2003 BMW Z4 2.5I Owners Manual

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Reference
33
For vehicles without an alarm system:
Tilt the small lever forward.
Interior and exterior mirrors with
automatic dimming feature*
This mirror automatically dims through an
infinitely variable range and switches auto-
matically to its clear, undimmed mode
whenever you engage reverse gear or
place the selector lever in position R.
To ensure that the mirror continues to
operate properly, keep the two photocells
clean and unobstructed. One photocell is
positioned in the mirror's lens, see arrow,
while the other is slightly offset on the
opposite side of the mirror. Do not obstruct
the area between the interior rearview mir-
ror and the windshield; do not apply stick-
ers to the area of the windshield in front of
the mirror.
Airbags
1Front airbags for driver and passenger
2Side airbags for driver and passenger
3Knee airbags for driver and passenger
Protective effect
The front airbags help protect the driver
and passenger in the event of a head-on
collision where the protection provided by
the safety belt alone would not be ade-
quate. The side airbags help provide pro-
tection in the event of a collision from the
side. Each of the side airbags is designed
to help support the seat occupant's upper
body. The knee airbags help provide addi-
tional protection in the event of a head-on
collision.
Do not remove or exchange the floor
mat on the passenger side. It is a
component of the safety system.<
For information on the correct seating posi-
tion, refer to page 29.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster shows the airbag system's
operational readiness when the
ignition key is in position 1 or higher.
System operational:
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly
when the ignition key is in position 1 or
higher.
System malfunction:
>The indicator lamp fails to go out after
the engine has been started, or it
comes on again during normal driving.
BMW recommends that you respond
to any malfunctions in the system by
immediately having it inspected at your
BMW center; otherwise the airbag could
fail to respond in an accident that would
normally trigger airbag deployment.<
For your safety, comply with the fol-
lowing instructions for the airbags. If
you do not, the airbags may not be able to
provide their full protection. All passengers
in the vehicle should be aware of and com-
ply with this information:
The airbags are supplemental restraint
devices designed to provide additional
protection; they are not a substitute for
safety belts. Wear your safety belt at all
times. The airbags are intentionally not trig-

Adjustments
34 gered in every type of collision, e.g. in the
event of minor accidents, certain vehicle
roll-over situations or collisions from the
rear. In these instances, the safety belt pro-
vides sufficient protection.
Adjust your seat to a position that provides
maximum distance between you and the
steering wheel and the instrument panel
while still allowing comfortable and safe
access to all vehicle controls.
To minimize the risk of sustaining hand and
arm injuries, always hold the steering wheel
on the rim with the hands at or near the
9 and 3 o'clock positions. Do not place
your hands on the center pad.
Never allow any objects to obstruct the
area between the airbags and an occupant.
Do not use the cover panel above the pas-
senger side airbags as a storage area.
Never allow front passengers to lean
against or rest their feet or legs on the air-
bag cover panel.
Do not apply adhesive materials to the
cover panels of the airbags, cover them or
modify them in any other way.
Never install a rear-facing child-restraint
system in the passenger seat of this vehi-
cle, unless the passenger airbags have
been turned off and the indicator lamp in
the center console indicates that the pas-
senger airbags are deactivated.
If you transport children, carefully read and
comply with the instructions in the follow-
ing section.
Be sure that child-restraints are mounted
correctly and as far as possible towards the
rear and in the lowest position. <
Even when all these guidelines are
observed, there is still a small residual risk
of injuries resulting from contact with
deploying airbags in isolated instances.
The ignition and inflation noise from the air-
bags may induce a mild temporary hearing
loss in sensitive individuals.
Transporting children safely
Deactivating/reactivating passenger
airbags
The passenger airbags must be deac-
tivated before using a rear-facing
child-restraint system on the passenger
seat, refer also to page 36 for explanation.
BMW also recommends that the passenger
airbags be deactivated if a child is trans-
ported in a front-facing child-restraint sys-
tem, regardless of the age of the child. If
you transport a child in the passenger seat
– not an infant in a rear-facing seat – who is
properly seated and seat-belted at all
times, the potential benefits of airbags
deploying in an accident generally out-
weigh the risks of the child being injured by
the force of a deploying airbag.
Therefore, you should deactivate the pas-
senger airbags only if you find it difficult to
ensure that the child will remain properly
seated and seat-belted at all times.
Always position the passenger seat as far
back as possible and at the lowest level.
The above warning and recommendations
are compatible with regulations estab-
lished by the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration – NHTSA – permitting
the deactivation of front passenger airbags
by means of an on-off switch for members
of certain "at risk" groups.
Specifically, the 'at risk' groups are:
>Infants in rear-facing infant seats
>Persons with certain medical conditions
>Children aged 12 and under in the front
passenger seat.
NHTSA provides this information via their
website – www.nhtsa.dot.gov – or via their
Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-
9393 or 366-0123 in Washington, D.C.
area.<

