
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- 

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. 

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. 

Refueling
26
Refueling
Note when refueling
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.
Fuel tank capacity
Approx. 14.5 US gallons/55 liters, including the 
reserve capacity of approx. 2.6 US gallons/
10 liters.
Do not drive until the tank is empty. Oth-
erwise, the engine may not operate prop-
erly and damage could result.<
Fuel specifications
Do not fill the tank with leaded fuel, as this 
would cause permanent damage to the 
catalytic converter.<
Required fuel
Super Premium Gasoline/AKI 91
This gasoline is highly recommended. How-
ever, you may also use gasoline with less AKI. 
The minimum AKI Rating is 89.
Do not fill the tank with any gasoline 
below the specified minimum fuel grade; 
otherwise engine damage could result.< 

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.