check engine BMW 6 SERIES 2009 User Guide

Under the hood
224
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 the cool-
ant level is between the MIN and MAX
marks, refer to the diagram adjacent 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
225Reference
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, a complete dealer service history
will prove to be 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 page79:
>Engine oil
>Brake pads, front and rear separately
>Brake fluid>Vehicle check
>Legally mandated inspections depending
on local regulations
Service data in remote control
Your vehicle stores the information required
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. You should therefore hand over the remote
control you last used to drive to the BMW Ser-
vice Advisor when you take your vehicle in for
service.
Make sure the date is set correctly, refer
to page85, 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
226
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 worsen. Have the
vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Display of the previously described
malfunction on Canadian models.
The lamp flashes under certain condi-
tions. 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 seri-
ous damage to the emission-relevant compo-
nents, especially 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. Then a display lights up. If
the cap is then tightened, the display will 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
v e hi c l e d a t a o r i n f o r m a t i o n . I f y o u h a v e a l s o s u b -
scribed to BMW Assist, certain vehicle data can be transmitted or recorded to enable corre-
sponding services.

Giving and receiving assistance
236
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.<
Some of the articles contained in the first-aid kit
have a limited service life. Therefore, check the expiration dates of the contents regularly and
replace the contents concerned in good time if
necessary.
Roadside Assistance*
The Roadside Assistance of the BMW Group
offers you assistance in the event of a break-
down around the clock, including on weekends
and public holidays.
The phone numbers of the Roadside Assis-
tance in your home country can be found in the
Contact brochure.
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 page202.
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.<
Preparation
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 assisting vehi-
cle.
3.Switch off any electrical systems and com-
ponents in both vehicles.

Mobility
237Reference
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 shorting.<
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
page221. 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 start-
ing-aid 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 assisting
vehicle.
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 page231, 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
damage to the tow fitting and the vehicle can
occur.<

Mobility
239Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Only attach tow ropes to the tow fittings, 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 page236. 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 page60.
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 253
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Car wash61,128
– refer to Before driving into a
car wash128
– with comfort access40
Car washes227
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system127
"Categories"172
CBC Cornering Brake
Control88
CBS Condition Based
Service225
"CD"160,174
CD changer174
– controls160
– fast forward/reverse178
– installation location178
– random sequence177
– repeating a track177
– sampling tracks176
– selecting a CD174
– selecting a track175
– switching on/off160
– tone control161
– volume161
CD player174
– controls160
– fast forward/reverse178
– random sequence177
– repeating a track177
– sampling a track176
– selecting a track175
– switching on/off160
– tone control161
– volume161
Center armrest, adjusting
height119
Center console14
"Central locking"32
Central locking
– from inside34
– from outside32
Central locking system31
– comfort access38
– hotel function35
Changes, technical, refer to
For your own safety6
Changing language on
Control Display86Changing scale for
navigation150
Changing units of measure on
Control Display86
Changing wheels
218,233
CHECK button82
Check Control81
"Check Control
messages"82
Check Gas Cap212
Checking air pressure, refer to
Tire inflation pressure214
Child restraint fixing system
LATCH58
Child restraint systems58
Child seats, refer to
Transporting children
safely58
Chrome-plated parts230
Chrome polish230
Cigarette lighter121
Cigarette lighter socket, refer
to Connecting electrical
devices121
Cleaning your BMW, refer to
Care227
"Climate"111
Clock76
– 12h/24h format85
– hour signal85
– setting time and date84
Closing
– from inside34
– from outside32
Closing fuel filler cap212
Clothes hooks, Coupe120
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting
engine61
Combined instrument, refer to
Instrument cluster12
Comfort access38
– observe in car wash40
– replacing battery, remote
control40
Comfort closing
– windows, with comfort
access with Coupe39
– with comfort access39"Communi-
cation"192,202,203
Compact Disc
– refer to CD changer174
– refer to CD player174
Compartment for remote
control, refer to Ignition
lock60
Compartments, refer to
Storage compartments120
Compressed audio files174
Computer77
– displays on Control
Display
78
– hour signal85
"Concert hall", tone
control162
"Concierge"205
Concierge service204
Condensation, refer to When
vehicle is parked128
Condition Based Service
CBS225
"Confirmation"33
Confirmation signals for
locking and unlocking33
Connecting car vacuum
cleaner, refer to Connecting
electrical devices121
Consumption display, refer to
Average fuel
consumption77
Consumption statistics, refer
to Average fuel
consumption77
"Continue guidance to
destination?"149
"Contrast" with BMW Night
Vision102
Control Center, refer to
iDrive16
Control Display, refer to
iDrive16
– setting brightness85
– switching off/on22
Controller, refer to iDrive16
Controls, refer to Cockpit10

