2004 BMW Z4 2.5I ESP

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility

5

Your individual vehicle

On buying your BMW, you have decided in
favor of a model with individualized equip-
ment and features. This Owner's Manual
describes all models and equipment that
BMW offers within the same group.
We hope you will understand that equip-
ment and features are included which you
might not have chosen for your vehicle. Any
differences can easily be identified since all
optional accessories and special equip-
ment are marked with an asterisk

*
.
If your BMW features equipment not
described in this Owner's Manual, for
example a car radio or telephone, supple-
mentary Owner's Manuals are enclosed.
We ask that you read these manuals as
well.

Status of the Owner's
Manual

BMW pursues a policy of continuous,
ongoing development that is conceived to
ensure that our vehicles continue to
embody the highest quality and safety
standards combined with advanced, state-
of-the-art technology. For this reason, the
features described in this Owner's Manual
could differ from those on your vehicle. Nor
can errors and omissions be entirely ruled
out. You are therefore asked to appreciate
that no claims can be entertained on the
basis of the data, illustrations or descrip-
tions in this manual.

For your own safety

Fuels

Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels
containing up to and including 10 %
ethanol or other oxygenates with up to
2.8 % oxygen by weight, i.e. 15 % MTBE or
3% methanol plus an equivalent amount of
co-solvent, will not void the applicable war-
ranties respecting defects in materials or
workmanship. Field experience has indi-
cated significant differences in fuel quality,
i.e. volatility, composition, additives, etc.,
among gasolines offered for sale in the
United States and Canada. The use of poor
quality fuels may result in driveability, start-
ing and stalling problems especially under
certain environmental conditions, such as
high ambient temperature and high alti-
tude.
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems that you suspect could be related to
the fuel you are using, we recommend that
you respond by switching to a recognized
high-quality brand.
Failure to comply with these recommenda-
tions may result in unscheduled mainte-
nance.
Follow the relevant safety rules when you
are handling gasoline.

<

Maintenance and repair

Advanced technology, e. g. the use of
modern materials and high-perfor-
mance electronics, requires specially
adapted maintenance and repair methods.
Therefore, only have corresponding work
on your BMW carried out by a BMW center
or a workshop that works according to
BMW repair procedures with correspond-
ingly trained personnel. If work is carried
out improperly there is a danger of conse-
quential damage and the related safety
risks.

<

Cockpit

12

Instrument cluster

1

Speedometer

2

Indicator and warning lamps12

3

Tachometer48
with indicator and warning lamps12

4

Engine coolant temperature gauge48

5

Fuel gauge48

6

Button for

>

Time49
>Service interval display49
7Display field for selector lever and pro-
gram indicator
>Automatic transmission 39
>Sequential manual gearbox
SMG42
8Button for
>Trip odometer, reset to zero48
>Setting time49
9Display for
>Trip odometer/Odometer48
>Clock49
>Service interval49
>Computer49
Indicator and warning
lamps
Technology that monitors itself
Indicator and warning lamps that are iden-
tified by
+ 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 sys-
tems, the corresponding lamp does not go
out after the engine is started or it lights up
again while the vehicle is moving. The indi-
cated pages provide information on what
measures to take.

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility Reference
13
Colors
The indicator and warning lamps can light
up in various colors and combinations.
The following section explains the signifi-
cance of the individual colors as well as
how you should respond.
>Red:
Stop the vehicle immediately
or
an important reminder
>Red and yellow:
Continue driving cautiously
>Yellow:
Have the system checked soon
or
for your information
>Green:
For your information
>Blue:
For your information. Please fasten safety belts
+30
Airbags
+56
Battery charge current
+91
Engine oil pressure/Engine oil
level/Engine oil sensor
+83
Parking brake/Chassis control sys-
tems/Dynamic Brake Control/
Brake fluid
+38/ 52/ 53/ 85
Parking brake/Chassis control sys-
tems/Dynamic Brake Control/
Brake fluid for Canadian models
+38/ 52/ 53/ 85
Antilock Brake System ABS/Chas-
sis control systems
+54/ 52
Antilock Brake System ABS/Chas-
sis control systems for Canadian
models
+54/ 52
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC
+52
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC
+52
Flat Tire Monitor
+54
Automatic transmission/
Sequential manual gearbox
SMG
+40/ 42
Brake pads
+70
Add coolant84
CHECK GAS CAP
+74
Service Engine Soon +87
Service Engine Soon warning lamp
for Canadian models
+87
Defective bulbs46
Turn signal indicators43
Fog lamps47
Headlamp flasher/
High beams43/ 47
Electric Power Steering EPS
+43
Engine electronics
+
Engine electronics malfunction.
You can continue to drive with
reduced engine output or engine
speed. Please have the system
inspected by your BMW center.

