Get MOBILITY -> Operating fluids Guide for BMW 4 Series 4 Door Second Generation (2020-2025)

Operating fluids

MOBILITY

Operating fluids

Safety information

Vehicle features and options

This chapter describes model-specific equip-

ment, systems, and functions that are currently

available, or may become available in the fu-

ture, even if they are not present in the vehicle.

Caution

The use of poor-quality fuels may result in

harmful engine deposits or damage. Addi-

tionally, problems relating to drivability, start-

ing and stalling, especially under certain envi-

ronmental conditions such as high ambient

temperature and high altitude, may occur.

Additional information:

Vehicle equipment, refer to page 8.

If drivability problems are encountered, we

recommend switching to a high quality gaso-

line brand and a higher octane grade — AKI

number — for a few tank fills. To avoid harm-

ful engine deposits, it is highly recommended

to purchase gasoline from Top Tier retailers.

Fuel recommendation

General information

Depending on the region, many filling stations

sell fuel that has been customized to winter

or summer conditions. Fuel that is available

in winter, for instance helps make a cold start

easier.

Failure to comply with these recommenda-

tions may result in the need for additional

maintenance.

Gasoline

Warning

General information

For the best fuel efficiency, the gasoline should

be sulfur-free or very low in sulfur content.

Even small quantities of the wrong fuel or

wrong fuel additives can damage the fuel

system and engine. Furthermore, the cata-

lytic converter can be permanently damaged.

There is a risk of injury and risk of damage to

property. Do not refuel or add the following in

the case of gasoline engines:

Fuels that are marked on the gas pump as

containing metal must not be used.

Fuels with a maximum ethanol content of

10 %, i.e., E10, may be used for refueling.

▷

Leaded gasoline.

The power and consumption specifications re-

fer to operating with RON 98 E10 fuel

Metallic additives, for instance manga-

nese or iron.

Knocking noises and driving/acoustic problems

may occur when using minimum quality fuel,

e.g., 87 AKI, or fuel with an ethanol content of

more than 10% to max. 15%. These have no

effect on the engine service life.

Do not turn on standby after refueling with

the wrong fuel. Contact an authorized service

center or another qualified service center or

repair shop.

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Operating fluids

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Engine oil

NOTICE

Fuel that does not meet the minimum quality

requirements can cause the engine to mal-

function or become damaged. There is a risk

of damage to property. Do not fill with fuel

that does not comply with the minimum qual-

ity.

General information

The engine oil consumption and engine oil

properties depend on the driving style and op-

erating conditions.

Therefore, regularly check the engine oil level

after refueling by taking a detailed measure-

ment.

The engine oil consumption can increase in

the following situations, for instance:

NOTICE

Incorrect fuels can damage the fuel system

and the engine. There is a risk of damage

to property. Do not use fuels with a higher

ethanol content than recommended. Do not

refuel with fuels containing methanol, e.g. M5

to M100.

▷

Sporty driving style.

Break-in of the engine.

Idle operation of the engine.

With use of engine oil types that are not

recommended.

Different Check Control messages are shown

on the control display depending on the engine

oil level and engine oil properties.

Recommended gas quality

BMW recommends AKI 91.

M Performance model:

The vehicle manufacturer recommends having

the engine oil changed by an authorized serv-

ice center or another qualified service center

or repair shop. The suitable viscosity grade is

indicated on a sign in the engine compartment.

BMW recommends AKI 93.

Minimum fuel grade

BMW recommends AKI 87.

If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI Rat-

ing, the engine may produce knocking sounds

when starting at high external temperatures.

This has no effect on the engine life.

Safety information

NOTICE

An engine oil level that is too low causes en-

gine damage. There is a risk of damage to

property. Immediately add engine oil.

NOTICE

Too much engine oil can damage the engine

or the catalytic converter. There is a risk of

damage to property. Do not add too much

engine oil. If there is excess engine oil, have

the engine oil level corrected by an author-

ized service center or another qualified serv-

ice center or repair shop.

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NOTICE

System limits

When making frequent short-distance trips or

using a sporty driving style, it may not be pos-

sible to calculate a measured value. In this

case, the measured value for the last, suffi-

ciently long trip is displayed.

