oil BMW 540i 2000 E39 Owner's Manual

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Maintenance
< Release mass air flow sensor clips (A).
Release upper air filter housing clips (B).
4 Lift air filter upper housing, and remove filter element.
NOTE-
V-8 engine air filter assembly shown in illustration. 6-cylinder
air filter assembly is similar but located at the left front of the
engine compartment.
- On installation, install O-ring for mass air flow sensor into
retaining clips in air filter upper housing.
- Replace air filter and upper air filter housing, and attach
upper air filter housing clips.
Cooling system, checking
Antifreeze raises the boiling point and lowers the freezing
~oint of the coolant. BMW recommends enaine coolantthat is
a 50 150 mixture of distilled water and ethGene glycol-based
antifreeze.
Routine cooling system maintenance consists of maintaining
the coolant level and inspecting hoses. Because the coolant's
anticorrosion and antifreeze additives gradually lose their ef-
fectiveness, replacement of the coolant every three years is
recommended.
CAUJION-
Use only BMWapprovedphosphate-free antifreeze when
filing the cooling system. Use of antifreeze containing
phosphates is harmful to the cooling system.
4 Float in radiator tank indicates coolant level. Inspect while
coolant is cold.
When upper mark on float is level with top of filler neck,
coolant is at minimum allowable level.
When lower mark on float is level with top of filler neck,
coolant is at maximum level.
Hose connections should be tight and dry. Coolant seepage
nnection indicates either that hose clamp is

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020-1 6
Maintenance
loose, hose is damaged, or connection is dirty or corroded.
Dried coolant has achalky appearance. Hoses should be firm
and springy. Replace any hose that is cracked, has become
soft and limp, or has been contaminated by oil.
4 As a preventive measure, replacement of the cooling system
hoses every four years is recommended. The illustration
shows examples of damage to coolant hoses. Any of these
conditions is cause for replacement (illustration courtesy of
/ Abrasion Damaged Hose Heat Damaged Hose 1 Gates Rubber Company, I~c.).
Engine drive belt, replacing
Drive belts and pulleys transfer power from the engine crank-
shaft to various accessories.
E39 models use two polyribbed
(serpentine) belts:
The outer belt turns the
NC compressor.
0 The inner, longer belt turns the alternator (generator), cool-
ant pump and power steering pump.
Inspect drive belts with the engine off. If the belt shows signs
of wear, cracking, glazing, or missing sections, it should be
replaced
immediately. To reduce the chance of belt failure
while driving, replacement of the belts every four years is
recommended.
WARNING -
Observe care when replacing belts. Personal injury could
result if a tensioner springs back into position uncontrolled.
CA UTIOI\C
Mark drive belt rotation direction if removing and reusing an
old belt.
NOTE-
When belts are replaced with new ones, store the old set in
the trunk for emergency use.
All models, use
BMW special tools 11 5 030 and 11 5 040 to
loosen and remove cooling fan and clutch from coolant
pump.
NOTE-
32 mm cooling fan nut has left-hand threads
If necessary, remove fan cowl from radiator.

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020-21
Maintenance
Spark plugs, replacing
E39 engines use a coil-over-spark plug configuration, with
one ignition coil above each spark plug. Sparks plugs should
be removed only after the engine has cooled.
Remove engine
cover(s) over ignition coils:
Remove acoustic cover over fuel injectors
I intake
manifold.
6-cylinder engine: Remove oil filler cap.
Remove plastic trim covers (arrows).
Remove cover hold-down bolts. Remove coil
cover(s)
6-cylinder engine: Temporarily reinstall oil filler cap to
keep out contaminants.
Remove ignition coil grounding harnesses (arrows). 6-cylin-
der coils shown,
V-8 engine is similar.
< Remove ignition coils:
Pull up on spring clips to disconnect ignition coil harness
connectors.
Remove coil mounting bolts. Pull coils up and off spark
plugs.
- Remove spark plugs.

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020-22 Maintenance
1
- Installation is reverse of removal, bearing in mind the
following:
Lightly lubricate new
spark plug threads with
copper-based anti-seize compound.
Thread plugs into cylinder head by hand to prevent
cross-threading.
. Be sure to reinstall and tighten coil grounds.
Tightening torque Spark plug
to cylinder head 25 Nm (18 It-lb)
Interior ventilation microfilter, replacing
Two interior ventilation microfilters are used, one on each
side of the engine compartment at the fire wall.
< To replace the microfilter, unclip the wire fastener and
remove the cover.
Lift out the filter, and replace. Left side shown; right is
similar.
Replace cover and clip wire fastener to retain cover.
Battery, checking, cleaning, and replacing
The battery Is located in the right side of the luggage compart-
ment. Simple maintenance of the battery and its terminal
connections will ensure maximum starting periormance,
especially in winter when colder temperatures reduce battery
power.
Battery cables should be tight. The terminals, cable clamps
and battery case should be free of the white deposits that
indicate corrosion and acid salts. Even a thin layer of dust
containing conductive acid salts can cause battery discharge.

