2008 BMW 128I CONVERTIBLE oil level

Cockpit
12
Instrument cluster
1Speedometer
135i: with fuel gauge
2Indicator lamps for turn signals
3Indicator and warning lamps13
4Tachometer67
5Fuel gauge68
135i: engine oil temperature68
6Display for
>Clock67
>Outside temperature67
>Indicator and warning lamps777Display for
>Position of automatic transmission
*60
>Computer68
>Date of next scheduled service, and
remaining distance to be driven72
>Odometer and trip odometer67
>Checking oil level213
>Settings and information71
8Resetting the trip odometer67

Everything under control
68
Coolant temperature
A warning lamp will come on if the coolant, and
therefore the engine, becomes too hot.
In addition, a message will appear on the Con-
trol Display.
Check coolant level, refer to page216.
Engine oil temperature*
When the engine is at normal operating temper-
ature, the engine oil temperature is between
approx. 2107/1006 and approx. 3007/
1506.
If the engine oil temperature is too high, a mes-
sage appears on the Control Display.
Fuel gauge
Fuel tank capacity: approx. 14 US gallons/
53 liters.
You can find information on refueling on
page202.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies for a longer period,
when you are driving in mountainous areas, for
example, the indicator may fluctuate slightly.
Fuel display 135i: in speedometer.
Reserve
Once the fuel level has fallen to the reserve
zone, a message briefly appears on the Control
Display and the cruising range for the remaining
amount of fuel is displayed on the computer.
Under a cruising range of approx. 30 miles/
50 km, the message remains in the Control Dis-
play.
Refuel as soon as possible once your
cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km, otherwise engine functions are not
ensured and damage can occur.<
Computer
Displays in the instrument cluster
Calling up information
Press the button in the turn indicator lever.
The following items of information are dis-
played in the order listed:
>Cruising range
>Average speed
>Average fuel consumption
>Current fuel consumption
>No information

Controls
71Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Settings and information
Operating principle
1Button for:
>Selecting display
>Setting values
2Button for:
>Confirming selected display or set val-
ues
>Calling up computer information68
3When the lights are on: instrument lighting
brightness95
4Calling up Check Control775Checking oil level213
6Setting the time75
7Setting the date76
8Viewing service requirement display72
Exiting displays
The outside-temperature reading and the time
reappear when you press button2 or if you
make no entries within approx. 15 seconds. If
required, complete the current setting first.
Units of measure
You can set units of measure.
Adjusting the units of measure
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.
3.Select "Settings" and press the controller.4.Select "Language / Units" and press the
controller.
5.If necessary, move the highlight marker to
the uppermost field. Turn the controller

Mobility
211Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Recommended tire brands
Certain makes of tire are recommended by
BMW for each tire size. They are marked with a
clearly visible BMW designation on the sidewall
of the tire.
When properly used, these tires meet the high-
est standards in terms of safety and handling
characteristics.
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW recommends winter tires for use in cold
winter driving conditions. Although all-season
M+S tires provide better winter traction than
summer tires, they generally fail to provide the
same levels of cold-weather performance as
winter tires.
Pay attention to speed
Always comply with the speed limit for the
winter tires mounted on your car; failure
to do so could result in tire damage and acci-
dents.<
If the car is capable of speeds higher than that
permitted for the winter tires, a label stating the
maximum permitted speed for the mounted
tires must be displayed in your field of view.
Specialist tire dealers and your BMW center
can supply these labels.
Storage
Store wheels and tires in a cool, dry place with
as little exposure to light as possible. Always
protect tires against all contact with oil, grease
and fuels.
Do not exceed the maximum tire inflation pres-
sure indicated on the sidewall of the tire.
Swapping wheels between axles
BMW advises against swapping wheels
between the front and rear axles, even if all tires
have the same size, as this could impair driving
characteristics. If the tires are of mixed sizes,
swapping wheels between the axles is not per-
missible.
Snow chains*
Only certain fine-link snow chains have been
tested by BMW, classified as safe for use and
recommended. Consult your BMW center for
more information. Snow chains must be
mounted in pairs and on the rear wheels only.
Observe the manufacturer's instructions when
mounting snow chains. Do not exceed a speed
of 30 mph/50 km/h with chains.
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor if
snow chains are mounted, otherwise the
instrument might issue an incorrect reading.
When driving with snow chains, you may find it
helpful to activate DTC temporarily, refer to
page82.<

Mobility
213Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Important parts of the engine compartment
1Expansion tank for coolant, refer to
page216
2Washer fluid filler neck for headlamp clean-
ing system and window washer system,
refer to page643Jump-starting connection, refer to
page230
4Fluid filler neck for engine oil, refer to Add-
ing engine oil, page215
Engine oil
The engine oil consumption is dependent on
driving style and driving conditions.
Checking oil level
Your car is equipped with an electronic oil-level
monitor.
For a precise measurement and display of the
oil level, it is necessary that the engine be at
operating temperature, i.e. after uninterrupted
driving for at least approx. 6.5 miles/10 km. You
can have the oil level displayed while you are
driving, or while the vehicle is at a standstill on a
level surface and the engine is running.
Display in the instrument cluster
1.Push button 1 in the turn indicator lever up
or down repeatedly until the appropriate
symbol is shown in the display, accompa-
nied by the word "OIL".
2.Press button 2.
The oil level is checked and the reading dis-
played.

