Page 25 of 187

25n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Refueling
Before filling the tank, switch off
the engine, as otherwise fuel
cannot flow into the tank and the
"Service Engine Soon" warning lamp
may come on, refer to page 22.<
Open the fuel filler cap:
To open the fuel filler door, turn the fuel
filler cap counterclockwise and remove
the cap. Place the filler cap in the
bracket attached to the fuel filler door.
Open the filler cap carefully. If you
do not, fuel could spray out.<
To unlock the fuel filler door manually in
the event of an electrical malfunction of
the central locking system, refer to
page 157.
367de391
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle
completely into the filler pipe. Pulling
the nozzle out of the pipe during refu-
eling
>results in premature shutoff
>and will reduce the effect of the vapor
recovery system.
If the filler nozzle is operated correctly,
the fuel tank is full when it shuts off the
first time.
Tank capacity, approx. 13.5 gal.
(51 liters), incl. a reserve capacity of
approx. 2.1 gal. (8 liters).
Close the fuel filler cap:
Position the cap on the neck. Turn the
cap clockwise to the stop.
Close the filler cap carefully after
refueling until a "click" is heard.
While closing, be sure not to squeeze
the strap which is fastened to the cap.
A loose or missing cap will activate the
"Service Engine Soon" lamp.<
Close the fuel filler door.
When handling fuels, comply with
all of the applicable safety
precautions and regulations pertaining
to fuels.
Never carry spare fuel containers in
your vehicle. Whether they are empty or
full, these containers can leak, cause an
explosion, or lead to fire in the event of
a collision.<
Page 26 of 187

26n
Fuel specifications Tire inflation pressuresThe engine uses lead-free gasoline
only.
Required fuel:
>Premium Unleaded Gasoline,
min. 91 AKI.
AKI = Anti Knock Index
Do not use leaded fuels. The use
of leaded fuels will cause perma-
nent damage to the system's oxygen
sensor and the catalytic converter.<
The inflation pressures are indicated on
a label attached to the B-pillar behind
the driver's door (visible with door
open).Check tire pressuresAll pressure specifications are indicated
in psi (kilopascal [kPa]) with the tires at
ambient temperature (refer also to the
next page).
Check tire inflation pressures
regularly Ð at least every two
weeks and before every extended
journey. Incorrect tire pressure can
otherwise lead to tire damage and acci-
dents.
Check the inflation pressure of the
spare tire as well. Refer to the following
table and to page 110.<367de388
Comply with tire approval
specificationsThe inflation pressures in the table apply
to tires made by BMW-approved manu-
facturers. Your BMW center is familiar
with these pressures. Higher pressures
may be specified for tires made by other
manufacturers. You will find a list of
approved tires beginning on page 116.
Your vehicle is equipped with tires that
meet both US standards and European
standards. We recommend the exclu-
sive use of BMW-approved tires.
Page 27 of 187
27n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Tire inflation pressuresBMW Tires
All tire pressures are in psi
(kilopascals [kPa])
Z3 roadster 2.5i225/50 R 16 92 V
225/50 ZR 1629 (200) 32 (220)
Front: 225/45 ZR 17
Rear: 245/40 ZR 1729 (200)
ÐÐ
32 (220)
205/60 R 15 91 Q M+S
205/55 R 16 91 Q M+S
225/50 R 16 92 Q M+S
225/45 R 17 91 Q M+S32 (220) 35 (240)
Spare tire:
T 115/90 R 16 92 M61 (420) 61 (420)
Z3 roadster 3.0i
Z3 coupe 3.0i225/50 R 16 92 V
225/50 ZR 1629 (200) 32 (220)
Front: 225/45 ZR 17
Rear: 245/40 ZR 1729 (200)
ÐÐ
32 (220)
205/55 R 16 91 Q M+S
225/50 R 16 92 Q M+S
225/45 R 17 91 Q M+S32 (220) 35 (240)
Spare tire:
T 115/90 R 16 92 M61 (420) 61 (420)
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 30 of 187

30n
Keys1 Master key with battery-powered
lamp (switch on by pressing the BMW
symbol)
2 Master key without lamp
3 Spare key for storage in a safe place
such as your wallet. This key is not
intended for continuous use
4 Door and ignition key
The luggage compartment lid and the
storage boxes
* cannot be opened
with this key Ð this is useful for valet
parking, for instance
365de122
Key with remote control unit
*
1 Master key with remote control unit
2 Spare key for storage in a safe place,
such as in your wallet. This key is not
intended for constant use
3 Door and ignition key
The locks for the luggage compart-
ment lid and the storage boxes
*
cannot be operated with this key Ð
this is useful for valet parking, for
instance.
Some symbols on the remote
control buttons can differ from
those shown in the illustration.<
365de122
Replacement keysare available exclusively through your
BMW center. Your BMW center is obli-
gated to ensure that a person
requesting a key is authorized to do so
since the keys belong to a security
system (refer to "Electronic vehicle
immobilizer" on the next page).
If possible, take all master keys
that belong to the vehicle with you
when you pick up your replacement
keys.
Whenever you receive a new
replacement key, turn that key to
position 2 in the ignition lock once (igni-
tion switched on) and then back. This
allows the electronic vehicle immobi-
lizer to "learn" the new key.<
New master key with remote control,
refer to page 144.
Page 31 of 187

31n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Electronic vehicle immobilizerThe key to securityThe electronic vehicle immobilization
unit increases the anti-theft protection
of your BMW Ð you do not have to
adjust or activate anything. This elec-
tronic immobilization system is
designed to reduce the susceptibility of
the vehicle to theft by making it impos-
sible to start the engine using any
means other than the special keys
furnished with the vehicle.
Your BMW center can cancel the elec-
tronic system authorization for indi-
vidual keys (in the event a key is lost,
for instance). A deactivated key can no
longer be used to start the engine.
How the electronics workAt the heart of this system is an elec-
tronic chip which is integrated into the
key. The lock mechanism itself is actu-
ally a dual-function device, simulta-
neously serving as a communications
interface designed to allow the security
system to maintain a continuous stream
of variable, vehicle-specific signals with
the electronic circuitry in the key. The
system will not release the ignition, fuel
injection and starter unless it recog-
nizes an "authorized" key.
Force applied to the key can
damage the integrated electronic
circuitry. A damaged key can no longer
be used to start the engine.<
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.