
Under the hood
92
Important parts in the engine compartment
1Washer fluid reservoir for headlamp clean-
ing system and window washer system, 
refer to page46
2Filler neck for engine oil, refer to Adding 
engine oil3Jump-starting connection, refer to 
page104
4Reservoir for brake fluid, refer to page95
5Body ground, negative terminal, refer to 
page105
6Expansion tank for coolant, refer to page94
Engine oil 
Oil consumption is directly influenced by your 
driving style and vehicle operating conditions.
Warning lamp
Engine oil pressure 
The warning lamp lights up in red: 
The engine oil pressure is too low. 
Stop the vehicle immediately and 
switch off the engine. Check the engine oil level 
and top up if necessary. If the oil level is correct, 
please contact your nearest BMW center or a 
workshop that works according to BMW repair 
procedures with correspondingly trained per-
sonnel.Do not continue driving, otherwise the 
engine could sustain serious damage 
from inadequate lubrication.<
Engine oil level
The warning lamp lights up in yellow 
while you are driving. In addition, a sig-
nal sounds and "+1.0" appears in the 
instrument cluster, refer to page93.
The oil level is at the absolute minimum; refill as 
soon as possible. Do not drive more than 
125 miles/200 km before refilling.
The warning lamp comes on in yellow 
after the engine is switched off. A signal 
also sounds. 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 93
Add engine oil at the earliest opportunity, e.g. 
when you stop to refuel.
The warning lamp lights up in yellow 
within 30 seconds after the engine is 
started: the oil level sensor is defective.
It is not possible to issue a current or accurate 
measurement. Have the system checked as 
soon as possible.
Checking the oil level 
Your car is equipped with an electronic oil-level 
monitor.
For a precise measurement and display of the 
oil level, it is necessary that the engine be at 
operating temperature, i.e. after uninterrupted 
driving for at least approx. 6.5 miles/10 km. You 
can have the oil level displayed while you are 
driving, or while the vehicle is at a standstill on a 
level surface and the engine is running.
You can have the oil level reading displayed in 
the instrument cluster.
Press button1. The oil level is checked and dis-
played for approx. 15 seconds.
To exit the display sooner, press button 1 again.
Possible displays
1Oil level OK
2Oil level is being checked.
This can take about 3 minutes if the car is at 
a standstill on a level surface, or about 
5 minutes while the car is on the move.
3Oil level down to minimum:
Add 1 US quart/1 liter of engine oil as soon 
as possible, refer also to Adding engine oil.
4Oil level is too high.
Have the vehicle checked immedi-
ately, as excessive oil can damage the 
engine.<
5The oil level sensor is defective:
it is not possible to issue a current or accu-
rate measurement.
Do not add engine oil. You can continue 
your journey. Have the system checked as 
soon as possible. 

Under the hood
94
Adding engine oil
Do not add the maximum amount of 1 US quart/
1 liter of engine oil until the warning lamp lights 
up in the instrument cluster, refer to page92, or 
until the oil level monitor shows "+1.0".
Add oil within the next 125 miles/200 km, 
otherwise the engine could be dam-
aged.<
Keep oils, greases, etc. out of the reach of 
children and comply with the warnings on 
the containers. Otherwise, health hazards may 
result.<
Oil change
Have your oil changed only by a BMW center or 
a workshop that works according to BMW 
requirements with the appropriately trained 
personnel.
Approved engine oils
The quality of the engine oil is extremely impor-
tant for the function and life of an engine. BMW 
continuously approves specific oils after con-
firming their suitability for use in its vehicles 
with extensive testing.
Only use approved BMW High Performance 
Synthetic Oil.
If BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil is not 
available, you can add small quantities of other 
synthetic oils in between oil changes. Only use 
oils with the API SH specification or higher.
Your BMW center will be glad to answer 
any questions regarding BMW High Per-
formance Synthetic Oil or other approved syn-
thetic oils.
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this information.
Do not use any oil additives, as they could 
cause engine damage under some cir-
cumstances.<
Viscosity classes
Viscosity is a measure of an oil's flow rating and 
is categorized in SAE classes.
