2012 BMW 7 SERIES oil

Engine oil
General information
The
engine oil consumption is dependent on the
driving style and driving conditions.
Therefore, check the engine oil level after every
refueling using the electronic engine oil level
check.
Checking the oil level
The concept
The oil level is monitored electronically and dis‐
played on the Control Display.
Requirements
▷ The engine must be running and warm after
the vehicle has been driven for at least
6 miles/10 km.
▷ The vehicle is stopped or being driven on a
level roadway.
Displaying the oil level
1. "Vehicle Info"
2. "Vehicle status"
3. "Engine oil level" Possible messages
▷
"Engine oil level OK"
▷ "Measurement not possible at this time."
▷ "Measuring engine oil level..."
Duration with the engine running: ap‐
prox. 3 minutes. Duration while driving: approx. 5 minutes.
▷ "Engine oil level below minimum. Add 1
quart!"
Add oil within the next 125 miles/200 km.
▷ "Engine oil level too high! Have this
checked."
Have the vehicle checked immediately.
Too much engine oil
Have the vehicle checked immedi‐
ately; otherwise, surplus oil can lead to en‐
gine damage.

◀ ▷
"Measurement inactive. Have this
checked."
Note the newly calculated remaining mile‐
age until the next oil service. Have the sys‐
tem checked as soon as possible.
Adding engine oil
760i/Li: open/close flap When the flap is closed, it must latch
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Filler neck
When the indicator lights up in the instrument
cluster, add 1 US quart/liter of engine oil within
the next 125 miles/200 km.
Recommended oil types, refer to page
256.
Protect children
Keep oil, grease, etc., out of reach of chil‐
dren and heed the warnings on the containers
to prevent health risks.◀
Oil types
Note
No oil additives
Oil
additives may lead to engine damage.◀
Approved oil types
Your service center can advise you on which en‐
gine oils have been approved by the manufac‐
turer of your vehicle.
The engine oil quality is critical for the life of the
engine.
Only use approved BMW High Performance oil.
Approved oils belong to the viscosity grades
SAE 0W-40, SAE 0W-30, SAE 5W-40 and SAE
5W-30.
Alternative oil types
If the approved engine oils are not available, up
to 1 US quart/liter of another oil with the follow‐
ing specification may be used.
API SM quality standards or higher. Coolant
General information
Danger of burns from hot engine
Do not open the cooling system while the
engine is hot; otherwise, escaping coolant may
cause burns.◀
Suitable additives
Only
use suitable additives; otherwise, en‐
gine damage may occur. The additives are
harmful to your health.◀
Coolant consists of water and additives.
Not all commercially available additives are suit‐
able for your vehicle. Ask your service center for
suitable additives.
Coolant level
If there is no Min– and Max– mark in the filler
neck of the coolant reservoir, have the coolant
level checked if necessary by your service cen‐
ter and add coolant as needed. Seite 256
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Engine oil

Maintenance
BMW Maintenance System
The maintenance system directs you to re‐
quired
maintenance measures and thereby sup‐
ports you in maintaining road safety and the op‐
erational reliability of the vehicle.
Condition Based Service CBS
Sensors and special algorithms take into ac‐
count the driving conditions of your vehicle.
Based on this, Condition Based Service deter‐
mines the maintenance requirements.
The system makes it possible to adapt the
amount of maintenance you need to your user
profile.
Details on the service requirements, refer to
page 81, can be displayed on the Control Dis‐
play.
Service data in the remote control
Information on the required maintenance is con‐
tinuously stored in the remote control. Your
service center will read out this data and suggest
the right array of service procedures for your ve‐
hicle.
Therefore, hand your service specialist the re‐
mote control that you used most recently.
Storage periods
Storage periods during which the vehicle bat‐
tery was disconnected are not taken into ac‐
count.
If this occurs, have a service center update the
time-dependent maintenance procedures,
such as checking brake fluid and, if necessary,
changing the engine oil and the microfilter/acti‐
vated-charcoal filter. Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US
models and Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
Please
consult your Service and Warranty Infor‐
mation Booklet for US models and Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models for
additional information on service requirements.
Maintenance and repair should be performed by
your service center. Make sure to have regular
maintenance procedures recorded in the vehi‐
cle's Service and Warranty Information Booklet
for US models, and in the Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet for Canadian models. These en‐
tries are proof of regular maintenance.
Socket for OBD Onboard
Diagnosis There is an OBD socket on the driver's side for
checking

the primary components in the vehicle
emissions.
Emissions
▷The warning lamp lights up:
Emissions are deteriorating. Have
the

vehicle checked as soon as pos‐
sible.
▷ The warning lamp flashes under cer‐
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Maintenance

