Get Mobility -> Under the hood Guide for BMW 1 Series 4 Door First Generation (2004-2011)

Under the hood

Do not work on the car unless you pos-

sess the necessary technical knowledge.

If you are unfamiliar with the statutory guide-

lines, have any work on the vehicle performed

only by a BMW center or by a workshop that

work according to BMW repair procedures with

correspondingly trained personnel. If this work

is not carried out properly, there is a danger of

subsequent damage and related safety haz-

ards.<

Closing

Close the hood from a height of approx. 16 in/

40 cm with momentum. It must be clearly heard

to engage.

Hood

Make sure that the closing path of the

hood is clear; otherwise, injuries may

result.

Releasing

If you see any signs while driving your vehicle

that the hood is not completely closed, stop at

once and close it securely.<

Pull the lever.

Opening

To avoid damage, make sure that the

wiper arms are against the windshield

before you open the engine compartment. Do

not open the engine hood before the engine has

cooled down; otherwise, injuries may result.<

Press the release handle and open the hood.

198

Important parts of the engine compartment

1

2

Expansion tank for coolant, refer to

page 201

3

4

Jump-starting connection, refer to

page 216

Washer fluid filler neck for headlamp clean-

ing system and window washer system,

refer to page 61

Fluid filler neck for engine oil, refer to Add-

ing engine oil, page 201

Engine oil

The engine oil consumption is dependent on

driving style and driving conditions.

Display in the instrument cluster

Checking oil level

Your car is equipped with an electronic oil-level

monitor.

For precise measurement and display of the oil

level, the engine must be at operating tempera-

ture, i.e. following at least 6.2 miles/10 km of

uninterrupted driving. You can have the oil level

displayed while you are driving, or while the

vehicle is at a standstill on a level surface and

the engine is running.

1. Push button 1 in the turn indicator lever up

or down repeatedly until the appropriate

symbol is shown in the display, accompa-

nied by the word "OIL".

2. Press button 2.

The oil level is checked and the reading dis-

played.

199

Possible displays

Display via iDrive

1. "Vehicle Info"

2. "Vehicle status"

3. "Engine oil level"

1

2

Oil level OK

Oil level is being checked.

This can take about 3 minutes if the car is at

a standstill on a level surface, or about

5 minutes while the car is on the move.

Possible messages

>

"Engine oil level OK"

3

4

Oil level down to minimum:

Add engine oil as soon as possible, but no

more than 1 US quart/1 liter, refer also to

Adding engine oil on page 201.

"Measurement not possible at this time."

"Measuring engine oil level...":

This can take about 1 minute if the car is at a

standstill on a level surface and the engine

is running, and about 5 minutes while the

car is moving.

If engine oil was added, it may take up to

30 minutes to obtain an oil level reading.

Oil level is too high.

Too much oil will harm the engine.

Have the vehicle checked without

delay.<

5

The oil level sensor is defective.

>

"Engine oil level below minimum. Add 1

quart!"

Add engine oil as soon as possible, but no

more than 1 US quart/1 liter, refer also to

Adding engine oil below.

Do not add engine oil. You can continue

your journey. Note the newly calculated dis-

tance remaining to the next oil service, refer

to page 203. Have the system checked as

soon as possible.

If the oil level is below the minimum value,

add engine oil immediately to avoid engine

damage.

>

"Engine oil level too high! Have this

checked."*:

200

Have the vehicle checked immedi-

ately; otherwise, the excess oil may

lead to engine damage.<

If BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil is not

available, you can add small quantities of other

synthetic oils in between oil changes. Only use

oils with the API SM specification or higher.

>

"Measurement inactive. Have this

checked.":

Your BMW center will be glad to answer

any questions regarding BMW High Per-

formance Synthetic Oil or approved synthetic

oils.<

Do not add engine oil. Before continuing to

drive, note the recalculated remaining mile-

age until the next oil change service, refer to

Service requirements on page 67. Have the

system checked as soon as possible.

You can also call BMW of North America at

1-800-831-1117 or visit the website

to obtain this information.

Adding engine oil

Viscosity ratings

Viscosity is a measure of an oil's flow rating and

is categorized in SAE classes.

Selecting the appropriate SAE class depends

on the regional climatic conditions in which you

normally drive your BMW.

Approved oils belong to the 0W-40,

0W-30, 5W-40 and 5W-30 SAE

classes.<

Do not add 1 US quart/1 liter of engine oil

These oils can be used for driving at all outside

temperatures.

until a corresponding message is shown

on the Control Display. Add oil within the next

125 miles/200 km; otherwise, the engine could

be damaged.<

Keep oils, greases, etc. out of the reach of

children and comply with the relevant

warnings on the containers. Otherwise, health

hazards may result.<

Coolant

Do not add coolant to the cooling system

when the engine is hot. Escaping coolant

can cause burns.<

Oil change

Coolant consists of half water and half additive.

Not all commercially available additives are suit-

able for your BMW. Ask your BMW center for

suitable additives.

Have oil changed only at your BMW center or at

a workshop that works according to BMW

repair procedures with correspondingly trained

personnel.

Only use suitable additives; otherwise,

engine damage may result. Because

additives are harmful to your health, it is impor-

tant to follow the instructions on the contain-

ers.<

Specified engine oils

The quality of the engine oil selected has critical

significance for the operation and service life of

an engine. BMW routinely approves specific

oils after testing them extensively.

Comply with the appropriate environ-

mental protection regulations when dis-

posing of coolant additives.<

Do not use oil additives as these may

cause engine damage.<

Only use approved BMW High Performance

Synthetic Oil.

201

Checking coolant level

1. Do not open the engine hood before the

engine has cooled down.

2. Turn the cap of the expansion tank a little

counterclockwise to allow any accumulated

pressure to escape, then continue turning

to open.

3. The coolant level is correct if it is between

the maximum and minimum marks in the

filler neck, refer also to the diagram next to

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 reason for the coolant loss elimi-

nated as soon as possible.

202

Mobility -> Under the hood for Your BMW 1 Series 4 Door First Generation (2004-2011)

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