Selecting the appropriate SAE class depends 
on the regional climatic conditions in which you 
normally drive your BMW.
Approved oils belong to the 5W-40 and 
5W-30 classes.<
These oils can be used for driving at all outside 
temperatures.
Coolant
Warning lamp
The warning lamp lights up:
The coolant level is too low. Top up the 
coolant as soon as possible.
Do not open the cooling system when the 
engine is hot. If you do, escaping coolant 
can cause burns.<
Coolant consists of water and coolant additives. 
Not all commercially available additives are suit-
able for your BMW. Your BMW center knows 
which additives are appropriate.
Only use approved additives, otherwise 
the engine could be damaged. The addi-
tives are hazardous to health.<
Comply with the appropriate environ-
mental protection regulations when dis-
posing of coolant additives.<
Checking the coolant level 
1.The engine must be at ambient tempera-
ture.
2.Turn the cap of the expansion tank a little 
counterclockwise to allow any accumulated  

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 119
Defrosting windows and 
removing condensation
– air conditioning63
– automatic climate control66
Defrost position, refer to 
Defrosting windows63,66
Dehumidifying air, refer to 
Switching cooling function 
on/off63,66
Digital clock49
Dimensions111,112
Dimming mirrors34
Directional indicators, refer to 
Turn signal indicators44
Disc brakes75
Displacement, refer to Engine 
data110
Display elements, refer to 
Instrument cluster12
Display lighting, refer to 
Instrument lighting60
Displays, refer to Instrument 
cluster12
Displays and controls10
Disposal
– coolant94
– vehicle battery102
Distance remaining, refer to 
Cruising range50
Door keys, refer to The key 
set18
Door lock20
Doors, unlocking and locking
– acknowledgment 
signals19,20
– from inside21
– from outside19
DOT quality grades86
Draft-free ventilation63,67
Drive-off assistance, refer to 
Dynamic Stability Control 
DSC51
Drive-off assistant52
Driving light, refer to Parking 
lamps/Low beams59
Driving notes74
Driving off on uphill gradients, 
refer to Drive-off 
assistant52Driving stability control 
systems51
Driving through water75
Driving tips, refer to Driving 
notes74
Dry air, refer to Switching 
cooling function on/
off63,66
DSC Dynamic Stability 
Control51
– indicator/warning lamp51
– indicator lamp13
DTC Dynamic Traction 
Control51
– indicator/warning 
lamp13,52
Dynamic Brake Control 
DBC51
– indicator/warning lamp13
Dynamic Driving Control44
Dynamic Stability Control 
DSC51
– indicator/warning lamp51
Dynamic Traction Control 
DTC51
– indicator/warning lamp52
E
EBV Electronic brake-force 
distribution51
Electric
– seat adjustment31
Electrical malfunction
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic43
– convertible top28
– door lock20
– fuel filler door82
– luggage compartment lid22
– tailgate22
Electric Power Steering 
EPS56
– indicator/warning 
lamp13,56
Electric power windows24
Electronic
– brake-force distribution51
– oil level check93Emergency call103
– button103
Emergency operation, refer to 
Opening manually
– tailgate22
Emergency release23
Emergency services, refer to 
Roadside Assistance103
Engine40
– break-in period74
– electronics13
– indicator lamp13
– overheated, refer to Coolant 
thermometer49
– speed48
– starting40
– switching off41
– temperature49
Engine compartment92
Engine coolant, refer to 
Coolant94
Engine oil92
– adding94
– additives, refer to Approved 
engine oils94
– approved engine oils94
– BMW Maintenance 
System96
– change intervals, refer to 
Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet for US 
models, Warranty and 
Service Guide Booklet for 
Canadian models
– change intervals, refer to 
Service interval display49
– checking level93
– indicator/warning lamp12
– oil grades, refer also to 
Approved engine oils94
– oil level92
– pressure92
Engine output, refer to Engine 
data110
Engine starting, refer to 
Starting the engine40
EPS Electric Power 
Steering56