Care
Car washes
Notes
Steam jets or high-pressure washers
When using steam jets or high-pressure
washers, hold them a sufficient distance away
and use a maximum temperature of 140 ℉/
60 ℃.
Holding them too close or using excessively
high
pressures or temperatures can cause dam‐
age or preliminary damage that may then lead to
long-term damage.
Follow the operating instructions for the high-
pressure washer.◀
Cleaning sensors/cameras with high-
pressure washers
When using high-pressure washers, do not
spray the exterior sensors and cameras, e.g.,
Park Distance Control*, for extended periods of
time and only from a distance of at least 12 in/
30 cm.◀
Wash your vehicle frequently, particularly in win‐
ter.
Intense soiling and road salt can damage the ve‐
hicle.
Washing in automatic car washes
Your vehicle can be washed in automatic car
washes right from the start.
Give preference to cloth car washes or those
that use soft brushes in order to avoid paint
damage.
Notes
Note the following:
▷ Make sure that the wheels and tires are not
damaged by the transport mechanisms.
▷ Fold in the exterior mirrors; otherwise, they
may

be damaged, depending on the width of
the vehicle. ▷
Deactivate the rain sensor, refer to page 71,
to avoid unintentional wiper activation.
▷ In some cases, an unintentional alarm can be
triggered

by the interior motion sensor of the
alarm system*. Follow the instructions on
avoiding an unintentional alarm, refer to
page 44.
Guide rails in car washes
Avoid car washes with guide rails higher
than 4 in/10 cm; otherwise, the vehicle body
could be damaged.

◀
Before driving into a car wash
The vehicle is able to roll when the following
steps are taken:
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Engage transmission position N.
3. Release the parking brake, refer to page 66,
or deactivate Automatic Hold, refer to
page 68.
4. Switch the engine off.
Transmission
position P with the igni‐
tion off
When the ignition is switched off, position P
is engaged automatically. When in an auto‐
matic car wash, for example, ensure that the
ignition is not switched off accidentally.◀ The vehicle cannot be locked from the outside
when in transmission position N.
A

signal is sounded when an attempt is made to
lock the vehicle.
Transmission position
Transmission position P is engaged automati‐
cally:
▷ When the ignition is switched off.
▷ After approx. 15 minutes. Seite 271
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Headlamps
▷
Do not rub dry and do not use abrasive or
caustic cleansers.
▷ Soak areas that have been soiled e.g. due to
insects, with shampoo and wash off with
water.
▷ Thaw ice with de-icing spray; do not use an
ice scraper.
After washing the vehicle
After washing the vehicle, apply the brakes
briefly
to dry them; otherwise, braking action can
be reduced and corrosion of the brake discs can
occur.
Vehicle care
Car care products
BMW recommends using cleaning and care
products from BMW, since these have been
tested and approved.
Car care and cleaning products
Follow the instructions on the container.
When cleaning the interior, open the doors or
windows.
Only use products intended for cleaning vehi‐
cles.
Cleansers can contain substances that are dan‐
gerous and harmful to your health.◀
Vehicle paint
Regular care contributes to driving safety and
value retention.
Environmental influences can act on the vehicle
paint. Tailor the frequency and extent of your car
care to these influences.
Leather care
Remove dust from the leather often, using a
cloth or vacuum cleaner.
Otherwise, particles of dust and road grime
chafe in pores and folds, and lead to increased wear and premature degradation of the leather
surface.
To guard against discoloration, such as from
clothing,

provide leather care roughly every two
months.
Clean light-colored leather more frequently as
dust and dirt are more noticeable.
Use leather care products; otherwise, dirt and
grease will gradually break down the protective
layer of the leather surface.
Suitable care products are available from the
service center.
Upholstery material care
Vacuum regularly with a vacuum cleaner.
If they are very dirty, e.g., beverage stains, use a
soft sponge or microfiber cloth with a suitable
interior cleaner.
Clean the upholstery down to the seams using
large sweeping motions. Avoid rubbing the ma‐
terial vigorously.
Damage from Velcro® fasteners
Open Velcro® fasteners on pants or other
articles of clothing can damage the seat covers.
Ensure that any Velcro® fasteners are closed.◀
Caring for special components
Light-alloy wheels
Use wheel cleaner, particularly during the winter
months. Do not use aggressive, acidic, strongly
alkaline or abrasive cleaners, or steam jets
above 140 ℉/60 ℃; follow the manufacturer's
instructions.
Chrome surfaces*
Carefully clean components such as the radiator
grille or door handles with an ample supply of
water, possibly with shampoo added, particu‐
larly when they have been exposed to road salt.
Rubber components
Aside from water, treat only with rubber cleans‐
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Care

