check oil BMW 550I XDRIVE GRAN TURISMO 2012 Owners Manual

message and the meaning of the indicator and
warning lamps.
Supplementary text messages
Addition information, such as on the cause of a
fault or the required action, can be called up via
Check Control.
The supplementary text of urgent messages is
displayed on the Control Display automatically.
Symbols
Depending on the Check Control message, the
following functions can be selected.▷ "Owner's Manual"
Display additional information about the
Check Control message in the integrated
owner's manual.▷ "Service request"
Contact the service partner.▷ "Roadside Assistance"
Contact Roadside Assistance.
Hiding Check Control messages
Press the computer button on the turn signal
lever.
▷Some Check Control messages are dis‐
played continuously and are not cleared un‐
til the malfunction is eliminated. If several
malfunctions occur at once, the messages
are displayed consecutively.
These messages can be hidden for approx.
8 seconds. After this time, they are dis‐
played again automatically.▷Other Check Control messages are hidden
automatically after approx. 20 seconds.
They are stored and can be displayed again
later.
Displaying stored Check Control
messages
1."Vehicle Info"2."Vehicle status"3. "Check Control"4.Select the text message.
Messages after trip completion
Special messages that are displayed during
driving are displayed again after the ignition is
switched off.
Fuel gauge The vehicle inclination may
cause the display to vary.
Notes on refueling, refer to
page 258.
Tachometer Always avoid engine speeds in
the red warning field. In this
range, the fuel supply is inter‐
rupted to protect the engine.
Engine oil temperature
▷Cold engine: the pointer is at
the low temperature end.
Drive at moderate engine and
vehicle speeds.▷Normal operating tempera‐
ture: the pointer is in the mid‐
dle or in the left half of the
temperature display.Seite 81DisplaysControls81
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Engine oilVehicle equipment
All standard, country-specific and optional
equipment that is offered in the model series is
described in this chapter. Therefore, equipment
is also described that is not available in a vehicle,
e. g., because of the selected optional equip‐
ment or country variant. This also applies for
safety-related functions and systems.
General information
The engine oil consumption is dependent on the
driving style and driving conditions.
Therefore, regularly check the engine oil level
after refueling.
Check oil level
The concept
The oil level is monitored electronically and dis‐
played on the Control Display.
Requirements▷The engine must be running and warm after
the vehicle has been driven for at least
6 miles/10 km.▷The vehicle is stopped or being driven on a
level roadway.
Displaying the oil level
1."Vehicle Info"2."Vehicle status"3. "Engine oil level"
Possible messages
▷"Engine oil level OK"▷"Measurement not possible at this time."▷"Measuring engine oil level..."Duration with the engine running: ap‐
prox. 3 minutes.
Duration while driving: approx. 5 minutes.▷"Engine oil level below minimum. Add 1
quart!"
Add oil within the next 125 miles/200 km.▷"Engine oil level too high! Have this
checked."
Have the vehicle checked immediately.
Too much engine oil
Have the vehicle checked immedi‐
ately; otherwise, surplus oil can lead to en‐
gine damage.◀▷"Measurement inactive. Have this
checked."
Note the newly calculated remaining mile‐
age until the next oil service. Have the sys‐
tem checked as soon as possible.
Adding engine oil
Filler neck
When the indicator lights up in the instrument
cluster, add 1 US quart/liter of engine oil within
the next 125 miles/200 km.
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Protect children
Keep oil, grease, etc., out of reach of chil‐
dren and heed the warnings on the containers
to prevent health risks.◀
Oil types for refilling
Notes No oil additives
Oil additives may lead to engine damage. ◀
Viscosity grades for engine oils
When selecting an engine oil, ensure that
the engine oil belongs to one of the viscosity
grades SAE 0W-40, SAE 0W-30, SAE 5W-40,
and SAE 5W-30 or malfunctions or engine dam‐
age may occur.◀
The engine oil quality is critical for the life of the
engine.
Some types of oils in some cases are not avail‐
able in all countries.
Approved oil typesSpecificationBMW High Performance SAE 5W-30BMW Longlife-01BMW Longlife-01 FE
Additional information about the approved
types of oils can be requested from the service
center.
Alternative oil types
If the approved engine oils are not available, up
to 1 US quart/liter of an oil with the following
specification can be added:
SpecificationAPI SM or superior grade specificationOil change
An oil change should be carried out by your
service center only.
Coolant
General information Danger of burns from hot engine
Do not open the cooling system while the
engine is hot; otherwise, escaping coolant may
cause burns.◀
Suitable additives
Only use suitable additives; otherwise, en‐
gine damage may occur. The additives are
harmful to your health.◀
Coolant consists of water and additives.
