oil level BMW 325I SEDAN 2004 E46 Owner's Manual

18

Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself

Indicator and warning lamps that are
identified by

●

are tested for proper
functioning whenever the ignition key is
turned. They each light up once for dif-
ferent periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these
systems, the corresponding lamp does
not go out after the engine is started, or
it lights up while the vehicle is moving.
You will see how to react to this below.

Red: stop immediately

Battery charge current

●

The battery is no longer being
charged. Indicates a defective
alternator drive belt or a problem with
the alternator's charge circuit. please
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the drive belt is defective, stop
and switch off the engine immedi-
ately to prevent overheating and seri-
ous engine damage. If the drive belt is
defective, increased steering effort is
also required.

<

Engine oil pressure

●

Stop the vehicle immediately
and switch off the engine.
Check the engine oil level; top off as
required. If the oil level is correct:
please contact the nearest BMW cen-
ter.
Do not continue driving, as the
engine could sustain serious dam-
age from inadequate lubrication.

<

Brake warning lamp

●

If the lamp comes on when the
parking brake is not engaged:
check the brake fluid level. Before driv-
ing further, be sure to comply with the
instructions on pages 122 and 134.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Flat Tire Monitor

●

In addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded: there is a flat tire.
Reduce speed and carefully come to a
stop. Avoid sudden braking and steer-
ing maneuvers.
For additional information: refer to
page 92

Red and yellow: continue driving
cautiously

The brake warning lamp comes
on together with the yellow indi-
cator lamps for ABS

●

and
DSC:
The entire ABS, CBC, DSC and
ADB-X/DBC control system has
failed. Continue driving cau-
tiously and defensively. Avoid
hard brake applications. Please have
the system checked by your BMW cen-
ter as soon as possible.
Additional information beginning on
page 86
CBC, ABS, DSC and ADB-X/
DBC indicator and warning
lamps for Canadian models.

Red: an important reminder

Brake warning lamp
Comes on when the parking
brake is engaged – an additional
acoustic signal sounds when starting
off.
For additional information: refer to
page 67

19
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Please fasten safety belts

●

Comes on together with an
acoustic signal until the safety
belts are fastened.
For additional information on safety
belts: refer to page 51
Airbags

●

Please have the system
inspected by your BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 57

Orange: consult the nearest BMW
center

Automatic transmission/sequen-
tial manual gearbox
The respective transmission has
responded to a malfunction by reverting
to operation in its emergency default
program. Please consult the nearest
BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
pages 69, 73

Yellow: check as soon as possible

Engine oil level
If the lamp comes on during
normal vehicle operation: the
engine oil level has fallen to the abso-
lute minimum; refill as soon as possible.
Do not drive more than approx.
30 miles/50 km before refilling.
For additional information: refer to
page 132
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been switched off: add engine
oil at your earliest opportunity, such as
when you next stop to refuel.
For additional information: refer to
page 132
Brake pads

●

Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information: refer
to page 122
Flat Tire Monitor

●

The Flat Tire Monitor is malfunc-
tioning or out of order. Please
have the system inspected by your
BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 92

Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)

●

Indicator lamp flashes:
The system is actively regulating drive
torque and braking force.
The indicator lamp stays lit:
DSC has been switched off with the
button; DTC is operational.
Please consult the nearest BMW center
in case of a malfunction.
Additional information beginning on
page 86
325xi, 330xi:
DSC has been switched off manually or
there is a system malfunction.
ADB-X is operational in its standby
mode. If the indidator lamp fails to go
out when you press the DSC button
again, this indicates a system malfunc-
tion affecting both DSC and ADB-X.
Please consult the nearest BMW cen-
ter.
For additional information: refer to
page 89

Indicator and warning lamps

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

132
Washer fluidsHeadlamp* and windshield
washer systemCapacity approx.
5.6 US quarts/5.3 liters
Fill with water and, if required, with a
washer antifreeze additive according to
manufacturer's recommendations.
We recommend that you mix the
washer fluid before adding it to
the reservoir.<
Antifreeze agents for the washer
fluid are highly flammable. For this
reason, keep them away from sources
of flame and store them only in their
closed original containers. Store them
inaccessible to children. Comply with
the instructions on the containers.<
Engine oilChecking the oil level1. Park the vehicle on a level surface
2. Switch the engine off after it has
reached normal operating tempera-
ture
3. After approx. 5 minutes, pull the dip-
stick out and wipe it off with a clean
lint-free cloth, paper towel, or similar
material
4. Carefully push the dipstick all the
way into the guide tube and pull it
out again
5. The oil level should be between the
two marks on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption
is directly influenced by your driving
style and vehicle operating conditions.
The oil volume between the two marks
on the dipstick corresponds to approx.
1.1 US quarts/1 liter. Do not fill beyond
the upper mark on the dipstick. Excess
oil will damage the engine.

