
Under the hood
222
Important parts of the engine compartment
1Expansion tank for coolant, refer to 
page224
2Washer fluid filler neck for headlamp clean-
ing system and window washer system, 
refer to page623Jump-starting connection, refer to 
page236
4Filler neck for engine oil, refer to Adding 
engine oil
Engine oil
The engine oil consumption is dependent on 
driving style and driving conditions.
Checking 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.
Display in the instrument cluster
1.Push button 1 in the turn indicator lever up 
or down repeatedly until the appropriate 
symbol is shown in the display, accompa-
nied by the word "OIL".
2.Press button 2 in the turn indicator lever. 
The oil level is checked and the reading dis-
played. 

Mobility
 223Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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 engine oil as soon as possible, but no 
more than 1 US quart/1 liter, refer also to 
Adding engine oil on page224.
4Oil level is too high.
Too much oil will harm the engine. 
Have the vehicle checked without 
delay.<
5The oil level sensor is defective.
Do not add engine oil. You can continue 
your journey. Note the newly calculated dis-
tance remaining to the next oil service, refer 
to page76. Have the system checked as 
soon as possible.
Display via iDrive
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.3.Select "Info sources" and press the control-
ler.
4.Select "Service Info" and press the control-
ler.
5.If necessary, move the highlight marker to 
the uppermost field. Turn the controller 
until "Service requirements" is selected and 
press the controller.
6.If necessary, move the highlight marker to 
the second field from the top. Turn the con-
troller until "Engine oil level" is selected and 
press the controller. The oil level is dis-
played.
Possible messages
>"Engine oil level O.K."
>"No measurement available: Updating 
engine oil level measurement..."
The engine oil level is measured. This can 
take about 3 minutes if the car is at a stand-
still on a level surface and the engine is run-
ning, and about 5 minutes while the car is on 
the move.
>"Oil level at the minimum! Refill with 1 quart 
of engine oil."
Add engine oil as soon as possible, but no  

Under the hood
224 more than 1 US quart/1 liter, refer also to 
Adding engine oil below.
>"Engine oil level too high"
Too much oil will harm the engine. 
Have the vehicle checked without 
delay.<
>"Please observe recalculated service inter-
val for engine oil"
Do not add engine oil. You can continue 
your journey. Note the newly calculated dis-
tance remaining to the next oil service, refer 
to page76. Have the system checked as 
soon as possible.
Adding engine oil
Do not add 1 US quart/1 liter of engine oil until a 
corresponding message is shown on the Con-
trol Display.
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 relevant 
warnings on the containers. Otherwise, health 
hazards may result.<
Oil change
Have oil changed only at your BMW center or at 
a workshop that works according to BMW 
repair procedures with correspondingly trained 
personnel.
Specified engine oils
The quality of the engine oil selected has critical 
significance for the operation and service life of 
an engine. BMW continuously approves spe-cific oils after confirming their suitability for use 
in its vehicles with extensive testing.
Do not use oil additives as these may 
cause engine damage.<
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 SM specification or higher.
Your BMW center will be glad to answer 
any questions regarding BMW High Per-
formance Synthetic Oil or approved synthetic 
oils.<
You can also call BMW of North America at 
1-800-831-1117 or visit the website 
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this information.
Viscosity ratings
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
Do not add coolant to the cooling system 
when the engine is hot. Escaping coolant 
can cause burns.<
Coolant consists of half water and half additive. 
Not all commercially available additives are suit-
able for your BMW. Ask your BMW center for 
suitable additives.
Only use suitable additives, otherwise 
engine damage may result. Because 
additives are harmful to your health, it is impor-
tant to follow the instructions on the contain-
ers.< 

Reference 257
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
DSC Dynamic Stability 
Control86
DTC Dynamic Traction 
Control87
– indicator/warning lamp87
DVD for navigation128
Dynamic Brake Control 
DBC86
"Dynamic route" in 
navigation141
Dynamic Stability Control 
DSC
– indicator/warning lamp87
Dynamic Traction Control 
DTC
– indicator/warning lamp87
E
EBV Electronic brake-force 
distribution86
Eject button, refer to Buttons 
on the CD player156
Electrical malfunction
– door lock31
– driver's door31
– fuel filler door206
– glass roof40
– luggage compartment lid/
tailgate33
– panorama glass roof42
Electric seat adjustment44
Electric steering wheel lock
– with convenient access37
Electronic oil level check222
Emergency actuation, 
automatic transmission, 
refer to Overriding selector 
lever lock60
Emergency operation
– fuel filler door, manual 
release206
Emergency operation, refer to 
Closing manually
– glass roof40
– panorama glass roof42
Emergency operation, refer to 
Manual operation
– door lock31Emergency release
– luggage compartment lid 
from inside34
Emergency Request235
Emergency services, refer to 
Roadside Assistance235
"Enabled services"202
"Enable services"203
"End call"189
Energy, saving
– saving fuel120
Energy-conscious driving, 
refer to Energy Control72
Energy Control72
Engine
– breaking in120
– data242
– overheated, refer to Coolant 
temperature72
– speed242
– starting57
– starting, convenient 
access36
– switching off57
Engine compartment222
Engine coolant, refer to 
Coolant224
Engine oil
– adding224
– BMW Maintenance 
System226
– capacity246
– checking level222
– intervals between changes, 
refer to Service 
requirements76
"Engine oil level"223
Engine output, refer to Engine 
data242
Engine speed, refer to Engine 
data242
Engine starting, refer to 
Starting the engine57
"Enter address"131
Entering a destination131
Entering a destination 
country131
Entering a house number or 
intersection133Entering an intersection132
Entering a street132
"Entertainment"156
Entry lamps, refer to Interior 
lamps99
Environmentally friendly 
driving, refer to Energy 
Control72
"Equalizer", refer to Tone 
control159
Equalizer, refer to Tone 
control158
Error messages, refer to 
Check Control81
"ESN"166
ESP Electronic Stability 
Program, refer to DSC 
Dynamic Stability 
Control86
Event data recorders227
Exhaust system, refer to Hot 
exhaust system121
Expanding the cargo bay114
Exterior mirrors49
– adjusting49
– automatic dimming 
feature50
– automatic heating49
– folding in and out49
External audio device110
External audio device, refer to 
AUX-In port175
Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing 
away238
– for tying down loads124
F
Fader, tone control157
Failure messages, refer to 
Check Control81
Failure of an electrical 
consumer234
False alarm
– avoiding unintentional 
alarm36
– switching off an alarm36