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
18n
Instrument cluster
367us705
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.
63n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
P Ñ Park Select only when the vehicle is
stationary. The transmission locks to
prevent the rear wheels from turning.R Ñ Reverse Select only when the vehicle is
stationary. N Ñ Neutral Select only if your journey is interrupted
for a longer period. D Ñ Drive
(automatic shift program) This position is designed for driving
under all normal operating conditions.
All forward gears are available. Kickdown In the kickdown mode, you achieve
maximum performance and in
position D, you reach maximum speed.
Depress the accelerator pedal past the
increased resistance point at the full-
throttle position.
M/S Ð manual mode and
Sport Program When you change from D to M/S, the
Sport Program is activated. This is
indicated by "S" in the gear selection
display. The M/S mode is recom-
mended for performance-oriented
driving.
With the first brief touch, the automatic
transmission shifts from the Sport
Program to the manual mode. When
you tab the selector lever in the "+"
direction, the transmission shifts up.
When the lever is tabbed in the
"Ð" direction, the transmission shifts
down. M1 to M5 is indicated in the
transmission range display.
Upshifts or downshifts will only be
carried out by the ATC at appropriate
engine speeds and road speeds. If the 367de704
engine speed is too high, for instance,
the downshift will not be executed. The
gear selected will appear briefly in the
instrument cluster followed by the
current gear.
If you are driving in the manual
mode and wish to accelerate
rapidly Ð to pass another vehicle, for
example Ð shift down manually or with
the "Kickdown" function.<
You can only change from M/S to
selector lever positions "P", "R" and "N"
via the "D" position.
In the following situations, the Steptronic
"thinks" for you in the manual mode:
>In order to prevent engine over-
speeding, the transmission shifts
automatically to the next higher gear
shortly before the engine speed
cutoff point
>At low speeds, the transmission
shifts down automatically Ð you do
not have to act
>In the kickdown mode, the transmis-
sion shifts down to the lowest possible
gear based on the engine speed
>Depending on the situation Ð when
driving in adverse winter conditions,
for example Ð the transmission may
also start out in 2nd or 3rd gear.
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
76n
Parking lamps/Low beams Fog lampsParking lamps (position lamps/
side marker lamps)
Position 1
With the switch in this position,
vehicle lighting on both sides is
on.
Low beams
Position 2
When you switch the ignition off
while the low beams are still on,
only the parking lamps (position lamps/
side marker lamps) remain on.
Instrument panel lightingIn order to adjust the illumination
intensity, turn the pulled switch. 367us021
LIGHTS ON warningWhen you open the driver's door after
turning the ignition key to position 0,
a warning signal sounds for a few
seconds to remind you if the headlamps
have not been switched off.Daytime driving lamps
*
The headlamps are automatically
switched on for daylight driving at
ignition key position 2.
Front fog lamps
*
A green indicator lamp comes
on in the instrument cluster to
indicate that the front fog lamps
are on.
It is not possible to switch on the front
fog lamps together with the high
beams.
367us023
126n
Coolant Brake fluid To add coolantWait until the engine cools before
removing the cap from the expansion
tank. The needle of the coolant gauge
in the instrument cluster must be
located in the blue field; otherwise,
there is a danger of scalding.
1. Turn the cap slightly counterclock-
wise in order to allow accumulated
pressure to escape, then open
2. If the coolant is low, slowly add
coolant until the correct level is
reached Ð do not overfill.
The coolant is a mixture of water and
extended-duty antifreeze with corrosion
inhibitor. Always maintain the
prescribed all-season 50 : 50 mixture
ratio for year-round protection against
internal corrosion. No other additives
are required.
Replace the coolant regularly. Refer to
the Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models) or the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet (Canadian
models).If the warning lamp for the brake
hydraulic system comes on:
The brake fluid level is too low, refer
also to the instructions on page 104.
For adding brake fluid or for deter-
mining and correcting the cause of
brake fluid loss, consult your BMW
center. Your BMW center is familiar
with the specifications for factory-
approved brake fluids (DOT 4).
367de741
Z3 roadster 2.5i
Brake fluid loss may result in extended
brake pedal travel. If this occurs, refer
to the notes on page 104.
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that is,
it absorbs moisture from the air
over time.
In order to ensure the operating safety
and reliability of the brake system, have
the brake fluid changed every two years
by a BMW center, refer also to the
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models) or the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet (Canadian
models).367de740
Z3 roadster 3.0i, Z3 coupe 3.0i