2003 BMW 3.0i ROADSTER checking oil

Everything under control
48
Between the blue and red zones
Normal operating range. The needle may
rise as far as the edge of the red sector dur-
ing normal operation.
Red
When you switch on the ignition, warning
lamp 1 comes on briefly to indicate an
operational check.
Comes on while driving:
The engine has overheated. Switch off the
engine immediately and allow it to cool
down.
For checking the coolant level, refer to
page 80.
Service interval display
Remaining distance to next service
The 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 next service due appears with the
message OIL SERVICE or INSPECTION,
together with the distance remaining in
miles – in kilometers in Canada – before the
next scheduled service.
The computer bases its calculations of the
remaining distance on the preceding driv-
ing style.
A flashing message and a "–" in front of the
number mean that the service interval has
already been exceeded by the distance
shown on the display. Please contact your
BMW center for an appointment.
Outside temperature
If the vehicle is not equipped with a com-
puter, the display in the instrument cluster
always shows the outside temperature.
Clock
If you wish to have a permanent time dis-
play, you can have it appear in the car radio
display, refer to the Owner's Manual for
Radio.
You can set the clock and the time display
in the car radio as follows.
To adjust
Ignition key in position 1 or higher:
Hours
1.Keep button 2 pressed for several sec-
onds until the hours are displayed and
the colon flashes
2.Press button 1 repeatedly until the
required hour is set
Minutes
3.Press button 2 to switch to the minutes
display

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Reference
79
Washer fluids for washer
systems
Headlamp* and windshield washer
system
Capacity of windshield washer system:
approx. 3.2 US quarts / 3 liters.
Capacity when equipped with headlamp
washer system: approx. 5.3 US quarts /
5 liters.
Fill with water and – if required – with an
antifreeze agent according to the manufac-
turer's recommendations.
We recommend that you mix the
washer fluid before adding it to the
reservoir.<
Antifreeze agent for the washer sys-
tems is flammable. For this reason,
keep it away from sources of flame and
store it only in its original container. Store it
so that it is inaccessible to children. Com-
ply with the instructions on the contain-
ers.<
Engine oil
Engine oil pressure
The red engine oil warning lamp
lights up:
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.<
Engine oil level
The yellow engine oil indicator lamp
lights up while driving:
The oil level is at the absolute mini-
mum; refill as soon as possible. Do not
drive more than approx. 30 miles / 50 km
until you do.
The yellow engine oil indicator lamp
lights up after the engine is
switched off: add engine oil at the
earliest opportunity, when you stop to
refuel.
Engine oil sensor
The yellow engine oil indicator lamp
lights up within 20 seconds after
the engine is started:
The oil level sensor is defective. Please
have it checked by a BMW center.
Checking the oil level
1.Park the vehicle on a level surface
2.Switch the engine off after it has
reached normal operating temperature
3.After approx. 5 minutes, pull the dip-
stick out and wipe it off with a clean lint-
free cloth, paper towel, or similar mate-
rial
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
6.Return the dipstick to the guide tube,
inserting it as far as it will go.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption is
directly influenced by your driving style and
vehicle operating conditions.

