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Vehicle Maintenance BMW 5 Series E28
This section has been written to help the car owner keep their vehicle in peak performance, economy, safety and reliability. Below you will find a complete schedule of routine vehicle maintenance procedures, as well as Sections dedicated to the description of the maintenance of its individual systems. Sections include descriptions of visual inspections, adjustments, component replacements, and other helpful tips. The location of the individual components will help to determine the illustrations with views of the engine compartment and the bottom of the car. By servicing your vehicle in accordance with the mileage schedule and following the detailed instructions below, you will have a clear maintenance program that can ensure the long and reliable life of your vehicle. Remember that this plan is exhaustive, and the implementation of some of its points and the neglect of others will not give the expected result.
Table of sizes and adjustment data
Fuel consumption according to DIN 70 030/1 ECE BMW 520i BMW 520i Touring BMW 525i 5-speed gearbox AT 5-speed gearbox AT 5-speed gearbox AT At 90 km/h l/100...
Fuel consumption according to DIN 70 030/1 ECE BMW 520i BMW 520i Touring BMW 525i 5-speed gearbox AT 5-speed gearbox AT 5-speed gearbox AT At 90 km/h l/100...
On-board diagnostics system — operating principle and fault codes
Information about diagnostic devices The proper functioning of injection system components and exhaust gas toxicity reduction is checked using a universal...
Information about diagnostic devices The proper functioning of injection system components and exhaust gas toxicity reduction is checked using a universal...
Schedule of current maintenance
The suggested recommendations assume that the vehicle is serviced by the owner, as opposed to having the vehicle serviced by a BMW dealer. Although this...
The suggested recommendations assume that the vehicle is serviced by the owner, as opposed to having the vehicle serviced by a BMW dealer. Although this...
Routine car maintenance
As you service your vehicle, you'll soon discover that you can - and should - combine many procedures because of the similarities in the steps involved. For...
As you service your vehicle, you'll soon discover that you can - and should - combine many procedures because of the similarities in the steps involved. For...
General information about the setup
The term "setup" is used in this manual to refer to a set of procedures rather than to a single procedure. If the routine maintenance schedule is strictly...
The term "setup" is used in this manual to refer to a set of procedures rather than to a single procedure. If the routine maintenance schedule is strictly...
Checking fluid levels
Weekly or every 400 km (whichever comes first). The following procedures are used to check the liquid level every 400 km or weekly. Other fluid level checks...
Weekly or every 400 km (whichever comes first). The following procedures are used to check the liquid level every 400 km or weekly. Other fluid level checks...
Checking the condition of the tires and their pressure
Weekly or every 400 km (whichever comes first). Regularly checking your tires will help you avoid the hassle of being stopped on the road due to a flat tire....
Weekly or every 400 km (whichever comes first). Regularly checking your tires will help you avoid the hassle of being stopped on the road due to a flat tire....
Changing engine oil and oil filter
Twice a year or every 10,000 km (whichever comes first). These tools are necessary to change the engine oil and oil filter. 1 — Drainage tank - should not be...
Twice a year or every 10,000 km (whichever comes first). These tools are necessary to change the engine oil and oil filter. 1 — Drainage tank - should not be...
Checking the power steering fluid level
Twice a year or every 10,000 km (whichever comes first). Check the power steering fluid level periodically to avoid vehicle handling problems such as damage to...
Twice a year or every 10,000 km (whichever comes first). Check the power steering fluid level periodically to avoid vehicle handling problems such as damage to...
Checking the Automatic Transmission Fluid Level
Twice a year or every 10,000 km (whichever comes first). Using a transmission fluid other than that specified in Table of sizes and adjustment data at the end...
Twice a year or every 10,000 km (whichever comes first). Using a transmission fluid other than that specified in Table of sizes and adjustment data at the end...
Wheel rotation
Twice a year or every 10,000 km (whichever comes first). Rotation can be done either through the methods specified in Chapter Routine car maintenance...
Twice a year or every 10,000 km (whichever comes first). Rotation can be done either through the methods specified in Chapter Routine car maintenance...
