Deutsch
EnglishMobility -> Under the hood for your BMW 6 Series 2003-2010
Under the hood
Never attempt to perform any service
or repair operations on your vehicle
Closing
without the required, professional technical
training. If you are unfamiliar with the ser-
vice procedures and precautions, always
have any required work on your vehicle
carried out at your BMW center. If this work
is performed inexpertly, there is a danger of
damage and associated safety risks.<
Hood
Close the hood from a height of approx.
16 in/40 cm with momentum. It must be
clearly heard to engage.
Releasing
Make sure that the closing path of the
engine hood is clear, as otherwise
injuries may result.
If you see any signs that the hood is not
completely closed while you are driving
your vehicle, you should stop at once and
close it securely.<
Pull the lever located under the left side of
the instrument panel.
Opening
Press the release handle and open the
engine hood.
170
Engine compartment
1
2
3
Filler neck for engine oil, refer to
Topping up engine oil
3. Carefully push the dipstick all the way
into the guide tube and pull it out again
Brake fluid reservoir, located beneath
the microfilter cover, refer to page 173
4. The oil should extend to between the
two marks on the dipstick.
Dipstick for engine oil, refer to
Checking oil level
The engine oil consumption is dependent
on driving style and driving conditions.
4
5
Starting-aid terminal, refer to page 184
Washer fluid reservoir of the headlamp
and windshield cleaning systems, refer
to page 62
6
Expansion tank for coolant, refer to
page 172
Engine oil
The oil quantity between the centers of the
two marks on the dipstick, refer to arrows,
is approx. 1.6 US quarts/1.5 liters. Do not
fill beyond the upper mark on the dipstick.
Excess oil can damage the engine.
Checking oil level
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface with
the engine at operating temperature
2. After approx. 5 minutes, pull the
dipstick 3 out and wipe it off with a
clean lint-free cloth, paper towel, or
similar material
171
Topping up engine oil
Viscosity ratings
Viscosity is the oil flow rating as defined in
SAE classes.
The selection of the correct SAE class
depends on the climatic conditions in the
area where you typically drive your BMW.
Approved oils are in SAE classes
5W-40 and 5W-30.<
These oils may be used for driving in all
ambient temperatures.
Wait until the level has dropped to just on
the lower dipstick mark before adding oil.
In this area a message also appears on the
Control Display.
Coolant
Do not add coolant to the cooling sys-
tem when the engine is hot. Escaping
coolant can cause burns.<
Store oil, grease etc., well out of the
reach of children; always observe all
warning labels on the containers.<
Coolant consists of water and the addition
of antifreeze and anticorrosion agent. Not
all commercially available additives are
suitable for your BMW. Ask your BMW cen-
ter for suitable additives.
Specified engine oils
The quality of the engine oil selected has
critical significance for the operation and
service life of an engine. BMW continu-
ously approves specific oils after confirm-
ing their suitability for use in its vehicles
with extensive testing.
Only use suitable additives, as other-
wise engine damage may result. The
additives present a health hazard; observe
the instructions on the containers.<
Use only approved BMW High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil.
Always observe all applicable envi-
ronmental rules and regulations when
disposing of used coolant additives.<
If you are unable to obtain BMW High Per-
formance Synthetic Oil, you can add small
amounts of another synthetic oil between
oil changes. Use only oils with the API SH
specification or higher.
Checking coolant level
Ask your BMW center for details con-
cerning the specific BMW High Per-
formance Synthetic Oil or synthetic oils
which have been approved.<
You can also call BMW of North America
at 1-800-831-1117 or visit this website:
tion.
1. The engine must be at ambient temper-
ature
BMW engines are designed to oper-
ate without additives, and their use
could even lead to damage in some
cases.<
2. Turn the cap of the expansion tank
counterclockwise to allow any accumu-
lated pressure to escape, then continue
turning to open
172
3. The coolant level is correct when the
measuring range of the fill level indica-
tor is at the level of the upper edge of
the filler neck, also refer to the drawing
next to the filler neck
For your own safety: use only brake
pads that BMW has approved for your
particular 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 you hear a click
6. Have the reason for the coolant loss
eliminated as soon as possible.
Brake system
Malfunction
Brake fluid
The warning lamp lights up in red
in spite of the handbrake being
released; a message appears on
the Control Display.
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 is
noticeable. Have the system checked
immediately by a BMW center.
Warning lamp for 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.<
Brake pads
The warning lamp lights up in red
in spite of the handbrake being
released; a message appears on
the Control Display. The brake pads have
reached their minimum pad thickness.
Have the brake pads replaced as soon as
possible.
Warning lamp for Canadian models.
173