In the engine compartment
80 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.
Adding engine oil
While 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 oper-
ate without oil additives; the use of
additives could even lead to damage in
some cases. This also applies to manual
and automatic transmissions and to the dif-
ferential.<
Continuous exposure to used oil has
caused cancer in laboratory tests. For
this reason, thoroughly wash any areas of
skin that come into contact with oil using
soap and water.
Always store oils, grease and similar mate-
rials so that they are inaccessible to chil-
dren. Comply with warning labels and the
information on the containers.<
Comply with the applicable environ-
mental laws regulating the disposal of
used oil.<
Approved engine oils
The quality of the engine oil is extremely
important for the function and life of an
engine. Based on extensive testing, BMW
has approved certain grades of engine oil.
Use approved "BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil".
If you are unable to obtain an approved
BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil, you may use small volumes of other synthetic
oils for topping up between oil changes.
Use only oils with the specification API SH
or higher.
Ask your BMW center for details con-
cerning the specific BMW High Per-
formance Synthetic Oil or synthetic oils that
have been approved.<
You can also call BMW of North America
toll-free at 1-800-831-1117 or visit this
website: www.bmwusa.com to obtain this
information.
Coolant
The yellow coolant indicator lamp
lights up:
The coolant level is too low: top up
as soon as possible.
Do not add coolant to the cooling sys-
tem when the engine is hot. If you do,
escaping coolant can cause burns.
Antifreeze and anti-corrosion agents are
hazardous to health. You should always
store them in their original containers and
in a location inaccessible to children.
Antifreeze and anti-corrosion agents are
flammable. For this reason, do not spill
them on hot engine parts. They could ignite
and cause burns. Comply with the instruc-
tions on the containers.<
Checking the coolant level
Correct coolant level when the engine is
cold – at approx. 687 / 206:
1.Open the cap of the expansion tank by
turning it slightly counterclockwise to

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Reference
97
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System 53
– indicator lamp 14
Accessories 7
Activated-charcoal filter 59
Air conditioning 55, 56
– air distribution 56
– air supply 56
– automatic climate
control 58
– defrosting windows
and removing
condensation 56
– outside-air mode 56
– rear window defroster 56
– recirculated-air mode 56
– temperature 56
Air distribution
– air conditioning 56
– automatic climate
control 58
Air outlets 56, 59
Air pressure 71
– checking 71
Air supply
– air conditioning 56
– automatic climate
control 58
Airbags 33
– activation/deactivation 34
– indicator lamp 14, 33
– passenger airbags
lamp 35
Alarm system 27
– arming/disarming 27
– indicator lamp 27
– tilt alarm sensor 28
– triggering 19
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires 76
Antifreeze
– coolant 81
– washer fluid 79Antilock Brake System ABS
– indicator lamp 14
Anti-theft alarm system,
refer to Alarm system 27
Approved axle load 94
Approved gross vehicle
weight 94
Ashtray 61
AUC Automatic recircu-
lated air control 58
Automatic
– air distribution 58
– air supply 58
– cruise control 44
– lamp control 45
Automatic car wash, refer
to the Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Automatic climate
control 57, 58
– air conditioning 58
– air distribution 58
– air supply 58
– Automatic recirculated air
control AUC 58
– defrosting windows
and removing
condensation 58
– maximum cooling 58
– outside air 58
– rear window defroster 59
– recirculated air mode 58
– temperature 58
Automatic transmission
with Steptronic 40
– display 41
– electronic transmission
control 41
– indicator lamp 14
– manual mode 41
– selector lever position 40
– sport program 41
Automatic windshield
washer 44Average fuel
consumption 50
Average speed 50
Axle load, approved 94
B
Backrest, refer to Seats 30
Backup lamps 40
– bulb replacement 86
Bandages 89
Battery 87
Battery charge current
– indicator lamp 14, 88
Belt tensioner, refer to
Safety belts 31
Belts 31
Beverage holder 61
Blinker, refer to Turn signal
indicators 42
Blower
– air conditioning 56
– automatic climate
control 58
BMW High Performance
synthetic oils 80
BMW Maintenance
System 82
Bore 94
Brake fluid 81
– indicator lamp 14, 81
– refilling 81
Brake Force Display 52
Brake hydraulic system 65
Brake hydraulics
– indicator lamp 14
Brake lamps
– bulb replacement 86
– indicator lamp, defective
bulb 14
Brake pads 66
– indicator lamp 14
Everything from A - Z
Index