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020-26
Maintenance
NOTE-
The parking brake may lose some of its effectiveness if it is
not used frequently This is due to corrosion build-up on the
parking brake drum. To remove corrosion, apply the parking
brake just until it begins to grip, then pull the lever up one
more stop (click). Drive the car approximately 400 meters
(1,300
ft.) and release the brake. To recheck the adjustment
of the parking brake see
340 Brakes.
Clutch fluid, checking
In cars equipped with manual transmission and clutch, the hy-
draulic clutch and the brake system share the same reservoir
and the same bralte fluid. Clutch fluid level and brake fluid lev-
el are checked at the same time.
NOTE-
* See 340 Brakes for more information.
See
210 Clutch for information on the clutch and the
hydraulic clutch operating system.
Differential oil level, checking
The E39 differential is filled with lifetime oil that ordinarily
does not need to be changed.
BMW recommends using only
a specially formulated synthetic gear oil
(SAF-XO) that is
available through an authorized
BM\N dealer parts depart-
ment. For additional information on this lubricant and any
other lubricants that may be compatible, contact an
authorized
BMW dealer service department.
< Check rear differential oil level at filler plug (arrow).
- Check lubricant level with car on a level surface:
Level is correct when fluid just reaches edge of filler hole.
If necessary, top up fluid.
Replace filler plug sealing ring.
Install and tighten oil filler plug when oil level is correct.
NOTE-
Use either a 14 mm or 17 mm Allen socket to remove the
drain plug.
If the car is raised in the air, it should be level when
checking or filling final drive fluid level.
Tightening torque
Filler plug to final drive housing 70 Nrn (52 it-lb)

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Maintenance
Suspension, front, inspecting
Inspection of the front suspension and steering includes a
check of all moving parts
forwear and excessive play. Inspect
ball joint and tie-rod rubber seals and boots for cracks
ortears
that could allow the entry of dirt, water, and other
contaminants. See
310 Front Suspension.
Suspension, rear, inspecting
Differential and rear drive axle service consists of checking
and changing the gear oil, inspecting for leaks, and checking
the drive axle
CV joint boots for damage.
The areas where
lealts are most likely to occurare around the
drive shaft and drive axle mounting flanges. For more infor-
mation on identifying oil leaks and theircauses, see
330 Rear
Suspension and
331 Final Drive.
Tires, checking inflation pressure
Correct tire pressures are important to handling and stability,
fuel economy, and tire wear. Tire pressures change with tem-
perature. Pressures should be
checked oRen during season-
al temperature changes. Correct inflation pressures can be
found on the driver's door pillar and in the owner's manual.
Note that tire pressures should be higher when the car is
more heavily loaded.
WARNING-
Do not inflate any tire to a pressure higher than the tire's max-
imum inflation pressure listedon the sidewall. Use care when
adding air to warm tires. Warm tire pressures can increase as
much as
4 psi (0.3 bar) over their coldpressures.
Tires, rotating
BMW does not recommend tire rotation. Due to the car's sus-
pension design, the front tires begin to wear first at the outer
shoulder and the reartires begin to wearfirst at the middle of
the tread or inner shoulder. Rotating the tires may adversely
affect road handling and tire grip.
Transmission service, automatic
The automatic transmissions installed in E39 models are
filled with special automatic transmission fluid. The transmis-
sion lubricant type can be found on the "type-plate" on the
side of the transmission. The recommended lubricants are
listed earlier in this repair group. See Fluids and lubricants.
If in doubt, consult an authorized BMW dealer for alternate

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020-30
Maintenance
fluid use and the most-up-to-date information regarding
transmission operating fluids.
The automatic transmission is not equipped with a dipstick.
Therefore, checking the ATF level is an involved procedure
which includes measuring and maintaining a specified ATF
temperature during the checking procedure.
For more complete
ATF service information, including
checking
ATF level and ATF filter replacement procedures,
see
240 Automatic Transmission.
Transmission service, manual
Manual transmission service consists of inspecting for leaks
and checking the fluid. Evidence of transmission leaks is
like-
ly to be seen around the driveshaft mounting flange and at the
bottom of the bellhousing.
NOTE-
For more information on identifying oil
leaks and their
causes, see 230 Manual Transmission and210 Clutch.
Transmission fluid, checking and filling
(manual transmission)
Tne manual transmss'on inslalleo 'n rne E39 models s f;lled
with a special liierime iluid (ivlTF-LT-I). oi. ordinarily
does
not need to be changed.
< Check manual transmission oil level at transmission filler plug
(A). Make sure car is on level surface.
NOTE- Transmission fluid level
checking and replacement
procedures are covered in 230 Manual Transmission.
Wheels, aligning
BMW recommends checking the front and rear alignment
once a year and whenever new tires are installed.
NOTE-
See 320 Steering and Wheel Alignment for a more detailed
discussion of alignment requirements and specifications.

