check engine BMW 6 SERIES 2008 User Guide

Under the hood
220
Checking coolant level
1.Do not open the hood until the engine has
cooled down.
2.Turn the cap of the expansion tank counter-
clockwise to allow any accumulated pres-
sure to escape, then continue turning to
open.
3.The coolant level is correct when it lies
between the MIN and MAX mark, also refer
to the drawing next to the filler neck.
4.If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant up to
the specified level – do not overfill.
5.Turn the cap until it clicks.
6.Have the reason for the coolant loss elimi-
nated as soon as possible.

Mobility
221Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Maintenance
BMW Maintenance System
The BMW Maintenance System supports the
preservation of the traffic and operating safety
of your BMW. The service schedule also
includes operations related to the vehicle's
comfort and convenience features, such as
replacement of the filters for the inside air.
The ultimate objective is to ensure economical
maintenance by providing the ideal service for
your vehicle.
Should the day come when you decide to sell
your BMW, you will find that a complete dealer
service history is an asset of inestimable value.
CBS Condition Based Service
Sensors and special algorithms take the differ-
ent driving conditions of your BMW into
account. Condition Based Service uses this to
determine the current and future service
requirements. By letting you define a service
and maintenance regimen that reflects your
own individual requirements, the system builds
the basis for trouble-free driving.
You can set the Control Display to show
remaining distances and times of selected
maintenance intervals and legally mandated
deadlines, refer to page77:
>Engine oil
>Brake pads, front and rear separately
>Brake fluid>Vehicle check
>Legally required tests depending on local
regulations
Service data in remote control
Your vehicle stores the information required for
maintenance continuously in the remote con-
trol during driving. After accessing the data
stored in the remote control, your BMW Service
Advisor can suggest precisely the right array of
service procedures for your own individual vehi-
cle. For this reason, when you take your vehicle
in for service, you should give the BMW Service
Advisor the remote control last used to drive it.
Make sure the date is set correctly, refer
to page83, otherwise the effectiveness
of CBS Condition Based Service is not
ensured.<
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models and
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet
for Canadian models
Please consult your Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US models and Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models
for additional information on service require-
ments.
BMW recommends that you have service
and repair operations performed at your
BMW center.
Take the time to ensure that these service pro-
cedures are confirmed by entries in your vehi-
cle's Service and Warranty Information Booklet
for US models and Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models. These entries
verify that your vehicle has received the speci-
fied regular maintenance.<

Maintenance
222
Socket for OBD Onboard
Diagnostics interface
Components which are decisive for the
exhaust-gas composition can be checked via
the OBD socket with a device.
This socket is located under a cover on the left
side of the driver's footwell, directly under the
instrument panel.
Exhaust-gas values
The warning lamp lights up. The
exhaust-gas values are deteriorating.
Have the vehicle checked as soon as
possible.
Display of the previously described
malfunction on Canadian models.
The lamp flashes under certain conditions. This
is a sign of excessive misfiring of the engine. In
this case, you should reduce speed and drive to
the nearest BMW center as soon as possible.
Heavy engine misfiring causes serious damage
to the emission-relevant components, espe-
cially the catalytic converter, within a short time.
If the fuel filler cap is not properly tight-
ened, the OBD system can detect the
escape of fuel vapor. This causes a display to
light up. If the cap is then tightened, the display
should go out within a few days.<
Event data recorders
Your vehicle may be equipped with one or sev-
eral measuring and diagnosis modules, or with a
device for recording or transmitting certain
vehicle data or information. If you have also sub-
scribed to BMW Assist, then certain vehicle
data can be transmitted or recorded to enable
corresponding services.
Care
Important information on care and maintenance
of your BMW is contained in the Caring for your
vehicle brochure.

Giving and receiving assistance
228
Warning triangle*
The warning triangle is located on the left-hand
side in the luggage compartment.
First-aid kit*
The first-aid kit is located in the filler element of
the rear seat backrest.
1.Press the button downward and pull the
filler element forward.
2.Take out first-aid kit.
To refit the filler element, insert the two
bottom tabs into the strip and press the
filler element back into place. Make sure that
you do not damage the rear seat upholstery. have a limited service life. For this reason, check
the expiration dates of each of the items regu-
larly and replace any whose expiration dates
have passed.
Roadside Assistance*
BMW Roadside Assistance offers you assis-
tance in the event of a breakdown around the
clock, including on weekends and public holi-
days.
The phone numbers of the Roadside Assis-
tance in your home country can be found in the
BMW Contact directory.
With BMW Assist you can contact the Roadside
Assistance of the BMW Group for assistance in
the event of a breakdown directly via iDrive,
refer to page200.
Jump starting
When your battery is discharged, you can use
two jumper cables to start your BMW with
power from the battery in a second vehicle. You
can also use the same method to help start
another vehicle. Use only jumper cables with
fully-insulated clamp handles.
To avoid the risk of potentially fatal injury,
always avoid all contact with electrical
components while the engine is running. Care-
fully adhere to the following sequence, both to
prevent damage to one or both vehicles, and to
guard against possible personal injuries.<
Preparing
1.Check whether the battery of the other
vehicle has a voltage of 12 Volts and
approximately the same capacitance in Ah.
This information can be found on the bat-
tery.
2.Switch off the engine of the vehicle provid-
ing assistance.
3.Switch off any electrical systems and com-
ponents in both vehicles.

Mobility
229Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
There must not be any contact between
the bodies of the two vehicles; otherwise,
there is a danger of short circuiting.<
Connecting jumper cables
To avoid personal injury from sparks, fol-
low this sequence when connecting
jumper cables.<
In your BMW, the so-called jump-starting termi-
nal for jump starting in the engine compartment
serves as a positive terminal for the battery, also
refer to engine compartment overview on
page217. The cover cap is marked with a +.
1.Fold open the cover of the BMW jump-
starting terminal. To do so, pull the tab.
2.Attach one end of the jumper cable plus/+
to the positive terminal of the battery or a
jump-starting terminal of the vehicle provid-
ing assistance.
3.Attach the second end of the cable to the
positive terminal of the battery or to a jump-
starting terminal of the vehicle to be started.
4.Attach one end of the jumper cable minus/–
to the negative terminal of the battery or to
an engine or body ground of the vehicle
providing assistance.
Your BMW has a special nut as body ground
or negative terminal.5.Attach the second end of the cable to the
negative terminal of the battery or to the
engine or body ground of the vehicle to be
started.Starting engine
1.Start the engine on the assisting vehicle
and allow it to run at idle for several minutes
at slightly increased speed.
2.Start the engine on the other vehicle in the
usual way.
If the first starting attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes before another attempt
in order to allow the discharged battery to
recharge.
3.Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4.Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing
the connection sequence.
Check the battery and recharge if necessary.
Never use spray fluids to start the
engine.<
Tow-starting and towing
Observe applicable laws and regulations
for tow-starting and towing.<
Do not transport any passengers other
than the driver in a vehicle that is being
towed.<
Using tow fitting
The threaded tow fitting is stored in the tool kit
mounted on the inside of the luggage compart-
ment under the floor mat, refer to page223, and
should always remain in the vehicle. It can be
screwed in at the front or rear of the BMW.
Only use the tow fitting that comes with
the vehicle and screw it in as far as possi-
ble. Use the tow fitting for towing only on roads.
Avoid lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do
not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting. Otherwise,
the tow fitting and vehicle can be damaged.<