Engine oil that is not changed in timely fash-

ion can cause increased engine wear and

thus engine damage. There is a risk of dam-

age to property. It is recommended that you

do not exceed the service intervals indicated

in the vehicle.

Detailed measurement

Principle

Electronic oil measurement

The engine oil level is checked when the vehi-

cle is stationary and displayed via a scale.

General information

The electronic oil measurement has two

measuring principles:

If the engine oil level is outside its permissible

operating range, a Check Control message is

displayed.

▷

Monitoring.

General information

Detailed measurement.

During the measurement, the idle speed is in-

creased somewhat.

When making frequent short-distance trips or

using a sporty driving style, for instance when

cornering aggressively, regularly perform a de-

tailed measurement.

Functional requirements

▷

Vehicle is parked in a horizontal position.

Monitoring

The drive-ready state is switched on by

pressing the Start/Stop button.

Principle

▷

The engine is at operating temperature.

The engine oil level is monitored electronically

while driving and can be shown on the control

display.

Selector lever in selector lever position N or

P and accelerator pedal not depressed.

If the engine oil level is outside its permissible

operating range, a Check Control message is

displayed.

Performing a detailed measurement

1. Apps menu

2. "Vehicle"

3. "Vehicle status"

4. "Engine oil level"

5. "Oil level measurement"

6. "Start measurement"

Functional requirements

A current measured value is available after ap-

prox. 30 minutes of normal driving.

Displaying the engine oil level

The engine oil level is checked and displayed

via a scale.

1.

Apps menu

2. "Vehicle"

3. "Vehicle status"

4. "Engine oil level"

The engine oil level is displayed.

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Overview

Adding engine oil

The oil filler neck is located in the engine com-

partment.

General information

Only add engine oil when the message is dis-

played in the instrument cluster. The top-up

quantity is indicated in the message shown on

the control display.

Additional information:

For an overview, refer to page 315.

Adding engine oil

1. Opening the hood.

Only add suitable types of engine oil.

Safely park the vehicle and switch off drive-

ready state before adding engine oil.

Opening, refer to page 316.

2. Open the lid counterclockwise.

Take care not to add too much engine oil.

Safety information

Warning

Operating fluids, e.g., oil, grease, coolant,

fuel, may contain harmful ingredients. There

is a risk of injury or danger to life. Follow

the instructions on the containers. Do not

allow operating fluids to come into contact

with your clothing, skin, or eyes. Do not fill

operating fluids into different bottles. Store

operating fluids out of reach of children.

3. Add engine oil.

4. Close the lid.

Engine oil types to add

General information

The engine oil grade is critical for the service

life of the engine.

NOTICE

An engine oil level that is too low causes en-

gine damage. There is a risk of damage to

property. Immediately add engine oil.

Only add with the types of engine oil which are

listed.

Safety information

NOTICE

Too much engine oil can damage the engine

or the catalytic converter. There is a risk of

damage to property. Do not add too much

engine oil. If there is excess engine oil, have

the engine oil level corrected by an author-

ized service center or another qualified serv-

ice center or repair shop.

NOTICE

Oil additives can damage the engine. There

is a risk of damage to property. Do not use oil

additives.

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NOTICE

Incorrect engine oil can cause malfunctions

in the engine or damage it. There is a risk

of damage to property. When selecting an

engine oil, make sure that the engine oil has

the correct oil specification.

Suitable engine oil types

When topping up engine oil, the following oil

specification applies:

Coolant

Gasoline engine

General information

Coolant consists of water and coolant additive.

BMW Longlife-17 FE+.

Not all commercially available coolant addi-

tives are suitable for the vehicle. The vehicle

manufacturer recommends using coolant with

the BMW LC-18 specification. Do not mix cool-

ant additives of different colors. Use a 50:50

mixing ratio of water to coolant additive. Infor-

mation on suitable coolant additives can be

provided by an authorized service center or

another qualified service center or repair shop.

Alternative engine oil types

If an engine oil suitable for continuous use

is not available, up to 1 US quart/liter of an

engine oil with the following oil rating can be

added:

Oil specification

API SL.

API SM.

Safety information

API SN.

