
Reference
At a glance
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Driving tips
Mobility
 55
Warning of low tire inflation pressure
The warning lamp lights up in yellow. A 
signal also sounds. There is a flat tire or 
a significant loss of tire pressure in one 
or more tires.
1.Cautiously reduce speed to 50 mph/
80 km/h or lower. Avoid strong braking and 
steering maneuvers. Do not exceed a maxi-
mum speed of 50 mph/80 km/h.
If the car is not equipped with Run-
Flat Tires, which is the standard 
equipment by design, refer to page88, then 
do not continue driving. Doing so after a tire 
puncture may result in a severe accident.<
2.In the event of complete tire pressure loss, 
0 psi/0 kilopascal, you can estimate how far 
you can continue driving on the basis of the 
following guidelines:
>With a light load:
1 person without luggage:
approx. 155 miles/250 km
>With a medium load:
1 person, cargo bay full,
or
2 persons without luggage:
approx. 90 miles/150 km
>With a full load:
2 persons, cargo bay 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 reduced tracking stability in brak-
ing, extended braking distance and altered nat-
ural steering characteristics.
If unusual vibration or loud noises occur during 
the journey, this may be an indication that the 
damaged tire has finally failed. Reduce your 
speed and pull over to the side of the road at a 
suitable location at the earliest opportunity. 
Otherwise, parts of the tire could come loose 
and cause an accident. Do not continue driving. 
Contact a BMW center.<
Malfunction
The yellow warning lamp flashes and 
then lights up continuously. A flat tire 
cannot be detected.
This warning is displayed under the following 
circumstances:
>If there is a malfunction;
have the system checked.
>If a wheel without TPM electronics is 
mounted.
>If other systems or devices that use the 
same radio frequency temporarily interfere 
with the TPM.
Declaration according to NHTSA/
FMVSS 138 Tire Pressure Monitoring 
System
Each tire should be checked monthly when cold 
and inflated to the inflation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the 
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label. If 
your vehicle has tires of a different size than the 
size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire infla-
tion pressure label, you should determine the 
proper tire inflation pressure for those tires. As 
an added safety feature, your vehicle has been 
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring sys-
tem, TPMS, that illuminates a low tire pressure 
telltale when one or more of your tires are signif-
icantly under-inflated. Accordingly, when the 
low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should 
stop and check your tires as soon as possible, 
and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving 
on a significantly underinflated tire causes the 
tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. 
Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and 
tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s han-
dling and stopping ability. Please note that the 
TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire mainte-
nance, and it is the driver’s responsibility to 
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-
inflation has not reached the level to trigger illu-
mination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined 
with the low tire pressure telltale. When the sys-
tem detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash 
for approximately one minute and then remain  

Reference
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Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 57
triggering of the airbag restraint system, have 
the testing, repair, removal, and disposal of air-
bag generators executed only by a BMW center 
or a workshop that works according to BMW 
repair procedures with correspondingly trained 
personnel and has the required explosives 
licenses. Unprofessional attempts to service 
the system could lead to failure in an emer-
gency or undesired airbag activation, either of 
which could result in personal injury.<
Warning notices and information about the air-
bags can also be found on the sun visors.
Automatic deactivation of the 
passenger airbags
An analysis of the impression in the passenger 
seat cushion determines whether and how the 
seat is occupied. The front and side airbags for 
the passenger are activated or deactivated by 
the system accordingly.
The indicator lamp in the center console 
shows the current status of the passen-
ger airbags, deactivated or activated, refer to 
Status of passenger airbags below.<
Before transporting a child on the pas-
senger seat, observe the safety and han-
dling instructions under Transporting children 
safely, refer to page36. 
Adolescents and adults sitting in certain posi-
tions could inadvertently deactivate the front 
and side airbags on the passenger side; the 
indicator lamp for the passenger airbags comes 
on. In such cases, the passenger should change 
his or her sitting position so that the passenger 
airbags are activated and the indicator lamp 
goes out. If the passenger airbags cannot be 
restored to the desired status despite the pas-
senger changing his or her seat position, use 
the key switch to activate or deactivate the pas-
senger airbags, refer to page36. Do not attach 
seat covers, seat cushion padding, ball mats or 
other items to the passenger seat unless they 
are specifically recommended by BMW. Do not 
place any items under the seat which could 
press against the seat from below. Otherwise a 
correct analysis of the seat cushion is not 
ensured.<
Status of passenger airbags
The indicator lamp for the passenger airbags 
shows the functional status of the passenger's 
front and side airbags in accordance with 
whether and how the passenger seat is occu-
pied. The indicator lamp shows whether the 
passenger airbags are activated or deactivated.
>The indicator lamp comes on as intended 
when a child in an appropriate child-
restraint system is detected on the seat. 
The front and side airbags for the passen-
ger are not activated.
>The indicator lamp does not come on as 
long as a person of sufficient size and in a 
correct sitting position is detected on the 
seat. The front and side airbags for the pas-
senger are activated.
>The indicator lamp does not come on if the 
seat is empty. However, the front and side 
airbags for the passenger are not activated.
Operational readiness of the airbag 
system 
With the ignition key in position 1 or higher, the 
warning lamp comes on briefly to indicate that 
the entire airbag system and the belt tensioners 
are operational. 

