
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

11n
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
Cabin convenience:
Glove compartment90
Storage compartments90
Storage boxes90
Beverage holder91
Ashtray91
Cigarette lighter92
Loading and transporting:
coupe:
Roll-up cover93
Partition net93
Cargo loading94
Roof-mounted luggage
rack95
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedure98
Driving notes99
Catalytic converter100
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)101
Disc brakes103
Brake system104
Winter operation105
Power steering106
Cellular phone107
Car radio reception107
Hardtop Ð roadster108
Wheels and tires:
Notes on inflation pressures110
Tire condition110
Tire replacement111
Tire rotation113
Wheel and tire
combinations114
Special features of winter
tires115
Snow chains115
Approved wheel and tire
specifications116
In the engine compartment:
Hood118
Engine compartment120
Fluids for the washer
systems122
Washer nozzles122
Engine oil123
Coolant125
Brake fluid126
Vehicle Identification127
Care and maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System128
Airbags130
Storing your vehicle130
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications132
California Proposition
65 Warning132
OBD interface socket133

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

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
29n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Turn 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 heating89Cabin convenience:
Glove compartment90
Storage compartments90
Storage boxes90
Beverage holder91
Ashtray91
Cigarette lighter92
Loading and transporting
cargo:
coupe:
Roll-up cover93
Partition net93
Cargo loading94
Roof-mounted luggage
rack95

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.<

39n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Electric power windows Sunroof
*, coupe
Jam protectionIf one of the windows comes into
contact with an object between the
window and roof frame when it is
closing, the closing cycle is interrupted
immediately and the window will open
again slightly.
You can override this jam protec-
tion function (if there is an
attempted unauthorized entrance from
the outside, for instance) by pressing
the switch beyond the resistance point
and holding it.<
Lifting Ð ClosingFrom ignition key position 1 and up:
To lift: press button 1.
To close: press button 2.367de689
Z3 cou
pe
To prevent injuries, exercise care
when closing the sunroof. Keep it
in your field of vision until it is closed.<
To avoid pressure or drafts in the
passenger compartment when the
sunroof is open, keep the air vents in
the instrument panel open and increase
the air supply if necessary, refer to
pages 82 and 86.

40n
Manual convertible top, roadsterWeather protectionThe convertible top combines reliable
protection from the elements with
simple, convenient operation. Here are
a few tips to ensure that you have plea-
sure with your roadster.
It is advisable to close the convertible
top when the vehicle is parked. The
closed convertible top not only protects
the passenger compartment from
unforeseeable damage from the
weather, it also provides a certain
degree of theft protection. In addition,
keep valuables only in the locked
luggage compartment, even with the
convertible top closed.
Never mount a roof-mounted luggage
rack on the convertible top. Please
contact your BMW center for suitable
securing devices and additional acces-
sories.
To prevent damage, do not operate the
convertible top at temperatures at the
freezing point.
To open 1. With the doors closed, lower the side
windows a few inches (centimeters)
2. To release the convertible top: pull
the levers outward on the left and the
right of the convertible top frame
(refer to the illustration)367de046
3. Raise the convertible top approx. 8 in
(20 cm) from the convertible top
frame on the inside to relieve tension
on the top, refer to arrow 1
Be sure that the convertible top
folds at the front linkage joints
first, refer to arrow 2. If it does not, the
convertible top linkage could be bent.<
4. Continue to raise the top at the front
and push it toward the rear into the
convertible top compartment.
In the process, make sure the rear
window is laid down evenly and free
of creases. To prevent the rear
window from being scratched, a soft
cloth should be laid in the window
fold367de399

44n
Power convertible top, roadster
*
Weather protectionThe convertible top combines reliable
protection from the elements with
simple, convenient operation. Here are
a few tips to ensure that you have plea-
sure with your roadster.
It is advisable to close the convertible
top when the vehicle is parked. The
closed convertible top not only protects
the passenger compartment from
unforeseeable damage from the
weather, it also provides a certain
degree of theft protection. In addition,
keep valuables only in the locked
luggage compartment, even with the
convertible top closed.
Never mount a roof-mounted luggage
rack on the convertible top. Please
contact your BMW center for suitable
securing devices and additional acces-
sories.
To prevent damage, do not operate the
convertible top at temperatures at the
freezing point.
To conserve the battery, it is advisable
to operate the top only with the engine
running.Operate the convertible top only
when the vehicle is stationary.
Do not lay objects on the convertible
top, since they would fall off when the
convertible top is operated and cause
damage or injuries.
Do not reach into the convertible top
mechanism during opening and closing.
Keep children away from the moving
parts of the convertible top during
operation.
The automatic sequence is interrupted
immediately if the button for actuating
the top (pages 45 and 48) is released.
The sequence can be continued in the
desired direction by pressing the
button.<
To open 1. With the doors closed, lower the side
windows a few inches (centimeters)
2. To release the convertible top: pull
the levers outward on the left and the
right of the frame of the top (refer to
the illustration)367de046