Everything from A to Z
Index
A
ABS, Antilock Brake Sys‐
tem 98
ACC, Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go 105
Activated-charcoal filter 128
Active Blind Spot Detec‐ tion 95
Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go, ACC 105
Active seat, front 50
Active seat ventilation, front 51
Active seat ventilation, rear 53
Active Steering, integral 101
Adaptive brake assistant 98
Adaptive brake lights, refer to Brake force display 97
Adaptive drive 100
Adaptive light control 85
Adaptive
light control, bulb re‐
placement 261
Additional telephone 212
Additives, oil 256
Adjustments, seats/head re‐ straints 48
Airbags 88
Airbags, indicator/warning light 89
Air circulation, refer to Recir‐ culated-air mode 126
Air distribution, manual 125
Air drying, refer to Cooling function 127
Air pressure, tires 244
Air vents, refer to Ventila‐ tion 128
Air volume, automatic climate control 126
Alarm system 43
Alarm, unintentional 44 All around the center con‐
sole 17
All around the headliner 18
All around the steering wheel 12
ALL program, automatic cli‐ mate control 127
All-season tires, refer to Win‐ ter tires 251
All-wheel-drive 99
Alternating-code hand-held transmitter 133
Alternative oil types 256
AM/FM station 172
Announcement, navigation, refer to Spoken instruc‐
tions 161
Antifreeze, washer fluid 72
Antilock Brake System, ABS 98
Anti-slip control, refer to DSC 98
Appointments 228
Approved engine oils 256
Apps 238
Armrest, refer to Center arm‐ rest 139
Arrival time 79
Ashtray 134
Assist 234
Assistance, Roadside Assis‐ tance 267
Assistance when driving off 98
Audio playback 179
Audio playback, Blue‐ tooth 194
Audio remote control 198
AUTO intensity 126
Automatic car wash 271
Automatic climate con‐ trol 125 Automatic Cruise Control with
Stop & Go 105
Automatic Curb Monitor 59
Automatic deactivation, front passenger airbags 89
Automatic headlamp con‐ trol 85
Automatic Hold 68
Automatic locking 39
Automatic recirculated-air control 126
Automatic Soft Closing, doors 39
Automatic Soft Closing, trunk lid 40
Automatic transmission with Steptronic 72
Automatic trunk lid 40
AUTO program, automatic cli‐ mate control 126
AUTO program, intensity 126
AUX-IN port 190
Average fuel consumption 78
Average speed 78
Axle loads, weights 278
B
Backrest curvature, refer to Lumbar support 49
Backrest, seats 48
Backrest, width 49
Back seats, adjusting 51
Backup camera 116
Backup lamps, bulb replace‐ ment 263
Balance 170
Band-Aids, refer to First aid kit 267
Bar for tow-starting/tow‐ ing 269
Basic position, rear seats 52
Bass 170
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Everything from A to Z

Condition Based Service
CBS 258
Confirmation signal 37
Contacts 223, 232
Control Display 19
Control Display, settings 80
Controller 19
Control systems, driving sta‐ bility 98
Convenient opening 36
Coolant 256
Coolant temperature 76
Cooler 135
Cooling function 127
Cooling, maximum 126
Cooling system 256
Corrosion on brake discs 146
Cruise control 111
Cruise control, active with Stop & Go 105
Cruising range 75
Cupholder 140
Curb weight 278
Current fuel consumption 76
Current location, storing 154
Customer Relations 237
D
Damage, tires 249
Damping control, dy‐ namic 100
Data, technical 276
Date 77
Daytime running lights 85
Defrosting, refer to Windows, defrosting 126
Destination distance 78
Destination guidance 159
Destination guidance with in‐ termediate destinations 158
Destination input, naviga‐ tion 152
Digital clock 77
Digital radio 173
Dimensions 276
Dimmable interior rearview mirror 59 Direction indicator, refer to
Turn signals 70
Display in front wind‐ shield 123
Display,
instrument cluster 75
Display lighting, refer to Instru‐ ment lighting 87
Displays 14
Displays, cleaning 273
Disposal, coolant 257
Disposal, vehicle battery 265
Distance control, refer to PDC 113
Distance, selecting for ACC 106
Distance to destination 78
Divided screen view, split screen 23
Door lock, refer to Remote control 32
Doors, Automatic Soft Clos‐ ing 39
Downhill control 99
Drive-off assistant 98
Drive-off assistant, refer to DSC 98
Driving instructions, breaking in 144
Driving notes, general 144
Driving stability control sys‐ tems 98
Driving tips 144
DSC Dynamic Stability Con‐ trol 98
DTC Dynamic Traction Con‐ trol 99
DVD/CD 179
DVD/CD notes 185
DVD/CD player, rear 199, 204
DVD changer 183
DVD settings 182
DVDs, storing 186
DVD, video 181
Dynamic Damping Con‐ trol 100
Dynamic destination guid‐ ance 165
Dynamic Drive 100 Dynamic Driving Control
102
Dynamic Stability Control DSC 98
Dynamic Traction Control DTC 99
E
EfficientDynamics, refer to Saving fuel 148
Electronic displays, instru‐ ment cluster 16
Electronic engine oil level check 255
Electronic Stability Program ESP, refer to DSC 98
Emergency detection, remote control 33
Emergency release, door lock 38
Emergency release, fuel filler flap 242
Emergency release, parking brake 67
Emergency Request 266
Emergency service, refer to Roadside Assistance 267
Emergency start function, en‐ gine start 33
Emergency unlocking, trunk lid 42
Energy Control 76
Energy recovery 77
Engine compartment 253
Engine compartment, working in 253
Engine coolant 256
Engine oil 255
Engine oil, adding 255
Engine oil additives 256
Engine oil filler neck 255
Engine oil temperature 76
Engine oil types, alterna‐ tive 256
Engine oil types, ap‐ proved 256
Engine start during malfunc‐ tion 33
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Everything from A to Z

