Controls and features -> Engine oil temperature gauge for your BMW 5 Series 1995-2003

70nTachometer  
Engine oil temperature  
Fuel gauge  
The orange early warning zone appears The normal operating temperature is  
When you switch on the ignition, the  
indicator lamp comes on briefly to  
and + 248 7 (+ 120 6). Do not exceed confirm that the system is operational.  
depending upon the engine tempera-  
ture. As the engine temperature  
in a range between + 176 7 (+ 80 6)  
increases, more and more sectors of  
this early warning zone disappear.  
the maximum temperature of + 302 7  
(+ 150 6).  
If the indicator lamp comes on and stays  
on, there are approx. 2.5 gal (10 liters)  
of fuel still in the tank.  
Avoid engine speeds in the early  
warning zone if possible.  
For fuel tank capacity, refer to page 186.  
Do not operate the engine with the  
needle in the red overspeed zone of  
the gauge.  
If the tilt of the vehicle varies (when you  
are driving in mountainous areas, for  
example), the needle may fluctuate  
slightly.  
To protect the engine, the engine-  
management system automatically  
interrupts the fuel supply in this range;  
the resulting effect resembles that  
associated with a sudden loss of  
power.  
Please refuel early, as driving to  
the last drop of fuel can result in  
damage to the engine and/or catalytic  
converter.<