Not all commercially available additives are suit‐
able for your vehicle. Ask your service center for
suitable additives.
Coolant level
If there is no Min– and Max– mark in the filler
neck of the coolant reservoir, have the coolant
level checked if necessary by your service cen‐
ter and add coolant as needed.
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Checking1.Let the engine cool.2.Turn the cap of the coolant reservoir slightly
counterclockwise to allow any excess pres‐
sure to dissipate, and then open it.3.The coolant level is correct if it lies between
the minimum and maximum marks in the
filler neck.4.If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant up to
the specified level; do not overfill.5.Turn the cap until there is an audible click.6.Have the cause of the coolant loss elimi‐
nated as soon as possible.
Disposal
Comply with the relevant environmental
protection regulations when disposing
of coolant and coolant additives.
Seite 275Engine oilMobility275
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MaintenanceVehicle equipment
All standard, country-specific and optional
equipment that is offered in the model series is
described in this chapter. Therefore, equipment
is also described that is not available in a vehicle,
e. g., because of the selected optional equip‐
ment or country variant. This also applies for
safety-related functions and systems.
BMW Maintenance System
The maintenance system directs you to re‐
quired maintenance measures and thereby sup‐
ports you in maintaining road safety and the op‐
erational reliability of the vehicle.
Condition Based Service CBS
Sensors and special algorithms take into ac‐
count the driving conditions of your vehicle.
Based on this, Condition Based Service deter‐
mines the maintenance requirements.
The system makes it possible to adapt the
amount of maintenance you need to your user
profile.
Details on the service requirements, refer to
page 83, can be displayed on the Control Dis‐
play.
Service data in the remote control
Information on the required maintenance is con‐
tinuously stored in the remote control. Your
service center will read out this data and suggest
the right array of service procedures for your ve‐
hicle.
Therefore, hand your service specialist the re‐
mote control that you used most recently.Storage periods
Storage periods during which the vehicle bat‐
tery was disconnected are not taken into ac‐
count.
If this occurs, have a service center update the
time-dependent maintenance procedures,
such as checking brake fluid and, if necessary,
changing the engine oil and the microfilter/acti‐
vated-charcoal filter.
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 requirements.
Maintenance and repair should be performed by
your service center. Make sure to have regular
maintenance procedures recorded in the vehi‐
cle's Service and Warranty Information Booklet
for US models, and in the Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet for Canadian models. These en‐
tries are proof of regular maintenance.Seite 276MobilityMaintenance276
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CareVehicle equipment
All standard, country-specific and optional
equipment that is offered in the model series is
described in this chapter. Therefore, equipment
is also described that is not available in a vehicle,
e. g., because of the selected optional equip‐
ment or country variant. This also applies for
safety-related functions and systems.
Car washes
Notes Steam jets or high-pressure washers
When using steam jets or high-pressure
washers, hold them a sufficient distance away
and use a maximum temperature of 140 ℉/
60 ℃.
Holding them too close or using excessively
high pressures or temperatures can cause dam‐
age or preliminary damage that may then lead to
long-term damage.
Follow the operating instructions for the high-
pressure washer.◀
Cleaning sensors/cameras with high-
pressure washers
When using high-pressure washers, do not
spray the exterior sensors and cameras, e.g.,
Park Distance Control, for extended periods of
time and only from a distance of at least 12 in/
30 cm.◀
Wash your vehicle frequently, particularly in win‐
ter.
Intense soiling and road salt can damage the ve‐
hicle.Washing in automatic car washes
Give preference to cloth car washes or those
that use soft brushes in order to avoid paint
damage.
Notes
Note the following:▷Make sure that the wheels and tires are not
damaged by the transport mechanisms.▷Fold in the exterior mirrors; otherwise, they
may be damaged, depending on the width of
the vehicle.▷Deactivate the rain sensor, refer to page 73,
to avoid unintentional wiper activation.▷In some cases, an unintentional alarm can be
triggered by the interior motion sensor of the
alarm system. Follow the instructions on
avoiding an unintentional alarm, refer to
page 44.
