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EnglishMOBILITY -> Operating fluids for your BMW 4 Series 2020-2025
Operating fluids
MOBILITY
Operating fluids
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.
Knocking noises and driving/acoustic problems
may occur when using minimum quality fuel,
e.g., 87 AKI, or fuel with an ethanol content of
more than 10% to max. 15%. These have no
effect on the engine service life.
Do not turn on standby after refueling with
the wrong fuel. Contact an authorized service
center or another qualified service center or
repair shop.
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Operating fluids
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Engine oil
NOTICE
Fuel that does not meet the minimum quality
requirements can cause the engine to mal-
function or become damaged. There is a risk
of damage to property. Do not fill with fuel
that does not comply with the minimum qual-
ity.
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.
The engine oil consumption can increase in
the following situations, for instance:
NOTICE
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.
Different Check Control messages are shown
on the control display depending on the engine
oil level and engine oil properties.
Recommended gas quality
BMW recommends AKI 91.
M Performance model:
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.
BMW recommends AKI 93.
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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NOTICE
System limits
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 fluids
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 315.
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 316.
2. Open the lid counterclockwise.
Take care not to add too much engine oil.
Safety information
Warning
Operating fluids, e.g., oil, grease, coolant,
fuel, may contain harmful ingredients. There
is a risk of injury or danger to life. Follow
the instructions on the containers. Do not
allow operating fluids to come into contact
with your clothing, skin, or eyes. Do not fill
operating fluids into different bottles. Store
operating fluids out of reach of children.
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
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.
NOTICE
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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6. The coolant level is correct when it is just
below the max. level mark on the filler neck.
NOTICE
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.
Coolant level
General information
The coolant reservoir may be overfilled with
coolant when the vehicle is delivered from the
factory or following maintenance and repair
work. The specified coolant level is achieved
with longer operating periods.
7. Close the lid.
Adding coolant
1. Let the engine cool down.
2. Turn off the climate control system.
Climate control, refer to page 242.
3. Opening the hood.
The nominal coolant level is indicated by the
maximum mark in the filler neck of the coolant
reservoir.
Additional information:
Opening, refer to page 316.
For an overview, refer to page 315.
4. Turn the lid of the coolant reservoir slightly
counterclockwise to allow any excess pres-
sure to dissipate, then open it.
Checking the coolant level
1. Let the engine cool down.
2. Turn off the climate control system.
Climate control, refer to page 242.
3. Opening the hood.
5. Open the coolant reservoir lid.
6. If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant up
to the specified fill level. Do not overfill or
spill the coolant.
7. Close the lid.
Opening, refer to page 316.
4. Turn the lid of the coolant reservoir slightly
counterclockwise to allow any excess pres-
sure to dissipate, then open it.
Disposal
Comply with the relevant environmen-
tal protection regulations when dispos-
ing of coolant and coolant additives.
5. Open the coolant reservoir lid.
Washer fluid
General information
All spray nozzles are supplied from one tank.
Use a mixture of tap water and windshield
washer concentrate. If desired, a windshield
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washer concentrate containing antifreeze can
be used.
NOTICE
Recommended minimum fill quantity: 0.4 US
gal/2 liters.
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.
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 fill operat-
ing fluids into different bottles. Store operat-
ing fluids out of reach of children.
Overview
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.
The washer fluid reservoir is located in the en-
gine compartment.
Use of BMW’s Windshield Washer Concen-
trate or the equivalent is recommended.
Malfunction
The use of undiluted windshield washer fluid
concentrate or alcohol-based antifreeze can
lead to incorrect readings at temperatures be-
low +5 ℉/-15 ℃.
Warning
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.
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.
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