Deutsch
EnglishOwner service procedures -> Battery for your BMW 5 Series 1995-2003
166nBattery
Never allow sparks or open
flame near the battery. Do not
smoke in the vicinity of the bat-
Maintenance
The battery is absolutely maintenance-
free, that is, the original electrolyte will
normally last for the service life of the
battery under moderate climatic
conditions.
tery. Avoid sparks from electrical cables
or electrical equipment. Turn the key
to position 0 in the steering lock when
connecting or disconnecting the bat-
tery. Don't short-circuit the battery ter-
minal. If you do so, you could be injured
by electrical sparks.
Symbols
You will find the following symbols on
your vehicle battery. To avoid injury,
please comply with the corresponding
precautions whenever you work with or
near the battery.
A highly-explosive gas is
generated when the battery is
charged.
Battery posts, terminals, and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds. Wash hands after
handling.<
If you happen to get acid in
your eyes, rinse thoroughly for
15 minutes with clear water.
Before handling the battery,
please read the following infor-
mation:
Consult a physician immediately. If your
skin or clothing are splashed by acid,
rinse immediately with plenty of water.
If electrolyte is accidentally swallowed,
consult a physician immediately.
Wear eye protection. Do not
allow particles containing bat-
tery acid or lead to come into
contact with your eyes, your skin, or
your clothing.
Installation location
The battery is located under the floor-
mat in the luggage compartment.
1 Read and comply with the warning
information on page 167.
2 Lift the floormat.
In order to protect the battery
case from ultraviolet radiation,
Battery acid is extremely corro-
sive. Wear eye protection and
protective gloves. Do not tip the
battery. Battery acid can leak from the
ventilation openings.
do not place it in direct sunlight.
A discharged battery can freeze. Store
the battery in areas where temperature
remains above freezing.
3 Press the small cover gently. Lift the
cover (arrow 1).
4 Disconnect the battery cable from the
negative terminal.
Do not allow children access to
batteries and battery acid.
5 Loosen the three screws (arrows) and
remove the cover.
Battery
167n
When removing the battery, disconnect
the cable on the negative terminal first,
then the cable on the positive terminal.
When installing a battery, connect the
positive terminal first, then connect the
negative terminal.
When installing the battery, be
sure that it is mounted securely in
the battery well and that the cover is
installed. If the battery is not mounted
and fastened properly, it will not be
adequately secured in case of an
accident.<
Charge condition
Removal and installation
You can read the charge condition
of the battery with the "Magic Eye "
(a hydrometer):
Do not disconnect the battery
when the engine is running. If
you do so, the ensuing voltage surge
will damage the vehicle's onboard
electronics.
> Green: adequate charge.
> Black: not adequately charged. The
battery has to be recharged. Please
contact your BMW center for addi-
tional information.
Do not alter the positive terminal wiring
in any way. If you do so, the Battery
Safety Terminal's safety function will no
longer be guaranteed. Repair and dis-
posal must be performed by trained
technicians only.<
> Yellow: replace the battery.
The service life specified for the
battery can be achieved only if it
is always kept adequately charged.
Check the charge condition of the bat-
tery frequently if the vehicle is used pri-
marily for driving short distances.<
168nBattery
Fuses
Avoid environmental pollution
when disposing of old batteries.<
Charging the battery
Charge the battery in the vehicle only
when the engine is not running.
Return used batteries to a recy-
cling point or your BMW center.
Before doing any work on the
electrical system, be sure to dis-
connect the cable from the battery's
negative terminal. Failure to do so
could result in short-circuits, a fire or
personal injury.<
Maintain the battery in an upright posi-
tion for transport and storage. Secure
the battery against tilting in transit.<
If the vehicle is to be parked longer
than four weeks, disconnect the battery
from the vehicle's electrical system by
disconnecting the negative terminal
cable and then recharge using a suit-
able charging device.
If an electrical accessory should fail,
switch it off and check the fuse.
In the glove compartment
1 Open the glove compartment and
turn the two white quick-release
knobs to the left. Spare fuses and
plastic tweezers are located on the
fuse holder.
If you intend to store your vehicle for
longer than twelve weeks: remove the
battery, charge it and store it in a cool
(but frost-and dust-free) room. Every
three months and before reinstalling the
battery, have it recharged. If it is not
recharged, it will not be serviceable.
Every time the battery is discharged,
especially over extended periods, its
service life is reduced.
2 Use the plastic tweezers to remove
the fuse for the accessory or equip-
ment that has stopped working.
3 If the fuse is burned through (the
metal strip will have melted and
separated), replace it with a new
fuse of the same ampere rating
(color code).