133
Adding engine oilOnly add engine oil when the oil level
has dropped to just above the lower
mark on the dipstick.
BMW engines are designed to
operate without oil additives; the
use of additives could lead to damage
in some cases. This also applies to the
manual transmission, the automatic
transmission, the differential, and the
power steering system.<
Recommendation: have the oil changed
at your BMW center.
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.<
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 volumes 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.<
You can also call BMW of North
America 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

138Laws and regulations
California Proposition 65 warningCalifornia laws require us to state the
following warning:
Engine exhaust and a wide variety
of automobile components and
parts, including components found in
the interior furnishings in a vehicle, con-
tain 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 com-
ponent 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
accessories contain lead and lead com-
pounds. Wash your hands after hand-
ling.
Used engine oil contains chemicals that
have caused cancer in laboratory ani-
mals. Always protect your skin by
washing thoroughly with soap and
water.<
OBD interface socketThe interface socket for onboard diag-
nostics is located on the left-hand side
of the driver's side, behind a specially
marked cover located beneath the
instrument panel. The cover has the let-
ters OBD on it.
This interface makes it possible to
access data on emissions-related com-
ponents using special equipment.
An illuminated indicator informs
you of the need for service, not
that you need to stop the vehi-
cle. However, the systems should be
checked by your BMW center at the
earliest possible opportunity.
If the indicator blinks or flashes, this
indicates a high level of engine misfire.
Reduce speed and contact the nearest
BMW center immediately. Severe

Everything from A to Z
167
Belts, refer to Safety
belts 51
Beverage holders 108, 109
Blower
air conditioning 100
automatic climate
control 104
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oils 133
BMW Maintenance
System 136
BMW sports seat 49
Bore, refer to Engine
data 160
Bottle holders, see Bever-
age holders 108, 109
Brake fluid 134
indicator lamp 18, 134
level 134
Brake force display 93
Brake hydraulic system 122
Brake lamps
bulb replacement 145
indicator lamp, defective
lamp 82
Brake lights
brake force display 93
Brake pads
brake fluid level
18, 122, 134
breaking in 120
disc brakes 122Brake rotors
brake system 122
breaking in 120
Brake system
brake pads, indicator
lamp 19
Brake wear warning
indicator lamp 19
Brakes
ABS 121
brake fluid 134
breaking in 120
indicator/warning lamp
18, 19
parking brake 67
Break-in procedures 120
Bulb replacement, refer to
Lamps and bulbs 143
Bulb, replacing 143
Buttons in steering wheel 22
C
California Proposition 65
warning 138
Can holders, see Beverage
holders 108, 109
Capacities 163
Car battery 151
Car care, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Car keys, refer to Keys 32Car radio, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Car telephone
preparation 110
Car telephone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Car vacuum cleaner, con-
necting 110
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 121
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
Cellular phone 110
Center high-mount brake
lamp
bulb replacement 146Central locking system 32
button 37
passenger
compartment 37
Changing a wheel 147
Charge indicator lamp 18
Check Control 82
Check Gas Cap
indicator lamp 19
Child safety locks 63
Child seats 60
Child-restraint systems 60
Chock 148
Cigarette lighter 110
Cigarette lighter socket 110
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 the vehicle, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cleaning windshield 78
Clock 83
12-/24-hour mode 83
setting, refer also to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to ZClosing
from inside 37
from outside 33
Clothes hooks 121
Clutch
breaking in 120
Cockpit 14
Code, refer to the Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Coin box 108
Cold start, refer to Starting
the engine 65
Compact disc operation,
refer to the Owner's Man-
ual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Compartments 108
Compression ratio, refer to
Engine data 160
Computer 84
Condensation, refer to Air
conditioning mode
100, 104
Configuring settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory 64
Connecting a vacuum
cleaner, refer to Cigarette
lighter 110
Consumption
display 80Consumption, refer to Aver-
age fuel consumption 85
Control elements, refer to
Cockpit 14
Convenience operation
from outside 36
glass sunroof 34
windows 34
Coolant 134
indicator lamp 19, 81
level 134
temperature gauge 81
Coolant water, refer to Cool-
ant 134
Cooling, refer to Tempera-
ture 100, 104
Copyright 4
Cornering Brake Control
(CBC) 121
warning lamp 18
Correct tires 127
Cruise control 78
indicator lamp 20
Cup holders, see Beverage
holders 108, 109
Curb weight, refer to
Weights 162
Current consumption, refer
to Energy control 80
Cylinders, refer to Engine
data 160D
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit 14
Data
capacities 163
dimensions 161
engine 160
technical 160
weights 162
Daytime driving lamps 94
DBC Dynamic Brake Control
19, 121
Deep water, refer to Water
on roadways 121
Defrost position, refer
to Defrosting windows
101, 104
Defrosting and demisting
windows
air conditioning 101
automatic climate
control 104
Defrosting windows
101, 104
Defrosting windshield, refer
to Defrosting windows
101, 104
Demisting windows
air conditioning 101
automatic climate
control 104Determining the maximum
load 115
Differential
breaking in 120
Digital clock 83
Dimensions 161
Dipstick, engine oil 132
Disc brakes 122
Displacement, refer to
Engine data 160
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting 95
Displays, refer to Instrument
cluster 16
Disposal
oil 133
vehicle battery 151
Distance warning, refer to
Park Distance Control
(PDC) 86
Divided rear backrest 112
Door key 32
Door lock 36
Doors
emergency operation 36
Draft-free ventilation
101, 105
Driving light, refer to Parking
lamps/Low beams 94
Driving notes 121
Dry air, refer to Air condi-
tioning mode 100, 104