Wheels and tires
84
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.
Check tire inflation pressures regularly 
and correct them if necessary: at least 
every two weeks and before every extended 
journey. If you fail to observe this precaution 
you may be driving on tires with incorrect tire 
pressures, a condition that can not only com-
promise your vehicle's driving stability, but also 
lead to tire damage and the risk of an accident. 
Do not drive with deflated, i.e. flat tires, except 
when using Run-Flat Tires. A flat tire will seri-
ously impair your vehicle's handling and braking 
response. Attempts to drive on a flat tire can 
lead to loss of control over the vehicle.<
Checking pressure
Check the tire inflation pressures only when the 
tires are cold. This means after a maximum of 
1.25 miles/2 km driving or when the vehicle has 
been parked for at least 2 hours. Warm tires 
have higher inflation pressures.
Inflation pressure specifications
The specified inflation pressures for your stan-
dard tires are provided on the placard on the 
B-pillar and are visible when the driver's door is 
open.After the tire inflation pressure is cor-
rected, initialize the Flat Tire Monitor
*, 
refer to page53, or reset the Tire Pressure 
Monitor
*, refer to page54.<
The following tire inflation pressure tables show 
the inflation pressures for the specified tire 
sizes at ambient temperature.
The inflation pressures in the table apply 
to BMW-approved tire sizes and recom-
mended tire brands. Your BMW center will be 
glad to supply this information.<
To determine the correct tire inflation pressure 
for your tires, refer to the following tables.
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
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Driving tips
Mobility
 85
Z4 Roadster 3.0i
Z4 Roadster 3.0si
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 W
205/55 R 16 91 H M+S
225/50 R 16 92 H M+S
225/45 R 17 91 H/V M+S32/220 35/240
Front: 225/45 R 17 91W
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 W32/220
––
35/240
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W32/220
––
35/240
You will find more information about permissible loads and weights on page113.
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
225/45 R 17 91 H/V M+S33/230 38/260
Front: 225/45 R 17 91W
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 W33/230
––
38/260
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W33/230
––
38/260
You will find more information about permissible loads and weights on page113. 

Wheels and tires
86
Z4 Coupe 3.0si
Tire coding
Understanding the lettering on the tire sidewall 
makes it easier to identify and choose the cor-
rect tires.
Tire size
Speed code letter
Q = up to 100mph or 160km/h
T = up to 118mph or 190km/h
H = up to 131mph or 210km/h
V = up to 150mph or 240km/h
W = up to 167mph or 270km/h
Y = up to 186mph or 300km/h
Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of 
the U.S. Department of Transportation.DOT code:
Tire age
The date on which the tire was manufactured is 
indicated by the code on the sidewall:
DOT … 5005 indicates that the tire was manu-
factured in week 50 of the year 2005.
BMW recommends the replacement of all tires 
every 6 years at the latest, even if a tire usage of 
10 years is possible.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable 
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and 
maximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades
Tread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
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
225/45 R 17 91 H/V M+S33/230 39/270
Front: 225/45 R 17 91W
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 W33/230
––
39/270
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W33/230
––
39/270
You will find more information about permissible loads and weights on page113.
e.g.
Nominal width in mm
Aspect ratio in Ξ 
Radial belt construction
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating,
not on ZR tires
Speed code letter, in
front of the R on ZR tires225/50 R1692 V
e.g.
Manufacturer's code 
for tire make
Tire size and 
tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 5005 

