warning light BMW Z4 3.0I COUPE 2007 E86 User Guide
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: BMW, Model Year: 2007, Model line: Z4 3.0I COUPE, Model: BMW Z4 3.0I COUPE 2007 E86Pages: 132, PDF Size: 3.14 MB
Page 56 of 132

Technology for driving comfort and safety
54 3.In the event of complete tire pressure loss, 
0 psi/0 kilopascal, you can estimate the 
possible distance for continued driving on 
the basis of the following guidelines:
>With a light load:
1 person without luggage:
approx. 155 miles/250 km
>With a medium load:
1 person, cargo bay full,
or
2 persons without luggage:
approx. 90 miles/150 km
>With a full load:
2 persons, cargo bay full:
approx. 30 miles/50 km
Drive cautiously. Do not exceed a speed 
of 50 mph/80 km/h. Driving characteris-
tics change if there is a loss of tire pressure. 
This includes reduced tracking stability in brak-
ing, extended braking distance and altered nat-
ural steering characteristics.
If unusual vibration or loud noises occur during 
the journey, this may be an indication that the 
damaged tire has finally failed. Reduce your 
speed and pull over to the side of the road at the 
earliest opportunity. Otherwise, parts of the tire 
could come loose and cause an accident. Do 
not continue driving. Contact a BMW center.<
Tire Pressure Monitor TPM*
The concept
TPM monitors the tire inflation pressure in all 
four mounted tires. The system reports if infla-
tion pressure has dropped significantly in one 
or more of the tires.
System requirements
To ensure a reliable flat tire warning, the system 
must have been reset while tire inflation pres-
sures were correct.
Always use tires with TPM electronics to 
ensure that the system operates properly.The system must be reset each time a tire 
inflation pressure has been corrected or a 
wheel or tire has been changed.<
System limitations
TPM cannot report sudden serious tire 
damage due to external causes.<
The system will not operate correctly if it was 
not reset, e.g. it may report a flat tire even if the 
tire inflation pressures are correct.
The system is inactive and cannot indicate a flat 
tire if a wheel without TPM electronics is 
mounted or if other systems or devices that use 
the same radio frequency temporarily interfere 
with the TPM system.
Resetting the system
The system must be reset each time a tire 
inflation pressure has been corrected or a 
wheel or tire has been changed.<
1.Start the engine but do not drive off yet.
2.Press the button until the yellow warning 
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up for a 
few seconds.
3.Drive off.
After several minutes of driving, the current 
inflation pressures in the tires are adopted 
as the target values to be monitored. The 
resetting procedure is completed automat-
ically without further notice during the trip, 
which can be interrupted at any time. 
Resetting is continued automatically when 
you continue driving. 
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Mobility
 55
Warning of low tire inflation pressure
The warning lamp lights up in yellow. A 
signal also sounds. There is a flat tire or 
a significant loss of tire pressure in one 
or more tires.
1.Cautiously reduce speed to 50 mph/
80 km/h or lower. Avoid strong braking and 
steering maneuvers. Do not exceed a maxi-
mum speed of 50 mph/80 km/h.
If the car is not equipped with Run-
Flat Tires, which is the standard 
equipment by design, refer to page88, then 
do not continue driving. Doing so after a tire 
puncture may result in a severe accident.<
2.In the event of complete tire pressure loss, 
0 psi/0 kilopascal, you can estimate how far 
you can continue driving on the basis of the 
following guidelines:
>With a light load:
1 person without luggage:
approx. 155 miles/250 km
>With a medium load:
1 person, cargo bay full,
or
2 persons without luggage:
approx. 90 miles/150 km
>With a full load:
2 persons, cargo bay full:
approx. 30 miles/50 km
Drive cautiously. Do not exceed a speed 
of 50 mph/80 km/h. Driving characteris-
tics change if there is a loss of tire pressure. 
This includes reduced tracking stability in brak-
ing, extended braking distance and altered nat-
ural steering characteristics.
If unusual vibration or loud noises occur during 
the journey, this may be an indication that the 
damaged tire has finally failed. Reduce your 
speed and pull over to the side of the road at a 
suitable location at the earliest opportunity. 
Otherwise, parts of the tire could come loose 
and cause an accident. Do not continue driving. 
Contact a BMW center.<
Malfunction
The yellow warning lamp flashes and 
then lights up continuously. A flat tire 
cannot be detected.
