2012 BMW Z4 SDRIVE35I transmission

Tow-starting and towing
Tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting should always be car‐
ried in the vehicle. It can be screwed in at the
front or rear of the BMW.
It is stored in the onboard vehicle tool kit under
the floor panel in the trunk, refer to page 170.
Tow fitting, information on use▷Use only the tow fitting provided with
the vehicle and screw it all the way in.▷Use the tow fitting for towing on paved roads
only.▷Avoid lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g.,
do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting.
Otherwise, damage to the tow fitting and the ve‐
hicle can occur.◀
Screw thread
Front
Release the cover panel in the bumper:
Press on the recess at the bottom left in the
cover panel.
Rear
Release the cover panel in the bumper:
Press on the recess at the bottom center in the
cover panel.
Towing
General information Light towing vehicle
The towing vehicle must not be lighter
than the vehicle being towed; otherwise, it will
not be possible to control the vehicle re‐
sponse.◀
Attaching the tow bar/tow rope correctly
Attach the tow bar or tow rope to the tow
fitting; connecting it to other vehicle parts may
cause damage.◀
8-gear Sport automatic transmission
The vehicle is not permitted to be towed. Con‐
tact a service center in the event of a breakdown.
Observe in the event of a breakdown
Have the vehicle transported on a loading
platform only, or damage may occur.◀
Observe before towing The parking brake is blocked
The parking brake cannot be released
manually.
When the parking brake is blocked, do not tow
with the front axle lifted or the vehicle can be
damaged.
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Contact your service center.◀
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
7-gear Sport automatic transmission Manually release the transmission lock
Manually release the transmission lock,
even if there is no malfunction involving the
transmission. Otherwise, there is the danger
that the transmission lock will be engaged au‐
tomatically during towing.◀
Manually release the transmission lock, refer to
page 58.
Adhere to the towing speed and distance
Do not exceed a towing speed of 30 mph/
50 km/h and a towing distance of 30 miles/50 km
or damage to the transmission can occur.◀
Observe during towing Observe the notes on towing
Observe all notes on towing or vehicle
damage or accidents can occur.◀▷Make sure that the ignition is switched on;
otherwise, the low beams, tail lamps, turn
signals, and windshield wipers may be un‐
available.▷When the engine is stopped, there is no
power assist. Consequently, more force
needs to be applied when braking and steer‐
ing.▷Larger steering wheel movements are re‐
quired.▷Switch on the hazard warning system, de‐
pending on local regulations.▷If the electrical system has failed, clearly
identify the vehicle being towed by placing
a sign or a warning triangle in the rear win‐
dow.▷Do not tow the vehicle with the rear axle
tilted, as the front wheels could turn.Towing methods
Do not lift the vehicle
Do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting or
body and chassis parts; otherwise, damage may
result.◀
Tow bar
The tow fittings used should be on the same
side on both vehicles.
Should it prove impossible to avoid mounting
the tow bar at an offset 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.
Tow rope
When starting to tow the vehicle, make sure that
the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated stresses on
the vehicle components when towing, always
use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Attaching the tow rope correctly
Only secure the tow rope on the tow fit‐
ting; otherwise, damage can occur when it is se‐
cured on other parts of the vehicle.◀
Tow truck Do not lift the vehicle
Do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting or
body and chassis parts; otherwise, damage may
result.◀
Secure the vehicle against rolling off
Apply the parking brake after towing and
secure the vehicle against rolling off if neces‐
sary.
Have the operability of transmission position P
checked by the service center.◀
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Manual transmission
Have the BMW transported with a tow truck with
a so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.
Sport automatic transmission
Have the BMW transported on a flat bed.
Tow-starting
With the Sport automatic transmission, the en‐
gine cannot be started by tow-starting.
If possible, do not tow-start the vehicle but start
the engine by jump-starting, refer to page 177,
it. If the vehicle is equipped with a catalytic con‐
verter, only tow-start while the engine is cold.