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Reference
99
Driving lamps
– indicator lamp, defective
bulb 14
Driving notes 65
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control 51
– indicator lamp 14
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control 51
– indicator lamp 14
Dynamic Brake Control
DBC 52
– indicator lamp 14
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC 51
– indicator lamp 14
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC 51
– indicator lamp 14
E
Electric Power Steering
EPS 42
– indicator lamp 15
Electric power windows 22
Electrical convertible
top 25
Electrical fault
– convertible top 25
– door lock 20
– fuel filler door 70
– storage compartment 60
Emergency operation
– convertible top 25
– doors 20
– fuel filler door 70
– storage compartment 60
Emergency release
– from inside luggage
compartment 22
Engine 38
– break-in procedures 64
– starting 38
– switching off 39
Engine compartment 78
Engine coolant 96
– refilling 81Engine oil 79
– capacity 96
– quality 80
– refilling 79
Engine oil consumption 79
Engine oil level 79
– checking 79
Engine oil pressure 79
– indicator lamp 14
Engine oil sensor 79
– indicator lamp 14
Engine oil types 80
Engine output 94
Engine speed 94
EPS Electric Power
Steering 42
ESP, refer to DSC 51
Exhaust system, refer to
High temperatures 65
Exterior mirrors 32
– automatic dimming
feature 33
Eyelet for tow-starting and
towing 90
F
False alarm 28
Fault
– storage compartment 60
First-aid kit 89
Flat tire 73, 75
Flat Tire Monitor 53
– indicator lamp 14, 53
Fog lamps 46
– indicator lamp 14
Footbrake, refer to Driving
notes 65
Front airbags 33
Fuel consumption 50
– display 47
Fuel filler door 70
– unlocking in case of elec-
trical fault 70
Fuel gas cap 70
Fuel gauge 47
Fuel specifications 70, 94
Fuel tank capacity 96
Fuses 88
G
Gasoline gauge, refer to
Fuel gauge 47
Gasoline specifications,
refer to Fuel
specifications 70
Glove compartment 60
Gross vehicle weight,
approved 94
Guide Booklet, Warranty
and Service 82
H
Handbrake 39
Hands-free system 61
Hardtop preparation 67
Hardtop, refer to the sepa-
rate Owner's Manual
Hazard warning flashers 12
Hazard warning triangle 89
Head restraints 30
Headlamp flasher 42, 46
Headlamp washer
system 79, 96
Headlamps 84
– access 84
– high beam 42
Heated seats 31
Heavy loads 66
Height 95
High beams 42, 46
– bulb replacement 85
– indicator lamp 14
High temperatures 65
Hood 77
Hood release 77
Hydraulic brake assistant,
refer to DBC
Hydroplaning 65
I
Ignition lock 38
Imprint 4, 6
Indicator and warning
lamps 14

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Reference
101
N
Navigation system, refer to
the separate Owner's
Manual
Nets 60
O
OBD socket 83
Odometer 47
Oil 79
– additives 80
– capacity 96
– quality 80
Oil change interval, refer to
the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for
US models/Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
Oil consumption 79
Oil dipstick 79
Oil filter change 96
Oil level 79
– checking 79
– indicator lamp 14
Oil pressure 79
– indicator lamp 14
Oil sensor 79
– indicator lamp 14
OIL SERVICE 48
Oil types 80
Onboard computer, refer to
Computer or to the sepa-
rate Owner's Manual for
Onboard Computer
Onboard tool kit 84
Operating elements 12
Outlets, refer to
Ventilation 56, 59
Output 94
Outside air mode
– air conditioning 56
Outside temperature
display 48
– changing units 49
– in computer 49
P
Paintwork, refer to the Car-
ing for your vehicle bro-
chure
Panel lighting 46
Panic mode 19
Parking brake 39
– indicator lamp 14
Parking lamps 45
Particle filter
– automatic climate
control 56
Passenger airbags
– activation/deactivation 34
Pollen, refer to
– Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter 59
– Particle filter 56
Power seat 30
Power steering, electric 42
Power windows 22
Preparations for the cellular
phone 61
Pressure monitor, tires 53
Pressure, tires 71
R
Radiator 96
Radio, refer to the Owner's
Manual for Radio
Rain sensor 43
Reading lamps 46
Rear lamps 86
– bulb replacement 86
Rear window defroster
– air conditioning 56
– automatic climate
control 59
Rearview mirror 32
Recirculated air mode
– air conditioning 56
– automatic climate
control 58
Refueling 70
Remote control 18
– interior motion sensor 19
– luggage compartment
lid 19
– malfunction 19Remote control keys 18
Replacement key 18
Replacement of tires 73
Reserve tank indicator
lamp 47
Restraint systems 34
Reverse 40
Run Flat tires 73, 75, 87
– flat tire 75
S
Safety belts 31
Safety defects 8
Seat adjustment
– storing 30
Seat heating 31
Seat memory 30
Seats 29
– adjustment,
mechanical 29
– adjustment, power 30
Securing loads 66
Securing, locking the
vehicle 19
Selector lever
– automatic
transmission 40
– position, automatic
transmission 40
Service 48
Service and warranty 7
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet 82
Service Engine Soon 83
– indicator lamp 14
Service interval
display 48, 82
Shiftlock 40
Side airbags 33
Snow chains 76
Socket
– for Onboard
Diagnostics 83
– refer to Cigarette lighter
socket 61
Spare fuses 88
Spare key 18
Special oils 80
Speed control, refer to
Cruise control 44

