2008 BMW Z4 3.0SI ROADSTER dynamic stability control

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

Reference
At a glance
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
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
120 Equipment scope, refer to the
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US
models, Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control51
Event Data Recorders97
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system75
Exterior mirrors34
– adjusting34
– automatic dimming
feature34
– automatic heating34
– folding in and out34
External audio device68
Eyeglasses compartment69
Eyes, tow-starting and towing
away105
F
False alarm
– refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms24
– refer to Switching off an
alarm24
Fasten safety belts, refer to
Safety belts33
Filter
– refer to Microfilter64
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter67
Fine wood, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
First aid, refer to First-aid
kit104
First-aid kit104
Flat tire
– Flat Tire Monitor53
– refer to Changing a
wheel101
– refer to Tire condition87
– Run-Flat Tires88
– Tire Pressure Monitor54Flat Tire Monitor FTM53
– flat tire warning53
– indicator/warning lamp53
– initializing the system53
– snow chains90
– system limits53
Floods, refer to Driving
through water76
Floor covers, carpets, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Floor mats, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Fog lamps60
– indicator lamp13
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely76
For your own safety5
Front airbags56
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor53
Fuel
– average consumption50
– capacity, refer to
Capacities114
– display48
– quality83
– refer to Average fuel
consumption50
– refer to Fuel
specifications83
– tank capacity83
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge48
Fuel filler door, refer to Gas
cap82
Fuel level
– refer to Fuel tank capacity83
Fuel tank capacity, refer to
Capacities114
Fully automatic convertible
top
27
Fuses102
G
Gas cap82
Gasoline, refer to Fuel
specifications83Gasoline gauge, refer to Fuel
gauge48
Gear indicator, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic42
Gear lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic42
– manual transmission42
Gearshifts
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic42
– manual transmission42
Glove compartment68
Gross weight, refer to
Weights113
H
Halogen lamps
– replacing bulbs99
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake41
Hands-free microphone71
Hardtop, refer to the separate
Owner's Manual
Hardtop preparation78
Hazard warning flashers14
Headlamp control,
automatic59
Headlamp flasher44
– indicator lamp12
Headlamps
– bulb replacement99
– care, refer to the Caring for
your vehicle brochure
– cleaning45
– cleaning system, washer
fluid46
– cover99
– glass, care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
– washer reservoir, refer to
Washer fluid reservoir46
– washer reservoir volume,
refer to Capacities114

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