2004 BMW Z4 2.5I warning

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
37
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, for instance if it is very hot or cold:
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down.
Cold starts at very low temperatures, start-
ing at approx. 57/–156:
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down.
>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.<
Sequential manual gearbox SMG
1.Depress footbrake
2.Move selector lever to neutral
position N
3.Start the engine.
If the engine does not start, re-
engage the gear last selected, refer to
the display in the instrument cluster, and move the selector lever to neutral position
N again.<
Before leaving the vehicle with the
engine running, place the selector
lever in position N 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
parking on downhill roads.<
You can have an acoustic signal set
as a reminder that the ignition key is
still in the ignition switch after the driver's
door has been opened.<
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.
Sequential manual gearbox SMG
If you turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0
with the selector lever in position R, or in
sequential mode, a gear automatically
remains engaged.
If you turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0
with the selector lever in neutral position N,
a warning tone and the flashing gear indi-
cator in the display remind you that the
vehicle is not secured against rolling.
The warning stops after approx. 9 seconds.
Always engage the parking brake
when parking on downhill roads.
Engaging a gear may not sufficiently secure
the vehicle against rolling.<

Driving
42 You accelerate from higher gears, e.g. dur-
ing passing, by downshifting manually.
In the following situations, the SMG in the
sequential mode assists you:
>The transmission will only execute
upshifts and downshifts that will result
in an appropriate combination of vehi-
cle speed and engine rpm. For
instance, downshifts that would result
in excessive engine speed cannot be
executed
>During a stop the gearbox is automati-
cally downshifted into first gear
>Shortly before a gear-dependent mini-
mum speed is reached, the gearbox
shifts down automatically without you
taking any action.
Display in the instrument cluster
Gear indicator
R N 1 2 3 4 5 6 D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6
The currently engaged gear, the selected
mode, and any possible malfunctions are
displayed in the instrument cluster.
Malfunctions
Indicator lamp
If the indicator lamp comes on,
there is a malfunction in the trans-
mission system.
All of the selector lever positions can con-
tinue to be engaged; however, in the for-
ward drive positions the range of available
gears is restricted.
If this happens, avoid extreme engine loads
and consult the nearest BMW center.
Warning tone
An acoustic signal sounds if the SMG gear-
box overheats; if possible you should either
stop or increase your pullaway speed so
that the system can cool down.
For jump-starting and towing, refer to the
information on page 94.
Driving Dynamic Control
The Driving Dynamic Control feature lets
you select between a standard and a sport
program.
Sport program
>The engine responds more spontane-
ously to any motion of the accelerator
pedal
>The vehicle is steered more directly and
traction is enhanced
Additionally with SMG and automatic
transmission:
>The shifting times are reduced
>The engine speed range is optimally uti-
lized in the drive mode.
Activating the Sport program
In ignition key position 2
Press the SPORT button.
The LED in the button lights up.
With automatic transmission:
The sport program of the automatic
transmission is enabled by activating the
Driving Dynamic Control system. Thus, the
selector lever does not have to be shifted
from D to M/S; refer also to page 39.<

Lamps
46
Lamps
Parking lamps/Low beams
Parking lamps
The front, rear and side vehicle
lighting is switched on. You can use
the parking lamps to signal the
position of the vehicle when it is parked.
For information on lighting on one side of
the vehicle for parking, which is available
as an additional feature, refer to page 47.
Low beams
When you switch off the ignition
with the low beam headlamps on,
only the parking lamps will remain
on.
Defective bulbs
The indicator lamp lights up:
At least one bulb of the vehicle's
exterior lighting has failed.
For replacing bulbs refer to page 88.
Follow me home lamps
When you activate the headlamp flasher
after parking the vehicle and switching off
the lights, the low beams will come on for a
brief period.
You can also have this function acti-
vated/deactivated if you wish.<
LIGHTS ON warning
Whenever you open the driver's door after
having turned the ignition key to position 0,
you will hear an acoustic signal for a few seconds to remind you that the lamps have
not been switched off
.
Daytime driving lamps*
If you desire, the light switch can be left in
the second position:
When the ignition is switched off, the exter-
nal lighting is also switched off.
You can have the activation settings
for the daytime driving lamps pro-
grammed on your vehicle.<
Automatic headlamp control*
When the switch is set to this posi-
tion, the system automatically acti-
vates and cancels the low beams in
response to changes in ambient light, for
example in tunnels, at dusk, and when it is
raining or snowing.
The vehicle's external lights remain
on constantly when you switch on the
front fog lamps after the headlamps have
come on automatically.<
Automatic headlamp control cannot
serve as a substitute for the driver's
judgement in determining when the vehicle
lights should be switched on. For example,
the sensors are not able to detect fog. To
avoid safety risks, you should respond to
these kinds of low-visibility situations by
switching the headlamps on manually.<
You can have the sensitivity of your
vehicle's automatic headlamp control
adjusted.<

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
49
Between the blue and red zones
Normal operating range. The needle may
rise as far as the edge of the red sector dur-
ing normal operation.
Red
When you switch on the ignition, warning
lamp 1 comes on briefly to indicate an
operational check.
Comes on while driving:
The engine has overheated. Stop and
switch the engine off immediately and
allow it to cool down.
For checking the coolant level, refer to
page 84.
Service interval display
Remaining distance to next service
The displays shown in the illustration
appear for a few seconds when the ignition
key is in position 1 or after the engine is
started.
The next service due appears with the
message OIL SERVICE or INSPECTION,
together with the distance remaining in
miles – in kilometers in Canada – before the
next scheduled service.
The computer bases its calculations of the
remaining distance on the preceding driv-
ing style.
A flashing message and a minus sign in
front of the number mean that the service
interval has already been exceeded by the
distance shown on the display. Please con-
tact your BMW center for an appointment.
Outside temperature
If the vehicle is not equipped with a com-
puter, the display in the instrument cluster
always shows the outside temperature.
Clock
If you wish to have a permanent time dis-
play, you can have it appear in the car radio
display, refer to the Owner's Manual for
Radio.
You can set the clock and the time display
in the car radio as follows.
To set
Ignition key in position 1 or higher:
Hours
1.Keep button 2 pressed for several sec-
onds until the hours are displayed and
the colon flashes
2.Press button 1 repeatedly until the
required hour is set
Minutes
3.Press button 2 to switch to the minutes
display

Everything under control
50 4.Press button 1 repeatedly until the
required minutes are set
5.Press button 2 to confirm the settings.
The set time of day is transferred to the car
radio display or appears in the instrument
cluster display.
Display mode
In ignition key position 0:
Press button 1.
The time of day is displayed for several
seconds.
Computer*
Mode selection
With the ignition key in position 1 or higher,
you can use the button in the turn signal
lever to retrieve information from the com-
puter for display in the instrument cluster.
Every time you press the button briefly in
the direction of the steering column, a new
function is called up for display.
The displays appear in the following order:
time of day, outside temperature, average
fuel consumption, cruising range, average
vehicle speed.
With the ignition key in position 1 or higher,
the last active setting is displayed.
If you wish, you can have all the dis-
plays of the following functions
shown in another unit of measure.<
Outside temperature
To change the units of measure,
°F/°C
While the temperature display is active,
keep the button in the turn signal lever
pressed until the display changes.
Ice warning
If the outside temperature drops to approx.
37.57/36, the computer automatically
switches to the outside temperature dis-
play.
In addition, a signal sounds and the display
flashes for a brief period.
Clock
Setting the 12-hour or 24-hour
mode*
If the vehicle is equipped with a computer,
you can have the time displayed in either a
12-hour or 24-hour mode.
While the time display is active, press the
computer button in the turn signal lever
until the display changes.

