INCORRECT FUELLING PROTECTION SYSTEM AS STANDARD FOR ALL BMW DIESEL MODELS

Munich. BMW is the first car manufacturer to equip all new diesel-powered
models with an Incorrect Fuelling Protection System as standard equipment. The
innovative system helps prevent cases of misfuelling at the pump and its
far-reaching consequences. A special mechanism fitted to the filler neck
prevents drivers from accidentally inserting the fuel filler nozzle of a
standard unleaded gasoline pump into the filler neck of a diesel-powered car.
This technology has been tried-and-tested in a variety of BMW models with
diesel engines and will now be fitted to all diesel-powered BMW models,
including the 335d Sedan and X5 xDrive35d now on sale in the US, right from the
factory.

Every year, the German AA has to provide technical support in more than 5,000
cases of diesel misfuelling. Rectifying the consequences of incorrect fuelling
is not just time consuming, it may also involve major costs. Even if the driver
realizes their mistake before starting the engine, emptying and cleaning the
fuel tank, pipes and the pump as well as changing the filter will be
unavoidable.

The high number of cases of misfuelling shows that just a short moment of
inattention suffices to select the wrong fuel filler nozzle at the gas station.
Particularly drivers who frequently use different cars from rental companies or
company fleets often have to pay extra attention - more so, since the
performance profile and acoustic insulation measures of modern diesel engines
reduce the differences between diesel and gasoline-powered engines to a
minimum. The difference in fuel filler nozzle diameter often prevents
accidentally filling petrol engines with their narrower filler neck with diesel
fuel, but during hasty filling manoeuvres, the filler nozzle for unleaded
gasoline can easily and mistakenly be inserted into the filler neck of standard
diesel models.

However BMW will help drivers to avoid making this mistake. The Incorrect
Fuelling Protection System fitted to all BMW diesel-powered models is designed
to allow only filler nozzles for diesel fuel to enter the filler neck. The
filler neck of these models is fitted with a locking system that can only be
released by a standardized diesel filler nozzle. An unleaded gasoline nozzle
with its smaller diameter cannot make the same connection and its access is
blocked.

The Incorrect Fuelling Protection System is also designed for fuelling under
exceptional circumstances, when the diesel-powered model may have to be fuelled
from a spare can. Narrow recesses on the outer walls of the filler neck allow
the introduction of smaller amounts of fuel. Using a container for re-fuelling
requires extra care, which serves to remind the driver of ensuring that they
use the right type of fuel.

For questions please contact:

Corporate Communications

Wieland Bruch, Product Communications BMW Automobiles
Telephone: +49-89-382-29621, Fax: +49-89-382-20626

Dirk Arnold, Product Communications BMW Automobiles
Telephone: +49-89-382-12325, Fax: +49-89-382-20626

Thomas Plucinsky, BMW Product Communications (US)
Telephone: (201) 307-3783, e-mail: thomas.plucinsky@bmwna.com

David J. Buchko, BMW Product Communications (US)
Telephone: (201) 307-3709, e-mail: dave.buchko@bmwna.com

Matthew Russell, BMW Product Communications (US)
Telephone: (201) 3307-3755, e-mail: matthew.russell@bmwna.com