2008 BMW Z4 3.0I COUPE sport mode

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
43
R Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
N Neutral, idle
You can select this in a car wash, for example.
The vehicle can roll.
D Drive, automatic position
This position is designed for driving under all
normal operating conditions. All forward gears
are selected automatically.
Under normal operating conditions, fuel con-
sumption is lowest when you are driving in posi-
tion D.
Kickdown
Kick-down enables you to achieve maximum
performance.
Press the accelerator pedal beyond the full-
throttle resistance point.
Manual operation and Sport program
M/S
Move the selector lever from position D to the
left into the M/S range:
The Sport program is activated. This is indi-
cated by the display SD in the instrument clus-
ter. This position is recommended for a perfor-
mance-oriented driving style.
The Sport program is enabled automatically
when the Dynamic Driving Control system is
activated, refer to page44.
To use the automatic function again, move the
selector lever to the right into position D.
Shifting gears using the selector lever
When you press the selector lever forwards or
backwards, the manual mode is activated and
Steptronic changes gear. The instrument clus-
ter shows M1 through M6.
The transmission will only execute upshifts and
downshifts that will result in an appropriate
combination of vehicle speed and engine rpm.
For instance, downshifts that would result in
excessive engine speed will not be executed.
The desired gear will appear briefly in the
instrument cluster, followed by the actual gear.
Shifting gears via the shift paddles* on
the steering wheel
The shift paddles allow you to shift gears
quickly since your hands can remain on the
steering wheel.
>When you use the shift paddles on the
steering wheel to shift gears while in auto-
matic mode, the transmission automatically
switches to manual mode.
>If you do not use the shift paddles for a cer-
tain amount of time and do not accelerate,
the transmission automatically switches
back to automatic mode.
If the selector lever is in the M/S gear
plane, manual mode remains active.
>To shift up, pull one of the shift paddles.
>To shift down, press one of the shift pad-
dles.
The instrument cluster shows M1 through M6.
The transmission will only execute upshifts and
downshifts that will result in an appropriate
combination of vehicle speed and engine rpm.
For instance, downshifts that would result in
excessive engine speed will not be executed.
The desired gear will appear briefly in the
instrument cluster, followed by the actual gear.
Malfunction
Red warning lamp
The transmission is overheating.
Reduce your speed immediately and
pull over at a suitable location so that

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.<

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.

Everything from A to Z
122 Lighter socket, refer to
Cigarette lighter69
Lighting
– instruments60
– lamps and bulbs98
– vehicle, refer to Lamps59
Lighting of the instruments,
refer to Instrument
lighting60
LIGHTS ON warning60
Light switch59
Loads, refer to Cargo
loading77
Loads, securing77
Locking the doors
– from inside21
– from outside19,20
Locking the vehicle
– from inside21
– from outside19
Longlife oils
– approved engine oils94
Low beams59
– automatic59
– bulb replacement99
– indicator lamp, defective
bulb13
Luggage compartment, refer
to Cargo bay23
Luggage compartment lid22
– emergency release23
– indicator lamp13
– opening from inside the
vehicle22
– opening from the outside22
– remote control20
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires89
Maintenance96
– refer to Service Booklet
– refer to Service interval
display49,96
Making telephone calls, refer
to Owner's Manual for
TelephoneMalfunction
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic43
– convertible top28
– door lock20
– fuel filler door82
– luggage compartment lid22
– tailgate22
Malfunction of electrical
accessory102
Manual
– air distribution66
– air flow rate66
Manual convertible top25
Manual mode, refer to
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic43
Manual operation
– door lock20
– driver's door20
– fuel filler door82
– luggage compartment lid22
– power convertible top28
– tailgate22
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission42
Manual transmission42
Manufacturer5
Master keys with remote
control18
Maximum cooling66
Maximum speed
– with winter tires89
Measurements, refer to
Dimensions111,112
Mechanical seat31
Memory
– Seat memory32
– Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory18
Microfilter
– air conditioning64
– automatic climate control67
Microphone, refer to Mobile
phone preparation
package71
Minidisc operation, refer to
Owner's Manual for Radio/
Onboard ComputerMirrors34
– exterior mirrors34
– heating34
– interior rearview mirror34
Mobile communications in the
vehicle, refer to the separate
Owner's Manual
Mobile phone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Mobile phone preparation
package71
Modifications, technical, refer
to For your own safety5
M Sports seat31
Multifunctional steering
wheel, refer to Buttons on
the steering wheel11
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signal
indicators/headlamp
flasher44
– refer to Washer/wiper
system45
N
Navigation system, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Neck support, refer to Head
restraints32
Nets69
New
– keys18
– tires88
Nylon rope, refer to Tow
rope106
O
OBD socket, refer to Socket
for On-Board Diagnosis
OBD96
Octane numbers, refer to Fuel
specifications83
Odometer48
Oil, refer to Engine oil92
Oil level92
– checking93
Oil service49