Technology for safety and driving convenience
52
Technology for safety and driving
convenience
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC
The concept
This system optimizes driving stability and
traction, especially when just starting off,
when accelerating or when cornering. It
also maintains vehicle stability, even in crit-
ical driving situations.
DSC recognizes unstable vehicle condi-
tions, such as understeering or oversteer-
ing, and, within physically feasible limits,
helps keeping the vehicle on a steady
course by reducing engine speed and by
brake applications at individual wheels.
The DSC is operational every time you start
the engine. It includes the following func-
tions:
>Automatic Stability Control plus Trac-
tion ASC+T
>Dynamic Traction Control DTC
>Dynamic Brake Control DBC
The laws of physics cannot be
repealed even with DSC. It will always
be the driver's responsibility to drive in a
manner that matches road conditions. We
therefore urge you to avoid using the addi-
tional safety margin of the system as an
excuse for taking risks.
Do not make any modifications to the DSC
system. Allow only authorized technicians
to perform service procedures on the
DSC.<
Indicator lamps
The indicator lamps in the instrument clus-
ter go out shortly after you switch on the
ignition.
Dynamic Stability Control DSC indi-
cator lamp flashes:
The system is active and governs
drive torque and braking forces.The indicator lamp stays lit:
Dynamic Stability Control DSC and
Dynamic Traction Control DTC have been
switched off via the button.
Dynamic Traction Control DTC indi-
cator lamp lights up permanently:
DTC has been deactivated via the
DSC button.
Dynamic Stability Control DSC indi-
cator lamp flashes:
Dynamic Traction Control DTC indi-
cator lamp lights up permanently:
DTC is actively regulating drive
torque and braking forces.
Interventions to increase stability are
being performed to a limited degree
only.<
The Dynamic Stability Control DSC
indicator lamp and yellow brake
warning lamp for Dynamic Brake
Control DBC light up continuously:
Dynamic Stability Control DSC,
Dynamic Traction Control DTC and
Dynamic Brake Control DBC are malfunc-
tioning.
Have the system repaired at your BMW
center.
Dynamic Stability Control DSC indi-
cator lamp and yellow brake warn-
ing lamp for Dynamic Brake Control
DBC for Canadian models:
The vehicle remains completely oper-
ational without the DSC, DTC and
DBC functions.<
In the event of a malfunction, please see
your BMW center.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
53
If the brake warning lamp comes on
together with the yellow indicator
lamps for the Antilock Brake Sys-
tem ABS and the Dynamic Stability
Control DSC:
The entire ABS and DSC control
system has failed. Continue driving
cautiously and defensively. Avoid
hard brake applications. Please have the
system checked by your BMW center as
soon as possible.
Indicator and warning lamps for
Antilock Brake System ABS and
Dynamic Stability Control DSC for
Canadian models.
Switching off DSC/Activating DTC
Press the DSC button briefly. The DTC indi-
cator lamp comes on and stays on.
DSC has been switched off; DTC is in ready
mode.
In the following exceptional circumstances,
it may be effective to activate the DTC for a
short period:
>When rocking the vehicle or starting off
in deep snow or on loose surfaces
>When driving on snow-covered grades,
in deep snow, or on a snow-covered
surface that has been packed down
from being driven on
>When driving with snow chains.
The gain in traction is achieved by a reduc-
tion in stabilizing intervention.
Switching off DSC and DTC
Hold the DSC switch down for at least
3 seconds. The DSC indicator lamp stays
lit.
In this case, no interventions to increase
stability and traction for the engine and
brakes are carried out.
To maintain vehicle stability, drive
with the DSC switched on whenever
possible.<
Reactivating DSC and DTC
Press the button again.
The indicator lamp goes out.
The laws of physics cannot be
repealed with DSC. It will always be
the driver's responsibility to drive in a man-
ner that matches road conditions. We
therefore urge you to avoid using the addi-
tional safety margin of the system as an
excuse for taking risks. Stabilizing interven-
tion is only performed to a limited degree
when the DTC is activated.
Do not make any modifications to the DSC
system. Allow only authorized technicians
to perform service procedures on the
DSC.<
Dynamic Brake Control DBC
If you step on the brake rapidly, this system
automatically produces maximum braking
force boost and thus helps to achieve the
shortest possible braking distance during
panic stops. All of the benefits of the ABS
system are exploited under these circum-
stances.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake
pedal for the duration of the brake applica-
tion. When the brake pedal is released, the
DBC is deactivated.
Brake force display
The Brake force display indicates to the
road user behind you how hard you are
braking.

Technology for safety and driving convenience
54 The display has two levels:
>Normal braking:
Brake lamp 1 lights up on both sides of
the vehicle together with the center
brake lamp
>Forceful braking and braking with ABS:
Brake lamps 1 and 2 light up on both
vehicle sides together with the center
brake lamp.
Antilock Brake System ABS
The concept
ABS keeps the wheels from locking during
braking, thereby enhancing active driving
safety.
Malfunctions
If the yellow indicator lamp for the
Antilock Brake System ABS comes
on together with the brake warning
lamp and the indicator lamp for the
Dynamic Stability Control DSC:
The entire ABS and DSC control
system has failed. Continue driving
cautiously and defensively. Avoid
hard brake applications. Please have the
system checked by your BMW center as
soon as possible.
Indicator lamp for the Antilock
Brake System ABS with the brake
warning lamp and the indicator
lamp for the Dynamic Stability Con-
trol DSC for Canadian models.
Braking with ABS
If you are in a situation which requires full
braking, you will exploit the full benefits of
the ABS system if you apply maximum
brake pressure: panic stop.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combines with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits to indi-
cate to the driver that ABS is in its active
mode.
Flat Tire Monitor
The concept
As you drive, the Flat Tire Monitor keeps
track of pressure levels in all four tires. The
system alerts you whenever the inflation
pressure of a tire falls significantly below
the pressure of another tire.
The system actually detects pressure loss
by monitoring differences in the relative
speeds of the four wheels. It interprets vari-
ations outside specified limits as severe
pressure loss, and then responds by gen-
erating a warning.
System requirements
In order for the Flat Tire Monitor to learn the
correct tire inflation pressure, please do the
following:
1.Check the tire inflation pressures in all
tires
2.Compare to the inflation pressure table,
refer to page 76, and correct if neces-
sary
3.Initialize the system.
If the system is not initialized,
undetected losses in pressure or
false warnings that indicate a non-exis-
tent flat tire are possible.<
System limitations
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot provide
you with advance warning of sudden
and severe tire damage caused by external
factors and does not detect the balanced
and very gradual pressure loss that takes