2009 BMW 1 SERIES warning lights

Indicator and warning lamps
134
Indicator and warning lamps
Indicator and warning lamps can light up in a
variety of combinations and colors. See the
table for information on causes and how to
react. Note whether a lamp comes on alone or in
combination with another. Some lamps can
light up in different colors. Corresponding dis-
tinctions are made in the text.
12Cause Special actions to be taken
Turn signals
High beams/headlamp flasher
switched on
Fog lamps switched on
Fasten safety belts Fasten your safety belt, refer also to
page41.
Indication in US models
Parking brake applied Release the parking brake.
Indication in Canadian models
Parking brake applied Release the parking brake.
Outside temperature warning Drive cautiously, refer also to page56.
Lights up briefly:
>Approx. 2.1 US gallons/8 liters of
fuel remain in the tank
Remains on:
Remaining operating range is no more
than 30 miles/50 km, refer to page57
Engine refuses to start Depress the brake or clutch in order to
start the engine, refer to page48.
Ignition switched on and driver's door
openSwitch off the ignition, refer to page47,
or close the driver's door.
Parking lamps still on
Roadside parking lamps still on Switch off the roadside parking lamps,
refer to page76.

Indicator and warning lamps
136Remote control malfunctioning or, in
cars with convenient access, not
presentThe engine cannot be started. Have the
remote control checked, if necessary.
Battery of remote control dischargedUse the remote control for a longer
journey or, in cars with convenient
access, replace the battery.
Belt tensioners and/or airbag system
failedHave the system checked immediately.
Active steering defective You can continue your journey.
Steering characteristics are modified
and steering wheel could be off-center.
Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
Steering assistance failed Markedly different steering response.
You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution.
Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
Lights up:
Emergency Request system has failed
or is malfunctioningHave the system checked as soon as
possible.
Lights up in red:
Engine malfunction Stop the car and switch off the engine.
You cannot continue your journey.
Contact your BMW center.
Lights up in yellow:
Full engine power is no longer available You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the engine checked as
soon as possible.
Indication in US models:
Warning lamp flashes:
Engine malfunction under high load.
High engine load will result in damage
to the catalytic converterYou can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the vehicle checked
without delay.
Warning lamp comes on:
Engine malfunction with adverse effect
on exhaust emissionsHave the car checked as soon as possi-
ble.
12Cause Special actions to be taken

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
137
Indication in Canadian models:
Warning lamp flashes:
Engine malfunction under high load.
High engine load will result in damage
to the catalytic converterYou can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the vehicle checked
without delay.
Warning lamp comes on:
Engine malfunction with adverse effect
on exhaust emissionsHave the car checked as soon as possi-
ble.
Lights up in red:
Engine overheating Carefully bring the car to a stop, switch
off the engine and allow it to cool down.
Do not open the hood, otherwise there
would be a risk of injury by scalding.
Contact your BMW center.
Lights up in yellow:
Engine too hot Continue driving at more moderate
speed so that the engine can cool
down. Have the engine checked with-
out delay if the situation reoccurs.
Lights up in red:
Battery is no longer being charged.
Alternator malfunctionSwitch off all unnecessary electrical
consumers. Have the vehicle's power
supply system checked immediately.
Lights up in yellow:
Battery charge level very low, battery
aged or not securely connectedHave the battery checked as soon as
possible.
Engine oil pressure too low Stop immediately and switch off the
engine. You cannot continue your jour-
ney. Contact your BMW center.
Engine oil level too low Add engine oil immediately; refer to
page115 for more information.
Indication in US models:
Parking brake applied
Indication in Canadian models:
Parking brake applied
12Cause Special actions to be taken

Indicator and warning lamps
138Indication in US models
Lights up in red:
Brake fluid level too low Reduced braking effect, stop the car
carefully. Contact your BMW center.
Lights up in yellow:
Drive-off assistant has failed. The car
will not be held in place after the brake
is releasedHave the system checked as soon as
possible.
Indication in Canadian models
Lights up in red:
Brake fluid level too low Reduced braking effect, stop the car
carefully. Contact your BMW center.
Lights up in yellow:
Drive-off assistant has failed. The car
will not be held in place after the brake
is releasedHave the system checked as soon as
possible.
Indication in US models:
Brake pads wornHave the condition of the brake pads
checked without delay.
Indication in Canadian models:
Brake pads wornHave the condition of the brake pads
checked without delay.
Lights up in red: Have the system in question checked
without delay.
>Starter failed or The engine cannot be restarted.
>ignition malfunctioning. Engine
restart only possible when brake is
depressed or
>lighting system failed. Low beams/
tail lamps and brake lamps still oper-
ational. All other lamps failedDepress the brake to restart the engine.
Lights up in yellow:
>Control of the brake lamps failed or
>fuel supply malfunctioning, or
>electrical system of trailer hitch
*
failedYou can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the system in question
checked without delay.
Flashing:
Dynamic Stability Control DSC or
Dynamic Traction Control DTC is con-
trolling drive and braking forces, refer
also to page65
12Cause Special actions to be taken

Indicator and warning lamps
140Indication
* in Canadian models:
Vehicle electronics failed You cannot continue your journey.
Contact your BMW center.
Vehicles with Flat Tire Monitor
*:
Light up in yellow and red:
>Tire is deflated Carefully bring the car to a stop. Com-
ply with the additional information
starting on page66.
>Flat Tire Monitor not initialized Initialize Flat Tire Monitor, refer to
page66.
Light up in yellow:
Flat Tire Monitor failed. Punctures are
not indicatedHave the system checked.
Vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitor
*:
Light up in yellow and red:
>There is a flat tire or substantial loss
of tire pressureCarefully bring the car to a stop. Com-
ply with the additional information
starting on page68.
Vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitor
*:
Light up in yellow:
>Tire Pressure Monitor not initialized Check the inflation pressure and reset
the system, refer to page68.
The small lamp flashes in yellow and
then lights up continuously; the larger
lamp comes on in yellow:
>Tire Pressure Monitor has failed.
Punctures are not indicatedHave the system checked. Comply with
the additional information starting on
page69.
12Cause Special actions to be taken

Indicator and warning lamps
142Park Distance Control failed Have the system checked.
Bulb of exterior lighting system failed Have the exterior lighting checked as
soon as possible.
Low-beam headlamp or fog lamp failed Have the low beams checked as soon
as possible.
High-beam headlamp failed Have the high-beam headlamps
checked.
Headlamp beam throw adjustment
system failedHave the headlamp beam throw adjust-
ment system checked.
Adaptive Head Light failed
Coolant level too low Add coolant immediately, refer to
page117.
Lights up in red:
Service appointment overdue Arrange a service appointment.
Check service requirements, refer to
page61.
Lights up in yellow:
Service due Arrange a service appointment.
Check service requirements, refer to
page61.
No service due
Set speed limit
* has been exceeded
Time and date no longer correct Set the time and date, refer to page62.
12Cause Special actions to be taken