
Adjustments
42
Manual adjustment
Observe the adjustment instructions on 
page41 to ensure the best possible per-
sonal protection.<
Longitudinal direction
Pull lever 1 and slide the seat to the desired 
position.
After releasing the lever, move the seat gently 
forward or back to make sure it engages 
properly.
Height
Pull lever 2 and apply your weight to the seat or 
lift it off, as necessary.
Backrest
Pull lever 3 and apply your weight to the back-
rest or lift it off, as necessary.
Distance:
Adjust the backrest so that the head restraint is 
as close as possible to the back of the head.
Tilt*
Pull the lever and apply your weight to the seat 
or lift it off, as necessary.
Thigh support*
Pull the lever and move the thigh support for-
ward or back.
Electrical adjustment
Observe the adjustment instructions on 
page41 to ensure the best possible per-
sonal protection.<
1Longitudinal direction
2Height
3Angle 

Transporting children safely
48
Transporting children safely
The right place for children
Do not leave children unattended in the 
vehicle; otherwise, they could endanger 
themselves and/or other persons by opening 
the doors, for example.<
Children on the passenger seat
Always transport children under the age 
of 13 or smaller than 5 ft/150 cm in a child 
restraint system suitable for their age, weight 
and size, and with the passenger airbag deacti-
vated. Otherwise, there is an increased risk of 
injury in the event of an accident or if the airbags 
deploy.<
Children 13 years of age or older must be buck-
led in with a safety belt as soon as there no 
longer is any child restraint system that is 
appropriate for their age, size and weight.
For more information on automatic deactivation 
of the passenger airbags refer to page86.
Installing child restraint 
systems
After installing a child restraint system on 
the passenger seat, make sure that the 
front and side airbags for the passenger are 
deactivated; otherwise, there is an increased 
risk of injury if the airbags deploy.
Observe the child restraint system manufac-
turer's instructions when selecting, installing 
and using child restraint systems. Otherwise, 
the protective effect may be diminished.<
Standard child restraint systems are designed 
to be secured with a lap belt or with the lap-belt 
section of a lap-and-shoulder belt. Incorrectly 
or improperly installed child restraint systems 
can increase the risk of injury to children. 
Always follow the installation instructions for 
the system with the greatest care.
On the passenger seat
After installing a child restraint system on 
the passenger seat, make sure that the 
front and side airbags for the passenger are 
deactivated; otherwise, there is an increased 
risk of injury if the airbags deploy.<
Seat position
Before installing a child restraint system, move 
the passenger seat as far back and up
* as pos-
sible to obtain the best possible position for 
the belt.
Backrest width*
The backrest width of the passenger seat 
must be at its widest possible setting. Do 
not change the setting after installing the child 
seat. Otherwise, the child seat's stability on the 
passenger seat is limited.<
1.Adjust the backrest width to its widest set-
ting, refer to page43.
2.Install the child seat.
Child seat security
The safety belt for the passenger can be locked 
to prevent it from being pulled out when it is 
used to secure child restraint systems. 

Controls
 105Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Removing the storage compartment
The storage compartment can be removed 
completely to be able to use other inserts, for 
example.
In the cargo area: Press the handle up and fold 
the storage compartment completely down.
For more information on the various 
inserts available, contact your BMW 
center.<
Lateral storage shelf behind the seats
This space can be used to store briefcases, for 
example.
When loading the lateral storage shelf, do 
not move both seats all the way forward 
while moving them to their uppermost position 
and leaning the backrests forward. Otherwise, 
the seats could hit and damage the seal on the 
windshield and the sun visor. 
Only transport light and small objects on the lat-
eral storage shelf; otherwise, braking maneu-
vers and swerving may lead to a safety hazard 
due to objects flying about the passenger com-
partment. Only transport heavy luggage in the 
cargo area if it has been appropriately 
secured.<
Cupholders*
Use lightweight and shatterproof contain-
ers and do not transport hot beverages; 
otherwise, there is an increased risk of injury in 
the event of the accident. Do not force contain-
ers that are too large into the cupholders; other-
wise, damage could result.<
In the center armrest
The cupholders are located in the center 
console.
Attachable cupholder*
Attaching to the center console
Mount the cupholder onto the center console 
so that it snaps into place.
Storing in the glove compartment
Insert the cupholder into the holder in the glove 
compartment. 