Engine start, refer to Starting
the engine 65
Engine start, Starting aid 267
Engine stop 66
Engine temperature 76
Entering/exiting
vehicle, assis‐
tance, steering wheel 60
Equalizer 170
Equipment, interior 132
ESP Electronic Stability Pro‐ gram, refer to DSC 98
Exchanging wheels/tires 250
Exhaust system 144
Exterior mirror, automatic dim‐ ming feature, dimmable exte‐
rior mirrors 59
Exterior mirrors 58
External devices 190
External start 267
External temperature dis‐ play 76
External temperature warn‐ ing 76
Eyes for securing cargo 147
F
Fader 170
Failure message, refer to Check Control 82
False alarm, refer to Uninten‐ tional alarm 44
Fan, refer to Air volume 126
Fault displays, refer to Check Control 82
Filler neck for engine oil 255
Fine wood, care 273
First aid kit 267
Fitting for towing, refer to Tow fitting 269
Flat tire, Tire Pressure Monitor TPM 91
Flat tire, warning lamp 92
Flat tire, wheel change 264
Flooding 145
Floor carpet, care 273
Floor mats, care 273
FM/AM station 172 Folding table in the rear
136
Fold-out position, windshield wipers 72
Foot brake 145
Front airbags 88
Front fog lamps 87
Front
fog lamps, front, bulb re‐
placement 262
Front lamps 261
Front passenger airbags, au‐ tomatic deactivation 89
Front passenger airbags, indi‐ cator lamp 90
Front passenger seat, adjust‐ ing 50
Front seats, adjusting 48
Fuel cap 242
Fuel consumption, current 76
Fuel consumption, refer to Average fuel consump‐
tion 78
Fuel filler flap 242
Fuel gauge 75
Fuel quality 243
Fuel, tank capacity 279
Fuse 265
G
Garage door opener, refer to Integrated universal remote
control 132
Gas station recommenda‐ tion 161
Gear change, automatic trans‐ mission 73
General driving notes 144
Gentleman function 50
Glass sunroof, powered 46
Glove compartment 138
GPS navigation, refer to Navi‐ gation system 152
Gross vehicle weight, ap‐ proved 278
Gross weight, permissible for trailer towing 278 H
Hand brake, refer to Parking
brake 66
Hand-held transmitter, alter‐ nating code 133
Hazard warning flashers 266
HDC Hill Descent Control 99
HD Radio 173
Head airbags 88
Headlamp control, auto‐ matic 85
Headlamp courtesy delay fea‐ ture 84
Headlamp courtesy delay fea‐ ture via remote control 37
Headlamp flasher 70
Headlamp glass 261
Headlamps 261
Headlamps, care 272
Headlamp washer system 70
Headliner 18
Headphones, rear entertain‐ ment 202, 207
Head restraints 48
Head restraints, front 54
Head restraints, rear 55
Head-up Display 123
Head-up Display, care 273
Heavy cargo, stowing 147
Height, seats 48
Height
with roof-mounted aer‐
ial, vehicle 276
High-beam Assistant 86
High beams 70
High beams/low beams, refer to High-beam Assistant 86
Hill Descent Control HDC 99
Hills 146
Hill start assistant, refer to Drive-off assistant 98
Hints 6
Holder for beverages 140
Homepage 6
Hood 253
Horn 12
Hotel function, trunk lid 41
Hot exhaust system 144
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