2002 BMW Z3 check oil

20n

Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself

Indicator and warning lamps that are
identified by "

l

" are tested for proper
functioning whenever the ignition 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 in the
following section.

Red: stop immediately

Battery charge current

l

The battery is no longer being
charged. The alternator drive
belt is defective or there is a malfunc-
tion in the charging circuit of the alter-
nator. Please contact the nearest BMW
center.
If the drive belt is defective, stop
and switch off the engine immedi-
ately to prevent overheating and
serious engine damage. If the drive belt
is defective, increased steering effort is
also required.

<


Engine oil pressure

l

Stop the vehicle immediately
and switch off the engine.
Check the engine oil level and top off as
required. If the oil level is correct,
please contact the nearest BMW
center.
Do not continue driving, as the
engine could sustain serious
damage from inadequate lubrication.

<



Brake hydraulic system

l

The brake fluid level is too low.
Before driving further, be sure to
read the notes on pages 104 and 126.
Brake hydraulic system warning
lamp for Canadian models.

21n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Indicator and warning lamps

Red and yellow: continue to drive
cautiously

The red warning lamp for the
brake hydraulic system comes
on together with the yellow indi-
cator lamps for ABS, ASC+T/
DSC

*
:
The entire ABS, CBC, ASC+T/
DSC

*
and


ADB/DBC


control
system has failed. Continue
driving cautiously and defen-
sively. Avoid hard brake applications.
Have the system checked by your BMW
center as soon as possible.
For additional information, refer to
pages 73, 74 and 102.
Warning lamps for Canadian
models.

Red: an important reminder

Parking brake
Comes on when the parking
brake is engaged.
For additional information, refer to
page 60.
Parking brake warning lamp for
Canadian models.
Please fasten your safety belt

l

Together with an acoustic signal.
Comes on until the safety belts
are fastened.
For additional information on safety
belts, refer to page 52.
Airbags

l

Please have the system
inspected by your BMW center.
For additional information, refer to
pages 54 and 164.

Yellow: check as soon as possible

Antilock Brake System (ABS)

l

Comes on during normal vehicle
operation: ABS has been deac-
tivated in response to system malfunc-
tion. Conventional braking efficiency
is available without limitations. Please
have the system inspected by your
BMW center.
For additional information, refer to
page 101.
Antilock Brake System 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 do.
For additional information, refer to
page 123.
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been switched off: add engine
oil at your earliest opportunity (when
you stop to refuel).
For additional information, refer to
page 123.

42n
Manual convertible top, roadster4. Push the peripheral frame of the
cover under the edge of the convert-
ible top compartment
5. Check the convertible cover to be
sure it is properly secured.
In order to avoid damage and
soiling of the inside of the convert-
ible top, always drive with the cover
secured in place.<
Be sure that the cover is secured
properly on the vehicle. If it is not
firmly secured, the flow of air while
driving could loosen the cover at higher
speeds.< 367us077
To close1. To remove the convertible top cover:
>Loosen the fasteners. Pull the cap
of the latch upward, refer to the
arrow367de724
>Loosen the front fasteners (outer
arrows)
>Pull the outer frame of the cover
under the edge of the convertible
top compartment
>Lift the cover from the rear and
release the middle fasteners
(middle arrows)367us670

46n
Power convertible top, roadster
*
To mount the coverThe illustration depicts a representative
schematic of the fasteners for the
convertible cover.
To secure, press the outer ring of the
cover fastener onto the mating piece on
the vehicle (refer to the arrows).367de274
The attachment points of the cover are
indicated by the four arrows in the illus-
tration.
1. Position the convertible cover on the
convertible top compartment and
align the upper portions of the
fasteners with the lower portions on
the vehicle
2. Lift the cover at the rear, reach
underneath it and engage the two
middle fasteners
3. Attach the front fasteners367us669
4. Push the peripheral frame of the
cover under the edge of the convert-
ible top compartment
5. Check the convertible cover to be
sure it is properly secured.
In order to avoid damage and
soiling of the inside of the convert-
ible top, always drive with the cover
secured in place.<
Be sure that the cover is secured
properly on the vehicle. If it is not
firmly secured, the flow of air while
driving could loosen the cover at higher
speeds.< 367us077

