
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.<

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.

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.

33n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Opening and closing Ð from the outsideWith the remote control
*
The remote control gives you an excep-
tionally convenient method for
unlocking and locking your vehicle.
Furthermore, it provides an additional
function which you can only execute via
the remote control:
>To switch on the interior lamps, refer
to page 34.
With this function, you can also
"search for" the vehicle, when parked
in an underground garage, for
instance.
Whenever you unlock (lock) the vehicle,
you simultaneously deactivate (activate)
the anti-theft system and switch the
interior lamps on (off).
Master keyKeys with remote control units are
master keys, refer to page 30.
Since passengers or animals
remaining in the vehicle might be
able to lock the doors from the inside,
always take the vehicle keys with you
so that the vehicle can be opened again
from the outside at any time.<
Every transmission is indicated by a
light signal. If the signal no longer lights
up when a button is pressed and
locking with the remote control is no
longer possible:
Change the battery, refer to page 144.367de383
To prevent unauthorized use of
the remote control, surrender only
the door and ignition key 3 or the spare
key 2 (refer to page 30) when leaving
the vehicle for valet parking, for
example.
In the event of a system malfunction,
please contact your BMW center. You
can also obtain replacement keys
there.<

34n
Opening and closing Ð from the outsideTo unlockPress button 1.
The interior lamps are activated at the
same time.367de326
To lock and securePress button 2.
Never use the remote control to
lock the doors when leaving
passengers in the vehicle, as they
would then be unable to unlock the
door from the inside.< 367de327
To switch on the interior lampsWith the vehicle locked, press button 3.367de328

35n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Opening and closing Ð from the outsideExternal systemsExternal systems or devices may cause
local interference in the functions of the
remote control.
Should this occur, you can still open
and close the vehicle using the master
key in either the door or luggage
compartment locks.
For US owners onlyThe transmitter and receiver units
comply with part 15 of the FCC (Federal
Communications Commission) regula-
tions. Operation is governed by the
following:
FCC ID: LX8EWS
LX8FZVS
Compliance statement:
This device complies with part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
>This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
>this device must accept any interfer-
ence received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications to
these devices could void the
user's authority to operate the equip-
ment.<

36n
Opening and closing Ð from the inside Luggage compartment lidTo unlock and open the doors>Pull the release handle of a door
twice: the initial pull unlocks the door,
and the second opens it.To lock the doorsWhen the safety lock button of any door
is pressed down, the doors and
luggage compartment are locked. The
anti-theft 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.Since passengers or animals
remaining in the vehicle might be
able to lock the doors from the inside,
always take the vehicle keys with you
so that the vehicle can be opened again
from the outside at any time.<
The lockThe illustration depicts the luggage
compartment lock of the Z3 roadster
as an example.
The controls and function for the
Z3 coupe are the same as for
the Z3 roadster.
Only the master keys (refer to page 30)
will fit in the luggage compartment lock.367de368
Z3 roadster

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.<