
152n
Wheel change13. Wheels with full wheel covers:
Place the wheel cover with the
valve opening over the valve. Use
both hands to press the cover
securely onto the rim
14. Check and correct the inflation
pressure at the earliest opportunity.
Use only the full wheel cover
installed by the factory. Other
wheel covers may not fit securely. The
full wheel cover may not be installed on
the spare wheel because the cover
could be damaged.<
The jack is designed for changing
wheels only. Do not attempt to lift
a different vehicle model or any other
type of load with the jack. To do so
could lead to property damage or
personal injury.
To ensure continued safety, check the
tightness of the lug bolts at the earliest
opportunity (torque specification:
72 lbs ft [100 Nm]).<
If light-alloy wheels other than Original
BMW light-alloy wheels have been
mounted, it may be necessary to use
different lug bolts for those wheels.
Replace the defective tire as soon as
possible and have the new wheel/tire
balanced.
Driving with the spare wheelDrive cautiously and do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
Be aware that vehicle handling will be
altered. Slower brake response time,
longer braking distances and changed
steering characteristics may be antici-
pated when approaching limit condi-
tions.
Only one spare wheel may be
mounted at any time. Mount a
wheel and tire with the same size and
specifications as the others at the
earliest possible opportunity. Maintain
the specified tire inflation pressures,
refer to the table on page 27.<

160n
Towing the vehicle
The towed vehicle should always
be the lighter of the two vehicles.
If this is not the case, it will not be
possible to control vehicle handling.<
Tow-startingIt is not possible to start the engine of a
vehicle with an automatic transmission
by towing or pushing the vehicle.
For instructions on jump-starting, refer
to page 158.
Never attempt to use your vehicle to
push another vehicle. This could result
in damage to the energy-absorbing
bumpers.
Towing a vehicle with automatic
transmission1. Place the selector lever in
position "N"
2. Towing speed:
max. 45 mph (70 km/h)
3. Towing distance:
max. 95 miles (150 km)
4. Leave the ignition key in position 1 to
ensure that brake lamps, turn signal
indicators, horn and windshield
wipers remain operative, and to
prevent the steering lock from
engaging
5. Switch on the hazard-warning
flashers (observe applicable legal
regulations).
Find some means of identifying the
vehicle in tow. Place a sign or warning
triangle in the rear window, for
instance.
Even when the electrical system
has failed, make sure that the igni-
tion key remains in position 1 to prevent
the steering lock from engaging.
The steering and brakes are without
power assist when the engine is off.
This means that increased effort is
required for steering and braking.<
Towing with a commercial tow
truck>Do not tow with sling-type equipment
>Use a wheel-lift or flatbed equipment
>Comply with applicable towing laws.
Never allow passengers to ride in
a towed vehicle for any reason.
Never attach tie-down hooks, chains,
straps, or tow hooks to tie rods, control
arms, or any other part of the vehicle
suspension, as severe damage to these
components will occur, leading to
possible accidents.< 367us124

165n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
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
fractions of a second.Precision sensors monitor the number of
revolutions of the wheels. When
equipped with DSC, they also monitor
steering angle, lateral acceleration,
brake pressure and the movement of the
vehicle around its vertical axis.
If differences in the wheel speeds occur,
ASC+T recognizes the danger of wheel-
spin and reduces the drive torque. If
necessary, the system also responds
with additional applications of the brakes
at the rear wheels.
In addition, DSC permanently monitors
the vehicle's current operating condition
and compares it with an ideal condition
that is calculated from the sensor's
signals. If deviations from this occur
(understeering or oversteering, for
instance), DSC can stabilize the vehicle
in fractions of a second by adjusting
engine output and with the assistance of
braking intervention at individual wheels.
Within physically possible limits
dangerous skids can be prevented even
as they are just beginning.You may need some time to become
accustomed to this system's interven-
tion. However, it provides optimum
propulsive force and driving stability.
The braking intervention may be accom-
panied by a certain degree of noise.Airbags ASC+T/DSC
*

