bmw red car on lift symbol - what to do? BMW 2000-3200 (E9) Coupe

The BMW red car on lift symbol, often called the "car of death" by owners, typically indicates a brake system issue. Common causes are worn brake pads, faulty brake pad wear sensors, or an accidental service interval reset. To fix it, first check your brake pad service life in the vehicle info display. If you see dashes, inspect the brake pad wear sensors, especially the front left wheel. Look for damaged or disconnected wires. Replace or repair sensors as needed. After fixing, properly reset the service light by turning the car off and restarting. If problems persist, have your brakes professionally inspected, as this warning alerts you to potentially serious issues requiring immediate attention.

Mate, I had the same issue with my 1 series last year. Drove me bonkers! Turned out the brake pad sensor on my front left wheel decided to go on holiday. Replaced it and Bob's your uncle - warning light vanished faster than my wallet at the BMW dealership. Word of advice: grab a pint before tackling this job, makes the whole ordeal more bearable!

Have you tried giving your car a stern talking to? Sometimes these BMWs just need a bit of tough love. But seriously, check those sensors. My E90 had a similar hissy fit and it was just a loose connection. Fixed it with a bit of electrical tape and a prayer. Proper British engineering, that.

Don't forget to check your battery voltage too. My 3 series once decided to throw a car on lift party because the battery was on its last legs. Apparently, these Bimmers like to keep us on our toes with their cryptic warning lights. It's like playing automotive Cluedo!

I swear, sometimes I think BMW engineers sit around thinking up new ways to confuse us. "How about we make a warning light that looks like the car is doing yoga?" Jokes aside, definitely sort those brake sensors. And maybe sacrifice a currywurst to the German car gods while you're at it.