2004 BMW Z4 ROADSTER 3.0I Owner's Manual

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
39
Automatic transmission
with Steptronic*
You can drive as with a normal automatic
transmission. In addition, you can also shift
manually.
When you move the selector lever from the
D position to the left into the M/S range, the
performance-oriented shift programs of the
automatic transmission are engaged. As
soon as you briefly tap the selector lever in
the + or — direction, Steptronic changes the
gear. The manual mode is engaged. When
you wish to use the automatic transmission
mode again, move the selector lever to the
right to position D.
Selector lever positions
P R N D M/S + —
Range selection
A detent prevents inadvertent shifting into
selector lever positions R and P. To disen-
gage the detent, press the button on the
front of the selector lever knob, see arrow.
Shiftlock
While the vehicle is stationary and
before shifting out of P or N, depress
the footbrake in order to disengage the
selector lever's lock mechanism.<
Hold the footbrake down until starting
off. The vehicle will otherwise start to
move when a drive position is engaged.
If you leave the vehicle with the engine run-
ning, move the selector lever to the P posi-
tion and apply the parking brake. If you fail
to do this, the vehicle could move.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended with the engine running. An unattended vehicle
with a running engine poses a safety haz-
ard.<
PPark
Select reverse only when the vehicle is sta-
tionary. The transmission locks to prevent
the rear wheels from turning.
RReverse
Select reverse only when the vehicle is sta-
tionary.
NNeutral
Select only when stopping for an extended
period.
DDrive: automatic shift program
This position is designed for driving under
all normal operating conditions. All forward
gears are available.
Kickdown
In the kickdown mode, you achieve maxi-
mum acceleration in position D.
Depress the accelerator pedal past the
increased resistance point at the full-throt-
tle position.
M/S Manual mode and
Sport program
When you change from D to M/S, the Sport
program is activated. This is indicated in
the gear indicator by SD. The M/S mode is
recommended for performance-oriented
driving.
With the first brief touch, the automatic
transmission shifts from the Sport program
to the manual mode.
When you tap the selector lever in the +

Driving
40 direction, the transmission shifts up. When
the lever is tapped in the – direction, the
transmission shifts down. M1 to M 5 appear
in the gear indicator.
The Adaptive Transmission Control ATC
executes upshifts or downshifts only when
the new gear will provide a suitable combi-
nation of engine and road speed, e.g. ATC
will not execute downshifts if the engine
speed is too high. The desired gear will
appear briefly in the instrument cluster, fol-
lowed by the actual gear.
If you are driving in the manual mode
and wish to accelerate rapidly, e.g. to
pass another vehicle, shift down manually
or with the kickdown function.<
Shifting from M/S to selector lever posi-
tions P, R and N is possible only by going
through position D.
Available indicators
P R N D SD M1 M2 M3 M4 M5
Malfunction
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; in the forward drive
positions, however, the vehicle will be
operating in the fourth gear only.
If this happens, avoid extreme engine loads
and consult the nearest BMW center.
Never work in the engine compart-
ment when a drive gear – forward or
reverse – is engaged. If you do so, the vehi-
cle could move. information beginning on page 94.
Sequential manual gearbox
SMG*
The concept
The sequential manual gearbox SMG is an
automated manual gearbox with which
clutching and shifting is assumed by an
electro-hydraulic system.
The SMG is operated via two shift paddles
on the steering wheel and the selector lever
in the center console.
It offers the following functions:
>Sequential mode: manual mode
>Drive mode: automated mode
>Ability to choose between two different
driving programs: Standard, Sport,
refer to Dynamic Driving Control
>Operating safety through protection
against misshifting
>Automatic upshifts and downshifts in
the drive mode
>Automatic downshifts at minimum
engine rpm
>Kickdown function in the drive mode
>Acceleration assistant.
Selector lever positions
The current selector lever position is shown
by a light-emitting diode on the center con-
sole.
R: Reverse
N: Neutral

