Page 10 of 187

 
Contents
 
Overview
Controls and features
 
Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps20
Hazard warning flashers24
Warning triangle24
First-aid kit24
Refueling25
Fuel specifications26
Tire inflation pressure26
 
Opening and closing:
 
Keys30
Electronic vehicle 
immobilizer31
Central locking system32
Opening and closing from the 
outside32
With the key32
With the remote control33
Opening and closing from the 
inside36
Luggage compartment lid36
Electric power windows38
Sunroof, coupe39
Convertible top40
 
Adjustments:
 
Seats49
Mirrors50
 
Safety systems:
 
Safety belts52
Airbags54
Transporting children safely56
 
Driving:
 
Ignition lock58
Starting the engine59
Switching off the engine60
Parking brake60
Manual transmission61
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic62Turn signals/High beams64
Washer/Wiper system65
Rear window defroster66
Cruise Control67
 
Everything under control:
 
Odometer68
Tachometer68
Fuel gauge68
Coolant temperature gauge69
Service Interval Display69
Clock70
Computer70
 
Technology for safety and 
convenience:
 
Automatic Stability Control 
plus Traction (ASC+T)73
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)74
 
Lamps:
 
Parking lamps/Low beams76
Fog lamps76
Interior lamps77
Reading lamps78
 
Controlling the climate 
for pleasant driving:
 
Heating and ventilation80
Heating and ventilation/
Air conditioner84
Seat heating89
 
Contents 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 28 of 187
28n
Opening and closing:
Keys30
Electronic vehicle 
immobilizer31
Central locking system32
Opening and closing from the 
outside32
Opening and closing from the 
inside36
Luggage compartment lid36
Electric power windows38
Sunroof, coupe39
Convertible top40
Adjustments:
Seats49
Mirrors50
Safety systems:
Safety belts52
Airbags54
Transporting children safely56
Driving:
Ignition lock58
Starting the engine59
Switching off the engine60
Parking brake60
Manual transmission61
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic62
Controls 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 29 of 187
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
29n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Turn signals/High beams64
Washer/Wiper system65
Rear window defroster66
Cruise control67
Everything under control:
Odometer68
Tachometer68
Fuel gauge68
Coolant temperature gauge69
Service Interval Display69
Clock70
Computer70
Technology for safety 
and convenience:
Automatic Stability Control 
plus Traction (ASC+T)73
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)74
Lamps:
Parking lamps/Low beams76
Fog lamps76
Interior lamps77
Reading lamps78
Controlling the climate 
for pleasant driving:
Heating and ventilation80
Heating and ventilation/
Air conditioner84
Seat heating89Cabin convenience:
Glove compartment90
Storage compartments90
Storage boxes90
Beverage holder91
Ashtray91
Cigarette lighter92
Loading and transporting 
cargo:
coupe:
Roll-up cover93
Partition net93
Cargo loading94
Roof-mounted luggage 
rack95 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 32 of 187

32n
Central locking system Opening and closing Ð from the outsideThe conceptThe central locking system becomes 
operational when the doors are closed. 
The system simultaneously engages 
and releases the locks on the
>doors 
>luggage compartment
>fuel filler door. 
The central locking system can be 
operated
>from outside via the door locks, the 
luggage compartment lock as well as 
via the remote control
*
>from inside via the safety lock 
buttons (locks doors only). 
The anti-theft system is automatically 
activated whenever you activate the 
central locking system from outside the 
vehicle. It prevents the doors from 
being unlocked with the lock buttons or 
release handles.
The central locking system unlocks 
automatically in the event of an acci-
dent. In addition, the hazard warning 
flashers and interior lamps come on.
With the key
Never lock the doors when leaving 
passengers in the vehicle, as they 
would then be unable to unlock the 
door from the inside.< 
Convenience locking modeThe electric power windows can also 
be closed via the door locks:
When the doors are closed, hold the 
key in the "Lock" position.367de011
Watch the closing process care-
fully and be sure that no one is 
trapped by the closing motion. The 
closing process stops immediately 
when you release the key.< 
Manual operation(in the event of electrical malfunction)
Turn the key all the way to the extreme 
left or right to unlock/lock the driver's 
door. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 37 of 187

37n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Luggage compartment lidTo lock separatelyTurn the master key to the right past the 
pressure point and then pull it out in the 
horizontal position
This locks the luggage compartment 
and disengages it from the central 
locking system. If you then surrender 
only the door and ignition key (refer to 
page 30), access to the vehicle through 
the luggage compartment is not 
possible. This is recommended for valet 
parking, for instance.Manual operation(in the event of electrical malfunction)
Turn the master key in the lock of the 
luggage compartment lid to the left to 
the stop Ð the luggage compartment lid 
opens slightly.
The luggage compartment is locked 
again as soon as it is closed.
To closeThe illustration depicts the luggage 
compartment lid of the Z3 coupe.
The handle recess in the interior trim 
panel of the luggage compartment lid 
(arrow) makes it easier to pull the lid 
down.
On the Z3 roadster, the handle recess 
is located to the left of the lock mecha-
nism.
To avoid injuries, be sure that the 
travel path of the luggage 
compartment lid is clear when it is 
closed, as with all closing procedures.< 367de625
Z3 cou
pe
Operate the vehicle only when the 
luggage compartment lid is 
closed, since exhaust fumes could 
penetrate the interior of the vehicle. 
Should it be absolutely necessary to 
operate the vehicle with the luggage 
compartment lid open (coupe; roadster 
with closed convertible 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 82 or 86.<  
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 38 of 187

38n
Luggage compartment lid Electric power windowsEmergency release Ð roadster 
onlyThis lever releases the luggage 
compartment lid from the luggage 
compartment's interior.390de792
Z3 roadster
Opening and closing windowsFrom ignition key position 1 and up:
>Press the rocker switch up to the 
pressure point:
The window continues moving for as 
long as you maintain pressure on the 
switch
>Press the rocker switch beyond the 
pressure point (one-touch mode): 
The window moves automatically.
Press the switch a second time to 
stop the window.367de668
After the ignition has been switched off:
Operation 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. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 39 of 187
39n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Electric power windows Sunroof
*, coupe
Jam protectionIf one of the windows comes into 
contact with an object between the 
window and roof frame when it is 
closing, the closing cycle is interrupted 
immediately and the window will open 
again slightly.
You can override this jam protec-
tion function (if there is an 
attempted unauthorized entrance from 
the outside, for instance) by pressing 
the switch beyond the resistance point 
and holding it.<
Lifting Ð ClosingFrom ignition key position 1 and up:
To lift: press button 1.
To close: press button 2.367de689
Z3 cou
pe
To prevent injuries, exercise care 
when closing the sunroof. Keep it 
in your field of vision until it is closed.< 
To avoid pressure or drafts in the 
passenger compartment when the 
sunroof is open, keep the air vents in 
the instrument panel open and increase 
the air supply if necessary, refer to 
pages 82 and 86. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 40 of 187

40n
Manual convertible top, roadsterWeather 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 the 
freezing point.
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
3. Raise the convertible top approx. 8  in 
(20 cm) from the convertible top 
frame on the inside to relieve tension 
on the top, refer to arrow 1
Be sure that the convertible top 
folds at the front linkage joints 
first, refer to arrow 2. If it does not, the 
convertible top linkage could be bent.< 
4. Continue to raise the top at the front 
and push it toward the rear into the 
convertible top compartment.
In the process, make sure the rear 
window is laid down evenly and free 
of creases. To prevent the rear 
window from being scratched, a soft 
cloth should be laid in the window 
fold367de399