Cockpit
10
Instrument cluster
For descriptions of equipment listed here
without a page reference, please refer to
the Owner's Manual for the BMW Z4 under the
respective term.<
1Speedometer
2Indicator lamps for turn signals
3Indicator and warning lamps11
4Tachometer16
with indicator and warning lamps11
5Engine oil thermometer16
6Fuel gauge167Button for
>Displaying the clock
>Service interval display
8Button for
>Resetting trip odometer
>Setting the clock
9Display for
>Trip odometer/Odometer
>Clock
>Service interval
>Computer
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility Reference
11
Indicator and warning lamps
Technology that monitors itself
Indicator and warning lamps that are identified
by
+ are tested for proper functioning whenever
the ignition key is turned. They each light up
once for different periods of time.
If a malfunction occurs in one of the monitored
systems, the corresponding lamp does not go
out after the engine has started, or it lights up
again while the vehicle is in motion. More infor-
mation can be found on the specified pages or
in the Owner's Manual for the BMW Z4 under
the respective terms.
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 Turn signal indicators
Battery charge current
+
Headlamp flasher/High beams
Engine oil pressure/
Engine oil level
+28
Antilock Brake System ABS/Driving
stability control systems
+
Antilock Brake System ABS/Driving
stability control systems for Canadian
models
Brake system
+
Brake warning lamp for Canadian mod-
els
Brake pads
+
Parking lamps/Low beams
Flat Tire Monitor
+18
Airbags
+
Safety belt reminder
Defective bulb
Doors or cargo bay lid/tailgate open
Engine electronics
+
Malfunction in the engine electronics.
You can continue to drive with reduced
engine output. Please have the system
inspected by your BMW Center.
Service engine soon
+
Service engine soon indicator lamp for
Canadian models
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC
+18
Add coolant
Coolant temperature16
Check gas cap
+
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-
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.
Under the hood
28
Under the hood
Important parts in the engine compartment
1Washer fluid reservoir for headlamp and
windshield washer system
2Filler neck for engine oil, refer to Adding
engine oil
3Jump-starting connection4Reservoir for brake fluid
5Coolant expansion tank
6Chassis ground, negative terminal
7Dipstick for engine oil, refer to Checking the
oil level
Engine oil
Like fuel consumption, engine oil consumption
depends on your driving style and the vehicle's
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 your nearest BMW Center or a
workshop that works according to BMW repair procedures with correspondingly trained per-
sonnel.
Do not continue driving, otherwise the
engine could sustain serious damage
from inadequate lubrication.<
Engine oil level
The warning lamp lights up in yellow
while you are driving. A signal also
sounds.
The oil level is at the absolute minimum; check
engine oil level using dipstick 7 and refill as
soon as possible. Do not drive more than
30 miles/50 km before refilling.
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
29
The warning lamp lights up in yellow
after the engine is switched off. A signal
also sounds.
Check the engine oil level using dipstick7 at the
earliest opportunity, e.g. when you stop to
refuel, and refill engine oil.
The warning lamp lights up in yellow
within 30 seconds after the engine is
started:
The oil level sensor is defective. Have the sys-
tem checked as soon as possible.
Checking the oil level
1.Position the vehicle on a level surface.
2.Switch off the engine when it is at operating
temperature.
3.After approx. 1 minute, pull dipstick 7 out
and wipe it off with a clean, lint-free cloth,
paper towel or something similar.
4.Carefully push the dipstick fully into its tube,
then pull it out again.
The oil level must be between the two
marks on the dipstick.
The oil volume between the two marks on the
dipstick corresponds to approx. 1.4 US quarts/
1.3 liters.
Adding engine oil
Do not add oil until the oil level has dropped
almost to the lower mark on the dipstick, refer to
Checking the oil level.
Do not add oil beyond the upper mark on
the dipstick, otherwise excessive oil can
lead to engine damage.<
Before you check the engine oil level after add-
ing oil, restart the engine and let it run to obtain
a correct reading. Then proceed as described
under Checking the oil level.
BMW engines are designed to operate
without oil additives; the use of additives
could even lead to damage in some cases. The
same applies to the transmission and differen-
tial as well as to the power steering.<
Continuous exposure to used oil has
caused cancer in laboratory tests. For this
reason, thoroughly wash any areas of skin that
have come into contact with oil using soap and
water.
Keep oils, greases, etc. out of the reach of chil-
dren and comply with the warnings on the con-
tainers. Otherwise, health hazards may result.<
Comply with the applicable environmen-
tal regulations concerning the disposal of
used oil.<
Recommendation: have the oil changed at your
BMW Center.
Approved engine oils
The quality of the engine oil is extremely impor-
tant for the function and life of an engine. BMW
only approves specific oils after confirming their
suitability for use in its vehicles with extensive
testing.
Under the hood
30 Only use oils specifically approved for your
vehicle model.
Your BMW Center will be glad to advise
you about oils currently approved for your
vehicle.<
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.
Do not use any oil additives, as they could
cause engine damage under some cir-
cumstances.<
Alternative oil grades
If a high-performance synthetic oil approved by
BMW should be unavailable, you may use small
volumes of other oils for topping up between oil
changes. The following data must appear on
the packaging:
>Viscosity
preferred: SAE 10W-60
alternative: SAE 5W-40 or SAE 10W-40
>Specification
preferred: API SJ/CF
alternative: API SJ, also SK, SL, S...
Low ambient temperatures
The oils used by BMW at the factory for your
vehicle model can be used at virtually all ambi-
ent temperatures. However, if the vehicle is
operated for a longer period at temperatures
below –47/–206, your BMW Center will be
glad to recommend a suitable oil.
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
41
Weights
Capacities
Z4 M Roadster
Curb weight lbs/kg 3,203/1,453
Approved gross vehicle weight lbs/kg 3,821/1,733
Load lbs/kg 617/280
Approved front axle load lbs/kg 1,852/840
Approved rear axle load lbs/kg 2,006/910
Cargo bay capacity cu ft/liters 7.1/200
With convertible top compartment
panel folded upcu ft/liters 7.8/220
Never exceed either the approved axle loads or the approved gross vehicle weight.
Z4 M Coupe
Curb weight lbs/kg 3,230/1,465
Approved gross vehicle weight lbs/kg 3,814/1,730
Load lbs/kg 584/265
Approved front axle load lbs/kg 1,885/855
Approved rear axle load lbs/kg 2,061/935
Cargo bay capacity cu ft/liters 8.7-10.6/245-300
Never exceed either the approved axle loads or the approved gross vehicle weight.
Notes
Fuel tank US gal/liters approx. 14.5/55
including reserve of US gal/liters approx. 2.6/10
Window washer system
including headlamp
washersUS quarts/liters approx. 5.3/5
Engine with oil filter
renewalUS quarts/liters 5.8/5.5 For details: page29
Manual transmission US quarts/liters 1.9/1.8 Oil change at breaking-in inspection
and during every Inspection II
Differential US quarts/liters 1.2/1.1 Oil change at breaking-in inspection
and during every Inspection II