adding oil BMW 325xi SEDAN 2003 E46 Owner's Manual

126
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 only in original con-
tainers. Store them inaccessible to chil-
dren. 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.

127
Adding engine oilWait until the level has dropped to just
above the lower mark before adding oil.
However, you should never let the oil
drop below the lower mark.
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.
Always store oil, grease, etc., out of
reach of children. Comply with all warn-
ing labels and information on lubricant
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 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

Everything from A to ZA
ABS Antilock Brake System
18, 115
Accessories 5
Activated-charcoal filter 100
ADB Automatic Differential
Braking 78
Adding brake fluid 129
Air conditioning 92, 98
Air distribution 94, 98
Air nozzles 92, 96
Air outlets 92, 96
Air pressure 117
check 25
Air supply 94, 98
Airbags 19, 53
Alarm system 38
Antifreeze 128
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
18, 115
Anti-theft system 38
Armrest 102
ASC+T Automatic Stability
Control plus Traction 18,
19, 78
Ashtray
front 104
rear 105
AUC Automatic recircu-
lated-air control 99Automatic car wash, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Automatic climate control 96
Automatic cruise control 69
Automatic Differential Brak-
ing (ADB) 78
Automatic dimming, interior
rearview mirror 52
Automatic headlamp
control 89
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC) 99
Automatic Stability Control
plus Traction (ASC+T) 18,
19, 78
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic 19, 64
Average fuel
consumption 76
Average speed 76
Avoiding unintentional
alarms 39
Axle loads 154
B
Backrest, adjusting 45
Backup lamps 63
replacing bulb 139
Battery
charge 146
discharged 146Battery charge current 18
Belts 47
Beverage holder 102, 103
Blower 94, 98
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oils 127
BMW sports seat 45
Bore 152
Bottle holder, see Beverage
holder 102
Brake hydraulic system 18
Brake lamps
replacing bulb 139
Brake pads 19
Brake, parking 62
Brakes
malfunctions 116
Break-in procedures 114
Bulb, replacing 137
C
California Proposition 65
warning 131
Can holder, see Beverage
holder 102
Capacities 155
Car care, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Car radio
refer to the Owner's Man-
ual for RadioCar telephone
refer to the separate
Owner's Manual
Car vacuum cleaner, con-
necting 104
Car wash, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Cargo loading 108
Cassette player operation,
refer to the Owner's Man-
ual for Radio
Cassette player operation,
see Owner's Manual for
Radio
CBC Cornering Brake
Control 18, 115
CD player operation, refer to
the Owner's Manual for
Radio
Cellular phone 104
Center armrest 102
Center high-mount brake
lamp 140
Central locking system 30
button 34
Changing a wheel 141
Charge indicator lamp 18
Check Control 73
Child-restraint mounting
system (LATCH) 57
Cigarette lighter 104
Cleaning windshield 69

Everything from A to Z
159
Clock 74
setting, refer also to the
radio or onboard com-
puter Owner's Manual
Cockpit 14
Code, refer to the Owner's
Manual for Radio
Coin box 102
Compartments 102
Compression ratio 152
Computer 75
Condensation, removing
from windows 95, 98
Consumption 76
display 72
Coolant 128, 155
Cooling system 155
Copyright 4
Cornering Brake Control
(CBC) 18, 115
Cruise control 69
Cup holder, see Beverage
holder 102
Curb weight 154
Cushion height 153
D
Data
dimensions 153
engine 152
technical 152
weights 154Daytime driving lamps 89
DBC Dynamic Brake
Control 115
Defrost position 95, 98
Defrosting
rear window 94, 99
windows 95, 98
Digital clock 74
Dimensions 153
Dipstick, engine oil 126
Displacement 152
Display lighting 90
Displays 16
Distance warning 77
Divided rear backrest 106
Door key 30
Door lock buttons 34
Doors
emergency operation 33
unlocking and locking 31
Driving notes 115
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control 18, 19, 80
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control 80
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC) 115
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 18, 19, 80
Dynamic Traction Control
(DTC) 80E
Electric power windows 40
Electrical accessories, fail-
ure 146
Electrical malfunction
fuel filler door 24
sliding/tilt sunroof 43
Emergency operation
doors 33
fuel filler door 24
sliding/tilt sunroof 43
Emergency release
luggage compartment
lid 37
Emissions, minimum, refer
to Energy control 71
Energy control 71
Engine
starting 60
switching off 62
Engine compartment 124
Engine coolant 155
adding 128
temperature gauge 72
Engine data 152Engine oil
adding 126
capacity 155
consumption 126
pressure 18
quality 127
types 127
viscosity 127
Engine oil level 19
check 126
Engine speed 152
Environmentally-friendly
driving, refer to Energy
control 71
Exterior mirrors 51
Eyelet, towing 148
F
Failure messages 73
False alarm, avoiding 39
Fault displays 73
First-aid kit 23
Flashlight 102
Flat tire 117, 141
Flat Tire Monitor 86
Fog lamps 91
Folding rear backrest 106
Follow me home lamps 89
Front fog lamps 91
Front seat adjustment 44
Frost protection
radiator 128
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex