The manual is from original bmw manual for BMW 7 series in E38 body. You can read it in html or download to your computer in pdf (1.7Mb)
Congratulations, and thank you for choosing a BMW. Thorough familiarity with your vehicle will provide you with enhanced control and security when you drive it. We therefore have this request: Please take the time to read this Owner's Manual and familiarize yourself with the information that we have compiled for you before starting off in your new car. It contains important data and instructions intended to assist you in gaining maximum use and satisfaction from the unique range of technical features on your BMW. The manual also contains information on care and maintenance designed to enhance operating safety and contribute to maintaining the value of your BMW throughout an extended service life.
This BMW E38 Owner's Manual should be considered a permanent part of this vehicle. It should stay with the vehicle when sold to provide the next owner with important operating, safety and maintenance information.
This manual for E38 is supplemented by a Service and Warranty Information Booklet (US models) or a Warranty and Service Guide Booklet (Canadian models). We recommend that you read this publication thoroughly. Your BMW is covered by the following warranties:
> New Vehicle Limited Warranty
> Limited Warranty Rust Perforation
> Federal Emissions System Defect Warranty
> Federal Emissions Performance Warranty
> California Emission Control System Limited Warranty
Detailed information about these warranties is listed in the Service and Warranty Information Booklet (US models) or in the Warranty and Service Guide Booklet (Canadian models).
We wish you an enjoyable driving experience.
BMW AG

Notes on the Owner's Manual

We have made every effort to ensure that you are able to find what you need in this Owner's Manual as quickly as possible. The fastest way to find certain topics is by using the detailed index at the end. If you desire an initial overview of your vehicle, this can be found in the first chapter. The detailed list of contents that directly follows the summary of contents is intended to stimulate your curiosity regarding your BMW and to encourage you to read the manual. Should you wish to sell your BMW at some time in the future, please remember to hand over the Owner's Manual to the new owner; it is part of the vehicle. If you have any additional questions, an authorized BMW center will be glad to advise you.

The individual vehicle

On buying your BMW, you have decided in favor of a model with individualized equipment and features. This Owner's Manual describes all models and equipment that BMW offers within the same group.
We hope you will understand that equipment and features are included which you might not have chosen for your vehicle. Any differences can easily be identified, since all optional accessories and special equipment are marked with an asterisk. If your BMW features equipment which is not described in this Owner's Manual (car radio or telephone, for instance), Supplementary Owner's Manuals are enclosed. We ask you to read these manuals as well.

Status at time of printing

BMW pursues a policy of continuous, ongoing development that is conceived to ensure that our vehicles continue to embody the highest quality and safety standards combined with advanced, state-of-the-art technology. For this reason, it is possible that the features described in this Owner's Manual could differ from those on your vehicle. Nor can errors and omissions be entirely ruled out. You are therefore asked to appreciate that no legal claims can be entertained on the basis of the data, illustrations or descriptions in this manual.

For your own safety

Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels containing up to 10% ethanol or other oxygenates with up to 2.8% oxygen by weight (i.e., 15% MTBE or 3% methanol plus an equivalent amount of co-solvent) will not void the applicable warranties with respect to defects in materials or workmanship. Field experience has indicated significant differences in fuel quality (i.e., volatility, composition, additives, etc.) among gasolines offered for sale in the United States and Canada. The use of poor-quality fuels may result in driveability, starting and stalling problems, especially under certain environmental conditions, such as high ambient temperature and high altitude. Should you encounter driveability problems that you suspect could be related to the fuel you are using, we recommend that you respond by switching to a recognized high-quality brand. Failure to comply with these recommendations may result in unscheduled maintenance. Follow the relevant safety rules when you are handling gasoline
Important safety information! For your own safety, use genuine parts and accessories approved by BMW. When you purchase accessories tested and approved by BMW and Original BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire the assurance that they have been thoroughly tested by BMW to ensure optimum performance when installed on your vehicle. BMW warrants these parts to be free from defects in material and workmanship. BMW will not accept any liability for damage resulting from installation of parts and accessories not approved by BMW. BMW cannot test every product from other manufacturers to verify if it can be used on a BMW safely and without risk to either the vehicle, its operation, or its occupants. Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories and other products approved by BMW, together with professional advice on using these items, are available from all BMW centers. Installation and operation of non-BMW approved accessories such as alarms, radios, amplifiers, radar detectors, wheels, suspension components, brake dust shields, telephones (including operation of any portable cellular phone from within the vehicle without using an externally-mounted antenna) or transceiver equipment (C.B., walkie-talkie, ham radio, for instance) may cause extensive damage to the vehicle, compromise its safety, interfere with the vehicle's electrical system, or affect the validity of the BMW Limited Warranty. See your authorized BMW center for additional information. Maintenance, replacement, or repair of the emission control devices and systems may be performed by any automotive repair establishment or individual using any certified automotive part.
The following only applies to vehicles owned and operated in the US.

REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS

If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addition to notifying BMW of North America, Inc., P.O. Box 1227, Westwood, New Jersey 07675-1227, Telephone (201) 307-4000. If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an investigation, and if it finds that a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in individual problems between you, your dealer, or BMW of North America, Inc.

To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in Washington, D.C. area) or write to: NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, D.C. 20590. You can also obtain other information about motor vehicle safety from the Hotline.
 

Overview

Cockpit
Instrument cluster
Indicator and warning lamps
Multifunction steering wheel (MFL)
Hazard warning flashers
Warning triangle
First-aid kit
Refueling
Fuel specifications
Tire inflation pressure

Controls and features

Locks and security systems:
Keys 30
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer 31
Central locking system 32
Door locks – outside 32
Radio remote control 33
Door locks – inside 36
Luggage compartment lid 37
Luggage compartment 39
Alarm system 40
Electric power windows 42
Security glass 43
Sliding/Tilt sunroof 44
Adjustments:
Seats 46
Steering wheel 49
Mirrors 50
Seat, mirror and steering wheel
memory 51
Car Memory, Key Memory 53
Passenger safety systems:
Safety belts 54
Airbags 55
Child restraints 57
Child restraint installation 58
Child-safety locks 58
Driving:
Steering/Ignition lock 59
Starting engine 59
Switching off engine 60
Parking brake 61
Automatic transmission 62
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic 65
Turn signal/Headlamp flasher 68
Washer/Wiper system/Rain
sensor 68
Rear window defroster 70
Cruise control 70
Everything under control:
Odometer, outside temperature
display 72
Tachometer 72
Energy control 73
Fuel gauge 73
Temperature gauge 74
Service Interval Display 74
Check Control 75
Multi-Information Display
(MID) 78
Digital clock 79
Onboard computer 84
Technology for safety and convenience:
Park Distance Control PDC 90
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC) 92
Electronic Damper Control
(EDC) 93
Tire Pressure Control (RDC) 94
Parking lamps/Low beams 96
Instrument panel lighting 96
High beams/Parking lamps 97
Fog lamps 97
Interior lamps 97
Reading lamps 98
Controlling the climate for pleasant driving:
Automatic climate control 100
Rear passenger-area air
conditioning 105
Seat heating 106
Steering wheel heating 106
Roller sun blind 107
Independent ventilation
system 107
Cabin convenience:
Integrated Universal
Remote Control 108
Glove compartment 110
Center armrests 111
Additional storage areas 113
Cup holder 113
Cellular phone 113
Ashtray 114
Cigarette lighter 115
Rear footrests 115
Loading and transporting cargo:
Ski bag 116
Cargo loading 118
Roof-mounted luggage rack 118

Operation, care and maintenance

Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedure 122
Driving notes 123
Catalytic converter 124
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 125
Disc brakes 126
Brake system 128
Winter operation 128
Power steering 130
Level control system 130
Cellular phone 131
Radio reception 131
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure 132
Tire condition 132
Tire replacement 133
Tire rotation 133
Wheel and tire
combinations 134
Winter tires 135
Snow chains 135
Approved wheel and tire
specifications 136
Under the hood:
Hood 137
Engine compartment 138
Washer fluids 142
Washer nozzles 142
Engine oil 143
Coolant 146
Brake fluid 147
Oil for power steering/
Level control system 148
Vehicle Identification
Number 148
Care and maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System 149
Caring for your car 150
Airbags 156
Vehicle storage 156
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications to the
vehicle 157
OBD connector 158

Owner service procedures

Replacement procedures:
Onboard tool kit 162
Windshield wiper blades 162
Lamps and bulbs 163
Remote control 168
Changing tires 170
Battery 173
Fuses 176
In case of electrical malfunction:
Fuel filler door 178
Sliding/Tilt sunroof 178
Assistance, giving and receiving:
Jump-starting 179
Towing the vehicle 180

Advanced technology

Airbags 184
Adaptive Transmission Control
(ATC) 184
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC) 185
Radio reception 186
BMW Active Seat 186
Safety belt tensioner 187
DSP sound system 187
Interior rearview mirror with automatic
dimming feature 188
Tire Pressure Control (RDC) 189
Xenon lamps 190
Water and dirt repelling
windshield 191

Technical data

Engine specifications
Dimensions 195
Weights 196
Capacities 197
Electrical system 198
Drive belts 198