2004 BMW Z4 ROADSTER 3.0I air condition

Reference
At a glance
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Driving tips
Mobility
69
Driving notes
Parking the vehicle
Condensation forms in the air conditioner
system during operation, which then exits
under the vehicle. Traces of condensed
water on the ground underneath the vehi-
cle are thus normal.
Brakes
Do not drive with your foot resting on
the brake pedal. Even light but con-
sistent pedal pressure can lead to high
temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce vehicle speed. If you do not, a
wedge of water may form between the tires
and the road surface. This phenomenon
can lead to partial or complete loss of trac-
tion, vehicle control and braking effective-
ness.<
Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the
road if it is deeper than 1 ft / 30 cm,
and then only at walking speed. Otherwise,
the vehicle's engine, the electrical systems
and the transmission may be damaged.<
High temperatures
High temperatures occur with every
vehicle equipped with a catalytic con-
verter. Heat shields are installed adjacent
to some sections of the exhaust system.
Never remove these shields; do not apply
undercoating to their surfaces. When driv-
ing, standing at idle and parking the vehi-
cle, take care to avoid contact between the
hot exhaust system and flammable materi-
als, e.g. hay, leaves, grass, etc. Such con-
tact could lead to a fire, resulting in serious
personal injury and property damage.<
Brake system
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp lights up
although the parking brake is not
engaged:
Check the brake fluid level. It is very impor-
tant that you follow the instructions on
page 85 before driving on.
Disc brakes
Corrosion
Limited vehicle use, extended periods with
the vehicle parked or in storage, and oper-
ating conditions in which braking is
restricted to gentle, low-pressure applica-
tions will all increase the tendency for cor-
rosion to form on the rotors and contamina-
tion to accumulate on the brake pads. This
occurs because the minimal pressure
which must be exerted by the pads to clean
the rotors by brake applications is not
reached.
If the brake rotors are corroded, they will
tend to respond to braking with a pulsating
effect which even extended application will
fail to cure.
Wet roads
When driving in heavy rain and on wet
roads, it is useful to apply light pressure
to the brake pedal every few miles. Watch
traffic conditions to ensure that this maneu-
ver does not endanger other road users.
The resulting heat dries the brake rotors
and brake pads. Immediate braking control
is then available if necessary.
Inclines
Extended or steep mountain descents
should be driven in the gear or drive posi-
tion in which only minimal periodic brake
application is required. This helps avoid
placing excessive loads on the brake sys-
tem. Observe the maximum allowable
engine speed when doing so; refer to
page 48.

Special operating instructions
70 Do not coast with the clutch
depressed or with the transmission or
selector lever in Neutral. Do not coast with
the engine switched off. Otherwise the
engine provides no braking effect and there
is no power-assist for braking or steering
when the engine is off.<
Brake pads
The yellow indicator lamp for the
brake pads lights up:
Have the condition of the brake
pads inspected.
For your own safety: use brake pads
which the manufacturer has approved
for your specific vehicle model. The manu-
facturer cannot evaluate non-approved
brake pads to determine if they are suitable
for use, and therefore cannot ensure the
operating safety of the vehicle in the event
of their use.<
Cargo loading
Avoid overloading the vehicle so that
the permitted load on the tires is not
exceeded. Otherwise, overheating and
inner damage to the tires may result. The
ultimate result can assume the form of a
sudden air loss.<
Determining the maximum load
1.Locate the following statement on your
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo should never
exceed XXX kg or YYY lbs; otherwise
damage to the vehicle and unstable
driving conditions could result.<2.Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passenger that will be riding
in your vehicle
3.Substract the combined weight of the
driver and passenger from XXX kilo-
grams or YYY pounds
4.The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load
capacity.
For example, if the XXX amount equals
551 lbs. and there will be two 150 lbs.
passengers in your vehicle, the amount
of available cargo and luggage load
capacity is 251 lbs.
551 lbs. minus 300 lbs. = 251 lbs.
5.Determine the combined weight of lug-
gage and cargo being loaded on the
vehicle. That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo and luggage
load capacity calculated in Step 4.
Load
The permissible load is the sum of the
occupants' weights and the weight of the
cargo. The greater the weight of the occu-
pants, the less cargo can be transported.
Stowing cargo
>Load heavy cargo as far forward as
possible, directly behind the luggage
compartment partition, and as low as
possible
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
To avoid damaging the rear of the
backrest or the rear interior trim
panel, do not stow heavy cargo or cargo
with sharp edges and corners behind the
seats.
In addition, large and bulky cargo stowed

