checking oil BMW Z4 3.0I COUPE 2008 E86 Owner's Manual

Cockpit
12
Instrument cluster
1Speedometer
2Indicator lamps for turn signals
3Indicator and warning lamps12
4Tachometer48
with indicator and warning lamps12
5Engine coolant temperature gauge49
6Fuel gauge48
7Button for
>Displaying the clock49
>Service interval display49
>Checking the oil level93
8Position of automatic transmission
*42
9Button for
>Resetting trip odometer48
>Setting the clock49
10Display for
>Trip odometer/Odometer48
>Clock49
>Service interval49
>Computer
*50
>Checking the oil level93
Indicator and warning lamps
Technology that monitors itself
Indicator and warning lamps that are identified
by
+ are tested for proper functioning whenever
the key is turned. They each light up once for
different periods of time.
If a malfunction occurs in one of the monitored
systems, the corresponding lamp does not go
out after the engine has started, or it lights up
again while the vehicle is in motion. You can find
more information about each system on the
specified pages.
Turn signal indicators44
Battery charge current
+102
Headlamp flasher/High beams44, 60
Engine oil pressure/
Engine oil level
+92
Antilock Brake System ABS/Driving
stability control systems
+51

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
49
Reserve
Once the fuel level has fallen to the reserve
zone of approx. 2.1 US gallons/8 liters, indicator
lamp 1 lights up continuously.
Do not drive until the fuel tank is empty
and refill it well in advance. Otherwise the
engine may not operate properly and damage
could result.<
When you switch on the ignition, the indicator
lamp comes on briefly to indicate an operational
check.
Engine coolant temperature
gauge
Blue
The engine is still cold. Drive at moderate
engine and vehicle speeds.
Between the blue and red zones
Normal operating range. The needle may rise as
far as the edge of the red sector during normal
operation.
Red
When you switch on the ignition, warning
lamp1 comes on briefly to indicate an opera-
tional 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 page94.
Service interval display
The remaining driving distance in miles/km until
the next scheduled service is displayed briefly
immediately after you start the engine or switch
on the ignition.
The words OILSERVICE or INSPECTION indi-
cate the type of service due next. The computer
bases its calculations of the remaining driving
distance on the preceding driving style.
A flashing message and a minus sign in front of
the number mean that the service interval has
already been exceeded by the number of miles/
kilometers shown on the display. Please sched-
ule an appointment with your BMW center or a
workshop that works according to BMW repair
procedures with correspondingly trained per-
sonnel.
The extent of service work required can
be read out from the remote control by
your BMW Service Advisor.<
Clock
If you wish to have a permanent time display,
you can have it appear in the car radio display,
refer to the Owner's Manual for Radio.
You can set the time and the time display in the
car radio as follows.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
93
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.

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. 1-800-831-1117 or visit the website
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