This warning is displayed under the following 
circumstances:
>If there is a malfunction;
have the system checked.
>If a wheel without TPM electronics is 
mounted.
>If other systems or devices that use the 
same radio frequency temporarily interfere 
with the TPM.
Declaration according to NHTSA/
FMVSS 138 Tire Pressure Monitoring 
System
Each tire should be checked monthly when cold 
and inflated to the inflation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the 
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label. If 
your vehicle has tires of a different size than the 
size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire infla-
tion pressure label, you should determine the 
proper tire inflation pressure for those tires. As 
an added safety feature, your vehicle has been 
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring sys-
tem, TPMS, that illuminates a low tire pressure 
telltale when one or more of your tires are signif-
icantly under-inflated. Accordingly, when the 
low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should 
stop and check your tires as soon as possible, 
and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving 
on a significantly underinflated tire causes the 
tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. 
Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and 
tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s han-
dling and stopping ability. Please note that the 
TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire mainte-
nance, and it is the driver’s responsibility to 
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-
inflation has not reached the level to trigger illu-
mination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined 
with the low tire pressure telltale. When the sys-
tem detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash 
for approximately one minute and then remain  
Page 62 of 132

Lamps
60 If necessary, switch on the parking lamps as 
described in the section about parking lamps.
You can have the daytime running lamps 
activated/deactivated on your vehicle.<
Pathway lighting
If you activate the headlamp flasher after park-
ing the car, with the lights switched off, the low 
beams come on and remain on for a certain 
time.
You can have this function activated/
deactivated as well as the duration of the 
pathway lighting set.<
LIGHTS ON warning
Whenever you open the driver's door after hav-
ing turned the key to position 0, you will hear an 
acoustic signal for a few seconds to remind you 
that the lamps have not been switched off.
High beams/Roadside 
parking lamps 
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Roadside parking lamps
*
Roadside parking lamps, left or right*
When parking the vehicle, you have the option 
to switch on the lamps only on the side facing 
the road.
After parking the vehicle, press the lever up or 
down, arrow 3, until it engages.
The roadside parking lamps discharge 
the battery. Therefore, do not leave them 
on for unduly long periods of time, otherwise the battery might not have enough power to 
start the engine.<
Fog lamps*
Press the button to switch them on/off.
The parking lamps or low-beam headlamps 
must be switched on. A green indicator lamp 
comes on in the instrument cluster to indicate 
that the front fog lamps are on.
If the automatic headlamp control is acti-
vated, the low beams will come on auto-
matically when you switch on the fog lamps.<
Instrument lighting
Turn the rotary dial to adjust brightness. 
Page 78 of 132

Special operating instructions
76 sure which must be exerted by the pads to 
clean the rotors by brake applications is not 
reached.
If the brake rotors are corroded, they will tend to 
respond to braking with a pulsating effect which 
even extended application will fail to cure.
Brake pads
The warning lamp lights up. The brake 
pads have worn down to the minimum 
safe limit. Have the brake pads 
replaced as soon as possible.
When the vehicle is parked
Condensation forms while the air conditioning 
or automatic climate control is in operation, and 
then exits under the vehicle. Traces of con-
densed water on the ground underneath the 
vehicle are thus normal.
Before driving into a car wash
For general information about taking care of 
your BMW, refer to the Caring for your vehicle 
brochure.
Cargo loading
Avoid overloading the vehicle so that the 
permissible carrying capacity of the tires 
is not exceeded. Otherwise, overheating and 
inner damage to the tires may result. The ulti-
mate result can assume the form of a sudden air 
loss.<
Determining the maximum load
1.Locate the following statement on your 
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occupants 
and cargo should never exceed 
XXX kg or YYY lbs. Otherwise, overloading 
can result in damage to the vehicle and 
unstable driving conditions.<
2.Determine the combined weight of the 
driver and passenger that will be riding in 
your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver 
and passenger from XXX kilograms or 
YYY pounds.
4.The resulting figure equals the available 
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the YYY amount equals 
551 lbs and there will be two 150 lbs occu-
pants in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity is 
251 lbs.
551 lbs minus 300 lbs = 251 lbs
5.Determine the combined weight of luggage 
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That 
weight may not safely exceed the available 
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated 
in step 4. 
