2005 BMW Z4 ROADSTER 2.5I light

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
69
1.Close all windows
2.Increase the air supply from the air condi-
tioner or automatic climate control to a high
level. Refer to page58 or61.
Hot exhaust system
High temperatures occur with every vehi-
cle equipped with a catalytic converter.
Heat shields are installed adjacent to some sec-
tions of the exhaust system. Never remove
these shields; do not apply undercoating to
their surfaces. When driving, standing at idle
and parking the vehicle, take care to avoid con-
tact between the hot exhaust system and flam-
mable materials, e.g. hay, leaves, grass, etc.
Such contact could lead to a fire, resulting in
serious personal injury and property damage.<
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 traction, vehicle con-
trol and braking effectiveness.<
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.<
Use the parking brake on inclines
On inclines, keep the vehicle from rolling
by using the parking brake rather than by
slipping the clutch, which would lead to a high
degree of clutch wear.<
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard
feature. If you are in a situation which requires
full braking, it is best to brake using maximum
brake pressure: panic stop. Since the vehicle
maintains steering responsiveness, you can still
avoid possible obstacles with a minimum of
steering effort.Pulsation at the brake pedal combines with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits to indicate to
the driver that ABS is in its active mode.
Wet roads
If the roads are wet or if there is heavy rain, it is
advisable to gently press the brakes for a brief
moment every few miles/kilometers. Watch
traffic conditions to ensure that this maneuver
does not endanger other road users. The
resulting heat dries the brake rotors and brake
pads. Immediate braking force is then available
if necessary.
Inclines
To prevent overheating and, as a result,
diminished braking effectiveness, drive
down long or steep downhill grades in a gear
which requires the least braking. Otherwise,
even light but consistent pedal pressure can
lead to high temperatures, brake wear and pos-
sibly even brake failure.<
The braking power of the engine can be further
enhanced by downshifting the automatic trans-
mission in manual mode, if necessary, into first
gear; refer to pages39 and41. This prevents an
excessive load on the brakes.
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 while the transmission is in idling posi-
tion, and there is no power-assist for braking or
steering when the engine is off.
Floor mats, floor carpets or other objects must
not be in the area near the brake or accelerator
pedal, as this could impair the movement of the
pedals.<
Corrosion on the brake rotors
Limited vehicle use, extended periods with the
vehicle parked or in storage, and operating con-
ditions in which braking is restricted to gentle,
low-pressure applications will all increase the
tendency for corrosion to form on the rotors and
contamination to accumulate on the brake
pads. This occurs because the minimal pres-

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
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.

Refueling
76
Refueling
Fuel filler door
1.Open fuel filler door
2.Turn the gas cap in a counter-clockwise
direction
3.Place the cap in the bracket on the filler
door.
Releasing manually
If an electrical malfunction occurs, you can
unlock the fuel filler door manually:
1.Remove the covers of the tail lamps by turn-
ing the lock to the right; refer also to
page93
2.Pull the luggage compartment trim panel
slightly toward the interior.
The green button with the fuel pump sym-
bol becomes visible
3.Undo the adhesive strip and pull off
4.Pull the button
The fuel filler door is released.
Pull on the button slowly and carefully
as it could otherwise be torn off.<
Note when refueling
When handling fuels, comply with all of
the applicable safety precautions posted
at the service station.<
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle com-
pletely into the filler pipe. Lifting the nozzle dur-
ing refueling
>results in premature shutoff
>and will reduce the effect of the vapor
recovery system on the pump.
The fuel tank is full when the filler nozzle shuts
off the first time.
Closing the fuel filler cap
Place the cap in position and turn it clockweise
until a clearly audible click is heard.
Close the filler cap carefully after refueling
until a click is heard. While closing, be
sure not to squeeze the strap which is fastened
to the cap. A loose or missing cap will activate
the Check gas cap lamp
*.<
Warning lamp
* lights up.
The gas cap is not properly closed or is
missing. Check if the gas cap is prop-
erly closed.
Contents of the fuel tank
Approx. 14.5 gallons/55 liters, of which approx.
2.1 gallons/8 liters are reserve capacity.
Fill the fuel tank before it is completely
empty. Driving to the last drop of fuel can
prevent the engine from operating properly and
result in damage.<
Fuel specifications
The engine uses lead-free gasoline only.
Required fuel
Premium Unleaded Gasoline, Minimum Octane
Rating: 91.