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Reference
35
The concept
Passenger airbags can be deactivated/
reactivated with the vehicle ignition key.
The key switch is located on the outer pas-
senger's side of the instrument panel.
The passenger airbags can only be deacti-
vated or reactivated with the vehicle stand-
ing still, ignition off and the passenger door
open.
Deactivation
Deactivation of the passenger airbags sys-
tem deactivates the passenger front, knee
and side airbag. The airbags on the driver
side remain active.
Using the vehicle ignition key, turn the key
switch to the "OFF" position. Note, the pas-
senger airbags will remain deactivated with
the switch in this position.
As soon as the reason for the deacti-
vation of the passenger airbags no
longer exists, you must reactivate these air-
bags so that they can deploy in an accident
within their normal deployment range.<
Reactivating
Using the vehicle ignition key, turn the key
switch to the "ON" position.
All airbags in the vehicle are activated and
will be triggered under appropriate condi-
tions.
Passenger airbags lamp
The system checks that the airbag system
is functioning properly when the ignition
key is turned, and the indicator lamp in the
central console lights up for several sec-
onds.
>The indicator lamp lights up continu-
ously when the passenger airbags are
deactivated
>If the passenger airbags are activated, it
goes out after several seconds.
At all times, occupants should sit
comfortably upright and be properly
restrained – infants and small children in
appropriate child-restraint systems; larger
children and adults using the safety belts.
Please note that the word "Airbag"
imprinted on the door trim panel indicates
the airbag's location.<
Seat position for children
This is the correct way a larger child no
longer using a child-restraint system
should sit wearing the safety belt, when the
airbag system is activated.

Adjustments
36
LATCH child-restraint mounting
system*
LATCH: Lower Anchors and Tethers for
CHildren
The anchorage points for the LATCH child-
restraint system are located at the posi-
tions indicated by the arrows.
For Canadian models only:
The position of the anchorage points is
indicated by a label on the seat; refer to
detail in illustration.
Carefully slide the brackets through the
gaps in the upholstery at the indicated
locations, see arrows.
To mount the LATCH child-restraint
system, please follow the manufac-
turer's operating and safety precautions.<
Commercially available child seats comply-
ing with the legal standard are designed to
be secured with a seat belt or with the seat
belt portion of a combination lap/shoulder
belt.
Improperly or inadequately installed child-
restraint systems can increase the risk of
injury to children. Always read and follow
the instructions that come with the system.Before installing any child-restraint
device or child seat, please read the
following:
Never install a rear-facing child-restraint
system in the passenger seat of this vehi-
cle, unless the passenger airbags have
been turned off and the indicator lamp in
the center console indicates that the pas-
senger airbags are deactivated.
Your vehicle is equipped with an airbag
restraint system for the passenger.
Because the backrest on any rear-facing
child-restraint system – of the kind
designed for infants under 1 year and
20 lbs/9 kg – would be within the airbag's
deployment range, you must deactivate the
passenger's airbags, as the impact of the
airbags against the child-restraint's back-
rest could lead to serious or fatal injuries, if
the airbags are not deactivated.
For a child – not an infant –, certain precau-
tions should be taken. Position the passen-
ger seat as far back as possible and at the
lowest level. This important precaution is
intended to maximize the distance
between the airbags and the child. Younger
children should be secured in an appropri-
ate forward-facing child-restraint system
that has first been properly secured. Older
children should be tightly secured with a
safety belt, sitting with their back against
the vehicle seat back.
Always ensure that all occupants – of all
ages – remain properly and securely
restrained at all times.<
Securing the child-restraint system
The front passenger's safety belt can be
locked for mounting and securing a child-
restraint system.
A label with the appropriate instructions for
this is located in the immediate vicinity of
the buckle latch of the safety belt.

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Reference
37
Vehicle Memory,
Key Memory
How the system functions
You have probably frequently wished that
you could configure individual functions of
your vehicle to reflect your own personal
requirements. In engineering your vehicle,
BMW has incorporated a number of
options for personal adjustment that can be
programmed into your vehicle at your BMW
center.
The available configuration data fall into
two categories, according to whether their
primary orientation is the vehicle – Vehicle
Memory, or the individual – Key Memory.
You can have up to four different basic set-
tings adjusted for four different persons.
The only requirement is that each person
uses his or her own remote control key.
When your vehicle is unlocked with the
remote control, the vehicle recognizes the
individual user by means of a data
exchange with the key, and makes adjust-
ments accordingly.
Colored decals were provided with the
keys to help you distinguish between the
different personal remote control keys.
What the system can do
You can learn about the entire array of fea-
tures this system offers at your BMW cen-
ter. A few examples follow below:
Examples for Vehicle Memory:
>Various signals as acknowledgement
when locking or unlocking your vehicle:
refer to pages 18, 19>Activation/deactivation of the "Follow-
me-home" function: refer to page 45
>Activation/deactivation of daytime driv-
ing lamps: refer to page 45
>Setting the units of measurement for
the temperature and distance traveled
in the instrument cluster display.
Examples for Key Memory:
>Locking of the vehicle when you start
off: refer to page 20
>Automatic adjustment of the driver's
seat position to the personal pro-
grammed settings when the vehicle is
unlocked: refer to page 30.
You will see this symbol throughout
the Owner's Manual. It is to remind
you at appropriate places of the settings
that are available to you.<

Driving
38
Driving
Ignition lock
0Steering locked
1Steering unlocked
2Ignition switched on
3Engine started
Steering locked
This is the only position in which the igni-
tion key can be inserted or removed.
After removing the key, turn the steering
wheel slightly to the left or right until the
lock engages.
If the key is not removed, an acoustic signal
sounds when the driver's door is opened.
Once the ignition has been switched off –
ignition key in position 0 or removed – the
radio functions are still available for approx.
20 minutes. Turn the radio back on to use it.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
do not move the selector lever from
position P until the engine is running – igni-
tion key in position 2.
In order to turn the key back to position 0 or
to remove it, move the selector level into
position P first – Interlock.<
Steering unlocked
You will often find that it is easier to turn the
ignition key from position 0 to 1 if you move
the steering wheel slightly to help disen-
gage the detent.
Individual electrical equipment and acces-
sories are available for use.
Engine
Do not allow the engine to warm up while
the vehicle is stationary. Instead, begin
driving immediately at a moderate engine
speed.
Engine idle speed is controlled by the
engine computer system. Increased
speeds at start-up are normal and should
decrease as the engine warms up. If engine
speed does not decrease, service is
required.
To prevent the battery from discharging,
always deactivate electrical devices that
are not in use. Switch the ignition off when
the vehicle is not being driven.
Do not allow the engine to run in
enclosed spaces. The exhaust gases
contain carbon monoxide, an odorless and
colorless, but highly toxic gas. Breathing
the exhaust gases poses an extreme health
risk, and can lead to unconsciousness and
death.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended with
the engine running. An unattended vehicle
with a running engine poses a safety haz-
ard.
When driving, standing at idle and parking
the vehicle, take care to avoid contact
between the hot exhaust system and flam-
mable materials – e.g. hay, leaves, grass,
etc. Such contact could lead to a fire,
resulting in serious personal injury and
property damage.<
Starting the engine
Do not press the accelerator pedal while
starting the engine.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Step on the clutch when starting the
vehicle. A lockout prevents the engine from
starting if the clutch is not depressed.<
Do not actuate the starter for too
short a time, but do not actuate it for
more than approx. 20 seconds. Release

