2004 BMW Z4 2.5I airbag

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.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
27
Adjustments
Safe seating position
For relaxed driving with as little fatigue as
possible, you should select a seating posi-
tion that reflects your personal require-
ments. In combination with the safety belts
and airbags, the correct seating position
also plays an important role in enhancing
occupant safety in the event of an accident.
To ensure that the vehicle's safety systems
provide you with optimal protection, we
request that you direct your careful atten-
tion to the following section.
For supplementary information on trans-
porting children refer to page 33.
Sitting safely with airbags
Always maintain an adequate dis-
tance between yourself and the air-
bags. Always hold the steering wheel by its
rim with hands at the 9 and 3 o'clock posi-
tions to minimize the risk of injuries to your
hands or arms in the event of airbag
deployment.
Never allow any objects, individuals or ani-
mals to obstruct the areas between pas-
sengers and airbags.
Never use the front airbag's cover as a
storage tray or support for objects of any
kind. Ensure that the passenger is correctly
seated, i.e. that no feet or legs are propped
against the dashboard. Otherwise, leg
injury could result if the knee airbag and
front airbag suddenly deployed.
Never let an occupant's head rest near or
on a side airbag because the inflating air-
bag could cause a serious or fatal injury.<
Even when all these guidelines are
observed, the risk of injury as a result of
contact with the airbags cannot entirely be
ruled out in some situations. In sensitive
individuals, the ignition and inflation noise
may induce a mild hearing loss that is tem-
porary in most cases.
For airbag locations and additional infor-
mation on airbags, refer to page 56.
Sitting safely with safety belts
Always fasten your safety belt before start-
ing off. As supplemental restraint devices,
the airbags are designed to enhance the
effectiveness of the safety belts, and not to
replace them.
Your vehicle offers two sitting positions,
each of which is equipped with a safety
belt.
At all times, occupants should sit
upright and be properly restrained –
infants and small children in appropriate
child-restraint systems; larger children and
adults using the safety belts.
Expectant mothers should always wear
their safety belts, taking care to position
the lap belt against the lower hips, where it
will not exert pressure against the abdomi-
nal area.
Never allow more than one person to wear
a single safety belt. Never allow infants or
small children to ride in a passenger's lap.
Do not route the belt across your neck, or
run it across sharp edges. Be sure that the
belt does not become caught or jammed.
Avoid twisting the belt while routing it firmly
across the hips and shoulder; wear it as
snugly against your body as possible. Do
not allow the belt to rest against hard or
fragile objects. Otherwise, the lap belt
could slide over the hips in the event of a
frontal impact, leading to abdominal injury.
Avoid wearing bulky clothing and pull on
the lap belt periodically to retension it over
your shoulders. Otherwise, the restraining
effect of the safety belt could be dimin-
ished.<
For information on using the safety belts,
refer to page 30.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
33
Transporting children safely
Children on the passenger's
seat
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 34 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 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 pas-
senger 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.<
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 AUTO position.
All airbags in the vehicle are activated and
will be triggered under appropriate condi-
tions.

Transporting children safely
34
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 air-
bag'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.
Installing child-restraint
systems
Before installing any child-restraint system
or child seat, read the following:
Never install a rear-facing child-
restraint system in the passenger seat
of this vehicle, unless the passenger air-
bags have been turned off and the indicator
lamp in the center console indicates that
the passenger airbags are deactivated. For
a child, not an infant, certain precautions
should be taken. Position the passenger
seat as far back as possible and at the low-
est 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.<
Always follow the manufacturer's
instructions concerning installation
and use; otherwise the system's protective
function could be impaired. After an acci-
dent, have all parts of the affected safety
belt system inspected and/or replaced by
your BMW center.<
Commercially-available child-restraint sys-
tems are designed to be secured with a lap
belt or with the lap belt portion of a combi-
nation lap/shoulder belt. Improperly or
inadequately installed restraint systems
can increase the risk of injury to children.
Always read and follow the instructions that
come with the system.

