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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Washer/Wiper systemWindshield0 Wipers retracted
1 Intermittent operation
2 Normal wipe
3 Fast wipe
4 Brief wipe
5 Cleaning the windshieldRear window Ð Z3 coupe only6 Intermittent operation/cleaning the
rear window367de631
0 Wipers retractedThe wipers are partially hidden behind
the hood. To bring the wipers up into
their vertical position (important when
changing the blades, or folding up
when frost is expected):
Switch on the wipers and switch off the
ignition when the wipers are approxi-
mately vertical.
Fold the wipers down onto the
windshield before turning on the
ignition key. Failure to do this could
result in damage to the wiper/washer
system and hood.< 1 Intermittent operationThe length of the interval is varied auto-
matically according to the vehicle's
actual road speed.2 Normal wipeThe wipers automatically revert to inter-
mittent operation when the vehicle is
stationary.
3 Fast wipeWhen the vehicle is stationary, the
system does not switch to a lower
wiper speed.4 Brief wipeThe wipers move once across the wind-
shield.5 Cleaning the windshieldThe system sprays washer fluid against
the windshield and activates the wipers
for a brief period.
If you only pull the lever briefly, the
system sprays washer fluid onto the
windshield without activating the
wipers.
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Washer/Wiper system Rear window defroster6 Intermittent operation/
Cleaning the rear windowPress the lever briefly:
The intermittent setting of the rear
window wiper is switched on or off.
Press and hold the lever:
The system sprays washer fluid against
the rear window and activates the
wiper. After the lever is released, the
wiper continues to cycle for a few
seconds.
To change the wiper blades, refer to
page 136.
Cleaning the headlamps*If the headlamps are on, they will also
be cleaned every fifth time you activate
the cleaning the windshield 5 mode.
Do not use the washers if there is
any danger that the fluid will freeze
on the windshield, otherwise vision
could be obscured. For this reason, use
an antifreeze agent, refer to page 122.
Do not use the washers when the reser-
voir is empty, otherwise damage to the
washer pump could result.< Windshield washer nozzlesThe windshield washer nozzles are
heated automatically
* when the ignition
key is in position 2.
The Z3 coupe is equipped with a rear
window defroster.To switch onPress the button, the indicator lamp
comes on.To switch offPress the button if the indicator lamp is
on.367us721
Z3 coupe
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Cruise control
*
You can maintain and store any desired
vehicle speed above approx. 25 mph
(40 km/h).
The system is switched off and the
stored speed deleted from its memory
when you turn the ignition key to posi-
tion 0.
Do not use the cruise control on
winding roads, when high traffic
density prevents driving at a constant
speed, when the road surface is slick
(snow, rain, ice) or when the road
surface is loose (rocks or gravel,
sand).< 365us059
To maintain and store speed/
to acceleratePress the lever briefly in direction 1:
The system maintains and stores the
current vehicle speed. Every time you
briefly press the lever, the speed
increases by approx. 0.6 mph (1 km/h).
Hold the lever in position 1:
The vehicle accelerates without pres-
sure on the accelerator pedal. When
you release the lever, the system main-
tains and stores the current speed.
If, on a downhill grade, the engine
braking effect is not sufficient, the
controlled speed can be exceeded.
Speed can drop on uphill grades if the
engine output is insufficient.< To deceleratePress the lever briefly in direction 2:
If you are already driving with active
cruise control, the speed is decreased
by approx. 0.6 mph (1 km/h) every time
you briefly touch the lever.
Hold the lever in position 2:
With the cruise control active, the
system automatically reduces the
throttle opening to slow the vehicle.
When you release the lever, the system
maintains and stores the current speed.Call up stored setting (resume)Press the lever briefly in direction 3:
The vehicle accelerates to and main-
tains the last speed stored.To deactivatePress the lever briefly in direction 4:
The cruise control is deactivated imme-
diately.
In addition, the system is also automati-
cally deactivated in response to the
following conditions:
>When you apply the brakes
>When you depress the clutch or move
the automatic transmission selector
lever from "D" to "N"
>If you exceed or fall below the preset
speed for an extended period (by
depressing the accelerator, for
example).
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1 OdometerYou can activate the displays shown in
the illustration with the ignition key in
position 0 by pressing the button in the
instrument cluster (arrow).2 Trip odometer/Gear indicator
for automatic transmission with
Steptronic
*
Trip odometer:
To reset the trip odometer to zero,
press the button (arrow) with the igni-
tion key in position 1 or higher.
Gear indicator:
>S for Sport Program
>M1 to M5 for manual mode.367us710
Never allow the engine to operate with
the needle in the red overspeed sector
of the gauge.
