engine oil BMW 550I TOURING 2008 E61 Owner's Manual

Notes
6
Parts and accessories
For your own safety, use genuine parts
and accessories approved by BMW.
When you purchase accessories tested and
approved by BMW and Genuine BMW Parts,
you simultaneously acquire the assurance that
they have been thoroughly tested by BMW to
ensure optimum performance when installed
on your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free from
defects in material and workmanship.
BMW will not accept any liability for damage
resulting from installation of parts and accesso-
ries not approved by BMW.
BMW cannot test every product made by other
manufacturers to verify if it can be used on a
BMW safely and without risk to either the vehi-
cle, its operation or its occupants.
Genuine BMW Parts, BMW Accessories and
other products approved by BMW, together
with professional advice on using these items,
are available from all BMW centers.
Installation and operation of non-BMW
approved accessories such as alarms, radios,
amplifiers, radar detectors, wheels, suspension
components, brake dust shields, telephones,
including operation of any mobile phone from
within the vehicle without using an externally
mounted antenna, or transceiver equipment
such as CBs, walkie-talkies, ham radios or the
like may cause extensive damage to the vehicle,
compromise its safety, interfere with the vehi-
cle's electrical system, or affect the validity of
the BMW Limited Warranty. See your BMW
center for additional information.<
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of
the emission control devices and sys-
tems may be performed by any automotive
repair establishment or individual using any cer-
tified automotive part.<
California Proposition 65 Warning
California law requires us to issue the following
warning:
Engine exhaust and a wide variety of
automobile components and parts,
including components found in the interior fur-
nishings in a vehicle, contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer
and birth defects and reproductive harm. In
addition, certain fluids contained in vehicles and
certain products of component wear contain or
emit chemicals known to the State of California
to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
Battery posts, terminals and related accesso-
ries contain lead and lead compounds. Wash
your hands after handling.
Used engine oil contains chemicals that have
caused cancer in laboratory animals. Always
protect your skin by washing thoroughly with
soap and water.<

Mobility
233Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Engine compartment
1Filler spout for engine oil, refer to Adding
engine oil
2Starting-aid terminal, refer to page254
3Filler neck for washer fluid of the headlamp
and windshield cleaning systems, refer to
page69
4Expansion tank for coolant, refer to
page235

Under the hood
234
Engine oil
The engine oil consumption is dependent 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 Info" 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/liter of
engine oil at the next opportunity, refer to
Adding engine oil below. Add at least
0,5 US quart/liter of oil; otherwise, the oil
level check cannot reliably display the new
oil level.
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 page81. Have the
system checked as soon as possible.

Mobility
235Reference
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, any skin areas that come into
contact with oil should be thoroughly washed
with soap and water.
Keep oil, grease etc. out of reach of children and
observe the warnings on the containers to pre-
vent health risks.<
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.
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.
Do not use oil additives, as these may
result in engine damage.<
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.
Viscosity grades
Viscosity is a measure of an oil's flow rating 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 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 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; observe the instruc-
tions on the containers.<
Comply with the appropriate environ-
mental protection regulations when dis-
posing of coolant additives.<
Checking coolant level
1.Do not open the hood until the engine has
cooled down.
2.Turn the cap of the expansion tank counter-
clockwise to allow any accumulated pres-
sure to escape, then continue turning to
open.

Mobility
237Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Maintenance
BMW maintenance system
The BMW maintenance system supports the
preservation of the traffic and operating safety
of your BMW. The ultimate objective is to
ensure economical maintenance by providing
the ideal service for your vehicle.
Should the day come when you decide to sell
your BMW, a complete dealer service history
will prove to be an asset of inestimable value.
CBS Condition Based Service
Sensors and special algorithms 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 requirements, the system builds
the basis for trouble-free driving.
You can set the Control Display to show
remaining distances and times of selected
maintenance intervals and legally mandated
deadlines, refer to page81:
>Engine oil
>Brake pads, front and rear separately
>Brake fluid
>Vehicle check
>Legally mandated inspections depending
on local regulations
Service data in remote control
Your vehicle stores the information required
maintenance continuously in the remote con-
trol during driving. After accessing the data
stored in the remote control, your BMW Service
Advisor can suggest precisely the right array of
service procedures for your own individual vehi-
cle. You should therefore hand over the remote
control you last used to drive to the BMW Ser-
vice Advisor when you take your vehicle in for
service.
Make sure the date is set correctly, refer
to page87, otherwise the effectiveness
of CBS Condition Based Service is not
ensured.<
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.<

Mobility
239Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Care
Car-care products
Regular cleaning and care make a significant
contribution to retaining your BMW's value.
For the cleaning and care of your vehicle, BMW
recommends using only products that BMW
has approved for this purpose.
Your BMW Service will be glad to advise you
about products and services for the cleaning
and care of your BMW.
Original BMW Care Products are materi-
als tested, laboratory tested, and tested in
actual use. They offer optimum care and pro-
tection for your vehicle.<
Do not use cleaners that contain alcohol
or solvents; they can damage your vehi-
cle.<
Cleaning agents can contain substances
that are dangerous or pose health risks.
You should therefore heed the warnings and
hazard indications on the packaging. Open the
doors or windows on your vehicle whenever
cleaning the interior. Make sure there is suffi-
cient ventilation in enclosed spaces. Use only
products that are formulated for vehicle clean-
ing.<
Care exterior
Washing your vehicle
In the winter months, it is especially
important to ensure that the vehicle is
washed on a regular basis. Otherwise, signifi-
cant soiling and road salt can cause damage to
the vehicle.<
Failure to do so may lead to a reduction in
braking efficiency and also to corrosion of
the brake rotors.<
Car washes
Give preference to cloth car washes.
Before driving into the car wash, make sure that
it is suitable for your BMW. Pay attention to the
following points:
>Dimensions of your vehicle, refer to
page261.
>If necessary, fold in the outside rearview
mirrors, refer to page53.
>Maximum permissible tire width.
Preparations for driving into the car wash:
>Deactivate rain sensor to prevent unwanted
wiper activation.
>Deactivate rear window wiper
* and protect
it from damage. Take appropriate protec-
tive measures; inquiring with the car wash
operator as needed.
>Remove additional add-on parts, e.g. spoil-
ers or phone antennas, if they could be
damaged.
Automatic transmission
Before driving into the car wash, make sure the
vehicle is able to roll by making sure to:
1.Insert the remote control into the ignition
lock, even with comfort access.
2.Shift into transmission position N.
3.Release the parking brake.
4.Switch off the engine.
5.Leave the remote control in the ignition lock
so that the vehicle can roll.
Steam cleaners/high-pressure
cleaning jets
When using steam cleaners or high-pres-
sure cleaning jets, make sure to maintain
a sufficient distance and stay below a maximum
temperature of 1407/60°C.
Insufficient distance or excessive pressure or
temperature can damage parts of the vehicle or
can result in water penetration. Follow the oper-

Everything from A to Z
270
Everything from A to Z
Index
"..." Identifies Control Display
texts used to select
individual functions, and
indicates where to find them
in the text.
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System90
– indicator lamp93
ACC, refer to Active cruise
control71
Accepted calls202
Accessories6
Accident, refer to Emergency
request253
Acoustic signal, refer to Check
Control83
Activated-charcoal filter for
automatic climate
control117
"Activation time" for parked
car ventilation118
Active cruise control71
– indicator lamp74
– radar sensors75
– selecting distance73
– warning lamps74
Active front head restraints49
Active seat52
Active seat ventilation52
Active steering98
– warning lamp99
Adapter for spare key28
Adaptive brake assistant91
Adaptive brake lamps, refer to
Brake force display99
Adaptive Head Light109
"Add digits" in mobile phone
mode202Additives
– coolant235
– engine oil, refer to Approved
engine oils235
"Address book" in
navigation151
Address for navigation
– deleting153
– entering144,147
– selecting152
– storing151
– storing current position152
"Add to address book"151
"Add to destination
list"147,148
Adjusting active backrest
width47
Adjusting interior
temperature114
Adjusting the tone during
audio operation, refer to
Tone control169
Adjusting thigh support46
"After door opened"48
"After unlocking"48
Airbags99
– indicator/warning lamp101
– indicator lamp for front
passenger airbags100
– sitting safely45
Air distribution
– automatic114
– manual115
Airing, refer to Ventilation117
Air recirculation
– AUC Automatic
recirculated-air control116
– recirculated-air mode116
"Air recirculation on / off"55
Air supply, automatic climate
control113
Air volume115AKI, refer to Fuel quality221
Alarm system37
– avoiding unintentional
alarms38
– interior motion sensor38
– switching off alarm37
– switching off tilt alarm
sensor and interior motion
sensor38
– tilt alarm sensor38
"All channels"179
"All doors"30
Alloy wheels240
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires230
"All stations" requesting in
radio mode172
All-wheel drive, refer to
xDrive92
Alterations, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
Altering stretch of road160
"AM", reception
range168,172
Antenna for mobile phone194
Antifreeze
– coolant235
– washer fluid69
Antilock Brake System
ABS90
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system37
Anti-theft system, refer to
Central locking system29
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights263
Approved engine oils235
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights263
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest, rear126
Around the center console14

Everything from A to Z
276 Electrical malfunction
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door220
– glass sunroof, electric42
– luggage compartment lid34
– panorama glass sunroof44
– tailgate35
Electric steering wheel
adjustment54
Electronic brake-force
distribution90
Electronic oil level check234
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door220
– luggage compartment lid34
– tailgate35
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission65
Emergency operation, refer to
Moving manually
– glass sunroof42
– panorama glass sunroof44
Emergency release for
luggage compartment lid in
cargo bay34
Emergency request253
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance254
"Enabled services"215
"Enabled TeleServices"212
"Enable services"215
"End call"202
Energy-conscious driving,
refer to Energy Control79
Energy Control79
Engine
– breaking-in134
– data260
– overheated, refer to Coolant
temperature78
– speed260
– starting62
– starting, with comfort
access38
– switching off62Engine compartment233
Engine coolant235
Engine oil
– adding235
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils235
– approved engine oil235
– checking oil level234
– electronic oil level check234
– interval between changes,
refer to Service
requirements81
– oil change235
– oil grades, refer to Approved
engine oils235
"Engine oil level"234
Engine output, refer to Engine
data260
Engine overheating, refer to
Coolant temperature78
Engine speed, refer to Engine
data260
Engine starting, refer to
Starting engine62
"Enter address"144,151
Entering destination via town/
city name145
Entering intersection,
navigation146
Entering the
address144,147
Entering town/city for
navigation145
Entering zip code for
navigation145
"Entertainment"168
Entertainment sound output
on/off169
Entry map for destination148
Environmentally friendly
driving, refer to Energy
control79
"Equalizer", refer to Tone
control171
Equalizer, refer to Tone
control171
"ESN"178ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control91
Event Data Recorders238
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system135
Exterior mirrors53
– adjusting53
– automatic dimming
feature54
– automatic heating53
– folding in and out53
– tilting down passenger-side
exterior mirror53
External audio device123
Eye for tow-starting and
towing, refer to Tow
fitting255
F
"Fader", refer to Tone
control170
Fader, refer to Tone
control170
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control83
False alarm
– refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms38
– refer to Switching off
alarm37
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts50
– warning lamp50
Fastest route for
navigation154
"Fast route" in navigation154
Filler neck for washer fluid69
Filter, refer to Microfilter/
activated-charcoal filter117
First aid, refer to First-aid
kit254
First-aid kit254