Mobility
231Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
With 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 tow ropes to the tow fittings only, as
attachment to other vehicle parts can lead to
damage.<
With tow truck
Have the BMW transported with a tow truck
with a so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.
Tow-starting
Do not tow-start the vehicle if possible, but
instead start the engine by means of jump start-
ing, refer to page228. Vehicles equipped with a
catalytic converter should only be tow-started
when the engine is cold. When equipped with a
sport automatic transmission, the engine can-
not be started by tow-starting.
1.Switch on the hazard warning flashers,
comply with country-specific regulations.
2.Switch on the ignition, refer to page58.
3.Shift into 3rd gear.
4.Tow-start with the clutch completely
depressed and slowly release the clutch.
After the engine starts, immediately
depress the clutch again completely.
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 245
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
CD changer172
– controls158
– fast forward/reverse176
– installation location176
– random sequence175
– repeating a track175
– sampling a track174
– selecting a CD173
– selecting a track173
– switching on/off158
– tone control159
– volume159
CD player172
– controls158
– fast forward/reverse176
– random sequence175
– repeating a track175
– sampling a track174
– selecting a track173
– switching on/off158
– tone control159
– volume159
Center armrest, adjusting
height117
Center console14
"Central locking"30
Central locking
– from inside32
– from outside30
Central locking system30
– comfort access36
– hotel function33
Changes, technical, refer to
For your own safety6
Changing a wheel225
Changing language on
Control Display84
Changing scale for navigation
system display148
Changing units of measure on
Control Display84
Changing wheels214
CHECK button80
Check Control79
"Check Control
messages"80
Check Gas Cap208
Checking air pressure, refer to
Tire inflation pressure210Child-restraint fixing system
LATCH56
Child restraint systems56
Child seats, refer to
Transporting children
safely56
Chrome parts, refer to Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Cigarette lighter
119
Cigarette lighter socket, refer
to Connecting electrical
devices119
Cleaning, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
"Climate"109
Clock74
– 12h/24h format83
– hour signal83
– setting time and date82
Closing
– from inside32
– from outside30
Closing fuel filler cap208
Clothes hooks, Coupe118
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting
engine59
Comfort access36
– observe in car wash38
– replacing battery, remote
control38
Comfort closing
– windows, with comfort
access with Coupe37
– with comfort access37
"Communication"190,200
Compact disc
– refer to CD changer172
– refer to CD player172
Compartment for remote
control, refer to Ignition
lock58
Compartments, refer to
Storage compartments117
Compressed audio files172
Computer75
– displays on Control
Display76
– hour signal83"Concert hall", refer to Tone
control161
"Concierge"202
Concierge service202
Condensation, refer to When
vehicle is parked126
Condition Based Service
CBS221
"Confirmation"31
Confirmation signals for
locking and unlocking31
Connecting car vacuum
cleaner, refer to Connecting
electrical devices119
Consumption display, refer to
Average fuel
consumption75
Consumption statistics, refer
to Average fuel
consumption75
"Continue guidance to
destination?"147
"Contrast" with BMW Night
Vision100
Control Center, refer to
iDrive16
Control Display, refer to
iDrive16
– setting brightness83
– switching off/on21
Controller, refer to iDrive16
Controls, refer to Cockpit10
Convenient operation
– convertible top31,32
– glass sunroof31,32
– windows31,32
Convertible
– convertible program for
automatic climate
control109
– opening and closing
windows39
– rollover protection
system96
– top42
– wind deflector45
– window and convertible top
operation with comfort
access37

Everything from A to Z
246 Convertible top
– care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
– closing manually43
– convenient operation32
– emergency closing43
– opening and closing43
Coolant219
– checking level220
– temperature74
Cooling, maximum111
Cooling function, automatic
climate control111
Cooling system, refer to
Coolant219
Copyright2
Cornering Brake Control
CBC86
Country of destination for
navigation135
Courtesy lamps, refer to
Interior lamps106
Cradle for telephone or mobile
phone117
Cruise control65
– active cruise control66
Cruising range75
Cup holders15,118
Curb weight, refer to
Weights237
"Current position"153
Current position
– displaying153
– entering142
– storing142
"Curve mode" with
BMW Night Vision100
"Customer
Relations"194,202
Cylinders, refer to Engine
data234
D
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit10
Data, technical234
– capacities237
– dimensions235
– engine234
– measurements235
– weights237
"Date"83
Date74
– date format83
– setting83
"Date format"83
"Daytime running
lamps"103,106
Daytime running lamps103
– replacing bulbs224
DBC Dynamic Brake Control
– warning lamp88
"Deactivated"50
Decommissioning the vehicle,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Defect, tires
– refer to Flat Tire Monitor89
– refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor90
Defrosting windows110
Defrosting windows and
removing condensation110
Defrosting windshield, refer to
Defrosting windows110
Defrost position, refer to
Defrosting windows110
"Delete address book" for
navigation system143
"Delete all numbers" for
mobile phone193
"Delete data" for navigation
system143
"Delete" for mobile
phone193
Destination address
– deleting143
– entering134,137Destination for navigation
– destination list141
– entering via voice137
– entry134
– home address144
– selecting from address
book142
– selecting using
information140
– storing142
Destination guidance146
– bypassing route
sections150
– canceling voice
instructions55
– changing specified
route144
– displaying route147
– distance and arrival146
– interrupting146
– starting146
– terminating/continuing146
– voice instructions149
– volume of voice
instructions150
Destination list for
navigation141
Destinations recently driven
to141
"Details" in audio
mode174,180
"Dial" for mobile phone191
"Dial number"191
"Diamond button"55
Digital clock74
Digital radio, refer to High
Definition Radio166
Dimensions
– Convertible236
– Coupe235
Directional indicators, refer to
Turn signals63
Direction instructions, refer to
Voice instructions149
Directory, refer to Phone
book192
Directory for navigation, refer
to Address book142

