
Contents
Overview
Controls and features
Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps20
Hazard warning flashers24
Warning triangle24
First-aid kit25
Refueling25
Fuel specifications26
Tire inflation pressure26
Tire inflation pressure (table)27
Opening and closing:
Keys30
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer31
Central locking system32
Opening and closing from the
outside32
Opening and closing from the
inside33
Luggage compartment lid34
Electric power windows35
Sunroof – coupe36
Convertible top – roadster37
Adjustments:
Seats46
Mirrors47
Safety systems:
Safety belts49
Airbags51
Transporting children safely53
Driving:
Steering/Ignition lock55
Starting the engine56
Switching off the engine57
Parking brake57
Manual transmission58
Turn signal indicators/High
beams58
Wiper/Washer system59
Rear window defroster60
Cruise control61
Everything under control:
Odometer62
Tachometer62
Fuel gauge62
Coolant temperature gauge63
Engine oil temperature gauge63
Service Interval Display64
Outside temperature64
Clock64
Technology for safety and
driving convenience:
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)65
Tire Pressure Warning (RDW)67
Lamps:
Parking lamps/Low beams69
Interior lamps70
Reading lamps71
Controlling the climate
for pleasant driving:
Heating and ventilation/
Air conditioner72
Seat heating77
Contents
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28n
Opening and closing:
Keys30
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer31
Central locking system32
Opening and closing from the
outside32
Opening and closing from the
inside33
Luggage compartment lid34
Electric power windows35
Sunroof – coupe36
Convertible top – roadster37
Adjustments:
Seats46
Mirrors47
Safety systems:
Safety belts49
Airbags51
Transporting children safely53
Driving:
Steering/Ignition lock55
Starting the engine56
Switching off the engine57
Parking brake57
Manual transmission58
Turn signal indicators/High
beams58
Wiper/Washer system59
Rear window defroster60
Cruise control61
Controls
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Opening and closing from the insideTo unlock and open the doors>Pull the door handle of a door twice:
the initial pull unlocks the door, and
the second opens it.To engage the locksWhen the lock button of any door is
pressed down, the doors and luggage
compartment are locked. The anti-theft
protection system is not activated.
The fuel filler door also remains
unlocked to allow refueling.
To avoid being accidentally locked out
of the vehicle:
>The vehicle cannot be locked with
the lock button when the driver's
door is open.
>The lock button on the passenger's
door only operates the central
locking system if both doors are
closed.Children might be able to lock the
doors from the inside. For this
reason, always take the vehicle's keys
with you so that the vehicle can be
opened again from the outside at any
time.<
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Luggage compartment lid Electric power windows
Do not drive with the luggage
compartment lid open, since
exhaust fumes could penetrate the inte-
rior of the vehicle. Should it be abso-
lutely necessary to operate the vehicle
with the luggage compartment lid open
(coupe; roadster with closed convert-
ible top):
>Close all windows. On the coupe,
close the sunroof.
>Increase the air supply of the heating
and ventilation system to a high level.
Refer to page 72.<
Opening and closing windowsFrom ignition key position 1 and up:
>Depress the rocker switch until you
feel resistance:
The window continues moving for as
long as you maintain pressure on the
switch.
>Press the rocker switch beyond the
resistance point (one-touch mode):
The window moves automatically.
Press the switch a second time to
stop the window.36mde744
After the ignition has been switched off:
Actuation is still possible for up to
15 minutes in ignition key position 0 or
if the ignition key has been removed, as
long as no doors have been opened.
Because the power windows are
sealed at high pressure to prevent
wind noise when closed, a powerful
motor is required for efficient closing.
When closing the windows, always
ensure that they are not obstructed in
any way. Unsupervised use of these
systems can result in serious personal
injury. Remove the ignition key to deac-
tivate the electric power windows
whenever you leave the vehicle. Never
leave the keys in the vehicle with unsu-
pervised children.
Never place anything that could
obstruct the driver's vision on or next to
the windows.<
For convenience closing via the door
lock, refer to page 32.
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Power convertible top
* – roadster
Weather protectionThe convertible top combines reliable
protection from the elements with
simple, convenient operation. Here are
a few tips to ensure that you have plea-
sure with your roadster.
It is advisable to close the convertible
top when the vehicle is parked. The
closed convertible top not only protects
the passenger compartment from
unforeseeable damage from the
weather, it also provides a certain
degree of theft protection. In addition,
keep valuables only in the locked
luggage compartment, even with the
convertible top closed.
Never mount a roof-mounted luggage
rack on the convertible top. Please
contact your BMW center for suitable
securing devices and additional acces-
sories.
To prevent damage, do not operate the
convertible top at temperatures at or
below the freezing point.
To conserve the battery, it is advisable
to operate the top only with the engine
running.Operate the convertible top only
when the vehicle is stationary.
Do not lay objects on the convertible
top, since they would fall off when the
convertible top is operated and cause
damage or injuries.
Do not reach into the convertible top
mechanism during opening and closing.
