
174
MobilityRefueling
Refueling
Vehicle equipment
In this chapter, all pr oduction, country, and 
optional equipment that is offered in the model 
range is described. For this reason, descrip-
tions will be given of some equipment that may 
not be available in a vehi cle, for example due to 
the special options or  national-market version 
selected. This also app lies to safety related 
functions and systems.
General information
Always switch off the  engine before refu-
eling; otherwise, fuel cannot be added to 
the tank and a message will be displayed. <
Take all precautionary measures and 
observe all applicable  regulations when 
handling fuel. Do not carry any spare fuel con-
tainers in your vehicle.  They can develop a leak 
and cause an explosion or cause a fire in the 
event of an accident. <
Fuel filler flap
Opening
1.Open the fuel filler flap. To do so, lightly 
press the rear edge. 2.
Turn the fuel cap counterclockwise.
3. Place the fuel cap in th e bracket attached to 
the fuel filler flap.
Closing
Fit the cap and turn it cl ockwise until you clearly 
hear a click.
Do not pinch the band  attached to the 
cap; otherwise, the cap cannot be closed 
properly and fuel vapors can escape. <
Manually releasing the fuel filler flap
In the event of a malfunction, you can release 
the fuel filler flap manually:
Coupe
1.Remove the cover from  the right-hand side-
wall of the cargo area.
2. Pull the knob with the fuel pump symbol. 
The fuel filler flap is released.
Online  Edition  for Part  no. 01 40 2 609  312 - \251  08/11  BMW AG  

175
Refueling
Mobility
Convertible
1.
Loosen the right-hand  cargo area trim panel 
by turning the screws  by 90°, see arrow.
2. Slightly lift the top section of the panel. It is 
not necessary to remove the entire panel.
3. Pull the knob with the fuel pump symbol. 
The fuel filler flap is released.
Observe the following when refueling
When handling fuels, follow the safety 
instructions provided at filling stations; 
otherwise, there is a risk  of personal injury or 
property damage. <
When refueling, insert  the filler nozzle com-
pletely into the filler pipe. Avoid lifting the filler 
nozzle while filling the tank , as that would lead 
to
> Premature pump shutoff
> Reduced efficiency of the fuel-vapor recov-
ery system.
The fuel tank is full when  the filler nozzle clicks 
off the first time.
Fuel tank capacity
Approx. 16.1 US gal/61 liters, including the 
reserve capacity of 2.1 US gal/8 liters.
Refuel as soon as possible once your 
cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km; otherwise, engine functions are not 
ensured and damage can occur. <
Fuel specifications
Gasoline engine: required fuel
Never use fuels labeled at the fuel pump as 
metal-containing.
Do not use leaded  gasoline or gasoline 
with metal-containing additives doing so 
can cause permanent dama ge to the catalytic 
converter or other components. <
Do not fill the tank with E85, i.e. fuel con-
taining 85 Ξ ethanol, nor with FlexFuel. 
Otherwise, the engine and fuel supply system 
will be damaged. <
Super Premium Gasoline/AKI 91
BMW recommends AKI 91.
Gasoline with lower AKI
The minimum AKI Rating is:
>328i/xDrive: 87
> 335i, 335i/xDrive: 89.
If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI Rat-
ing, the engine may produce knocking sounds 
when starting at high outside temperatures. 
This has no effect on the engine life. Do not use any gasoline below the speci-
fied minimum fuel grade. Otherwise, the 
engine could be damaged. <
Online  Edition  for Part  no. 01 40 2 609  312 - \251  08/11  BMW AG  

197
Engine compartment
Mobility
Engine compartment
Vehicle equipment
In this chapter, all production, country, and 
optional equipment that is offered in the model 
range is described. For this reason, descrip-
tions will be given of some equipment that may 
not be available in a vehi
cle, for example due to 
the special options or  national-market version 
selected. This also app lies to safety related 
functions and systems.
Important parts of th e engine compartment
1Expansion tank for coolant, refer to 
page 200
2 Washer fluid filler neck  for headlamp clean-
ing system and window washer system, 
refer to page 69 3
Jump-starting conne ction, refer to 
page 216
4 Filler neck for engine oil, refer to Adding 
engine oil
Online  Edition  for Part  no. 01 40 2 609  312 - \251  08/11  BMW AG  

198
MobilityEngine compartment
Hood
Do not work on the car unless you pos-
sess the necessary technical knowledge. 
If you are not familiar with the regulations to be 
followed, have the necessary work on the vehi-
cle carried out only by your BMW center; if this 
work is not carried out  properly, there is a dan-
ger of subsequent dama ge and related safety 
hazards. <
Releasing
Pull the lever.
Opening
In order to avoid damage, make sure that 
the wiper arms are against the windshield 
before you open the hood. Do not open the 
engine hood before the engine has cooled 
down; otherwise, injuries may result. <
Press the release handle and open the hood.
Closing
Let the hood drop from a height of approx. 10 in/
25 cm. It must be clearly heard to engage. Make sure that the  closing path of the 
hood is clear; othe rwise, injuries may 
result. 
If you see any signs while driving your vehicle 
that the hood is not comp letely closed, stop at 
once and close it securely. <
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 necessar y that the engine be at 
operating temperature, i.e. after uninterrupted 
driving for at least approx. 6.2 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.
You can have the oil leve l reading displayed in 
the instrument cluster.
Online  Edition  for Part  no. 01 40 2 609  312 - \251  08/11  BMW AG  