Reference
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Driving tips
Mobility
75
Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressure
Information for your safety
It is not merely the tire's service life, but
also driving comfort and driving safety that
largely depend on the condition of the tires
and the maintenance of the specified tire
pressure.
Check tire inflation pressures regu-
larly and correct them if necessary: at
least every two weeks and before every
extended journey. If this is not done, incor-
rect tire pressures can cause driving insta-
bility or tire damage, ultimately resulting in
accidents.
Do not drive with a deflated, i.e. flat, tire
unless your vehicle is equipped with Run
Flat tires. A flat tire greatly impairs steering
and braking response, and can lead to
complete loss of control over the vehicle.<
Checking tire pressures
Check the tire inflation pressures only
when the tires are cold. This means after a
maximum driving distance of 1.25 miles/
2 km or if the vehicle has been parked for at
least 2 hours. Warm tires have higher infla-
tion pressures.
Reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor after cor-
recting the tire inflation pressure. Refer to
page 55.
Inflation pressures for original tires
The specified inflation pressures for tires at
ambient temperature are provided on the
placard on the B-pillar and are visible when
the driver's door is open.
Inflation pressures for other tire
sizes
The following tire inflation pressure tables
show the inflation pressures for the speci-
fied tire sizes at ambient temperature.
Reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor after
correcting the tire inflation pressure.
Refer to page 55.<
Tire size
The inflation pressures in the table apply to
BMW-approved tire sizes and brands. Your
BMW center will be glad to supply this
information.

Wheels and tires
78
Temperature
The temperature grades are A, the highest,
B and C, representing the tire’s resistance
to the generation of heat and its ability to
dissipate heat when tested under con-
trolled conditions on a specified indoor lab-
oratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and
reduce tire life, and excessive temperature
can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C
corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and A repre-
sent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, under-inflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire
failure.<
RSC: Run Flat tires
Run Flat tires are labeled on the sidewall
with a circular symbol containing the letters
RSC. Refer to page 80.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter performance
properties than summer tires.
Tire condition
Inspect your tires frequently for tread wear,
signs of damage and for foreign objects
lodged in the tread. Check the tread depth.
Tire tread
Tread depth should not be allowed to go
below 1/8 in/3 mm even though in Europe,
for example, the legally specified minimum
tread depth is only 1/16 in/1.6 mm. Below
1/8 in/3 mm tread depth, there is a very
high risk of hydroplaning, even at relatively moderate speeds and with only small
amounts of water on the road.
At tread depths below approx. 1/6 in/
4 mm, winter tires display a perceptible
decrease in their ability to cope with winter
driving conditions, and should be replaced
in the interest of safety.
Tread wear indicators in the tread-groove
base, see arrow, are distributed around the
wheel circumference and are labeled on
the tire sidewall as TWI, Tread Wear Indica-
tor. At a tread depth of 1/16 in/1.6 mm, the
indicators signal that the legally permissi-
ble wear limit has been reached.
Tire damage
Unusual vibrations encountered dur-
ing normal vehicle operation can indi-
cate tire failure or some other vehicle mal-
function. This type of problem can be
caused by contact with curbs, etc. This is
also true for irregularities in the vehicle's
handling characteristics, such as a pro-
nounced tendency to pull to the left or right.
Should this occur, respond by immediately
reducing your speed. Proceed carefully to
the nearest BMW center or professional tire
center, or have the vehicle towed there to
have it and its wheels or tires inspected.
Tire damage up to and including sudden
and complete air loss can pose an extreme
hazard for both vehicle occupants and
other road users.<