Everything from A to Z
254 Convenient operation
– convertible top33,34
– glass sunroof32,34
– windows32,34
Convertible
– convertible program for
automatic climate
control111
– opening and closing
windows41
– rollover protection
system97
– top44
– wind deflector47
Convertible top
– closing manually45
– convenient operation34
– emergency closing45
– opening and closing44
Convertible top care228
Coolant223
– checking level224
– temperature76
Cooling, maximum113
Cooling fluid, refer to
Coolant223
Cooling function, automatic
climate control113
Cooling system, refer to
Coolant223
Copyright2
Cornering Brake Control
CBC88
Country of destination for
navigation137
Courtesy lamps, refer to
Interior lamps108
Cradle for telephone or mobile
phone119
Cruise control67
– active cruise control68
Cruising range77
Cup holders15,120
Curb weight, refer to
Weights245
"Current position"155Current position
– displaying155
– entering144
– storing144
"Curve mode" with BMW
Night Vision102
"Customer
Relations"196,204
Cylinders, refer to Engine
data
242
D
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit10
Dashboard lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting108
Data, technical242
– dimensions243
– engine242
– weights245
"Date"85
Date76
– date format85
– setting85
"Date format"85
"Daytime running
lamps"105,108
Daytime running lamps105
– replacing bulbs232
"Deactivated"52
Defect
– door lock34
– glass sunroof43
– luggage compartment lid36
– tires, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor90
– tires, refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor92
Defrosting windows112
Defrosting windows and
removing condensation112
Defrosting windshield, refer to
Defrosting windows112
Defrost position, refer to
Defrosting windows112
"Delete address book" in
navigation146"Delete all numbers" in mobile
phone mode195
"Delete data" in
navigation146
"Delete" in mobile phone
mode195
Destination address
– deleting145
– entering136,139
Destination for navigation
– destination list143
– entering via voice139
– entry136
– selecting from address
book145
– selecting using
information142
– storing144
Destination guidance148
– bypassing route
sections152
– canceling voice
instructions57
– changing specified
route
146
– displaying route149
– distance and arrival148
– interrupting148
– starting148
– terminating/continuing148
– voice instructions151
– volume of voice
instructions152
Destination list for
navigation143
Destinations recently driven
to143
"Details" in audio
mode176,182
"Details" in radio mode172
"Detour" in navigation155
"Dial" in mobile phone
mode193
"Dial number"193
"Diamond button"57
Digital clock76
Digital radio, refer to High
Definition Radio168