Reference
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Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
83
can lead to damage and accidents. 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. Protect the
tires from contact with oil, grease and fuel. Do
not exceed the maximum tire inflation pres-
sures specified on the tire sidewall.
Snow chains*
Only certain types of snow chains have been
tested by BMW, classified as road-safe and
approved. Consult your BMW center for more
information. BMW recommends using only
approved fine-link snow chains. Use them in
pairs on either summer or winter tires, but only
on both rear wheels.
Comply with all manufacturer's safety precau-
tions when mounting the chains.
Do not exceed a speed of 30 mph / 50 km/h
when using snow chains.
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor after
snow chains have been mounted.
When driving with snow chains, it may be useful
to deactivate the DSC briefly. Refer to
page51.<

In the engine compartment
86
Washer fluids for washer
systems
Headlamp* and windshield washer
system
Capacity of windshield washer system: approx.
3.2 quarts/3 liters.
Capacity when equipped with headlamp
washer system: approx. 5.3 quarts/5 liters.
Fill with water and, if required, with an antifreeze
agent according to the manufacturer's recom-
mendations.
We recommend that you mix the washer
fluid before adding it to the reservoir.<
Antifreeze agents for the washing sys-
tems are highly flammable. For this rea-
son, keep them away from sources of flame and
store them only in their original containers.
Store them so that they are inaccessible to chil-
dren. Comply with the instructions on the con-
tainers.<
Engine oil
Oil consumption is directly influenced by your
driving style and vehicle operating conditions.
Warning lamp
Engine oil pressure
The warning lamp lights up in red:
The engine oil pressure is too low.
Stop the vehicle immediately and
switch off the engine. Check the engine oil level
and top up if necessary. If the oil level is correct,
please contact the nearest BMW center.Do not continue driving, as the engine
could sustain serious damage from inad-
equate lubrication.<
Engine oil level
The warning lamp lights up in yellow
while driving:
The oil level is at the absolute mini-
mum; refill as soon as possible. Do not drive
more than 30 miles/50 km before refilling.
The warning lamp lights up in yellow
after the engine has been switched off:
Add engine oil at the earliest opportu-
nity, e.g. when you stop to refuel.
Engine oil sensor
The warning lamp lights up in yellow
within 20 seconds after the engine is
started:
The oil level sensor is defective. Please have it
checked by a BMW center.
Checking the oil level
1.With the vehicle's engine at normal operat-
ing temperature, i.e. after uninterrupted
driving for at least 6 miles/10 km, park the
vehicle on a level surface
2.Switch off the engine
3.After approx. 5 minutes, pull the dipstick
out and wipe it off with a clean lint-free
cloth, paper towel, or similar material
4.Carefully push the dipstick all the way into
the guide tube and pull it out again
5.The oil level should be between the two
marks on the dipstick

