2000 BMW Z8 check engine

18n

Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself

Many of the systems for your BMW
monitor themselves automatically, both
during engine starts and while you are
driving. Indicator and warning lamps
that are identified by "

l

" are tested for
proper functioning whenever the igni-
tion key is turned. They each light up
once for different periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these
systems, the corresponding lamp does
not go out after the engine is started, or
it lights up while the vehicle is moving.
You will see how to react to this below.

Red: stop immediately

Battery charge current
The battery is no longer being
charged. There is a malfunction
in the alternator V-belt or in the charg-
ing circuit of the alternator. Please con-
tact the nearest BMW center.
If the V-belt is defective, do not
continue driving. The engine could
be damaged due to overheating. If the
V-belt is defective, increased steering
effort is also required.

<

Engine oil pressure

l

Stop vehicle and switch off en-
gine immediately. Check the en-
gine oil level and top off as required. If
the oil level is correct, please contact
the nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving. The en-
gine could be damaged because
of inadequate lubrication.

<



Tire Pressure Warning (RDW)

l

Flashing warning lamp in addi-
tion to an acoustic signal: a tire
failure has occurred. Carefully reduce
speed to less than 50 mph (80 km/h),
thus preventing any hard braking or
steering maneuvers.
For additional information, refer to
page 65.
Brake warning indicator

l

If the lamp comes on when the
parking brake is not engaged,
check the brake fluid level. Before driv-
ing further, be sure to read the notes on
pages 89 and 112.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.

19n

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview

Indicator and warning lamps

Red and yellow: continue driving
cautiously

The red brake warning lamp
comes on together with the yel-
low indicator lamps for ABS and
DSC:
The entire ABS, CBC, DSC and
DBC control system has failed.
Continue driving cautiously and
defensively. Avoid full brake
applications. Please have the
system checked by your BMW center
as soon as possible.
For additional information, refer to
pages 63, 86.
Warning lamps for Canadian
models.

Red: an important reminder

Brake warning lamp

l

Comes on when the parking
brake is applied Ð an additional
acoustic signal sounds when starting
off.
For additional information, refer to
page 55.



Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Please fasten safety belts

l

Together with an acoustic sig-
nal. Comes on until the safety
belts are fastened.
For additional information on safety
belts, refer to page 48.
Airbags

l



Please have the system in-
spected by your BMW center.
For additional information, refer to
pages 49, 148.

Yellow: check as soon as
possible

Antilock Brake System (ABS)

l

ABS has been deactivated in re-
sponse to system malfunction.
Conventional braking efficiency is avail-
able and unrestricted. Please have the
system inspected by your BMW center.
For additional information, refer to
page 86.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Engine oil level


Comes on while driving: the oil
level is at the absolute minimum;
refill as soon as possible. Do not drive
more than approx. 30 miles (50 km) until
you add oil.
For additional information, refer to
page 109.
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been shut off: add engine oil at
your earliest opportunity (when you
stop to refuel).
For additional information, refer to
page 109.

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Indicator and warning lamps

Brake pads

l


Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information, refer
to page 89.
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC) l
Malfunction in the DBC system.
Conventional braking efficiency
is available and unrestricted.
For additional information, refer to
page 88.
Warning lamp, Dynamic Brake
Control (DBC) for Canadian
models.
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) l
Indicator lamp flashes:
The system is active and governs drive
and braking force.
If the indicator lamp does not go out
after the engine is started, or if it comes
on during normal driving and stays on:
DSC has been switched off or has been
deactivated because of a malfunction.
In the event of a malfunction, have the
system checked by your BMW center.
For additional information, refer to
page 63.
Service Engine Soon l
If the indicator lamp either re-
mains on or comes on intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems.
Although the vehicle remains opera-
tional, you should have the systems
checked by your BMW center at the
earliest possible opportunity.
For additional information, refer to
page 124.
"Service Engine Soon" warning
lamp for Canadian models.
Engine electronics
Malfunction in the engine elec-
tronic control system. The elec-
tronics will permit continued driving at
reduced engine output or engine speed.
Please have the system inspected by
your BMW center.
Yellow: for your information
Rear foglamp
Lights up whenever the rear
foglamp is turned on.
For additional information, refer to
page 68.

