4 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 BMW
High-Performance Synthetic 5W-30 Oil
(Part Number 07 51 0 017 866) and Mobil 1
5W-30 and 5W-40 oils are strongly
recommended and approved by BMW for
the 3 Series models covered in this booklet.
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 Per-
formance 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 120,000
miles (3 Series with optional Sequential
Manual Gearbox (SMG) 100,000 miles), to
maximize vehicle fuel economy and
minimize exhaust pollution. In the SULEV
(PZEV) models, the oxygen sensor must
be replaced every 150,000 miles. 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 100,000 miles. Your BMW is
equipped with platinum-tipped spark plugs.
These allow a longer service life than
conventional spark plugs.
– Automatic Transmission Service: Change
ATF every 100,000 miles.
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 Booklet. 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 comput-
ing of the optimum maintenance interval for
your type of operations and driving style. Your
BMW center has made a substantial invest-
ment 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.