69n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Coolant temperature gauge Service Interval DisplayBlueThe 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.
Comes on while driving: the engine is
overheated. Switch off the engine
immediately and allow it to cool down.367de007
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.
Checking coolant level, refer to
page 125.
Green lamps The number of illuminated lamps
decreases as the time for your next
maintenance visit approaches.Yellow lamp This field appears together with
OILSERVICE or INSPECTION.
This alerts you that maintenance is due.
Please arrange for an appointment with
your BMW center.Red lamp Maintenance is overdue.367us709

123n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Engine oil To check oil level1. Park the vehicle on a level surface
2. Switch the engine off after it has
reached normal operating tempera-
ture
3. After approx. 5 minutes, pull the
dipstick out and wipe it off with a
clean lint-free cloth, paper towel, or
similar material
4. Push the dipstick carefully 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.367de738
The space 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.460de189
To add oilWhile you should wait until the level has
dropped to just above the lower mark
before adding oil, you should never
allow the oil level to fall below this
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 and automatic transmission, the
differential and the power steering
system.< 367de344

125n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
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. Any skin areas that come in
contact with oil should thus be thor-
oughly washed with soap and water.
Store oil, grease, etc., out of reach of
children. Comply with warning labels
and information on containers.
If you use SAE 15W-40 engine oil in low
temperatures (below +14 7/Ð10 6),
the engine may become difficult to
start.
Special engine oils individually
approved by BMW are preferred for use
in your engine. Please contact your
BMW center for details.<
Do not add coolant to the cooling
system when the engine is hot. If
you do, escaping coolant can cause
burns.
To avoid the possibility of damage later
on, do not use anything other than
factory-approved, nitrite and amino-
free extended-duty antifreeze with
corrosion inhibitor which can be used
with aluminum radiator cores. Your
BMW center is familiar with the
approved specifications.
Antifreeze and anti-corrosion agents
are hazardous to health. Store them in
their original containers. Keep the
containers tightly closed and out of
reach of children.
Extended-duty antifreeze with corro-
sion inhibitor contains the flammable
substance ethylene glycol. For this
reason, do not spill extended-duty anti-
freeze with corrosion inhibitor on hot
engine components. If you do, it could
be ignited and cause burns.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the
disposal of extended-duty antifreeze
with corrosion inhibitor.<
Checking coolant levelCorrect coolant level when the engine
is cold (approx. +68 7/+20 6):
Unscrew the cap from the expansion
tank.
The coolant level is correct when the
upper end of the red float is at least
even with the upper edge of the filler
neck (refer to the arrow in the illustra-
tion), but no more than 0.8 in (2 cm)
above it Ð that is, up to the second mark
on the float (refer also to the schematic
diagram next to the filler neck).367de356

130n
Airbags Storing your vehicle1 Front airbags on the driver and
passenger side
2 Side airbags on the driver and
passenger sideImportant safety notices
Do not attempt to remove the gas
generators of the airbag restraint
system from the vehicle or to disas-
semble them.
Have inspection and service proce-
dures performed by specially-trained
personnel only.
If the airbag restraint system malfunc-
tions, is deactivated or triggered as a
response to an accident, have the
system repaired by a BMW center only.
367de730
Do not make modifications of any kind
to the individual components or system
wiring. These include the upholstered
covers on the steering wheel hub, in the
instrument panel and in the side trim
panels of the doors. Never apply adhe-
sive materials to these components or
cover or modify them in any way. Do
not attempt to disassemble the steering
wheel itself.
To ensure compliance with applicable
safety regulations, have the airbag
generators disposed of by a BMW
center only.
Unprofessional attempts to service the
system could lead to failure in an emer-
gency or undesired airbag activation,
either of which could result in personal
injury.< If you intend to store the vehicle
for longer than three months, have
the maintenance operations described
on this page performed.<
Preparation for storageHave the following operations
performed by your BMW center:
1. Clean and apply a rust-proofing
agent or other treatment to the
engine, engine compartment, under-
carriage, axles and major compo-
nents in accordance with approved
repair procedures. Wash the vehicle,
clean the interior and treat painted
and chromed parts. Clean the rubber
seals around the hood, luggage
compartment and doors
2. Change the engine oil and oil filter
with the engine at operating temper-
ature. As an additional corrosion
protection measure, an anticorrosive
agent can be added to the engine in
accordance with the manufacturer's
instructions
3. Check the coolant level and concen-
tration and top up if necessary
4. Check the fluid level of the wind-
shield washer fluid reservoir; top up if
necessary