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
119
Defrosting windows and
removing condensation
– air conditioning63
– automatic climate control66
Defrost position, refer to
Defrosting windows63,66
Dehumidifying air, refer to
Switching cooling function
on/off63,66
Digital clock49
Dimensions111,112
Dimming mirrors34
Directional indicators, refer to
Turn signal indicators44
Disc brakes76
Displacement, refer to Engine
data110
Display elements, refer to
Instrument cluster12
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting60
Displays, refer to Instrument
cluster12
Displays and controls10
Disposal
– coolant94
– vehicle battery102
Distance remaining, refer to
Cruising range50
Door keys, refer to The key
set18
Door lock20
Doors, unlocking and locking
– acknowledgment
signals19,20
– from inside21
– from outside19
DOT quality grades86
Draft-free ventilation63,67
Drive-off assistance, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC51
Drive-off assistant52
Driving light, refer to Parking
lamps/Low beams59
Driving notes74,75
Driving off on uphill gradients,
refer to Drive-off
assistant52Driving stability control
systems51
Driving through water76
Driving tips, refer to Driving
notes75
Dry air, refer to Switching
cooling function on/
off63,
66
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control51
– indicator/warning lamp51
– indicator lamp13
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control51
– indicator/warning
lamp13,52
Dynamic Brake Control
DBC51
– indicator/warning lamp13
Dynamic Driving Control44
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC51
– indicator/warning lamp51
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC51
– indicator/warning lamp52
E
EBV Electronic brake-force
distribution51
Electric
– seat adjustment31
Electrical malfunction
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic43
– convertible top28
– door lock20
– fuel filler door82
– luggage compartment lid22
– tailgate22
Electric Power Steering
EPS56
– indicator/warning
lamp13,56
Electric power windows24
Electronic
– brake-force distribution51
– oil level check93Emergency call103
– button103
Emergency operation, refer to
Opening manually
– tailgate22
Emergency release23
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance103
Engine40
– breaking in74
– electronics13
– indicator lamp13
– overheated, refer to Coolant
thermometer49
– speed48
– starting40
– switching off41
– temperature49
Engine compartment92
Engine coolant, refer to
Coolant94
Engine oil92
– adding94
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils94
– approved engine oils94
– BMW Maintenance
System96
– change intervals, refer to
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US
models, Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
– change intervals, refer to
Service interval display49
– checking level93
– indicator/warning lamp12
– oil grades, refer also to
Approved engine oils94
– oil level92
– pressure92
Engine output, refer to Engine
data110
Engine starting, refer to
Starting the engine40
EPS Electric Power
Steering56

Everything from A to Z
122 Lighter socket, refer to
Cigarette lighter69
Lighting
– instruments60
– lamps and bulbs98
– vehicle, refer to Lamps59
Lighting of the instruments,
refer to Instrument
lighting60
LIGHTS ON warning60
Light switch59
Loads, refer to Cargo
loading77
Loads, securing77
Locking the doors
– from inside21
– from outside19,20
Locking the vehicle
– from inside21
– from outside19
Longlife oils
– approved engine oils94
Low beams59
– automatic59
– bulb replacement99
– indicator lamp, defective
bulb13
Luggage compartment, refer
to Cargo bay23
Luggage compartment lid22
– emergency release23
– indicator lamp13
– opening from inside the
vehicle22
– opening from the outside22
– remote control20
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires89
Maintenance96
– refer to Service Booklet
– refer to Service interval
display49,96
Making telephone calls, refer
to Owner's Manual for
TelephoneMalfunction
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic43
– convertible top28
– door lock20
– fuel filler door82
– luggage compartment lid22
– tailgate22
Malfunction of electrical
accessory102
Manual
– air distribution66
– air flow rate66
Manual convertible top25
Manual mode, refer to
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic43
Manual operation
– door lock20
– driver's door20
– fuel filler door82
– luggage compartment lid22
– power convertible top28
– tailgate22
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission42
Manual transmission42
Manufacturer5
Master keys with remote
control18
Maximum cooling66
Maximum speed
– with winter tires89
Measurements, refer to
Dimensions111,112
Mechanical seat31
Memory
– Seat memory32
– Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory18
Microfilter
– air conditioning64
– automatic climate control67
Microphone, refer to Mobile
phone preparation
package71
Minidisc operation, refer to
Owner's Manual for Radio/
Onboard ComputerMirrors34
– exterior mirrors34
– heating34
– interior rearview mirror34
Mobile communications in the
vehicle, refer to the separate
Owner's Manual
Mobile phone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Mobile phone preparation
package71
Modifications, technical, refer
to For your own safety5
M Sports seat31
Multifunctional steering
wheel, refer to Buttons on
the steering wheel11
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signal
indicators/headlamp
flasher44
– refer to Washer/wiper
system45
N
Navigation system, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Neck support, refer to Head
restraints32
Nets69
New
– keys18
– tires88
Nylon rope, refer to Tow
rope106
O
OBD socket, refer to Socket
for On-Board Diagnosis
OBD96
Octane numbers, refer to Fuel
specifications83
Odometer48
Oil, refer to Engine oil92
Oil level92
– checking93
Oil service49