BMW 760Li 2004 E66 Owner's Manual
Manufacturer: BMW, Model Year: 2004, Model line: 760Li, Model: BMW 760Li 2004 E66Pages: 232, PDF Size: 5.27 MB
Page 191 of 232

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745i, 745Li
760Li
Tire sizePressure specifications in psi/kPa
All pressure specifications 
in the table are indicated in 
psi/kilopascal with cold tires. 
Cold = ambient temperature
245/50 R 18 100 V M+S 
245/55 R 17 102 W
245/50 R 18 100 W
245/55 R 17 102 Q M+S
245/50 R 18 100 Q M+S32/220 35/240 35/240 42/290
Front: 245/45 R 19 98 W 32/220 - 35/240 -
Rear: 275/40 R 19 101 W - 35/240 - 42/290
Front: 245/40 R 20 95 Y 32/220 - 35/240
Rear: 275/35 R 20 98 Y - 35/240 - 42/290
More details on the permitted load and weights can be found on page  214.
Tire sizePressure specifications in psi/kPa
All pressure specifications 
in the table are indicated in 
psi/kilopascal with cold tires. 
Cold = ambient temperature
245/50 R 18 100 V M+S 
245/50 R 18 100 W
245/50 R 18 100 Q M+S35/240 38/260 38/260 42/290
Front: 245/45 R 19 98 Y 35/240 - 38/260 -
Rear: 275/40 R 19 101 Y - 38/260 - 42/290
Front: 245/40 R 20 95 Y 35/240 - 38/260
Rear: 275/35 R 20 98 Y - 38/260 - 42/290
More details on the permitted load and weights can be found on page  214. 
Page 192 of 232

Wheels and tires
190
Tire identification marks
Knowledge of the labeling on the side of 
the tire makes it easier to identify and 
choose the right tires.
Tire size
Speed rating
Q = up to 105 mph/160 km/h
T = up to 118 mph/190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph/210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph/240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph/270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph/300 km/h
Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines 
of the U.S. Department of Transport.
DOT code:
Tire age
The tire's date of manufacture is indicated 
on the sidewall: 
DOT ... 3603 indicates that the tire was 
manufactured in the 36th week of 2003. 
Regardless of mileage or wear, BMW rec-
ommends that you replace all tires Ð includ-
ing the spare Ð after a maximum of 6  years, even though the tires may have a theoreti-
cal service life of up to 10 years. 
Uniform Tire Quality Grading 
Quality grades can be found where appli-
cable on the tire sidewall between tread 
shoulder and maximum section width. 
For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA 
Temperature A 
DOT Quality Grades 
Treadwear 
Traction AA A B C 
Temperature A B C 
All passenger car tires must conform 
to Federal Safety Requirements in 
addition to these grades.< 
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rat-
ing based on the wear rate of the tire when 
tested under controlled conditions on a 
specified government test course. 
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear 
one and one-half Ð 1g Ð times as well on 
the government course as a tire graded 
100. The relative performance of tires 
depends upon the actual conditions of their 
use, however, and may depart significantly 
from the norm due to variations in driving 
habits, service practices and differences in 
road characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, 
are AA, A, B, and C. 
Those grades represent the tire's ability to 
stop on wet pavement as measured under 
controlled conditions on specified govern-
ment test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. 
A tire marked C may have poor traction 
performance.
The traction grade assigned to this 
tire is based on straight-ahead brak-
ing traction tests, and does not include 
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or 
peak traction characteristics.<  e.g.
Nominal width 
in mm
Aspect ratio in X
Radial tire code
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating,
not for ZR tires
Speed rating,
before R on ZR tires
245/45 R19 104 H
e.g.
Manufacturer code
for tire makes
Tire size and tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 3603 
Page 193 of 232

