2008 BMW Z4 3.0I COUPE ESP

Reference
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Driving tips
Mobility
35
Steering wheel
Adjustments
Never attempt to adjust the steering
wheel while driving the vehicle. It could
respond with unexpected movement, posing a
potential accident hazard.<
1.Fold the lever down.
2.Move the steering wheel to the preferred
height and angle to suit your seated posi-
tion.
3.Swing the lever back up.

Driving
44 the transmission can cool down again. You can
continue your journey, but moderate your
speed and exercise due caution.
Have the system checked immediately.
Yellow warning lamp
The transmission system is malfunc-
tioning. Avoid heavy loads.
All of the selector lever positions can
continue to be engaged; in the forward drive
positions, however, the vehicle will be operating
in a restricted gear range only.
Have the system checked as soon as possible.
Instructions on towing, tow-starting and jump-
starting begin on page104.
Dynamic Driving Control
At the touch of a button, Dynamic Driving Con-
trol enables you to drive your BMW in an even
sportier style:
>The engine responds more spontaneously
to any motion of the accelerator pedal.
>Power steering is adapted to further
enhance contact with the road surface.
>Cruise control
*:
The stored speed is achieved more quickly
when called up.
In addition with automatic transmission:
>The Sport program is activated.
To activate the system
Press the SPORT button while the key is in
position 2.
The LED in the button lights up.
To deactivate the system
Press the SPORT button again.
The LED in the button goes out.
Turn signal indicators/
Headlamp flasher
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Turn signal indicators
Unusually rapid flashing of the indica-
tor lamp indicates that a turn signal
indicator has failed.<
To signal briefly
Press the lever as far as the resistance point for
as long as you wish to indicate a turn.
Triple turn signal activation
Press the lever as far as the resistance point.
The turn signals flash three times.
If you wish, you can have this function
activated.<

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Reserve
Once the fuel level has fallen to the reserve
zone of approx. 2.1 US gallons/8 liters, indicator
lamp 1 lights up continuously.
Do not drive until the fuel tank is empty
and refill it well in advance. Otherwise the
engine may not operate properly and damage
could result.<
When you switch on the ignition, the indicator
lamp comes on briefly to indicate an operational
check.
Engine coolant temperature
gauge
Blue
The engine is still cold. Drive at moderate
engine and vehicle speeds.
Between the blue and red zones
Normal operating range. The needle may rise as
far as the edge of the red sector during normal
operation.
Red
When you switch on the ignition, warning
lamp1 comes on briefly to indicate an opera-
tional check.
Comes on while driving:
The engine has overheated. Stop and switch
the engine off immediately and allow it to cool
down.
For checking the coolant level, refer to page94.
Service interval display
The remaining driving distance in miles/km until
the next scheduled service is displayed briefly
immediately after you start the engine or switch
on the ignition.
The words OILSERVICE or INSPECTION indi-
cate the type of service due next. The computer
bases its calculations of the remaining driving
distance on the preceding driving style.
A flashing message and a minus sign in front of
the number mean that the service interval has
already been exceeded by the number of miles/
kilometers shown on the display. Please sched-
ule an appointment with your BMW center or a
workshop that works according to BMW repair
procedures with correspondingly trained per-
sonnel.
The extent of service work required can
be read out from the remote control by
your BMW Service Advisor.<
Clock
If you wish to have a permanent time display,
you can have it appear in the car radio display,
refer to the Owner's Manual for Radio.
You can set the time and the time display in the
car radio as follows.

Everything under control
50
Setting the clock
1.Press button 2 for several seconds until the
hours are displayed and the colon flashes.
2.Press button1 repeatedly until the required
hour is set.
3.Press button2 to switch to the minutes dis-
play.
4.Press button1 repeatedly until the required
minutes are set.
5.Press button2 to confirm the time.
The set time of day is transferred to the car
radio display or appears in the instrument clus-
ter display.
Computer*
To view the information on the instrument clus-
ter display, press the onboard computer button
BC in the turn signal lever.
Each time you tap the onboard computer but-
ton, the following information is shown in the
specified order:
>Time
>Outside temperature
>Average fuel consumption
>Cruising range>Average speed
With the ignition key in position 1 or higher, the
respective last active setting is displayed.
If you wish, you can have all the following
information displayed in another unit of
measure.<
Setting the time format
You can have the clock displayed in 12h or 24h
mode:
While the time display is active, press the
onboard computer button BC in the turn signal
lever until the display changes.
Changing unit of measure: °F/°C
While the outside temperature display is active,
press the onboard computer button BC in the
turn signal lever until the display changes.
Average fuel consumption
The average fuel consumption is calculated for
the time for which the engine has been running.
To reset the average fuel consumption display:
Press the onboard computer button BC in the
turn signal lever for approx. 2 seconds.
Cruising range
The computer bases its calculations of the
cruising range on the preceding driving style
and on the amount of fuel remaining in the tank.
B e s u r e t o r e f u e l a s s o o n a s p o s s i b l e o n c e
your cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km, otherwise engine functions are not
ensured and damage can occur.<
Average speed
The average speed is calculated for the time for
which the engine has been running.
To reset the average speed display:
Press the onboard computer button BC in the
turn signal lever for approx. 2 seconds.