Under the hood
214
Possible displays
1Oil level OK
2Oil level is being checked.
This can take about 3 minutes if the car is at
a standstill on a level surface, or about
5 minutes while the car is on the move.
3Oil level down to minimum:
Add engine oil as soon as possible, but no
more than 1 US quart/1 liter, refer also to
Adding engine oil on page215.
4Oil level is too high.
Too much oil will harm the engine.
Have the vehicle checked without
delay.<
5The oil level sensor is defective.
Do not add engine oil. You can continue
your journey. Note the newly calculated dis-
tance remaining to the next oil service, refer
to page217. Have the system checked as
soon as possible.
Display via iDrive
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.
3.Select "Info sources" and press the control-
ler.
4.Select "Service" and press the controller.
5.If necessary, move the highlight marker to
the uppermost field. Turn the controller
until "Service requirements" is selected and
press the controller.
6.If necessary, move the highlight marker to
the second field from the top. Turn the con-
troller until "Engine oil level" is selected and
press the controller.
The oil level is displayed.
To exit the display immediately:
Select and press the controller.

Mobility
215Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Possible messages
>"Engine oil level O.K."
>"No measurement available: Updating
engine oil level measurement..."
The engine oil level is measured. This can
take about 3 minutes if the car is at a stand-
still on a level surface and the engine is run-
ning, and about 5 minutes while the car is on
the move.
>"Oil level at the minimum! Refill with 1 quart
of engine oil."
Add 1 US quart/1 liter of engine oil at the
next opportunity, but no more than that,
refer also to Adding engine oil below.
>"Engine oil level too high"
Too much oil will harm the engine.
Have the vehicle checked without
delay.<
>"Please observe recalculated service inter-
val for engine oil"
Do not add engine oil. You can continue
your journey. Note the newly calculated dis-
tance remaining to the next oil service, refer
to page217. Have the system checked as
soon as possible.
Adding engine oil
Do not add 1 US quart/1 liter of engine oil until a
corresponding message is shown on the Con-
trol Display.
Add oil within the next 125 miles/200 km,
otherwise the engine could be dam-
aged.<
Keep oils, greases, etc. out of the reach of
children and comply with the relevant
warnings on the containers. Otherwise, health
hazards may result.<
Oil change
Have oil changed only at your BMW center or at
a workshop that works according to BMW
repair procedures with correspondingly trained
personnel.
Specified engine oils
The quality of the engine oil selected has critical
significance for the operation and service life of
an engine. BMW continuously approves spe-
cific oils after confirming their suitability for use
in its vehicles with extensive testing.
Do not use oil additives as these may
cause engine damage.<
Only use approved BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil.
If BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil is not
available, you can add small quantities of other
synthetic oils in between oil changes. Only use
oils with the API SM specification or higher.
Your BMW center will be glad to answer
any questions regarding BMW High Per-
formance Synthetic Oil or approved synthetic
oils.<
You can also call BMW of North America at
1-800-831-1117 or visit the website
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this information.
Viscosity ratings
Viscosity is a measure of an oil's flow rating and
is categorized in SAE classes.
Selecting the appropriate SAE class depends
on the regional climatic conditions in which you
normally drive your BMW.
Approved oils belong to the 5W-40 and
5W-30 classes.<
These oils can be used for driving at all outside
temperatures.

Everything from A - Z
246 Calling
– from phone book183
– from Top 8 list184
– redialing184
Can holders, refer to Cup
holders107
Capacities239
Capacity of the cargo bay239
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery227
Car care, refer to Care219
"Car Data"69
Care219
– automatic car washes219
– care products219
– carpets221
– CD/DVD drives222
– chrome parts221
– convertible top220
– displays222
– exterior219
– fine wood parts222
– headlamps220
– high-pressure washer219
– interior221
– leather221
– light-alloy wheels221
– paintwork220
– plastic parts222
– rubber seals221
– safety belts222
– sensors and cameras222
– upholstery and cloth
trim221
– washing the car
manually220
– windows220
– wiper blades220
Cargo, securing118
Cargo bay
– capacity239
– convenient access37
– enlarging, refer to Through-
loading system108
– lamp, refer to Interior
lamps95
– lid, refer to Luggage
compartment lid33
– opening from outside33Cargo bay lid, refer to
Luggage compartment
lid33
Cargo bay net, refer to
Securing cargo118
Cargo loading
– securing cargo118
– stowing cargo117
– vehicle117
Car jack
– jacking points227
Car key, refer to Integrated
key/remote control28
Car phone176
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest107
– refer to Mobile phone176
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Car radio, refer to Radio154
Car shampoo222
Car wash116
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system115
"Categories" for satellite
radio161
"CD"150,163
CD changer163
– compressed audio files163
– controls150
– fast forward/reverse167
– installation location167
– playing a track165
– random order166
– repeating a track166
– selecting a CD163
– selecting a track164
– switching on/off150
– tone control151
– volume151CD player163
– compressed audio files163
– controls150
– fast forward/reverse167
– playing a track165
– random order166
– repeating a track166
– selecting a track164
– switching on/off150
– tone control151
– volume151
Center armrest107
Center brake lamp, replacing
bulb226
Center console, refer to
Around the center
console14
Central key, refer to Integrated
key/remote control28
"Central locking"30,50
Central locking
– from inside32
– from outside
29
Central locking system29
– convenient access36
Changes, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
Changing the language on the
Control Display80
Changing wheels226
Chassis number, refer to
Engine compartment213
Check Control77
"Check Control
messages"78
Checking oil level213
Child-restraint fixing system
LATCH56
Child-restraint systems55
Child seats55
Chrome parts222
Chrome polish222
Cigarette lighter108
Cleaning headlamps64
– washer fluid64
Cleaning your BMW, refer to
Care219
"Climate"98