check engine light BMW 1 SERIES 2010 User Guide

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
133
Automatic transmission
Selector lever in position N.
Changing the selector lever position, refer to
page50.
Do not exceed a towing speed of 45 mph/
70 km/h and a towing distance of
90 miles/150 km; otherwise, the automatic
transmission may be damaged.<
Towing methods
Do not lift the vehicle by a tow fitting or
body and chassis parts; otherwise, dam-
age may result.<
With a tow bar
The towing vehicle must not be lighter
than the towed vehicle; otherwise, it may
be impossible to maintain control.<
The tow fittings used should be on the same
side on both vehicles. Should it prove impossi-
ble to avoid mounting the tow bar at an angle,
please observe the following:
>Clearance and maneuvering capability will
be sharply limited during cornering.
>The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it is
attached offset.
Attach the tow bar to the tow fittings only,
as attaching it to other parts of the vehicle
could result in damage.<
With a tow rope
When starting off in the towing vehicle, make
sure that the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated
stresses on vehicle components when
towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Attach the tow rope to the tow fittings only, as
attaching it to other parts of the vehicle could
result in damage.<
With a tow truck
Have the BMW transported with a tow truck
with a so-called lift bar, or on a flatbed.
Do not tow the vehicle with just the rear axle
raised as this may cause the steering to turn.
Tow-starting
Avoid tow-starting the vehicle whenever possi-
ble; instead, jump-start the engine, refer to
page131. Vehicles with a catalytic converter
should only be tow-started when the engine is
cold, vehicles with an automatic transmission
cannot be tow-started at all.
1.Switch on the hazard warning flashers,
comply with local regulations.
2.Switch on the ignition, refer to page47.
3.Shift into 3rd gear.
4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch
depressed all the way and slowly release
the clutch. After the engine starts, immedi-
ately depress the clutch completely again.
5.Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow
bar or rope and switch off the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
6.Have the vehicle checked.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
135
Roadside parking lamps still on Switch off the roadside parking lamps,
refer to page76.
Door open
Engine compartment lid open
Trunk lid open
Lights up in red:
Convertible top not locked Automatic lock malfunctioning. Lock
the convertible top manually, refer to
page32. Have it checked by your BMW
center.
Electronic failure when closing con-
vertible topClose the convertible top manually,
refer to page32. Have it checked by
your BMW center.
Lights up in yellow:
Cargo area partition not in lowermost
position. Convertible top cannot be
movedFold the cargo area partition down.
Vehicle speed too high for convertible
top movementReduce speed to below 30 mph/
50 km/h and continue convertible top
movement.
Convertible top drive overheated Close the convertible top immediately
and let the convertible top drive cool.
After cooling, the convertible top can
be opened electrically again.
Rollover protection system malfunc-
tioningHave the rollover protection system
checked by your nearest BMW center.
Gas cap is open Make sure that the gas cap is correctly
positioned and close it until it audibly
clicks. Do not jam the strap between
the gas cap and the vehicle.
Windshield washer fluid level too low Add washer fluid as soon as possible,
refer to page53.
12Cause Special actions to be taken

Indicator and warning lamps
136Lights up in red:
Service due Arrange a service appointment.
Check service requirements, refer to
page61.
Lights up in yellow:
The engine will start the next time the
start/stop button is touched, possibly
without the brake or clutch being
depressed
Remote control malfunctioning or, in
cars with Comfort Access, not presentThe engine cannot be started. Have the
remote control checked, if necessary.
Battery of remote control discharged Use the remote control for a longer
journey or, in cars with Comfort
Access, replace the battery.
Belt tensioners and/or airbag system
failedHave the system checked immediately.
Active steering defective You can continue your journey.
Steering characteristics are modified
and steering wheel could be off-center.
Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
Steering assistance failed Markedly different steering response.
You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution.
Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
Lights up:
Emergency Request system has failed
or is malfunctioningHave the system checked as soon as
possible.
Lights up in red:
Engine malfunction Stop the car and switch off the engine.
You cannot continue your journey.
Contact your BMW center.
Lights up in yellow:
Full engine power is no longer available You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the engine checked as
soon as possible.
12Cause Special actions to be taken

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
137
Indication in US models:
Warning lamp flashes:
Engine malfunction under high load.
High engine load will result in damage
to the catalytic converterYou can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the vehicle checked
without delay.
Warning lamp comes on:
Engine malfunction with adverse effect
on emissionsHave the car checked as soon as possi-
ble.
Indication in Canadian models:
Warning lamp flashes:
Engine malfunction under high load.
High engine load will result in damage
to the catalytic converterYou can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the vehicle checked
without delay.
Warning lamp comes on:
Engine malfunction with adverse effect
on emissionsHave the car checked as soon as possi-
ble.
Lights up in red:
Engine overheating Carefully bring the car to a stop, switch
off the engine and allow it to cool down.
Do not open the hood; otherwise, there
is a risk of injury from scalding. Contact
your BMW center.
Lights up in yellow:
Engine too hot Continue driving at more moderate
speed so that the engine can cool
down. Have the engine checked with-
out delay if the situation reoccurs.
Lights up in red:
Battery is no longer being charged.
Alternator malfunctionSwitch off all unnecessary electrical
consumers. Have the vehicle's power
supply system checked immediately.
Lights up in yellow:
Battery charge level very low, battery
aged or not securely connectedHave the battery checked as soon as
possible.
Engine oil pressure too low Stop immediately and switch off the
engine. You cannot continue your jour-
ney. Contact your BMW center.
Engine oil level too low Add engine oil immediately; refer to
page115 for more information.
12Cause Special actions to be taken

Indicator and warning lamps
138Indication in US models:
Parking brake applied
Indication in Canadian models:
Parking brake applied
Indication in US models
Lights up in red:
Brake fluid level too low Reduced braking effect, stop the car
carefully. Contact your BMW center.
Lights up in yellow:
Drive-off assistant has failed. The car
will not be held in place after the brake
is releasedHave the system checked as soon as
possible.
Indication in Canadian models
Lights up in red:
Brake fluid level too low Reduced braking effect, stop the car
carefully. Contact your BMW center.
Lights up in yellow:
Drive-off assistant has failed. The car
will not be held in place after the brake
is releasedHave the system checked as soon as
possible.
Indication in US models:
Brake pads wornHave the condition of the brake pads
checked without delay.
Indication in Canadian models:
Brake pads wornHave the condition of the brake pads
checked without delay.
Lights up in red: Have the system in question checked
without delay.
>Starter failed or The engine cannot be restarted.
>Ignition malfunctioning. Engine
restart only possible when brake is
depressed or
>lighting system failed. Low beams/
tail lamps and brake lamps still
operational. All other lamps failedDepress the brake to restart the engine.
Lights up in yellow:
>Control of the brake lamps failed or
>fuel supply malfunctioning, or
>electrical system of trailer hitch
*
failedYou can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the system in question
checked without delay.
12Cause Special actions to be taken

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
141
Vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitor*:
Light up in yellow:
>Tire Pressure Monitor not initialized Check the inflation pressure and reset
the system, refer to page68.
The small lamp flashes in yellow and
then lights up continuously; the larger
lamp comes on in yellow:
>Tire Pressure Monitor has failed.
Punctures are not indicatedHave the system checked.
>A wheel without TPM electronics
has been mountedHave the system checked.
>Interference from systems or
devices that use the same radio fre-
quency. The system automatically
reactivates once it is outside of the
field of interference
Lights up in red:
>Transmission limp-home program
active with restricted range of
gears, possibly with reduced accel-
eration. You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the system checked
without delay.
Gears can be engaged without
depressing the brakeAlways depress the brake to engage a
gear.
Lights up in yellow: Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
>Automatic selector lever locked:
Selector lever locked in position P
with engine running and brake
depressed orOverride the selector lever lock, refer to
page51.
>Brake signal malfunctioning: gear
can be engaged without depress-
ing the brakeAlways depress the brake to engage a
gear. Before leaving the vehicle, move
the selector lever to position P and
switch off the engine.
12Cause Special actions to be taken

