2008 BMW Z4 3.0SI ROADSTER maintenance

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.

Maintenance
96
Maintenance
BMW Maintenance System
The BMW Maintenance System helps maintain
the road safety and operating reliability of your
BMW.
Regular maintenance is not only necessary for
the safety of your vehicle, but also plays a sig-
nificant role in maintaining the resale value of
your vehicle.
Service interval display
The BMW Maintenance System takes the vehi-
cle's operating conditions into account for the
service intervals:
From a maintenance point of view,
62,100 miles/100,000 km accumulated in
short-distance urban driving are not the same
as 62,100 miles/100,000 km accumulated at
moderate cruising speeds in long-distance
highway travel.
The BMW Maintenance System includes the
Engine Oil Service and Inspections I and II.
Determining the maintenance intervals based
on the actual loads on the vehicle covers every
kind of operating situation. Minimal use drivers,
who drive fewer than about 6,210 miles/
10,000 km per year, should nevertheless have
the oil changed at least every 2 years since
engine oil deteriorates over time, regardless of
use.
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models and Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
Please consult your Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US models and Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models
for additional information on service require-
ments.
BMW recommends that you have service
and repair operations performed at your
BMW center.
Take the time to ensure that these service pro-
cedures are confirmed by entries in your vehi-
cle's Service and Warranty Information Booklet
for US models and Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models. These entries
verify that your vehicle has received the speci-
fied regular maintenance.<
Socket for On-Board
Diagnosis OBD
Vehicle components that are relevant to the
composition of exhaust emissions can be
checked with a device via the OBD socket.
This socket is located on the driver's side to the
left, on the bottom of the instrument panel
underneath a cover.

Replacing components
98
Replacing components
Onboard tool kit
The onboard tool kit is stored in a tool pouch. It
is located in the cargo bay beneath the floor
panel.
Windshield wiper blades
1.Fold up the wiper arm.
2.Place the wiper blade in a position at right
angles to the wiper arm.
3.Press the locking spring.
4.Fold in the wiper blade and unhook it in the
direction of the windshield.
5.Pull the wiper blade past the wiper arm
toward the top.
6.Insert the new wiper blade and press it on
until it audibly engages.
Lamps and bulbs
Lamps and bulbs make an essential contribu-
tion to vehicle safety. They should, therefore, be handled carefully. BMW recommends hav-
ing your BMW center perform any work that you
do not feel competent to perform yourself or
that is not described here.
Do not touch the glass portion of a new
bulb with your bare hands since even
small amounts of impurities burn into the sur-
face and reduce the service life of the bulb. Use
a clean cloth, paper napkin or a similar material,
or hold the bulb by its metallic base.<
A replacement bulb set is available from your
BMW center.
When working on electrical systems,
always begin by switching off the corre-
sponding consumers, otherwise short-circuits
could result. To avoid possible injury or equip-
ment damage when replacing bulbs, be sure to
observe any instructions provided by the bulb
manufacturer.<
For care and maintenance of the headlamps,
please follow the instructions in the separate
Caring for your vehicle brochure.
If the routine for changing a particular
bulb is not described here, please contact
your BMW center or a workshop that works
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel.<
Light-emitting diodes LEDs
Control elements, display units and other inte-
rior equipment in your vehicle use a light-emit-
ting diode behind a cover as a light source.
These light-emitting diodes, which operate
using a concept similar to that applied in con-
ventional lasers, are officially designated as
Class 1 light-emitting diodes.
Do not remove the covers, and do not
look directly at the unfiltered light for sev-
eral hours. Otherwise, your eyes could suffer
irritation of the retina.<

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.

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

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

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
123
Onboard computer, refer to
Computer50
Onboard tool kit98
On-call services, refer to
Roadside Assistance103
Opening
– from inside21
Opening and closing the
vehicle
– at the door lock20
– from inside21
– from outside19
– with the remote control19
Outlets, refer to
Ventilation63,67
Outside temperature display
– changing units of
measure50
– in the onboard computer50
Outside temperature
warning48
Overheated engine, refer to
Coolant temperature49
P
Paintwork, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Parking brake41
– indicator lamp13,41
Parking lamps, refer to
Parking lamps/Low
beams59
Parking lamps/Low beams59
– bulb replacement99
Parking lock, refer to P
Parking42
Passenger airbags
– deactivation37
– reactivation37
Passenger-side mirror tilt
function34
Pathway lighting60
Permissible axle load, refer to
Weights113
Permissible gross weight,
refer to Weights113
Pinch protection system
– windows25Placing the vehicle in storage,
refer to the Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Plastic, refer to the Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Pollen
– refer to Microfilter64
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter67
Power
– windows, refer to
Windows24
Power convertible top27
Power failure102
Power output, refer to Engine
data110
Power steering, electric56
Power windows
– initializing25
Pressure, tires84
Pressure monitoring, tires,
refer to
– Flat Tire Monitor53
– Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM54
Protective function, refer to
Pinch protection system25
R
Radio, refer to the separate
Owner's Manual
Radio navigation, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Radio remote control key,
refer to Master keys with
remote control18
Rain sensor45
Reading lamps61
Rear lamps
– bulb replacement101
– indicator lamp, defective
bulb13
Rearview mirror, refer to
Mirrors34
Rear window defroster
– air conditioning63
– automatic climate control67Recirculated-air mode
– air conditioning63
– automatic climate control67
Recirculating the air, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode63,67
Reclining seat, refer to
Seats30
Refueling82
Releasing
– hood91
Remaining distance, refer to
Cruising range50
Remote control19
– luggage compartment lid20
– malfunction20
– tailgate20
Repairs
– refer to Maintenance
system96
Replacement key, refer to
New keys18
Replacement of tires88
Replacing lamps, refer to
Lamps and bulbs98
Replacing tires, refer to Wheel
and tire replacement88
Reserve
– indicator lamp, refer to Fuel
gauge48
Restraint systems
– for children37,38
– refer to Safety belts33
Reverse gear
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic43
– manual transmission42
Roadside Assistance103
Roadside parking lamps60
Rod antenna, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Roller-blind cover70
Rope, refer to Towing
methods106
RSC Runflat System
Component, refer to Run-
Flat Tires88