2008 BMW Z4 3.0I COUPE power steering

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility Reference
13
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 Antilock Brake System ABS/Driving
stability control systems for Canadian
models
Brake system
+
Parking brake released95
Parking brake applied41
With other warning lamps52
Brake warning lamp for Canadian mod-
els
Brake pads
+76
Fog lamps60
Electric Power Steering
+56
Flat Tire Monitor
* +53
Tire Pressure Monitor
* +54
Airbags
+56
'Fasten safety belts' reminder33
Defective bulb59
Doors or luggage compartment lid/tail-
gate open
Automatic transmission
+43
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
+97
Service engine soon indicator lamp for
Canadian models
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC
+51
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC
+51
Add coolant94
Add washer fluid46
Check gas cap
+82

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.<

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

Things to remember when driving
76 pletely lose contact with the road surface, so
that neither the car can be steered nor the brake
be properly applied.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases with declin-
ing tread depth on the tires, refer also to Mini-
mum tread depth on page87.
Driving through water
Drive through water on the road only if it is
not deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only
at walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the
vehicle's engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission may be damaged.<
Moisture inside the vehicle
Make sure that the passenger compart-
ment does not become wet and that liq-
uids are transported in closed containers. Oth-
erwise, moisture could penetrate and damage
electronic components inside the vehicle.<
Use the parking brake on inclines
On inclines, keep the vehicle from rolling
by using the parking brake rather than by
slipping the clutch, which would lead to a high
degree of clutch wear.<
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard
feature. Applying the brakes fully is the most
effective way of braking in situations in which
this is necessary. Since the vehicle maintains
steering responsiveness, you can still avoid
possible obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combines with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits to indicate to
the driver that ABS is in its active mode.
Wet roads
When roads are wet or there is heavy rain,
briefly exert gentle pressure on the brake pedal
every few miles. Watch traffic conditions to
ensure that this maneuver does not endanger
other road users. The resulting heat dries the
brake rotors and brake pads. Immediate braking
force is then available if necessary.
Inclines
To prevent overheating and, as a result,
diminished braking effectiveness, drive
down long or steep downhill grades in the gear
that requires the least braking. Otherwise, even
light but consistent pedal pressure can lead to
high temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure.<
You can increase the engine's braking effect by
shifting down, all the way to first gear if neces-
sary. This strategy helps you avoid placing
excessive loads on the brake system. Down-
shifting in manual mode of the automatic trans-
mission, refer to page43.
Never drive with the clutch held down,
with the transmission in idle or with the
engine switched off; otherwise, engine braking
action will not be present or there will be no
power assistance to the brakes or steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area around the
pedals, otherwise pedal function could be
impaired.<
Corrosion on brake rotors
Limited vehicle use, extended periods with the
vehicle parked or in storage, and operating con-
ditions in which braking is restricted to gentle,
low-pressure applications will all increase the
tendency for corrosion to form on the rotors and
contamination to accumulate on the brake
pads. This occurs because the minimal pres-
sure which must be exerted by the pads to
clean the rotors by brake applications is not
reached.
If the brake rotors are corroded, they will tend to
respond to braking with a pulsating effect which
even extended application will fail to cure.
Brake pads
The warning lamp lights up. The brake
pads have worn down to the minimum
safe limit. Have the brake pads
replaced as soon as possible.