Page 84 of 132

Refueling
82
Refueling
Always switch off the engine before refu-
eling. Otherwise the tank cannot be 
refilled. The Service Engine Soon warning lamp 
will come on.<
Take all precautionary measures and 
observe all applicable regulations when 
handling fuel. Do not carry any spare fuel con-
tainers in your vehicle. They can develop a leak 
and cause an explosion or cause a fire in the 
event of an accident.<
Gas cap
Opening
1.Open the fuel filler door, arrow 1.
2.Turn the gas cap counterclockwise.
3.Place the gas cap in the bracket attached to 
the fuel filler door, arrow 2.
Closing
Fit the gas cap and turn it clockwise until you 
clearly hear a click.
Do not jam the gas cap strap as this will 
allow fuel vapors to escape.<
The warning lamp
* lights up briefly if 
the gas cap is loose or missing. Close 
the gas cap properly.
Manually releasing the fuel filler door
In the event of a malfunction you can unlock the 
fuel filler door manually.1.Remove the cover for the right-hand rear 
lamps in the cargo bay by turning the lock, 
see arrow.
2.Pull the cargo bay trim panel slightly toward 
the interior. The green button with the fuel 
pump symbol becomes visible.
3.Undo the adhesive strip and pull off.
4.Pull the button. The fuel filler door is 
released.
Pull on the button slowly and care-
fully; otherwise it could be torn off.<
Observe the following when refueling
When handling fuels, comply with all of 
the applicable safety precautions posted 
at the service station.<
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle com-
pletely into the filler pipe. Avoid lifting the filler 
nozzle while filling the tank, as it could other-
wise lead to:
>Premature pump shutoff
>A reduced efficiency of the fuel-vapor 
recovery system. 
Page 94 of 132

Under the hood
92
Important parts in the engine compartment
1Washer fluid reservoir for headlamp clean-
ing system and window washer system, 
refer to page46
2Filler neck for engine oil, refer to Adding 
engine oil3Jump-starting connection, refer to 
page104
4Reservoir for brake fluid, refer to page95
5Body ground, negative terminal, refer to 
page105
6Expansion tank for coolant, refer to page94
Engine oil 
Oil consumption is directly influenced by your 
driving style and vehicle operating conditions.
Warning lamp
Engine oil pressure 
The warning lamp lights up in red: 
The engine oil pressure is too low. 
Stop the vehicle immediately and 
switch off the engine. Check the engine oil level 
and top up if necessary. If the oil level is correct, 
please contact your nearest BMW center or a 
workshop that works according to BMW repair 
procedures with correspondingly trained per-
sonnel.Do not continue driving, otherwise the 
engine could sustain serious damage 
from inadequate lubrication.<
Engine oil level
The warning lamp lights up in yellow 
while you are driving. In addition, a sig-
nal sounds and "+1.0" appears in the 
instrument cluster, refer to page93.
The oil level is at the absolute minimum; refill as 
soon as possible. Do not drive more than 
125 miles/200 km before refilling.
The warning lamp comes on in yellow 
after the engine is switched off. A signal 
also sounds. 
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Add engine oil at the earliest opportunity, e.g. 
when you stop to refuel.
The warning lamp lights up in yellow 
within 30 seconds after the engine is 
started: the oil level sensor is defective.
It is not possible to issue a current or accurate 
measurement. Have the system checked as 
soon as possible.
Checking the oil level 
Your car is equipped with an electronic oil-level 
monitor.
For a precise measurement and display of the 
oil level, it is necessary that the engine be at 
operating temperature, i.e. after uninterrupted 
driving for at least approx. 6.5 miles/10 km. You 
can have the oil level displayed while you are 
driving, or while the vehicle is at a standstill on a 
level surface and the engine is running.
You can have the oil level reading displayed in 
the instrument cluster.
Press button1. The oil level is checked and dis-
played for approx. 15 seconds.
To exit the display sooner, press button 1 again.
Possible displays
1Oil level OK
2Oil level is being checked.
This can take about 3 minutes if the car is at 
a standstill on a level surface, or about 
5 minutes while the car is on the move.
3Oil level down to minimum:
Add 1 US quart/1 liter of engine oil as soon 
as possible, refer also to Adding engine oil.
4Oil level is too high.
Have the vehicle checked immedi-
ately, as excessive oil can damage the 
engine.<
5The oil level sensor is defective:
it is not possible to issue a current or accu-
rate measurement.
