2008 BMW Z4 3.0SI COUPE check engine light

Under the hood
94
Adding engine oil
Do not add the maximum amount of 1 US quart/
1 liter of engine oil until the warning lamp lights
up in the instrument cluster, refer to page92, or
until the oil level monitor shows "+1.0".
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 warnings on
the containers. Otherwise, health hazards may
result.<
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. BMW
continuously approves specific oils after con-
firming their suitability for use in its vehicles
with extensive testing.
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 SH specification or higher.
Your BMW center will be glad to answer
any questions regarding BMW High Per-
formance Synthetic Oil or other approved syn-
thetic oils. 1-800-831-1117 or visit the website
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this information.
Do not use any oil additives, as they could
cause engine damage under some cir-
cumstances.<
Viscosity classes
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.
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.
Only use approved additives, otherwise
the engine could be damaged. The addi-
tives are hazardous to health.<
Comply with the appropriate environ-
mental protection regulations when dis-
posing of coolant additives.<
Checking the coolant level
1.The engine must be at ambient tempera-
ture.
2.Turn the cap of the expansion tank a little
counterclockwise to allow any accumulated

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
97
Exhaust emission values
The warning lamp lights up: the
exhaust emission values have wors-
ened. Have the car checked as soon as
possible.
The lamps flash under certain conditions. This
indicates excessive misfiring of the engine. If
this happens, you should reduce your speed
and visit your nearest BMW center as soon as
possible. Severe engine misfiring can quickly
lead to serious damage of emissions-related
components, especially the catalytic converter.
Canadian models display this warning
lamp.
The warning lamp lights up if the gas
cap is not properly tightened and the
OBD system can assume that fuel
vapor is escaping. If the gas cap is then tight-
ened, the warning lamp should go out within a
few days.
Event Data Recorders
Your vehicle may be equipped with one or sev-
eral measuring or diagnostic modules or a
device for recording or sending certain vehicle
data or information. In addition, if you have
signed a subscription contract for BMW Assist,
certain vehicle data may be transmitted or
recorded in order to facilitate the corresponding
services.
Care
Important information on the care and mainte-
nance of your BMW is contained in the Caring
for your vehicle brochure.

Replacing components
102
Jacking points
The jacking points are located at the positions
indicated in the illustration.
Vehicle battery
Maintenance
The battery is completely maintenance-free.
This means that the original electrolyte will nor-
mally last for the service life of the battery under
moderate climatic conditions. Your BMW cen-
ter will be happy to advise you if you have any
questions concerning the battery.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp lights up:
The battery is no longer being charged.
The alternator drive belt is defective or
there is a malfunction in the charging circuit of
the alternator. Have the system checked as
soon as possible.
If the drive belt is defective, pull over and
switch off the engine immediately to pre-
vent overheating and serious engine damage.
If the onboard supply voltage drops to a very
low level, increased steering effort may also be
necessary.<
Charging the battery
Charge the battery in the vehicle only when the
engine has been switched off. Connections,
refer to Jump-starting on page104.
Battery disposal
After changing a battery, have the used
battery disposed of by your BMW center or bring it to a recycling point. Maintain the bat-
tery in an upright position for transport and stor-
age. Secure the battery against tilting when
transporting.<
Power loss
After a temporary power loss, the functioning of
some equipment may be limited and require ini-
tialization. Individual settings are also lost and
must be reset:
>Seat memory
The positions must be stored again, refer to
page32.
>Clock must be reset, refer to page49.
Fuses
Do not attempt to repair a burned fuse or
replace it with a fuse having a different
color or amperage rating. To do this could
cause a fire in the vehicle as a result of circuit
overload.<
You will find the fuses and information on their
respective allocation behind the glove compart-
ment.
1.Open the glove compartment.
2.Press the lock on the left, arrow1.
3.Press the lock on the right, arrow2.
4.Swing the glove compartment down.
Spare fuses and plastic tweezers for grasping
the fuses are found in the onboard tool kit; refer
to page98.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
105
1.Open the cover of the BMW jump-starting
connection. Do so by pulling the tab.
2.Attach one terminal clamp of the plus/+
jumper cable to the positive terminal of the
battery or a jump-starting connection of the
vehicle providing assistance.
3.Attach the second terminal clamp of the
plus/+ jumper cable to the positive terminal
of the battery or a jump-starting connection
of the vehicle to be started.
4.Attach one terminal clamp of the minus/–
jumper cable to the negative terminal of the
battery or to an engine or body ground of
the assisting vehicle.
Your BMW is equipped with a special nut,
refer also to the engine compartment over-
view on page92.
5.Attach the second terminal clamp of the
minus/– jumper cable to the negative termi-
nal of the battery or to the engine or body
ground of the vehicle to be started.Starting the engine
1.Start the engine of the donor vehicle and
allow it to run for a few minutes at slightly
increased idle speed.
2.Start the engine of the other vehicle as
usual.
If the first start attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes before another attempt
in order to allow the discharged battery to
recharge.
3.Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4.Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing
the above connecting sequence.
If necessary, have the battery checked and
recharged.
Never use spray starter fluids to start the
engine.<
Tow-starting, towing away
Using the towing eyelet
The screw-in tow fitting must always be carried
in the car. It can be attached at the front or rear
of your BMW.
It is located in the onboard tool kit, refer to
page98.
Only use the towing eyelet supplied with
the vehicle, and screw it in firmly until it
stops. Use the towing eyelet for towing on
paved roads only. Avoid subjecting the towing
eyelet to lateral loads, e.g. do not lift the vehicle
using the towing eyelet. Otherwise the tow fit-
ting and the vehicle could be damaged.<

