engine coolant BMW M3 2004 E46 Service and warranty information

Maintenance System
The BMW Maintenance System has been
devised with the following objectives: to
maximize vehicle safety, reliability, and resale
value by minimizing breakdowns resulting from
wear, and minimizing cost and inconvenience
by computing maintenance intervals based
upon the specific manner in which each
individual vehicle is driven.
Maintenance intervals on motor vehicles
have conventionally been specified based
upon accumulated mileage. However, the
type of driving conditions has a major
influence on routine maintenance require-
ments; distance traveled is only one of the
significant factors. A vehicle driven for
50,000 miles of short trips in the city with
numerous cold starts, prolonged periods of
idling, stop-and-go driving, and high engine
speeds during acceleration requires more
frequent maintenance intervals than a
vehicle driven for 50,000 miles for long
distances at low engine speeds primarily at
operating temperature.
The advanced technologies at BMW have led to
the development of the unique BMW service
interval indicator which computes the actual
optimum maintenance requirements based not
only upon the accumulated mileage, but taking
into account important factors such as engine
coolant temperatures, high or low engine
speeds, short or long trip driving, and number of
vehicle starts. The maintenance interval may
therefore be maximized with considerable
savings to owners of vehicles subjected to light
duty.
The service interval indicator consists of a
mileage reading, and the inscriptions “OIL
SERVICE” and “INSPECTION”.
Whenever the ignition is switched on, the
display shows the next scheduled type of
service and the remaining distance until the
service should be performed. The distance is
based on your driving style.If the maintenance interval has been ex-
ceeded, a “—” symbol reminds you of the
urgent need for servicing. In the interests of
road safety and reliability, you should avoid
driving your BMW when the “—” symbol is
showing, and have the essential maintenance
work performed without delay.
After each maintenance is performed the service
indicator is reset in order to compute the next
service interval.
If the service interval indicator displays an
illogical reading, or if there is no display, consult
a BMW center.
If the speedometer, tachometer or coolant
temperature gauge should develop a fault, the
service interval indicator will probably cease to
operate correctly as well, since it depends on
correct speed, distance and temperature
readings. The fault must be located and rectified
by a BMW center.
A detailed list of all maintenance operations
included in each of the elements of the BMW
Maintenance System is found on pages 5-14.
These elements are as follows:
Quality Certification I will be performed by your
selling center and certified on the following
page.
2

3 The performance of certain subsequent
maintenance elements, as required by the
BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty, will be
specified at intervals computed by the BMW
service interval indicator as follows:
– Oil Service: Engine oil changed with the
engine at operating temperature. Note:
change oil at least once a year. Your BMW is
factory-equipped with a newly-developed
synthetic engine oil. At the time of the
printing of this booklet the only approved
engine oils are:
Castrol TWS Motorsport SAE 10W-60
Synthetic, or Castrol Formula RS 10W-60
Synthetic (BMW part number 07 51 0 009
420). BMW is evaluating various synthetic
oils for inclusion in our list of recommended
motor oils.
For the most current list of synthetic oils,
please contact your BMW center, or call
BMW of North America at 1-800-831-1117.
You can also obtain this information from
our website, www.bmwusa.com/.
It is recommended to check engine oil level
whenever fuel is added to the vehicle.
If you need to add oil between oil changes
and are unable to obtain BMW High
Performance Synthetic Oil, Mobil 1 or
another special oil on the list, use a
synthetic oil with an API rating of SJ or
higher.
– Inspection I: Major vehicle maintenance
as specified in the following pages under
Inspection I.
– Inspection II: Additional major vehicle
maintenance as specified in the following
pages under Inspection II.
The following maintenance elements must
be performed at the mileage/time stated
(time intervals begin from the vehicle’s
production date):
– Brake Fluid Service: Change brake fluid
every two years.– Oxygen Sensor Service: The oxygen sensor
deteriorates strictly on a mileage basis and
must therefore be replaced every 100,000
miles to maximize vehicle fuel economy
and minimize exhaust pollution. The
replacement of the oxygen sensor is
required under the terms of the appli-
cable BMW emission system warranties.
– Spark Plug Service: Replace spark plugs
every Inspection II). Your BMW is equipped
with platinum-tipped spark plugs. These
allow a longer service life than conven-
tional spark plugs.
The engine coolant has a lifetime rating and
does not need to be changed.
For your convenience, you may also wish to
have your BMW center perform any necessary
operations to fulfill any state inspection
requirements in your area concurrent with the
maintenance elements specified above during
other repairs.
Make sure that confirmation of maintenance
work is always entered in this Service and
Warranty Information Statement. You may need
this for any warranty claims that become
necessary, and later on as evidence that your
car has been given the correct and regular
maintenance that justifies its resale or trade-in
value.
BMW has applied the most modern techno-
logical advances not only to the design and
production of your vehicle, but also to
computing of the optimum maintenance
interval for your type of operations and
driving style. Your BMW center has made a
substantial investment in unique BMW
special service tools to enable his BMW
factory trained service technicians to perform
quality repairs on your BMW in minimal time.
He/she looks forward to serving your every
service need and to help maximize your
satisfaction with your BMW, its longevity, and
resale value.