Replacing components
102
Jacking points
The jacking points are located at the positions
indicated in the illustration.
Vehicle battery
Maintenance
The battery is completely maintenance-free.
This means that the original electrolyte will nor-
mally last for the service life of the battery under
moderate climatic conditions. Your BMW cen-
ter will be happy to advise you if you have any
questions concerning the battery.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp lights up:
The battery is no longer being charged.
The alternator drive belt is defective or
there is a malfunction in the charging circuit of
the alternator. Have the system checked as
soon as possible.
If the drive belt is defective, pull over and
switch off the engine immediately to pre-
vent overheating and serious engine damage.
If the onboard supply voltage drops to a very
low level, increased steering effort may also be
necessary.<
Charging the battery
Charge the battery in the vehicle only when the
engine has been switched off. Connections,
refer to Jump-starting on page104.
Battery disposal
After changing a battery, have the used
battery disposed of by your BMW center or bring it to a recycling point. Maintain the bat-
tery in an upright position for transport and stor-
age. Secure the battery against tilting when
transporting.<
Power loss
After a temporary power loss, the functioning of
some equipment may be limited and require ini-
tialization. Individual settings are also lost and
must be reset:
>Seat memory
The positions must be stored again, refer to
page32.
>Clock must be reset, refer to page49.
Fuses
Do not attempt to repair a burned fuse or
replace it with a fuse having a different
color or amperage rating. To do this could
cause a fire in the vehicle as a result of circuit
overload.<
You will find the fuses and information on their
respective allocation behind the glove compart-
ment.
1.Open the glove compartment.
2.Press the lock on the left, arrow1.
3.Press the lock on the right, arrow2.
4.Swing the glove compartment down.
Spare fuses and plastic tweezers for grasping
the fuses are found in the onboard tool kit; refer
to page98.

Giving and receiving assistance
106
Access to the threaded socket
Press out the cover with a screwdriver inserted
in the recess at the top.
Being towed
Make sure that the key is in position 1,
because otherwise the steering lock
could engage and the vehicle could no longer
be steered. There is no power assist while the
engine is off. Therefore, you will need to exert
more force to brake and steer the vehicle.<
Turn on the hazard warning flashers, if required
by national regulations. If the electrical system
has failed, clearly identify the vehicle being
towed, e.g. by placing a sign or a warning trian-
gle in the rear window.
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in idling position.
Automatic transmission
Selector lever in position N.
Do not exceed a towing speed of 45 mph/
70 km/h or a towing distance of 90 miles/
150 km. Otherwise, the automatic transmission
could be damaged.<
Towing methods
In some countries, it is not permitted to tow the
vehicle with a tow bar or tow rope on public
roads.
Familiarize yourself with the applicable towing
regulations for the country in which you are
driving.
With a tow bar
The towing vehicle must not be lighter
than the towed vehicle, otherwise it may
be impossible to maintain control.<
The towing eyelets of both vehicles should be
on the same side. Should it prove impossible to
avoid mounting the tow bar at an angle, please
observe the following:
>Clearance and maneuvering capability will
be sharply limited during cornering.
>The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it is
attached offset.
Attach the tow bar to the tow fittings only,
as attaching it to other parts of the vehicle
could result in damage.<
With a tow rope
Before the towing vehicle starts to drive off,
make sure that the tow rope is taut.
Use nylon ropes or straps for towing
because they prevent sudden jerking
movements. Attach the tow rope to the tow fit-
tings only, as attaching it to other parts of the
vehicle could result in damage.<
With a tow truck
Have the BMW transported by a tow truck with
a lift sling or a flat bed.
Do not lift the vehicle by the towing eye-
let, or by parts of the body or chassis.
Otherwise damage could result.<
Tow-starting
Do not tow-start vehicles with an auto-
matic transmission. Vehicles with a cata-
lytic converter should only be tow-started if the