Keep children away from the moving
parts of the convertible top during
operation.
The automatic sequence is interrupted
immediately if the button for actuating
the top (pages 42 and 45) is released.
The sequence can be continued in the
desired direction by pressing the
button.<
To open 1 With the doors closed, lower the side
windows a few inches (centimeters).
2 To release the convertible top: pull
the levers outward on the left and the
right of the convertible top frame
(refer to the illustration).367de046
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AirbagsSitting correctly with airbags
For your safety, comply with the
following instructions for the
airbags. If you do not, the airbags may
not be able to provide their maximum
protection. All passengers in the vehicle
should be aware of and comply with
this information:
The airbags are supplemental restraint
devices designed to provide extra
protection; they are not a substitute for
safety belts. Wear your safety belt at
all times.
Adjust your seat to a position that is
comfortable for you, allowing unre-
stricted vehicle operation, and is not
closer to the steering wheel than
necessary.
Always grasp the steering wheel by the
steering wheel rim, keeping your hands
at the "9-o'clock" and "3-o'clock" posi-
tions in order to minimize any risk of
injury to hands or arms if the airbag
does deploy.
There should not be any other people,
animals or objects between the airbag
and the passenger in that seat.
Do not use the cover panel for the front
airbag on the passenger side as a
storage area.
Do not apply adhesive materials to the
cover panels of the airbags, cover them
or modify them in any other way.
If you use a child restraint system, read
carefully and comply with the instruc-
tions on page 53.
Be sure that child seats are installed
correctly and with the greatest possible
distance from the airbag in the side trim
panel. Do not allow children to lean out
of the child's seat in the direction of the
side trim panel. Otherwise, serious inju-
ries could occur if the airbag is trig-
gered.<
Even when you have complied with all
of these guidelines, there is still a small
residual risk of minor facial, hand and
arm injuries from airbag deployment
occurring in isolated instances.
The ignition and inflation noise may
cause a mild temporary hearing loss in
extremely sensitive individuals.
Corresponding airbag safety precau-
tions are provided on both sun visors
and the instrument panel (US models).
For additional information concerning
the airbag system, refer to pages 122
and 150.This is the right way a child should sit in
a child restraint when side airbags
(arrow) are provided.
367de359
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Transporting children safelyChild restraint installationThe safety belt on the passenger side
can be locked for mounting and
securing child restraint systems.
A label with operating instructions is
attached to the belt next to the sliding
latch plate.367de361
To lock the beltExtract the entire length of the belt from
the inertia reel mechanism. Allow the
reel to retract the belt somewhat and
engage the buckle, then tighten the belt
against the child restraint system. The
retraction mechanism is now locked.
The belt cannot be retracted further.
Comply with the installation instructions
provided by the manufacturer of the
child restraint system.To release the beltRelease the buckle, remove the child
restraint system and allow the inertia
reel to retract the belt completely.
M coupeFor the use of child restraint systems
with a tether strap, an additional
mounting point is provided in the coupe
at the right rear on the roof frame.
Attach the tether strap hook to the
mounting point. Adjust the tether strap
according to the child restraint manu-
facturer's instructions.367us704
M coupe
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Battery
Battery posts, terminals and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds. Wash hands after
handling.<
Battery locationThe battery is located in the luggage
compartment under the floor mat and a
cover.
To make the battery accessible, lift up
or remove the floor mat, unscrew the
nuts of the cover (arrows) and remove
the cover.36mde779
Z3 d Z3
MaintenanceThe battery is completely maintenance-
free. That means that the original elec-
trolyte will normally last for the service
life of the battery under moderate
climatic conditions.SymbolsYou will find the following symbols on
your vehicle battery. To avoid injury,
please comply with the corresponding
precautions whenever you work with or
near the battery.
Please read the following infor-
mation before working with the
battery.
Wear eye protection. Do not
allow particles containing
battery acid or lead to come into
contact with your eyes, your skin, or
your clothing.
Battery acid is extremely corro-
sive. Wear eye protection and
protective gloves. Do not tip the
battery. Battery acid can leak from the
ventilation openings.
Ensure that children keep well
away from batteries and battery
acid.
Do not allow sparks or open
flame near the battery. Do not
smoke near the battery. Avoid
sparks from electrical cables or elec-
trical equipment. Turn the key to posi-
tion 0 in the ignition lock when the
battery is disconnected or connected.
Do not short circuit the battery termi-
nals. This creates a risk of personal
injury from high-voltage sparks.
A highly-explosive gas is gener-
ated when the battery is charged.
If acid is accidentally splashed
into your eyes, rinse them thor-
oughly for 15 minutes with clear
water. Following that, consult a physi-
cian immediately. If acid splashes onto
your skin or clothing, rinse immediately
with ample clean water. If acid is acci-
dentally swallowed, consult a physi-
cian immediately.
In order to protect the battery
case from ultraviolet radiation,
do not place it in direct sunlight.
A discharged battery can freeze. Store
the battery in areas where temperature
remains above freezing.
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