Checking the condition and replacing the engine compartment hoses
Twice a year or every 10,000 km (whichever comes first). Air conditioning hoses should be replaced at a dealer service station or a specialized workshop...
Twice a year or every 10,000 km (whichever comes first). Air conditioning hoses should be replaced at a dealer service station or a specialized workshop...
Checking the condition, adjusting the tension and replacing the drive belts
Twice a year or every 10,000 km (whichever comes first). Checking the status Drive belts, sometimes called V-belts or simply fan belts, are located at the...
Twice a year or every 10,000 km (whichever comes first). Checking the status Drive belts, sometimes called V-belts or simply fan belts, are located at the...
Checking and adjusting engine idle speed and CO levels
Twice a year or every 10,000 km (whichever comes first). The engine must be warmed up to normal operating temperature, with the ignition timing correctly set...
Twice a year or every 10,000 km (whichever comes first). The engine must be warmed up to normal operating temperature, with the ignition timing correctly set...
Checking battery condition, care and charging
Annually or every 20,000 km. Tools and materials needed for battery maintenance. 1 — Face shield/safety glasses - when removing traces of corrosion with a...
Annually or every 20,000 km. Tools and materials needed for battery maintenance. 1 — Face shield/safety glasses - when removing traces of corrosion with a...
Checking and replacing spark plugs
Annually or every 20,000 km. Tools needed to replace spark plugs. 1 — Spark plug wrench head - equipped with a special soft insert to protect the porcelain...
Annually or every 20,000 km. Tools needed to replace spark plugs. 1 — Spark plug wrench head - equipped with a special soft insert to protect the porcelain...
Checking and replacing spark plug wires, cover and distributor rotor
Annually or every 20,000 km. The condition of the spark plug wires should be checked regularly at the recommended intervals and each time the spark plugs are...
Annually or every 20,000 km. The condition of the spark plug wires should be checked regularly at the recommended intervals and each time the spark plugs are...
Checking the oil level in a manual transmission
Annually or every 20,000 km. There is an oil filler/measurement plug on the transmission that must be removed to check the oil level. If the vehicle is raised...
Annually or every 20,000 km. There is an oil filler/measurement plug on the transmission that must be removed to check the oil level. If the vehicle is raised...
Checking the differential fluid level
Annually or every 20,000 km. There is a filler/level plug on the differential housing that must be removed to check the fluid level. If the vehicle is raised...
Annually or every 20,000 km. There is a filler/level plug on the differential housing that must be removed to check the fluid level. If the vehicle is raised...
Checking and adjusting valve clearances
Annually or every 20,000 km. This procedure does not apply to the M10 engine, which has automatic regulators. Valve clearances can be checked with either a hot...
Annually or every 20,000 km. This procedure does not apply to the M10 engine, which has automatic regulators. Valve clearances can be checked with either a hot...
Checking and lubricating the throttle linkage
Annually or every 20,000 km. To ensure proper operation of the throttle linkage, it should be periodically inspected and lubricated. 1. Check the drive rod to...
Annually or every 20,000 km. To ensure proper operation of the throttle linkage, it should be periodically inspected and lubricated. 1. Check the drive rod to...
Replacing the air filter
Annually or every 20,000 km. Carburetor engines 1. Release the spring clips, then loosen the center nut and remove the cover. 2. Remove the filter element and...
Annually or every 20,000 km. Carburetor engines 1. Release the spring clips, then loosen the center nut and remove the cover. 2. Remove the filter element and...
Checking the fuel system
Annually or every 20,000 km. Gasoline is highly flammable, so special precautions should be taken when working with any fuel system components. Do not smoke or...
Annually or every 20,000 km. Gasoline is highly flammable, so special precautions should be taken when working with any fuel system components. Do not smoke or...
Checking the functioning of the cooling system
Annually or every 20,000 km. Many serious engine malfunctions are related to cooling system malfunctions. If the car is equipped with an automatic...
