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 System 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.
(Typical Display) 32 88 02 30The Service Indicator consists of five green,
one yellow and one red Iight-emitting-diodes
(LEDs) and the inscriptions “OIL SERVICE”
and “INSPECTION”.
Whenever the ignition is switched on, up to
five green LEDs will light up, depending on
the amount of use the vehicle has had since
the last maintenance service and your driving
style. As the number of illuminated green LEDs
decreases, this is an indication that the next
service is almost due and helps you to make
the necessary arrangements on a timely basis.
The green LEDs disappear when the engine
is started.
Notification that maintenance is required is
indicated with the illumination of the yellow
LED and accompanying inscription. These will
remain illuminated with the ignition on.
If the maintenance interval has been exceeded,
the red LED will light up in addition to the
yellow one to remind you of the urgent need for
servicing. In the interests of road safety and
reliability, you should avoid driving your BMW
when the red LED signal 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.
The green LEDs which then light up with the
ignition show you the interval before the next
maintenance is due.
If the service indicator displays an illogical
reading, for instance the green and red LEDs
at the same time, or if there is no display,
consult an authorized BMW SAV center.
If the speedometer, tachometer or coolant
temperature gauge should develop a fault, the
service 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 an authorized BMW SAV center.
2
5
Engine Oil Service
Engine CompartmentX5 3.0i,
4.4i, 4.8is
Change oil and oil filter while engine is at normal operating temperature.
We recommend BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil, p/n 07 51 0 017 866.
Reset service interval indicator.
Replace microfilter.
Check overall thickness of front and rear disc brake pads using special tool.
If replacement is necessary: Examine brake disc surfaces. Clean brake pad
contact points in calipers. Grease wheel centering hubs. Check thickness of
parking brake linings only when replacing rear pads.
Check parking brake actuation. Adjust if necessary.
