
Mobility
 217Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Engine compartment
1Filler spout for engine oil, refer to Adding 
engine oil
2Jump-starting terminal, refer to page228
3Filler neck for washer fluid of the headlamp 
and windshield cleaning systems, refer to 
page65
4Expansion tank for coolant, refer to 
page219. 

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
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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