To protect the engine, the engine-
management system automatically
interrupts the fuel supply in this range;
you will notice a loss of power.367de005
When you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp comes on briefly to
confirm that the system is operational.
Once the indicator lamp stays on
continuously, there are still approx.
2.1 gallons (8 liters) of fuel in the fuel
tank.
Tank capacity: page 173.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies (extended
driving in mountainous areas, for
example), the needle may fluctuate
slightly.
Please refuel early, since driving
to the last drop of fuel can result in
damage to the engine and/or catalytic
converter.< 367us006
Odometer Tachometer Fuel gauge
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Coolant temperature gauge Service Interval DisplayBlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at
moderate engine and vehicle speeds.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the
warning lamp comes on briefly to
confirm that the system is operational.
Comes on while driving: the engine is
overheated. Switch off the engine
immediately and allow it to cool down.367de007
Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. It is not
unusual for the needle to rise as far as
the edge of the red zone in response to
high outside temperatures or severe
operating conditions.
Checking coolant level, refer to
page 125.
Green lamps The number of illuminated lamps
decreases as the time for your next
maintenance visit approaches.Yellow lamp This field appears together with
OILSERVICE or INSPECTION.
This alerts you that maintenance is due.
Please arrange for an appointment with
your BMW center.Red lamp Maintenance is overdue.367us709
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Clock Computer
*
You can correct the time by pressing
the buttons (arrows) with a sharp object
such as a ball-point pen.
Set the clock forward by pressing the
right button; set the clock back by
pressing the left button.367de728
Mode selectionYou can call up the computer data in
the display from ignition switch posi-
tion 1 with the turn indicator lever.
Press the button briefly to select the
next display mode.
In addition, you can display the time by
pressing the button.
With the button, the calculations
for average fuel consumption and
speed are reset and begin again.367us041
TimeThe display is provided at ignition key
position 1 or higher. In ignition key
position 0, the time is displayed for
approx. 8 seconds by pressing the
button.
Following a power loss, the clock auto-
matically switches to the setting mode:
the colon flashes. Two dashes are
displayed for entering the hour.367de716
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Computer
*
To enter the timeEnter the numbers for hours and
minutes by pressing the button.
Enter the hour first. Each time the
button is pressed, the hour display
increases by one. Pressing and holding
the button starts the rapid advance.
Confirm the time set with the
button. Now enter the minutes when
two zeros appear.
Enter the minutes in the same manner
as the hours.
Press the save button : the time is
started exactly on the second. The
colon stops flashing.To reset the timePress and hold the button for
approx. 3 seconds: enter the hour when
the colon begins to flash.
Enter the numbers by pressing the
button in the same manner as when
entering the time.
Setting the 12-hour or 24-hour
modePress and hold the buttons
simultaneously for approx. 1 second.
Then press the button. Now, the
mode changes from 12 to 24 hours
whenever you press the button.
When you select the 12-hour mode,
AM or PM will appear on the right-hand
side of the display panel.
The last mode selected is adopted
when you press or automatically
stored approx. 5 seconds after the last
setting.
Outside temperatureIf the outside temperature drops to
approx. +37.5 7 (+3 6), a warning
signal sounds (ice warning). The
temperature display appears automati-
cally and flashes for 8 seconds.
The warning is repeated whenever the
temperature has reached at least
+43 7 (+6 6) and then drops to
+37.5 7 (+3 6) again.
The ice warning does not alter the
fact that surface ice can form at
temperatures above +37.5 7 (+3 6),
on bridges or shaded road surfaces, for
instance.< 367us712
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Computer
*
Average fuel consumptionThe calculation is made when the
engine is running. Periods when the
vehicle is parked and the engine is not
running are not included.
New calculation:
When this function has been activated
and you press the button, the fuel
consumption is recalculated from that
point in time.367us713
Estimated cruising rangeThe computer bases its calculations of
the cruising range on the previous
driving style and on the remaining fuel.
When three dashes flash in the display,
the cruising range is below 9 miles
(15 km). You should refuel as soon as
possible.
Refueling is registered by the computer
with the ignition key in position 1 or
higher.
If the vehicle has been parked at
an angle, the cruising range
cannot be displayed accurately. The
display will be corrected while the
vehicle is moving.< 367us714
Average speedPeriods when the vehicle is parked and
the engine is switched off are not
included in the calculation.
At speeds below 100 mph or 100 km/h,
the display includes decimals.
New calculation:
When this function has been activated
and you press the button, the
average speed is recalculated from that
point in time. 367us715