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Reference
39
the ignition key immediately when the
engine starts.<
Extended starting attempts, charac-
terized by excessively frequent or
long periods with the starter engaged, can
damage the catalytic converter.<
If the engine fails to start on the first
attempt – if it is very hot or cold, for
instance:
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down.
Cold starts at very low temperatures –
starting at approx. +57 / –156
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter
>On the first start attempt, engage the
starter for a longer period –
approx. 10 seconds.
Manual transmission
1.Engage the parking brake
2.Gearshift lever in idling position
3.Depress clutch pedal
4.Start the engine.
Automatic transmission
1.Depress footbrake
2.Place selector lever in position P or N
3.Start the engine.
Before leaving the vehicle with the
engine running, place the selector
lever in position P and pull the parking
brake.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended with
the engine running. An unattended vehicle
with a running engine poses a safety haz-
ard.<
Switching off the engine
Do not remove the ignition key while
the vehicle is still moving. If you did so,
the steering lock would engage when the
steering wheel is turned.
When you leave the vehicle, always remove
the ignition key and engage the steering lock.
Always engage the parking brake when park-
ing on downhill roads.<
Manual transmission
Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Automatic transmission
Place the selector lever in position P and
turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Parking brake
The parking brake is designed primarily to
prevent the vehicle from rolling when
parked. It operates against the rear wheels.
The brake warning lamp lights up
when the parking brake is engaged;
if you start driving, an acoustic sig-
nal is heard as well.
Brake warning lamp for Canadian
models
To engage
The detent engages automatically and the
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
comes on when the ignition key is in posi-
tion 2.
To release
Pull up slightly on the lever, press the but-
ton and lower the lever.
If, in exceptional circumstances, it
should be necessary to engage the
parking brake while the vehicle is in motion,
do not pull it with excessive pressure. Keep
your thumb pressed against the release
button while carefully pulling up the lever.
Excessive pressure can lead to overbraking
and loss of traction – fishtailing – at the rear
axle.

Driving
40 The brake lamps do not come on when the
parking brake is engaged.<
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake
when parking on slopes and inclined sur-
faces, since shifting into 1st gear or reverse
may not provide adequate resistance to
rolling. Vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion: place the selector lever in
position P.<
To avoid corrosion and one-sided
braking, apply the parking brake
lightly from time to time when coasting to a
standstill – at a traffic signal, for example –
provided that it is safe to do so.<
Manual transmission
6-gear transmission*
When shifting into 5th or 6th gear, it is
important to press the gear shift lever to the
right to avoid accidentally engaging 3rd or
4th gear.
Reverse
Select reverse only when the vehicle is sta-
tionary. Press the gearshift lever to the left
to overcome the resistance.
As you do this, the backup lamps will turn
on automatically when the ignition key is in
position 2.
Do not hold the vehicle in place on
slopes by slipping or "riding" the
clutch. Use the parking brake instead, oth-
erwise, the ensuing friction to the clutch
plates will cause a great deal of wear and
tear on the clutch.<
Automatic transmission
with Steptronic*
You can drive as with a normal automatic
transmission. In addition, you can also shift
manually.
When you move the selector lever from the
D position to the left into the M/S range, the
performance-oriented shift programs of the
automatic transmission are engaged. As
soon as you briefly tap the selector lever in
the "+" or "–" direction, Steptronic changes
the gear. The manual mode is engaged.
When you wish to use the automatic trans-
mission mode again, move the selector
lever to the right to position D.
Selector lever positions
P R N D M/S + –
Engine started
The engine can only be started in selector
lever positions P – Park – or N – Neutral.
Range selection
A detent prevents inadvertent shifting into
selector lever positions R and P. To disen-
gage the detent, press the button on the
front of the selector lever button, see
arrow.
While the vehicle is stationary and
before shifting out of P or N, depress
the footbrake in order to disengage the
selector lever's lock mechanism – Shift-
lock.
Hold the footbrake down until starting off.
The vehicle will otherwise "creep" when a
drive position is engaged.<