
53n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Airbags Transporting children safely This is the correct way a larger child
should sit wearing the safety belt when
side airbags (arrow) are provided.367de360
Before installing any child restraint
system or child seat, please read
the following:
Never install a rear-facing child restraint
system in the passenger seat of this
vehicle.
If the airbag deploys and hits the back-
rest of the rear-facing child seat, it is
likely that the child sitting in the rear-
facing child seat will be seriously
injured or killed.
If it is necessary for a child (not an
infant) to ride in the vehicle, certain
precautions should be taken. First,
move the passenger seat as far away
from the instrument panel as possible.
This important precaution is intended to
maximize the distance between the
airbag and the child. Older children
should be tightly secured with the
safety belt. Younger children should be
secured in an appropriate forward-
facing child restraint system that has
first been secured with a safety belt.
In the interest of the child's safety,
please read carefully and comply with
the instructions for installation and use
provided by the child restraint's manu-
facturer whenever you use such a
system.
Do not allow children to lean out of a
child restraint system toward the door
or instrument panel, as otherwise
serious injuries may result if the airbag
deploys. Always ensure that all occu-
pants (of all ages) remain properly and
securely restrained at all times.
Read carefully and comply with the
safety precautions covering safety belts
on pages 49, 50. If you do not, the
protective function of the safety belts
will be limited.<
ProCarManuals.com

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
85n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedure86
Driving notes87
Catalytic converter88
Antilock Brake System (ABS)89
Disc brakes91
Brake system92
Winter operation93
Power steering94
Cellular phone95
Radio reception95
Hardtop – roadster96
Wheels and tires:
Notes on tire inflation
pressure98
Tire condition98
Tire replacement99
Tire rotation100
Wheel and tire
combinations101
Special features of winter
tires102
Snow chains102
Approved wheel and tire
specifications103Under the hood:
Hood104
Engine compartment106
Fluids for the washer
systems108
Washer nozzles108
Engine oil109
Coolant111
Brake fluid112
Vehicle Identification
Number113
Care and maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System114
Caring for your vehicle115
Airbags122
Storing your vehicle123
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications124
California Proposition
65 Warning124
OBD connector125
Car care
ProCarManuals.com

122n
Caring for your vehicle AirbagsTo protect the leather from dampness
or moisture, you can treat it with a
BMW impregnating agent.
We recommend that you perform this
procedure twice a year on leather
exposed to normal use.
Spilled liquids should be wiped up
immediately, and greasy and oily stains
dabbed with a stain remover.
If the upholstery is to be exposed to
intense sunlight or if the vehicle is to be
stored for an extended period, cover all
leather surfaces (or, better yet, the
windows) to prevent fading.
Use the cleaning and car-care
products that you can obtain at
your BMW center.<
Cleaning agents can contain
substances which are dangerous
or which pose health risks. Therefore,
always comply with the warnings and
danger notices on the package.
Open the doors or windows on your
vehicle when cleaning the interior
(when the roadster's convertible top is
closed). Never clean your vehicle with
solvents or other materials not specifi-
cally intended for this application.<
1 Front airbags on the driver and
passenger side
2 Side airbags on the driver and
passenger sideImportant safety notices
Do not attempt to remove the gas
generators of the airbag restraint
system from the vehicle or to disas-
semble them.
Have inspection and service proce-
dures performed by specially-trained
personnel only.
If the airbag restraint system malfunc-
tions, is deactivated or triggered as a
response to an accident, have the
system repaired or disassembled by a
BMW center only.
36mde786
Do not make modifications of any kind
to the individual components or system
wiring. These include the upholstered
covers on the steering wheel hub, in the
instrument panel and in the side trim
panels of the doors. Never apply adhe-
sive materials to these components or
cover or modify them in any way. Do
not attempt to disassemble the steering
wheel itself.
To ensure compliance with applicable
safety regulations, have the airbag
generators disposed of by an BMW
center only.
Unprofessional attempts to service the
system could lead to failure in an emer-
gency or undesired airbag activation,
either of which could result in personal
injury.<
ProCarManuals.com