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
87
6.Return the dipstick to the guide tube,
inserting it as far as it will go.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption is
directly influenced by your driving style and
vehicle operating conditions.
The oil volume between the two marks on the
dipstick corresponds to approx. 1.1 quarts/
1 liter.
Do not fill beyond the upper mark on the
dipstick. Excess oil will damage the
engine.<
Adding engine oil
Do not add oil until the oil level has dropped
almost to the lower mark on the dipstick, refer to
page86.
Add oil within the next 30 miles/50 km,
otherwise the engine could be dam-
aged.<
Continuous exposure to used oil has
caused cancer in laboratory tests. For this
reason, thoroughly wash any areas of skin that
come into contact with oil using soap and water.
Always store oils, grease and similar materials
so that they are inaccessible to children. Com-
ply with warning labels and the information on
the containers.<
Comply with the applicable environmen-
tal laws regulating the disposal of used
oil.<
Oil change
Have your oil changed only by a BMW center or
a workshop that works according to BMW
requirements with the appropriately trained
personnel.
Approved engine oils
The quality of the engine oil is extremely impor-
tant for the function and life of an engine. Based
on extensive testing, BMW has approved cer-
tain grades of engine oil.
Use approved High Performance Synthetic Oil.
If you are unable to obtain an approved High
Performance Synthetic Oil, you may use small
volumes of other synthetic oils for topping up
between oil changes. Use only oils with the
specification API SH or higher.
Ask your BMW center for details concern-
ing the specific High Performance Syn-
thetic Oil or synthetic oils that have been
approved.<
You can also call BMW of North America toll-
free at 1-800-831-1117 or visit this website:
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this information.
BMW engines are designed to operate
without oil additives; the use of additives
could even lead to damage in some cases.<
Coolant
Warning lamp
The warning lamp lights up:
The coolant level is too low. Top up the
coolant as soon as possible.
Do not open the cooling system when the
engine is hot. If you do, escaping coolant
can cause burns.<
Coolant consists of water and coolant additives.
Not all commercially available additives are suit-
able for your BMW. Your BMW center knows
which additives are appropriate.
Use only approved additives, as the
engine could otherwise be damaged. The
additives are hazardous to health.<
Comply with the applicable environmen-
tal laws regulating the disposal of coolant
additives.<

In the engine compartment
88
Checking the coolant level
1.The engine must be at ambient tempera-
ture
2.Open the cap of the expansion tank by turn-
ing it slightly counterclockwise to allow
accumulated pressure to escape, then
open completely
3.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
4.Slowly add coolant, if necessary, until the
correct level is reached; do not overfill
5.Turn the cap clockwise until it is tightly
closed
6.Have the cause for the coolant loss
removed as soon as possible.
Brake system
Malfunction
Brake fluid
The warning lamp lights up although
the parking brake is not engaged:
Stop the vehicle immediately.
The brake fluid level in the reservoir is too low.
At the same time, you may notice that brake
pedal travel is longer. Have the system checked
as soon as possible.
If you continue driving, extended pedal
travel may be necessary and braking dis-
tances may be significantly longer. Be sure to
adapt your driving style accordingly. function in Canadian models.
Brake pads
The warning lamp lights up. The brake
pads have worn down to the minimum
safe limit. Have the brake pads
replaced as soon as possible.
For your own safety: use only brake pads
which BMW has approved for your spe-
cific vehicle model. BMW cannot evaluate non-
approved brake pads to determine if they are
suitable for use, and therefore cannot guaran-
tee the operating safety of the vehicle in the
event of their use.<

Maintenance
90
OBD interface socket
The Onboard Diagnostic OBD interface socket
is located on the left of the driver's side under
the instrument panel and under a cover.
The cover has the letters OBD on it.
The purpose of the OBD system is to ensure
proper operation of the emission control sys-
tem for the vehicle's lifetime.
The system monitors emission-related compo-
nents and systems for deterioration and mal-
function.
If the Service engine soon indicator
lamp comes on either continuously or
intermittently, this indicates a fault in
the emission-related electronic systems.
Although the vehicle remains operational, you
should have the systems checked by your
BMW center at the earliest possible opportu-
nity.
The illuminated indicator informs you of the
need for service, not that you need to stop the
vehicle. However, the systems should be
checked by your BMW cente r a t t h e n e x t o p p o r -
tunity.
If the indicator blinks or flashes, this indicates a
high level of engine misfire. Reduce speed and
contact the nearest BMW center immediately.
Severe engine misfiring over even a short
period of time can seriously damage emission
control system components, especially the cat-
alytic converter.Indication of the above-described mal-
function in Canadian models.
If the gas cap is not on tight enough, the
OBD system can detect leaking vapor
and the indicator will light up. If the gas cap is
then tightened, the indicator will usually go out
after a short period of time.<
Event Data Recorders
Your vehicle may be equipped with one or more
sensing and diagnostic modules or a recording
device capable of recording or transmitting cer-
tain vehicle data or information. In addition, if
you have a Subscription Service Agreement for
the BMW Assist system, certain vehicle infor-
mation may be transmitted or recorded in order
to provide such services.
Care
Interesting facts about the care of your vehicle
are found in the Caring for your vehicle bro-
chure.