engine BMW 740I 1998 Owner's Manual

74n
Temperature gauge Service Interval DisplayBlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at moder-
ate engine and vehicle speeds.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the
warning lamp comes on briefly to con-
firm that the system is operational.
Lights up while driving, or the message
"COOLANT TEMPERATURE” appears
in the Check Control: the engine is
overheated. Switch the engine off im-
mediately and allow it to cool down.380de007
Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. It is not un-
usual for the needle to rise as far as the
edge of the red zone in response to
high outside temperatures or severe
operating conditions.
Checking coolant level: Refer to
page 146.
Green lampsThe number of illuminated lamps de-
creases as the time for your next main-
tenance visit approaches.Yellow lampThis field appears together with
OILSERVICE or INSPECTION.
Maintenance is due. Please contact
your BMW center for an appointment.Red lampMaintenance is overdue.380us008

75n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Check ControlSystem malfunctions are reported in
text form and alerts or warnings are
each reported by a gong when the igni-
tion key is in position 2.
1 CHECK button
2 Status report symbol
3 Display
Messages concerning system faults
are differentiated based on two priori-
ties:380us111
Priority 1
These defects are immediately indi-
cated by a gong and a flashing warning
symbol (2). Several simultaneous de-
fects will be displayed consecutively.
These messages remain active until the
malfunction is corrected. They cannot
be cleared with CHECK button (1).
>RELEASE PARKING BRAKE
This message appears together with
an acoustic signal any time you begin
to drive and the parking brake is ap-
plied.
>COOLANT TEMPERATURE
Coolant overheated. Stop the vehicle
and switch off the engine immedi-
ately.
Refer to pages 74, 146.>STOP! ENGINE OILPRESS
Oil pressure too low. Stop the vehicle
and switch off the engine immedi-
ately. Refer to page 20.
>CHECK BRAKE FLUID
Indicates that brake fluid is down to
roughly minimum level. Top up the
brake fluid as soon as possible. Refer
to page 147. Have the cause of the
brake fluid loss corrected by your
BMW center.
>FLAT TIRE
*
Reduce vehicle speed immediately
and stop the vehicle. Avoid hard
brake applications. Do not oversteer.
Refer to page 95.
>LEVEL CONTROL INACTIVE
*
Please consult the nearest authorized
BMW center. Refer to page 130.
>SPEED LIMIT
*
This is displayed if the programmed
speed limit is exceeded.

76n
Check ControlPriority 2
These alerts for problems are reported
for 20 seconds when the ignition key is
in position 2. The status reports remain
after the message disappears. You can
view the message again by pressing the
CHECK button.
>TRUNK LID OPEN
This message is given only when ini-
tially starting off.
>DOOR OPEN
This is displayed after a minimum
vehicle speed is exceeded.
>FASTEN SEAT BELTS
*
In addition, the indicator lamp with
the safety belt symbol appears and
an acoustic signal is heard.
>WASHER FLUID LOW
The washer fluid is too low. Top up
the fluid at the earliest opportunity.
Refer to page 142.
>CHECK ENGINE OIL
Add engine oil as soon as possible.
Refer to page 143.
>OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE 247
(–5.06)
This display is only an example. The
current reading appears at an outside
temperature of 37.57 (+36) and
below. Refer also to page 72.>TIRE PRESSURE SET
*
The RDC has imported the current in-
flation pressure in the tires as the tar-
get values which the system will
monitor.
Refer to page 94.
>CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
*
Check and correct the tire inflation
pressure to specifications at the earli-
est opportunity (next stop for fuel).
Refer to page 94.
>TIRE CHECK INACTIVE
*
A temporary interference of the RDC
or a system fault. Refer to page 95
>BRAKE LAMP CIRCUIT
A bulb has failed or the circuit has a
malfunction. Refer to pages 163, 176
or consult an authorized BMW center.
>CHECK LOWBEAMS
CHECK SIDE LAMPS
CHECK REAR LAMPS
CHECK FRONT FOGLAMPS
CHECK LICPLATE LAMP
CHECK TRAILER LIGHTS
CHECK HIGHBEAMS
CHECK BACKUP LAMPS
Defective bulb or circuit. Refer to
pages 163, 176 or consult an autho-
rized BMW center.
>TRANS. FAILSAFE PROG
Please consult the nearest authorized
BMW center. Refer to pages 64, 67.>CHECK BRAKE LININGS
Have the brake pads inspected by
your BMW center. Refer to page 126.
>REMOTE KEY BATTERY
Change the battery. Refer to
page 168.
>CHECK COOLANT LEVEL
The coolant is too low. Top up at the
next opportunity. Refer to page 146.
>ENGINE FAILSAFE PROG
Fault in the Electronic Engine Power
Control EML. When braking, higher
brake application pressure may be
necessary and brake pedal travel may
be significantly longer.
Please have the system inspected by
your authorized BMW center.

