2005 BMW Z4 ROADSTER 3.0I engine

In the engine compartment
84
In the engine compartment
Do not attempt to service your vehicle if
you do not have the required technical
background. If you are not familiar with the reg-
ulations to be observed, have your vehicle ser-
viced only by a BMW center or a workshop that
works according to BMW requirements with the
appropriately trained personnel. Work that is
improperly carried out could result in conse-
quential damage and pose safety hazards.<
Hood
To release
Pull the lever located under the left-hand side of
the instrument panel.
To open
1.Reach under the engine hood
2.Push the release handle up
3.Open the hood.
To close
Allow the hood to fall from a low height and
push on both sides so that it audibly engages.
As in all closing procedures, avoid injuries
by making sure that the travel path of the
hood is clear when it is closed.
If you notice while driving that the hood is not
completely closed, stop immediately and close
it securely.<

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
85
Engine compartment
1Reservoir for the headlamp and windshield
washer system86
2Engine oil filler neck87
3Auxiliary terminal for jump-starting974Reservoir for brake fluid88
5Chassis ground, negative terminal
6Engine oil dipstick86
7Coolant expansion tank87

In the engine compartment
86
Washer fluids for washer
systems
Headlamp* and windshield washer
system
Capacity of windshield washer system: approx.
3.2 quarts/3 liters.
Capacity when equipped with headlamp
washer system: approx. 5.3 quarts/5 liters.
Fill with water and, if required, with an antifreeze
agent according to the manufacturer's recom-
mendations.
We recommend that you mix the washer
fluid before adding it to the reservoir.<
Antifreeze agents for the washing sys-
tems are highly flammable. For this rea-
son, keep them away from sources of flame and
store them only in their original containers.
Store them so that they are inaccessible to chil-
dren. Comply with the instructions on the con-
tainers.<
Engine oil
Oil consumption is directly influenced by your
driving style and vehicle operating conditions.
Warning lamp
Engine oil pressure
The warning lamp lights up in red:
The engine oil pressure is too low.
Stop the vehicle immediately and
switch off the engine. Check the engine oil level
and top up if necessary. If the oil level is correct,
please contact the nearest BMW center.Do not continue driving, as the engine
could sustain serious damage from inad-
equate lubrication.<
Engine oil level
The warning lamp lights up in yellow
while driving:
The oil level is at the absolute mini-
mum; refill as soon as possible. Do not drive
more than 30 miles/50 km before refilling.
The warning lamp lights up in yellow
after the engine has been switched off:
Add engine oil at the earliest opportu-
nity, e.g. when you stop to refuel.
Engine oil sensor
The warning lamp lights up in yellow
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.With the vehicle's engine at normal operat-
ing temperature, i.e. after uninterrupted
driving for at least 6 miles/10 km, park the
vehicle on a level surface
2.Switch off the engine
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.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

Reference
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Mobility
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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.
The oil volume between the two marks on the
dipstick corresponds to approx. 1.1 quarts/
1 liter.
Do not fill beyond the upper mark on the
dipstick. Excess oil will damage the
engine.<
Adding engine oil
Do not add oil until the oil level has dropped
almost to the lower mark on the dipstick, refer to
page86.
Add oil within the next 30 miles/50 km,
otherwise the engine could be dam-
aged.<
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 materials
so that they are inaccessible to children. Com-
ply with warning labels and the information on
the containers.<
Comply with the applicable environmen-
tal laws regulating the disposal of used
oil.<
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. Based
on extensive testing, BMW has approved cer-
tain grades of engine oil.
Use approved High Performance Synthetic Oil.
If you are unable to obtain an approved 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 concern-
ing the specific High Performance Syn-
thetic 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.
BMW engines are designed to operate
without oil additives; the use of additives
could even lead to damage in some cases.<
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.
Use only approved additives, as the
engine could otherwise be damaged. The
additives are hazardous to health.<
Comply with the applicable environmen-
tal laws regulating the disposal of coolant
additives.<

In the engine compartment
88
Checking the coolant level
1.The engine must be at ambient tempera-
ture
2.Open the cap of the expansion tank by turn-
ing it slightly counterclockwise to allow
accumulated pressure to escape, then
open completely
3.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 but no more
than 3/4 in/2 cm above it, that is up to the
second mark on the float. Refer also to the
schematic diagram next to the filler neck
4.Slowly add coolant, if necessary, until the
correct level is reached; do not overfill
5.Turn the cap clockwise until it is tightly
closed
6.Have the cause for the coolant loss
removed as soon as possible.
Brake system
Malfunction
Brake fluid
The warning lamp lights up although
the parking brake is not engaged:
Stop the vehicle immediately.
The brake fluid level in the reservoir is too low.
At the same time, you may notice that brake
pedal travel is longer. Have the system checked
as soon as possible.
If you continue driving, extended pedal
travel may be necessary and braking dis-
tances may be significantly longer. Be sure to
adapt your driving style accordingly. function in Canadian models.
Brake pads
The warning lamp lights up. The brake
pads have worn down to the minimum
safe limit. Have the brake pads
replaced as soon as possible.
For your own safety: use only brake pads
which BMW has approved for your spe-
cific vehicle model. BMW cannot evaluate non-
approved brake pads to determine if they are
suitable for use, and therefore cannot guaran-
tee the operating safety of the vehicle in the
event of their use.<

