Locking manually1.Press the button, see arrow. The transmis‐
sion lock is locked again.2.Clip the cover frame back into place.3.Clip the sleeve of the selector lever back in
place.4.Set the parking brake.
Jump-starting, refer to page 250, towing, refer
to page 252.
Seite 70ControlsDriving70
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 911 315 - VI/13
Possible displays1Button for selecting functions2Service requirements3Engine oil4Roadworthiness test5Front brake pads6Rear brake pads7Brake fluidThe sequence of displayed service items may
vary. The data for the next service appointment
is shown first.Seite 80ControlsDisplays80
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 911 315 - VI/13
flated to the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label (If your
vehicle has tires of a different size than the size
indicated on the vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label, you should determine the
proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.).
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pres‐
sure telltale when one or more of your tires is
significantly under-inflated. Accordingly, when
the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper pres‐
sure. Driving on a significantly under-inflated
tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to
tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel ef‐
ficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the
vehicle's handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute
for proper tire maintenance, and it is the driv‐
er's responsibility to maintain correct tire pres‐
sure, even if under-inflation has not reached
the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS
low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when
the system is not operating properly. The
TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with
the low tire pressure telltale. When the system
detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain
continuously illuminated. This sequence will
continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as
long as the malfunction exists. When the mal‐
function indicator is illuminated, the system
may not be able to detect or signal low tire
pressure as intended. TPMS malfunctions may
occur for a variety of reasons, including the in‐
stallation of replacement or alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS
from functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one
or more tires or wheels on your vehicle to en‐
sure that the replacement or alternate tires andwheels allow the TPMS to continue to function
properly.
Brake force display
The concept▷During normal brake application, the brake
lamps light up.▷During heavy brake application, the turn
signals light up in addition.
The brake force display is not activated if the
turn signal function is switched on.
Seite 98ControlsSafety98
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 911 315 - VI/13
Driving stability control systemsVehicle equipmentThis 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
systems.
Antilock Brake System ABS
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during
braking.
The vehicle remains steerable even during full
brake applications, thus increasing active
safety.
ABS is operational every time you start the en‐
gine.
Electronic brake-force
distribution
The system controls the brake pressure in the
rear wheels to ensure stable braking behavior.
Dynamic Brake Control DBC
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system
automatically produces the maximum braking
force boost. It thus helps to achieve the short‐
est possible braking distance during full brak‐
ing. This system utilizes all of the benefits pro‐
vided by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal
for the duration of the full braking.Dynamic Stability Control
DSC
The concept DSC prevents traction loss in the driving
wheels when driving away and accelerating.
DSC also recognizes unstable vehicle condi‐
tions, such as fishtailing or nose-diving. Sub‐
ject to physical limits, DSC helps to keep the
vehicle on a steady course by reducing engine
speed and by applying brakes to the individual
wheels.
Adjust your driving style to the situation
An appropriate driving style is always the
responsibility of the driver.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed, even
with DSC.
Therefore, do not reduce the additional safety
margin by driving in a risky manner.◀
Activating/deactivating DSC DSC can be deactivated/activated via the DSC
OFF program of the Dynamic Driving Control,
refer to page 100.
For better control The DSC indicator lamp flashes: DSC
is controlling the drive forces and brake
forces.
The DSC indicator lamp lights up: DSC has
failed.Seite 99Driving stability control systemsControls99
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 911 315 - VI/13
Activating COMFORTPress the button repeatedly until
COMFORT is selected in the instru‐
ment cluster.
Displays in the instrument cluster
The selected program is displayed in the in‐
strument cluster.
Drive-off assistant
This system supports driving away on gradi‐
ents. The parking brake is not required.
1.Hold the vehicle in place with the foot
brake.2.Release the foot brake and drive away
without delay.
After the foot brake is released, the vehicle is
held in place for approx. 2 seconds.
Depending on the vehicle load, the vehicle may
roll back slightly.
Driving off without delay
After releasing the foot brake, start driv‐
ing without delay, since the drive-off assistant
will not hold the vehicle in place for more than
approx. 2 seconds and the vehicle will begin
rolling back.◀
Servotronic
The concept
The Servotronic varies the steering force re‐
quired to turn the wheels depending on the
speed at which you are driving. Power steering
provides strong support at low speeds, which
means that little effort is needed to turn the
wheels. Power steering support lessens as
your speed increases.
The system works automatically.
Malfunction
Malfunctions are displayed via Check Control,
refer to page 82.Seite 102ControlsDriving stability control systems102
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 911 315 - VI/13
Driving comfortVehicle 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
systems.
Cruise controlThe concept
Cruise control is available for use at speeds of
approx. 20 mph/30 km/h and higher. The car
then stores and maintains the speed that you
specify using the lever on the steering column.
In order to maintain the specified speed, the
system brakes the vehicle when the engine
braking effect is insufficient on downhill gradi‐
ents.
Do not use cruise control
Do not use the system if unfavorable
conditions make it impossible to drive at a con‐
stant speed, for instance:▷On curvy roads.▷In heavy traffic.▷On slippery roads, in fog, snow or rain, or
on a loose road surface.