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
43
Deactivating the Sport program
Press the SPORT button again.
The LED in the button goes out.
Acceleration assistant with SMG
The acceleration assistant permits opti-
mum racing-style acceleration on skid-
resistant roads.
Do not use the acceleration assistant
too often, as this could cause the
vehicle's parts to wear prematurely.<
1.Activate the Sport program
2.Press and hold the DSC button for more
than three seconds, refer to page 53
3.Depress the accelerator all the way
down rapidly: kickdown. The optimum
rpm for driving off will be adjusted.
To maintain vehicle stability, drive
with the DSC switched on whenever
possible.<
Electric Power Steering
EPS
The concept
The electric power steering is a direct,
sporting steering system that is speed-sen-
sitive.
Power support is reduced with an increase
in driving speed.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp stays lit:
The system has malfunctioned or is
faulty.
Please have the system inspected by the
nearest BMW center.
Steering remains operational.
Turn signal indicators/
Headlamp flasher
1High beams: blue indicator lamp
2Headlamp flasher: blue indicator lamp
3Turn signal indicator: green indicator
lamps accompanied by a periodic click-
ing sound from the relay
If the flashing of the indicator lamp
and the clicking from the relay are
both faster than normal, one of the turn
signal indicators has failed.<
To signal briefly
Press the lever up to the detent but not
beyond. It then returns to the center posi-
tion when released.
Washer/wiper system and
rain sensor*
0Wipers retracted
1Intermittent operation or rain sensor
2Normal wiper speed
3Fast wiper speed
4Brief wipe

Driving
44 5Rotary dial for control of the wipe inter-
val or the sensitivity of the rain sensor
Intermittent operation
Not on vehicles with rain sensor.
You can set the wipe interval over four
stages with rotary dial 5.
In addition, the wipe interval is varied auto-
matically depending on road speed.
Rain sensor
The rain sensor is positioned on the wind-
shield, directly behind the interior rearview
mirror.
To activate the rain sensor:
>With the ignition key in position 1 or
higher, move the lever to position 1. The
wipers travel once across the wind-
shield, regardless of the weather.
You can leave the lever permanently in
position 1, it is then only necessary to acti-
vate the rain sensor. To do this
>turn rotary dial 5 briefly.
To adjust the sensitivity of the rain sensor:
turn rotary dial 5.
To deactivate the rain sensor:
return lever to position 0.
Turn the rain sensor off in automatic
car washes. Failure to do so could
result in damage caused by undesired
wiper activation.<
Normal wiper speed
When the vehicle is stationary, the wipers
automatically switch to intermittent wipe,
not on vehicles with rain sensor.
Fast wiper speed
When the vehicle is stationary, the wipers
operate at normal speed, not on vehicles
with rain sensor.
Cleaning windshield and headlamps*
0Wipers retracted
1Cleaning windshield and headlamps
*
Do not use the washers if there is any
danger that the fluid will freeze on the
windshield, otherwise vision could be
obscured. For this reason, use an anti-
freeze agent. Refer to page 83.
Do not use the washers when the reservoir
is empty. Otherwise damage to the washer
pump could result.<
Cleaning the windshield
The system sprays washer fluid against the
windshield and activates the wipers for a
brief period.
Cleaning the headlamps
When the vehicle's lighting system is
switched on, the headlamps are cleaned at
reasonable intervals.
Windshield washer nozzles
The windshield washer nozzles are heated
automatically
* in ignition position 2.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
45
Cruise control*
1To maintain and store speed/
to accelerate
2To decelerate
3To recall the stored setting
4To deactivate the system
Do not use cruise control on twisting
roads, when high traffic density pre-
vents driving at a constant speed, when the
road surface is slick, e.g. from snow, rain or
ice, nor when the road surface is loose, e.g.
from rocks or sand.<
To maintain and store speed/
to accelerate
You can maintain and store any desired
speed above approx. 20 mph / 30 km/h.
Press the lever briefly in direction 1:
The system maintains and stores the cur-
rent vehicle speed. Every time you tap the
lever, the speed increases by approx.
0.6 mph / 1 km/h.
Hold the lever in position 1:
The vehicle accelerates without pressure
on the accelerator pedal. As soon as you
release the lever, the system stores and
maintains the current speed.
If, on a downhill grade, the engine
braking effect is not sufficient, the
controlled speed can be exceeded. Speed
can drop on uphill grades if the engine out-
put is insufficient.<
To decelerate
Press the lever briefly in direction 2:
When the cruise control is active, vehicle speed is reduced by approx. 0.6 mph /
1 km/h every time you tap the button.
Hold the lever in position 2:
With the cruise control active, the system
automatically reduces the throttle opening
to slow the vehicle. As soon as you release
the lever, the system stores and maintains
the current speed.
To recall the stored setting
Press the lever briefly in direction 3:
The vehicle accelerates to and maintains
the last speed stored.
To deactivate the system
Press the lever briefly in direction 4:
The cruise control is deactivated immedi-
ately.
In addition, the system is automatically
deactivated in response to the following
conditions:
>When you apply the brakes
>When you depress the clutch or move
the automatic selector lever from D to N
>If you exceed or fall below the preset
speed for an extended period, for
example by depressing the accelerator.
You can recall the speed last stored.
Cruise control is also deactivated when the
ignition key is turned to position 0.
The stored speed is cleared in this case.

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.<