Reference
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Mobility
89
Maintenance
The BMW Maintenance
System
The BMW Maintenance System helps maintain
the road safety and operating reliability of your
BMW.
Please keep in mind that regular maintenance is
not only necessary for the safety of your vehi-
cle, but also plays a significant role in maintain-
ing the resale value of your vehicle.
Service interval display
While conventional systems rely on distance
traveled alone to determine when a service is
due, the BMW Maintenance System has taken
the actual conditions under which the vehicle is
operated into consideration for years, because
miles can be traveled in many different ways:
From a maintenance point of view,
60,000 miles/100,000 km accumulated in
short-distance urban driving are not the same
as 60,000 miles/100,000 km accumulated at
moderate cruising speeds in long-distance
highway travel.
The BMW Maintenance System includes the
Engine Oil Service and Inspections I and II.
Determining the maintenance intervals based
on the actual loads on the vehicle covers every
kind of operating situation. Minimal use drivers,
who drive fewer than about 6,200 miles/
10,000 km per year, should nevertheless have
the oil changed at least every 2 years since
engine oil deteriorates over time, regardless of
use.
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models, Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for Canadian
models
For additional information on required mainte-
nance intervals and procedures, please refer to
the Service and Warranty Information Booklet
for US models, or the Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet for Canadian models.
Depending on operating conditions, it may be
advisable to have the body checked for damage
from rocks or gravel as a precaution against cor-
rosion.
BMW recommends that you have your
BMW center perform the maintenance
and repair.
Be sure that all maintenance work is recorded in
the Service and Warranty Information Booklet
for US models, Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models. These entries will
serve as proof that the vehicle has received reg-
ular maintenance.<

Maintenance
90
OBD interface socket
The Onboard Diagnostic OBD interface socket
is located on the left of the driver's side under
the instrument panel and under a cover.
The cover has the letters OBD on it.
The purpose of the OBD system is to ensure
proper operation of the emission control sys-
tem for the vehicle's lifetime.
The system monitors emission-related compo-
nents and systems for deterioration and mal-
function.
If the Service engine soon indicator
lamp comes on either continuously or
intermittently, this indicates a fault in
the emission-related electronic systems.
Although the vehicle remains operational, you
should have the systems checked by your
BMW center at the earliest possible opportu-
nity.
The illuminated indicator informs you of the
need for service, not that you need to stop the
vehicle. However, the systems should be
checked by your BMW cente r a t t h e n e x t o p p o r -
tunity.
If the indicator blinks or flashes, this indicates a
high level of engine misfire. Reduce speed and
contact the nearest BMW center immediately.
Severe engine misfiring over even a short
period of time can seriously damage emission
control system components, especially the cat-
alytic converter.Indication of the above-described mal-
function in Canadian models.
If the gas cap is not on tight enough, the
OBD system can detect leaking vapor
and the indicator will light up. If the gas cap is
then tightened, the indicator will usually go out
after a short period of time.<
Event Data Recorders
Your vehicle may be equipped with one or more
sensing and diagnostic modules or a recording
device capable of recording or transmitting cer-
tain vehicle data or information. In addition, if
you have a Subscription Service Agreement for
the BMW Assist system, certain vehicle infor-
mation may be transmitted or recorded in order
to provide such services.
Care
Interesting facts about the care of your vehicle
are found in the Caring for your vehicle bro-
chure.

Replacement procedures
92 1.Open the caps with a suitable object, e.g. a
coin or screwdriver
2.Fold up the protective cover in the wheel
well.
Headlamp cover
1.Pull the wire clamp out straight
2.Pull the wire clamp past the catches, see
arrows, and fold it down
3.Flip the headlamp cover open and remove.
Reinstall the headlamp cover carefully. If
it is not on tight, the headlamp installation
could be damaged.<
Reinstall the headlamp cover in reverse order.
Low beams and high beams
Left side of engine compartment:
1Low beams
2High beams
H7 bulb, 55 watts
The H7 bulb is pressurized. Therefore,
wear safety glasses and protective
gloves. Failure to comply with these precau-
tions could result in physical injury if the bulb is
damaged.<
1.Turn the bulb holder to the left and pull out
2.Remove and replace the bulb
3.Install in the reverse order.
When cleaning the headlamps, please
observe the instructions in the Caring for
your vehicle brochure.<
Xenon lamps*
The service life of these bulbs is very long and
the probability of a failure is very low, provided
that they are not switched on and off an unusual
number of times. If one of these bulbs should
nevertheless fail, it is possible to continue driv-
ing with great caution using the fog lamps, pro-
vided traffic laws in your area do not prohibit
this.
Because of the extremely high voltages
involved, any work on the xenon lighting
system, including bulb-changing, should be
carried out by technically qualified personnel
only. Otherwise, there is a risk of fatal injury.<