2008 BMW 6 SERIES oil change

Mobility
215Reference
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Recommended tire brands
BMW recommends particular tire brands for
each tire size. You can recognize these from the
clearly visible BMW marking on the tire sidewall.
With proper use, these tires meet the highest
standards for safety and handling characteris-
tics.
Run-flat tires
When installing new tires or when changing
from summer tires to winter tires, for your own
safety, use run-flat tires. No spare wheel is pro-
vided in the event of a flat. Your BMW center will
be glad to advise you.
For safety reasons, BMW recommends
that you do not have damaged run-flat
tires repaired; they should be replaced. Other-
wise it is not possible to rule out occurrences of
consequential damage.<
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW recommends winter tires for use in cold
winter driving conditions. Although all-season
M+S tires provide better winter traction than
summer tires, they generally fail to provide the
same levels of cold-weather performance as
winter tires.
Watch speed
Always observe the maximum permissi-
ble speed for the winter tires, otherwise
tire damage may occur, which can result in acci-
dents.<
Storage
Store wheels and tires in a cool, dry place with
as little exposure to light as possible. Always
protect tires against all contact with oil, grease
and fuels. Do not exceed the maximum tire
inflation pressure indicated on the side wall of
the tire.
Rotating wheels between axles
BMW does not recommend moving the front
wheels to the rear or vice versa, as otherwise
the handling characteristics may be impaired.
With tires of different makes and types
* such a
change is not permissible.
Snow chains*
BMW only tests certain fine-link snow chains,
classifies them as road-safe and recommends
them. Consult your BMW center for more infor-
mation.
These snow chains are approved exclusively for
use in pairs on the rear wheels with the tire size:
>245/50 R 17 Y
>245/45 R 18 Y
Observe the manufacturer's instructions when
mounting snow chains. Do not exceed a speed
of 30 mph/50 km/h with the chains mounted.
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor after
installing snow chains as this could cause
the Flat Tire Monitor to malfunction.
When driving with snow chains, it may be prac-
tical to briefly activate DTC, refer to page88.<

Under the hood
218
Engine oil
Engine oil consumption depends on driving
style and driving conditions.
Checking engine oil level
Your vehicle is equipped with an electronic oil
level check.
The condition for the most accurate indication
of the oil level possible is measurement with the
engine at operating temperature, i.e. following
an uninterrupted drive of at least 6 miles/10 km.
You can display the oil level on the Control Dis-
play while driving or when stopped on a level
surface with the engine running.
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.Turn the controller until "Info sources" is
selected and press the controller.
4.Turn the controller until "Service" is
selected and press the controller.
5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the
controller until "Service requirements" is
selected and press the controller.6.Change to the second field from the top if
necessary. Turn the controller until "Engine
oil level" is selected and press the control-
ler. The oil level is displayed.
Possible messages
>"Engine oil level O.K."
>"No measurement available: Updating
engine oil level measurement...":
Engine oil level is being measured. This
process can take approx. 1 minute when
stopped on a level surface with the engine
running and approx. 5 minutes while driv-
ing.
If the engine oil has been topped off, the
measurement of the oil level can take up to
30 minutes.
>"Oil level at the minimum! Refill with 1 quart
of engine oil.":
Add a maximum of 1 US quart/1 liter of
engine oil at the next opportunity, refer to
Adding engine oil below. Add at least
0.5 US quart/0.5 liter. Otherwise the oil
level control may not display the new value
correctly.
If the oil level displayed is below minimum,
add engine oil immediately. Failure to do so
may lead to engine damage.
>"Engine oil level too high":
Have the vehicle checked immedi-
ately; otherwise, engine damage may
result if too much oil has been added.<
>"Please observe recalculated service inter-
val for engine oil":
Do not add engine oil. Before continuing to
drive, note the recalculated remaining mile-
age until the next oil change service, refer to
Service requirements on page77. Have the
system checked as soon as possible.