Everything from A to Z
118 Central locking
– from inside21
Central locking system19
Changes, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
Changing a wheel101
– Run-Flat Tires101
Charge indicator lamp12,102
Check gas cap, indicator
lamp13
Child-restraint mounting
system, LATCH38
Child-restraint systems37
Child seat, refer to Installing
child-restraint systems37
Chrome parts, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cigarette lighter69
Cleaning the rear window,
refer to the Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Cleaning the vehicle, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cleaning the windows
– automatically, refer to Rain
sensor45
– reservoir capacity114
– spray nozzles46
– washer/wiper system45
– washer fluid46
– washer fluid reservoir46
Clock49
– 12h/24h mode50
– onboard computer50
– setting50
– setting, refer also to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Clothes hooks71
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting the
engine40
Combination, wheel/tire88
Comfort area, refer to Around
the center console14Compact disc operation, refer
to Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Computer50
– button BC50
– clock, 12h/24h mode50
– refer to Owner's Manual for
Onboard Computer
Computer, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Condensation, refer to When
the vehicle is parked77
Condensation, removing from
windows
– air conditioning63
– automatic climate control66
Configuring settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory18
Connecting vacuum cleaner,
refer to Connecting
electrical appliances70
Consumption, refer to
Average fuel
consumption50
Consumption display, refer to
Fuel gauge48
Controls, refer to Cockpit10
Convenience operation
– convertible top20
– from outside20
– windows20
Convertible top25,27
– care, refer to the Caring for
your vehicle brochure
– convenience operation20
– electrical fault28
– emergency closing28
– fully automatic27
– malfunction28
– manual25
– mechanical25
Convertible top compartment
panel23
Coolant94
– checking level94
– indicator lamp13
– thermometer49
Coolant temperature49Coolant water, refer to
Coolant94
Cooling
– maximum66
– refer to Switching cooling
function on/off63,66
Cooling fluid, refer to
Coolant94
Cooling function
– air conditioning63
– automatic climate control66
Cooling system, refer to
Capacities114
Cooling system, refer to
Coolant94
Copyright2
Correct tires89
Cruise control46
Cruising range50
Cup holders, refer to
Beverage holders69
Curb weight, refer to
Weights113
Cylinders, refer to Engine
data110
D
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit10
Dashboard lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting60
Data, technical
– capacities114
– dimensions111,112
– engine110
– measurements111,112
– weights113
Daytime running lamps59
DBC Dynamic Brake
Control51
– indicator/warning lamp13
Deadlocking, refer to
Locking19
Defective bulb59
Defrosting, windows63,66
Defrosting the windshield,
refer to Defrosting
windows63,66

