
Adjustments
28
Seats
Before adjusting your seat, always
observe the following precautions
Never try to adjust your seat while operat-
ing the vehicle. The seat could respond
with an unexpected movement, and the ensu-
ing loss of vehicle control could result in an
accident.
Never ride with the backrest inclined to an
extreme angle – this also applies to the passen-
ger seat. If you do, 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 page30.
Seat adjustment
1 Backward/forward
Pull lever1 and slide the seat into the desired
position.
After releasing the lever, move the seat back-
wards 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 lever3 and apply weight to or remove
weight from the backrest as required.
Head restraints
Head restraints reduce the risk of neck
injuries in the event of an accident. Adjust
the head restraint in such a way that its center is
at approximately ear level.<
Adjusting the height
>To move up: pull.
>To move down: press button1 and push
the head restraint downward.
Removal
1.Pull up the head restraint as far as it will go.
2.Press button1 and pull out the head
restraint completely.
Installation
Insert the head restraint into the guides.

Technology for safety and driving convenience
54 For information on the correct seating position,
refer to page27.
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 individual components in the air-
bag system. This category includes the uphol-
stery in the center of the steering wheel, on the
instrument panel, and the side trim panels on
the doors. Do not attempt to remove or disman-
tle the steering wheel.
Do not touch the individual components
directly after the system has been triggered,
because there is a danger of burns.
If you note any indication of system malfunc-
tion, if you desire to have an airbag deactivated,
or if the airbag retention system 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 system
could lead to failure in an emergency or to
undesired airbag activation, either of which
could result in personal injury.
To ensure compliance with official safety regu-
lations, 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 pas-
senger seat be sure to observe the infor-
mation/instructions under Transporting chil-
dren safely, refer to page33.<
Your BMW has a seat occupation detection
system. By evaluating the weight on the pas-
senger'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 or in an empty seat, the front, side
and knee airbags are automatically deacti-
vated on the passenger's side>When an adult is traveling in the passen-
ger's seat, 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 passen-
ger airbags remain active or, in the case of very
light adults or young persons, that the passen-
ger airbags are deactivated. The condition of
the passenger airbag system will be shown by
the indicator lamp in the central console, refer
to Passenger airbag status lamp below. If the
indicator lamp indicates that the passenger air-
bags are active and you want them to be deac-
tivated, the airbags have to be deactivated with
the vehicle ignition key and the key switch on
the outer passenger's side of the instrument
panel. Apart from passengers, do not place any
additional 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 recommended by
BMW. Do not place any items under the seat.
Otherwise, the function of the seat occupation
detection could be impaired.<
Operational readiness of the airbag
system
The airbag indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster indicates the operational readiness of
the entire airbag system and the safety belt ten-
sioners as of ignition key position 1.
The indicator lamp goes out after a few sec-
onds.
Airbag system malfunction
>The indicator lamp does not light up as of
ignition key position 1
>The warning lamp lights up continuously.

Special operating instructions
70 sure 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.
Interior and exterior mirrors with
automatic dimming feature*
Two photocells in the interior rearview mirror
serve to control the interior and exterior mirrors
with automatic dimming feature. One photocell
is positioned in the mirror's lens, see arrow,
while the other is on the opposite side of the
mirror.
To ensure perfect functioning, keep the photo-
cells clean and the area between the interior
rearview mirror and the windshield free of any
obstruction like stickers, etc.
When the vehicle is parked
Condensation formed in the air conditioning
system during operation exits under the vehi-
cle. Traces of condensed water on the ground
underneath the vehicle are thus normal.
Mobile equipment in the vehicle
BMW advises against using mobile
equipment, e.g. cellular phones, inside
the vehicle without connecting them directly to
an outside antenna. Otherwise, it cannot be
ruled out that vehicle electronics and the mobile
equipment interfere with one another. In addi-
tion, it is not ensured that the radio waves emit-
ted during transmission are directed outside of
the vehicle interior.<
Cargo loading
Avoid overloading the vehicle so that the
permissible carrying capacity of the tires
is not exceeded. Otherwise, overheating and
inner damage to the tires may result. The ulti-
mate 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 occupants
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.Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passenger from XXX kilograms or YYY
pounds
4.The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the YYY amount equals
551 lbs. and there will be two 150 lbs. pas-
sengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity is
251 lbs.
551 lbs. minus 300 lbs. = 251 lbs.
5.Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated
in Step 4.

Reference
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Mobility
71
Load
The permissible load is the sum of the occu-
pants' weights and the weight of the cargo. The
greater the weight of the occupants, the less
cargo can be transported.
Stowing cargo
>Load heavy cargo as far forward as possi-
ble, directly behind the luggage compart-
ment partition, and as low as possible
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
To avoid damaging the rear of the back-
rest 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
behind the seats may prevent the backrest from
engaging properly. Therefore, ensure that the
backrest is securely locked and if necessary,
move the seat forward, refer to page28.
Always position and secure the load as
described above; otherwise, it can endanger
the passengers, for example during braking or
evasive maneuvers.
Do not exceed the approved gross vehicle
weight or the specified maximum axle loads.
Refer to page103. Otherwise the vehicle's
operating safety is no longer assured and you are in violation of the law.
Do not stow heavy or hard objects in the pas-
senger compartment without first securing
them. Otherwise they would be thrown around
during braking and evasive maneuvers and
would endanger the occupants.<
Convertible top compartment
With the convertible top closed, you can
enlarge the luggage compartment, refer
to page19.
It is advisable to always fold down the covertible
top compartment panel as soon as you have
removed your cargo from the luggage compart-
ment. This way, you can be sure that you can
always operate the convertible top at any time.
Conversely, when the convertible top is closed,
raise the convertible top compartment panel
before stowing your cargo in the luggage com-
partment to avoid any damage to the convert-
ible top compartment or your load.
Do not stow any items on the convertible top
compartment panel since the convertible top
could be damaged while it is opening.<
If you stow cargo behind the seats of your
BMW:
>Only stow light objects such as clothing,
etc.
>Do not pile objects higher than the top edge
of the backrests.