Mobility
219Reference
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Adding engine oil
Do not add 1 US quart/liter of oil until a corre-
sponding message is shown on the Control Dis-
play.
Add oil within the next 125 miles/200 km,
otherwise the engine could be dam-
aged.<
Continuous exposure to used oil has
caused cancer in laboratory testing.
For this reason, thoroughly wash exposed areas
of skin with soap and water after such work.
Keep oil, grease, etc. out of reach of children
and observe warnings on containers. Failure to
do so could pose health risks.<
Oil change
Have oil changes carried out only by a BMW
center or a repair shop that works in accordance
with BMW guidelines and uses appropriately
trained personnel.
Approved 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.
Only use approved BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil.
If BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil is
unavailable, you can add small quantities of
other synthetic oils between oil changes. Only
use oils of the specification API SM or higher.Your BMW center will be happy to answer
detailed questions on BMW High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil or approved synthetic
oils.<
You can also call BMW of North America at
1-800-831-1117 or visit the website at
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this information.
Do not use oil additives; under some cir-
cumstances, they can damage your
engine.<
Viscosity grades
The viscosity is a measure of the thickness of
the oil and is specified in SAE grades.
The choice of the right SAE grade is based on
the climatic conditions in the region in which
you normally drive your BMW.
Approved oils belong to the SAE grades
5W-40 and 5W-30.<
These oils can be used at all temperatures.
Coolant
Do not open the cooling system when the
engine is hot. Escaping coolant can cause
burns.<
Coolant is composed of equal parts water and a
coolant additive. Not all commercially available
additives are suitable for your BMW. Ask your
BMW center for suitable additives.
Only use suitable additives, otherwise
engine damage may result. The additives
present a health hazard.<
Always observe all applicable environ-
mental laws and regulations when dis-
posing of used coolant additives.<

Everything from A to Z
248 Engine oil
– adding219
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils219
– approved oils219
– electronic oil level check218
– interval between changes,
refer to Service
requirements77
– oil change219
– oil grades, refer to Approved
engine oils219
– recommended oils219
– temperature75
– temperature gauge75
"Engine oil level"218
Engine output, refer to Engine
data234
Engine overheating, refer to
Coolant temperature74
Engine speed, refer to Engine
data234
Engine starting, refer to
Starting engine59
"Enter address"134,142
Entering address134,137
Entering intersection,
navigation136
Entering rear51
Entering town/city for
navigation135
Entering town/city of
destination name135
Entering zip code for
navigation135
"Entertainment"158
Entertainment sound output
on/off159
Entry map for destination139
Equalizer, refer to Tone
control161
"Equalizer", tone control161
"ESN"169
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control87
Event data recorders222Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system125
Exterior mirrors53
– adjusting53
– automatic dimming
feature54
– automatic heating53
– folding in and out53
– tilting down passenger-side
mirror54
External audio device117
Eye for tow-starting and
towing, refer to Tow
fitting229
Eyes for lashing, refer to
Securing cargo128
F
"Fader", refer to Tone
control160
Fader, refer to Tone
control160
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control79
False alarm
– refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms36
– refer to Switching off
alarm35
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts52
Fastest route for
navigation144
Fast forward
– CD changer176
– CD player176
"Fast route" for
navigation144
"Favorites", calling up with
radio166
Filler neck for washer fluid65
Filter, refer to Microfilter/
activated-charcoal filter112
Fine wood, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
First aid, refer to First-aid
kit228First-aid kit228
Flashing when locking and
unlocking, refer to Setting
confirmation signals31
Flashlight, refer to
Rechargeable flashlight117
Flat tire
– Flat Tire Monitor89
– run-flat tires90,92,214
– Tire Pressure Monitor90
– warning lamp90,92
Flat Tire Monitor89
– false alarms89
– initializing system89
– limits of system89
– snow chains215
– warning lamp90
Floor mats, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Floor mats/carpets, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Fluid reservoir, refer to Filler
neck for washer fluid65
"FM", reception
range158,162
FM, waveband162
Fog lamps106
– indicator lamp13,106
Folding into raised position
convertible top
compartment floor,
Convertible35
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely126
Footwell lighting, refer to
Interior lamps106
For specified oil grades, refer
to Approved engine oils219
For your own safety6
Freeway, refer to Route
criteria144
Front airbags94
Front passenger airbags,
deactivating94
"FTM"89
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor89