77n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Check ControlDisplays after completion of tripAll of the malfunctions registered during
the trip appear consecutively when the
ignition key is turned to position 0.
One of the following displays may ap-
pear:
>LIGHTS ON
>KEY IN IGNITION LOCK
>CHECK ENGINE OIL LEV
Add engine oil at the next opportunity
(next stop for fuel). Refer to page 14 3.
This message appears when you open
the driver's door after parking the vehi-
cle. A supplementary gong is also
heard.
Even if the ignition key has been re-
moved and the display has gone off,
you can still retrieve these messages
with CHECK button (1) for approx. three
minutes after completion of your trip. If
there are multiple messages, continue
to press the CHECK button.
To monitor the Check ControlWith the ignition key in position 2, press
CHECK button (1):
CHECK CONTROL OK appears in the
display.
In this case, there are no faults in the
systems which are monitored.

85n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Onboard computerAverage fuel consumptionThe computer can calculate average
fuel consumption rates for two different
distances at the same time (simulta-
neous data for an entire journey and for
a single segment of it, for instance).
To start calculations for distance 1:
Press the keys in the sequence shown
in the diagram.
To start calculations for distance 2:
The procedure is the same as that for
the first distance, except you will press
CONSUM 2 for your selection.
The computer starts calculating fuel
consumption as soon as you start driv-
ing.
Data request:
Press the BC key and CONSUM 1 or 2.380us189
Estimated cruising rangeDisplays the estimated travel range
available with the remaining fuel. The
system calculates the cruising range
based on operating conditions and the
amount of fuel remaining in the tank.
The computer uses the average rate of
fuel consumption over the preceding
18 miles (30 kilometers) as a reference.
Data request:
Press the keys in the sequence shown
in the illustration.
A range of under 31 miles (50 kilome-
ters) is displayed in the Check Control
in the instrument cluster.380us180
Please respond to this warning by refu-
eling at once to avoid serious damage
to the engine and catalytic converter.
When you refuel, the onboard computer
registers the additional fuel only when
more than 1.5 gallons (5 liters) are
added.

86n
Onboard computerAverage speedTo start calculations:
Press the keys in the sequence shown
in the illustration.
Calculations begin after you start off.
Data request: Press BC and SPEED
key.
The display shows your average speed
since the last time the SET key was
pressed. Calculations are interrupted
whenever you shut down the engine.
At speeds below 100 mph (100 km/h)
the display includes decimals.380us179
Distance remaining to destinationData request:
Press BC and DIST.
Displays the distance to the destination.
Available only if the total distance was
entered before the start of the journey.380us186
To enter the distancePress the keys in the sequence shown
in the illustration on the left.
The miles flash in the display.
Enter the distance with keys 0 – 9 and
confirm with the SET key.
Use the CLR key to make corrections.
Press once to delete the final digit.
Any additional mileage extending be-
yond the total defined in the initial entry
is indicated by a minus sign.380us187

88n
Onboard computerCodeYou can program a code into the on-
board computer for supplementary pro-
tection against unauthorized attempts
to start the engine or tamper with the
vehicle. This feature provides you with
an extra measure of security extending
beyond that furnished by the vehicle im-
mobilization system (refer to page 31).
The system prevents the engine from
starting.
A code number is used to arm the sys-
tem. The code is then required for sub-
sequent starting attempts. Therefore:
Always remember the code number.
With the ignition key in position 1, press
the keys in the sequence shown in the
illustration.
"CODE – – – –" will appear in the dis-
play.380us687
Turn the ignition key to position 1
to set1 Use the 0 – 9 keys to enter the code
2 Press the SET key
3 Turn the ignition key to position 0 or
remove it.
If you press a different key of the on-
board computer before you turn the ig-
nition key to the 0 position, or if you turn
the key to position 2, the code which
has been entered will be deleted.
Code numbers from "0000" to "9999"
can be entered.
The code must be re-entered each time
the system is armed.
You can make corrections of the en-
tered numbers with the CLR key.380us688
To cancel with the ignition key at
position 1 or 2A gong and the "CODE – – – –" display
prompt the code entry.
1 Use the keys to enter the code
number
2 Press the SET key.
The system responds to attempts to
start the vehicle using an incorrect/no
code by preventing the engine from
starting.
The time automatically appears after
you enter the correct code and then
confirm it by pressing SET.
Three incorrect entries will cause the
alarm to sound for 30 seconds.

