2005 BMW Z4 ROADSTER 2.5I tire pressure

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility Reference
13
Colors
The indicator and warning lamps can light up in
various colors and combinations.
>Red:
Stop the vehicle immediately
or
an important reminder
>Red and yellow:
Continue driving cautiously
>Yellow:
Have the system checked soon
or
for your information
>Green or blue:
For your information. Engine oil pressure/Engine oil level/
Engine oil sensor
+86
Brake system
+
Parking brake released88
Parking brake applied37
With other warning lamps51
Brake warning lamp for Canadian
models
Antilock Brake System ABS/Driving
stability control systems
+50
Antilock Brake System ABS/Driving
stability control systems for Canadian
models
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC
+50
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC
+50
Flat Tire Monitor
+52
Automatic transmission/Sequential
manual gearbox SMG
+39, 41
Brake pads
+88
Add coolant87
Check gas cap
+76
Service engine soon
+90
Service engine soon indicator lamp for
Canadian models
Defective bulb56
Turn signal indicators42
Fog lamps57
Headlamp flasher/High beams42, 57
Electric Power Steering
+42
Doors or luggage compartment lid
open
Engine electronics
+
Malfunction in the engine electronics.
You can continue to drive with
reduced engine output or engine
speed. Please have the system
inspected by your BMW center.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
27
Adjustments
Safe seating position
For relaxed driving with as little fatigue as pos-
sible, you should select a seating position that
reflects your personal requirements. In combi-
nation with the safety belts and airbags, the cor-
rect seating position also plays an important
role in enhancing occupant safety in the event
of an accident. To ensure that the vehicle's
safety systems provide you with optimal pro-
tection, we request that you direct your careful
attention to the following section.
For supplementary information on transporting
children refer to page33.
Airbags
Always maintain an adequate distance
between yourself and the airbags. Always
hold the steering wheel by its rim with hands at
the 9 and 3 o'clock positions to minimize the
r i s k o f i n j u r i e s t o y o u r h a n d s o r a r m s i n t h e e v e n t
of airbag deployment.
Never allow any objects, individuals or animals
to obstruct the areas between passengers and
airbags.
Never use the front airbag's cover as a storage
tray or support for objects of any kind. Ensure
that the passenger is correctly seated, i.e. does
not prop feet or legs against the dashboard.
Otherwise, leg injury could result if the knee air-
bag and front airbag suddenly deployed.
Never let an occupant's head rest near or on a
side airbag because the inflating airbag could
cause a serious or fatal injury.<
Even when all these guidelines are observed,
the risk of injury as a result of contact with the
airbags cannot entirely be ruled out in some sit-
uations. In sensitive individuals, the ignition and
inflation noise may induce a mild hearing loss
that is temporary in most cases.
For airbag locations and additional information
on airbags, refer to page53.
Safety belts
Always fasten your safety belt before starting
off. As supplemental restraint devices, the air-
bags are designed to enhance the effective-
ness of the safety belts, and not to replace
them.
Your vehicle offers two sitting positions, each of
which is equipped with a safety belt.
At all times, occupants should sit upright
and be properly restrained: infants and
small children in appropriate child-restraint sys-
tems; larger children and adults using the safety
belts.
Expectant mothers should always wear their
safety belts, taking care to position the belt in
the pelvic area against the lower hips, where it
will not exert pressure against the abdomen.
N e v e r a l l o w m o r e t h a n o n e p e r s o n t o w e a r a si n -
gle safety belt. Never allow infants or small chil-
dren to ride in a passenger's lap.
Do not route the belt across your neck, or run it
across sharp edges. Be sure that the belt does
not become caught or jammed. Avoid twisting
the belt while routing it firmly across the hips
and shoulder; wear it as snugly against your
body as possible. Do not allow the belt to rest
against hard or fragile objects. Otherwise, the
belt in the pelvic area could slide over the hips in
the event of a frontal impact, leading to abdom-
inal injury. Avoid wearing bulky clothing and pull
the belt in the upper-body area upward periodi-
cally to retension it. Otherwise, the restraining
effect of the safety belt could be diminished.<
For information on using the safety belts, refer
to page30.