Reference
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Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
51
Technology for driving comfort and safety
Driving stability control
systems
Your BMW is equipped with a s eries of systems
that help maintain driving stability even in
adverse driving situations.
Antilock Brake System ABS
ABS keeps the wheels from locking during
braking. Steering stability is maintained even
during full brake applications. In this way, active
safety is enhanced.
ABS is operational each time the engine is
started. Braking safely, refer to page76.
Electronic brake-force distribution
The system controls brake-force application at
the rear wheels in order to obtain increased sta-
bility in the vehicle's braking response.
Dynamic Brake Control DBC
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system
automatically produces the maximum braking
force boost and thus helps to achieve the short-
est possible braking distance during full brak-
ing. At the same time, the benefits of the ABS
are also exploited.
As long as you want full braking to continue, do
not reduce pressure on the brake.
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 for at least 3 seconds; the indi-
cator lamp for DSC lights up in the instrument
cluster. Dynamic Traction Control DTC and
DSC have been deactivated simultaneously. No
more interventions to increase stability and for-
ward momentum are carried out.
To enhance vehicle stability, reactivate DSC as
soon as possible.
Activating DSC
Press the button again; 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 has been deactivated completely.
Dynamic Traction Control DTC
DTC is a variant of the DSC in which forward
momentum is optimized for special road condi-
tions, e.g. snow-covered roads that have not
yet been cleared. The system ensures maxi-
mum forward momentum, but driving stability is
limited. Therefore, drive carefully in accordance
with conditions.

Reference
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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

Technology for driving comfort and safety
56 continuously illuminated. This sequence will
continue upon subsequent vehicle startups as
long as the malfunction exists. When the mal-
function indicator is illuminated, the system
may not be able to detect or signal low tire pres-
sure as intended. TPMS malfunctions may
occur for a variety of reasons, including the
installation of replacement or alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS
from functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or
more tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure
that the replacement or alternate tires and
wheels allow the TPMS to continue to function
properly.
Electric Power Steering EPS
The concept
The electric power steering is a direct, sporting
steering system. A special combination of elec-
tric motor and transmission helps you steer
more easily. As your speed increases, steering
power assistance is reduced.
Malfunction
The indicator lamp stays lit:
The system is malfunctioning or defec-
tive.
Steering remains operational.
Have the system checked as soon as possible.
Brake Force Display
Left: normal braking.
Right: hard braking.
Airbags
The following airbags are located under the
marked covers:
1Front airbags
2Side airbags
3Knee airbags
Protective action
Comply with the instructions on page30,
or the occupants' personal safety will be
diminished.<
The front airbags help protect the driver and
passenger in the event of a frontal impact in
which safety belts alone cannot provide suffi-
cient protection. When needed, the side airbags
help provide protection in the event of side
impact. The relevant side airbag supports the
side upper body area. The respective knee air-
bag protects the legs from hitting the cockpit.
The airbags will purposely not be activated by
every collision, e.g. not by more minor acci-
dents, or rear-end collisions.
Do not apply adhesive materials to the
cover panels of the airbags, cover them or
modify them in any other way. Do not attempt to
dismantle the airbag retention system. Do not
modify the individual components of the sys-
tem or its wiring in any way. This includes the
padding in the steering wheel, the dashboard
and the doors.
Do not attempt to remove or dismantle the
steering wheel. Do not touch the individual
components immediately after the system has
been triggered, because there is a danger of
burns.
In the event of malfunctions, deactivation, or

Reference
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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.