Get MOBILITY -> Operating materials Guide for BMW Z4 2 Door First Generation (2002-2008)

Operating materials

MOBILITY

Operating materials

Safety information

Vehicle features and

options

CAUTION

The use of poor-quality fuels may result in

harmful engine deposits or damage. Addition‐

ally, problems relating to drivability, starting and

stalling, especially under certain environmental

conditions such as high ambient temperature

and high altitude, may occur.

This chapter describes all standard, country-spe‐

cific and optional features offered with the series.

It also describes features and functions that are

not necessarily available in your vehicle, e.g., due

to the selected options or country versions. This

also applies to safety-related functions and sys‐

tems. When using these functions and systems,

the applicable laws and regulations must be ob‐

served.

If drivability problems are encountered, we rec‐

ommend switching to a high quality gasoline

brand and a higher octane grade — AKI num‐

ber — for a few tank fills. To avoid harmful en‐

gine deposits, it is highly recommended to pur‐

chase gasoline from Top Tier retailers.

Fuel recommendation

Failure to comply with these recommendations

may result in the need for unscheduled mainte‐

nance.

General information

Depending on the region, many gas stations sell

fuel that has been customized to winter or

summer conditions. Fuel that is available in win‐

ter, for instance helps make a cold start easier.

NOTICE

Even small quantities of the wrong fuel or

wrong fuel additives can damage the fuel sys‐

tem and engine. Furthermore, the catalytic

converter is permanently damaged. There is a

risk of damage to property. Do not refuel or add

the following in the case of gasoline engines:

Gasoline

General information

For the best fuel efficiency, the gasoline should

be sulfur-free or very low in sulfur content.

▷ Leaded gasoline.

Fuels that are marked on the gas pump as con‐

taining metal must not be used.

▷ Metallic additives, for instance manganese

or iron.

Fuels with a maximum ethanol content of 25 %,

i. e. E10 or E25, may be used for refueling.

Do not press the Start/Stop button after refuel‐

ing with the wrong fuel. Contact a dealer’s serv‐

ice center or another qualified service center or

repair shop.

Ethanol should meet the following quality stan‐

dards:

US: ASTM 4806–xx

CAN: CGSB-3.511–xx

xx: comply with the current standard in each

case.

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Operating materials

MOBILITY

NOTICE

Therefore, regularly check the engine oil level af‐

ter refueling by taking a detailed measurement.

The engine oil consumption can increase in the

following situations, for instance:

Incorrect fuels can damage the fuel system and

the engine. There is a risk of damage to prop‐

erty. Do not use fuels with a higher percentage

of ethanol than recommended. Do not refuel

with fuels containing methanol, e.g. M5 to

M100.

▷ Sporty driving style.

▷ Break-in of the engine.

▷ Idling of the engine.

▷ With use of engine oil types that are classified

as not suitable.

Different Check Control messages appear on the

Control Display depending on the engine oil

level.

NOTICE

Fuel that does not comply with the minimum

quality can compromise engine function or

cause engine damage. There is a risk of dam‐

age to property. Do not fill with fuel that does

not comply with the minimum quality.

Safety information

NOTICE

An engine oil level that is too low causes en‐

gine damage. There is a risk of damage to

property. Immediately add engine oil.

Recommended fuel grade

BMW recommends AKI 91.

Minimum fuel grade

BMW recommends AKI 89.

NOTICE

If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI Rating,

the engine may produce knocking sounds when

starting at high external temperatures. This has

no effect on the engine life.

Too much engine oil can damage the engine or

the catalytic converter. There is a risk of dam‐

age to property. Do not add too much engine

oil. When too much engine oil is added, have

the engine oil level corrected by a dealer’s serv‐

ice center or another qualified service center or

repair shop.

Electronic oil measurement

General information

The electronic oil measurement has two measur‐

ing principles:

▷ Monitoring.

Engine oil

▷ Detailed measurement.

When making frequent short-distance trips or

using a dynamic driving style, for instance when

taking curves aggressively, regularly perform a

detailed measurement.