Reference 247
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Direct selection buttons21
Displacement, refer to Engine
data234
"Display"84
Display, refer to iDrive
controls16
Display elements, refer to
Instrument cluster12
Displaying vehicle data205
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting106
"Display off"21
Displays
– on Control Display, refer to
iDrive16
– refer to Instrument
cluster12
"Display settings"84,97
Displays on the windshield,
refer to Head-Up Display96
Disposal
– battery of remote control
with comfort access38
– coolant219
– vehicle battery225
Distance, refer to
Computer76
Distance control, refer to
Active cruise control66
"Distance to dest."76
Distance to destination, refer
to Computer76
Distance warning, refer to
PDC Park Distance
Control85
Door entry lighting, refer to
Interior lamps106
Door key, refer to Keys/
remote control28
Door lock32
"Door locks"30,78
Doors
– manual operation32
– remote control30,31
DOT Quality Grades212
Draft-free ventilation112
"Driver's door only"30Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams102
Driving route, refer to
Displaying route147
Driving stability control
systems86
Driving through water126
Driving tips, refer to General
driving notes124
Drying the air, refer to Cooling
function111
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control
87
– indicator lamp13,87
– malfunction88
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control87
– activating88
– indicator lamp13,88
DVD for navigation132
Dynamic Drive89
Dynamic Driving Control62
"Dynamic route" for
navigation145
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC87
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC87
E
Easy entry, refer to Entering
rear51
Easy entry/exit54
Eject button, refer to Buttons
on CD player158
Electrical malfunction
– convertible top43
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door208
– glass sunroof41
– luggage compartment lid34
– storage compartment, hotel
function33
Electric convertible top42Electric steering wheel
adjustment54
Electronic brake-force
distribution87
Electronic oil level check218
Emergency assistance, refer
to Roadside Assistance228
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– convertible top43
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door208
– glass sunroof41
– hotel function33
– luggage compartment lid34
– transmission lock, sport
automatic transmission62
Emergency release for
luggage compartment lid in
luggage compartment35
Emergency request227
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance228
"Enable services"205
"End call"192
Engine
– breaking-in124
– data234
– overheated, refer to Coolant
temperature74
– speed234
– starting59
– starting, comfort access36
– switching off59
– switching off when equipped
with Automatic
transmission, with comfort
access38
Engine compartment217
Engine coolant219

Everything from A to Z
248 Engine oil
– adding219
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils219
– approved oils219
– electronic oil level check218
– interval between changes,
refer to Service
requirements77
– oil change219
– oil grades, refer to Approved
engine oils219
– recommended oils219
– temperature75
– temperature gauge75
"Engine oil level"218
Engine output, refer to Engine
data234
Engine overheating, refer to
Coolant temperature74
Engine speed, refer to Engine
data234
Engine starting, refer to
Starting engine59
"Enter address"134,142
Entering address134,137
Entering intersection,
navigation136
Entering rear51
Entering town/city for
navigation135
Entering town/city of
destination name135
Entering zip code for
navigation135
"Entertainment"158
Entertainment sound output
on/off159
Entry map for destination139
Equalizer, refer to Tone
control161
"Equalizer", tone control161
"ESN"169
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control87
Event data recorders222Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system125
Exterior mirrors53
– adjusting53
– automatic dimming
feature54
– automatic heating53
– folding in and out53
– tilting down passenger-side
mirror54
External audio device117
Eye for tow-starting and
towing, refer to Tow
fitting229
Eyes for lashing, refer to
Securing cargo128
F
"Fader", refer to Tone
control160
Fader, refer to Tone
control160
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control79
False alarm
– refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms36
– refer to Switching off
alarm35
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts52
Fastest route for
navigation144
Fast forward
– CD changer176
– CD player176
"Fast route" for
navigation144
"Favorites", calling up with
radio166
Filler neck for washer fluid65
Filter, refer to Microfilter/
activated-charcoal filter112
Fine wood, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
First aid, refer to First-aid
kit228First-aid kit228
Flashing when locking and
unlocking, refer to Setting
confirmation signals31
Flashlight, refer to
Rechargeable flashlight117
Flat tire
– Flat Tire Monitor89
– run-flat tires90,92,214
– Tire Pressure Monitor90
– warning lamp90,92
Flat Tire Monitor89
– false alarms89
– initializing system89
– limits of system89
– snow chains215
– warning lamp90
Floor mats, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Floor mats/carpets, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Fluid reservoir, refer to Filler
neck for washer fluid65
"FM", reception
range158,162
FM, waveband162
Fog lamps106
– indicator lamp13,106
Folding into raised position
convertible top
compartment floor,
Convertible35
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely126
Footwell lighting, refer to
Interior lamps106
For specified oil grades, refer
to Approved engine oils219
For your own safety6
Freeway, refer to Route
criteria144
Front airbags94
Front passenger airbags,
deactivating94
"FTM"89
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor89