Get Mobility -> Under the hood Guide for BMW M5 4 Door Fourth Generation (2004-2010)

Under the hood

Never attempt to perform any service or

repair operations on your vehicle without

the required professional technical training.

If you do not know what repair procedures to

follow, have work on your vehicle done only by

your BMW center or a workshop that works

according to BMW repair procedures with cor-

respondingly 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 that the hood is not com-

pletely closed while driving your vehicle, you

should stop at once and close it securely.<

Pull lever.

Opening

Press the release handle and open the hood.

You cannot start off with the hood open.<

181

Engine compartment

1

2

3

Filler neck for engine oil, refer to Adding

engine oil, page 183

4

5

6

Starting-aid terminal, refer to page 197

Body ground/negative terminal

Expansion tank for coolant, refer to

page 184

Washer fluid reservoir of the headlamp

and windshield cleaning systems, refer to

page 60

Brake fluid reservoir, located beneath the

microfilter cover

Engine oil

The engine oil consumption is dependent on

driving style and driving conditions.

Checking engine oil level

Your vehicle is equipped with an electronic oil

level check. You can display the oil level in the

instrument cluster.

1

2

3

Oil level

Maximum marking

Minimum marking

Press the BC button in the turn signal lever

repeatedly until the oil level display is shown in

the instrument cluster. The displayed numeric

182

value indicates the current oil level in liters

above Minimum.

Possible displays

After starting the engine, the last determined

value is displayed.

The oil level must be between the two marks.

Exact measurement

The oil level is measured continuously while

driving or when stopped with the engine run-

ning.

1

2

Oil level OK

The determination of a new value can take

30 minutes or longer.

Oil level at minimum:

Add a maximum of 1 US quart/1 liter of

engine oil at the next opportunity, refer to

Adding engine oil below

If only dashes are shown in the display, it

was not possible to determine a new

value. This can, for example, be the case when

driving short distances or with a sporty driving

style.<

3

Oil level too high

Have the vehicle checked immedi-

ately, otherwise engine damage may

result if too much oil has been added.<

Fast measurement

In addition to the continuous measurement, you

can also quickly determine the current oil level,

e.g. after adding engine oil, however with a low

measuring accuracy.

4

5

Oil level at maximum

Quick measurement running: oil level is

being determined

6

No value can be determined at this time

1. With the engine at operating temperature,

i.e. after at least 6 miles/10 km of uninter-

rupted driving, park the vehicle in a horizon-

tal position.

Adding engine oil

2. Allow the engine to run at idle.

3. Press the BC button in the turn signal lever

repeatedly until the oil level display is

shown in the instrument cluster.

4. Press the BC button in the turn signal lever

for at least 2 seconds.

The oil level is determined. A clock symbol

is displayed during the measurement.

Do not add oil until a value slightly above the

Minimum of 0.0 quarts/liters is displayed by the

oil level measurement. In this area a message is

also shown on the Control Display.

5. After approx. 1 minute the current oil level is

displayed.

If not all measuring conditions are met,

e.g. with the engine cold, "-.-" is dis-

played. The requested measurement is carried

out as soon as possible.<

Add oil within the next 125 miles/200 km,

otherwise the engine could be damaged.

Add a maximum of 1 US quart/1 liter of oil, oth-

erwise the engine may be damaged by adding

too much oil.

183

Add at least 0.5 US quart/0.5 liter of oil, other-

wise the oil level check cannot reliably display

the current oil level.<

Alternative oil types

If BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil is

unavailable, you can add small quantities of

other synthetic oils between oil changes.

Only use oils with the following specifications:

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.

Keep oil, grease etc. out of reach of children and

observe the warnings on the containers to pre-

vent health risks.<

>

Viscosity

preferred: SAE 10W-60;

alternative: SAE 10W-40, SAE 5W-50 or

SAE 10W-50

>

Specification

API SJ/CF, API SK/CF or higher

For immediate updating of the oil level

display, carry out a quick measurement

directly afterward.<

Low ambient temperatures

The oils used by BMW from the factory for your

vehicle model can be used at virtually all ambi-

ent temperatures. However, if the vehicle is

operated for a longer period at temperatures

below –47/–206, your BMW center will be

happy to recommend a suitable oil.

Oil change

Have oil changed only at your BMW center or

at a workshop that works according to BMW

repair procedures with correspondingly trained

personnel.

Approved engine oils

Coolant

Do not add coolant to the cooling system

when the engine is hot. Escaping coolant

can cause burns.<

The quality of the engine oil selected has critical

significance for the operation and service life of

an engine. BMW continuously approves spe-

cific oils after confirming their suitability for use

in its vehicles with extensive testing.

Coolant is comprised of water and coolant addi-

tive. Not all commercially available additives are

suitable for your BMW. Ask your BMW center

for suitable additives.

Do not use oil additives, as these may

result in engine damage.<

Your BMW center will be happy to answer

detailed questions on BMW High Perfor-

mance Synthetic Oil or approved synthetic

oils.<

Only use suitable additives, otherwise

engine damage may result. The additives

present a health hazard; observe the instruc-

tions on the containers.<

You can also call BMW of North America at

1-800-831-1117 or visit the website at

to obtain this information.

Comply with the appropriate environ-

mental protection regulations when dis-

posing of coolant additives.<

Viscosity grades

Checking coolant level

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

is specified in SAE grades.

1. The engine must be at ambient tempera-

ture.

Approved oils belong to the SAE grade

2. Turn the cap of the expansion tank counter-

clockwise to allow any accumulated pres-

sure to escape, then continue turning to

open.

10W-60.<

184

3. The coolant level is correct when the upper

end of the float rod is at the same height as

the upper edge of the filler neck, also refer

to the drawing next to the filler neck.

Brake pads

The warning lamp lights red up in spite

of the handbrake being released; a

message is shown on the Control Dis-

play. The brake pads have reached their mini-

mum pad thickness. Have brake pads replaced

immediately.

Display of the previously described

malfunction on Canadian models.

For your own safety: use only brake pads

that BMW has approved for the corre-

sponding vehicle model. As BMW cannot

assess the suitability of other brake pads for

use on your vehicle, we are unable to assume

continued responsibility for the vehicle's oper-

ating safety if non-approved pads are

installed.<

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.

Brake system

Malfunctions

Brake fluid

The warning lamp lights red up in spite

of the handbrake being released; a

message is shown on the Control Dis-

play: stop immediately.

The brake fluid in the reservoir has fallen to

below the minimum level. At the same time, a

considerably longer brake pedal travel may be

noticeable. Have the system thoroughly

checked.

Display of the previously described

malfunction on Canadian models.

When you continue driving, an increased

brake pedal path can be necessary, and

significantly longer braking distances might be

required. Please adapt your driving style

accordingly.<

185

Mobility -> Under the hood for Your BMW M5 4 Door Fourth Generation (2004-2010)

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