171n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Z3 roadster 2.5i, 3.0i Z3 coupe 3.0i
Length in (mm) 159.4 (4,050) 158.5 (4,025)
Width in (mm) 68.5 (1,740) 68.5 (1,740)
Height (unloaded) in (mm) 50.9 (1,293) 51.4 (1,306)
Wheelbase in (mm) 96.3 (2,446) 96.3 (2,446)
Track, front in (mm) 55.6 (1,413) 55.6 (1,413)
Track, rear in (mm) 58.8 (1,494) 58.8 (1,494)
Min. turning circle dia. ft (m) 32.8 (10.0) 32.8 (10.0)
Dimensions

Everything from A to ZAABS (Antilock Brake
System)101
Accessories6
Adaptive Transmission
Control (ATC)62, 164
ADB (Automatic Differential
Braking)74
Adding
brake fluid126t
engine coolant126t
engine oil123t
washer fluid122t
Additional storage areas90
Adjusting
backrest50
mirrors50, 51
seat49
washer nozzles122t
Air conditioner84
Air distribution82, 86
Air outlets80, 84
ventilation85
Air supply82, 86
Air vents80, 84
Airbags21, 54, 164
important safety
notices130
sitting correctly55Antenna107
Antifreeze126
Antifreeze protection,
radiator105, 125
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)101
Anti-theft system32
Approved gross vehicle
weight172
Approved wheel and tire
specifications116
Aquaplaning99, 111
ASC+T (Automatic Stability
Control plus
Traction)73, 165
Ashtray91
ATC (Adaptive Transmission
Control)62, 164
Automatic cruise control67
Automatic Differential
Braking (ADB)74
Automatic rear window
washer65
Automatic Stability Control
plus Traction
(ASC+T)73, 165
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic62
gear indicator68Automatic windshield
washer122
Average fuel
consumption72
Average speed72
BBackrest, adjusting50
Backup lamps61
bulb replace-
ment139t, 140t
Battery153, 174
capacity174
charge condition154
charging154
discharged158
disposal154t
removal and
installation155
Battery change, keys143
Battery charge indicator
lamp20
Battery safety terminal155
Beverage holder91
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil124
Brake fluid126
disposal127tBrake hydraulic system20
Brake lamps, bulb replace-
ment139t, 140t
Brake pads22, 104
Brake system103, 104
brake fluid126
fluid level104
winter road
conditions105
Brakes, malfunctions104
Break-in procedure98
Bulb replacement137t
CCalifornia Proposition
65 Warning132
Capacities173
Car jack146t
Car keys30
Car radio
reception107, 166
refer also to the separate
Owner's Manual
Car wash systems, refer to
the "Caring for your
vehicle" manual
From A to Z

Everything from A to Z
179n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Care of paintwork, refer to
the "Caring for your
vehicle" manual
Care of upholstery materials,
refer to the "Caring for your
vehicle" manual
Cargo loading94
Caring for the vehicle finish,
refer to the "Caring for your
vehicle" manual
Catalytic converter100
CBC (Cornering Brake
Control)102
Cellular phone107
refer also to the separate
Owner's Manual
Center (high-mount) brake
lamp141
Central locking system32
Changing a wheel146t
Charge condition of the
battery154t
Charging the battery154t
Chassis number127
Checking oil level123t
Checking tire
pressure26t, 110
Child seat56
Child-restraint device56Child-restraint system56
installation57
Z3 coupe with tether
strap57
Cigarette lighter92
Cleaning the headlamps66
Cleaning the rear
window66
Cleaning the windshield65
Clock70
Cockpit16
Coin box91
Cold start59
Compartments90
Computer70
refer also to the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer"
Connecting a car vacuum
cleaner92
Controls, cockpit16
Convertible top
electrical
malfunction157t
manual operation157t
operation40, 44
weather protection44
Coolant105, 126Coolant temperature69
Coolant, antifreeze
protection105
Copyright4
Cornering Brake Control
(CBC)102
Cover, convertible
top41, 46
Cruise control67
Cruising range72
Cup holder, refer to
beverage holder91
Curb weight172
DDashboard16
Data link connector for
Onboard Diagnostics133
Daytime driving lamps76
DBC (Dynamic Brake
Control)103
Deep water99
Defrost windows and
remove
condensation83, 88
Defrosting
rear window66
mirrors51Difficult steering106t
Digital clock70
Dimensions171
Dipstick, engine oil123
Disc brakes103
Displacement170
Display lighting76
Displays18
Disposal
batteries154t
brake fluid127t
coolant125t
engine oil125t
Door key30
Doors
electrical
malfunction32t
manual operation32t
operating with the remote
control33
unlocking and locking32
DOT Quality Grades,
tires111
Drive belts174
Driving notes99
Driving through water99