Opening and closing
22
To close the convertible top
1.Press button 1
The convertible top is released and
moves up slightly
2.Holding on to the handle, pull the con-
vertible top forward onto the windshield
frame
3.Turn the handle until it audibly engages.
The convertible top is locked.
At higher speeds, the passenger
compartment may develop relatively
low air pressure, which can cause the con-
vertible top to begin fluttering. Increase the
air supply so that low pressure does not
occur in the vehicle.<
Fully automatic convertible
top*
The fully automatic convertible top com-
bines assured protection against the ele-
ments with simple and easy handling.
Here are a few tips so that you get the most
out of your BMW:
>It is advisable to close the convertible
top when the vehicle is parked. When
closed, the top not only guards the pas-
senger compartment from unforesee-
able damage from the weather, but also
affords a degree of protection against
theft. In addition, only keep valuables in
the locked luggage compartment, even
with the convertible top closed
>Never mount a roof-mounted luggage
rack system on the convertible top.
>To prevent damage, do not operate the
convertible top at temperatures below
147/–106.Never store the convertible top while
it is wet to avoid permanent damage
from moisture.
Driving when the opening or closing pro-
cess has not been completed can cause
vehicle damage or personal injury.
Do not lay objects on the convertible top,
since they could fall off when the convert-
ible top is operated and cause damage or
injuries.
Do not reach into the convertible top mech-
anism during opening and closing. Keep
children away from the moving parts of the
convertible top during operation.<
If possible, only operate the convert-
ible top with the vehicle stopped, as
otherwise the process may be interrupted.
If you set the convertible top in motion
while the vehicle is stationary and then
have to start suddenly, for instance at a
traffic light, you can still complete the pro-
cedure by driving as slowly as possible and
again holding the corresponding button
pressed.<
At higher speeds, the passenger
compartment may develop relatively
low air pressure, which can cause the con-
vertible top to begin fluttering. Increase the
air supply so that low pressure does not
occur in the vehicle. 1To close
2To open
If at all possible, only operate the con-
vertible top if the engine is running.
This saves unnecessary battery wear.
Before closing the convertible top, remove
any objects from the windshield frame that

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
23
could keep the convertible top from closing
properly.<
Ignition key in position 1 or higher.
With the vehicle standing.
1.Read and comply with the preceding
safety precautions
2.Make sure that the convertible top com-
partment panel in the luggage compart-
ment is lowered; refer to page 20. Oth-
erwise the convertible top cannot be
opened
3.Ensure that the luggage compartment
lid is closed
4.Press and hold the corresponding but-
ton for convertible top operation.
If the convertible top should halt right
before the closing phase is completed,
press against the front part of the convert-
ible top frame from the outside to help the
closing process along. Keep pressing the
button while doing so until the top starts up
again on its own.
Indicator lamps
>The red indicator lamp in the button will
light up while the convertible top is in
motion. It goes out as soon as the
opening or closing operation has been
completed
>If the red indicator lamp in the button
flashes after the button has been
released, then the opening or closing
operation has not yet been completed.
The sequence can be continued in the
desired direction by pressing this but-
ton
>If the yellow indicator lamp in the button
lights up continuously with the button
pressed, then the convertible top com-
partment panel is raised and the con-
vertible top cannot be moved.
The side windows will lower slightly when
you press the button for operating the con-
vertible top.
After the opening or closing operation, the
side windows will go back up if you keep
the button pressed for more than 2 sec-
onds after the indicator lamp has gone out.
Interruption
The automatic sequence will be interrupted
immediately if you release the button that
operates the top. The sequence can be
continued in the desired direction by press-
ing this button.
If the convertible top operation has
been interrupted, do not close the
side windows using the power window but-
tons. Otherwise the side windows may not
close properly against the rubber seal of
the convertible top.<
After the convertible top has been
stored for an extended period of time
in the convertible top compartment, e.g. in
the winter months because the hardtop was
being used, you may have to support the
convertible top by hand when closing it for
the first time.<
Convenience operation
Driver's door lock
Refer to page 18.
To close manually in the event of
an electrical malfunction
1.Pull out the handle in the luggage com-
partment as far as it will go
2.Turn the handle by 90° until it engages