Things to remember when driving
112
Things to remember when driving
Break-in period
Moving parts need breaking-in time to adjust to 
each other. Please follow the instructions below 
in order to achieve the optimal service life and 
economy of operation for your vehicle.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive at varying engine and road speeds, but do 
not exceed an engine speed of 4,500 rpm or a 
road speed of 100 mph/160 km/h.
Do not drive with full-throttle operation, and do 
not use the transmission's kickdown mode or 
Launch Control.
After driving 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Engine and vehicle speeds can be gradually 
increased.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their 
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full trac-
tion potential until after an initial break-in 
period. Therefore, drive cautiously during the 
first 200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of 
approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized 
contact and wear patterns between brake pads 
and rotors. Drive cautiously during this break-in 
period.
Clutch
The function of the clutch reaches its optimal 
level only after a distance driven of approx. 
300 miles/500 km. During this break-in period, 
engage the clutch gently.
Following part replacement
The same break-in procedures should be 
observed if any of the components mentioned 
above have to be renewed in the course of the 
vehicle's operating life.
Saving fuel
The fuel consumption of your vehicle depends 
on several factors. You can lower fuel consump-
tion and the environmental impact by taking 
certain measures, adjusting your driving style 
and having the vehicle serviced regularly.
Remove any unneeded cargo
Additional weight increases fuel consumption.
Remove any mounted parts after you 
have finished using them
Remove additional mirrors and the luggage rack 
when they are no longer in use. Mounted parts 
affect the vehicle's aerodynamics and increase 
fuel consumption.
Close both windows
An open window causes higher air resistance 
and thus increases fuel consumption.
Check tire inflation pressure regularly
Check the tire inflation pressure at least twice a 
month and before embarking on a long journey, 
and correct it if necessary.
Low tire inflation pressure causes higher rolling 
resistance and thus increases fuel consumption 
and tire wear.
Set off immediately
Do not let the engine warm up while the car is 
still standing, but set off immediately at moder-
ate engine speed. This is the fastest way for the 
cold engine to reach its operating temperature. 

Driving tips
 115Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Before driving into a car wash
General information on caring for your BMW 
can be found on page208.
With Comfort Access and automatic 
transmission
Insert the remote control into the ignition 
switch.
The engine can be switched off when the selec-
tor lever is in position N. Refer also to page208.
With Comfort Access and 7-gear sport 
automatic transmission with dual 
clutch
Insert the remote control into the ignition 
switch.
The engine can be switched off when the trans-
mission is in position N. Refer also to page209.
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their 
approved carrying capacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage 
develops inside the tires. This can ultimately 
result in a sudden blowout.<
Make sure that no liquids are spilled or 
leak from their containers in the cargo 
area, as this could result in damage to the 
vehicle.<
Always position and secure the cargo as 
described so that it cannot endanger the 
car's occupants, for example if sudden braking 
or swerving is necessary.
Never exceed either the approved gross vehicle 
weight or either of the approved axle loads, refer 
to page228, as excessive loads can pose a 
safety hazard, and may also place you in viola-
tion of traffic safety laws.
Heavy or hard objects should not be carried 
loose inside the car, since they could be thrown 
around, for example as a result of heavy braking, 
sudden swerves, etc., and endanger the occu-
pants.<
Determining loading limit
1.Locate the following statement on your 
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occupants 
and cargo should never exceed 
XXX kg or YYY lbs. Otherwise, overloading 
can result in damage to the vehicle and 
unstable driving conditions.<
2.Determine the combined weight of the 
driver and passengers that will be riding in 
your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver 
and passengers from XXX kilograms or YYY 
pounds.
4.The resulting figure equals the available 
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. 
For example, if the YYY amount equals 
1,400 lbs and there will be five 150 lbs 
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of 
available cargo and luggage load capacity 
is 650 lbs: 
1,400 lbs minus 750 lbs = 650 lbs
5.Determine the combined weight of luggage 
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That 
weight may not safely exceed the available 
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated 
in step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, part of 
the load from your trailer will be transferred 
to your vehicle. Consult the manual for 
transporting a trailer to determine how this 
may reduce the available cargo and luggage 
load capacity of your vehicle. 