1.Switch on the hazard warning system and
comply with local regulations.2.Switch on the ignition, refer to page 45.3.Shift into 3rd gear.4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch
pressed and slowly release the clutch. After
the engine starts, immediately depress the
clutch completely again.5.Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow
bar or rope, and switch off the hazard warn‐
ing system.6.Have the vehicle checked.Seite 181Breakdown assistanceMobility181
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CareVehicle equipment
This chapter describes all series equipment as
well as country-specific and special equipment
offered for this model series.Therefore, it also
describes equipment that may not be found in
your vehicle, for instance due to the selected
special equipment or the country version. This
also applies to safety-related functions and sys‐
tems.
Car washes
Notes Steam jets or high-pressure washers
When using steam jets or high-pressure
washers, hold them a sufficient distance away
and use a maximum temperature of 140 ℉/
60 ℃.
Holding them too close or using excessively
high pressures or temperatures can cause dam‐
age or preliminary damage that may then lead to
long-term damage.
Follow the operating instructions for the high-
pressure washer.◀
Cleaning sensors/cameras with high-
pressure washers
When using high-pressure washers, do not
spray the seals of the retractable hardtop and
the exterior sensors and cameras, for Park Dis‐
tance Control, for instance, for extended periods
of time and only from a distance of at least 12 in/
30 cm.◀
Wash your vehicle frequently, particularly in win‐
ter.
Intense soiling and road salt can damage the ve‐
hicle.Washing in automatic car washes
Give preference to cloth car washes or those
that use soft brushes in order to avoid paint
damage.
Notes
Note the following:▷Make sure that the wheels and tires are not
damaged by the transport mechanisms.▷Fold in the exterior mirrors; otherwise, they
may be damaged, depending on the width of
the vehicle.▷Deactivate the rain sensor, refer to page 51,
to avoid unintentional wiper activation.▷Unscrew the road antenna.
Guide rails in car washes
Avoid car washes with guide rails higher
than 4 in/10 cm; otherwise, the vehicle body
could be damaged.◀
Before driving into a car wash
The vehicle is able to roll if the following steps
are taken.
Manual transmission
1.Shift to neutral.2.Release the parking brake, refer to page 49.3.Switch the engine off.4.Leave the remote control in the ignition lock.
Sport automatic transmission
1.Insert the remote control into the ignition
lock, even with Comfort Access.2.Engage transmission position N.3.Release the parking brake, refer to page 49.4.Switch the engine off.5.Leave the remote control in the ignition lock
so that the vehicle can roll.Seite 182MobilityCare182
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Transmission position P is engaged automati‐
cally:▷Automatically after approx. 30 minutes.▷When the remote control is removed from
the ignition lock.
Headlamps
▷Do not rub dry and do not use abrasive or
caustic cleansers.▷Soak areas that have been soiled e.g. due to
insects, with shampoo and wash off with
water.▷Thaw ice with de-icing spray; do not use an
ice scraper.
Retractable hardtop
When you open a wet hardtop, water drops may
run into the cargo area. If necessary, remove
items from the cargo area beforehand to avoid
water stains or soiling.
After washing the vehicle
After washing the vehicle, apply the brakes
briefly to dry them; otherwise, braking action can
be reduced and corrosion of the brake discs can
occur.
Vehicle care
Car care products
BMW recommends using cleaning and care
products from BMW, since these have been
tested and approved.
Car care and cleaning products
Follow the instructions on the container.
When cleaning the interior, open the doors or
windows.
Only use products intended for cleaning vehi‐
cles.
Cleansers can contain substances that are dan‐
gerous and harmful to your health.◀
Vehicle paint
Regular care contributes to driving safety and
value retention.
Environmental influences can act on the vehicle
paint. Tailor the frequency and extent of your car
care to these influences.
Leather care
Remove dust from the leather often, using a
cloth or vacuum cleaner.
Otherwise, particles of dust and road grime
chafe in pores and folds, and lead to increased
wear and premature degradation of the leather
surface.
To guard against discoloration, such as from
clothing, provide leather care roughly every two
months.
Clean light-colored leather more frequently as
dust and dirt are more noticeable.
Use leather care products; otherwise, dirt and
grease will gradually break down the protective
layer of the leather surface.
Suitable care products are available from the
service center.
Upholstery material care
Vacuum regularly with a vacuum cleaner.