Technology for safety and driving convenience
56
Airbags
The following airbags are located under the
marked covers:
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.
The airbags are deliberately not triggered
in every impact situation, e. g. less severe
accidents, certain roll-over conditions, or
rear-end collisions.
For information on the correct seating posi-
tion, refer to page 27.
Do not apply adhesive materials to
the cover panels of the airbags, cover
them or modify them in any other way. Do
not attempt to remove the airbag retention
system from the vehicle. Never modify or
tamper with either the wiring or the individ-
ual components in the airbag system. This
category includes the upholstery in the
center of the steering wheel, on the instru-
ment panel, the side trim panels on the
doors. Do not attempt to remove or dis-
mantle the steering wheel.
Do not touch the individual components directly after the system has been trig-
gered, because there is a danger of burns.
If you note any indication of system mal-
function, if you desire to have an airbag
deactivated, or if the airbag retention sys-
tem is triggered in response to an accident,
you should always entrust all inspection,
repair and dismantling operations to your
BMW center.
Unprofessional attempts to service the sys-
tem could lead to failure in an emergency
or undesired airbag activation, either of
which could result in personal injury.
To ensure compliance with official safety
regulations, please also entrust disposal of
airbag generators to a BMW center.<
Airbag warning information is also provided
on the sun visors.Automatic deactivation of the
passenger airbags
Before transporting a child on the
passenger seat be sure to observe
the information/instructions under Trans-
porting children safely, refer to page 33.<
Your BMW has a seat occupation detection
system. By evaluating the weight on the
passenger's seat, the system detects
whether or not the seat is occupied by a
child in the child-restraint system or an
adult.
>When a child is seated in the child-
restraint system, the front, side and
knee airbags are automatically deacti-
vated on the passenger's side.
>When an adult is traveling in the front
seat or it is unoccupied, the front, side
and knee airbags remain active on the
passenger's side.
Although not desired, it can occur in
the case of heavier children that the
passenger airbags remain active or, in the
case of very light adults or young persons,
that the passenger airbags are deactivated.
The condition of the passenger airbag sys-
tem is shown by the indicator lamp in the
central console, refer to Indicator lamps
below. If the indicator lamp signals that the
passenger airbags are active and you wish

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
57
them to be deactivated, the airbags have to
be deactivated with the vehicle ignition key
and the key switch on the outer passen-
ger's side of the instrument panel. Apart
from passengers, do not place any addi-
tional objects on the passenger seat. Do
not fit seat covers, seat cushion padding,
ball mats or other items to the passenger
seat unless they are specifically recom-
mended by BMW. Do not place any items
under the seat. Otherwise, the function of
the seat occupation detection could be
impaired.<
Indicator lamps
Airbag system operational
The airbag indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster indicates the operational readiness
of the entire airbag system and the safety
belt tensioners as of ignition key position 1.
The indicator lamp goes out after a few
seconds.
The indicator lamp in the central console
signals whether or not the passenger air-
bag system is activated or deactivated as
of ignition key position 1.
This lamp pertains only to the passen-
ger airbag system.<>The indicator lamp goes out after a few
seconds:
The passenger airbags are active, e. g.
when an adult is traveling in the vehicle
or the seat is unoccupied
>The indicator lamp lights up continu-
ously:
The passenger airbags are deactivated,
e. g. when a child is traveling in the vehi-
cle in the child-restraint system.
For more information on the operating prin-
ciple of the passenger airbag system and
seat occupation detection, refer to Auto-
matic deactivation of the passenger air-
bags.
Airbag system malfunction
A system malfunction could prevent
the system from responding in the
expected manner to an impact occurring
within its normal response range.
Please have the airbag system inspected
immediately at a BMW center.<
There is a fault in the airbag system
if the airbag indicator lamp behaves
as follows:
>The indicator lamp does not light up as
of ignition key position 1
>The indicator lamp remains on continu-
ously
>The indicator lamp lights up while the
vehicle is being driven.