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
119
Defrosting windows and
removing condensation
– air conditioning63
– automatic climate control66
Defrost position, refer to
Defrosting windows63,66
Dehumidifying air, refer to
Switching cooling function
on/off63,66
Digital clock49
Dimensions111,112
Dimming mirrors34
Directional indicators, refer to
Turn signal indicators44
Disc brakes76
Displacement, refer to Engine
data110
Display elements, refer to
Instrument cluster12
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting60
Displays, refer to Instrument
cluster12
Displays and controls10
Disposal
– coolant94
– vehicle battery102
Distance remaining, refer to
Cruising range50
Door keys, refer to The key
set18
Door lock20
Doors, unlocking and locking
– acknowledgment
signals19,20
– from inside21
– from outside19
DOT quality grades86
Draft-free ventilation63,67
Drive-off assistance, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC51
Drive-off assistant52
Driving light, refer to Parking
lamps/Low beams59
Driving notes74,75
Driving off on uphill gradients,
refer to Drive-off
assistant52Driving stability control
systems51
Driving through water76
Driving tips, refer to Driving
notes75
Dry air, refer to Switching
cooling function on/
off63,
66
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control51
– indicator/warning lamp51
– indicator lamp13
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control51
– indicator/warning
lamp13,52
Dynamic Brake Control
DBC51
– indicator/warning lamp13
Dynamic Driving Control44
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC51
– indicator/warning lamp51
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC51
– indicator/warning lamp52
E
EBV Electronic brake-force
distribution51
Electric
– seat adjustment31
Electrical malfunction
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic43
– convertible top28
– door lock20
– fuel filler door82
– luggage compartment lid22
– tailgate22
Electric Power Steering
EPS56
– indicator/warning
lamp13,56
Electric power windows24
Electronic
– brake-force distribution51
– oil level check93Emergency call103
– button103
Emergency operation, refer to
Opening manually
– tailgate22
Emergency release23
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance103
Engine40
– breaking in74
– electronics13
– indicator lamp13
– overheated, refer to Coolant
thermometer49
– speed48
– starting40
– switching off41
– temperature49
Engine compartment92
Engine coolant, refer to
Coolant94
Engine oil92
– adding94
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils94
– approved engine oils94
– BMW Maintenance
System96
– change intervals, refer to
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US
models, Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
– change intervals, refer to
Service interval display49
– checking level93
– indicator/warning lamp12
– oil grades, refer also to
Approved engine oils94
– oil level92
– pressure92
Engine output, refer to Engine
data110
Engine starting, refer to
Starting the engine40
EPS Electric Power
Steering56