Technology for safety and driving convenience
52
Brake force display
The Brake force display lights up in two stages
depending on how strongly you are braking.
>Normal braking:
The brake lamps and the center brake lamp
light up
>Hard braking or braking with ABS:
In addition, the illuminated surface of the
brake lamps is extended, refer to the pic-
ture.
Flat Tire Monitor
The concept
As you drive, the Flat Tire Monitor keeps track
of pressure levels in all four tires. The system
alerts you whenever the inflation pressure of a
tire falls significantly below the pressure of
another tire.
In the event of tire pressure loss, the rolling
radius of the tire changes, thereby affecting the
rotational speed of the wheels. This change is
detected, and a flat tire warning is issued to the
driver.
System requirements
To ensure a reliable flat tire warning, the system
must be initialized with the correct tire inflation
pressures.
Each time you correct the pressure in a
tire, or change a wheel or tire, the system
must be re-initialized.<
System limitations
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot provide you
with advance warning of sudden and
severe tire damage caused by external factors
and does not detect the balanced and very
gradual pressure loss that takes place in all four
tires over an extended period of time.<
The system could issue a false warning or func-
tion in a delayed manner in the following situa-
tions:
>System was not initialized
>You are driving on a snow-covered or slip-
pery road surface
>Performance-oriented driving: slip at the
drive wheels, high levels of lateral accelera-
tion
>You are driving with snow chains.
Initializing the system
The initialization is completed while you
are driving, and can be interrupted at any
time. Initialization is automatically continued
when you continue driving.
When driving with snow chains, do not initialize
the system.<
1.Start the engine, but do not drive off
2.Press the button as long as you need to until
the yellow indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up for a few seconds
3.Drive off.
Initialization is completed during the drive,
without any feedback issued.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
53
Flat tire warning
The warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up in red. This visual alert
is accompanied by an acoustic warning
signal. There is a flat tire or a signficant loss of
tire pressure.
1.Carefully reduce your speed to under
50 mph / 80 km/h. Avoid strong braking and
steering maneuvers. Do not exceed a maxi-
mum speed of 50 mph / 80 km/h.
Do not continue driving if the vehicle
is not equipped with Run Flat tires,
refer to page82. If you continue to drive
with a flat tire, a serious accident could
result.<
2.Check the inflation pressure in all four tires
as soon as possible.
If the inflation pressure is correct in all
four tires, it is possible that the Flat
Tire Monitor was not initialized. In this case,
initialize the system.<
3.If there is a total loss of tire inflation pres-
sure, 0 psi/0 kilopascal, or obvious tire dam-
age, you can gauge the mileage for contin-
ued driving on the basis of the following
indications:
>With a light load:
1 person without luggage:
approx. 155 miles/250 km
>With a medium load:
1 person, luggage compartment full,
or
2 persons with luggage:
approx. 90 miles/150 km
>With a full load:
2 persons, luggage compartment full:
approx. 30 miles/50 km.
Drive cautiously. Do not exceed a speed
of 50 mph / 80 km/h. Driving characteris-
tics change if there is a loss of tire pressure.
This includes diminished track stability during
braking, longer braking distances and modified
steering. If unusual vibrations occur while driv-
ing, this can indicate a complete failure of the
damaged tire. Reduce your speed and pull over as soon as possible. Do not continue driving
and contact a BMW center.<
Malfunction
The indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up yellow. The Flat Tire
Monitor is malfunctioning or out of
order. Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
Airbags
The following airbags are located under the
marked covers:
1Front airbags for driver and passenger
2Side airbags for driver and passenger
3Knee airbags for driver and passenger
Protective effect
Comply with the instructions on page27,
or the occupants' personal safety will be
diminished.<
The front airbags help protect the driver and
passenger in the event of a head-on collision
where the protection provided by the safety belt
alone would not be adequate. The side airbags
help provide protection in the event of a colli-
sion from the side. Each of the side airbags is
designed to help support the seat occupant's
upper body. The knee airbags help provide
additional protection in the event of a head-on
collision.
The airbags are deliberately not triggered in
every impact situation, e. g. not in less severe
accidents, certain roll-over conditions, or rear-
end collisions.

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-

Wheels and tires
78
Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressure
Information for your safety
It is not merely the tire's service life, but also
driving safety and driving comfort that largely
depend on the condition of the tires and the
maintenance of the specified tire pressure.
Checking tire pressures
Check the tire inflation pressures only when the
tires are cold. This means after a maximum driv-
ing distance of 1.25 miles/2 km or if the vehicle
has been parked for at least 2 hours. Warm tires
have higher inflation pressures.
Check tire inflation pressures regularly
and correct them if necessary: at least
every two weeks and before every extended
journey. Otherwise, incorrect tire pressures can
cause driving instability or tire damage, ulti-
mately resulting in accidents.<
Reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor after cor-
recting the tire inflation pressure. Refer to
page52.<
Inflation pressures for original tires
The specified inflation pressures for tires at
ambient temperature are provided on the plac-
ard 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 specified tire
sizes at ambient temperature.To determine the correct tire inflation
pressure for your tires, observe the pres-
sures listed for the relevant tire sizes.<
Tire size
The inflation pressures in the table apply to
BMW-approved tire sizes and recommended
tire brands. Your BMW center will be glad to
supply this information.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
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.

Wheels and tires
82
Run Flat tires fitted
Run Flat tires are labeled on the sidewall with a
circular symbol containing the letters RSC.
Run Flat tires consist of self-supporting tires
and special rims. The tire reinforcement
ensures that driving remains possible to a
restricted degree in the event of pressure drop
or even if the tire is deflated.
Wheel and tire replacement
Have new wheels and tires mounted only
by a BMW center or specialized tire shop
that works according to BMW requirements
with the appropriately trained personnel. Work
that is improperly carried out could result in
consequential damage and pose safety haz-
ards. Make sure that the new wheels are bal-
anced.<
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 approved by
BMW for your particular vehicle model, as oth-
erwise 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 can-
not evaluate their suitability, and therefore can-
not be held liable for driving safety. mation about the correct wheel and tire combi-
nations for your vehicle.
The correct wheel and tire combination also
affects other systems which would otherwise
be impaired, for example ABS or DSC.
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 combina-
tion as soon as possible.
Recommended tire 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, particularly your BMW center.
Observe any country-specific regulations, e.g.
on making a corresponding entry in the vehicle
documents.
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
When mounting new tires or replacing summer
tires with winter tires, or vice versa, use Run Flat
tires since no spare wheel is available in the
event of a flat. Your BMW center will be glad to
provide you with more information.
For safety reasons, BMW recommends to
have Run Flat tires replaced, not repaired,
if they are damaged.<
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 designation provide
better winter traction than summer tires, they
generally do not achieve the full performance of
winter tires.
Observing speed ratings
Never exceed the maximum speed for
which the winter tires are rated. Unpro-
fessional attempts by laymen to service tires