92n
ASC+T/DSC
*
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC)
*
These systems help provide additional
dynamic stability, particularly when ac-
celerating and cornering.
The DSC system enhances the benefits
of the ASC+T. In addition to optimizing
vehicle stability and traction when ac-
celerating or starting from a standstill,
another benefit is realized in cornering
stability. Of course, this is subject to the
limits imposed by the laws of physics.
The system activates automatically
each time you start the engine.380de621
Indicator lamp
The indicator light in the instru-
ment cluster goes out shortly af-
ter you switch on the ignition.
Refer to page 21.
Indicator lamp flashes:
The system is actively regulating drive
torque in response to monitored vehicle
operating conditions.
If the indicator lamp fails to go out after
the engine is started, or if it comes on
during normal driving:
If the system has not been deactivated,
there is a system malfunction. The vehi-
cle remains operational, but without
ASC+T/DSC. Consult your authorized
BMW center for repair.
To deactivate the systemPress the button. The indicator lamp
will come on.
Depending on equipment options, the
button is marked with ASC or DSC.
With deactivated ASC+T/DSC you are
driving with conventional, unregulated
torque transfer.
We recommend that you deactivate the
system for increased traction:
>When rocking the vehicle or starting
off in deep snow or on loose surfaces
>or when driving with snow chains.
Refer also to page 129.To reactivate the systemPress the button again; the indicator
lamp goes out.
The laws of physics cannot be re-
pealed, even with ASC+T/DSC.
Any consequences arising from traction
loss due to excessive vehicle speed re-
main the responsibility of the driver. For
this reason, do not take risks, using the
additional safety margin provided by the
system as an excuse.<
For additional details concerning
ASC+T/DSC, please refer to the chap-
ter describing "Advanced technology"
on page 185.

93n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Electronic Damper Control (EDC)
*
The system automatically ensures
damping of the running gear on de-
mand and thus increases comfort and
driving safety.Automatic adaptationAutomatic adaptation is activated after
every engine start. It can be maintained
throughout the entire vehicle speed
range and for all load conditions. If op-
erating parameters (road-surface qual-
ity, driving conditions such as steering,
braking, others) change, the damping
system adapts automatically to the new
factors in fractions of a second.380de620
Sport programWith the ignition key in position 2, press
the EDC button (arrow). The indicator
lamp next to the S comes on.
The Sport program should be invoked
when you wish to have strictly perfor-
mance-oriented tuning of the running
gear under all operating conditions.
To switch to automatic adaptation:
Press the button again; the indicator
lamp goes out.

94n
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
*
The conceptRDC monitors the tire pressures at all
four wheels, even when the vehicle is
moving. The system provides an alert
whenever the inflation pressure drops
significantly below the specified pres-
sure in one or more tires.
In order for the RDC to "learn" the cor-
rect tire inflation pressure, check the in-
flation pressure in all tires. Refer to the
table of "Tire inflation pressures" on
page 26 and make corrections if neces-
sary. Then activate the system.
The Check Control will inform you if the
tire pressure is not correct.
Activate the system1 Turn the ignition key to position 2
(do not start the engine)
2 Press and hold the button (arrow) un-
til the message "SET TIRE PRES-
SURE" appears in the Check Control
3 After you have driven for a few min-
utes, the RDC will import the current
inflation pressure in the tires as the
target values which the system will
monitor.
You will only have to repeat this proce-
dure if the tire inflation pressure must
be corrected. Otherwise, the RDC func-
tions automatically when the ignition
key is in position 2, and thus operates
whenever the vehicle is driven.380de658
Loss of tire pressureIf, after a certain period of time, the air
pressure has gone down significantly
(which is normal for any tire), the mes-
sage "CHECK TIRE PRESSURE" ap-
pears in the Check Control.
This alerts you that you should have the
tires inflated to the specified pressures
as soon as possible.
If you are prompted to check the
tire pressure shortly after a cor-
rection has been made, this indicates
that the corrected values were not ac-
curate. Please check the inflation pres-
sure again and make corrections ac-
cording to the inflation pressure table.<