checking oil BMW Z4 2.5I 2004 Owners Manual

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
49
Between the blue and red zones
Normal operating range. The needle may
rise as far as the edge of the red sector dur-
ing normal operation.
Red
When you switch on the ignition, warning
lamp 1 comes on briefly to indicate an
operational check.
Comes on while driving:
The engine has overheated. Stop and
switch the engine off immediately and
allow it to cool down.
For checking the coolant level, refer to
page 84.
Service interval display
Remaining distance to next service
The displays shown in the illustration
appear for a few seconds when the ignition
key is in position 1 or after the engine is
started.
The next service due appears with the
message OIL SERVICE or INSPECTION,
together with the distance remaining in
miles – in kilometers in Canada – before the
next scheduled service.
The computer bases its calculations of the
remaining distance on the preceding driv-
ing style.
A flashing message and a minus sign in
front of the number mean that the service
interval has already been exceeded by the
distance shown on the display. Please con-
tact your BMW center for an appointment.
Outside temperature
If the vehicle is not equipped with a com-
puter, the display in the instrument cluster
always shows the outside temperature.
Clock
If you wish to have a permanent time dis-
play, you can have it appear in the car radio
display, refer to the Owner's Manual for
Radio.
You can set the clock and the time display
in the car radio as follows.
To set
Ignition key in position 1 or higher:
Hours
1.Keep button 2 pressed for several sec-
onds until the hours are displayed and
the colon flashes
2.Press button 1 repeatedly until the
required hour is set
Minutes
3.Press button 2 to switch to the minutes
display

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
83
Washer fluids for washer
systems
Headlamp* and windshield washer
system
Capacity of windshield washer system:
approx. 3.2 quarts/3 liters.
Capacity when equipped with headlamp
washer system: approx. 5.3 quarts/5 liters.
Fill with water and, if required, with an anti-
freeze agent according to the manufac-
turer's recommendations.
We recommend that you mix the
washer fluid before adding it to the
reservoir.<
Antifreeze agents for the washing
systems are highly flammable. For
this reason, keep them away from sources
of flame and store them only in their original
containers. Store them so that they are
inaccessible to children. Comply with the
instructions on the containers.<
Engine oil
Engine oil pressure
The indicator lamp lights up in red:
Stop the vehicle immediately and
switch off the engine. Check the
engine oil level and top off as required. If
the oil level is correct, please contact the
nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving, as the engine
could sustain serious damage from
inadequate lubrication.<
Engine oil level
The indicator lamp lights up in yel-
low while driving:
The oil level is at the absolute mini-
mum; refill as soon as possible. Do not
drive more than 30 miles/50 km before
refilling.
The indicator lamp lights up in yel-
low after the engine has been
switched off:
Add engine oil at the earliest opportunity,
when you stop to refuel.
Engine oil sensor
The indicator lamp lights up in yel-
low within 20 seconds after the
engine is started:
The oil level sensor is defective. Please
have it checked by a BMW center.
Checking the oil level
1.Park the vehicle on a level surface
2.Switch the engine off after it has
reached normal operating temperature
3.After approx. 5 minutes, pull the dip-
stick out and wipe it off with a clean lint-
free cloth, paper towel, or similar mate-
rial
4.Carefully push the dipstick all the way
into the guide tube and pull it out again
5.The oil level should be between the two
marks on the dipstick
6.Return the dipstick to the guide tube,
inserting it as far as it will go.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption is
directly influenced by your driving style and
vehicle operating conditions.

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

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