Inspection I
Only those items of inspection work which apply to your vehicle will be performed. This list is
subject to amendment.
Undercarriage
6M3
Change oil and oil filter while engine is at normal operating temperature. 
Use only Castrol TWS Motorspor t SAE 10W-60 Synthetic, or Castrol Formula
RS 10W-60 Synthetic oil, BMW p/n 07 51 0 009 420.
Check transmission for leaks. 
Check rear axle for leaks. 
Half-shafts: Check for leaks at flexible boots. 
Visually check fuel tank, lines and connections for leaks. 
Check condition, position, and mounting of exhaust system. Examine for leaks. 
Check power steering system for leaks. Check power steering fluid level; 
add fluid if necessary.
Check steering for absence of play, condition of suspension track rods, 
front axle joints, steering linkage and joint disc.
Check overall thickness of rear disc brake pads using special tool.rear
If replacement is necessary: Examine brake disc surfaces. Clean brake pad
contact points in calipers. Grease wheel centering hubs. Check thickness
of parking brake linings only when replacing rear brake pads.
Remove and install front disc brake pads, check overall thickness. Examine
disc surfaces. Clean brake pad contact points in calipers. Grease wheel
centering hubs.
Check brake system connections and lines for leaks, damage 
and incorrect positioning.
Check parking brake actuation. Adjust if necessary. 
Check all tire pressures (including spare). Correct if necessary. 
Check condition of tires (outer surface [left/right]), tread wear and pattern;
in case of uneven tread wear, readjust wheel alignment if requested
(invoice separately).
Inspect entire body according to terms of rust performation limited warranty. 
(Must be performed at least every two years).
Engine Compartment
Read out diagnostic system. 
Check valve settings. Adjust if needed. 
Check engine cooling system/heater hose connections for leaks. 
Check coolant level and antifreeze protection level. Add coolant if required.
Check windshield washer fluid level and antifreeze protection. 
Fill up and/or correct if required.
Check air conditioner for operation. 
Replace microfilter. (Note: reduce replacement interval in dusty 
operating conditions.)
Reset service interval indicator.

27
Warrantor
BMW NA warrants 2003 U.S. specification
vehicles distributed by BMW NA or sold
through the BMW NA European Delivery
Program against defects in materials or
workmanship to the first retail purchaser, and
each subsequent purchaser.
Warranty Period
The warranty period is 48 months or 50,000
miles, whichever occurs first.
Warranty Begins
This warranty begins on the date of
first retail sale, or the date the vehicle
is first placed in service as a demon-
strator or company vehicle, whichever
is earlier.
Warranty Coverage
To obtain service under this warranty, the
vehicle must be brought, upon discovery of a
defect in material or workmanship, to the
workshop of any authorized BMW center,
during normal business hours. The BMW
center will, without charge for parts or labor,
either repair or replace the defective part(s)
using new or authorized remanufactured
parts. The decision to repair or replace said
part(s) is solely the prerogative of BMW NA.
Parts for which replacements are made
become the property of BMW NA.
In all cases, a reasonable time must be
allowed for warranty repairs to be completed
after the vehicle is received by the BMW
center.
Safety Belt Warranty - Kansas
Safety belts are covered under the BMW New
Vehicle Limited Warranty for defects inmaterial or workmanship for a period of 10
years, unlimited mileage from the date of
purchase. In order to be eligible for this
coverage, the vehicle must be a new car
retailed in the State of Kansas and the repair
performed by an authorized BMW center in
Kansas.
Towing/Other Owner Benefits
A 24-hour Roadside Assistance Program is
available to every BMW owner during the
new vehicle warranty period.
Roadside assistance and other owner
benefits are available by calling:
1-800-332-4269
For additional details on towing and other
owner benefits please refer to the BMW
Roadside Assistance section of this State-
ment (page 24).
Other Items
Wheel alignment, balancing and wiper blade
inserts are covered up to 2,000 miles.
Items which are subject to wear and tear
or deterioration due to driving habits or
conditions, such as brake pads/linings,
brake discs, clutch disc, pressure plate,
filters, upholstery, trim and chrome items,
paint finish, drive belts, glass, and similar
items, are specifically limited to defects in
material or workmanship.
This warranty does not apply to the
following:
Damage which results from negligence,
improper operation of the vehicle, improper
repair, lack of or improper maintenance,
environmental influences, flood, accident or
fire damage, road salt corrosion, or use of
improper or contaminated fuel.
Maintenance services and parts when
replaced during maintenance such as spark
plugs, lubricants, fluids, engine tuneup parts,
replacement of filters, coolant, and refrigerant.
New Vehicle Limited Warranty -
2004 M3 (Valid only in the U.S.A.
and Puerto Rico)