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Temperature
The temperature grades are A Ð the 
highest Ð, B, and C, representing the tire's 
resistance to the generation of heat and its 
ability to dissipate heat when tested under 
controlled conditions on a specified indoor 
laboratory test wheel. 
Sustained high temperature can cause 
the material of the tire to degenerate and 
reduce tire life, and excessive temperature 
can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C 
corresponds to a level of performance 
which all passenger car tires must meet 
under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety 
Standard No. 109. Grades B and A repre-
sent higher levels of performance on the 
laboratory test wheel than the minimum 
required by law. 
The temperature grade for this tire is 
established for a tire that is properly 
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive 
speed, underinflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination, 
can cause heat buildup and possible tire 
failure.< 
Run-flat tires
You will recognize run-flat tires by a circular 
symbol containing the letters RSC on the 
side of the tire, refer to page 193.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter properties than 
summer tires.
Tire condition 
Inspect your tires frequently for tread wear, 
signs of damage and for foreign objects 
lodged in the tread. Check the tread depth. 
Tire tread 
The tread depth should not fall below e in/
3 mm. 
At tread depths below e in/3 mm, there is 
an increased risk of high-speed hydroplan-
ing, even when only small amounts of 
water are present on the road surface.As winter tires display a noticeable loss in 
their ability to cope with cold-weather driv-
ing conditions once the tread wears to 
below k/K in/4 mm, to ensure continued 
safety you should always have such tires 
replaced.
Wear indicators at the tread-groove base, 
refer to arrow, are distributed over the tire's 
circumference and are marked on the side 
of the tire with TWI Ð Tread Wear Indicator. 
These indicators signal at a tread depth 
of k/FK in/1.6 mm that the legally permitted 
wear limit has been reached. 
Tire damage 
Unusual vibrations encountered dur-
ing normal vehicle operation can 
indicate tire failure or some other vehicle 
defect. This can, for example, be caused 
by driving over curbs. 
These kinds of problems may also be 
signaled by other changes in vehicle 
response, such as a strong tendency to 
pull to the left or right. Should this occur, 
respond by immediately reducing your 
speed. Carefully proceed Ð or have your 
vehicle towed Ð to the nearest BMW center 
or tire dealer to have the wheels or tires 
inspected.
Tire damage, extending to sudden and 
complete loss of pressure in extreme 
cases, can pose a potentially lethal safety 
hazard for the vehicle's occupants and 
other road users alike.<  
Page 194 of 232

Wheels and tires
192
Replacing wheels/tires 
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to 
service tires can lead to damage and 
accidents.
Have this work performed by skilled pro-
fessionals only. The technicians at your 
BMW center will be glad to assist you with 
the required professional knowledge and 
specialized equipment.< 
The correct wheel and tire combination 
affects various systems whose function 
would otherwise be impaired, e.g. ABS or 
DSC.
Have the wheel and tire assemblies bal-
anced every time either a wheel or a tire is 
replaced.
BMW does not recommend the use 
of retreaded tires, as otherwise driv-
ing safety may be reduced. Possible varia-
tions in the design and the age Ð which 
could be substantial  Ð of the carcasses can 
lead to unusually rapid wear.< 
The right wheels and tires 
BMW recommends that you use only 
wheel and tire combinations that 
BMW has tested and approved for your 
particular vehicle. Variations in factors such 
as manufacturing tolerances mean that 
even wheels and tires with identical official 
size ratings could actually have different 
dimensions than the approved units Ð these 
differences could lead to body contact, and 
with it the risk of severe accidents. If non-
approved wheels and tires are used, BMW 
cannot evaluate their suitability, and there-
fore cannot be held liable for driving 
safety.< 
To maintain good handling and vehicle 
response, use only tires of a single tread 
configuration from a single manufacturer. 
After a flat tire, always remember to have 
the original wheel and tire combination 
remounted on the vehicle as soon as pos-
sible. 
Recommended tire brands
BMW tests certain tire brands for each tire 
size, classifies them as road-safe and 
approves them. You can find out about 
these at specialized dealers or at your 
BMW center. Observe any country-specific 
regulations, e.g. on making a correspond-
ing entry in the vehicle documents.
The factory-mounted tires have been spe-
cially selected to provide optimized perfor-
mance when installed on your vehicle; if 
properly cared for, they will provide a com-
bination of safety and excellent ride com-
fort.
Run-flat tires
If your BMW is equipped with run-flat tires, 
refer to Run-flat tires, only use these tires, 
as in the event of a breakdown there is no 
spare wheel available.
Special characteristics of winter 
tires 
BMW recommends winter tires for use in 
cold winter driving conditions. Although 
so-called all-season M+S tires provide bet-
ter winter traction than summer tires, they 
generally fail to provide the same levels of 
cold-weather performance as winter tires.
When switching to winter tires, observe the 
description at Tire condition, and Replac-
ing wheels/tires, refer to page 191.
Run-flat tires 
If your BMW is equipped with run-flat tires, 
refer to Run-flat tires, only use these tires, 
as in the event of a breakdown there is no 
spare wheel available.
Observing speed ratings
Never exceed the maximum speed 
for which the winter tires are rated. 
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to ser-
vice tires can lead to damage and acci-
dents. Have this work performed by skilled 
professionals only. The technicians at your 
BMW center will be glad to assist you with 
the required professional knowledge and 
specialized equipment.<  
Page 195 of 232

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Storage
Always store wheels and tires in a cool, dry 
place with as little exposure to light as pos-
sible. Always protect tires against all con-
tact with oil, grease and fuels.
Do not exceed the maximum tire inflation 
pressure indicated on the side wall of the 
tire.
Run-flat tires*
You will recognize run-flat tires by a circular 
symbol containing the letters RSC on the 
side of the tire. They consist of self-con-
tained tires and special rims. The tire rein-
forcement ensures that the tire retains 
some residual safety in the event of pres-
sure drop and driving remains possible to 
a restricted degree. 
If you switch from summer to winter 
tires, or vice versa, use run-flat tires, 
as in the event of a breakdown there is no 
spare wheel available. In this case, BMW 
recommends that you consult your BMW 
center. Your BMW center is qualified to 
handle run-flat tires and equipped with the 
necessary special tools.< 
Continuing driving with a damaged 
tire
Driving on run-flat tires can continue, 
depending on the vehicle load and the 
severity of the tire damage, at a maximum 
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h. 
In the case of complete inflation pressure 
loss, 0 psi/kPa, or obvious tire damage, 
you can estimate the possible distance for continued driving on the basis of the fol-
lowing guide values: 
>With low load:
1 to 2 persons without luggage:
Approx. 150 miles/250 km
>With medium load:
2 persons, luggage compartment full, or 
4 persons without luggage:
Approx. 90 miles/150 km
>With full load:
More than 4 persons, luggage compart-
ment full:
Approx. 30 miles/50 km.
Drive reservedly and do not exceed 
a speed of 50 mph/80 km/h. With 
inflation pressure loss, the driving charac-
teristics change, for example reduced track 
stability on braking, extended braking dis-
tance, and altered self-steering character-
istics.< 
Snow chains*
BMW only tests certain snow chains, clas-
sifies them as road-safe and approves 
them. Consult your BMW center for more 
information. BMW recommends only using 
these approved, narrow-link snow chains. 
These snow chains are approved exclu-
sively for use in pairs on the rear wheels, 
and should only be mounted on tires
with the dimensions 245/50 R 18. Observe 
the manufacturer's instructions when 
installing snow chains.Do not exceed a 
vehicle speed of 30 mph/50 km/h with the 
chains mounted.
After mounting snow chains, do not 
activate the Flat Tire Monitor.
When you are driving with snow chains, it 
can be beneficial to switch off DSC briefly, 
refer to page 93.<  
Page 196 of 232

Under the hood
194
Under the hood 
Hood 
Releasing 
Pull the lever located under the left side of 
the instrument panel. 
Never attempt to perform any service 
or repair operations on your vehicle 
without the required, professional technical 
training. When you are unfamiliar with the 
service procedures and precautions, 
always have any required work carried out 
at your BMW center. Otherwise, the incor-
rect handling of parts and materials that 
can occur during such attempts constitutes 
a potential safety hazard, both for the vehi-
cle's occupants and for other road users.<
Opening 
Pull the release handle and open the hood. 
Closing 
Close the hood from a height of approx. 
16 in/40 cm with momentum. It must be 
clearly heard to engage. 
Observe the same precautions that 
apply to all closing operations by 
ensuring that the hood's travel range is 
clear and unobstructed before allowing the 
hood to fall into position. 
If you see any signs that the hood is not 
completely closed while you are driving 
your vehicle, you should stop at once and 
close it securely.<  
Page 197 of 232

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Engine compartment 
1Engine oil dip stick, refer to Checking 
oil level 
2Brake fluid reservoir, located beneath 
the microfilter cover197 
3Reservoir for windshield and headlamp 
washer system71 4Engine oil filler neck196
5Coolant expansion tank197 
6Auxiliary terminal for jump-starting207 
Engine oil
Checking oil level
1.Park the vehicle on a level surface 
2.Switch the engine off after it has 
reached normal operating temperature 3.After approx. 5 minutes, pull the dip-
stick out and wipe it off with a clean lint-
free cloth, paper towel, or similar mate-
rial 
4.Carefully push the dipstick all the way 
into the guide tube and pull it out again 
5.The oil should extend to between the 
two marks on the dipstick. 
As is the case with fuel economy, the rate 
at which the engine uses oil is strongly 
influenced by driving style and operating 
conditions.  
Page 198 of 232

Under the hood
196 The oil quantity between the two marks 
of the dipstick is approx. 1.65 US quarts/
1.5 liter. Do not fill beyond the upper mark 
on the dipstick. Excess oil can damage the 
engine. 
Adding engine oil
Wait until the level has dropped to just 
above the lower mark or a message 
appears in the Check Control before add-
ing oil. 
BMW engines are designed to oper-
ate without additives, and their use 
could even lead to damage in some cases. 
This also applies to the automatic transmis-
sion, the differential and the power steering 
system.< 
Recommendation: have your 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.
Store oil, grease, etc., well out of the reach 
of children; always observe all warning 
labels on the containers.
protection when disposing of used oil.< 
Specified engine oils 
The quality of the engine oil selected has 
critical significance for the operation and 
service life of an engine. BMW approves 
only specific oils after confirming their suit-
ability for use in its vehicles with extensive 
testing.
Use only approved BMW High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil.
If you are unable to obtain BMW High Per-
formance Synthetic Oil, you can add small 
amounts of another synthetic oil between 
oil changes. Use only oils with the API SH 
specification or higher. 
Ask your BMW center for details con-
cerning the specific BMW High Per-
formance Synthetic Oil or synthetic oils 
which have been approved.< 
You can also call BMW of North America 
at 1-800-831-1117 or visit this website: 
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this informa-
tion. 
Viscosity ratings
Viscosity is the oil flow rating as defined in 
SAE classes. 
The selection of the correct SAE class 
depends on the climatic conditions in the 
area where you typically drive your BMW. 
Approved oils are in SAE classes 
5W-40 and 5W-30.< 
These oils may be used for driving in all 
ambient temperatures.
Coolant 
Do not add coolant to the cooling 
system when the engine is hot. 
Escaping coolant can cause burns.
Antifreeze and anticorrosion agents are 
hazardous to health. Always store these 
agents in tightly-closed original containers 
kept well away from the reach of children. 
Page 199 of 232

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Antifreeze and anticorrosion agents are 
flammable. Therefore, do not pour over hot 
engine parts, as otherwise they could catch 
fire and cause burns.
Always observe the instructions for use 
provided on the containers.< 
Always observe all applicable rules 
and regulations for environmental 
protection when disposing of used anti-
freeze and anticorrosion agents.< 
Checking coolant level 
Correct coolant level with the engine cold Ð 
approx. +687/206:
1.Turn the cap of the expansion tank 
counterclockwise to allow any accumu-
lated pressure to escape, then continue 
turning to open 
2.The coolant level is correct when the 
coolant extends to between the MIN 
and MAX marks on the filler neck, refer 
to the diagram adjacent to the filler 
neck 
3.If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant 
up to the specified level Ð do not overfill. 
Brake fluid 
The symbol lights up and a mes-
sage appears in the Check Control: 
The brake fluid in the reservoir has 
fallen to below the minimum level. 
The brake fluid reservoir is located under 
the microfilter housing trim panel on the 
driver's side of the vehicle. To have brake 
fluid added to the system, or to have the source of any brake fluid loss traced and 
rectified, please contact your BMW center, 
which can also supply the factory-
approved Ð DOT 4 Ð brake fluids. 
Brake fluid is hygroscopic: it absorbs 
moisture from the atmosphere over 
the course of time.
To ensure that the brake system continues 
to provide safe and reliable performance, 
remember to have the brake fluid changed 
every two years at the latest, refer to 
page 82 and to the Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet for US models or the 
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for 
Canadian models. 
Brake fluid is toxic and also damages vehi-
cle paintwork. Always store these agents in 
tightly-closed original containers kept well 
away from the reach of children.
Do not spill the fluid and do not refill the 
brake fluid reservoir to beyond the MAX 
mark. Should it come into contact with hot 
engine components, the brake fluid could 
ignite and cause personal injury in the form 
of burns.< 
Always observe all applicable envi-
ronmental rules and regulations when 
disposing of used brake fluid.< 
Warning lamp for Canadian models. 
Brake hydraulic systems 
A low brake-fluid level combined with 
longer-than-usual pedal travel could be 
a sign that one of the brake system's 
hydraulic circuits has failed. 
Proceed to the nearest BMW center. 
Remember that pedal travel may be 
increased, and there may also be a sub-
stantial increase in the amount of pedal 
pressure required to brake the vehicle. 
Please adapt your driving style accord-
ingly.<  
Page 200 of 232

Maintenance
198
Maintenance 
The BMW Maintenance 
System 
The BMW Maintenance System is 
designed to ensure that your vehicle will 
continue to furnish consistent reliability 
combined with optimized safety. The ser-
vice schedule also includes operations 
related to the vehicle's comfort and conve-
nience features, such as replacement of 
the filters for the inside air. The aim is to 
optimize maintenance with regard to 
reducing the cost of running the vehicle.
Should the day come when you decide to 
sell your BMW, you will find that a complete 
dealer service history is an asset of inesti-
mable value. 
CBS Condition Based Service 
CBS is a more advanced version of the 
Service Interval Display. Sensors combine 
with highly-specialized algorithms to sup-
ply service information that reflects your 
vehicle's actual operating conditions more 
precisely than ever before. 
The system now furnishes individual dis-
plays of the times remaining until the dead-
lines for specific service operations as well 
as official state inspections:
>Engine oil 
>Brakes: separate for front and rear 
>Microfilter/activated-charcoal filter 
>Brake fluid 
>Spark plugs >Vehicle check 
>Coolant 
>Official state inspections. 
CBS monitors both current and upcoming 
service requirements. After accessing the 
data stored in the vehicle's key, your BMW 
Service Advisor is able to suggest precisely 
the right array of service procedures for 
your own individual vehicle. 
By letting you define a service and main-
tenance regimen that reflects your own 
individual requirements, Condition Based 
Service builds the basis for trouble-free 
driving. 
You can find more detailed information 
on  the Service Interval Display on page 81. 
Service and Warranty Information 
Booklet for US models and 
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet 
for Canadian models
Please consult your Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet for US models and 
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for 
Canadian models for additional information 
on service requirements. 
Have service and repair operations 
performed at your BMW center. 
Take the time to ensure that these service 
procedures are confirmed by entries in 
your vehicle's Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US models and War-
ranty and Service Guide Booklet for Cana-
dian models. These entries verify that your 
vehicle has received the specified regular 
maintenance, and may also be required 
when submitting warranty claims.< 
Care 
You can find everything you need to know 
on this topic by consulting the separate 
Caring for your vehicle brochure.