minimizing cost and inconvenience by comput-
ing maintenance intervals based upon the spe-
cific 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 requirements; 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, pro-
longed 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 opti-
mum maintenance requirements based not only
upon the accumulated mileage, but taking into
account important factors such as engine cool-
ant 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 own-
ers of vehicles subjected to light duty.
TheService Interval Indicatorconsists of a
mileage reading, and the inscriptions “OIL SER-
VICE” 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 exceeded, a
“--” symbol reminds you of the urgent need for
servicing. In the interests of road safety and reli-
ability,you should avoid driving your BMWwhen 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 illogi-
cal reading, or if there is no display, consult a
BMW center.
If the speedometer, tachometer or coolant tem-
perature gauge should develop a fault, the ser-
vice interval indicator will probably cease to
operate correctly as well, since it depends on
correct speed, distance and temperature read-
ings. 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 Program is found on pages3-13.
These elements are as follows:
Quality Certification I will be performed by your
selling center and certified on the following page.
The performance of certain subsequent mainte-
nance 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 recommends that you check engine oil
level whenever fuel is added to your vehicle.
– Inspection I: Major vehicle maintenance as
specified in the following pages under Inspec-
tion I.
– Inspection II: Additional major vehicle mainte-
nance as specified in the following pages under
Inspection II.
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