Indicator and warning lamps
142Lights up in red:
Transmission overheating Bring the car to a stop and move the
selector lever to position P. Allow the
transmission to cool down. You can
continue your journey, but moderate
your speed and exercise due caution.
Have the system checked if the situa-
tion reoccurs.
Lights up in yellow:
Transmission too hot Avoid high engine loads. You can con-
tinue your journey, but moderate your
speed and exercise due caution.
Selector lever position P not engaged.
Vehicle not prevented from rolling
Selector lever position P not engaged.
Ignition cannot be switched offEngage selector lever position P when
you wish to switch off the ignition, refer
to page47.
Pinch protection system of the power
windows malfunctioningHave the system checked.
Pinch protection system of the electric
glass roof malfunctioningHave the system checked.
Cruise control system failed You can continue your journey. Have
the system checked.
Park Distance Control failed Have the system checked.
>High-beam assistant inactive Clean the sensor field on the front of
the interior rearview mirror, refer to
page77.
>High-beam assistant malfunction-
ingHave the system checked by your near-
est BMW center.
>Sensitivity of the high-beam assis-
tant has been changedThere is a risk that oncoming traffic
may be blinded. Have the system
checked by your nearest BMW center.
Bulb of exterior lighting system failed Have the exterior lighting checked as
soon as possible.
Low-beam headlamp or fog lamp failed Have the low beams checked as soon
as possible.
High-beam headlamp failed Have the high-beam headlamps
checked.
12Cause Special actions to be taken

Everything from A to Z
152
Everything from A to Z
Index
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System64
Accessories, refer to The
individual vehicle5
Accident, reporting, refer to
Emergency Request130
Activated-charcoal filter84
Active steering70
Adaptive light control76
Additives
– coolant117
– engine oil116
Airbags71
– sitting safely35
– warning lamp72
Air conditioner79
Air distribution
– automatic83
– individual80
Airing, refer to
Ventilation81,84
Air outlets, refer to Air
vents79
Air pressure, checking, refer
to Tire inflation
pressure106
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode80,83
Air vents79
Air volume80,83
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications104
Alarm system24
– avoiding unintentional
alarms25
– interior motion sensor25
– switching off an alarm25
– tilt alarm sensor25
ALL program83All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires113
Ambient air, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode80,83
Antifreeze
– coolant117
– washer fluid53
Antilock Brake System
ABS64
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system24
Anti-theft system19
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights149
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights149
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest
88
Ashtray90
Assistance systems, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC65
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control83
Automatic
– air distribution83
– air volume83
– cruise control54
– headlamp control74
Automatic car washes120
Automatic climate control79
– automatic air distribution83
Automatic curb monitor42
Automatic high beams and
low beams, refer to High-
beam assistant76
Automatic lamps
– refer to Welcome lamps74
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC83Automatic transmission with
Steptronic49
– selector lever lock50
– shiftlock50
– towing132
– tow-starting132
AUTO program for automatic
climate control83
Average fuel consumption58
– setting the units60
Average speed58
Avoiding unintentional
alarms25
Axle loads, refer to
Weights149
B
Backrests, refer to Seats36
Backrest width adjustment37
Back seats, refer to Rear seats
– adjusting head restraints38
Backup lamp, replacing
bulb127
Bag for skis, refer to Ski
bag92
Band-aids, refer to First-aid
pouch130
Bar, refer to Tow-starting,
towing away133
Battery128
– charging128
– disposal27,128
– jump-starting131
– temporary power failure128
Battery renewal
– remote control for vehicle27
Being towed132
Belts, refer to Safety belts41
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts41
Beverage holders, refer to
Cupholders89