Everything from A to Z
124 Rubber parts, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Runflat System Component
RSC, refer to Run-Flat
Tires88
Run-Flat Tires88
– changing a tire87,89
– changing a wheel101
– flat tire53,55
– Flat Tire Monitor53
– tire inflation pressure84
– Tire Pressure Monitor54
– winter tires89
Runflat Tyres, refer to Run-
Flat Tires88
S
Safe seating position30
– with airbags30
– with head restraints30
– with safety belts30
Safety belts33
– care, refer to the Caring for
your vehicle brochure
– damage34
– indicator/warning lamp33
– reminder33
– safe seating position30
Safety knobs, doors, refer to
Locking the doors from
inside21
Safety systems
– airbags56
– Antilock Brake System
ABS51
– driving stability control
systems51
Safety tires, refer to Run-Flat
Tires88
Saving
– fuel74
Screw thread, tow fitting106
Seat Belt Reminder, refer to
'Fasten safety belts'
reminder33
Seat heating33
Seat memory32Seats30
– adjusting mechanically31
– adjusting the sports seat31
– heating33
– memory, refer to Seat
memory32
– power adjustment31
– safe seating position30
– saving positions, refer to
Seat memory32
Securing, locking the vehicle
– from inside21
– from outside19
Selector lever42
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic42
– lock, refer to Range
selection, shiftlock42
Selector lever positions
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic42
Service, refer to Roadside
Assistance103
Service, refer to Service and
Warranty Information
Booklet for US models,
Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian
models96
Service and warranty6
Service interval display49,96
Sheet ice, refer to Outside
temperature warning48
Shifting gears
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic42
– manual transmission42
Shiftlock, refer to Range
selection42
Shift paddles on the steering
wheel43
Side airbags56
Side marker lamps, front
– bulb replacement100
Side marker lamps, rear101
Side turn signal indicators,
bulb replacement100
Side windows, refer to
Windows24Signal horn, refer to Horn10
Slipstream deflector, refer to
Wind deflector70
Smokers' package, refer to
Ashtray69
Snow chains90
Socket, On-Board Diagnosis
OBD96
Socket, refer to Connecting
electrical appliances70
SOS, refer to Emergency
call103
Spare
– fuses102
– key18
– wheel, refer to Run-Flat
Tires89
Spare fuses, refer to
Fuses102
Special oils, refer to Approved
engine oils94
Special wash program, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Specified engine oils, refer to
Approved engine oils94
Speed
– Run-Flat Tires53,55
– winter tires89
Speedometer12
Sport program
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic43
– Dynamic Driving Control44
Sports seat31
Spray nozzles, refer to
Cleaning windshield46
Stability control, refer to
Driving stability control
systems51
Starting, refer to Starting the
engine40
Starting difficulties
– jump-starting104
– temperature41
Starting with a flat battery,
refer to Jump-starting104
Status of this Owner's Manual
at time of printing5

Everything from A to Z
126 Tow-starting106
Tow truck106
TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor54
Track width, refer to
Dimensions111,112
Traction control, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC51
Transmission
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic42
– manual transmission42
Transmission detent, refer to
Range selection42
Transmission malfunction,
refer to Malfunction43
Transporting children
safely36
Transport securing device,
refer to Cargo loading77
Tread depth, refer to Minimum
tread depth87
Trip distance recorder, refer to
Trip odometer48
Triple turn signal44
Trip meter, refer to Trip
odometer48
Trip odometer48
Turning circle, refer to
Dimensions111,112
Turn signal indicators44
– bulb replacement100
– indicator lamp12,13
Turn signals
– triple turn signal44
TV function, refer to Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer
Tying down loads, refer to
Cargo loading77
U
Undercoating, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Uniform Tire Quality Grading/
UTQR86Units
– average consumption50
– average speed50
– temperature50
– time50
Units of measure
– outside temperature
display50
– time format50
Unlatching, refer to
Unlocking19
Unlocking
– from inside21
– from outside19
– luggage compartment
lid20,22
– tailgate20,21
Used batteries, refer to
Battery disposal102
V
Vehicle
– battery102
– break-in period74
– care, refer to the Caring for
your vehicle brochure
– cargo loading77
– car wash, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
– dimensions, refer to
Dimensions111,112
– engine41
– leaving the vehicle41
– parked77
– placing in storage, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
– weight113
Vehicle Memory18
Ventilation63,67
– air conditioning63
– automatic climate control67
– draft-free63,67
Vents, refer to
Ventilation63,67
Viscosity94Volume
– fuel tank, refer to
Capacities114
W
Warning and indicator
lamps12
Warning triangle104
Warranty, refer to Service and
Warranty Information
Booklet for US models,
Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian
models96
Warranty and service6
Washer/wiper system45
Washer fluid reservoir46
Washer fluids46
Washer reservoir, refer to
Washer fluid reservoir46
Washing systems46
Waste tray, refer to Ashtray69
Water on roads, refer to
Driving through water76
Wear indicator in tires, refer to
Minimum tread depth87
Weights113
Wheel/tire combination, refer
to Correct wheels and
tires89
Wheelbase, refer to
Dimensions111,112
Wheels and tires84
Width, refer to
Dimensions111,112
Wind deflector70
Window defrosting, refer to
Defrosting windows
– automatic climate control66
– heating and ventilation63
Windows24
– convenience operation20
– opening/closing25
– pinch protection system25
– power supply interruption25