2005 BMW Z4 ROADSTER 2.5I Owner's Manual

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
31
Steering wheel
Adjustments
Never attempt to adjust the steering
wheel while driving the vehicle. It could
respond with unexpected movement, posing a
potential accident hazard.<
1.Swing the lever downward
2.Adjust the steering column's reach and
height to suit your seating position
3.Swing the lever back up.
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors
1Adjustments
2To switch from one mirror to the other
3To fold the mirrors in or out
*
To adjust manually
The mirrors can also be adjusted manually, if
necessary: press on the edges of the lens.
To fold the mirrors in and out
The mirrors can be folded in or out up to a road
speed of approx. 6 mph / 10 km/h by pressing
button3. This can be useful on narrow roads,
for example, or to reset the mirrors to their cor-
rect positions after they have been folded in.
Automatic heating*
Both exterior mirrors are automatically heated
when the engine is running or the ignition is
switched on.
Interior rearview mirror
To reduce the glare from vehicles behind you
when driving at night, turn the rotary knob.
For vehicles without an alarm system:
Tilt the small lever forward.
Vehicle Memory, Key Memory
How the system functions
You have probably frequently wished that you
could configure individual functions of your
vehicle to reflect your own personal require-
ments. In engineering your vehicle, BMW has
incorporated a number of options for personal
adjustment that can be programmed into your
vehicle at your BMW center.
Vehicle Memory refers to vehicle-oriented set-
tings and Key Memory refers to person-ori-
ented settings. You can have up to four different
basic settings adjusted for four different per-
sons. The only requirement is that each person
uses his or her own remote control key.
When your vehicle is unlocked with the remote
control, the vehicle recognizes the individual

Adjustments
32 user by means of a data exchange with the key,
and makes adjustments accordingly.
Colored decals were provided with the keys to
help you distinguish between the different per-
sonal remote control keys.
What the system can do
You can learn about the entire array of features
that Vehicle Memory and Key Memory offer you
at your BMW center. A few examples follow
below:
Examples for Vehicle Memory:
>Various signals as acknowledgement when
locking or unlocking your vehicle: refer to
page17
>Windows are opened automatically, refer to
page20
>Reminder that the key is still in the ignition
switch after the driver's door has been
opened, refer to page37
>Activation/deactivation of the Follow-me-
home function: refer to page56
>Activation/deactivation of daytime driving
lamps: refer to page56
>Sets the units of measure for displaying
time, outside temperature, distance trav-
eled and fuel consumption in the instru-
ment cluster, refer to page48.
Examples for Key Memory:
>Locking of the vehicle when you start off:
refer to page18
>Automatically adjusts the driver's seat to
the personal programmed settings when
the vehicle is unlocked, refer to page29.
You will see this symbol throughout the
Owner's Manual. It is to remind you at
appropriate places of the settings that are avail-
able to you.<
Depending on how the memory functions
are configured, the vehicle may be oper-
ated differently from what is described in the
Owner's Manual. Should you decide to sell your
BMW one day, please remember to have the
memory functions returned to their original fac-
tory settings.<

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 deacti-
vated before using a rear-facing child-
restraint system on the passenger seat, refer
also to page34 for explanation.
BMW also recommends that the passenger air-
bags be deactivated if a child is transported in a
front-facing child-restraint system, regardless
of the age of the child. If you transport a child in
the passenger seat, not an infant in a rear-fac-
ing seat, who is properly seated and seat-belted
at all times, the potential benefits of airbags
deploying in an accident generally outweigh the
risks of the child being injured by the force of a
deploying airbag.
Therefore, you should deactivate the passen-
ger 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 established by the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
NHTSA, permitting the deactivation of passen-
ger 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 passen-
ger seat.
NHTSA provides this information via their web-
site, 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/reacti-
vated with the vehicle ignition key. The key
switch is located on the outer passenger's side
of the instrument panel.
The passenger airbags can only be deactivated
or reactivated with the vehicle standing still,
ignition off and the passenger door open.
Deactivation
Deactivation of the passenger airbags system
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 passenger
airbags will remain deactivated with the switch
in this position.
As soon as the reason for the deactivation
of the passenger airbags no longer exists,
you must reactivate these airbags 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 ON position.
All airbags in the vehicle are activated and will
be triggered under appropriate conditions.