Everything from A to Z
181n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Heated seats89
Heating and
ventilation80, 84
Heat-up, rapid83
Height171
Height adjustment, seats49
Help with jump starting158
High beams23, 64
bulb replacement137t
High Performance Synthetic
Oil124
High-mount brake lamp
(center)141
Hood release118t
Horn17
Hub cover150
Hydraulic brake assistant,
refer to DBCIIce warning71
Identification number of the
vehicle127
Identification, tires114
Ignition key30
Ignition switch58
Immobilizer, electronic31
Immobilizer, vehicle31Imprint4
Indicator lamps20
Inflation
pressures26t, 110
Inflation pressures,
tires26t
INSPECTION69
Instrument panel16
lighting76
Instruments18
Interface socket for onboard
diagnostics (OBD)133
Interior lamps77
bulb replacement142t
Interlock58
Intermittent wipe switch65
JJack146t
Jump-starting158tKKeys30
Keys with remote
control30, 33
Key, battery change143t
Kickdown63
LLamp switch76
Lashing eyes94
Leather care, refer to the
"Caring for your vehicle"
manual
Length171
License plate lamps
bulb replacement141t
Light-alloy wheel116
LIGHTS ON warning76
Limited slip differential166
Load-securing devices94
Lock buttons36
Locks, care105
Low beams76
bulb replacement137t
Low-fuel indicator lamp68
Lug bolts150, 151
Lug wrench147t
Luggage compartment36
capacity172
locking separately37
Luggage compartment lamp
bulb replacement142tLuggage compartment
lid36
electrical
malfunction37t
emergency release from
luggage compartment's
interior38
manual operation37t
MM + S tires115
Magic Eye
refer to Battery charge
condition154
Maintenance69, 128
Malfunction, cellular
phone107
Manual operation
doors32t
fuel filler door157t
luggage
compartment37t
luggage compartment
lid37t
Manual transmission61
Master key with battery
lamp143

Everything from A to ZMaster keys30
changing battery144
initializing144
replacements144
Mirrors50
adjusting51
defrosting51
Mobile phone107
refer also to the separate
Owner's Manual
Modifications,
technical6, 132
Multifunction switch64
M+S radial tires115NNet93
Non-smoker's equipment
package92
Notes on driving99OOBD interface socket133
Odometer68
Oil
adding123t
additives123
consumption123
grades124Oil change intervals, refer to
the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US
models) or the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models)
Oil dipstick123
Oil level, checking123t
Oil level, indicator lamp21
Oil pressure, indicator
lamp20
OILSERVICE69
Old batteries154
Onboard computer70
refer to the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer"
Onboard Diagnostics, data
link connector133
Onboard tool kit136t
Opening and closing
from the inside36
from the outside32
with the remote control33
Outside mirrors50
Outside temperature
display71
PParking brake21, 60
Parking lamps76
Parking, winter106
Partition net93
Phone, mobile107
refer also to the separate
Owner's Manual
Please wear your safety belt
warning lamp21
Position lamps
bulb replacement138t
Power convertible top
electrical
malfunction157t
manual operation157t
Power seat adjustment49
Power steering106
Pressures, tires26, 110
Pressure, tires110QQuality Grades, tires111
RRadiator, frost
protection105
Radio reception166
Radio, refer to the separate
Owner's Manual
Rapid heating83, 88
Reading lamps78
Rear lamps, bulb
replacement139t
Rear window defroster66
Rear window washer,
automatic65
Rear window wiper65
blade replacement136t
Rearview mirrors50
Recirculated air mode86
refer to spare wheel147t
Refueling25
Releasing the hood118t
Remote control33, 144
for computer70
Remove condensation from
windows83
Replacement keys30
Replacement,
tires111, 112