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Maintenance
BODY AND INTERIOR MAINTENANCE
Body and hinges, lubricating
Door locksand loclccylinderscan be lubricated with an oil that
contains graphite.
Body and doorhinges, hood latch and doorcheclc rods should
be lubricated with
SAE 30 or SAE 40 engine oil. Lubricate
seat runners with multipurposegrease. Do not apply any oil to
rubber parts.
If door weather-strips are sticking, lubricate
them with silicone spray or talcum powder. The hood release
cable should be lubricated as well.
The use of winter
lock deicer sprays should be lkept to an
absolute minimum, as the alcohol in the deicer will wash the
grease out of the lock assemblies and may cause locks to
corrode internally or to become difficult to operate.
Exterior washing
The longer dirt is left on the paint, the greater the risk of dam-
aging theglossy finish,
eitherby scratching or by thechemical
effect dirt particles may have on the painted surface.
Do not wash the car in direct sunlight. If the engine hood is
warm, allow it to cool. Beads of water not only leave spots
when dried rapidly by the sun or heat from theengine, but also
can act as small magnifying glasses and burn spots into the
finish. Wash the car with a mixture of lukewarm water and a
car wash product. Rinse using plenty of clear water. Wipe the
body dry with a sofl cloth towel or chamois to prevent
water-spotting.
Interior care
Dirt spots can usually be removed with lultewarm soapy water
or a dry foam cleaner. Use spot remover for grease and oil
spots. Do not pour the liquid directly on the carpet or fabric,
but dampen a clean cloth and rub carefully, starting at the
edge of the spot and working inward. Do not use gasoline,
naphtha, or other flammable substances.
Leather upholstery and trim
Leather upholstery and trim should be periodically cleaned
using a slightly damp cotton or wool cloth. The idea is to get
rid of the dirt in the creases and pores that can cause brittle-
ness and premature aging. On heavily soiled areas, use a
mild detergent (such as
wooliteQ) or other specially formulat-
ed leather cleaners. Dry the trim and upholstery completely

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ing at the finish when it is wet. If the water coats the paint in
smooth sheets instead of forming beads that roll off, a new
coat of wax is needed. Waxshould not be applied to black trim
pieces, rubber, or other plastic parts.
Windshield wiper blade maintenance
Common problems with the windshield wipers include streak-
ing or sheeting, water drops afler wiping, and blade chatter.
Streaking is usually caused when wiper blades are coated
with road
film or car wash wax. Clean the blades using soapy
water.
If cleaning the blades does not cure the problem, they
should be replaced. BMW recommends replacing the wiper
I blades twice a year, before and after the cold season.
I
< To replace wiper blade, depress retaining tab (arrow) and
slide blade out of arm.
I - Checlc tension spring that forces wiper against glass. Re-
place wiper arm if spring tension is weak.
Drops that remain behind after wiping are caused by oil, road
film, or diesel exhaust coating the windshield. Use an alcohol
or ammonia solution or a nonabrasive cleanser to clean the
windshield.
Wiper blade chatier may be caused by dirty or worn blades,
by a dirty windshield, or by bent or twisted wiper arms. Clean
the blades and windshield as described above.
Adjusithe
wiper arm so that there is even pressure along the blade, and
so that the blade is perpendicularto the windshield at rest. Lu-
bricate the wiper linkage with a light oil. The
linkage is located
under the hood on the driver's side. If the problem persists,
the blades are excessively aged or worn and should be re-
placed. See
61 1 Wipers and Washers for more information.

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100-6
( Engine-General
The main grounds for the fuel and ignition circuits of the DME
system are illustrated below; see 610 Electrical Component
Locations for additional ground and component locations.
4 Ground for engine management system in right rear of en-
gine compartment on E-box bulkhead (arrow).
6-cylinder models: Grounds
for ignition coils (arrows)
4 V-8 models: Grounds for ignition coils, at cylinders 3
(arrow) and 7.
4 Fuel pump ground (arrow) below right tail light in luggage
compartment.
NOTE-
Ground location for sedan shown, wagon models may
differ.