
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 82ControlsDisplays82
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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.
When using the features and systems descri‐
bed here, adhere to local regulations.
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.◀Seite 130Driving tipsThings to remember when driving130
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Objects in the area around the pedalsNo objects in the area around the pedals
Keep floor mats, carpets, and any other
objects out of the area of motion of the pedals;
otherwise, the function of the pedals could be
impeded while driving
Do not place additional floor mats over existing
mats or other objects.
Only use floor mats that have been approved
for the vehicle and can be properly fixed in
place.
Ensure that the floor mats are securely fas‐
tened again when they are returned after being
removed, such as for cleaning.◀
Driving in wet conditionsWhen roads are wet or there is heavy rain,
briefly exert gentle pressure on the brake pedal
every few miles.
Ensure that this action does not endanger
other road users.
The heat generated in this process helps dry
the brake discs and pads.
In this way braking efficiency will be available
when you need it.
Hills
Drive long or steep downhill gradients in the
gear in which the least braking is required.
Otherwise, the brake system may overheat, re‐
sulting in a reduction in the brake system effi‐
ciency.
You can increase the engine's braking effect
by shifting down, going all the way to first gear,
if necessary.
Downshifting in manual mode of the 8-gear
Sport automatic transmission, refer to
page  67.
Downshifting in manual mode of the 7-gear
Sport automatic transmission with dual clutch,
refer to page  70.Avoid load on the brakes
Avoid placing excessive load on the
brake system. Light but consistent brake pres‐
sure can lead to high temperatures, brake wear
and possibly even brake failure.◀
Do not drive in neutral
Never drive with the transmission in neu‐
tral, with the engine switched off or with the
clutch depressed; otherwise, you will have nei‐
ther the braking action of the engine or nor its
power assistance when braking or steering.◀
Brake disc corrosion Corrosion on the brake discs and contamina‐
tion on the brake pads are furthered by:▷Low mileage.▷Extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all.▷Infrequent use of the brakes.
Corrosion occurs when the minimum pressure
that must be exerted by the pads during brake
applications to clean the discs is not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake discs, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating ef‐
fect that generally cannot be corrected.
Condensation under the parked
vehicle
When using the automatic climate control,
condensation water develops that exits under‐
neath the vehicle.
Therefore, traces of condensed water under
the vehicle are normal.
Loading Overloading the vehicle
To avoid exceeding the approved carry‐
ing capacity of the tires, never overload the ve‐
hicle. Overloading can lead to overheating and
increases the rate at which damage develops
Seite 132Driving tipsThings to remember when driving132
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AUTO program with auto‐matic climate control  113 
AUX-IN port  182 
Average fuel consumption  75 
Average fuel consumption, setting the unit  78 
Average speed  75 
Axle loads, refer to Weights  264 
B
Backrest curvature, refer to Lumbar support  49 
Backrests, refer to Seat ad‐ justment  48 
Backrest width adjust‐ ment  50 
Backup lights, bulb replace‐ ment  247 
Balance  162 
Band-aids, refer to First aid kit  252  
Bass  162 
Battery, disposal  41 
Battery, power failure  249 
Battery, remote control  32 
Battery, replacement in the remote control  41 
Battery replacement, vehicle battery  249 
Battery, vehicle  249 
Before entering the car wash  257 
Belts, refer to Safety belts  50 
Belt tensioners, refer to Safety belts  50 
Beverage holder, refer to Cu‐ pholder  126 
Black and white map dis‐ play  156 
Blower, refer to Air flow rate  111, 114  
Bluetooth audio  185 
Bluetooth connection, acti‐ vating/deactivating  195 BMW Apps  220 
BMW Driver's Guide App  6 
BMW EfficientDynamics, re‐ fer to Saving fuel  134 
BMW Homepage  6 
BMW Internet page  6 
BMW Maintenance Sys‐ tem  243 
BMW Online  218 
Bottle holder, refer to Cu‐ pholder  126 
Brake assistant, refer to Dy‐ namic Brake Control  101 
Brake discs, breaking in  130 
Brake force display  100 
Brake force distribution, elec‐ tronic  101 
Brake lights, adaptive  100 
Brake lights, brake force dis‐ play  100 
Brake lights, bulb replace‐ ment  247 
Brake pads, breaking in  130 
Brake, refer to Parking brake  61 
Brakes, ABS  101 
Braking, notes  131 
Braking, parking brake  61 
Breakdown assistance, refer to Roadside Assistance  217 
Break-in  130 
Brightness of Control Dis‐ play  80 
Bulbs, replacing, refer to Lamps and bulbs  245 
Button for starting the engine, refer to Start/Stop but‐
ton  57 
Buttons on the steering wheel  14 
Bypassing, see Starting aid  252  
C Calendar  210 California Proposition 65
Warning  7 
Camera, care  260 
Can holder, refer to Cu‐ pholder  126 
Capacities  265 
Capacities, cargo area, refer to Weights  264 
Capacities, fuel tank, refer to Filling capacities  265 
Car battery  249 
Car care products  258 
Care  257 
Care, displays  260 
Care, vehicle  258 
Cargo  132 
Cargo area  121 
Cargo area, capacity  264 
Cargo area capacity, enlarg‐ ing  121  
Cargo area, Comfort Ac‐ cess  40 
Cargo area, lamp, refer to In‐ terior lights  91 
Cargo area, opening from the inside  38 
Cargo area, opening from the outside  38 
Cargo, securing  122 
Cargo straps, securing cargo  134 
Car key, refer to Integrated key/remote control  32 
Carpet, care  260 
Car phone installation loca‐ tion, refer to Center arm‐
rest  124 
Car phone, refer to Tele‐ phone  194 
Car vacuum cleaner, connect‐ ing, refer to Connecting
electrical devices  120 
Car wash  257 
Car wash, with Comfort Ac‐ cess  40 Seite 275Everything from A to ZReference275
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