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
149n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Airbags150
Radio reception150
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)151
Safety belt tensioner151
Interior rearview mirror with
automatic dimming
feature152
Limited slip differential153
Technology
ProCarManuals.com

150n
Deceleration sensors continuously
monitor the physical forces acting upon
the vehicle. In the event of a severe
frontal impact, the gas generators of
the driver- and passenger-side front
airbags are ignited simultaneously.
However, the passenger-side front
airbag is only triggered if an additional
sensor has recognized that the
passenger seat is occupied.
If it is necessary during a side impact, a
side airbag will be triggered on the side
where the collision occurs.
390de012
The airbags located under the marked
covers inflate and unfold in a matter of
a few milliseconds. In this process they
tear through the designed breaking
points of the upholstered covers or
press them out.
Because the inflation process must be
virtually instantaneous, it is necessarily
accompanied by a certain amount of
ignition and inflation noise. The gas
required to inflate the airbags is not
dangerous, and it dissipates together
with the associated smoke.
The entire process is completed within
a fraction of a second.The AM frequency bands (medium-
wave, long-wave and short-wave) make
it possible to receive stations from a
great distance, because the broadcast
signals travel not only along the ground
as surface waves, but also as atmos-
pheric waves that are reflected from the
ionosphere.
Frequency-modulation (FM) provides
substantially better sound quality than
the other frequencies. However,
because FM transmissions rely on line-
of-sight broadcast waves, their effec-
tive reception range is limited.
The limitations which are inherent to
radio reception in a moving vehicle
have been minimized by the use of
innovative systems.
365de062
Airbags Radio reception
ProCarManuals.com

Everything from A to ZAABS (Antilock Brake
System)89
Accessories6
Adding
brake fluid112t
engine coolant112t
engine oil109
washer fluid108t
Additional storage areas78
Adjusting
backrest47
mirrors47
seat46
washer nozzles108t
Air conditioner74
Air distribution74
Air outlets72
ventilation73
Air pressure26, 98
checking26t
Air vents72
Airbags21, 51, 122, 150
Airflow rate74
Antenna95
Antifreeze112
Antifreeze protection,
radiator93, 112, 112t
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)89
Anti-theft protection32Approved gross vehicle
weight158
Aquaplaning87, 98
Ashtray79
Automatic car washes115
Automatic cruise control61
Automatic dimming, interior
rearview mirror48
Automatic rear window
washer59
Automatic windshield
washer108
Axle weights158
BBackrest, adjusting47
Backup lamps58
bulb replacement131t
Battery140, 160
capacity160
charge condition141
charging141
discharged144
disposal141t
removal and
installation142
Battery change, keys134t
Battery safety terminal142
Beverage holder79
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil110
Body-cavity protectant118Brake fluid112
adding112t
disposal113t
Brake hydraulic system20
Brake lamps, bulb replace-
ment131t
Brake pads22, 92
Brake system92
add brake fluid112t
brake fluid112
fluid level92
Brakes
malfunctions92
winter road conditions93
Break-in procedure86
Bulb replacement129t
Bulbs and lamps129
CCalifornia Proposition
65 Warning124
Capacities159
Car care
exterior115
interior120
Car keys30
Car radio
reception95, 150
refer also to the separate
Owner's Manual
Car wash systems115, 117Care
exterior119
interior120
leather121
paint119
upholstery materials121
windows and glass120
Cargo loading82
Caring for the vehicle
finish119
Cassette mode, refer to the
Radio Owner's Manual
Catalytic converter88
CBC (Cornering Brake
Control)90
Cellular phone95
refer also to the separate
Owner's Manual
Central locking system32
Charge condition of the
battery141t
Charge indicator lamp20
Charging the battery141t
Chassis number113
Checking oil level109t
Checking tire
pressure26t, 98
Child restraint system53
installation54
M coupe with tether
strap54
Child seat53
ProCarManuals.com