24n
Fuel quality Tire inflation pressure The engine uses lead-free gasoline
only.
Required fuel:
>Premium Unleaded Gasoline,
min. 91 AKI
AKI = Anti Knock Index
Do not use leaded fuels. The use
of leaded fuels will cause perma-
nent damage to the system's oxygen
sensor and the catalytic converter.<
You will find the tire inflation pressures
on the door pillar (visible with door
open).Check tire pressuresAll pressure specifications are stated in
psi (kilopascal) for tires at ambient tem-
perature (refer also to the next page).
Reactivate the Tire Pressure
Warning (RDW) after changing a
tire or a wheel. Refer to page 65.<520de008
Check tire inflation pressures reg-
ularly Ð at least every two weeks
and before beginning a longer trip.
Incorrect tire pressure can lead to tire
damage and accidents.<
Comply with tire approval
specificationsThe inflation pressures in the table
apply to tires made by BMW-approved
manufacturers. Your BMW center is
familiar with these pressures. Higher
pressures may be specified for tires
made by other manufacturers.
You will find a list of approved tire sizes
on page 103.
Your vehicle is equipped with tires that
not only meet US standards, but also
European standards. We recommend
the exclusive use of BMW-approved
tires.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Coolant temperature gauge Service Interval Display BlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at moder-
ate engine and vehicle speeds.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the
warning lamp comes on briefly to con-
firm that the system is operational.
If the lamp comes on while operating
the vehicle, the engine has overheated.
Turn it off immediately and let it cool
down.520de031
Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. It is not un-
usual for the needle to rise as far as
the edge of the red zone in response
to high outside temperatures or severe
operating conditions.
For checking coolant level, refer to
page 111.
Remaining distance before
serviceThe 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 remaining distance in miles before
the next scheduled service will appear
together with the display OILSERVICE
or INSPECTION.
The computer bases its calculations for
the remaining distance on the preced-
ing driving conditions.
A flashing display and a "Ð" in front of
the number indicate that service is past
due by the number of miles displayed.
Please contact your BMW center for an
appointment.520us006

87n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Antilock Brake System (ABS)Information for your safetyNot even ABS can suspend the laws
of physics. The consequences of brake
applications with inadequate clear-
ances for safety between vehicles,
excessive speed or if aquaplaning
occurs are always the responsibility of
the driver. You should never allow the
added safety of ABS to mislead you into
taking risks of any kind.
Do not make any modifications
to the ABS system.
Service procedures on ABS are to be
performed by authorized technicians
only.<
In the event of a fault
If the ABS warning lamp comes
on, refer to page 19. The brake
system will then function the
same as on vehicles without
ABS. However, have the brake
system checked by your BMW
center as soon as possible. To prevent
undetected defects and cumulative
faults from adversely affecting the brake
system, refer any problems to your
BMW center at the earliest opportunity.
Cornering Brake Control (CBC)CBC is an advanced ABS engineering
design. Vehicle stability is also en-
hanced when braking during cornering
at high lateral acceleration, or when
braking during a lane changing.

109n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine oilChecking the oil level 1 Park the vehicle on a level surface
2 Let the warmed-up engine idle for
about 15 seconds, then turn it off
3 Pull the dipstick out after about
1 minute and wipe it off with a clean
lint-free cloth, tissue, or similar
material
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.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption
is directly influenced by your driving
style and vehicle operating conditions.520de089
The oil volume between the two marks
on the dipstick corresponds to approx.
1.1 US quarts (1 liter). Do not fill beyond
the upper mark on the dipstick. Excess
oil will damage the engine.520de091
Adding engine oil Wait until the level has dropped to just
above the lower mark before adding oil.
However, never let the oil drop below
the lower mark.
BMW engines are designed to
operate without oil additives; the
use of additives could lead to damage
in some cases. This also applies to the
manual transmission, differential and
the power steering system.<520de090

112n
Coolant Brake fluidAdding coolant Wait until the engine cools before
removing the cap from the expansion
tank. The needle of the coolant gauge
in the instrument cluster must fall within
the blue zone. If it is not, there is a
danger of scalding.
1 Turn the cap slightly counterclock-
wise in order to allow accumulated
pressure to escape. Then open
2 If the coolant is low, slowly add cool-
ant until the correct level is reached Ð
do not overfill.
The coolant is a mixture of water and
extended-duty antifreeze with corrosion
inhibitor. Always maintain the pre-
scribed all-season 50:50 mixture ratio
for year-round protection against inter-
nal corrosion. No other additives are
required.
Replace the coolant every three years.If the brake warning lamp comes on
and the parking brake has been re-
leased:
Check the brake fluid level. Fill it to the
top mark ("MAX") if necessary.
For adding brake fluid or for determin-
ing and correcting the cause of brake
fluid loss, consult your BMW center.
Your BMW center is familiar with the
specifications for factory-approved
brake fluids (DOT 4).
Brake fluid loss can increase brake
pedal travel. For this type of situation,
refer to the notes on page 89.
520de093
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that is,
it absorbs moisture from the air
over time.
In order to ensure the safety and reli-
ability of the brake system, have the
brake fluid changed every two years by
a BMW center. Refer also to the Service
and Warranty Information Booklet (US
models) or the Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet (Canadian models).
Brake fluid is toxic and eats away the
vehicle's paintwork. You should always
store it in its original container and in a
location that is inaccessible to children.
Do not spill the fluid and do not fill the
brake fluid reservoir beyond the "MAX"
mark. The brake fluid could ignite upon
contact with hot engine parts and
cause serious burns.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the dis-
posal of brake fluid.<