1997 BMW E38 740i 750iL Owners Manual

User and Operator’s Vehicle Manual for 1997 BMW E38. Model types specification:

• BMW 740i and 740iL – 282 hp @ 5700 rpm, 4398 cc
• BMW 750iL – 326 hp @ 5000, 5379 cc

Manual with a quick reference guide for your convenience

Contents

Overview

Controls and features

Operation, care and maintenance

Owner service procedures

Advanced technology

Technical data

Index

Cockpit 16
Instrument cluster 18
Indicator and warning lamps 20 Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL) 23
Hazard warning flashers 24 Warning triangle 24
First-aid kit 24
Refueling 25
Fuel specifications 25
Tire inflation pressure 26

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

Lamps:

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

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

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 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
Engine specifications 194 Dimensions 195
Weights 196
Capacities 197
Electrical system 198 Drive belts 198
Everything from A to Z 202 Owner service procedures from
A to Z 207

Cockpit 16
Instrument cluster 18 Indicator and warning lamps 20 Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL) 23
Hazard warning flashers 24 Warning triangle 24 First-aid kit 24
Refueling 25
Fuel specifications 25 Tire inflation pressure 26

1 Parking lamps/Low beams 96
2> Turn signal 68
> Parking lamp 97
> High beams 97
> Headlamp flasher 68
> Onboard computer 89
3 Horn: The entire surface
4 Fog lamps 97
5 Wiper/Washer lever 68
6 Central locking system 32
7 Hazard warning system 24
8 Rear window defroster 70
9 Electric steering wheel
adjustment 49
10 Parking brake release handle 61 11 Parking brake pedal 61

1 Fuel gauge with lamp for fuel reserve range 73
2 Turn signal indicators 22
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator lamp for high beam headlamps 22
5 Tachometer and
Energy Control 72, 73
6 Coolant temperature gauge 74
7 Indicator and warning lamps for > Parking brake 21
> Hydraulic brake system/Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)* 20, 21 > ABS 21
> Airbag 21
> Please fasten safety belts 21 > Cruise control 22
8 Check button 75
9 Program display for automatic transmission 64, 67
10 Outside temperature display 72 11 Indicator lamp for Automatic Stability Control plus Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC)* 21
12 Trip odometer 72
13 Check Control display 75
14 Odometer 72
15 Service Interval Display 74, 149 16 Reset button for trip odometer 72 17 Indicator and warning lamps for > Fog lamps 22
> Battery charge current 20 > Engine oil pressure 20
> Check Engine lamp 21