Reference 255
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Dimensions
– Convertible244
– Coupe243
Directional indicators, refer to
Turn signals65
Direction announcements,
refer to Voice
instructions151
Direction instructions, refer to
Voice instructions151
Directory, refer to Phone
book194
Directory for navigation, refer
to Address book144
Displacement, refer to Engine
data242
"Display"86
Display, refer to iDrive
controls16
Display elements, refer to
Instrument cluster12
Displaying vehicle data207
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting108
"Display off"22
Displays
– on Control Display, refer to
iDrive16
– refer to Instrument
cluster12
"Display settings"85,99
Displays on the windshield,
refer to Head-Up Display98
Disposal
– battery of remote control
with comfort access40
– coolant223
– vehicle battery233
Distance, refer to
Computer78
Distance control, refer to
Active cruise control68
Distance to destination, refer
to Computer78
Distance warning, refer to
PDC Park Distance
Control87
Door entry lighting, refer to
Interior lamps108Door key, refer to Keys/
remote control30
Door lock34
"Door locks"32,80
Doors
– manual operation34
– remote control32
DOT Quality Grades216
Draft-free ventilation114
Drinks holder, refer to Cup
holders120
"Driver's door only"32
Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams
104
Driving route, refer to
Displaying route149
Driving stability control
systems88
Driving through water128
Driving tips, refer to General
driving notes126
Dry air, refer to Cooling
function113
Drying the air, refer to Cooling
function113
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control89
– indicator lamp13,89
– malfunction90
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control89
– activating89
– indicator lamp13,90
DVD for navigation134
Dynamic Brake Control DBC
– warning lamp90
Dynamic Drive90
Dynamic Driving Control64
"Dynamic route" in
navigation147
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC89
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC89
E
Easy entry, refer to Entering
rear53Easy entry/exit56
Eject button, refer to Buttons
in area of CD player160
Electrical malfunction
– convertible top45
– door lock34
– driver's door34
– fuel filler door212
– glass sunroof43
– luggage compartment lid36
– storage compartment, hotel
function35
Electrical steering wheel
adjustment56
Electric convertible top44
Electronic brake-force
distribution88
Electronic oil level check222
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– convertible top45
– door lock34
– driver's door34
– fuel filler door212
– glass sunroof43
– hotel function35
– luggage compartment lid36
– transmission lock, sport
automatic transmission64
Emergency release for
luggage compartment lid in
cargo bay37
Emergency request235
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance236
"Enabled services"207
"Enabled TeleServices"204
"Enable services"207
"End call"194

Everything from A to Z
256 Engine
– breaking-in126
– data242
– overheated, refer to Coolant
temperature76
– speed242
– starting61
– starting, comfort access38
– switching off61
– switching off when equipped
with Automatic
transmission, with comfort
access40
Engine compartment221
Engine coolant223
Engine oil
– adding223
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils223
– approved oils223
– electronic oil level check222
– interval between changes,
refer to Service
requirements79
– oil change223
– oil grades, refer to Approved
engine oils223
– recommended oils223
– temperature77
– temperature gauge77
"Engine oil level"222
Engine output, refer to Engine
data242
Engine speed, refer to Engine
data242
Engine starting, refer to
Starting engine61
"Enter address"136,144
Entering destination via town/
city name137
Entering intersection,
navigation138
Entering rear53
Entering the
address136,139
Entering town/city for
navigation137
Entering zip code for
navigation138"Entertainment"160
Entertainment sound output
on/off161
Entry map for destination141
Equalizer, refer to Tone
control163
"Equalizer", tone control163
"ESN"171
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control89
Event Data Recorders226
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system127
Exterior mirrors55
– adjusting55
– automatic dimming
feature56
– automatic heating55
– folding in and out55
– tilting down passenger-side
exterior mirror56
External audio device119
Eye for tow-starting and
towing, refer to Tow
fitting237
F
Fader, refer to Tone
control162
"Fader", tone control162
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control81
False alarm
– refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms38
– refer to Switching off
alarm37
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts54
Fastest route for
navigation146
"Fast route" in navigation147
Filler neck for washer fluid67
Filter, refer to Microfilter/
activated-charcoal filter114First aid, refer to First-aid
kit236
First-aid kit236
Flashing
– during locking/unlocking,
refer to Setting confirmation
signals33
– triple turn signal
activation66
Flat tire
– Flat Tire Monitor90
– run-flat tires92,93,218
– Tire Pressure Monitor92
– TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor92
– warning lamp92,93
Flat tire, refer to Run-flat
tires218
Flat Tire Monitor90
– false alarms91
– initializing system91
– snow chains219
– system limits91
– warning lamp92
Fluid reservoir, refer to Filler
neck for washer fluid67
FM, waveband164
"FM" waveband160,164
Fog lamps108
– indicator lamp13,108
Folding into raised position
convertible top
compartment floor,
Convertible37
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely128
Footwell lamps, refer to
Interior lamps108
Forward, fast
– CD changer178
– CD player178
For your own safety
6
Freeway, refer to Route
criteria146
Front airbags95
Front passenger airbags
– deactivating96
"FTM"91