Reference 281
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Navigation system142
– address book151
– bypassing route
sections160
– destination entry144
– destination guidance in
assistance window142
– destination list150
– displaying current
position163
– displaying route157
– entering a destination
manually144
– entering destination via
voice147
– last destinations150
– navigation DVD142
– route list159
– searching for a special
destination149
– selecting destination using
information149
– selecting destination via
map148
– selecting route criteria154
– starting destination
guidance156
– switching off, refer to
Terminating/continuing
destination guidance156
– terminating/continuing
destination guidance156
– voice instructions159
– volume adjustment160
"Navigation voice
instructions"55,159
Neck support, refer to Head
restraints49
"New address" in
navigation151
"New destination"144,148
New remote control28
"New route"160
New wheels and tires229
"Next entertainment
source"55
Night Vision, refer to
BMW Night Vision103Night vision device, refer to
BMW Night Vision103
"Night Vision off"105
"Night Vision on / off"55
Nozzles, refer to Windshield
washer nozzles69
Nylon rope, refer to Tow-
starting and towing255
O
OBD socket, refer to Socket
for Onboard Diagnostics
interface238
Octane ratings, refer to Fuel
specifications221
Odometer78
Oil, refer to Engine oil234
Oil change intervals, refer to
Service requirements81
"On a new destination" in
navigation149
Onboard computer, refer to
iDrive16
"Onboard info"80
Onboard toolkit243
"On destination"149
"On location"149
Opening and closing
– comfort access38
– from inside32
– from outside30
– panorama glass sunroof43
– using remote control30
– using the door lock32
Operating principle, iDrive17
Operation by voice for mobile
phone205
– adjusting volume206
– canceling205
– commands205
– correcting phone
number206
– dialing phone number206
– placing a call206
– redialing207
– voice phone book206
"Options"213,215Orientation menu, refer to
Start menu17
Output, refer to Engine
data260
Outside air, refer to AUC
Automatic recirculated-air
control116
Outside temperature
display78
– changing unit of measure88
– in computer88
Overview
– operating principle17
– radio control168
– screen display20
P
Panic mode31
Panorama glass sunroof42
– moving manually44
Park Distance Control PDC89
"Parked car operation"118
"Parked car ventilation"118
Parked car ventilation117
– activating activation
time118
– preselecting activation
times118
– switching on and off
directly118
Parked car ventilation system,
LED113
Parking, vehicle62
Parking aid, refer to PDC Park
Distance Control89
Parking assistant, refer to
PDC Park Distance
Control89
Parking brake, refer to
Handbrake63
Parking lamps107
– replacing bulbs245
Partition net, Sports
Wagon128
Parts and accessories6
Passenger-side exterior
mirror, tilting down53

Reference 285
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Socket for remote control,
refer to Ignition lock61
Sockets, refer to Connecting
electrical devices125
Soft closure aid, refer to
Automatic soft closing33
Song search on CD, refer to
Sampling tracks183
SOS, refer to Initiating an
emergency request253
Sound distribution in audio
mode
– front/rear fader170
– right/left balance170
Spare
– adapter for spare key28
– fuses252
– key28
– wheel, refer to Compact
wheel250
Spare wheel, refer to
Changing wheels248
Special oils, refer to Approved
engine oils235
Specified oil grades, refer to
Approved engine oils235
Speed
– limit85
– with compact wheel251
Speed-dependent
volume170
Speed limit warning, refer to
Speed limit85
Speedometer12
"Speed volume", tone
control170
Speed with winter tires230
Sport automatic
transmission66
– Dynamic Driving Control66
– kick-down64
– towing256
– with comfort access39
Sport program, Automatic
transmission with
Steptronic64Sports Wagon
– automatic roll-up cover127
– automatic tailgate
operation36
– compartments in cargo
bay128
– expanding cargo bay127
– opening rear window34
– opening tailgate35
– panorama glass sunroof42
– partition net128
– rear window wiper69
– rear window wiper, changing
wiper blade243
– releasing fuel filler door in
event of electrical
malfunction220
– roll-up cover127
– roll-up cover for cargo
bay127
– self-leveling suspension94
– socket in cargo bay125
– storage area package129
– tail lamps, replacing
bulbs247
Stability control, refer to
Driving stability control
systems90
"Star button"55
Star button54
Start/Stop button61
– starting the engine62
– switching off the engine62
"Start" for stopwatch86
"Start guidance"147,156
Starting, refer to Starting
engine62
Starting assistance, refer to
Jump starting254
Starting assistant93
Starting difficulties, refer to
Jump starting254
Starting off on slopes, refer to
Starting assistant93
Start menu, iDrive17
"Start route guidance"149
"Start service"210
– with BMW Assist213"State / Province" in
destination entry145
"State inspection"82
Station, refer to Radio172
"Status"82
Status information on Control
Display20
Status of this Owner's Manual
at time of printing5
Steam cleaners239,240
Steering wheel
– adjustment54
– automatic adjustment, refer
to Steering wheel
memory47
– buttons on steering
wheel11
– easy entry/exit54
– heating54
– lock, refer to Ignition lock61
– memory47
– programmable buttons54
– shift paddles66
Steering with variable ratio,
refer to Active steering98
Steptronic
– refer to Automatic
transmission with
Steptronic
63
– refer to Sport automatic
transmission66
– refer to Sport program and
manual mode64
"Stop" in stopwatch mode86
"Stopwatch"86
Stopwatch85
Storage area package, Sports
Wagon129
Storage compartments123
"Store in address book" in
navigation152
"Store" in radio
mode174,180
Storing242
Storing current position152
Storing radio stations174
Storing sitting position, refer
to Seat, mirror and steering
wheel memory47