Schedule of current maintenance (BMW 5 Series E28)

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 schedule is based on the manufacturer's recommendations, the intervals between most of the procedures can be shortened at the owner's discretion, for example, checking and changing lubricants and fluids should be done at intervals that ensure maximum engine or drive life. In addition, if the owner is interested in keeping the vehicle in maximum operating condition for possible resale, many procedures can be performed more frequently. We welcome such an initiative.

Initial servicing and inspection of a new vehicle must be performed at a dealership service station to meet the warranty conditions. In most cases, this inspection is free of charge (for further information, please contact the company's dealership).

Weekly or every 400 km (whichever comes first)

• Check the engine oil level (Section Checking fluid levels)
• Check the engine coolant level (Section Checking fluid levels)
• Check the brake fluid level (Section Checking fluid levels)
• Check the clutch fluid level (Section Checking fluid levels)
• Check the windshield washer fluid level (Section Checking fluid levels)
• Check the condition and pressure of your tires (Section Checking the condition of the tires and their pressure)

Twice a year or every 10,000 km (whichever comes first)

All of the above, plus:

• Replace the engine oil and oil filter (Section Changing engine oil and oil filter)
• Check the power steering fluid level (Section Checking the power steering fluid level)
• Check tires and rotate them as necessary (Section Wheel rotation)
• Check the AT fluid level (Section Checking the Automatic Transmission Fluid Level)
• Check the condition of the hoses in the engine compartment (Section Checking the condition and replacing the engine compartment hoses)
• Check the condition and adjust the tension of the drive belts (Section Checking the condition, adjusting the tension and replacing the drive belts)
• Check the engine idle speed and CO content (Section Checking and adjusting engine idle speed and CO levels)

Annually or every 20,000 km

All of the above, plus:

• Check and maintain the battery (Section Checking battery condition, care and charging)
• Check the spark plugs (Section Checking and replacing spark plugs)
• Check and replace if necessary the high voltage wires, distributor cap and rotor (Section Checking and replacing spark plug wires, cover and distributor rotor)
• Check the transmission oil level of the manual transmission and top up if necessary (Section Checking the oil level in a manual transmission)
• Check the differential fluid level (Section Checking the differential fluid level)
• Check and adjust valve clearances if necessary (does not apply to M40 engines) (Chapter Checking and adjusting valve clearances)
• Check the condition and lubricate the throttle actuator (Section Checking and lubricating the throttle linkage)
• Replace the air filter (Section Replacing the air filter)
• Check the operation of the fuel system (Section Checking the fuel system)
• Check the cooling system (Section Checking the functioning of the cooling system)
• Check the condition of the exhaust system (Section Checking the condition of the exhaust system)
• Check the steering and suspension system components (Section Checking the condition of suspension and steering components)
• Check the condition of the drive shaft boots (Section Checking the condition of the protective covers of the drive shafts)
• Check the operation of the brake system (Section Checking the brake system)
• Inspect and replace windshield wiper blades if necessary (Section Checking the condition and replacing the windshield wipers)

Every two years or every 40,000 km (whichever comes first)

All of the above, plus:

• Replace the AT transmission fluid and filter (Section Replacement of transmission fluid and filter AT)
• Drain, flush and fill the cooling system (Section Draining, flushing and filling the cooling system)
• Replace the spark plugs (Section Checking and replacing spark plugs)
• Check/replace spark plug wires (Section Checking and replacing spark plug wires, cover and distributor rotor)
• Replace the fuel filter (Section Replacing the fuel filter)
• Replace the manual transmission oil (SectionManual Transmission Oil Change)
• Replace the differential fluid (Section Replacing differential fluid)
• Check the evaporative emission system, where equipped (Section Checking the operation of the evaporative emission system (EVAP))
• Configure the warning lamp to remind you when scheduled maintenance is due (Section Setting up the scheduled maintenance warning light (SMW))
• Replace the brake fluid and then bleed the system (see chapter Brake system)
• Check the operation of the parking brake (see chapter Brake system)

Every 96,000 km

• Replace the timing belt (Section Replacing the engine timing belt)

Maintenance work

Engine bay components (left side view) of a 1988 UK model

Engine Compartment Components (right view) models built in 1988 for the United Kingdom

Bottom view of the front of a 1988 UK model car

Typical view of the rear of the car's underbody