oil change BMW 3.0i ROADSTER&COUPE 2004 Owners Manual

In the engine compartment
84 The oil volume between the two marks on
the dipstick corresponds to approx.
1.1 quarts/1 liter. Do not fill beyond the
upper mark on the dipstick. Excess oil will
damage the engine.
Adding engine oil
While you should wait until the level has
dropped to just above the lower mark
before adding oil, you should never allow
the oil level to fall below this mark.
BMW engines are designed to oper-
ate without oil additives; the use of
additives could even lead to damage in
some cases. This also applies to manual
and automatic transmissions and to the dif-
ferential.<
Continuous exposure to used oil has
caused cancer in laboratory tests. For
this reason, thoroughly wash any areas of
skin that come into contact with oil using
soap and water.
Always store oils, grease and similar mate-
rials so that they are inaccessible to chil-
dren. Comply with warning labels and the
information on the containers.<
Comply with the applicable environ-
mental laws regulating the disposal of
used oil.<
Approved engine oils
The quality of the engine oil is extremely
important for the function and life of an
engine. Based on extensive testing, BMW
has approved certain grades of engine oil.
Use approved High Performance Synthetic
Oil.
If you are unable to obtain an approved
High Performance Synthetic Oil, you may use small volumes of other synthetic oils for
topping up between oil changes. Use only
oils with the specification API SH or higher.
Ask your BMW center for details con-
cerning the specific High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil or synthetic oils that
have been approved.<
You can also call BMW of North America
toll-free at 1-800-831-1117 or visit this
website: www.bmwusa.com to obtain this
information.
Coolant
The yellow coolant indicator lamp
lights up:
The coolant level is too low: top up
as soon as possible.
Do not add coolant to the cooling sys-
tem when the engine is hot. If you do,
escaping coolant can cause burns.
Antifreeze and anti-corrosion agents are
hazardous to health. You should always
store them in their original containers and
in a location inaccessible to children.
Antifreeze and anti-corrosion agents are
flammable. For this reason, do not spill
them on hot engine parts. They could ignite
and cause burns. Comply with the instruc-
tions on the containers.<
Checking the coolant level
Correct coolant level when the engine is
cold, approx. 687/206:
1.Open the cap of the expansion tank by
turning it slightly counterclockwise to

Maintenance
86
Maintenance
The BMW Maintenance
System
The BMW Maintenance System has been
designed as a reliable means of providing
maximum driving and operating safety, and
as cost-effectively for you as possible.
Please keep in mind that regular mainte-
nance is not only necessary for the safety
of your vehicle, but also plays a significant
role in maintaining the resale value of your
vehicle.
Service interval display
While conventional systems rely on dis-
tance traveled alone to determine when a
service is due, the BMW Maintenance Sys-
tem has taken the actual conditions under
which the vehicle is operated into consid-
eration for years, because miles can be
traveled in many different ways:
From a maintenance point of view,
60,000 miles/100,000 km accumulated in
short-distance urban driving are not the
same as 60,000 miles/100,000 km accu-
mulated at moderate cruising speeds in
long-distance highway travel.
The BMW Maintenance System includes
the Engine Oil Service and Inspections I
and II.
Determining the maintenance intervals
based on the actual loads on the vehicle
covers every kind of operating situation.
Minimal use drivers, who drive fewer than
about 6,200 miles/10,000 km per year,
should nevertheless have the oil changed at least every 2 years since engine oil dete-
riorates over time, regardless of use.
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models, Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for Canadian
models
For additional information on required
maintenance intervals and procedures,
please refer to the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US models, or the
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models.
Depending on operating conditions, it may
be advisable to have the body checked for
damage from rocks or gravel as a precau-
tion against corrosion.
BMW recommends that you have your
BMW center perform the mainte-
nance and repair.
Be sure that all maintenance work is
recorded in the Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US models, Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian
models. These entries will serve as proof
that the vehicle has received regular main-
tenance.<
Care
Interesting facts about the care of your
vehicle are found in the Caring for your
vehicle brochure.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
103
Capacities
Notes
Fuel tank
reserve gal./liters
gal./litersapprox. 14.5/55
approx. 2.1/8Fuel specifications:
page 74
Windshield washer system/
Headlamp washer systemquarts/liters
quarts/litersapprox. 3.2/3
approx. 5.3/5For details: page 83
Cooling system including heat-
ing circuit
with manual transm. or SMG
with automatic transmissionquarts/liters
quarts/liters8.8/8.3
9.3/8.8For details: page 84
Engine with oil filter renewal quarts/liters 6.9/6.5 For details: page 84
Manual transmission, SMG,
automatic transmission and
differential quarts/liters –Lifetime lubricant, no oil
change required

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
109
Lock buttons on doors,
refer to Locking 19
Locking the doors
– from inside 19
– from outside 17, 18
Locking the vehicle
– from inside 18
– from outside 16
Low beams 46
– automatic 46
– bulb replacement 89
– indicator lamp, defective
lamp 13
Lug bolts
– keys 88
Luggage compartment 20
– capacity 101
– increasing capacity 20
– opening/closing,
refer to Luggage
compartment lid 19
– opening from inside the
vehicle 19
– opening from the
outside 19
– opening via remote
control 17
Luggage compartment
lid 19
– opening from inside the
vehicle 19
– opening from the
outside 19
– remote control 17
M
Maintenance, refer to
Service interval
display 49, 86
Maintenance System 86
Making phone calls, refer to
Owner's Manual for
Telephone
Malfunction
– convertible top 23
– door lock 18
– fuel filler door 74
– storage compartments 64
Malfunction of electrical
accessory 92Manual convertible top 21
Manual mode, refer to
Automatic transmission
with Steptronic 39
Manual operation
– door lock 18
– driver's door 18
– fuel filler door 74
– luggage compartment
lid 19
– power convertible top 23
– storage compartments 64
Manual transmission 38
Manufacturer 5
Master key 16
– with remote control 16
Maximum cooling 62
Maximum speed
– with winter tires 79
Measurements, refer to
Dimensions 102
Mechanical seat 28
Memory, refer to Vehicle
Memory, Key Memory 31
Microfilter
– air conditioning 59
– automatic climate
control 63
Mirrors 31
– heated 31
Mobile Service 93
Modifications, technical,
refer to For your own
safety 5
M Sports seat 29
Multifunction steering
wheel MFL 11
Multifunction switch
– turn signal indicators/
headlamp flasher 43
– washer/wiper system 43
N
Neck supports, refer to
Head restraints 28
Nets 64
O
OBD interface socket 87Octane numbers, refer to
Fuel specifications 74
Odometer 48
Oil, refer to Engine oil
– alternative oils 84
– approved oils 84
– capacity 103
– dipstick 83
– indicator lamp 13
Oil change intervals,
refer to the Service and
Warranty Information
Booklet for US models,
Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
Oil consumption 83
Oil filter change 103
Oil level 83
– checking 83
– indicator lamp 13
Oil pressure 83
– indicator/warning
lamp 13
Oil sensor 83
– indicator lamp 13
OIL SERVICE 49
Oil types 84
Onboard computer, refer to
Computer or to the
Owner's Manual for
Onboard Computer
Onboard monitor, refer to
Computer or to the
Owner's Manual for
Onboard Computer
Onboard tool kit 88
Opening and closing the
vehicle
– from inside 18
– from outside 16, 17
– via the door lock 18
– via the remote control 17
Operating elements 10
Outlets, refer to
Ventilation 59, 63