Things to remember when driving
116
Load
The permissible load is the sum of the occu-
pants' weights and the weight of the cargo. The 
greater the weight of the occupants, the less 
cargo/luggage can be transported.
Stowing cargo
Cargo area
>Load heavier cargo as far forward as possi-
ble, directly behind the cargo area partition, 
and as low as possible.
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
Before opening the hardtop, fold down 
the cargo area partition. Make sure the 
cargo area is loaded correctly; otherwise, 
parts of the hardtop can be damaged, refer 
to page38.<
Lateral storage shelf
When storing objects on the lateral stor-
age shelf, do not move both seats all the 
way forward while moving them to their upper-
most position and leaning the backrests for-
ward. Otherwise, the seats could hit and dam-
age the seal on the windshield, the sun visor 
and the headliner.<
Light and small objects can be stored on the lat-
eral storage shelf.
Securing cargo
Cargo area
Secure smaller and lighter items using retaining 
straps, a cargo area net
* or draw straps*.
Lateral storage shelf
You can obtain cargo straps* from your BMW 
center. Four lashing eyes are provided behind 
the seats for attaching the cargo straps.
Adhere to the information included with the 
cargo straps. 

Mobility
 193Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Fuel specifications
Do not fill the tank with leaded fuel as this 
would cause permanent damage to the 
catalytic converter.
Do not fill the tank with E85, i.e., fuel containing 
85 % ethanol, nor with FlexFuel. Otherwise, 
the engine and fuel supply system will be 
damaged.<
Required fuel
Super Premium Gasoline/AKI 91
This gasoline is highly recommended.
However, you may also use gasoline with less 
AKI. The minimum AKI Rating is:
>Z4 sDrive30i: 87
>Z4 sDrive35i: 89
If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI Rat-
ing, the engine may produce knocking sounds 
when starting at high outside temperatures. 
This has no effect on the engine life.
Do not use any gasoline below the speci-
fied minimum fuel grade. Otherwise, the 
engine could be damaged.<
Use high-quality brands
Field experience has indicated significant dif-
ferences in fuel quality: volatility, composition, 
additives, etc., among gasolines offered for sale 
in the United States and Canada. Fuels contain-
ing up to and including 10 % ethanol or other 
oxygenates with up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight, 
that is, 15 % MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an 
equivalent amount of co-solvent, will not void 
the applicable warranties with respect to 
defects in materials or workmanship.The use of poor-quality fuels may result in 
driveability, starting and stalling problems 
especially under certain environmental condi-
tions such as high ambient temperature and 
high altitude. 
Should you encounter driveability problems 
which you suspect could be related to the fuel 
y o u  a r e  u s i n g ,  w e  r e c o m m e n d  t h a t  y o u  r e s p o n d  
by switching to a recognized high-quality brand 
such as gasoline that is advertised as Top Tier 
Detergent Gasoline. 
Failure to comply with these recommendations 
may also result in unscheduled maintenance.< 

Mobility
 195Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Tire inflation pressures Z4 sDrive30i
Tire size Pressure specifications in psi/kPa 
Traveling speeds
up to a max. of
100 mph/160 km/hTraveling speeds
including those exceeding
100 mph/160 km/h
All pressure specifications in 
the table are indicated in 
psi/kilopascal with cold tires. 
Cold = ambient temperature
without Sport Package:
225/45 R 17 91 V
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL36/250 44/300 36/250 44/300
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V 36/250 - 36/250 -
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V - 39/270 - 39/270
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W 36/250 - 36/250 -
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W - 42/290 - 42/290
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL 36/250 - 36/250 -
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL - 42/290 - 42/290
with Sport Package:
225/45 R 17 91 W
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL36/250 44/300 36/250 44/300
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 W 36/250 - 36/250 -
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 W - 39/270 - 39/270
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W 36/250 - 38/260 -
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W - 42/290 - 45/310
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL 36/250 - 36/250 -
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL - 42/290 - 44/300
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page228.