coolant BMW 740I 1998 Owners Manual

11n

Controls and features
Operation, care and maintenance

Lamps:

Parking lamps/Low beams96
Instrument panel lighting96
High beams/Parking lamps97
Fog lamps97
Interior lamps97
Reading lamps98

Controlling the climate
for pleasant driving:

Automatic climate control100
Rear passenger-area air
conditioning105
Seat heating106
Steering wheel heating106
Roller sun blind107
Independent ventilation
system107

Cabin convenience:

Integrated Universal
Remote Control108
Glove compartment110
Center armrests111
Additional storage areas113
Cup holder113
Cellular phone113
Ashtray114
Cigarette lighter115
Rear footrests115

Loading and transporting cargo:

Ski bag116
Cargo loading118
Roof-mounted luggage rack118

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedure122
Driving notes123
Catalytic converter124
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)125
Disc brakes126
Brake system128
Winter operation128
Power steering130
Level control system130
Cellular phone131
Radio reception131

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressure132
Tire condition132
Tire replacement133
Tire rotation133
Wheel and tire
combinations134
Winter tires135
Snow chains135
Approved wheel and tire
specifications136

Under the hood:

Hood137
Engine compartment138
Washer fluids142
Washer nozzles142
Engine oil143
Coolant146
Brake fluid147
Oil for power steering/
Level control system148
Vehicle Identification
Number148

Care and maintenance:

The BMW Maintenance
System149
Caring for your car150
Airbags156
Vehicle storage156

Laws and regulations:

Technical modifications to the
vehicle157
OBD connector158

19n

RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data

Instrument cluster

1 Fuel gauge with lamp for fuel
reserve range73
2 Turn signal indicators22
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator lamp for high beam
headlamps22
5 Tachometer and
Energy Control72, 73
6 Coolant temperature gauge74
7 Indicator and warning lamps for

>

Parking brake21

>

Hydraulic brake system/Dynamic
Brake Control (DBC)

*
20, 21

>

ABS21

>

Airbag21

>

Please fasten safety belts21

>

Cruise control22
8 Check button75
9 Program display for automatic
transmission64, 67
10 Outside temperature display7211 Indicator lamp for Automatic
Stability Control plus Traction
(ASC+T)/Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC)

*
21
12 Trip odometer72
13 Check Control display75
14 Odometer72
15 Service Interval Display74, 149
16 Reset button for trip odometer72
17 Indicator and warning lamps for

>

Fog lamps22

>

Battery charge current20

>

Engine oil pressure20

>

Check Engine lamp21
You can display the outside tem-
perature and distance driven in
different units of measurement.

<

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.

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
121n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedure122
Driving notes123
Catalytic converter124
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)125
Disc brakes126
Brake system128
Winter operation128
Power steering130
Level control system130
Cellular phone131
Radio reception131
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure132
Tire condition132
Tire replacement133
Tire rotation133
Wheel and tire
combinations134
Winter tires135
Snow chains135
Approved wheel and tire
specifications136Under the hood:
Hood137
Engine compartment138
Washer fluids142
Washer nozzles142
Engine oil143
Coolant146
Brake fluid147
Oil for power steering/
Level control system148
Vehicle Identification
Number148
Care and maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System149
Caring for your car150
Airbags156
Vehicle storage156
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications to the
vehicle157
OBD connector158

128n
Brake system Winter operationBrake fluid level
The warning lamp for the brake
hydraulic system comes on or
the message "Check Brake
Fluid" appears in the Check
Control:
The brake fluid level is too low in the
reservoir. Refer to page 147.
If the brake fluid level is too low and
brake pedal travel has become notice-
ably longer, there may be a defect in
one of the brake system's hydraulic cir-
cuits.
The remaining circuit continues to pro-
vide adequate brake-system perfor-
mance.
Proceed to the nearest authorized
BMW center. Higher brake appli-
cation pressure may be necessary un-
der these conditions, and brake pedal
travel may be significantly longer.
Please remember to adapt your driving
style accordingly.<
The warning lamp also comes on with
the "Check Brake Pads" message in the
Check Control.
Brake padsThe message "Check Brake Pads" ap-
pears in the Check Control:
The brake pads have reached their min-
imum pad thickness. Proceed to the
nearest authorized BMW center as
soon as possible to have the pads re-
placed.
We recommend the use of original
BMW brake pads and compo-
nents, otherwise driving safety can be
impaired.<
The onset of winter is often accompa-
nied by rapid changes in weather. Ad-
aptations in driving style should be ac-
companied by preparations on the
vehicle itself to ensure that your vehicle
operation through the winter remains
safe and trouble-free.CoolantBe sure that the coolant mixture is kept
at the year-round ratio of 50:50 (water
and antifreeze/corrosion protection).
This mixture provides protection
against freezing down to approx. –347
(–376). Replace the coolant every four
years.LocksBMW door lock deicer can be used to
free the locks if they are frozen. This
deicer also contains lubricant.
After using deicer, treatment with BMW
lock barrel grease is recommended.

139n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Engine compartment – BMW 740i/L1 Brake fluid reservoir147
2 Power steering fluid reservoir/
Level control system148
3 Auxiliary terminal for jump
starting179
4 Engine oil dipstick143
5 Engine oil filler neck143
6 Coolant expansion tank146
7 Reservoir for headlamp
and windshield washer system142
8 Fuse box176

141n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Engine compartment – BMW 750iL1 Brake fluid reservoir147
2 Power steering fluid reservoir/
Level control system148
3 Auxiliary terminal for jump
starting179
4 Engine oil filler neck143
5 Coolant expansion tank146
6 Engine oil dipstick143
7 Reservoir for headlamp
and windshield washer system142
8 Fuse box176

146n
Coolant
Do not add coolant to the cooling
system when the engine is hot.
Escaping coolant can cause burns.
To avoid the possibility of damage later
on, never use anything other than fac-
tory-approved, nitrite and amino-free
extended-duty antifreeze with corrosion
protectant. Your authorized BMW cen-
ter is familiar with the official specifica-
tions.
Antifreeze and anti-corrosion agents
are hazardous to health. Store anti-
freeze and anti-corrosion agents in their
original containers where they are inac-
cessible to children.
Extended-duty antifreeze with corrosion
inhibitor contains ethylene glycol - a
flammable substance. For this reason,
do not spill antifreeze with corrosion in-
hibitor on hot engine components. It
could catch fire and cause serious
burns.<
Correct coolant level when the engine
is cold (approx. 687/206):
Unscrew the cap from the expansion
tank.
The coolant level is correct when the
end of the red float is aligned with the
upper edge of the filler opening (refer to
the arrow in the illustration or the sche-
matic diagram next to the cap).
The coolant is a mixture of water and
extended-duty antifreeze with corrosion
inhibitor. Always maintain the pre-
scribed all-season 50:50 mixture ratio
for year-round protection against inter-
nal corrosion. No other additives are re-
quired.
Replace the coolant every four years.380de081
To add coolantWait until the engine cools before re-
moving the cap from the expansion
tank. The needle of the coolant temper-
ature gauge in the instrument cluster
must be located in the blue zone; other-
wise, there is a danger of scalding.
1 Start by turning the cap counter-
clockwise. Pause to allow any accu-
mulated pressure to escape, then re-
move the cap
2 If the coolant is low, slowly add cool-
ant until the correct level is reached –
do not overfill.
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the dis-
posal of extended-duty antifreeze with
corrosion inhibitor.<