
Contents
Overview
Controls and features
Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps20
Hazard warning flashers24
Warning triangle24
First-aid kit24
Refueling25
Fuel specifications26
Tire inflation pressure26
Opening and closing:
Keys30
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer31
Central locking system32
Opening and closing from the
outside32
With the key32
With the remote control33
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
Steptronic62Turn 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 heating89
Contents

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
15n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps20
Hazard warning flashers24
Warning triangle24
First-aid kit24
Refueling25
Fuel specifications26
Tire inflation pressures26
Overview

19n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Instrument cluster
1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp
for reserve range68
2 Indicator lamp for turn signals23
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator and warning lamps for:
>
Battery charge current20
>
High beams23
>
Engine oil pressure20
5 Tachometer68
6 Coolant temperature gauge69
7 Indicator and warning lamps for:
>
Brake pad wear22
>
Brake hydraulic
system20, 21, 22
>
Parking brake21
>
Airbags21
8 Indicator and warning lamps for:
>
Service Engine Soon22
>
Automatic transmission
*
22
>
Safety belts21
>
Engine oil level21
>
Antilock Brake System (ABS)21
9 Indicator lamp for Automatic
Stability Control plus Traction
(ASC+T)/Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC
*
)22
10 Trip odometer/Gear indicator for
automatic transmission with
Steptronic
*
6811 Service Interval Display69, 128
12 Odometer68
13 Indicator and warning lamps for:
>
Front fog lamps
*
23
>
Engine electronics22
14 Trip odometer reset button68
The illustration shows the instrument
cluster in the US version. In the Cana-
dian models, some of the indicator and
warning lamps have a different appear-
ance, refer to pages 20 to 23.

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.

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

131n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Storing your vehicle5. Fill the fuel tank completely to
prevent the formation of condensa-
tion
6. Increase the tire inflation pressure to
51 psi (350 kPa).Before parking the vehicle for
storage1. Dry the parking brake and footbrake
by brake applications to prevent the
brake rotors and drums from
corroding
2. Park the vehicle in a covered, dry,
and well-ventilated room. Place the
transmission in 1st gear or set the
selector lever to the "P" position.
Chock the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from rolling if necessary. Do
not set the parking brake
3. Remove the battery, charge it
completely and store it in a cool (but
frost-free) room
Z3 roadster:
4. Remove the hardtop
* and store it
separately, refer to page 109
5. Close the convertible top.
During storageRecharge the battery every six months.
If it is not recharged, it will not be
serviceable. Every time the battery is
discharged, especially over extended
periods, its service life is reduced.
Removing the vehicle from
storageRecharge the battery if the "Magic Eye"
turns black, refer to page 154.
Then have Inspection I performed by
your BMW center, including a brake
fluid replacement if necessary, refer to
the Service Manual.

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

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