Reference
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Mobility
77
Minimum Octane Rating corresponds to the
Anti Knock Index AKI and is determined by the
so-called (R+M)/2 method.
Do not use leaded gasoline, as otherwise
the lambda probe and catalytic converter
will be permanently damaged.<
Use high-quality brands
Field experience has indicated significant dif-
ferences in fuel quality: volatility, composition,
additives, etc., among gasolines offered for sale
in the United States and Canada. Fuels contain-
ing up to and including 10 % ethanol or other
oxygenates with up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight,
that is, 15 % MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an
equivalent amount of co-solvent, will not void
the applicable warranties with respect to
defects in materials or workmanship.
The use of poor-quality fuels may result in
drivability, starting and stalling problems
especially under certain environmental condi-
tions such as high ambient temperature and
high altitude.
Should you encounter drivability problems
which 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 recommendations
may also result in unscheduled maintenance.<

Reference
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Mobility
79
Z4 2.5i
Z4 3.0i
Tire sizePressure specifications in psi/kPa
All pressure specifications in the table are
indicated in psi/kilopascal with cold tires,
cold = ambient temperature
225/50 R 16 92 V
225/45 R 17 91 W30/210 33/230
225/40 R 18 88 W 30/210 –
255/35 R 18 90 W – 33/230
205/55 R 16 91 Q/T/H M+S
225/50 R 16 92 Q/T/H M+S
225/45 R 17 91 Q/T/H M+S30/210 33/230
You will find more information about permissible loads and weights on page103.
Tire sizePressure specifications in psi/kPa
All pressure specifications in the table are
indicated in psi/kilopascal with cold tires,
cold = ambient temperature
225/45 R 17 91 W 33/230 36/250
225/40 R 18 88 W 33/230 –
255/35 R 18 90 W – 36/250
225/50 R 16 92 Q/T/H M+S
225/45 R 17 91 Q/T/H M+S33/230 36/250
You will find more information about permissible loads and weights on page103.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
103
Weights
Z4 2.5iZ4 3.0i
Curb weight
with manual transmission
with SMG
with automatic transmissionlbs/kg
lbs/kg
lbs/kg2,932/1,330
2,976/1,350
2,998/1,3602,998/1,360
3,020/1,370
3,042/1,380
Approved gross vehicle weight
with manual transmission
with SMG
with automatic transmissionlbs/kg
lbs/kg
lbs/kg3,483/1,580
3,527/1,600
3,549/1,6103,549/1,610
3,571/1,620
3,593/1,630
Load lbs/kg 551/250 551/250
Approved front axle load lbs/kg 1,720/780 1,742/790
Approved rear axle load lbs/kg 1,841/835 1,863/845
Luggage compartment capacity
with convertible top compartment panel raisedcu ft/l
cu ft/l8.5/240
9.2/2608.5/240
9.2/260
Never exceed either the approved axle loads or the approved gross vehicle weight.

Everything from A to Z
106
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System50
– indicator lamp13
Acceleration assistant42
Accessories, refer to
– For your own safety6
– Your individual vehicle5
Accident, refer to Emergency
call96
Acknowledgment signal for
vehicle locking/unlocking16
Activated-charcoal filter63
Adjusting the thigh support29
Air, drying,
refer to Air conditioning
mode59,62
Airbags53
– deactivation33
– indicator lamp12
– passenger airbags indicator
lamp34
– reactivation33
– safe seating position27
Airbag switch33
Air conditioning58
Air conditioning mode
– air conditioning59
– automatic climate control62
Air conditioning mode
switching on/off
manually59,62
Air distribution
– air conditioning59
– automatic climate control62
Airing out, refer to
Ventilation59,63
Air outlets,
refer to Ventilation59,63
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure78Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated air
mode59,62
Air supply/blower
– air conditioning59
– automatic climate control62
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications76
Alarm system25
– avoiding unintentional
alarms26
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires81
Antenna, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Antifreeze86,87
– coolant87
– washing fluids86
Antilock Brake System
ABS50
– indicator lamp13
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system25
Anti-theft protection16,25
Approved axle load, refer to
Weights103
Approved engine oils87
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights103
Artificial leather, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Ashtray65
Assistant systems,
refer to Dynamic Stability
Control DSC50
AUC Automatic recirculated
air control62Automatic
– air distribution62
– air supply/blower62
– cruise control44
– headlamp control56
– luggage compartment lid
operation19
Automatically dimming
interior rearview mirror31
Automatic car wash, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Automatic climate control61
Automatic recirculated air
control AUC62
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic38
– ignition36
– indicator lamp13
– interlock36
– selector lever lock38
– shiftlock38
– towing the vehicle99
– tow-starting99
AUTO program,
refer to Automatic air
distribution62
Average fuel consumption49
– setting unit of measure48
Average speed49
– setting unit of measure48
Avoiding unintentional
alarms26
Axle loads, refer to
Weights103
B
Backrest, refer to Seat
adjustment28
Backup lamps38
– bulb replacement93
Everything from A to Z
Index