General information

The engine oil consumption is dependent on

your driving style and driving conditions.

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Operating materials

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Functional requirements

Monitoring

▷ Vehicle is parked in a horizontal position.

Concept

▷ Steptronic transmission: selector lever in se‐

lector lever position N or P and accelerator

pedal not depressed.

The engine oil level is monitored electronically

while driving and can be shown on the Control

Display.

▷ Engine is running and is at operating temper‐

ature.

If the engine oil level is outside its permissible

operating range, a Check Control message is

displayed.

Performing a detailed measurement

A red indicator light indicates that the en‐

gine oil pressure is too low.

Via iDrive:

1. "CAR"

2. "Vehicle status"

Functional requirements

3.

"Engine oil level"

A current measured value is available after ap‐

prox. 30 minutes of normal driving.

4. "Engine oil measurement"

5. "Start measurement"

Displaying the engine oil level

The engine oil level is checked and displayed via

a scale.

Via iDrive:

1. "CAR"

Adding engine oil

General information

2. "Vehicle status"

3.

"Engine oil level"

Only add engine oil when the message is dis‐

played in the instrument cluster. The quantity to

be added is indicated in the message shown on

the Control Display.

The engine oil level is displayed.

System limits

When making frequent short-distance trips or

using a dynamic driving style, it may not be pos‐

sible to calculate a measured value. In this case,

the measured value for the last, sufficiently long

trip is displayed.

Only add suitable types of engine oil, refer to

page 286.

Safely park the vehicle and switch off drive-ready

state before adding engine oil.

Take care not to add too much engine oil.

Detailed measurement

Safety information

Concept

The engine oil level is checked when the vehicle

is stationary and displayed via a scale.

Warning

Operating materials, for instance oils, greases,

coolants, fuels, can contain harmful ingredients.

There is a risk of injuries or danger to life. Fol‐

low the instructions on the containers. Avoid

the contact of articles of clothing, skin or eyes

with operating materials. Do not refill operating

If the engine oil level is outside its permissible

operating range, a Check Control message is

displayed.

General information

During the measurement, the idle speed is in‐

creased somewhat.

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Operating materials

MOBILITY

materials into different bottles. Store operating

materials out of reach of children.

Engine oil types to add

General information

The engine oil quality is critical for the life of the

engine.

NOTICE

An engine oil level that is too low causes en‐

gine damage. There is a risk of damage to

property. Immediately add engine oil.

Only add the types of engine oil which are listed.

Safety information

NOTICE

Oil additives can damage the engine. There is a

risk of damage to property. Do not use oil addi‐

tives.

Too much engine oil can damage the engine or

the catalytic converter. There is a risk of dam‐

age to property. Do not add too much engine

oil. When too much engine oil is added, have

the engine oil level corrected by a dealer’s serv‐

ice center or another qualified service center or

repair shop.

NOTICE

Incorrect engine oil can cause malfunctions in

the engine or damage it. There is a risk of dam‐

age to property. When selecting an engine oil,

make sure that the engine oil has the correct oil

rating.

Overview

The oil filler neck is located in the engine com‐

partment, refer to page 280.

Suitable engine oil types

Adding engine oil

Add engine oils that meet the following oil rating

standards:

1. Open the hood, refer to page 281.

2. Open the lid counterclockwise.

Gasoline engine

BMW Longlife-01 FE.

BMW Longlife-14 FE+.

BMW Longlife-17 FE+.

Alternative engine oil types

If an engine oil suitable for continuous use is not

available, up to 1 US quart/liter of an engine oil

with the following oil rating can be added:

3. Add engine oil.

4. Close the lid.

286

Operating materials

MOBILITY

Oil rating

API SL.

Coolant

General information

Coolant consists of water and additives.

API SM.

API SN.

Not all commercially available additives are suita‐

ble for the vehicle. Information about suitable ad‐

ditives is available from a dealer’s service center

or another qualified service center or repair shop.

Viscosity grades

SAE 0W-20.

Safety information

SAE 0W-30.

Warning

With the engine hot and the cooling system

open, coolant can escape and lead to scalding.

There is a risk of injury. Only open the cooling

system with the engine cooled down.

More information about suitable oil ratings and

viscosity grades of engine oils can be requested

from a dealer’s service center or another quali‐

fied service center or repair shop.

Engine oil change

Warning

Additives are harmful and incorrect additives

can damage the engine. There is a risk of injury

and risk of damage to property. Do not allow

additives to come into contact with skin, eyes

or articles of clothing. Use suitable additives

only.

NOTICE

Engine oil that is not changed in timely fashion

can cause increased engine wear and thus en‐

gine damage. There is a risk of damage to

property. Do not exceed the service data indi‐

cated in the vehicle.

The vehicle manufacturer recommends that you

have a dealer's service center or another quali‐

fied service center or repair shop change the en‐

gine oil.

Coolant level

General information

The vehicle features two cooling circuits. Always

check the coolant levels of both coolant reser‐

voirs and refill as needed.

The coolant level is indicated using minimum

and maximum markings in the filler neck of the

coolant reservoir.

Checking the coolant level

1. Let the engine cool.

2. Open the hood, refer to page 281.

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Operating materials

MOBILITY

3. Turn the lid of the coolant reservoir slightly

counterclockwise to allow any excess pres‐

sure to dissipate, then open it.

Washer fluid

General information

4. Open the coolant reservoir lid.

All washer nozzles are supplied from one reser‐

voir.

5. The coolant level is correct if it lies between

the minimum and maximum marks in the filler

neck.

Use a mixture of tap water and windshield

washer concentrate. If desired, a windshield

washer concentrate containing antifreeze can be

used.

Recommended minimum fill quantity:

0.2 US gal/1 liter.

Safety information

Warning

6. Close the lid.

Some antifreeze agents can contain harmful

substances and are flammable. There is a risk

of fire and a risk of injury. Follow the instruc‐

tions on the containers. Keep antifreeze away

from ignition sources. Do not refill operating

materials into different bottles. Store operating

materials out of reach of children.

Adding

1. Let the engine cool.

2. Open the hood, refer to page 281.

3. Turn the lid of the coolant reservoir slightly

counterclockwise to allow any excess pres‐

sure to dissipate, then open it.

United States: the washer fluid mixture ratio is

regulated by the U.S. EPA and many individual

states; do not exceed the allowable washer fluid

dilution ratio limits that apply. Follow the usage

instructions on the washer fluid container.

4. Open the coolant reservoir lid.

5. If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant up to

the specified level; do not overfill.

6. Close the lid.

Use of BMW’s Windshield Washer Concentrate

or the equivalent is recommended.

7. Have the cause of the coolant loss eliminated

as soon as possible.

Disposal

Warning

Washer fluid can ignite and catch fire on con‐

tact with hot engine parts. There is a risk of in‐

jury or risk of damage to property. Only add

washer fluid when the engine is cooled down.

Next, fully close the lid of the washer fluid res‐

ervoir.

Comply with the relevant environmental

protection regulations when disposing of

coolant and coolant additives.

288

Operating materials

MOBILITY

NOTICE

Silicon-containing additives in the washer fluid

for the water-repelling effect on the windows

can lead to damage to the washing system.

There is a risk of damage to property. Do not

add silicon-containing additives to the washer

fluid.

NOTICE

Mixing different windshield washer concen‐

trates or antifreeze can damage the washing

system. There is a risk of damage to property.

Do not mix different windshield washer concen‐

trates or antifreeze. Follow the information and

mixing ratios provided on the containers.

Overview

The washer fluid reservoir is located in the en‐

gine compartment.

Malfunction

The use of undiluted windshield washer concen‐

trate or alcohol-based antifreeze can lead to in‐

correct readings at temperatures below

+5 ℉/-15 ℃.

289

MOBILITY -> Operating materials for Your BMW Z4 2 Door First Generation (2002-2008)

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