
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

20n
Indicator and warning lamps
Technology that monitors itself
Indicator and warning lamps that are
identified by "
l
" are tested for proper
functioning whenever the ignition key is
turned. They each light up once for
different periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these
systems, the corresponding lamp does
not go out after the engine is started or
it lights up while the vehicle is moving.
You will see how to react to this in the
following section.
Red: stop immediately
Battery charge current
l
The battery is no longer being
charged. The alternator drive
belt is defective or there is a malfunc-
tion in the charging circuit of the alter-
nator. Please contact the nearest BMW
center.
If the drive belt is defective, stop
and switch off the engine immedi-
ately to prevent overheating and
serious engine damage. If the drive belt
is defective, increased steering effort is
also required.
<
Engine oil pressure
l
Stop the vehicle immediately
and switch off the engine.
Check the engine oil level and top off as
required. If the oil level is correct,
please contact the nearest BMW
center.
Do not continue driving, as the
engine could sustain serious
damage from inadequate lubrication.
<
Brake hydraulic system
l
The brake fluid level is too low.
Before driving further, be sure to
read the notes on pages 104 and 126.
Brake hydraulic system warning
lamp for Canadian models.

28n
Opening and closing:
Keys30
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer31
Central locking system32
Opening and closing from the
outside32
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
Steptronic62
Controls

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.

31n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Electronic vehicle immobilizerThe key to securityThe electronic vehicle immobilization
unit increases the anti-theft protection
of your BMW Ð you do not have to
adjust or activate anything. This elec-
tronic immobilization system is
designed to reduce the susceptibility of
the vehicle to theft by making it impos-
sible to start the engine using any
means other than the special keys
furnished with the vehicle.
Your BMW center can cancel the elec-
tronic system authorization for indi-
vidual keys (in the event a key is lost,
for instance). A deactivated key can no
longer be used to start the engine.
How the electronics workAt the heart of this system is an elec-
tronic chip which is integrated into the
key. The lock mechanism itself is actu-
ally a dual-function device, simulta-
neously serving as a communications
interface designed to allow the security
system to maintain a continuous stream
of variable, vehicle-specific signals with
the electronic circuitry in the key. The
system will not release the ignition, fuel
injection and starter unless it recog-
nizes an "authorized" key.
Force applied to the key can
damage the integrated electronic
circuitry. A damaged key can no longer
be used to start the engine.<

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.<

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.<

38n
Luggage compartment lid Electric power windowsEmergency release Ð roadster
onlyThis lever releases the luggage
compartment lid from the luggage
compartment's interior.390de792
Z3 roadster
Opening and closing windowsFrom ignition key position 1 and up:
>Press the rocker switch up to the
pressure point:
The window continues moving for as
long as you maintain pressure on the
switch
>Press the rocker switch beyond the
pressure point (one-touch mode):
The window moves automatically.
Press the switch a second time to
stop the window.367de668
After the ignition has been switched off:
Operation is still possible for up to
15 minutes in ignition key position 0 or
if the ignition key has been removed, as
long as no doors have been opened.
Because the power windows are
sealed at high pressure to prevent
wind noise when closed, a powerful
motor is required for efficient closing.
When closing the windows, always
ensure that they are not obstructed in
any way. Unsupervised use of these
systems can result in serious personal
injury. Remove the ignition key to deac-
tivate the electric power windows
whenever you leave the vehicle. Never
leave the keys in the vehicle with unsu-
pervised children.
Never place anything that could
obstruct the driver's vision on or next to
the windows.<
For convenience closing via the door
lock, refer to page 32.