Warning

Viscosity grades

With the engine hot and the cooling system

open, coolant can escape and lead to scald-

ing. There is a risk of injury. Only open the

cooling system with the engine cooled down.

When selecting an engine oil, make sure that

the engine oil has a suitable viscosity grade.

The suitable viscosity grade is indicated on a

sign in the engine compartment.

More information about suitable oil specifica-

tions and engine oil viscosity grades can be

requested from an authorized service center or

another qualified service center or repair shop.

Warning

Additives are harmful and incorrect additives

can damage the engine. There is a risk of

injury and risk of damage to property. Do not

allow additives to come into contact with skin,

eyes or articles of clothing. Use suitable addi-

tives only.

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MOBILITY

6. The coolant level is correct when it is just

below the max. level mark on the filler neck.

NOTICE

Too much water reduces the cooling and an-

tifreeze properties of the coolant. There is a

risk of damage to property. Use a 50:50 mix-

ing ratio of water to coolant additive.

Coolant level

General information

The coolant reservoir may be overfilled with

coolant when the vehicle is delivered from the

factory or following maintenance and repair

work. The specified coolant level is achieved

with longer operating periods.

7. Close the lid.

Adding coolant

1. Let the engine cool down.

2. Turn off the climate control system.

Climate control, refer to page 242.

3. Opening the hood.

The nominal coolant level is indicated by the

maximum mark in the filler neck of the coolant

reservoir.

Additional information:

Opening, refer to page 316.

For an overview, refer to page 315.

4. Turn the lid of the coolant reservoir slightly

counterclockwise to allow any excess pres-

sure to dissipate, then open it.

Checking the coolant level

1. Let the engine cool down.

2. Turn off the climate control system.

Climate control, refer to page 242.

3. Opening the hood.

5. Open the coolant reservoir lid.

6. If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant up

to the specified fill level. Do not overfill or

spill the coolant.

7. Close the lid.

Opening, refer to page 316.

4. Turn the lid of the coolant reservoir slightly

counterclockwise to allow any excess pres-

sure to dissipate, then open it.

Disposal

Comply with the relevant environmen-

tal protection regulations when dispos-

ing of coolant and coolant additives.

5. Open the coolant reservoir lid.

Washer fluid

General information

All spray nozzles are supplied from one tank.

Use a mixture of tap water and windshield

washer concentrate. If desired, a windshield

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Operating fluids

MOBILITY

washer concentrate containing antifreeze can

be used.

NOTICE

Recommended minimum fill quantity: 0.4 US

gal/2 liters.

Mixing different windshield washer fluid con-

centrates or antifreeze can damage the

washer system. There is a risk of damage

to property. Do not mix different windshield

washer fluid concentrates or antifreeze. Fol-

low the information and mixture ratios pro-

vided on the containers.

Safety information

Warning

Some types of antifreeze can contain harmful

substances and are flammable. There is a

risk of fire and an injury hazard. Follow the in-

structions on the containers. Keep antifreeze

away from ignition sources. Do not fill operat-

ing fluids into different bottles. Store operat-

ing fluids out of reach of children.

Overview

United States: the washer fluid mixture ratio

is regulated by the U.S. EPA and many in-

dividual states; do not exceed the allowable

washer fluid dilution ratio limits that apply.

Follow the usage instructions on the washer

fluid container.

The washer fluid reservoir is located in the en-

gine compartment.

Use of BMW’s Windshield Washer Concen-

trate or the equivalent is recommended.

Malfunction

The use of undiluted windshield washer fluid

concentrate or alcohol-based antifreeze can

lead to incorrect readings at temperatures be-

low +5 ℉/-15 ℃.

Warning

Washer fluid can ignite and catch fire on con-

tact with hot engine parts. There is a risk of

injury or risk of damage to property. Only add

washer fluid when the engine is cooled down.

Next, fully close the lid of the washer fluid

reservoir.

NOTICE

Silicon-containing additives in the washer

fluid for the water-repelling effect on the win-

dows can lead to damage to the car wash.

There is a risk of damage to property. Do

not add silicon-containing additives to the

washer fluid.

324

MOBILITY -> Operating fluids for Your BMW 4 Series 4 Door Second Generation (2020-2025)

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