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
153
Blower, refer to Air
volume80,83
BMW
– car shampoo123
BMW Maintenance
System118
Bottle holders, refer to
Cupholders89
Brake Assist, refer to Dynamic
Brake Control65
Brake fluid
– service requirements61
Brake Force Display70
Brake lamps
– Brake Force Display70
– replacing bulb127
Brake pads, breaking in96
Brake rotors98
– brakes96
– breaking in96
Brakes
– ABS65
– BMW Maintenance
System118
– braking safely98
– breaking in96
– parking brake49
– service requirements61
Brake system96
– BMW Maintenance
System118
– breaking in96
– disc brakes98
Breakdown services, refer to
Roadside Assistance130
Breaking in the clutch96
Break-in period96
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps
and bulbs124
Bulbs, changing124
Button for starting the
engine47
Buttons on the steering
wheel11
C
California Proposition 65
warning5Can holders, refer to
Cupholders89
Capacities150
Capacity of the cargo area149
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery128
Car care, refer to Care120
Care120
– automatic car washes120
– care products120
– carpets122
– CD/DVD drives123
– chrome parts122
– convertible top121
– displays123
– exterior120
– fine wood parts123
– headlamps121
– high-pressure washer121
– interior122
– leather122
– light-alloy wheels122
– paintwork121
– plastic parts123
– rubber seals122
– safety belts123
– sensors and cameras123
– upholstery and cloth
trim122
– washing the car
manually121
– windows121
Cargo, securing100
Cargo area
– capacity149
– Comfort Access26
– enlarging, refer to Through-
loading system91
– lamp, refer to Interior
lamps78
– lid, refer to Trunk lid23
– opening from outside23
Cargo area lid, refer to Trunk
lid23
Cargo area net, refer to
Securing cargo100Cargo loading99
– securing cargo100
– stowing cargo99
– vehicle98
Car jack
– jacking points128
Car key, refer to Integrated
key/remote control18
Car phone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest88
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Car shampoo123
Car wash120
– with Comfort Access48
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system97
Center armrest88
Center brake lamp, replacing
bulb127
Center console, refer to
Around the center
console14
Central key, refer to Integrated
key/remote control18
Central locking
– from inside22
– from outside19
Central locking system19
– Comfort Access26
Changes, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
Changing wheels127
Chassis number, refer to
Engine compartment115
Check Control62
Checking oil level115
Child restraint fixing system
LATCH45
Child restraint systems44
Child seats44
Chrome parts123
Chrome polish123
Cigarette lighter90
Cleaning headlamps53
– washer fluid53
Cleaning your BMW, refer to
Care120

Everything from A to Z
154 Clock56
– 12h/24h format60
– setting time62
Closing
– from inside22
– from outside19
Clothes hooks89
Cold start, refer to Starting the
engine48
Combination instrument, refer
to Instrument cluster12
Comfort Access26
– in a car wash48
– replacing the battery27
Comfort access, refer to
Comfort Access26
Comfort area, refer to Around
the center console14
Compartment for remote
control, refer to Ignition
lock47
Compass87
Computer57
Condensation, refer to When
the vehicle is parked98
Condition Based Service
CBS118
Configuring settings, refer to
Personal Profile18
Confirmation signals for
locking/unlocking the
vehicle20
Connecting vacuum cleaner,
refer to Connecting
electrical appliances90
Consumption, refer to
Average fuel
consumption58
Controls and displays10
Convenient operation
– windows20
– windows with Comfort
Access26
– with Comfort Access26
Convenient starting, refer to
Starting the engine48Convertible
– rollover protection
system72
– top30
– wind deflector33
Convertible top
– Convenient opening20
Convertible top care121
Coolant117
– checking level117
– filling117
Coolant temperature57
Cooling, maximum82
Cooling fluid, refer to
Coolant117
Copyright2
Corner-illuminating lamps76
Corner-illuminating lamps,
refer to Adaptive light
control76
Cornering lamps, refer to
Adaptive light control76
Courtesy lamps78
Cruise control54
Cruising range58
Cupholders89
Curb weight, refer to
Weights149
Current fuel consumption58
D
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit10
Dashboard lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting78
Data
– dimensions147
– sizes147
Data, technical146
– capacities150
– engine146
– weights149
Date
– setting62
– setting format60
Daytime running lights, switch
positions75DBC Dynamic Brake
Control65
Deactivating front passenger
airbags71
Deadlocking, refer to
Locking20
Decommissioning the vehicle,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle
Defect
– door lock22
– fuel filler flap104
– glass roof30
Defogging windows81,84
Defrosting the
windows81,84
Defrosting windows and
removing
condensation81,84
Defrosting windshield, refer to
Defrosting windows81,84
Defrost position, refer to
Defrosting windows81,84
Differential, breaking in96
Digital clock56
Digital compass87
Dimensions147
Directional indicators, refer to
Turn signals51
Displacement, refer to Engine
data146
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting78
Displays, refer to Instrument
cluster12
Displays and controls10
Disposal
– of coolant117
– remote control battery27
– vehicle battery128
Distance remaining to service,
refer to Service
requirements
61
Distance warning, refer to
Park Distance Control
PDC64
Door key, refer to Integrated
key/remote control18
Door lock22