Reference 253
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
"Night Vision off"100
"Night Vision on / off"55
Nozzles
– refer to Ventilation112
– refer to Windshield washer
nozzles65
Nylon rope, refer to Tow-
starting and towing229
O
OBD socket, refer to Socket
for OBD Onboard
Diagnostics interface222
Octane ratings, refer to Fuel
specifications209
Odometer74
Oil, refer to Engine oil218
Oil change interval
– refer to Service and
Warranty Information
Booklet for US models or
Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian
models
– refer to Service
requirements77
"On a new destination" for
navigation system140
"Onboard info"76
Onboard monitor, refer to
iDrive16
Onboard tool kit223
"On destination"140
"On location"140
Opening and closing
– comfort access36
– from inside32
– from outside30
– using door lock32
– using the remote control30
Operating principle, iDrive17Operation by voice for mobile
phone195
– adjusting volume196
– canceling195
– commands195
– correcting phone
number196
– dialing phone number196
– placing a call196
– redialing197
– voice phone book196
"Options"203
Orientation menu, refer to
Start menu17
Output, refer to Engine
data234
Outside air, refer to AUC
Automatic recirculated-air
control111
Outside temperature
display74
– changing unit of measure84
Overview
– operating principle17
– radio control158
– screen display20
P
Panic mode31
Park Distance Control PDC85
"Parked car operation"113
"Parked car ventilation"113
Parked car ventilation
– activating activation
times114
– LED108
– setting activation time113
– switching on and off
directly113
Parking, vehicle59
Parking aid, refer to PDC Park
Distance Control85
Parking assistant, refer to
PDC Park Distance
Control85
Parking brake, refer to
Handbrake60Parking lamps102
– replacing bulbs224
Parts and accessories6
Passenger-side exterior
mirror, tilting down54
"Pathway lighting"103
Pathway lighting103
"PDC"86
"PDC display on"86
PDC Park Distance Control85
Personal Profile29
"Perspective"148
"Phone"186,188,191
Phone book190
– changing entry192
– creating and editing voice
phone book196
– deleting all entries193
– deleting entry193
– dialing phone number192
Phone numbers
– deleting from phone
book193
– dialing191
– most recent numbers193
– selecting in phone book193
– Top 8193
Pinch protection system
– glass sunroof41
– power windows40
Plasters, refer to First-aid
kit228
"Play" on the radio170
Plugging unit for remote
control, refer to Ignition
lock58
Pollen, refer to Microfilter/
activated-charcoal filter112
Position
– refer to Displaying current
position153
– refer to Storing current
position142
Power failure226
Power windows, refer to
Windows38
"Presets" on the
radio162,170

Reference 257
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
"Stop" for stopwatch82
"Stopwatch"82
Stopwatch82
Storage compartments117
"Store in address book" for
navigation system142
"Store" on the radio164,171
Storing current position142
Storing sitting position, refer
to Seat, mirror and steering
wheel memory49
Storing tires215
"Street" for destination
entry136
Summer tires, refer to Wheels
and tires210
"Surround Settings", refer to
Tone control160
SW, waveband162
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switching automatically
between high beams and
low beams, refer to High-
beam assistant104
Switching on
– audio158
– CD changer158
– CD player158
– radio158
Swiveling headlamps, refer to
Adaptive Head Light104
Symbols4
– indicator and warning
lamps13
– navigation system152
– status information20
– traffic information with
navigation system150
T
Tachometer74
Tail lamps224
– replacing bulbs224
Tank capacity
– also refer to Capacities237
– fuel tank capacity208
Target cursor for
navigation139Technical alterations, refer to
For your own safety6
Technical data234
Telematics, refer to
BMW Assist199
Telephone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest117
– refer to Mobile phone184
– refer to separate operating
instructions
"Telephone list"55
TeleService201
Temperature
– adjusting in upper body
region110
– adjusting with automatic
climate control109
– changing units of
measure84
– refer to Coolant
temperature74
Temperature display
– changing units of
measure84
– outside temperature74
– outside temperature
warning74
Temperature gauge, engine
oil75
Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control65
"Terminate services"204
"Text language"84
"Theater", refer to Tone
control161
The individual vehicle5
Tie-down points, refer to
Securing cargo128
Tilt alarm sensor36
– switching off36
Tilting down passenger-side
exterior mirror54
"Time"83
"Time / Date"82
"Time format"83
Timer, refer to Preselecting
activation time113"Timer 1" for parked-car
ventilation113
"Timer 2" for parked-car
ventilation113
Tire inflation pressure210
Tire pressure loss90,91
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM90
Tire Quality Grading212
Tire replacement, new wheels
and tires214
Tires
– age212
– air loss90,92
– breaking-in124
– condition213
– damage213
– inflation pressure210
– minimum tread depth213
– monitoring inflation
pressure, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor89
– new wheels and tires214
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Tire Pressure Monitor90
– replacing214
– retreaded tires214
– run-flat tires214
– size211
– size, refer to The right
wheels and tires214
– wear indicators213
– wheel/tire combination214
– winter tires215
– with run-flat properties, refer
to Run-flat tires214
TMC station, refer to Traffic
information150
"Tone"159
Tone dialing method194
Tone in audio mode
– adjusting159
– middle setting161
Tone on locking/unlocking31
Tools, refer to Onboard tool
kit223
Top42
"Top 8" for mobile phone192