Everything from A - Z
102 Speedometer 13
Sport program
– automatic transmission
with Steptronic 41
– Drivelogic 42
Standing lamps, refer to
Parking lamps 45, 46
Starting problems 89
Starting the engine 38
Steering lock 38
Steering wheel
– adjusting 32
Steptronic 40
Storage compartments 60
– electrical fault 60
– opening manually 60
Storage nets 60
Storage, tires 76
Storing the vehicle, refer to
the Caring for your vehi-
cle brochure
Stroke 94
Switching gears, refer to
Automatic transmission
with Steptronic 40
Symbols 6
Synthetic oils 80
T
Tachometer 47
Tail lamps
– bulb replacement 86
– indicator lamp, defective
bulb 14
Tank capacity 96
Technical data 94
– engine 94
– weight 94
Technical
modifications 7
Telephone preparation 61
Telephone, refer to the
Owner's Manual for the
telephone
Temperature
– air conditioning 56
– automatic climate
control 58
– tires 74Temperature display
– engine coolant 47
– outside temperature 48
– outside temperature in
computer 49
Third brake lamp 87
Tilt alarm sensor 19, 28
– deactivating 28
– remote control 19
Tire change 87
Tire damage 73
Tire inflation pressure 71
– checking 71
Tire pressure monitor 53
Tires
– age 73
– approval 71
– break-in procedures 64
– condition 73
– damage 73
– DOT quality grades 73
– flat tire 75
– inflation pressure 71
– M+S tires 76
– replacement 73
– Run Flat tires 73, 75, 87
– temperature 74
– traction 74
– tread 73
– tread wear 73
– Uniform Tire Quality
Grading 74
– wheel-tire
combination 74
– winter tires 76
Tool kit, refer to Onboard
tool kit 84
Torque 94
Towing 90
Towing eyelet 90
Tow-starting 90
Track width 95
Traction 74
Transmission, refer to
Automatic transmission
with Steptronic 40
Transporting children
safely 34
Tread depth, tires 73
Tread wear 73
Tread wear indicator 73Trip odometer 47
Trunk lid, refer to Luggage
compartment lid 21, 22
Trunk, refer to Luggage
compartment 22
Turn signal indicators 42
– bulb replacement 86
– indicator lamps 14
Turning circle 95
U
Undercoating, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading 74
Unintentional alarm 28
Unlocking the vehicle 19
Used batteries, refer to
Battery disposal 88
V
Vacuum cleaner, refer to
Cigarette lighter
socket 61
Vehicle
– battery 87
– break-in procedures 64
– data 94
Vehicle Memory 37
Vehicle storage, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Vehicle vacuum cleaner,
refer to Cigarette lighter
socket 61
Ventilation 56, 59
Vents, refer to
Ventilation 56, 59
W
Warning and indicator
lamps 14
Warning triangle 89
Warranty and service 7
Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet 82