2001 BMW Z8 check engine

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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
identified by "

l

" are tested for proper
operation whenever the ignition key is
turned. They each light up once for
different periods of time.
The indicator lamps signal defects in
monitored systems either by remaining
lit after the engine is started or by
coming on in the course of normal
vehicle operation. Refer to the following
section for detailed information on how
to respond to the various types of warn-
ings.

Red: stop immediately

Battery charge current
The alternator is no longer
charging the battery. Indicates a
defect in the alternator drive belt or the
charging circuit. Please contact the
nearest BMW center.
Never attempt to continue driving
if the V-belt is defective: the
engine could overheat and sustain
serious damage. A broken or damaged
V-belt will also lead to a sudden
increase in steering effort.

<

Engine oil pressure

l

Stop vehicle and switch off
engine immediately. Check the
engine oil level and top up as required.
If the oil level is correct, please contact
the nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving. The
engine could sustain damage
owing to 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),
and avoid hard braking or steering
maneuvers.
For additional information, refer to
page 67.
Brake warning lamp

l

If the lamp comes on when the
parking brake is not engaged,
check the brake fluid level. Before
driving further, be sure to read the
notes on pages 91 and 112.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview

Indicator and warning lamps

Red and yellow: continue driving
cautiously

The red brake warning lamp
comes on together with the
yellow indicator lamps for ABS
and DSC:
The entire ABS, CBC, DSC and
DBC control system has failed.
Continue driving cautiously and
defensively. Avoid hard brake
applications. Please have the
system checked by your BMW center
as soon as possible.
For additional information, refer to
pages 65, 88.
Indicator and 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 the
vehicle is set in motion.
For additional information, refer to
page 57.



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

l

Together with an acoustic
signal. Comes on until the safety
belts are fastened.
For additional information on safety
belts, refer to page 50.
Airbags

l



Please have the system
inspected by your BMW center.
For additional information, refer to
pages 51, 148.

Yellow: check at the earliest
opportunity

Antilock Brake System (ABS)

l

ABS has been deactivated in
response to system malfunction.
Unrestricted conventional brake system
performance remains available. Please
have the system inspected by your
BMW center.
For additional information, refer to
page 88.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Engine oil level

Comes on while driving: the oil
level is at the absolute minimum;
add engine oil as soon as possible. Do
not drive more than approx. 30 miles
(50 km) without stopping to 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
the 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 91.
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC) l

Malfunction in the DBC system.
The brake system continues to
provide unrestricted conventional
performance.
For additional information, refer to
page 90.
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) l
Indicator lamp flashes:
The system is actively regulating engine
torque.
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 65.
Service Engine Soon l
If the indicator lamp comes on
either continuously or 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's
electronic control system. The
electronics revert to a default mode
permitting continued operation, but at
lower than usual engine speeds and
with reduced power. Please have the
system inspected by your BMW center.
Yellow: for your information
Rear fog lamp
Lights up whenever the rear
foglamp is turned on.
For additional information, refer to
page 70.

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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).Checking tire pressuresAll pressure specifications are indicated
in psi (kilopascal) for cold tires at
ambient temperature (refer also to the
next page).
Reactivate the Tire Pressure
Warning (RDW) after changing a
tire or a wheel. Refer to page 67.<520de008
Check tire inflation pressures
regularly Ð at least every two
weeks and before each extended
journey. 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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Coolant temperature gauge Service Interval Display BlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at
moderate engine and vehicle speeds.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the
warning lamp comes on briefly to
confirm that the system is operational.
If the lamp comes on in the course of
normal vehicle operation, 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
unusual 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 and the
next scheduled service will appear
together with the display OILSERVICE
or INSPECTION.
The computer bases its calculations
for the remaining distance on the
previous driving style.
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

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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 case of a system malfunction
If the ABS warning lamp comes
on, refer to page 21. 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
enhanced when braking during
cornering at a higher rate of lateral
acceleration and during lane changes.

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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

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Engine oil Coolant
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the
disposal of used oil.<
Recommendation: have the oil changed
by your BMW center only.
Continuous exposure to used oil
has caused cancer in laboratory
testing.
For this reason, thoroughly wash any
areas of skin that come into contact
with oil using soap and water.
Always store oils, grease, etc. so that
they are inaccessible to children, and
follow warning labels on containers.<
Do not add coolant to the cooling
system when the engine is hot,
since escaping coolant can cause
burns.
To avoid the possibility of damage later
on, never use anything other than
factory-approved, nitrite- and amino-
free, extended-duty antifreeze with
corrosion inhibitor. Your BMW center is
familiar with the official specifications.
Antifreeze and corrosion inhibitor is
hazardous to health. Always store in
tightly closed original containers kept
well out of the reach of children.
Extended-duty antifreeze with corro-
sion inhibitor contains the flammable
substance ethyleneÐglycol: never allow
the antifreeze to spill onto hot engine
components, as fire and serious
personal injury in the form of burns
could result.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the
disposal of extended-duty antifreeze
with corrosion inhibitor.<
Checking coolant levelThe correct coolant level when the
engine is cold (approx. 68 7/20 6):
Up to the "MAX" mark on the
translucent expansion tank.520de156