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
117
B
Backrests, refer to Seat
adjustment31
Backup lamps
– bulb replacement101
Bandages, refer to First-aid
kit104
Bar, refer to Towing
methods106
Battery102
– charging102
– disposal102
– indicator/warning
lamp12,102
– jump-starting104
– power supply
interruption102
– remote control18
Being towed106
Belts, refer to Safety belts33
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts33
Beverage holders69
Blower, refer to Air flow
rate63,66
BMW Homepage4
BMW Maintenance
System96
Bottle holders, refer to
Beverage holders69
Brake assist, refer to Dynamic
Brake Control DBC51
Brake fluid95
– indicator/warning
lamp13,95
– low level95
Brake Force Display56
Brake hydraulics, refer to
Brake system95
Brake hydraulic system
– indicator/warning lamp13
Brake lamps
– brake force display56
– bulb replacement101
– indicator lamp, defective
bulb13Brake pads76
– break-in procedures74
– warning lamp76
Brake pad wear indicator
– brake pads76
– indicator/warning lamp13
Brake rotors76
– brakes76
– break-in procedures74
Brakes
– ABS51
– brake fluid95
– brake pads
76
– braking safely76
– break-in procedures74
– indicator/warning
lamps13,52
– parking brake41
Brake system95
– brake fluid95
– brake pads76
– break-in procedures74
– disc brakes76
– indicator/warning lamp13
Breakdown service, refer to
Roadside Assistance103
Breaking in the clutch74
Breaking in the differential,
refer to Engine and
differential74
Break-in procedures74
Bridging, refer to Jump-
starting104
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps
and bulbs98
Bulb replacement, refer to
Lamps and bulbs98
Buttons on the steering
wheel11
C
California Proposition 65
warning5
Can holders, refer to Beverage
holders69
Capacity
– cargo bay, refer to
Weights113Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery102
Car care, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Care, refer to the Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Care products, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cargo bay23
– capacity113
– emergency release23
– floor panel98
– increasing capacity23
– opening and closing21,22
– opening from inside the
vehicle21,22
– opening from the outside21
– roll-up cover70
Cargo loading
– stowing cargo77
– vehicle77
Car jack
– jacking points102
Car keys, refer to The key
set18
Carpet care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Car phone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Car radio, refer to the separate
Owner's Manual
Car wash, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system75
CD changer, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
CD operation, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Center console, refer to
Around the center
console14
Center high-mount brake
lamp, bulb replacement101

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
119
Defrosting windows and
removing condensation
– air conditioning63
– automatic climate control66
Defrost position, refer to
Defrosting windows63,66
Dehumidifying air, refer to
Switching cooling function
on/off63,66
Digital clock49
Dimensions111,112
Dimming mirrors34
Directional indicators, refer to
Turn signal indicators44
Disc brakes76
Displacement, refer to Engine
data110
Display elements, refer to
Instrument cluster12
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting60
Displays, refer to Instrument
cluster12
Displays and controls10
Disposal
– coolant94
– vehicle battery102
Distance remaining, refer to
Cruising range50
Door keys, refer to The key
set18
Door lock20
Doors, unlocking and locking
– acknowledgment
signals19,20
– from inside21
– from outside19
DOT quality grades86
Draft-free ventilation63,67
Drive-off assistance, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC51
Drive-off assistant52
Driving light, refer to Parking
lamps/Low beams59
Driving notes74,75
Driving off on uphill gradients,
refer to Drive-off
assistant52Driving stability control
systems51
Driving through water76
Driving tips, refer to Driving
notes75
Dry air, refer to Switching
cooling function on/
off63,
66
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control51
– indicator/warning lamp51
– indicator lamp13
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control51
– indicator/warning
lamp13,52
Dynamic Brake Control
DBC51
– indicator/warning lamp13
Dynamic Driving Control44
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC51
– indicator/warning lamp51
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC51
– indicator/warning lamp52
E
EBV Electronic brake-force
distribution51
Electric
– seat adjustment31
Electrical malfunction
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic43
– convertible top28
– door lock20
– fuel filler door82
– luggage compartment lid22
– tailgate22
Electric Power Steering
EPS56
– indicator/warning
lamp13,56
Electric power windows24
Electronic
– brake-force distribution51
– oil level check93Emergency call103
– button103
Emergency operation, refer to
Opening manually
– tailgate22
Emergency release23
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance103
Engine40
– breaking in74
– electronics13
– indicator lamp13
– overheated, refer to Coolant
thermometer49
– speed48
– starting40
– switching off41
– temperature49
Engine compartment92
Engine coolant, refer to
Coolant94
Engine oil92
– adding94
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils94
– approved engine oils94
– BMW Maintenance
System96
– change intervals, refer to
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US
models, Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
– change intervals, refer to
Service interval display49
– checking level93
– indicator/warning lamp12
– oil grades, refer also to
Approved engine oils94
– oil level92
– pressure92
Engine output, refer to Engine
data110
Engine starting, refer to
Starting the engine40
EPS Electric Power
Steering56