199
Engine compartment
Mobility
1.
Push button 1 in the turn signal/high beam 
lever up or down repe atedly until the appro-
priate symbol is shown in the display, 
accompanied by the word "OIL".
2. Press button 2 in the turn signal/high beam 
lever. 
The oil level is checked and the reading dis-
played.
Possible displays
1 Oil level OK
2 Oil level is  being checked.
This can take about 3 min utes if the car is at 
a standstill on a level surface, or about 
5 minutes while the car is on the move. 3
Oil 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 page 199.
4 Oil level is too high.
Too much oil will harm the engine. 
Have the vehicle checked without 
delay. <
5 The oil level sens or 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 page 84. Have the system checked as 
soon as possible.
Adding engine oil
Do not add 1 US quart/1 liter of engine oil until 
the following warning lamp lights up in the 
instrument cluster, or un til the oil level monitor 
shows "+1qt" or "+1l".
Add oil within the next 125 miles/200 km; 
otherwise, the engine could be dam-
aged. <
Online  Edition  for Part  no. 01 40 2 609  312 - \251  08/11  BMW AG  

200
MobilityEngine compartment
If the engine oil is to o high, have the vehi-
cle checked immediately; failure to do so 
may result in engine damage. <
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 grades to add
Do not use oil additives as this could 
result in engine damage.<
When selecting an engi ne oil, make sure 
to use one from the SAE viscosity classes 
0W-40, 0W-30, 5W-40 or 5W-30; failure to do 
so may result in malfun ctions or engine dam-
age.<
The engine oil quality is critical for the life of the 
engine.
Some oil grades may no t be available in all 
countries.
Approved oil grades
Additional information about approved oil 
grades is available at your BMW center.
Alternative oil types
If approved oils are not available, you can add 
quantities of up to 1 US quart/1 liter of another 
oil with the following specifications:
Oil change
Oil changes should only be performed by a 
BMW center.
Coolant
Coolant consists of half  water and half additive. 
Not all commercially available additives are suit-
able for your BMW. Ask your BMW center about 
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. <
Comply with the appropriate environ-
mental protection regulations when dis-
posing of coolant additives. <
Coolant temperature
If the coolant and therefore the engine over-
heats, a warning lamp lights up, refer to 
page220.
Gasoline engine
BMW High Performance SAE 5W-30
BMW Longlife-01
BMW Longlife-01 FE
Diesel engine
BMW Longlife-04
Gasoline engine
API SM or higher
Diesel engine
API ILSAC GF-5
Online  Edition  for Part  no. 01 40 2 609  312 - \251  08/11  BMW AG  

201
Engine compartment
Mobility
Checking coolant level
Do not add coolant to
 the cooling system 
when the engine is hot. Escaping coolant 
can cause burns. <
1. Do not open the engine hood before the 
engine has cooled down.
2. Turn the cap of the expansion tank a little 
counterclockwise to  allow any accumulated 
pressure to escape, then continue turning 
to open.
3. The coolant level is correct if it is between 
the maximum and minimum marks in the 
filler neck, refer also to  the diagram next to 
the filler neck.
4. If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant up to 
the specified level; do not overfill.
5. Turn the cap until ther e is an audible click.
6. Have the reason for  the coolant loss elimi-
nated as soon as possible.
Online  Edition  for Part  no. 01 40 2 609  312 - \251  08/11  BMW AG  

202
MobilityMaintenance
Maintenance
Vehicle equipment
In this chapter, all pr oduction, country, and 
optional equipment that is offered in the model 
range is described. For this reason, descrip-
tions will be given of some equipment that may 
not be available in a vehi cle, for example due to 
the special options or  national-market version 
selected. This also app lies to safety related 
functions and systems.
BMW Maintenance System
The BMW maintenance system advises you of 
necessary maintenance measures and helps 
you maintain the traffic  and operating safety of 
the vehicle.
Condition Based Service CBS
Sensors and special algo rithms take the differ-
ent driving conditions of your BMW into 
account. Condition Based Service uses this to 
determine the current  and future service 
requirements. By letting  you define a service 
and maintenance regimen that reflects your 
own individual requirem ents, the system builds 
the basis for trouble-free driving.
In the instrument cluster, you can have the 
remaining times or distances for selected main-
tenance tasks and any le gally prescribed dates 
displayed, refer to page 84: >
Engine oil
> Brake pads: separately  for front and rear
> Brake fluid
> Vehicle check
> Legally mandated in spections depending 
on local regulations
Service data in the remote control
Your vehicle continuously stores service-
requirement information in the remote control 
while you are driving. Your dealership Service 
Advisor can read out this data from the remote 
control unit, and propose an optimized mainte-
nance approach. Whenever  you take your car in 
for servicing you should therefore give your 
dealership Service Advisor the remote control 
unit that you last used.
Make sure that the date in the instrument 
cluster is always se t correctly, refer to 
page 86; otherwise, the effectiveness of Condi-
tion Based Service CBS is not assured. <
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 require-
ments.
BMW recommends that you have service 
and repair operations performed at your 
BMW center. 
Take the time to ensure  that these service pro-
cedures are confirmed by  entries in your vehi-
cle's Service and Warranty Information Booklet 
for US models and Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian models. These entries 
verify that your vehicle has received the speci-
fied regular maintenance. <
Online  Edition  for Part  no. 01 40 2 609  312 - \251  08/11  BMW AG