oil change BMW 325CI COUPE 2005 E46 Owner's Manual

143
Adding engine oilOnly add engine oil when the oil level
has dropped to just above the lower
mark on the dipstick.
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.
Store oils, grease and similar materials
so that they are inaccessible to chil-
dren. Comply with warning labels and
information on containers.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the dis-
posal of used oil.<
Recommendation: have the oil changed
at your BMW center.Specified engine oilsThe quality of the engine oil is
extremely important for the operation
and service life of an engine. Based on
extensive testing, BMW has approved
only certain grades of engine oil.
Use only approved BMW High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil.
If an approved BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil should be unavailable, you
may use small amounts of other syn-
thetic oils for topping up between oil
changes. Use only oils with the specifi-
cation API SH or higher.
Ask your BMW center for details
concerning the specific BMW
High Performance Synthetic Oil or syn-
thetic oils that have been approved.<
BMW engines are designed to
operate without oil additives; the
use of additives could even lead to
damage in some cases.<
You can also call BMW of North Amer-
ica toll-free at 1-800-831-1117 or visit
this website: www.bmwusa.com to
obtain this information.Viscosity ratingsViscosity is the oilflow rating as estab-
lished in SAE classes.
The selection of the correct SAE class
depends on the climatic conditions in
the area where you drive your BMW.
Approved oils are in SAE classes
5W-40 and 5W-30.<
These kinds of oil may be used for driv-
ing in all ambient temperatures.
Engine oil
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

146Maintenance
BMW Maintenance SystemThe BMW Maintenance System helps
maintain your vehicle's road safety and
operational safety. Comfort-related
aspects, such as the timely change of
filters for the air inside the vehicle, are
taken into consideration. The goal is to
optimize maintenance with respect to
low total cost of ownership.
If you should sell your BMW one day,
consistent service and maintenance will
prove to your advantage.
Service interval displayThe service interval display shows you
when an oil service, an inspection –
always alternating between I and II – or
a brake fluid change is due. The special
feature is that the service intervals are
calculated according to your BMW's
individual driving conditions instead of
from fixed mileage increments.
The technology developed for this
takes your personal driving style into
account, as well as your BMW's driving
conditions. After all, short-distance
driving, i.e. frequent cold starts, or driv-
ing off at high engine speeds, affects
your BMW differently from long-dis-
tance driving with the engine at consis-
tent operating temperature.
Special feature regarding engine
oil changeThe calculation of the service intervals
covers practically every kind of operat-
ing situation. If you drive very rarely,
however, you should have the oil
changed at least every two years, since
engine oil deteriorates over time
regardless of use.Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models/Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian modelsFor additional information on required
maintenance intervals and procedures,
please refer to the Service and War-
ranty Information Booklet for US mod-
els, or the Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models.
As a precaution against corrosion, if
your vehicle is exposed to potential
damage from unimproved road sur-
faces we suggest that you have the
body checked for damage from stone
chips and gravel at the same time.

173
Capacities
Notes
Fuel tank
Reservegal./liters
gal./litersapprox. 16.6/63
approx. 2.1/8Fuel specification, refer to
page 24
Windshield/
Headlamp washer reservoir quarts/liters approx. 5.6/5.3Specifications, refer to
page 142
Engine oil and filter change quarts/liters approx. 6.9/6.5 BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil
Specifications, refer to page 142
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to Z
177
Battery 161
charge 161
disposal 161
indicator lamp 18
jump-starting 163
remote control 28, 29
Battery charge current 18
Belts, refer to Safety
belts 54
Beverage holders 113
Blower
air conditioning 102
automatic climate
control 106
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oils 143
BMW Maintenance
System 146
BMW sports seat 51
Bottle holders, see Bever-
age holders 113
Brake fluid 145
indicator lamp 18, 145
level 145
Brake force display 94
Brake lamps
bulb replacement 155
indicator lamp, defective
lamp 86
Brake lamps, refer to Brake
force display 94Brake pads
brake fluid level 18, 145
breaking in 124
indicator lamp 19
Brake rotors
breaking in 124
Brake wear warning
indicator lamp 19
Brakes
ABS 127
brake fluid 145
brake force display 94
brake pads 126
breaking in 124
driving notes 125
indicator/warning lamp
18, 19
parking brake 71
Break-in procedures 124
Bulb replacement, refer to
Lamps and bulbs 153
Bulb, replacing 153
Buttons in steering wheel 21
C
California laws
event data recorders 148
Proposition 65
warning 148
Can holders, see Beverage
holders 113
Capacities 173Car battery 161
Car care, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Car keys, refer to Keys 28
Car radio, refer to the
Owner's Manual for Radio
Car telephone
preparation 113
Car telephone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Car vacuum cleaner, con-
necting 114
Car wash, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Carpet care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cassette operation, refer to
the Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
CBC Cornering Brake Con-
trol 127
warning lamp 18
CD changer, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
CD operation, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Center armrest
front 112Center high-mount brake
lamp
bulb replacement 156
Central locking system 28
button 32
passenger
compartment 32
Changing a wheel 157
Charge indicator lamp 18
Check Control 86
Check Gas Cap
indicator lamp 19
Child seats, refer to Child-
restraint systems 62
Child-restraint mounting
system (LATCH) 64
Child-restraint system 62
Chock 158
Cigarette lighter 113
Cleaning chrome parts, refer
to the Caring for your vehi-
cle brochure
Cleaning light alloy wheels,
refer to the Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Cleaning position, convert-
ible top 43, 48
Cleaning the vehicle, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cleaning windshield 82
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to ZLuggage compartment lid 33
emergency operation 33
emergency release 34
indicator lamp 86
opening from inside the
vehicle 33
opening from outside 33
remote control 30
securing separately 33
unlocking manually 33
Luggage compartment light-
ing 33
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack 120
Lumbar support 52
M
Maintenance 86, 146
Maintenance system 146
Malfunction
convertible top 46
door lock 31
fuel filler door 23
Malfunction displays 86
Manual convertible top 39
closing 42
opening 40
operation 39Manual operation
door lock 31
driver's door 31
fuel filler door 23
luggage compartment
lid 33
power convertible top 46
Manual transmission 72
Master keys 28
MC operation, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
MD operation, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory 55
Memory, refer to Vehicle
Memory, Key Memory 68
Microfilter
air conditioning 103
automatic climate
control 108
Microphone 113
Mini disc operation, refer to
the Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Mirrors 57
heated 57
memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory 55
Mobile Service 163Modifications, technical,
refer to For your own
safety 5
Multifunction steering
wheel 21
Multifunction switch
turn signal indicator/head-
lamp flasher 80, 81
N
Navigation system, refer to
the Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Neck restraints, refer to
Head restraints 52
Nets 112
Nozzles, refer to Ventilation
100, 104
Nylon rope, refer to Towing
the vehicle 165
O
OBD interface socket 148
Odometer 84
Oil
additives, refer to Adding
engine oil 143
capacity 173
dipstick 142
quality 143
specified engine oils 143
viscosity 143Oil change intervals, refer
to Service interval
display 146
Oil change intervals, refer to
the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US
models/Warranty and Ser-
vice Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
Oil consumption 142
Oil dipstick 142
Oil filter change 173
Oil level
checking 142
indicator lamp 18
Oil pressure
indicator lamp 18
OIL SERVICE 86
Oil types 143
Old batteries, refer to Dis-
posal 161
Onboard computer 88
Onboard computer, refer to
the Owner's Manual for
Onboard Computer
Onboard tool kit 152
Opening and closing
from outside 29
from the inside 32
via the door lock 31
via the remote control 29
Outlets, ventilation 100, 104