whenever the ignition is switched on, the
display shows the next scheduled type of
service and the remaining distance until the
service should be performed. The distance is
based on your driving style.If the maintenance interval has been ex-
ceeded, a “—” symbol reminds you of the
urgent need for servicing. In the interests of
road safety and reliability, you should avoid
driving your BMW when the “—” symbol is
showing, and have the essential maintenance
work performed without delay.
After each maintenance is performed the service
indicator is reset in order to compute the next
service interval.
If the service interval indicator displays an
illogical reading, or if there is no display, consult
a BMW center.
If the speedometer, tachometer or coolant
temperature gauge should develop a fault, the
service interval indicator will probably cease to
operate correctly as well, since it depends on
correct speed, distance and temperature
readings. The fault must be located and rectified
by a BMW center.
A detailed list of all maintenance operations
included in each of the elements of the BMW
Maintenance System is found on pages 5-14.
These elements are as follows:
Quality Certification I will be performed by your
selling center and certified on the following
page.
2
3 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 changed with the
engine at operating temperature. Note:
change oil at least once a year. Your BMW is
factory-equipped with a newly-developed
synthetic engine oil. At the time of the
printing of this booklet the only approved
engine oils are:
Castrol TWS Motorsport SAE 10W-60
Synthetic, or Castrol Formula RS 10W-60
Synthetic (BMW part number 07 51 0 009
420). BMW is evaluating various synthetic
oils for inclusion in our list of recommended
motor oils.
For the most current list of synthetic oils,
please contact your BMW center, or call
BMW of North America at 1-800-831-1117.
You can also obtain this information from
our website, www.bmwusa.com/.
It is recommended to check engine oil level
whenever fuel is added to the vehicle.
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 SJ or
higher.
– Inspection I: Major vehicle maintenance
as specified in the following pages under
Inspection I.
– Inspection II: Additional major vehicle
maintenance as specified in the following
pages under Inspection II.
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.– 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 pollution. The
replacement of the oxygen sensor is
required under the terms of the appli-
cable BMW emission system warranties.
– Spark Plug Service: Replace spark plugs
every Inspection II). Your BMW is equipped
with platinum-tipped spark plugs. These
allow a longer service life than conven-
tional spark plugs.
The engine coolant has a lifetime rating and
does not need to be changed.
For your convenience, you may also wish to
have your BMW center perform any necessary
operations to fulfill any state inspection
requirements in your area concurrent with the
maintenance elements specified above during
other repairs.
Make sure that confirmation of maintenance
work is always entered in this Service and
Warranty Information Statement. You may need
this for any warranty claims that become
necessary, and later on as evidence that your
car has been given the correct and regular
maintenance that justifies its resale or trade-in
value.
BMW has applied the most modern techno-
logical advances not only to the design and
production of your vehicle, but also to
computing of the optimum maintenance
interval for your type of operations and
driving style. Your BMW center has made a
substantial investment in unique BMW
special service tools to enable his BMW
factory trained service technicians to perform
quality repairs on your BMW in minimal time.
He/she looks forward to serving your every
service need and to help maximize your
satisfaction with your BMW, its longevity, and
resale value.