Guide rails in car washes
Avoid car washes with guide rails higher
than 4 in/10 cm; otherwise, the vehicle body
could be damaged.◀
Before driving into a car wash
In order to ensure that the vehicle can roll in a car
wash, take the following steps:
1.Release the parking brake, refer to page 69,
and deactivate Automatic Hold, refer to
page 71.2.Drive into the car wash.3.Depress the brake pedal as needed.4.Engage transmission position N.5.Switch the engine off. In this way, the igni‐
tion remains switched on, and a Check-Con‐
trol message is displayed.Seite 289CareMobility289
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Band-Aids, refer to First aidkit 285
Bar for tow-starting/tow‐ ing 287
Basic position, rear seats 55
Bass 186
Battery replacement, remote control, rear entertain‐
ment 218
Battery replacement, vehicle battery 282
Battery replacement, vehicle remote control 30
Battery, vehicle 282
Belts, safety belts 56
Beverage holder, cu‐ pholder 152
Blinds, sun protection 46
Bluetooth audio 212
BMW Assist 249
BMW homepage 6
BMW Internet page 6
BMW Maintenance Sys‐ tem 276
BMW Search 251
Bottle holder, refer to Cu‐ pholder 152
Brake assistant 106
Brake assistant, adaptive 106
Brake discs, breaking in 158
Brake force display 105
Brake lamps, brake force dis‐ play 105
Brake lamps, bulb replace‐ ment 281
Brake lights, adaptive 105
Brake pads, breaking in 158
Braking, notes 159
Breakdown assis‐ tance 284, 285
Breaking in 158
Brightness of Control Dis‐ play 88
Bulb replacement 278
Bulb replacement, front 279
Bulb replacement, rear 281 Bulbs and lamps 278
Button, RES 116
Button, Start/Stop 67
Bypassing, refer to starting aid 285
C
Calendar 244
California Proposition 65 Warning 7
Camera, backup camera 130
Camera, care 292
Camera, Side View 131
Camera, Top View 127
Can holder, refer to Cu‐ pholder 152
Car battery 282
Car care products 290
Care, displays 292
Care, vehicle 290
Cargo 161
Cargo area 146
Cargo area, enlarging 147
Cargo area lid 38
Cargo area, storage compart‐ ments 153
Cargo partition 148
Cargo straps, securing cargo 162
Car key, refer to Remote con‐ trol 30
Carpet, care 291
Car wash 289
Catalytic converter, refer to Hot exhaust system 158
CBS Condition Based Serv‐ ice 276
CD/DVD 196
CD/DVD player, rear 217
CDs, storing 203
Cell phone 226
Center armrest 151
Center console 14
Central locking system 33 Central screen, refer to Control
Display 16
Changes, technical, refer to Safety 6
Changing parts 278
Changing wheels 282
Changing wheels/tires 267
Check Control 79
Checking the oil level 273
Children, seating position 63
Children, transporting safely 63
Child restraint fixing sys‐ tem 63
Child restraint fixing system LATCH 64
Child restraint fixing systems, mounting 63
Child safety locks 66
Child seat, mounting 63
Child seats 63
Chrome parts, care 291
Cigarette lighter 145
Cleaning, displays 292
Climate control 136
Climate control wind‐ shield 159
Clock 82
Closing/opening from in‐ side 37
Closing/opening via door lock 36
Closing/opening with remote control 34
Clothes hooks 153
Collision warning 120
Combination switch, refer to Turn signals 72
Combination switch, refer to Wiper system 73
COMFORT+ program, Driving Experience Switch 112
Comfort Access 41
COMFORT program, Driving Experience Switch 112
Computer 84 Seite 311Everything from A to ZReference311
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Engine oil additives 274
Engine oil change 274
Engine oil filler neck 273
Engine oil temperature 81
Engine oil types, alterna‐ tive 274
Engine oil types, ap‐ proved 274
Engine start during malfunc‐ tion 31
Engine start, refer to Starting the engine 68
Engine start, Starting aid 285
Engine stop 68
Engine temperature 81
Entering a car wash 289
Equalizer 186
Equipment, interior 143
ESP Electronic Stability Pro‐ gram, refer to DSC 106
Exchanging wheels/tires 267
Exhaust system 158
Exterior mirror, automatic dim‐ ming feature 61
Exterior mirrors 60
External devices 208
External start 285
External temperature dis‐ play 82
External temperature warn‐ ing 82
Eyes for securing cargo 162
F
Fader 186
Failure message, refer to Check Control 79
False alarm, refer to Uninten‐ tional alarm 44
Fan, refer to Air volume 137
Fault displays, refer to Check Control 79
Filler neck for engine oil 273
Fine wood, care 291
First aid kit 285 Fitting for towing, refer to Tow
fitting 288
Flat tire, changing wheels 282
Flat Tire Monitor FTM 100
Flat tire, Tire Pressure Monitor TPM 97