Everything from A to Z
165n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Cigarette lighter80
Cleaning the headlamps60
Cleaning the rear
window60
Cleaning the windshield59
Cockpit16
Code, refer to the Radio
Owner's Manual
Coin box79
Cold start56
Compartments78
Connecting a car vacuum
cleaner80
Controls, cockpit16
Convertible top
care117
electrical defect143t
operation37, 41
weather protection41
Coolant93, 112
antifreeze protection93
Coolant temperature63
Copyright4
Cornering Brake Control
(CBC)90
Cover, convertible
top38, 43
Cruise control61
Cup holder, refer to
beverage holder79
Curb weight158
DDashboard16
Data link connector for
Onboard Diagnostics125
Date, refer to the Radio
Owner's Manual
Daytime running lamps69
Deep water87
Defrost the windows and
remove condensation76
Defrosting
rear window60
mirrors47
Difficult steering94t
Dimensions157
Dipstick, engine oil109
Dirty spots on
paintwork118
Disc brakes91
Displacement156
Display lighting69
Displays18
Disposal
batteries141t
brake fluid113t
engine oil111t
Door key30
Doors
manual operation32
unlocking and locking32
DOT Quality Grades99
Drive belts160Driving notes87
Driving through water87
DSC (Dynamic Stability
Control)65, 151
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)65, 151
EElectric convertible top
operation41
Electric power windows35
Electrical defect
convertible top143t
fuel filler door143t
Electrical system160
Electronic immobilizer31
Emergency operation
convertible top143t
doors32t
fuel filler door143t
luggage compartment
lid34t
Engine compartment107
Engine coolant112
adding112t
Engine oil109
adding109t
dipstick109
disposal111t
grades110
level22, 109t
pressure20
viscosity110Engine output156
Engine specifications156
Exterior finish118
FFailure of an electrical
accessory142t
Fan74
Filler cap cover25
Filling the washer
reservoir108t
First-aid kit25
Fittings, tow-starting and
towing145t
Flasher, headlamp58
Flat tire98
Z3 roadster,
Z3 coupe135t
Folding top37
Footbrake91
Front airbags51, 122
Frost protection, radiator93
Fuel26
Fuel filler door
electrical defect143t
emergency
operation143t
Fuel gauge62
Fuel tank capacity159
Fuses142
ProCarManuals.com

Everything from A to Z
167n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
NNet81
Non-smoker's equipment
package80
Notes on driving87OOBD data link
connector125
Odometer62
Oil, adding109t
Oil additives109
Oil change intervals, refer to
the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US
models) or the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models)
Oil consumption109
Oil dipstick109
Oil grades110
Oil level
checking109t
indicator lamp22
Oil pressure, indicator
lamp20
OILSERVICE64
Old batteries141
Onboard Diagnostics, data
link connector125
Onboard tool kit128tOpening and closing
from the inside33
from the outside32
Original parts6
Output156
Outside mirrors47
PPaint damage119
Paint protection119
Parking brake21, 57
Parking lamps69
Parking, winter94
Partition net81
Phone, mobile95
refer also to the separate
Owner's Manual
Please wear your safety belt
warning lamp21
Position lamp, bulb
replacement130t
Power seat adjustment46
Power steering94
Pressure, tires26t, 98
Protection, paint119QQuality Grades99
RRadiator, frost protection93
Radio reception150
Radio, refer to the separate
Owner's Manual
Reading lamps71
Rear lamps131t
Rear window defroster60
Rear window washer,
automatic59
Rear window wiper59
blade replacement128t
Rearview mirrors47
Recirculated air mode74
Refueling25
Releasing the hood104t
Replacement key30
Replacement, tires99, 100
Replacing fuses142t
Replacing windshield wiper
blades128t
Reporting safety defects7
Reservoir, washer
system108t
Reverse gear58
Roll-up cover81
Roof load capacity158
Roof rack83
Rubber seals and
components93, 120
SSafety belt tensioner151
Safety belts49
Safety defects, reporting7
Seals and
components93, 120
Seat adjustment46
Seat heaters77
Securing cargo82
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet
(US models)115
Service Interval
Display64, 114
Set temperature74
Side airbags51, 122
Side marker lamps, bulb
replacement131t
Skid control94
Slippery roads93
Snow chains93t, 102
Socket80
electrical appliances80
flashlight80
vacuum cleaner80
Spare keys30
Spark plugs160
Special oils110
Specifications, engine156
Speed control61
Starting assistance144t
ProCarManuals.com