If they are very dirty, e.g., beverage stains, use a
soft sponge or microfiber cloth with a suitable
interior cleaner.
Clean the upholstery down to the seams using
large sweeping motions. Avoid rubbing the ma‐
terial vigorously.
Damage from Velcro® fasteners
Open Velcro® fasteners on pants or other
articles of clothing can damage the seat covers.
Ensure that any Velcro® fasteners are closed. ◀Seite 183CareMobility183
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12CauseHow to respondThe ignition is switched on and driver's door
is open.Switch off the ignition, refer to
page 45, or close the driver's
door.To drive through automatic car washes, the
transmission can be shifted to N. After approx.
30 minutes, the transmission automatically
changes to P. The indicator lamp lights up just
before the gear is changed automatically.To keep the transmission in
transmission position N, switch
on the ignition.For some functions, the indicator lamp lights
up if the desired function cannot be executed
at the moment.The parking lamps are still on.Switch off the parking lamps, re‐
fer to page 68.The roadside parking lamps are still onSwitch off the roadside parking
lamps, refer to page 70.A door is open.The hood is open.Lights up in red:Roof activation system failure.Roof cannot be moved. If the re‐
tractable hardtop does not lock,
contact your nearest service
center.The roof activation system is malfunctioning.Roof movement incomplete.
Please check if the roof is
blocked, then press or pull the
switch again.The roof is not locked.Open the roof fully and close it
again. Only continue driving after
taking this measure.Lights up in yellow:High temperature of roof motor.Roof activation temporarily lim‐
ited to closing only.Seite 188MobilityIndicator/warning lamps188
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12CauseHow to respondTire Pressure Monitor not initialized.Check the inflation pressure and
reset the system, refer to
page 78.The small lamp flashes yellow and then stays
on, the large lamp lights up in yellow:Tire Pressure Monitor failed. Punctures are
not indicated.Have the system checked.Disturbance by systems or devices with the
same radio frequency. After leaving the area
of the disturbance, the system automatically
becomes active again.In vehicles with the Tire Pressure Monitor
The small lamp flashes yellow and then stays
on, the large lamp lights up in yellow:Tire Pressure Monitor failed. Punctures are
not indicated.Have the system checked. Ob‐
serve the additional information,
refer to page 79.A wheel without TPM electronics is mounted.Lights up in yellow: transmission malfunctionHave the system checked imme‐
diately.
When parking the vehicle, set the
parking brake since transmission
position P may be malfunction‐
ing as well.Malfunction in transmission position P.It may be possible to correct the
malfunction by restarting the en‐
gine.The gears that can be selected are restricted.After switching off the engine,
transmission position P is en‐
gaged automatically. It may not
be possible to continue driving.Transmission limp-home program active with
restricted range of gears, possibly with re‐
duced acceleration.You can continue your journey,
but moderate your speed and ex‐
ercise due caution. Have the sys‐
tem checked immediately.Gears can be engaged without depressing the
brake.Always depress the brake to en‐
gage a gear.Seite 196MobilityIndicator/warning lamps196
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12CauseHow to respondLights up in red:The transmission is overheating.Stop the car and engage trans‐
mission position P. Allow the
transmission to cool down. You
can continue your trip at moder‐
ate speeds. Have the system
checked if the situation reoc‐
curs.Lights up in yellow:Manual transmission: the clutch temperature
is too high.Allow the clutch to cool down.
Cooling occurs while the vehicle
is either stationary or moving.
Avoid stop-and-go driving and
driving below walking speed for
lengthy periods. The clutch has
cooled down when this message
disappears. The clutch is not
damaged.The automatic transmission is too hot.Avoid high engine loads. You can
continue your journey, but mod‐
erate your speed and exercise
due caution.Transmission position P is not engaged. The
vehicle is not secured against rolling.The selector lever is malfunctioning.The trip can be continued. Shift
again if necessary. Have the sys‐
tem checked if the situation re‐
occurs.It is possible to engage the gear without de‐
pressing the brake.To change the transmission po‐
sition, always depress the brake.The pinch protection system of the power
windows is malfunctioning.Have the system checked.Seite 197Indicator/warning lampsMobility197
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