Services

There are two different types of service maintenance requirement used in BMW vehicles depending on the

model and production date. The two maintenance programs are:

• Scheduled Maintenance

• Condition Based Service

Early BMW vehicles are dependent on a scheduled service maintenance program. This means that when a

certain criteria met, usually an oil change, the vehicle will have to undergo either an extensive oil service or

a major inspection.

Starting with the E65 (7 Series) the BMW service program utilized is condition based. Condition Based

Service (CBS) allows for the servicing of specific vehicle components only when it needs the actual service.

The CBS plan also applies to E60 (5 Series) and E90 (3 Series)

Scheduled Maintenance

A Service Maintenance Checklist has been developed for early BMW passenger cars that require scheduled

maintenances. The checklist incorporates space to record values called for in specific checking operations.

These include disc brake pad thickness, tire pressures, and the freeze point temperatures of the engine

coolant and of the windshield washer fluid. Because the vehicle will be visiting the workshop less frequently

it is very important that the maintenance and any time dependent services be carried out thoroughly and

correctly. Follow the Service Maintenance Checklist for the necessary steps required to properly complete

the service.

Engine Oil Service

Starting with the introduction of the 1999 3 Series (E46), BMW introduced an extended oil change interval of

approximately 12,500 Km depending on engine operating conditions. The engine oil change interval of

approximately 12,500 Km was carried over to all 2001 BMW models. (Before this the interval was

approximately 7,500 calculated Km).

However, engine oil should be changed at least once a year. This revision (annual oil change) is retroactive

to earlier model years and is included in the BMW Maintenance Plan. To coincide with the increased oil

change interval, BMW also introduced "BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil" SAE 5W-30. BMW

recommends the use of BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil SAE 5W-30 or Castrol RS SAE 10W-60

Synthetic.

BMWInspection I

The next scheduled maintenance procedure performed after an oil service is an Inspection I. The advanced

technologies used in engine management systems and improvements in low maintenance engine design

have reduced the required maintenance in each inspection service significantly.

BMWInspection II

The BMW Inspection II includes all of the procedures outlined in the Inspection I, but includes additional

steps that are only necessary with higher accumulated miles.

Condition Based Service

Starting with the introduction of the E65, the CBS program does away with the scheduled maintenance

program that requires the replacement of components that might not need immediate replacement.

Condition Based Service monitors wear and tear on important parts. Its sensors can determine when a

component needs to be replaced or upgraded. Even if the degree of wear cannot be gauged directly, such

as in the case of the air conditioning microfilter, the system uses algorithms to determine when a service

check-up should be performed.