Get Operation, care and maintenance -> Under the hood: Engine compartment, Fluids, Oil, VIN Guide for BMW Z8 Roadster First Generation (2000-2003)

Hood

105n

Never attempt to carry out service

or repair operations on your

vehicle if you do not have the required

professional skills and technical back-

ground. Always switch off the engine

and allow it to cool down before

working in the engine compartment.

Always disconnect the battery before

working on any electrical systems or

equipment, especially when these are

located within the engine compartment.

Comply with all applicable instructions

and safety precautions. Failure to work

in an informed, professional manner

when servicing components and mate-

rials constitutes a safety hazard for

vehicle occupants and other road

To release

To open

Pull the lever located under the left-

hand side of the instrument panel.

Press the release handle upward and

open the hood.

users. If you are not familiar with official

servicing procedures, please have the

work performed by your BMW center.<

¹⁰⁶ⁿHood

To close

Lower the front of the hood to within

several inches of the lock, then allow it

to fall of its own weight. Next, press

both sides down simultaneously,

continuing until you hear the detent

mechanism engage.

To avoid injuries, be sure that the

travel path of the hood is clear

when it is being closed, as with all

closing procedures.

If it is determined that the hood is not

completely closed while driving, stop

immediately and close it securely.<

107n

¹⁰⁸ⁿEngine compartment

Engine compartment

109n

1 Brake fluid reservoir 114

2 Auxiliary terminal for

jump-starting 145

3 Coolant expansion tank 113

4 Engine oil filler neck 111

5 Engine oil dipstick 111

6 Reservoir for windshield and

headlamp washer system 110

¹¹⁰ⁿWasher fluids

Washer nozzles

Antifreeze agents for the washer

systems are highly flammable.

Windshield washer system

The spray from the nozzles should be

directed onto the windshield so as to

ensure effective cleaning, even at high

speeds. Use a needle to adjust the

nozzles if required, or have them

adjusted by your BMW center.

For this reason, keep it away from

sources of flame and store it in its orig-

inal container. Store it so that it is inac-

cessible to children. Comply with the

instructions on the containers.<

Headlamp washer system

Have this system adjusted by your

BMW center, if required.

Headlamp and windshield washer

system

Capacity in US quarts (liters):

approx. 5.6 (5.3)

Fill with water and – if required – with a

washer antifreeze (according to manu-

facturer's recommendations).

We recommend that you mix the

washer fluid before adding it to

the reservoir.<

Engine oil

111n

Checking the oil level

Adding engine oil

The oil volume between the two marks

on the dipstick corresponds to approx.

1.1 US quarts (1 liter). Do not fill beyond

the upper mark on the dipstick. Excess

oil will damage the engine.

1. Park the vehicle on a level surface

2. Let the warmed-up engine idle for

about 15 seconds, then turn it off

3. Pull the dipstick out after about

1 minute and wipe it off with a clean

lint-free cloth, tissue, or similar mate-

rial

Wait until the level has dropped to just

above the lower mark before adding oil.

However, never let the oil drop below

this mark.

BMW engines are designed to

operate without oil additives; the

use of additives could lead to damage

in some cases. This also applies to the

manual transmission, differential and

the power steering system.<

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.

As with fuel economy, oil consumption

is directly influenced by your driving

style and vehicle operating conditions.

¹¹²ⁿEngine oil

Specified engine oil

Viscosity ratings

The quality of the engine oil is

Viscosity is the oilflow rating as estab-

lished in SAE classes.

extremely important for the function

and life of an engine. Based on exten-

sive testing, BMW has approved only

certain types of engine oils.

Select the correct SAE class based on

the climatic conditions in the area

where you typically drive your BMW Z8

Use only approved "BMW High Perfor- roadster.

mance Synthetic Oil."

Approved oils are SAE classes

5W-40 and 5W-30.<

If you are unable to obtain "BMW High

Performance Synthetic Oil," you can

add small amounts of synthetic oil in

between oil changes. Use only oils with

API SH specification or higher.

These oils may be used for driving in all

ambient temperatures.

Ask your BMW center for details

concerning the specific "BMW

High Performance Synthetic Oil" or

"synthetic oils" that have been

approved.<

You can also call BMW of North

America at 1-800-831-1117 or visit this

website: for more

detailed information.

Engine oil

Coolant

113n

Comply with the applicable envi-

ronmental laws regulating the

disposal of used oil.<

Do not add coolant to the coolant

system when the engine is hot,

since escaping coolant can cause

burns.

Recommendation: have the oil changed To avoid the possibility of damage later

by your BMW center only.

on, never use anything other than

factory-approved, nitrite- and amino-

free, extended-duty antifreeze with

corrosion inhibitor. Your BMW center is

familiar with the official specifications.

Antifreeze and corrosion inhibitor is

hazardous to health. Always store in

tightly closed original containers kept

well out of the reach of children.

Extended-duty antifreeze with corro-

sion inhibitor contains the flammable

substance ethylene–glycol: never allow

the antifreeze to spill onto hot engine

components, as fire and serious

personal injury in the form of burns

could result.<

Continuous exposure to used oil

has caused cancer in laboratory

testing.

For this reason, thoroughly wash any

areas of skin that come into contact

with oil using soap and water.

Always store oils, grease, etc. so that

they are inaccessible to children, and

follow warning lables on containers.<

Checking coolant level

The correct coolant level when the

engine is cold (approx. 687/206):

Up to the "MAX" mark on the translu-

cent expansion tank.

Comply with the applicable envi-

ronmental laws regulating the

disposal of extended-duty antifreeze

with corrosion inhibitor.<

¹¹⁴ⁿCoolant

Brake fluid

Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that is,

it absorbs moisture from the air

Adding coolant

To guard against the possibility of

scalding injuries, always wait until the

engine cools (temperature gauge

needle in blue sector) before

unscrewing the cap on the expansion

tank.

over time.

In order to ensure the safety and reli-

ability of the brake system, have the

brake fluid changed every two years by

a BMW center. Refer also to the Service

and Warranty Information Booklet

(US models) or the Warranty and

Service Guide Booklet (Canadian

models). Brake fluid is toxic and attacks

the vehicle's paintwork. You should

always store it in its original container

and in a location that is inaccessible to

children.

1. Turn the cap slightly counterclock-

wise in order to allow accumulated

pressure to escape. Then open

2. Slowly add coolant until the correct

level is reached – do not overfill.

The brake warning lamp comes on and

the parking brake has been released:

The brake fluid is too low.

The coolant is a mixture of water and

extended-duty antifreeze with corrosion

inhibitor. Always maintain the

Do not spill the fluid and do not fill the

brake fluid reservoir beyond the "MAX"

mark. The brake fluid could ignite upon

contact with hot engine parts and

cause serious burns.<

For adding brake fluid or for deter-

mining and correcting the cause of

brake fluid loss, consult your BMW

center. Your BMW center is familiar

with the specifications for factory-

approved brake fluids (DOT 4).

prescribed all-season 50:50 mixture

ratio for year-round protection against

internal corrosion. No other additives

are required.

Replace the coolant every three years.

Comply with the applicable envi-

ronmental laws regulating the

disposal of brake fluid.<

Brake fluid loss can increase brake

pedal travel. For this type of situation,

refer to the notes on page 92.

Vehicle Identification Number

115n

In the engine compartment, on the

right-hand strut dome (arrow) and on

the upper left-hand edge of the instru-

ment panel.

Operation, care and maintenance -> Under the hood: Engine compartment, Fluids, Oil, VIN for Your BMW Z8 Roadster First Generation (2000-2003)

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