Reference
At a glance
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Driving tips
Mobility
79
Wheel and tire replacement
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and
accidents.
Have this work performed by skilled pro-
fessionals only. Any BMW center has the
required technical knowledge and the
proper equipment and will be happy to
assist you.<
The correct wheel and tire combination
also affects various systems that would
otherwise be impaired, for example ABS or
DSC.
Have the wheels balanced after each tire or
wheel replacement.
BMW advises against using retreaded
tires, since driving safety may be
impaired. This is due to possible variations
in casing structures and, in some cases, to
their extreme age, factors which can lead
to a decrease in their durability.<
The correct wheels and tires
BMW recommends using only wheels
and tires that have been tested and
approved by BMW for your particular vehi-
cle model, as otherwise body contact and
serious accidents can result despite the
use of the same nominal size, e.g. due to
manufacturing tolerances. If non-approved
wheels and tires are used, BMW cannot
evaluate their suitability, and therefore can-
not be held liable for driving safety.<
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single brand
and tread configuration. In the event of a
flat tire, remount the previous wheel and
tire combination as soon as possible.
Recommended tire sizes and brands
BMW tests certain tire brands for each tire
size, classifies them as road-safe and
approves them. You can best find out
about these at a specialized shop, particu-
larly your BMW center. Observe any coun-
try-specific regulations, e.g. on making a
corresponding entry in the vehicle docu-
ments.The factory-approved radial-ply tires are
matched to your vehicle and have been
selected to provide optimum safety and
driving comfort when used properly.
Run Flat tires fitted
Use only Run Flat tires, since no spare
wheel is available in the event of a flat.
Special characteristics of winter
tires
BMW recommends the use of winter tires
for operation under winter road conditions.
While all-season tires, with M+S designa-
tion, provide better winter traction than
summer tires, they generally do not achieve
the full performance of winter tires.
For mounting winter tires, refer to the
descriptions under Tire condition and
Wheel and tire replacement, pages 78, 79.
Run Flat tires fitted
Use only winter Run Flat tires, since no
spare wheel is available in the event of a
flat.
Observing speed ratings
Never exceed the maximum speed for
which the winter tires are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to ser-
vice tires can lead to damage and acci-
dents. Have this work performed by skilled
professionals only. The technicans at your
BMW center will be glad to assist you with
the required professional knowledge and
specialized equipment.<
Storage
Store tires in a cool, dry place, protecting
them against light whenever possible. Pro-
tect the tires from contact with oil, grease
and fuel. Do not exceed the maximum tire
inflation pressures specified on the tire
sidewall.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
85
allow accumulated pressure to escape,
then open completely
2.The coolant level is correct when the
upper end of the red float is at least
even with the upper edge of the filler
neck but no more than 3/4 in/2 cm
above it, that is up to the second mark
on the float. Refer also to the schematic
diagram next to the filler neck
3.If necessary, add coolant. Slowly add
coolant until the correct level is
reached; do not overfill.
Comply with the applicable environ-
mental laws regulating the disposal of
antifreeze with corrosion inhibitor.<
Brake fluid
Indicator lamp
The brake warning lamp lights up
red when the parking brake is not
engaged: the brake fluid level is too
low, refer to page 69.
The brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models lights up red when the
parking brake is not engaged: the
brake fluid level is too low, refer to page 69.
Brake fluid, refilling
Brake fluid loss may result in extended
brake pedal travel. If this occurs, also refer
to the notes on page 69.
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that is, it
absorbs moisture from the air over
time.
In order to ensure the brake system's
safety and reliability, have the brake fluid
changed every two years by a BMW center.
Refer also to page 49 and the Service Man-
ual.
Brake fluid is toxic and damages the vehi-
cle's paint. You should always store it in the
closed original container and in a location
inaccessible to children.
Do not spill the fluid and do not fill the brake
fluid reservoir beyond the MAX mark. The
brake fluid could ignite upon contact with
hot engine parts and cause serious
burns.<
Comply with the applicable environ-
mental laws regulating the disposal of
brake fluid.<
Brake fluid level
Low brake fluid level in the reservoir com-
bined with extended pedal travel may indi-
cate a defect in one of the brake system's
hydraulic circuits.
BMW recommends that you proceed
to the nearest BMW center. Higher
brake application pressure may be neces-
sary under these conditions, and braking
distances may be significantly longer.
Please remember to adapt your driving
style accordingly.<

Maintenance
86
Maintenance
The BMW Maintenance
System
The BMW Maintenance System has been
designed as a reliable means of providing
maximum driving and operating safety, and
as cost-effectively for you as possible.
Please keep in mind that regular mainte-
nance is not only necessary for the safety
of your vehicle, but also plays a significant
role in maintaining the resale value of your
vehicle.
Service interval display
While conventional systems rely on dis-
tance traveled alone to determine when a
service is due, the BMW Maintenance Sys-
tem has taken the actual conditions under
which the vehicle is operated into consid-
eration for years, because miles can be
traveled in many different ways:
From a maintenance point of view,
60,000 miles/100,000 km accumulated in
short-distance urban driving are not the
same as 60,000 miles/100,000 km accu-
mulated at moderate cruising speeds in
long-distance highway travel.
The BMW Maintenance System includes
the Engine Oil Service and Inspections I
and II.
Determining the maintenance intervals
based on the actual loads on the vehicle
covers every kind of operating situation.
Minimal use drivers, who drive fewer than
about 6,200 miles/10,000 km per year,
should nevertheless have the oil changed at least every 2 years since engine oil dete-
riorates over time, regardless of use.
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models, Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for Canadian
models
For additional information on required
maintenance intervals and procedures,
please refer to the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US models, or the
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models.
Depending on operating conditions, it may
be advisable to have the body checked for
damage from rocks or gravel as a precau-
tion against corrosion.
BMW recommends that you have your
BMW center perform the mainte-
nance and repair.
Be sure that all maintenance work is
recorded in the Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US models, Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian
models. These entries will serve as proof
that the vehicle has received regular main-
tenance.<
Care
Interesting facts about the care of your
vehicle are found in the Caring for your
vehicle brochure.

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