Index

A
ABS 125
Accessories 6
Activated-charcoal filter 105 Active seat 48
Adaptive Transmission
Control (ATC) 63
Adding engine oil 143
Adding washer fluid 142 Adjust the backrest 46 Adjusting steering wheel 49 Air distribution 102
Air flow 103
Air jets 100
Air pressure 132
Airbags 55
Alarm system 40
Deactivating in an
emergency 41
Antenna diversity 186
Antifreeze 146
Antifreeze, radiator 128, 146
Antilock Brake System (ABS) 125
Anti-theft alarm system 32, 40
Approved gross vehicle weight 196
Aquaplaning 123, 132
Armrest 111
ASC+T (Automatic Stability Control plus Traction) 92 Ashtray 114
AUC (Automatic recirculatedair control) 103
Audio System 78
Automatic car washes 150
Automatic climate
control 100
Automatic climate control, removing window
condensation 102
Automatic recirculated-air control (AUC) 103
Automatic Soft-Close
feature 38
Automatic Stability Control plus Traction (ASC+T) 92
Automatic steering wheel adjustment 49
Automatic transmission 62
Automatic transmission with Steptronic 65
Automatic windshield
washer 69
Average fuel consumption 85
Average speed 86
Axle loads 196
B
Backup lamps, bulb replacement 166
Battery 173, 198
Battery capacity 198
Battery change, radio remote control 168
Battery charge current 20
Battery, discharged 179
Battery, removal and
installation 175
Belts 54
Beverage holders 113
Blower 103
Body-cavity protectant 151
Brake faults 128
Brake fluid 147
Brake hydraulic system 20
Brake lamps, bulb
replacement 166
Brakes 126
Break-in procedure 122
Break-resistant security glass, care 153
Bulb replacement 163
C
Car jack 170
Car Memory 53
Car radio reception 131, 186 Car telephone 113
Car wash 150
Care, exterior 152
Care, interior 154
Caring for the vehicle
finish 152
Caring for your car 150 Catalytic converter 124 Cellular phone 131
Center (high-mount) brake
lamp 166
Central locking system 32 Central locking system,
button 36
Changing a wheel 170 Charge indicator lamp 20 Charging the battery 174 Check Control 75
CHECK key 75
Checking the engine oil 143 Checking tire pressure 26 Child restraints 57
Childproof door locks 58 Cigarette lighter 115
Clock,
refer to Digital clock 79 Code 88
Refer to the Radio Owner’s
Manuel
Codes, tires 134
Coin tray 113
Cold start 60
Comfort seats 47
Connecting a car vacuum
cleaner 115
Consumption display 73 Contour seat 48
Convenience operating mode
for windows and sliding/tilt
roof 32
Convenience operating mode
for windows and sliding/tilt
sunroof 33
Convenience starting 59 Coolant 146
Coolant temperature
gauge 74
Coolant, antifreeze 128 Cooling system, capacity 197 Cruise control 70
Cruising range 85
D
Daytime-driving light
switch 96
DBC (Dynamic Brake
Control) 127
Defrosting, windows 102
Digital clock 79
Digital sound processor 187
Dimensions 195
Dimming feature, interior rearview mirror 50
Dipstick, engine oil 143
Disc brakes 126
Disconnect the battery 175
Displacement 194
Displays 18
Distance 86
Distance warning 90
Door key 30
Door warning lamps, bulb replacement 167
Doors, emergency release 32
Doors, radio remote
control 33
Drink holders 113
Drive belts 198
Driving notes 123
DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) 92
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC) 127
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) 92
E
EDC (Electronic Damper Control) 93
Electric power windows 42
Electric rear seat
adjustment 48
Electric steering wheel adjustment 49
Electrical accessories, failure 176
Electrical system 198
Electronic Damper Control (EDC) 93
Electronic immobilizer 31
Emergency deactivation of the alarm system 41
Emergency release
doors 32
fuel filler door 178
luggage compartment lid 37
sliding/tilt sunroof 178
Energy Control 73
Engine coolant 146
Engine data 194
Engine oil consumption 143
Engine oil pressure 20
Engine oil specifications 144
Estimated time of arrival 87
Exterior door handles,
lighted 33
Exterior finish, care 151, 152
F
Failure messages 75 First-aid kit 24
Fittings for tow-starting
and towing 180
Flashlight 111
Flat tires 132
Fluid, power steering 148 Fog lamps 97
bulb replacement 165 switch 97
Footwell lamps 98
Footwell lamps, bulb
replacement 167
For wheelslip control, refer to ASC+T/DSC 92
Front armrest 112
Front seat adjustment 46
Fuel 25
Fuel consumption
indicator 73
Fuel filler door 25
Fuel filler door,
manual release after electrical fault 178
Fuel gauge 73
Fuel specifications 25
Fuel tank capacity 197
Fuel, average fuel
consumption 85
Fuses 176
G
Gasoline 25
Glove compartment 110 Glove compartment lamp,
bulb replacement 167 Gross vehicle weight 196
H
Hand brake, refer to Parking brake 61
Handsfree system 113
Hazard warning triangle 24 Headlamp flasher 68
Headlamp washer
system 142
Headlamp washers 69
Heated seats 106
Heated steering wheel 106
Heating and ventilation 100
Heating during a stop 104
Height 195
HiFi system 187
High beam headlamps, bulb replacement 164
High beams 68
Hood release 137
Horn 23
I
Ice warning 72
Ignition key 30
Ignition switch 59
Independent ventilation
system 107
Indicator lamps 20
Inflation pressures 26, 132 INSPECTION 74
Instrument cluster 18
Instrument lighting 96
Integrated Universal Remote
Control 108
Interior door handles,
lighted 36, 96
Interior lamps 32, 97
Interior lamps, bulb
replacement 167
Interior lamps,
radio remote control 34 Interior motion sensor 40 Interior rearview mirror,
