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Controls
This chapter is intended to provide you with
information for complete control of your vehicle.
All features and accessories that are useful for
driving and for your safety, comfort and
convenience, are described here.
Controls
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Everything under control
16
Everything under control
Tachometer
The orange warning zone between arrows 1
and 2 shows the currently permissible engine
speed, which depends on engine temperature.
As engine temperature increases, some of the
LEDs in this warning zone go out one after
another.
As much as possible, avoid driving at engine
speeds within the illuminated warning zone.
Never force the engine speed up into the red
warning zone beginning at arrow 2. To protect
the engine, the fuel supply is interrupted when
speed reaches this sector.
Fuel gauge
Reserve
In contrast to the descriptions in the Owner's
Manual for the BMW Z4, the reserve level for
the BMW Z4 M Roadster/Z4 M Coupe is approx.
2.6 US gallons/10 liters.
Coolant temperature
In contrast to the descriptions in the Owner's
Manual for the BMW Z4, your BMW Z4 M Road-
ster/Z4 M Coupe is not equipped with a coolant
thermometer.
Should the coolant and thus the engine become
too hot, a warning lamp will come on in the
instrument cluster.
Red warning lamp
The engine is overheated. Reduce your
speed immediately and pull over at a
suitable location. Switch off the engine
and allow it to cool down. Contact your nearest
BMW Center or a workshop that works accord-
ing to BMW repair procedures with correspond-
ingly trained personnel.
Do not open the hood, otherwise there is
a risk of injury from scalding.<
Yellow warning lamp
The engine is too warm. Continue driv-
ing, but in a moderate manner, so that
the engine can cool down.
If the warning lamp comes on again, have the
engine checked without delay.
Engine oil thermometer
The general operating temperature lies
between 1757/806 and 2507/1206. Do
not exceed the maximum temperature of
3007/1506.
If the engine oil temperature is too high, the per-
missible engine speed, and thus the available
engine output, is reduced.
Service interval display
Regardless of your service requirements,
have the breaking-in inspection per-
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Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
17
formed by your BMW Center after driving
1,200 miles/2,000 km.<
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Technology for driving comfort and safety
18
Technology for driving comfort and safety
Driving stability control
systems
In contrast to the descriptions in the Owner's
Manual for the BMW Z4, your BMW Z4 M Road-
ster/Z4 M Coupe does not feature Dynamic
Traction Control DTC.
Dynamic Stability Control DSC
DSC prevents slip at the drive wheels while
starting off and accelerating the vehicle. DSC
also recognizes unstable vehicle conditions,
such as fishtailing or nose-diving. In these
cases, and subject to physical limits, DSC helps
to keep the vehicle on a steady course by
reducing engine speed and by applying brakes
at individual wheels.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed
even with DSC. It will always be the
driver's responsibility to drive in a manner that
matches road conditions. Therefore, do not
limit the additional safety margin by practicing
risky driving.<
Deactivating DSC
Press the button; the DSC indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up. No more interven-
tions to increase stability and forward momen-
tum are carried out.
To enhance vehicle stability, reactivate DSC as
soon as possible.
Activating DSC
Press the button briefly; the indicator lamp goes
out in the instrument cluster.
Checking
The indicator lamp flashes:
DSC controls the drive forces and
brake forces.
The indicator lamp is lit:
DSC is deactivated.
Flat Tire Monitor FTM
In contrast to the descriptions in the Owner's
Manual for the BMW Z4, your BMW Z4 M Road-
ster/Z4 M Coupe is not equipped with Run Flat
tires. You should therefore observe the follow-
ing when you receive a flat tire warning.
Flat tire warning
The warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up in red. A signal also
sounds. There is a flat tire or substantial
loss of tire pressure.
1.Reduce speed and pull the vehicle over
carefully. Avoid strong braking and steering
maneuvers.
2.Determine which tire is damaged. To do
this, check the tire inflation pressure using
the M Mobility System, refer to Restoring
tire inflation pressure on page33.
3.Use the M Mobility System to repair the flat
tire, refer to page31.
Power steering
In contrast to the descriptions in the Owner's
Manual for the BMW Z4, your BMW Z4 M Road-
ster/Z4 M Coupe is equipped with hydraulic
power steering.
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Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
19
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Driving tips
This section provides you with information
useful in dealing with specific driving and
operating conditions.
Driving tips
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Special operating instructions
22
Special operating instructions
Break-in procedures
In contrast to the descriptions in the Owner's
Manual for the BMW Z4, please take note of the
following differences for your BMW Z4 M Road-
ster/Z4 M Coupe.
Always obey all official speed limits.
Engine and differential
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive at varying engine and road speeds, but do
not exceed 5,500 rpm or 100 mph/170 km/h.
Strictly avoid depressing the accelerator pedal
to full-throttle position.
After the breaking-in inspection at 1,200 miles/
2,000 km, engine or road speeds can be gradu-
ally increased.
Transmission
The function of the transmission reaches its
optimal level only after driving a distance of
approx. 300 miles/500 km. Do not exceed
engine speeds of 5,500 rpm during this time.
After replacing components
The same break-in procedures should be
observed if any of the components mentioned
above have to be renewed in the course of the
vehicle's operating life.
Driving notes
Ground clearance
The front spoiler greatly restricts the
vehicle's ground clearance. Make sure
that your BMW always has sufficient ground
clearance, e.g. when entering underground
garage complexes or driving over the edge of a
curb; otherwise the front spoiler could be dam-
aged.<
Braking safely
In contrast to the descriptions in the Owner's
Manual for the BMW Z4, your BMW Z4 M Road-
ster/Z4 M Coupe is equipped with perforated
brake discs.
In certain braking situations, operation of the
perforated brake discs can cause noise; how-
ever, this does not affect the performance and
operating safety of the brakes.