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
25
Installation
Insert the wind deflector in its proper orien-
tation into the guides 1 provided on the
rollover bars.
Refer to the labeling on the wind deflector
to determine its proper orientation.
The wind deflector must engage
firmly, as it could otherwise become
detached at higher vehicle speeds.<
The wind deflector panels 2 in the rollover
bars cannot be removed.
Removal
Slide both locks inward and remove the
wind deflector.
Clothes hooks
Clothes hooks 1 are located on the wind
deflector panels in the rollover bars.Do not hang heavy objects on the
hooks. If you do, they could endanger
the passengers, for example during braking
or evasive maneuvers.<
Storage
For storage, e.g. to achieve a better view to
the rear when the convertible top is closed,
there are two brackets on the inside of the
luggage compartment lid.
Insert the wind deflector into the brackets.
Make sure that the wind deflector
cannot be damaged by objects in the
luggage compartment.<
Alarm system*
The concept
The vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the luggage
compartment lid is opened
>When attempts are made to start the
vehicle
>To movement inside the vehicle
>To alterations in the vehicle tilt, e.g. as
would occur during attempts to steal
the wheels or tow the vehicle
>To interruption of battery voltage.
The alarm produced by the system in the
event of unauthorized vehicle entry and
attempted theft depends on the country
version:
>Sounding of an acoustical alarm for
30 seconds
>Activation of the hazard warning flash-
ers for approx. five minutes.

Adjustments
28
Seats
Before adjusting your seat, always
observe the following precautions
Never try to adjust your seat while
operating the vehicle. The seat could
respond with an unexpected movement,
and the ensuing loss of vehicle control
could result in an accident.
Never ride with the backrest inclined to an
extreme angle – this also applies to the
passenger seat. If you do so, there is a risk
that you will slide under the safety belt in
the event of an accident, thus reducing the
protection provided by the safety belt.<
In addition, observe the instructions
regarding damaged safety belts on
page 30.
Seat adjustment
1Backward/forward
Pull lever 1 and slide the seat into the
desired position.
After releasing the lever, move the seat
backwards or forwards slightly to ensure
that the latch engages securely
2Height
Pull lever 2 and apply weight to or remove
weight from the seat as required
3Backrest
Pull lever 3 and apply weight to or remove
weight from the backrest as required.
Head restraints
Adjustments
Height: pull or push.
In order to move to the lowest positions,
press button 1.
Adjust the head restraint so that its
center is approximately at the height
of your ears. Otherwise, there is a higher
risk of injury to the cervical vertebra in the
event of an accident.<
Removal
Pull the head restraint upward until it stops.
Press button 1 and remove the head
restraint.
Installation
Insert the head restraint into the guides.

Adjustments
30
Safety function
1.Close the driver's door and turn the
ignition key to position 0 or 2
2.Press and hold the desired memory
button 1, 2 or 3 until the adjustment
process is completed.
If you press the
MEMORY button acciden-
tally:
Press the button again; the indicator lamp
goes out.
Seat heating*
The seat cushion and backrest can be
heated with the ignition key in position 2.
You can call up different heating modes by
repeatedly pressing the buttons.
The seat heating can also be switched off
from the higher heating modes:
Press the button and hold it slightly longer.
Safety belts
To close
Make sure you hear the lock engage in the
belt buckle.The warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up for a few seconds
or until the safety belts have been
fastened. Depending on the vehicle ver-
sion, an acoustic signal
* sounds at the
same time.
To unlock the safety belt
1.Press the red button in the belt buckle
2.Hold the belt
3.Guide the belt back into its reel.
The upper belt attachment point is suitable
for all body sizes provided that the person
is sitting correctly, refer to page 28.
Damaged safety belts
If the safety belts are damaged or
stretched in an accident: have the
entire belt system, including the tensioning
mechanisms, replaced at your BMW cen-
ter. Have the belt anchorage points
inspected for damage at the same time.
Failure to observe this precaution may pre-
vent the safety belts from effectively pro-
viding optimal protection when needed.<
Steering wheel
Adjustments
Never attempt to adjust the steering
wheel while driving the vehicle. It
could respond with unexpected move-
ment, posing a potential accident hazard.<
1.Push the locking lever downward
2.Adjust the steering column's reach and
height to suit your seat position
3.Pull the lever back in.