Do not add engine oil. You can continue 
your journey. Have the system checked as 
soon as possible. 
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Under the hood
94
Adding engine oil
Do not add the maximum amount of 1 US quart/
1 liter of engine oil until the warning lamp lights 
up in the instrument cluster, refer to page92, or 
until the oil level monitor shows "+1.0".
Add oil within the next 125 miles/200 km, 
otherwise the engine could be dam-
aged.<
Keep oils, greases, etc. out of the reach of 
children and comply with the warnings on 
the containers. Otherwise, health hazards may 
result.<
Oil change
Have your oil changed only by a BMW center or 
a workshop that works according to BMW 
requirements with the appropriately trained 
personnel.
Approved engine oils
The quality of the engine oil is extremely impor-
tant for the function and life of an engine. BMW 
continuously approves specific oils after con-
firming their suitability for use in its vehicles 
with extensive testing.
Only use approved BMW High Performance 
Synthetic Oil.
If BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil is not 
available, you can add small quantities of other 
synthetic oils in between oil changes. Only use 
oils with the API SH specification or higher.
Your BMW center will be glad to answer 
any questions regarding BMW High Per-
formance Synthetic Oil or other approved syn-
thetic oils.
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this information.
Do not use any oil additives, as they could 
cause engine damage under some cir-
cumstances.<
Viscosity classes
Viscosity is a measure of an oil's flow rating and 
is categorized in SAE classes.
Selecting the appropriate SAE class depends 
on the regional climatic conditions in which you 
normally drive your BMW.
Approved oils belong to the 5W-40 and 
5W-30 classes.<
These oils can be used for driving at all outside 
temperatures.
Coolant
Warning lamp
The warning lamp lights up:
The coolant level is too low. Top up the 
coolant as soon as possible.
Do not open the cooling system when the 
engine is hot. If you do, escaping coolant 
can cause burns.<
Coolant consists of water and coolant additives. 
Not all commercially available additives are suit-
able for your BMW. Your BMW center knows 
which additives are appropriate.
Only use approved additives, otherwise 
the engine could be damaged. The addi-
tives are hazardous to health.<
Comply with the appropriate environ-
mental protection regulations when dis-
posing of coolant additives.<
Checking the coolant level 
1.The engine must be at ambient tempera-
ture.
2.Turn the cap of the expansion tank a little 
counterclockwise to allow any accumulated  
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pressure to escape, then continue turning 
to open.
3.The coolant level is correct if the upper end 
of the red float spindle is at least at the same 
level as the upper edge of the filler neck but 
no more than 3/4 in or 2 cm above it, i.e. up 
to the mark on the float spindle. Refer also 
to the diagram next to the filler neck.
4.If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant up to 
the specified level; do not overfill.
5.Twist the cap back on and tighten it firmly.
6.Have the cause for the coolant loss 
removed as soon as possible.
Brake system
Malfunction
Brake fluid
The warning lamp lights up although 
the parking brake is not engaged.
The brake fluid level in the reservoir is too low. 
At the same time, you may notice that brake 
pedal travel is longer. Have the system checked 
as soon as possible.
If you continue driving, extended brake 
pedal travel may be necessary and brak-
ing distances may be significantly longer. Be 
sure to adapt your driving style accordingly.<
Canadian models display this warning 
lamp. 
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Exhaust emission values
The warning lamp lights up: the 
exhaust emission values have wors-
ened. Have the car checked as soon as 
possible.
The lamps flash under certain conditions. This 
indicates excessive misfiring of the engine. If 
this happens, you should reduce your speed 
and visit your nearest BMW center as soon as 
possible. Severe engine misfiring can quickly 
lead to serious damage of emissions-related 
components, especially the catalytic converter.
Canadian models display this warning 
lamp.
The warning lamp lights up if the gas 
cap is not properly tightened and the 
OBD system can assume that fuel 
vapor is escaping. If the gas cap is then tight-
ened, the warning lamp should go out within a 
few days.
Event Data Recorders 
Your vehicle may be equipped with one or sev-
eral measuring or diagnostic modules or a 
device for recording or sending certain vehicle 
data or information. In addition, if you have 
signed a subscription contract for BMW Assist, 
certain vehicle data may be transmitted or 
recorded in order to facilitate the corresponding 
services.
Care
Important information on the care and mainte-
nance of your BMW is contained in the Caring 
for your vehicle brochure.