Everything from A to Z
104
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System 54
– indicator lamp 13
Accessories, refer to
– For your own safety 5
– Your individual vehicle 5
Accident, refer to
Emergency call 93
Activated-charcoal filter 63
Adaptive Transmission
Control ATC 40
Air, drying,
refer to Air conditioning
mode 59, 62
Airbags 56
– deactivation 33
– indicator lamp 13
– passenger airbags
indicator lamp 34
– reactivation 33
– safe seating position 27
Airbag switch 33
Air conditioning 58
Air conditioning mode
– air conditioning 59
– automatic climate
control 62
Air conditioning mode
switching on/off
manually 59, 62
Air distribution
– air conditioning 59
– automatic climate
control 62
Airing out, refer to
Ventilation 59, 63
Air outlets,
refer to Ventilation 59, 63
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure 75
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode 59, 63Air supply/blower
– air conditioning 59
– automatic climate
control 62
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications 74
Alarm system
– avoiding unintentional
alarms 26
Antenna, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Antifreeze 83, 84
– coolant 84
– washing fluids 83
Antilock Brake System
ABS 54
– indicator lamp 13
Anti-theft alarm system,
refer to Alarm system 25
Anti-theft protection 25
Approved axle load, refer to
Weights 101
Approved engine oils 84
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to
Weights 101
Artificial leather, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Ashtray 65
Assistant systems, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC 52
ATC Adaptive Transmission
Control 40
AUC Automatic
recirculated-air
control 63Automatic
– air distribution 62
– air supply/blower 62
– cruise control 45
– headlamp control 46
– luggage compartment lid
operation 19
Automatic car wash, refer
to the Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Automatic climate
control 61
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC 63
Automatic transmission
with Steptronic 39
– ignition 36
– indicator lamp 13
– interlock 36
– selector lever lock 39
– shiftlock 39
AUTO program,
refer to Automatic air
distribution 62
Average fuel
consumption 51
– setting units of
measure 50
Average speed 51
– setting units of
measure 50
Axle loads, refer to
Weights 101
B
Backrest, refer to Seat
adjustment 28
Backup lamps 38
– bulb replacement 90
Bandages, refer to First-aid
kit 94
Everything from A to Z
Index

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
107
Electric Power Steering
EPS 43
– indicator lamp 13
Electric power windows 20
Electronic Stability
Program ESP, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC 52
Electronic transmission
control module 40
Emergency call 93
Emergency operation, refer
to Manual operation
– convertible top 23
– driver's door 18
– fuel filler door 74
– storage compartments 64
Engine 36
– break-in procedures 68
– data 100
– electronics 13
– indicator lamp 13
– speed 48
– starting 36
– switching off 37
Engine compartment 82
Engine coolant 84
Engine coolant
temperature gauge 48
Engine data 100
Engine oil 83
– alternative oils 84
– approved oils 84
– capacity 103
– indicator lamp 13
Engine oil level 83
– indicator lamp 13
Engine oil pressure 83
– indicator lamp 13
Engine oil sensor 83
– indicator lamp 13
Engine output, refer to
Engine data 100
Engine speed, refer to
Engine data 100
EPS Electric Power
Steering 43
Equipment range, see
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US models, Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC 52
Exhaust system, refer to
High temperatures 69
Exterior mirrors 31
– automatic dimming
feature 31
Eyelet, towing 96
F
False alarm, stopping
alarm 26
Fasten safety belts 30
– warning lamp 13, 30
Filter, refer to
– Microfilter 59
– Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter 63
Fine wood, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
First aid, refer to First-aid
kit 94
First-aid kit 94
Flat tire
– Flat Tire Monitor 54
– indicator/warning
lamp 13
Flat tire, refer to Tire
condition 78
Flat Tire Monitor 54
– indicator lamp 13, 55
– initializing 55
Flooding, refer to Driving
through water 69
Floor covers, carpets, refer
to the Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Floor mats, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Fluid reservoir
– washing systems 83
Fog lamps 47
– indicator lamp 13Follow me home lamps 46
Footbrake, refer to Driving
notes 69
Front airbags 56
Front turn signal indicators
– bulb replacement 90
Fuel
– average
consumption 51
– content, refer to
Capacities 103
– display 48
– preparation, refer to
Engine data 100
– quality 74
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge 48
Fuel filler door 74
– unlocking in case of
electrical fault 74
Fuel gas cap 74
Fuel tank capacity, refer to
Capacities 103
Fuses 92
G
Gasoline, refer to Fuel
quality 74
Gasoline gauge, refer to
Fuel gauge 48
Gear indicator 40
Gear lever
– automatic transmission
with Steptronic 39
– manual transmission 38
Glove compartment 64
Gross weight, refer to
Weights 101
H
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake 38
Hands-free microphone,
refer to Preparations for
the cellular phone 65
Hands-free system 65
Hardtop, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Hardtop preparation 71