2004 BMW Z4 ROADSTER 2.5I pass key

Notes

4

Notes
About this Owner's Manual

We have made every effort to ensure that
you are able to find what you need in this
Owner's Manual as quickly as possible.
The fastest way to find certain topics is by
using the detailed index at the end. If you
wish to gain an initial overview of your vehi-
cle, you will find what you are looking for in
the first chapter.
Should you wish to sell your BMW at some
time in the future, please remember to pass
the Owner's Manual on to the new owner.
The manual represents an important com-
ponent of the vehicle.

Additional sources of information

If you have additional questions, your BMW
center will be glad to advise you.
You can find more information about BMW,
for example on its technology, on the Inter-
net under www.bmw.com.

Symbols used

Indicates precautions that must be
followed precisely in order to avoid
the possibility of personal injury and seri-
ous damage to the vehicle.
Contains information that will assist
you in gaining the optimum benefit
from your vehicle and enable you to care
more effectively for your vehicle.
Refers to measures that can be taken
to help protect the environment.

<

Marks the end of a specific item of infor-
mation.

*
Indicates special equipment, country-
specific equipment and optional extras
when available.
Vehicle Memory, Key Memory, refer
to page 31. Identifies functions that
can be specifically adapted for a particular
key or vehicle. These adjustments can be
performed either by yourself or by your
BMW center.

Symbol on vehicle parts

Indicates that you should consult the
relevant section of this Owner's Man-
ual for information on a particular part or
assembly.

Opening and closing
20
Luggage compartment
Emergency release
This lever releases the luggage compart-
ment lid from inside the luggage compart-
ment.
To enlarge the luggage compartment
The luggage compartment can be enlarged
when the convertible top is closed.
Simultaneously turn the handles on both
sides of the luggage compartment outward
past the resistance point.
The convertible top compartment panel is
raised.
Before opening the convertible top:
Turn both handles inward.
The convertible top compartment panel is
lowered.
Before opening the convertible top,
make sure that the convertible top
compartment panel has been folded down
in the luggage compartment to avoid any
possible damage.<
Electric power windows
To open and close a window
Ignition key in position 1 or higher
>Press the switch until you feel resis-
tance: the window continues to move
downward as long as you continue to
press the switch
>Press the switch briefly past the pres-
sure point: the window moves down-
ward automatically. Pressing the switch
again stops the opening cycle.
If you wish, you can have this spe-
cial feature activated/deacti-
vated.<
You can close the window in the same
manner by pulling the switch.
The window on the passenger side does
not move upward automatically.
After the ignition has been switched off:
You can still use the electric power win-
dows for up to 15 minutes, as long as no
one opens any of the doors.
When leaving the vehicle, always
remove the ignition key from the lock
and remember to close the doors to pre-
vent children from operating the power
windows and injuring themselves, etc.<
For convenience operation via the door
lock, refer to page 18.

Opening and closing
26
Arming and disarming the alarm
system
When the vehicle is locked or unlocked
either via the driver's door lock or with the
remote control, the alarm system is simul-
taneously armed or disarmed.
The hazard warning flashers blink once
when the alarm system has been properly
armed.
You can have different acknowledg-
ment signals set to confirm arming
and disarming.<
You can still open the luggage compart-
ment lid when the system is armed by
pressing the remote control button, refer to
page 17. When it is closed, the lid is once
again secured.
Manual operation of the luggage
compartment lid triggers the alarm.
Refer to page 19.<
To cancel an alarm:
Press the button on the remote control,
refer to page 16, or turn the ignition key to
position 1. Refer to page 36.
Indicator lamp displays
>The indicator lamp beneath the interior
mirror flashes continuously:
The system is armed
>The indicator lamp flashes when it is
being armed:
A door, the hood or luggage compart-
ment lid is not completely closed. Even
if you do not close the area causing the alert, the remaining areas are secured
and the indicator lamp flashes continu-
ously after 10 seconds.
However, the interior motion sensor is
not activated
>If the indicator lamp goes out as soon
as the system is disarmed:
No manipulation or attempted intru-
sions have been detected in the period
since the system was armed
>If the indicator lamp flashes for
10 seconds when the system is being
disarmed:
An attempted entry has been detected
in the period since the system was
armed.
After an alarm has been triggered, the indi-
cator lamp will flash continuously.
Interior motion sensor*
The system monitors the footwells and the
seating areas of the driver and passenger.
Deactivate the interior motion sensor,
refer to Avoiding unintentional alarms,
if children or animals are to remain in the
vehicle.<
Avoiding unintentional alarms
The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion
sensor can be deactivated at the same
time. You can do this to prevent a false
alarm from being triggered, for instance in
garages with elevator ramps or when the
vehicle is transported by train.
Lock the vehicle twice = arm the system:
Press the button on the remote control
twice in succession,
or
lock the vehicle twice with the key. Refer to
page 18.
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and
then flashes continuously. The tilt alarm
sensor and the interior motion sensor are
deactivated as long as the system is
armed.

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.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
41
Forward position with one-touch functions:
Sequential mode
+:manual upshifting
—:manual downshifting
D: drive mode.
The SMG is ready for operation in ignition
key positions 2 and 3.
The gearbox is automatically taken
out of gear if the driver's door is
opened while the engine is running and the
driver does not actuate the pedals, the shift
paddles or the selector lever.
This is accompanied by an acoustic signal
and the flashing gear indicator.
The gear indicator in the instrument cluster
displays N.
A driving position can only be engaged
when the driver's door is closed.
When the vehicle is unlocked, a buzzing
sound in the area of the transmission indi-
cates that the system is ready to operate.<
Shiftlock
For your safety, it is only possible to
engage a driving position from selector
lever position N when the footbrake is
depressed.
Please keep in mind while driving
When driving off on inclines, drive
smoothly without pausing. Do not
keep the vehicle in place by depressing the
accelerator pedal; instead, apply the park-
ing brake. Otherwise, the SMG gearbox
could overheat.<
RReverse
Select reverse only when the vehicle is sta-
tionary.
NNeutral
Always engage before starting the engine,
refer to Starting the engine.
Sequential mode
Each time the engine is started, the
sequential mode is activated as soon as you move the selector lever into the for-
ward driving position.
The gears are shifted via the shift paddles
or the selector lever.
It is also possible to drive off in second
gear, e.g. on snow-covered roads.
D Drive mode
In the drive mode all forward gears are
shifted automatically.
To switch from sequential to drive mode:
tap the selector lever to the right toward D.
For rapid acceleration, e.g. during passing,
depress the accelerator pedal completely:
kickdown.
Kickdown:
In the kickdown mode, you achieve maxi-
mum acceleration.
Depress the accelerator pedal past the
increased resistance point at the full-throt-
tle position.
To switch back to sequential mode: tap the
selector lever again to the right toward D,
or change the current gear via the shift
paddles or the selector lever.
Shifting gears
With selector lever
>To upshift, tap the selector lever
toward +
>To downshift, tap the lever toward —.
With shift paddles on steering wheel
>To upshift, pull one of the shift paddles
>To downshift, push the paddle.

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.<

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.