Otherwise, you could lose control of the vehi‐
cle and cause an accident.◀
Manual transmission
You can shift gears while cruise control is acti‐
vated. An indicator lamp notifies you that you
should shift gears when you drive for an ex‐
tended period at very high or very low engine
speeds, or the system is deactivated.
One lever for all functions1Storing and maintaining speed or acceler‐
ating2Storing and maintaining speed or deceler‐
ating3Deactivating cruise control4Resuming a speed stored beforehand
Maintaining current speed
Push the lever, arrow 1, or pull it briefly, ar‐
row 2.
The car's current speed is stored and main‐
tained. It is displayed on the speedometer and briefly in the instrument cluster.
On uphill gradients, it may prove impossible to
maintain the set speed if current engine power
output is insufficient. If the engine braking ef‐
fect is insufficient on downhill slopes, the sys‐
tem will brake the vehicle slightly.
Increasing desired speed
Repeatedly press the lever to the resistance
point or beyond, arrow 1, until the desired
speed is reached.
▷Each time the lever is pressed to the point
of resistance, the desired speed increases
by approx. 1 mph/1 km/h.▷Each time the lever is pressed beyond the
resistance point, the desired speed is in‐
creased by up to 5 mph/10 km/h.Seite 103Driving comfortControls103
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 911 315 - VI/13
The system stores and maintains the speed.
Accelerating using the lever Accelerating slightly:
Press the lever to the resistance point, arrow 1,
and hold until the desired speed is reached.
Accelerating significantly:
Press the lever beyond the resistance point,
arrow 1, and hold until the desired speed is
reached.
The vehicle accelerates without pressure on
the accelerator pedal. The system stores and
maintains the speed.
Decreasing speed
Repeatedly pull the lever to the resistance
point or beyond, arrow 2, until the desired
speed is displayed.▷Each time the lever is pulled to the resist‐
ance point, the desired speed is decreased
by approx. 1 mph/1 km/h.▷Each time the lever is pulled beyond the
resistance point, the desired speed is re‐
duced by up to 5 mph or 10 km/h until the
minimum speed of 20 mph/30 km/h is ach‐
ieved.
The system stores and maintains the speed.
Interrupting the system
Push the lever upwards or downwards, ar‐
row 3.
The displays in the speedometer change color.
In addition, the system is automatically inter‐
rupted in the following situations:
▷When the brakes are applied.▷In cars with manual transmission, when
gears are shifted very slowly or if neutral is
engaged.▷In cars with Sport automatic transmission,
when transmission position N is engaged.▷When DTC is activated or DSC is deacti‐
vated.▷When DSC or ABS is intervening.
Cruise control is not deactivated by depressing
the accelerator pedal. Once the accelerator
pedal is released, the stored speed is achieved
again and maintained.
Warning lamp A message appears on the ControlDisplay.
The warning lamp comes on, for ex‐
ample, when cruise control has been deacti‐
vated as a result of DSC intervention.
Deactivating the system
▷Press the lever upward or downward twice,
arrow 3.▷Switch off the ignition.
The stored speed is cleared.
Resuming a speed stored beforehand Press the button, arrow 4. The last stored
speed is resumed and maintained.
Displays in the instrument cluster
1Stored speed2Selected speed is displayed briefly
If --- mph or --- km/h temporarily appears in
the instrument cluster display, it is possible
that the system prerequisites for operation are
currently not met.
Call up Check Control messages, refer to
page 83.
Seite 104ControlsDriving comfort104
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 911 315 - VI/13
Things to remember when drivingVehicle 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
systems.
Breaking-in period
General information Moving parts need to be broken in to adjust to
each other.
The following instructions will help achieve a
long vehicle life and good economy.
Engine and differential Always obey the official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Do not exceed the maximum engine and road
speeds:▷4,500 rpm and 100 mph/160 km/h.
Do not drive with full-throttle operation, and do
not use the transmission's kickdown mode or
Launch Control.
From 1,200 miles/2,000 km The engine and vehicle speed can gradually be
increased.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full
traction potential until after an initial breaking-
in period.
Drive conservatively for the first
200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of ap‐
prox. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized
contact and wear patterns between brake pads and discs. Drive cautiously during this break-in
period.
Clutch
The clutch requires an initial break-in period of
approx. 300 miles/500 km to function at an op‐
timal level.
During this break-in period, engage the clutch
gently.
Following part replacement
The same breaking 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.
General driving notes
Ground clearance Limited ground clearance
Note that the Z4 sDrive35 has limited
ground clearance, for instance when driving
into underground parking garages or over ob‐
stacles. Otherwise, the vehicle may be dam‐
aged.◀
Closing the trunk lid Drive with the trunk lid closed
Only operate the vehicle with the trunk
lid closed; otherwise, exhaust fumes could en‐
ter the passenger compartment.◀Seite 128Driving tipsThings to remember when driving128
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 911 315 - VI/13