Everything from A to Z
169
DSC Dynamic Stability Con-
trol 87
indicator lamp 19, 87
DTC Dynamic Traction Con-
trol 87
indicator lamp 19, 87
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC) 19, 121
Dynamic Brake Control DBC
indicator lamp 19
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 19, 87
Dynamic Traction Control
(DTC) 87
indicator lamp 19, 87
E
Electric glass sunroof 44
Electric power windows 43
Electrical accessories, fail-
ure 151
Electrical malfunction
automatic transmission
with Steptronic 75
door lock 36
driver's door 36
fuel filler door 24
glass sunroof 46
luggage compartment
lid 38Electronic Stability Program
ESP, refer to Dynamic Sta-
bility Control DSC 87
Emergency call 152
Emergency operation
doors 36
driver's door 36
fuel filler door 24
glass sunroof 46
Emergency release
luggage compartment lid
38, 40
Emissions, minimum, refer
to Energy control 80
Energy control 80
Engine
breaking in 120
data 160
electronics 19
indicator lamp 19
speed 80, 160
starting 65
switching off 67
Engine compartment 130
Engine coolant 134
adding 134Engine oil
adding 133
additives, refer to Adding
engine oil 133
capacity 163
consumption 132
indicator/warning lamp 19
quality 133
types 133
viscosity 133
Engine oil level 19
check 132
indicator/warning lamp 18
Engine oil pressure
indicator/warning lamp 18
Engine output, refer to
Engine data 160
Engine speed 80, 160
Environmentally-friendly
driving, refer to Energy
control 80
ESP Electronic Stability Pro-
gram, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC) 87
Exterior mirrors 55
Eyeglasses
compartment 109
Eyelet, towing 155F
False alarm, refer to
Avoiding unintentional
alarms 42
Fastening the safety belts 51
Fault displays 82
First aid, refer to First-aid
kit 23
First-aid kit 23
Flashlight 108
Flashlight, refer to
Rechargeable
flashlight 108
Flat tire 147
Flat Tire Monitor 92
space-saver spare tire 147
Flat Tire Monitor 92
indicator lamp 18, 19, 93
Flat tire, refer to Tire condi-
tion 124
Fluid reservoir for washer
systems 132
Fog lamps 96
indicator lamp 20
Folding rear backrest 112
Follow me home lamps 94
Footbrake, refer to General
driving notes 121
Front airbags 57
Front center armrest 108
Front fog lamps 96
indicator lamp 20
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to ZLuggage compartment lid 38
emergency operation 38
emergency release 40
indicator lamp 82
opening from inside the
vehicle 38, 39
opening from outside 38
remote control 34
securing separately 38
unlocking manually 38
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack 117
Lumbar support 50
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires 127
Maintenance 82, 136
Maintenance system 136
Making telephone calls,
refer to the telephone
Owner's Manual
Malfunction
door lock 36
fuel filler door 24
Malfunction displays 82Manual operation
door lock 36
driver's door 36
fuel filler door 24
glass sunroof 46
luggage compartment
lid 38
Manual transmission 68
Master keys
with remote control 32
MC operation, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
MD operation, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Mechanical seats 48
Memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory 53
Memory, refer to Vehicle
Memory, Key Memory 64
Microfilter
air conditioning 101
automatic climate
control 106
Microphone, refer to Cellular
phone 110
Mini disc operation, refer to
the Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard ComputerMirrors 55
automatic curb monitor 54
heated 55
memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory 53
Mobile Service 152
Modifications, technical,
refer to For your own
safety 5
Multifunction steering
wheel 22
Multifunction switch
turn signal indicator/head-
lamp flasher 76
washer/wiper system 77
N
Navigation system, refer to
the Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Neck restraints, refer to
Head restraints 51
Nets 108
Nozzles, refer to Ventilation
98, 102
O
OBD interface socket 138
Odometer 80Oil
additives, refer to Adding
engine oil 133
capacity 163
dipstick 132
quality 133
viscosity 133
Oil change interval, refer
to Service interval
display 136
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 132
Oil dipstick 132
Oil filter change 163
Oil level
checking 132
indicator lamp 18
Oil pressure
indicator lamp 18
OIL SERVICE 82
Oil types 133
Old batteries, refer to Dis-
posal 151
Onboard computer 84
Onboard computer, refer to
the Owner's Manual for
Onboard Computer