Transporting children safely
34
Passenger airbags lamp
The center console contains one of the indica-
tor lamps shown in the illustration.
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 seconds.
>The indicator lamp lights up continuously
when the passenger airbags are deacti-
vated
>If the passenger airbags are activated, it
goes out after several seconds
The passenger airbags are deactivated
when the key switch is in the ON position
and the passenger seat is unoccupied. The
indicator lamp is not lit.<
At all times, occupants should sit com-
fortably upright and be properly
restrained: infants and small children in appro-
priate 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 airbag's location.<
Seating position for children
This is the correct way a larger child no longer
using a child-restraint system should sit wear-ing 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 vehi-
cle, unless the passenger airbags 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, cer-
tain precautions should be taken. Position the
passenger seat as far back as possible and at
the lowest level. This important precaution is
intended to maximize the distance between the
airbags and the child. Younger children should
be secured in an appropriate forward-facing
child-restraint system that has first been prop-
erly 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 instruc-
tions concerning installation and use;
otherwise the system's protective function
could be impaired. After an accident, have all
parts of the affected safety belt system
inspected and/or replaced by your BMW cen-
ter.<
Commercially-available child-restraint systems
are designed to be secured with a lap belt or
with the lap belt portion of a combination 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
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Mobility
35
Child seat security
The passenger's safety belt can be locked for
mounting and securing a child-restraint sys-
tem.
A label with the appropriate instructions for this
is located in the immediate vicinity of the buckle
latch of the safety belt.
LATCH child-restraint mounting
system*
To mount the LATCH child-restraint sys-
tem, please follow the manufacturer's
operating and safety precautions.<
LATCH: Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHil-
dren
The anchorage points for the LATCH child-
restraint system are located at the positions
indicated by the arrows.
Carefully slide the brackets through the gaps in
the upholstery at the indicated locations, see
arrows.

Driving
36
Driving
Ignition lock
0 Steering locked
This is the only position in which the ignition key
can be inserted or removed.
After removing the key, turn the steering wheel
slightly to the left or right until the lock engages.
If the key is not removed, an acoustic signal
sounds when the driver's door is opened.
Interlock
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
In order to turn the key back to position0 or to
remove it, move the selector level into position
P first.
1 Steering unlocked
You will find that it is often easier to turn the
ignition key from position0 to 1 if you move the
steering wheel slightly to help disengage the
detent.
Individual electrical equipment and accessories
are available for use.
2 Ignition switched on
All systems are operational.
3 Starting engine
Engine
Engine idle speed is controlled by the engine
computer system. Increased speeds at start-up are normal and should decrease as the engine
warms up. If engine speed does not decrease,
service is required.
To prevent the battery from discharging, always
deactivate electrical devices that are not in use.
Switch the ignition off when the vehicle is not
being driven.
Do not leave the engine running in
enclosed spaces. Otherwise, inhaling the
hazardous exhaust gases could lead to uncon-
sciousness and death. The exhaust gases con-
tain carbon monoxide, an odorless and color-
less, but highly toxic gas.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended with the
engine running. An unattended vehicle with a
running engine poses a safety hazard.
Before you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, place the engine in idle first or engage
the P position and apply the parking brake. If
you fail to do this, the vehicle could move.<
Starting the engine
Do not press the accelerator pedal while start-
ing the engine.
Do not let the engine warm up in idling position.
Instead, begin to drive at moderate engine
speeds.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Step on the clutch when starting the vehi-
cle. A lockout prevents the engine from starting
if the clutch is not depressed.<
Do not end the starting procedure too early, but
do not continue it for more than 20 seconds.
Release the ignition key immediately when the
engine starts.
If the engine fails to start on the first attempt,
e.g. if it is very hot or cold:
Press the accelerator pedal halfway down.
Cold starts at very low temperatures, below
approx. +57/–156, and at high altitudes,
above 3,300 ft/1,000 m:

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
37
>On the first attempt, engage the starter for
approx. 10 seconds
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway down.
Avoid frequent starting attempts in short
succession or repeated starting attempts
during which the engine does not start. Other-
wise, uncombusted or incompletely combusted
fuel will pose a risk of the catalytic converter
overheating and being damaged.<
Manual transmission
1.Engage the parking brake
2.Gearshift lever in idling position
3.Depress the clutch pedal.
If the clutch pedal is not depressed, the
engine cannot be started
4.Start the engine.
Automatic transmission
1.Depress footbrake
2.Place selector lever in position P or N
3.Start the engine.
Sequential manual gearbox SMG
1.Depress footbrake
2.Move selector lever to neutral position N
3.Start the engine.
If the engine does not start, re-engage the
position last selected, refer to the display
in the instrument cluster, and then engage posi-
tion N again.<
Switching off the engine
Do not remove the ignition key while the
vehicle is still moving. If you did so, the
steering lock would engage when the steering
wheel is turned.
When you leave the vehicle, always remove the
ignition key and engage the steering lock.
Apply the parking brake when parking on steep
gradients, as the vehicle could otherwise start
to roll.<
You can have an acoustic signal set as a
reminder that the ignition key is still in the ignition switch after the driver's door has been
opened.<
Manual transmission
1.Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0
2.Engage first gear or reverse gear.
Automatic transmission
1.Place the selector lever in position P
2.Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Sequential manual gearbox SMG
1.Engage a drive position
2.Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0. An
acoustic signal sounds if the engine is
switched off while position N is engaged.
Parking brake
The parking brake is designed primarily to pre-
vent the vehicle from rolling when parked. It
operates against the rear wheels.
The indicator lamp lights up. As the
vehicle drives off, an acoustic signal
also sounds. The parking brake has
been applied.
Indicator lamp for Canadian models.
To engage
The detent engages automatically and the indi-
cator lamp in the instrument cluster comes on
when the ignition key is in position 2.

Driving
38
To release
Pull up slightly on the lever, press the button
and lower the lever.
If, in exceptional circumstances, it should
be necessary to engage the parking brake
while the vehicle is in motion, do not pull it with
excessive pressure. Keep the release button on
the parking brake lever pressed down while
pulling up the lever.
Excessive pressure can lead to overbraking and
loss of traction, fishtailing, at the rear axle.
The brake lamps do not come on when the
parking brake is engaged.<
To avoid corrosion and one-sided brak-
ing, apply the parking brake lightly from
time to time when coasting to a standstill at a
traffic signal, for example, provided that it is safe
to do so.<
Manual transmission
6-gear transmission*
When shifting into 5th or 6th gear, press
the gearshift lever to the right. Otherwise,
the engine could be damaged by accidentally
engaging 3rd or 4th gear.<
Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. Press
the gearshift lever to the left to overcome the
resistance.
As you do this, the backup lamps will come on
automatically when the ignition key is in
position 2.
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic*
In addition to operating the Steptronic as a fully
automatic transmission, you can also shift
gears manually with it, refer to page39.
Selector lever positions
P R N D M/S + —
Available indicators
P R N D SD M1 to M5
The selector lever position is displayed; in the
manual mode, the gear currently engaged is
shown.
Range selection
>The selector lever can be moved out of
position P when the ignition is switched on
or the engine is running: interlock
>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: shiftlock.
Hold the footbrake down until starting off.
The vehicle will otherwise start to move
when a drive position is engaged.