Reference
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Mobility
 89
Correct wheels and tires
BMW recommends using only wheels 
and tires that have been approved by 
BMW for your particular vehicle model, other-
wise 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.<
You can inquire about the correct wheel/tire 
combination at your BMW center.
The correct combination of wheels and tires is 
also necessary to ensure reliable operation of 
various vehicle systems such as ABS and DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle 
response, only use tires of a single brand and 
tread configuration. After a tire has been dam-
aged, for instance, mount the original wheel and 
tire combination again as soon as possible.
Wheels with electronics for the Tire 
Pressure Monitor TPM
When mounting new tires or changing from 
summer to winter tires or vice versa, only use 
wheels with TPMS electronics; otherwise the 
Tire Pressure Monitor would not be able to 
detect a flat tire, refer to page54. Your BMW 
center will be glad to provide you with more 
information.
Recommended tire brands
Certain makes of tire are recommended by 
BMW for each tire size. They are marked with a 
clearly visible BMW designation on the sidewall 
of the tire.When properly used, these tires meet the high-
est standards in terms of safety and handling 
characteristics.
Run-Flat Tires
When mounting new tires or changing over 
from summer to winter tires and vice versa, 
mount Run-Flat Tires for your own safety. In the 
event of a flat, moreover, no spare wheel is 
available. Your BMW BMW center will be glad to 
provide you with more information.
For safety reasons, BMW recommends 
that damaged Run-Flat Tires be replaced 
rather than repaired.<
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.
Pay attention to speed
Always comply with the speed limit for the 
winter tires mounted on your car; failure 
to do so could result in tire damage and acci-
dents.<
If the car is capable of speeds higher than that 
permitted for the winter tires, a label stating the 
maximum permitted speed for the mounted 
tires must be displayed in your field of view. 
Specialist tire dealers and your BMW center 
can supply these labels.
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 pressure 
indicated on the sidewall of the tire.
Swapping wheels between the axles
BMW advises against moving the front wheels 
to the rear wheel positions and vice versa, as 
this may impair vehicle handling characteristics. 

Wheels and tires
90
Snow chains*
Only certain fine-link snow chains have been 
tested by BMW, classified as safe for use and 
recommended. Consult your BMW center for 
more information. Attach snow chains in pairs 
and only to the rear wheels. 
Observe the manufacturer's instructions when 
mounting snow chains. Do not exceed a speed 
of 30 mph/50 km/h when using snow chains.
You are not permitted to mount snow chains to 
tires of the following sizes:
>255/40 R 17
>255/35 R 18
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor if 
snow chains are mounted
*, as this may 
cause the instrument to issue an incorrect read-
ing.
When driving with snow chains, you may find it 
helpful to activate DTC temporarily, refer to 
page52.< 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 125
Status of this Owner's Manual 
at time of printing5
Steering wheel10
– adjusting35
– buttons on steering 
wheel11
– lock40
Steptronic, refer to Sport 
program and Manual 
operation43
Storage compartments68
– eyeglasses compartment69
– glove compartment68
Storage nets69
Storage space
– refer to Cargo bay23
– refer to
Storage compartments68
Storing seat position, refer to 
Seat memory32
Stowage, refer to Storage 
compartments68
Summer tires, refer to Wheels 
and tires84
Supply reservoir, refer to 
Washer fluid reservoir46
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switch for passenger 
airbags36
Switching cooling function on/
off manually63,66
Symbols4
T
Table of contents3
Tachometer48
Tailgate21
– emergency operation22
– indicator lamp13
– opening from inside the 
vehicle21
– opening from the outside21
– opening manually22
– remote control19
– roller-blind cover70
Tail lamps, refer to Rear 
lamps101Tail lights, refer to Rear 
lamps101
Tank contents
– refer to Capacities114
Tank indicator, refer to Fuel 
gauge48
Technical data110
Technical modifications, refer 
to For your own safety5
Telephone, refer to the 
separate Owner's Manual
Telephone preparation 
package71
Temperature
– air conditioning63
– automatic climate control66
– coolant, refer to Coolant 
thermometer49
– engine49
Temperature display
– outside temperature48
– outside temperature 
warning48
– setting unit of measure50
Tempomat, refer to Cruise 
control46
Third brake lamp, refer to 
Center high-mount brake 
lamp101
Three-point safety belt, refer 
to Safety belts33
Tilt alarm sensor24
Tilt function, passenger-side 
mirror34
Tire, flat53,55
– Flat Tire Monitor53
– indicator/warning lamp13
– Run-Flat Tires88
– Tire Pressure Monitor54
Tire inflation pressure84
– checking84
– loss53,54
– restoring84
Tire pressure monitoring, 
refer to
– Flat Tire Monitor53
– Tire Pressure Monitor
54Tire Pressure Monitor 
TPM54
– indicator/warning lamp55
– resetting the system54
– system limits54
Tire Quality Grading86
Tire renewal88
Tires
– age86,88
– break-in procedures74
– changing88
– coding86
– condition87
– damage88
– DOT quality grades86
– flat53,55
– inflation pressure84
– pressure monitoring, refer to 
Flat Tire Monitor53
– replacement88
– size84
– storage89
– temperature87
– traction87
– tread87
– tread wear87
– Uniform Tire Quality 
Grading86
– wear indicators, refer to 
Minimum tread depth87
– wheel and tire 
replacement88
– winter tires89
– with emergency features, 
refer to Run-Flat Tires88
Tire storage89
Tool kit, refer to Onboard tool 
kit98
Torque, refer to Engine 
data110
Tow bar106
Tow fitting
– screw thread106
Towing eyelet105
Towing the vehicle105
– methods106
– with automatic 
transmission106
Tow rope106