Annually or every 20,000 km. Many serious engine malfunctions are related to cooling system malfunctions. If the car is equipped with an automatic...
Checking the condition of the exhaust system
Annually or every 20,000 km. The check should be done with a cold engine, so it is best to do it before the first trip of the day or no sooner than three hours...
Annually or every 20,000 km. The check should be done with a cold engine, so it is best to do it before the first trip of the day or no sooner than three hours...
Checking the condition of suspension and steering components
Annually or every 20,000 km. Steering and suspension components should be inspected regularly. Worn or damaged steering and suspension components can cause...
Annually or every 20,000 km. Steering and suspension components should be inspected regularly. Worn or damaged steering and suspension components can cause...
Checking the condition of the protective covers of the drive shafts
Annually or every 20,000 km. Protective covers of drive shafts are very important elements, as they protect constant velocity joints (CV joints) from dirt,...
Annually or every 20,000 km. Protective covers of drive shafts are very important elements, as they protect constant velocity joints (CV joints) from dirt,...
Checking the brake system
Annually or every 20,000 km. Dust from lining wear that collects on brake components may contain asbestos, which is hazardous to health. Do not blow out this...
Annually or every 20,000 km. Dust from lining wear that collects on brake components may contain asbestos, which is hazardous to health. Do not blow out this...
Checking the condition and replacing the windshield wipers
Annually or every 20,000 km. Over time, road film builds up on windshield wipers, reducing their effectiveness, so wipers should be washed regularly in a mild...
Annually or every 20,000 km. Over time, road film builds up on windshield wipers, reducing their effectiveness, so wipers should be washed regularly in a mild...
Replacing transmission fluid and automatic transmission filter
Every 38,000 km or every two years. The transmission fluid should be changed at certain time/mileage intervals. Since the fluid remains hot for quite a long...
Every 38,000 km or every two years. The transmission fluid should be changed at certain time/mileage intervals. Since the fluid remains hot for quite a long...
Draining, flushing and filling the cooling system
Every 38,000 km or every two years. Do not allow antifreeze to come into contact with your skin or painted surfaces of your vehicle. If it does come into...
Every 38,000 km or every two years. Do not allow antifreeze to come into contact with your skin or painted surfaces of your vehicle. If it does come into...
Replacing the fuel filter
Every 38,000 km or every two years. Gasoline is highly flammable, so special precautions should be taken when working with any fuel system components. Do not...
Every 38,000 km or every two years. Gasoline is highly flammable, so special precautions should be taken when working with any fuel system components. Do not...
Manual Transmission Oil Change
Every 38,000 km or every two years. The tools needed for this job include axle stands to support the vehicle in a raised position, a socket wrench to loosen...
Every 38,000 km or every two years. The tools needed for this job include axle stands to support the vehicle in a raised position, a socket wrench to loosen...
Replacing differential fluid
Every 38,000 km or every two years. 1. Before starting work, let the vehicle drive for a few kilometers to warm up the differential lubricant, then jack up the...
Every 38,000 km or every two years. 1. Before starting work, let the vehicle drive for a few kilometers to warm up the differential lubricant, then jack up the...
Checking the operation of the evaporative emission system (EVAP)
Every 38,000 km or every two years. The EVAP system performs the function of removing fuel vapors from the fuel tank and fuel system, concentrating them in a...
Every 38,000 km or every two years. The EVAP system performs the function of removing fuel vapors from the fuel tank and fuel system, concentrating them in a...
Setting up the scheduled maintenance warning light (SMW)
Every 38,000 km or every two years. Warning lights to indicate when scheduled maintenance is due All models described in this Manual are equipped with various...
Every 38,000 km or every two years. Warning lights to indicate when scheduled maintenance is due All models described in this Manual are equipped with various...
Replacing the engine timing belt
Every 96,000 km. This procedure is not included in the manufacturer's maintenance schedule, but is highly recommended as a precaution against timing belt...
Every 96,000 km. This procedure is not included in the manufacturer's maintenance schedule, but is highly recommended as a precaution against timing belt...
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