
Contents
Owner service procedures
Advanced technology
Technical data
Replacement procedures:
Onboard tool kit136
Windshield wiper blades136
Lamps and bulbs137
Master key with battery
lamp143
Remote control144
Wheel change146
Battery153
Fuses156
In case of electrical
malfunction:
Power convertible top157
Fuel filler door157
Assistance, giving and
receiving:
Jump-starting158
Towing the vehicle159Adaptive Transmission Control
(ATC)164
Airbags164
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC)165
Car radio reception166
Safety belt tensioner166Engine specifications170
Dimensions171
Weights172
Capacities173
Electrical system174
Drive belts174

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.<

68n
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

114n
Wheel and tire combinationsThe right choice
Use only wheels and tires
approved by BMW for the corre-
sponding vehicle model, as otherwise
the tires may make contact with the
body as the result of tolerances despite
the same nominal size being used,
resulting in serious accidents. If non-
approved wheels and tires are used,
BMW cannot evaluate their suitability,
and therefore cannot be held liable for
driving safety.<
For wheel and tire specifications
approved by BMW, refer to the informa-
tion beginning on page 116.
The correct wheel and tire combi-
nation affects different systems
such as ABS and ASC+T/DSC
*. The
function of these systems is impaired if
improper wheel and tire combinations
are used.
For this reason, use only tires of the
same manufacture and tread configura-
tion. In the event of a flat tire, for
example, remount the approved wheel
and tire combination as soon as
possible.<
Codes on tires and wheelsThe code on the tires has the following
meaning.
Codes on radial tires:
The speed rating indicates the
approved maximum speed for the tire.
Summer tires:
S = up to 112 mph (180 km/h)
T = up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
H = up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
V = up to 149 mph (240 km/h)
W = up to 167 mph (270 km/h)
Y = up to 186 mph (300 km/h)
ZR = over 149 mph (240 km/h) Example:
Nominal width
in mm
Aspect ratio in %
Belt rating ID code
for radial tires
Wheel diameter in inches
Load rating
(not on ZR tires)
Speed rating
(before R on ZR tires)
205/60 R 15 91 H
All season and winter tires:
Q M+S = up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
T M+S = up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
H M+S = up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
Codes on light-alloy wheels:
Protect valve inserts against dirt by
using screw-on valve caps. Dirt in the
valve inserts frequently causes a slow
loss in tire pressure.Storage Store tires in a cool, dry place,
protecting them against light whenever
possible. Protect the tires against
contact with oil, grease and fuel. Example:
Rim width
in inches
Code letter for
flange type
Symbol for full-drop
center rim
Rim diameter in inches
Hump on the 2 rim shoulders
7x15H2
J

172n
Weights
Z3 roadster 2.5i Z3 roadster 3.0i Z3 coupŽ 3.0i
Curb weight (with one person, ready for operation, full tank of fuel, options not included)
with manual transmission
with automatic transmissionlbs (kg)
lbs (kg)2,899 (1,315)
2,987 (1,355)2,910 (1,320)
2,998 (1,360)2,943 (1,335)
3,031 (1,375)
Approved gross vehicle weight
with manual transmission
with automatic transmissionlbs (kg)
lbs (kg)3,450 (1,565)
3,538 (1,605)3,461 (1,570)
3,549 (1,610)3,494 (1,585)
3,582 (1,625)
Approved front axle load lbs (kg) 1,852 (840) 1,852 (840) 1,830 (830)
Approved rear axle load lbs (kg) 1,918 (870) 1,918 (870) 1,918 (870)
Approved roof load capacity lbs (kg) 77 (35) 77 (35) 110 (50)
Luggage compartment capacity cu ft (liters) 5.8 (165) 5.8 (165) 7.2 - 14.3 (205 - 405)

173n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Capacities
Notes
Fuel tank
reserve gal. (liters)
gal. (liters)approx. 13.5 (approx. 51)
approx. 2.1 (approx. 8.0)Fuel specification: page 26
Windshield washer system/
Headlamp washer system quarts (liters) approx. 5.3 (approx. 5.0)For details: page 122
Cooling system including heating circuit quarts (liters) 11.1 (10.5) For details: page 125
Engine with oil filter renewal quarts (liters) 6.9 (6.5) "BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil"
For details: page 124
Manual transmission, automatic
transmission and differentialÐ Lifetime fluid, no fluid change
required

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 ZDSC (Dynamic Stability
Control)74, 165
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)103
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)74, 165EElectric convertible top
operation44
Electric power windows38
Electrical malfunction
convertible top157t
doors32t
fuel filler door157t
luggage compartment
lid37t
power convertible
top157t
Electrical system174
Electronic immobilizer31
Emergency release of
luggage compartment lid
from luggage
compartment's interior38
Engine
compartment120, 121Engine coolant126
adding126t
Engine oil123
adding123t
dipstick123
disposal125t
grades124
level21, 123t
pressure20
viscosity124
Engine output170
Engine specifications170
Exterior mirrors50
FFailure of an electrical
accessory156t
Fan82, 86
Filler cap cover25
Filling the washer
reservoir122t
First-aid kit24
Fittings, tow-starting and
towing159t
Flasher, headlamp64Flat tire111
Z3 roadster,
Z3 coupe146t
Folding top40
Footbrake103
Front airbags54, 130
Front fog lamps76
bulb replacement139t
Frost protection,
radiator105
Fuel26
Fuel consumption,
average72
Fuel filler door
electrical
malfunction157t
manual operation157t
Fuel gauge68
Fuel specifications26
Fuel tank capacity173
Fuses156
GGasoline26
Gear indicator68
Glass sunroof39
Glove compartment90
Grilles80, 84
Gross vehicle weight172HHardtop108
Hazard warning
flashers24t
Hazard warning system24
Hazard warning
triangle24t
Head restraints50
Headlamp cleaning
system122
Headlamp cover,
care137t
Headlamp flasher64
Headlamp washers66
Headlamps, high
beam23, 64
bulb replacement137t
Headlamps, low beam76
bulb replacement137t