Flat tire, warning lamp 98, 101
Flooding 159
Floor carpet, care 291
Floor mats, care 291
FM/AM station 188
Fold-out position, windshield wipers 74
Foot brake 159
Front airbags 94
Front fog lamps 92
Front fog lamps, front, bulb re‐ placement 280
Front lamps 279
Front passenger airbags, au‐ tomatic deactivation 96
Front passenger airbags, indi‐ cator lamp 96
FTM Flat Tire Monitor 100
Fuel cap 258
Fuel consumption, current 83
Fuel consumption, refer to Average fuel consump‐
tion 85
Fuel filler flap 258
Fuel gauge 81
Fuel quality 260
Fuel, tank capacity 299
Fuse 283
G
Garage door opener, refer to Integrated universal remote
control 143
Gas station recommenda‐ tion 178
Gear change, automatic trans‐ mission 75
General driving notes 158 Glass sunroof, refer to Panor‐
amic glass sunroof 46
Glove compartment 150
Gong, volume equaliza‐ tion 187
GPS navigation, refer to Navi‐ gation system 168
Gray display of the map 181
Gross vehicle weight, ap‐ proved 298
Gross weight, permissible for trailer towing 298
H
Hand brake, refer to Parking brake 69
Hand-held transmitter, alter‐ nating code 144
Hazard warning flashers 284
HDC Hill Descent Control 108
HD Radio 189
Head airbags 94
Headlamp control, auto‐ matic 90
Headlamp courtesy delay fea‐ ture 90
Headlamp courtesy delay fea‐ ture via remote control 35
Headlamp flasher 73
Headlamp glass 279
Headlamps 279
Headlamps, care 290
Headlamp washer system 73
Headliner 15
Headphones, rear entertain‐ ment 221
Head restraints 49
Head restraints, front 57
Head restraints, rear 58
Head-up Display 134
Head-up Display, care 292
Heavy cargo, stowing 162
Height with roof-mounted aer‐ ial, vehicle 296
High-beam Assistant 91 Seite 313Everything from A to ZReference313
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Locking/unlocking with re‐mote control 34
Locking, automatic 37
Locking, central 33
Locking via tailgate 39
Lock, power window 45
Locks, doors, and win‐ dows 66
Low beams 89
Low beams, automatic, refer to High-beam Assistant 91
Lower back support 51
Luggage rack, refer to Roof- mounted luggage rack 162
Lumbar support 51
M
Maintenance 276
Maintenance require‐ ments 276
Maintenance, service require‐ ments 83
Maintenance system, BMW 276
Malfunction displays, refer to Check Control 79
Malfunction, self-leveling sus‐ pension 110
Manual air distribution 137
Manual air volume 137
Manual brake, refer to Parking brake 69
Manual mode, transmis‐ sion 76
Manual operation, backup camera 128
Manual operation, door lock 37
Manual operation, exterior mir‐ rors 60
Manual operation, fuel filler flap 258
Manual operation, Park Dis‐ tance Control PDC 124 Manual operation, parking
brake 69
Manual operation, Side View 130
Manual operation, Top View 126
Map, destination entry 173
Map in split screen 180
Map view 178
Marking on approved tires 268
Marking, run-flat tires 269
Massage seat, front 52
Master key, refer to Remote control 30
Maximum cooling 138
Maximum speed, winter tires 268
Measure, units of 88
Medical kit 285
Memory for seat, mirrors, steering wheel 59
Menu in instrument cluster 84
Menus, operating, iDrive 16
Menus, refer to iDrive operat‐ ing concept 17
Message list, traffic bulle‐ tins 180
Messages 241
Messages, refer to Check Control 79
Microfilter 139
Minimum tread, tires 266
Mirror 60
Mirror memory 59
Mobile communication devi‐ ces in the vehicle 159
Mobile phone 226
Modifications, technical, refer to Safety 6
Moisture in headlamp 279
Monitor, refer to Control Dis‐ play 16
Mounting of child restraint fix‐ ing systems 63
MP3 player 208 Multi-function hook 153
Multifunction steering wheel, buttons 12
Multimedia 196
Music collection 203
Music search 205
Music, storing 203
N
Navigation 168
Navigation data 182
Neck restraints, front, refer to Head restraints 57
Neck restraints, rear, refer to Head restraints 58
New wheels and tires 267
Night Vision with pedestrian detection 131
Notes 245
Nylon rope for tow-starting/ towing 287
O
OBD Onboard Diagnos‐ tics 277
Obstacle marking, backup camera 129
Odometer 82
Office 238
Oil 273
Oil, adding 273
Oil additives 274
Oil change 274
Oil change interval, service re‐ quirements 83
Oil filler neck 273
Oil level check 273
Oil types, alternative 274
Oil types, approved 274
Old batteries, disposal 282
Onboard Diagnostics OBD 277
Onboard monitor, refer to Control Display 16 Seite 315Everything from A to ZReference315
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