Everything from A to Z
122 Lighter socket, refer to
Cigarette lighter69
Lighting
– instruments60
– lamps and bulbs98
– vehicle, refer to Lamps59
Lighting of the instruments,
refer to Instrument
lighting60
LIGHTS ON warning60
Light switch59
Loads, refer to Cargo
loading77
Loads, securing77
Locking the doors
– from inside21
– from outside19,20
Locking the vehicle
– from inside21
– from outside19
Longlife oils
– approved engine oils94
Low beams59
– automatic59
– bulb replacement99
– indicator lamp, defective
bulb13
Luggage compartment, refer
to Cargo bay23
Luggage compartment lid22
– emergency release23
– indicator lamp13
– opening from inside the
vehicle22
– opening from the outside22
– remote control20
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires89
Maintenance96
– refer to Service Booklet
– refer to Service interval
display49,96
Making telephone calls, refer
to Owner's Manual for
TelephoneMalfunction
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic43
– convertible top28
– door lock20
– fuel filler door82
– luggage compartment lid22
– tailgate22
Malfunction of electrical
accessory102
Manual
– air distribution66
– air flow rate66
Manual convertible top25
Manual mode, refer to
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic43
Manual operation
– door lock20
– driver's door20
– fuel filler door82
– luggage compartment lid22
– power convertible top28
– tailgate22
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission42
Manual transmission42
Manufacturer5
Master keys with remote
control18
Maximum cooling66
Maximum speed
– with winter tires89
Measurements, refer to
Dimensions111,112
Mechanical seat31
Memory
– Seat memory32
– Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory18
Microfilter
– air conditioning64
– automatic climate control67
Microphone, refer to Mobile
phone preparation
package71
Minidisc operation, refer to
Owner's Manual for Radio/
Onboard ComputerMirrors34
– exterior mirrors34
– heating34
– interior rearview mirror34
Mobile communications in the
vehicle, refer to the separate
Owner's Manual
Mobile phone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Mobile phone preparation
package71
Modifications, technical, refer
to For your own safety5
M Sports seat31
Multifunctional steering
wheel, refer to Buttons on
the steering wheel11
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signal
indicators/headlamp
flasher44
– refer to Washer/wiper
system45
N
Navigation system, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Neck support, refer to Head
restraints32
Nets69
New
– keys18
– tires88
Nylon rope, refer to Tow
rope106
O
OBD socket, refer to Socket
for On-Board Diagnosis
OBD96
Octane numbers, refer to Fuel
specifications83
Odometer48
Oil, refer to Engine oil92
Oil level92
– checking93
Oil service49

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
125
Steering wheel10
– adjusting35
– buttons on steering
wheel11
– lock40
Steptronic, refer to Sport
program and Manual
operation43
Storage compartments68
–
eyeglasses
compartment69
– glove compartment68
Storage nets69
Storage space
– refer to Cargo bay23
– refer to Storage
compartments68
Storing seat position, refer to
Seat memory32
Stowage, refer to Storage
compartments68
Summer tires, refer to Wheels
and tires84
Supply reservoir, refer to
Washer fluid reservoir46
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switch for passenger
airbags36
Switching cooling function on/
off manually63,66
Symbols4
T
Table of contents3
Tachometer48
Tailgate21
– emergency operation22
– indicator lamp13
– opening from inside the
vehicle21
– opening from the outside21
– opening manually22
– remote control20
– roller-blind cover70
Tail lamps, refer to Rear
lamps101Tail lights, refer to Rear
lamps101
Tank contents
– refer to Capacities114
Tank indicator, refer to Fuel
gauge48
Technical data110
Technical modifications, refer
to For your own safety5
Telephone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Telephone preparation
package71
Temperature
– air conditioning63
– automatic climate control66
– coolant, refer to Coolant
thermometer49
– engine49
Temperature display
– outside temperature48
– outside temperature
warning48
– setting unit of measure50
Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control46
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center high-mount brake
lamp101
Three-point safety belt, refer
to Safety belts33
Tilt alarm sensor24
Tilt function, passenger-side
mirror34
Tire, flat53,55
– Flat Tire Monitor53
– indicator/warning lamp13
– Run-Flat Tires88
– Tire Pressure Monitor54
Tire inflation pressure84
– checking84
– loss53,54
– restoring84
Tire pressure monitoring,
refer to
– Flat Tire Monitor53
– Tire Pressure Monitor
54Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM54
– indicator/warning lamp55
– resetting the system54
– system limits54
Tire Quality Grading86
Tire renewal88
Tires
– age86,88
– break-in procedures74
– changing88
– coding86
– condition87
– damage88
– DOT quality grades86
– flat53,55
– inflation pressure84
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Flat Tire Monitor53
– replacement88
– size84
– storage89
– temperature87
– traction87
– tread87
– tread wear87
– Uniform Tire Quality
Grading86
– wear indicators, refer to
Minimum tread depth87
– wheel and tire
replacement88
– winter tires89
– with emergency features,
refer to Run-Flat Tires88
Tire storage89
Tool kit, refer to Onboard tool
kit98
Torque, refer to Engine
data110
Tow bar106
Tow fitting
– screw thread106
Towing eyelet105
Towing the vehicle105
– methods106
– with automatic
transmission106
Tow rope106