automatic dimming 50 Intermittent wipe switch 68
J
Jump starting 179
K
Key Memory 53 Keys 30
Kickdown 63, 66
L
Lashing eyes 39, 118
Leather care 154
Length 195
Level control system 148 License plate lamps, bulb
replacement 166
Light switch 96
Lighted exterior door handles
32 , 33
Lighted interior door handles
36, 96
LIGHTS ON warning 96 Limit 87
Loading 118
Load-securing devices 118 Locking and unlocking the doors 32
Locks, care 128
Low beam headlamps, bulb replacement 164
Low beams 96
Low-fuel warning lamp 73 Lug bolts 171
Luggage compartment 37, 39 Nets 39
Luggage compartment lamps, bulb
replacement 167
Luggage compartment lid 37 Luggage compartment lid, Automatic Soft-Close 38 Luggage compartment lid, manual operation 37 Luggage compartment nets 39
Luggage compartment, emergency release 37 Luggage compartment, locking separately 37 Luggage compartment, radio remote control 34
Luggage rack 118
Luggage straps 39
Lumbar support 47
M
Maintenance 74, 149
Malfunction displays 75 Manually controlled
recirculated-air 103
Master key 30
Memory 51, 53
MFL (Multi-function steering
wheel) 23
Microfilter 105
MID (Multi-Information
Display) 78
Mirror defrosting 50
Mirror memory 51
Mirrors 50
Modifications,
technical 6, 157
Multi-function armrest 112 Multi-function steering wheel
(MFL) 23
Multi-Information Display (MID) 78
N
New transmitter, radio remote control 168
Nozzles 100
O
OBD connector 158 Odometer 72
Oil additives 143 Oil consumption 143 Oil level check 143 Oil pressure,
indicator lamp 20 Oil specifications 144 Oil, Engine oil
Capacities 197
OILSERVICE 74
Onboard computer 84 Onboard tool kit 162 Opening the luggage
compartment from the inside 38
Outside mirrors 50
Outside temperature display 72
P
Paint blemishes,
exterior dirt 152
Park Distance Control (PDC) 90
Parking aid 90
Parking brake 61
Parking in winter 130
PDC (Park Distance Control) 90
Playing cassettes
Refer to the
Radio Owner’s Manuel
Playing CDs
Refer to the
Radio Owner’s Manuel
Pocket light 111
Power seat adjustment 46
Power steering 130
Power steering fluid 148
Power windows 42
Pressure, tires 26, 132
Pushbutton for central locking system 36
R
Radio
Car radio
Refer to the separate Owner’s Manuel
Radio reception 131, 186 Radio remote control 33 Radio remote control,
battery change 168
Radio remote control, new transmitter 168
Rain sensor 68, 150
RDC (Tire Pressure
Control) 94
Reading lamps 98
Rear passenger-area air conditioning 105
Rear seat adjustment, electric 48
Rear seat heating 106 Rear window blind 107 Rear window defroster 70
Rear-seat control
Front passenger’s seat 112 Onboard computer 112 Radio 112
Rear window blind 112 Telephone 112
Rearview mirrors 50
Refueling 25
Remote control for onboard computer 89
Removing condensation, windows 102
Replacement keys 30
Replacing tires 133
Residual heat 104
Roof luggage rack 118
Roof weight rating 196
Rubber seals and
components 154
S
Safety belt tensioner 187 Safety belts 54
Safety lock buttons 36 Screw-on valve stem
caps 134
Seat adjustment 46
Seat heating 106
Seat memory 51
Seat, power 46
Securing cargo 118
Selector lever, automatic
transmission 62, 65 Service and Warranty
Information Booklet 149 Service Interval Display
74, 149
Servotronic 130
Shoulder support 47
Shutting off the engine 60 Ski bag 116
Skid control 130
Sliding/Tilt sunroof 44
Sliding/Tilt sunroof with glass
moonroof 45
Sliding/Tilt sunroof, closing
after electrical fault 178 Sliding/Tilt sunroof,
convenience operating
mode 32
Sliding/Tilt sunroof, radio
remote control 33
Slippery roads 129
Snow chains 129, 135 Socket 115
Spare key 30
Spare tire 171
Spark plugs 198
Speaker 113
Special oils 144
Speed limit warning 87 Speedometer 19
Starting assistance 179 Starting the engine 59 Steering 130
Steering lock 59
Steering wheel adjustment,
automatic 49
Steering wheel lock 59 Steering wheel memory 51 Steering wheel, heated 106 Steptronic 65
Stopping the vehicle 60 Storage facilities 113
Sun visors 51
Symbols 4, 173
T
Tachometer 72
Tail lamps 166
Tail lamps,
bulb replacement 166 Tank capacity 197
Technical modifications
6 , 157
Telephone
Refer to Car telephone 131 Telephone hookup 113 Temperature adjustment 103 Temperature display, engine
coolant 74
Temperature display,
outside temperature 72 Third brake lamp 166
Tilt alarm 41
Tire code 134
Tire damage 132
Tire failure 170
Tire inflation pressure 26, 132 Tire Pressure Control
(RDC) 94
Tire replacement 133
Tire tread 132
Tires, specifications 136 Tools 162
Topping up the windshield/
washer fluid reservoir 142 Torque 194
Towing eyes 180
Towing the vehicle 180 Tow-starting 180
Track circle 195
Transmission 62, 65
Tread depth, tires 132 Trip odometer 72
Trunk lid, refer to luggage
compartment lid 37
Turn signal 22, 68
Turn signals, bulb
replacement 165, 166 Turning circle 195
U
Universal Remote Control 108
Used batteries 175
V
Vanity mirrors 51
Vehicle battery 173
Vehicle identification 148 Vehicle Identification
Number 148
Vehicle storage 156
Ventilation outlet,
ventilation 100
Ventilation, draft-free 104 Voice input 23
W
Warning lamp “Please fasten safety belts” 21
Warning lamps 20
Warnings 75
Washer system 68
Washing your car 150
Water on the roads
Flooding 123
Waxing, finish 152
Weights 196
Wheel lug wrench 171
Wheel rims 134
Wheelbase 195
Wheels and tires 134, 136