Get Mobility -> Under the hood Guide for BMW M6 4 Door Second Generation (2005-2010)

Under the hood

Never attempt to perform any service or

repair operations on your vehicle without

the required professional technical training. If

you are unfamiliar with the specifications to be

observed, only have work carried out on your

vehicle by a BMW center or a repair shop that

works in accordance with BMW guidelines and

uses appropriately trained personnel. Other-

wise there is a danger of damage and associ-

ated safety risks if this work is performed

improperly.<

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 you are 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.<

175

Engine compartment

1

2

3

Filler neck for engine oil, refer to Adding

engine oil

4

5

6

Jump-starting terminal, refer to page 192

Body ground/negative terminal

Expansion tank for coolant, refer to

page 178

Washer fluid reservoir of the headlamp and

windshield cleaning systems, refer to

page 57

Brake fluid reservoir, located beneath the

microfilter cover, refer to page 179

Engine oil

Engine oil consumption depends 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

176

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 is 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.

177

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, thoroughly wash exposed areas

of skin with soap and water after such work.

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

and heed warnings on containers. Failure to do

so could pose 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 changes carried out only by a BMW

center or a repair shop that works in accordance

with BMW guidelines and uses appropriately

trained personnel.

Approved engine oils

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

Do not open the cooling system when the

engine is hot. Escaping coolant can cause

burns.<

Coolant consists of water and coolant additive.

Not all commercially available additives are suit-

able for your BMW. Ask your BMW center for

suitable additives.

Do not use oil additives; under some cir-

cumstances, they can harm your

engine.<

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.<

Always observe all applicable environ-

mental laws and regulations when dis-

posing of used coolant additives.<

You can also call BMW of North America at

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

to obtain this information.

Checking coolant level

Viscosity grades

1. The engine must be at ambient tempera-

ture.

The viscosity is a measure of the thickness of

the oil and is specified in SAE grades.

2. Turn the cap of the expansion tank counter-

clockwise to allow any accumulated pres-

sure to escape, then continue turning to

open.

Approved oils belong to the SAE grade

10W-60.<

178

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 minimum

pad thickness. Have the brake pads replaced as

soon as possible.

Display of the previously described

malfunction on Canadian models.

For your own safety: use only brake pads

that BMW has approved for your particu-

lar vehicle model. As BMW cannot assess the

suitability of other brake pads for use on your

vehicle, BMW is unable to assume continued

responsibility for the vehicle's operating 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 it clicks.

6. Have the reason for the coolant loss elimi-

nated as soon as possible.

Brake system

Malfunction

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 the vehicle immediately.

The brake fluid in the reservoir has fallen to

below the minimum level. At the same time, a

significantly longer brake pedal path may be

noticeable. Have the system checked immedi-

ately by a BMW center.

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 may be

required. Please adapt your driving style

accordingly.<

179

Mobility -> Under the hood for Your BMW M6 4 Door Second Generation (2005-2010)

Related Topics

Mobility

Popular Owner Manuals

Latest Owner Manuals