checking oil BMW Z4 ROADSTER 2006 E85 Owner's Manual

Cockpit
12
Instrument cluster
1Speedometer
2Indicator lamps for turn signals
3Indicator and warning lamps12
4Tachometer46
with indicator and warning lamps12
5Engine coolant temperature gauge47
6Fuel gauge46
7Button for
>Displaying the clock47
>Service interval display47
>Checking the oil level88
8Position of automatic transmission
*40
9Button for
>Resetting trip odometer46
>Setting the clock47
10Display for
>Trip odometer/Odometer46
>Clock47
>Service interval47
>Computer
*48
>Checking the oil level88
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 indicators42
Battery charge current
+97
Headlamp flasher/High beams42, 56
Engine oil pressure/
Engine oil level
+87
Antilock Brake System ABS/Driving
stability control systems
+49

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
47
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 page89.
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.

Under the hood
88 The warning lamp lights up in yellow
within 30 seconds after the engine is
started: The oil level sensor is defec-
tive:
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 1US quart/1liter 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.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
89
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 page87, 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
115
Defrost position, refer to
Defrosting windows59,62
Dehumidifying air, refer to
Switching cooling function
on/off59,62
Digital clock47
Dimensions107,108
Dimming mirrors71
Directional indicators, refer to
Turn signal indicators42
Disc brakes72
Displacement, refer to Engine
data106
Display elements, refer to
Instrument cluster12
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting56
Displays, refer to Instrument
cluster12
Displays and controls10
Disposal
– coolant89
– vehicle battery97
Distance remaining, refer to
Cruising range48
Door keys, refer to The key
set18
Door lock20
Doors, unlocking and locking
– acknowledgment
signals19,20
– from inside21
– from outside19
DOT quality grades82
Draft-free ventilation59,63
Drive-off assistant50
Driving Dynamic Control42
Driving light, refer to Parking
lamps/Low beams55
Driving notes70
Driving stability control
systems49
Driving through water71
Driving tips, refer to Driving
notes70
Dry air, refer to Switching
cooling function on/
off59,62DSC Dynamic Stability
Control49
– indicator/warning lamp49
– indicator lamp13
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control49
– indicator/warning
lamp13
,50
Dynamic Brake Control
DBC49
– indicator/warning lamp13
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC49
– indicator/warning lamp49
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC49
– indicator/warning lamp50
E
EBV Electronic brake-force
distribution49
Electric
– seat adjustment31
Electrical malfunction
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic41
– convertible top28
– door lock20
– fuel filler door78
– luggage compartment lid22
– storage compartments64
– tailgate22
Electric Power Steering
EPS52
– indicator/warning
lamp13,52
Electric power windows25
– power loss25
Electronic
– brake-force distribution49
– oil level check88
Emergency call98
– button98
Emergency operation, refer to
Opening manually
– tailgate22
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance98Engine38
– break-in period70
– electronics13
– indicator lamp13
– overheated, refer to Coolant
thermometer47
– speed46
– starting38
– switching off39
– temperature47
Engine compartment87
Engine coolant, refer to
Coolant89
Engine oil87
– adding89
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils89
– alternative oil grades89
– approved engine oils89
– capacity110
– 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 display47
– checking level88
– indicator/warning lamp12
– oil level87
– pressure
87
Engine output, refer to Engine
data106
Engine starting, refer to
Starting the engine38
EPS Electric Power
Steering52
Equipment scope, refer to the
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US
models, Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control49
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system70

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
119
O
OBD socket, refer to Socket
for On-Board Diagnosis
OBD91
Octane numbers, refer to Fuel
specifications79
Odometer46
Oil, refer to Engine oil87
Oil level87
– checking88
Oil service47
Onboard computer, refer to
Computer48
Onboard tool kit93
Opening
– from inside21
Opening and closing the
vehicle
– at the door lock20
– from inside21
– from outside19
– with the remote control19
Outlets, refer to
Ventilation59,63
Outside temperature display
– changing units of
measure48
– in the onboard computer48
Outside temperature
warning46
Overheated engine, refer to
Coolant temperature47
P
Paintwork, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Parking brake39
– indicator lamp13,39
Parking lamps, refer to
Parking lamps/Low
beams55
Parking lamps/Low beams55
– bulb replacement94
Parking lock, refer to P
Parking40Passenger airbags
– deactivation36
– reactivation36
Passenger-side mirror tilt
function34
Pathway lighting56
Permissible axle load, refer to
Weights109
Permissible gross weight,
refer to Weights109
Pinch protection system
– windows25
Placing the vehicle in storage,
refer to the Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Plastic, refer to the Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Pollen
– refer to Microfilter60
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter63
Power
– windows, refer to
Windows25
Power convertible top27
Power failure97
Power output, refer to Engine
data106
Power steering, electric52
Power windows
– initializing25
Pressure, tires80
Pressure monitoring, tires,
refer to Flat Tire Monitor51
Protective function, refer to
Pinch protection system25
R
Radio, refer to the separate
Owner's Manual
Radio navigation, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Radio remote control key,
refer to Master keys with
remote control18
Rain sensor43
Reading lamps57Rear lamps
– bulb replacement96
– indicator lamp, defective
lamp13
Rearview mirror, refer to
Mirrors34
Rear window defroster
– air conditioning59
– automatic climate control63
Recirculated-air mode
– air conditioning59
– automatic climate control63
Recirculating the air, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode59,63
Reclining seat, refer to
Seats30
Refueling78
Releasing
– hood86
Remaining distance, refer to
Cruising range48
Remote control19
– luggage compartment lid19
– malfunction20
– tailgate19
Repairs
– refer to Maintenance
system91
Replacement key, refer to
New keys18
Replacement of tires84
Replacing lamps, refer to
Lamps and bulbs93
Replacing tires, refer to Wheel
and tire replacement84
Reserve
– indicator lamp, refer to Fuel
gauge46
Restraint systems
– for children36,37
– refer to Safety belts33
Reverse
– manual transmission40
Reverse gear
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic41
Roadside Assistance98
Roadside parking lamps56