MOBILITY -> Operating materials for your BMW 2 Series 2021-2025
Operating materials
MOBILITY
Operating materials
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.
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Leaded gasoline.
The power and consumption specifications re-
fer to operating with RON 98 E10 fuel
Metallic additives, for instance manga-
nese or iron.
When using minimum quality AKI 87 fuel, there
may be knocking noises as well as driving and
acoustic abnormalities. These have no effect
on the engine service life.
Do not press the Start/Stop button after refu-
eling with the wrong fuel. Contact an author-
ized service center or another qualified serv-
ice center or repair shop.
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Operating materials
MOBILITY
NOTICE
Engine oil
Fuel that does not comply with the minimum
quality can compromise engine function or
cause engine damage. There is a risk of
damage to property. Do not fill with fuel that
does not comply with the minimum quality.
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.
NOTICE
The engine oil consumption can increase in
the following situations, for instance:
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.
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Sporty driving style.
Break-in of the engine.
Idle operation of the engine.
With use of engine oil types that are not
recommended.
Recommended gas quality
BMW recommends AKI 91.
Different Check Control messages are shown
on the control display depending on the engine
oil level and engine oil properties.
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.
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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Operating materials
System limits
MOBILITY
NOTICE
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.
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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
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Vehicle is parked in a horizontal position.
Monitoring
The drive-ready state is switched on by
pressing the Start/Stop button.
Principle
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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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Operating materials
MOBILITY
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 292.
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 293.
2. Open the lid counterclockwise.
Take care not to add too much engine oil.
Safety information
Warning
Operating materials, for instance oils,
greases, coolants, fuels, can contain harmful
ingredients. There is a risk of injury or danger
to life. Follow the instructions on the contain-
ers. Avoid the contact of articles of clothing,
skin or eyes with operating materials. Do not
refill operating materials into different bottles.
Store operating materials out of reach of chil-
dren.
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
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.
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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NOTICE
Adding coolant
1. Let the engine cool down.
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.
2. Opening the hood.
Opening, refer to page 293.
3. Turn the lid of the coolant reservoir slightly
counterclockwise to allow any excess pres-
sure to dissipate, then open it.
Coolant level
4. Open the coolant reservoir lid.
5. If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant up
to the specified fill level; do not overfill.
General information
The coolant may be overfilled in the coolant
reservoir when the vehicle is delivered from the
factory. Run longer to achieve the normal cool-
ant level.
6. Close the lid.
7. Have the cause of the coolant loss elimi-
nated as soon as possible.
The nominal coolant level is indicated by the
maximum mark in the filler neck of the coolant
reservoir.
Disposal
Comply with the relevant environmen-
tal protection regulations when dispos-
ing of coolant and coolant additives.
Additional information:
For an overview, refer to page 292.
Checking the coolant level
1. Let the engine cool down.
2. Opening the hood.
Washer fluid
General information
All spray nozzles are supplied from one tank.
Opening, refer to page 293.
3. Turn the lid of the coolant reservoir slightly
counterclockwise to allow any excess pres-
sure to dissipate, then open it.
Use a mixture of tap water and windshield
washer concentrate. If desired, a windshield
washer concentrate containing antifreeze can
be used.
4. Open the coolant reservoir lid.
5. The coolant level is correct when it is just
below the maximum mark in the filler neck.
Recommended minimum fill quantity: 0.4 US
gal/2 liters.
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 refill op-
erating materials into different bottles. Store
operating materials out of reach of children.
6. Close the lid.
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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.
Overview
Use of BMW’s Windshield Washer Concen-
trate or the equivalent is recommended.
Warning
The washer fluid reservoir is located in the en-
gine compartment.
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.
Malfunction
The use of undiluted windshield washer fluid
concentrate or alcohol-based antifreeze can
lead to incorrect readings at temperatures be-
low +5 ℉/-15 ℃.
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.
NOTICE
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.
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