BMW 3.0i ROADSTER 2003 Owners Manual

Owner's Manual
for Vehicle

Z4 roadster 2.5i
Z4 roadster 3.0iCongratulations, and thank you for choosing a BMW.
Thorough familiarity with your vehicle will provide you with
enhanced control and security when you drive it. There-
fore, we have one request:
Please take the time to read this Owner's Manual and
familiarize yourself with the information that we have com-
piled for you before starting off in your new BMW. The
manual contains important data and instructions intended
to assist you in obtaining maximum satisfaction from your
BMW's unique array of advanced technical features. It also
contains information on vehicle maintenance designed to
enhance operating safety while simultaneously helping you
to maintain your BMW's value throughout an extended ser-
vice life. For additional information refer to the supplemen-
tal manuals.
This Owner's Manual should be considered a permanent
part of this vehicle. It should stay with the vehicle when
sold to provide the next owner with important operating,
safety and maintenance information.
We wish you an enjoyable driving experience.
BMW AG

Contents
Contents
Notes
6About this Owner's Manual
6Symbols used
6Symbol on vehicle parts
6Your individual vehicle
6Status at time of printing
7For your own safety
7Service and warranty
8Reporting safety defects
Overview
12Cockpit
13Instrument cluster
14Indicator and warning lamps
Opening and closing
18Keys
18Central locking system
18Remote control
20Door lock
20Interior
21Luggage compartment lid
22Luggage compartment
22Electric power windows
23Manual convertible top
24Fully automatic convertible top*
26Wind deflector*
27Alarm system*
Adjustments
29Safe seating position
29Seats
30Seat memory*

31Seat heating*
31Safety belts
32Steering wheel
32Mirrors
33Airbags
34Transporting children safely
37Vehicle Memory, Key Memory
Driving
38Ignition lock
38Engine
39Parking brake
40Manual transmission
40Automatic transmission with
Steptronic*
42Electric Power Steering EPS
42Drivelogic*
42Turn signal indicators/Headlamp
flasher
43Washer/wiper system and
rain sensor*
44Cruise control*
Lamps
45Parking lamps/Low beams
46High beams/Standing lamps
46Instrument lighting
46Fog lamps
46Interior lamps
© 2002 Bayerische Motoren Werke
Aktiengesellschaft
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the
written consent of BMW AG, Munich.
Order No. 01 41 0 156 897
US English VIII/02
Printed in Germany
Printed on environmentally friendly paper –
bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling.

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Reference
Everything under control
47Odometer
47Tachometer
47Fuel gauge
47Coolant temperature gauge
48Service interval display
48Outside temperature
48Clock
49Computer*
Technology for safety and driving
convenience
51Dynamic Stability Control DSC
52Brake Force Display
53Antilock Brake System ABS
53Flat Tire Monitor
Controlling the climate for pleasant
driving
55Air conditioning
57Automatic climate control*
Interior conveniences
60Glove compartment
60Storage compartments
61Beverage holder
61Preparations for the cellular phone*
61Ashtray*
Special operating instructions
64Break-in procedures
65Driving notes
65Brake system
66Cargo loading
67Hardtop preparation*
Refueling
70Fuel filler door
70Fuel specifications
Wheels and tires
71Tire inflation pressure
73Tire condition
73Tire replacement
74Wheel and tire combinations
75Run Flat tires
76Winter tires
76Snow chains*
In the engine compartment
77Hood
78Engine compartment
79Washer fluids for washer systems
79Engine oil
80Coolant
81Brake fluid
Maintenance
82The BMW Maintenance System
82Care
Laws and regulations
83California Proposition 65 warning
83OBD interface socket
Replacement procedures
84Onboard tool kit
84Windshield wiper blades
84Lamps and bulbs
87Changing a wheel
87Battery
Giving and receiving assistance
89Warning triangle*
89First-aid kit*
89Jump-starting
90Towing and tow-starting the vehicle
Technical data
94Engine data
94Weights
95Dimensions
96Capacities
Everything from A - Z
97Index

Notes
6
Notes
About this Owner's Manual
We have made every effort to ensure that
you are able to find what you need in this
Owner's Manual as quickly as possible.
The fastest way to find certain topics is by
using the detailed index at the end. If you
wish to gain an initial overview of your vehi-
cle, you will find what you are looking for in
the first chapter.
Should you wish to sell your BMW at some
time in the future, please remember to pass
the Owner's Manual on to the new owner.
The manual represents an important com-
ponent of the vehicle.
If you have additional questions, your BMW
center will be glad to advise you.
Symbols used
Indicates precautions that must be
followed precisely in order to avoid
the possibility of personal injury and seri-
ous damage to the vehicle.
Contains information that will assist
you in gaining the optimum benefit
from your vehicle and enable you to care
more effectively for your vehicle.
Refers to measures that can be taken
to help protect the environment.
< Marks the end of a specific item of infor-
mation.
* Indicates special equipment, country-
specific equipment and optional extras.
Identifies systems or components
which can be activated or adapted to
suit an individual driver's requirements –
Vehicle Memory, Key Memory. Refer to
page 37. Activation and adjustments on
some of these systems can be performed
at your BMW center.
Symbol on vehicle parts
Indicates that you should consult the
relevant section of this Owner's Man-
ual for information on a particular part or
assembly.
Your individual vehicle
On buying your BMW, you have decided in
favor of a model with individualized equip-
ment and features. This Owner's Manual
describes all models and equipment that
BMW offers within the same group.
We hope you will understand that equip-
ment and features are included which you
might not have chosen for your vehicle. Any
differences can easily be identified since all
optional accessories and special equip-
ment are marked with an asterisk
*.
If your BMW features equipment not
described in this Owner's Manual – a car
radio or telephone, for instance – supple-
mentary Owner's Manuals are enclosed.
We ask that you read these manuals as
well.
Status at time of printing
BMW pursues a policy of continuous,
ongoing development that is conceived
to ensure that our vehicles continue to
embody the highest quality and safety
standards combined with advanced, state-
of-the-art technology. For this reason, the
features described in this Owner's Manual
could differ from those on your vehicle. Nor
can errors and omissions be entirely ruled
out. You are therefore asked to appreciate
that no claims can be entertained on the
basis of the data, illustrations or descrip-
tions in this manual.

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Reference
7
For your own safety
Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels
containing up to and including 10 %
ethanol or other oxygenates with up to
2.8 % oxygen by weight – i.e. 15 % MTBE or
3% methanol plus an equivalent amount of
co-solvent – will not void the applicable
warranties respecting defects in materials
or workmanship. Field experience has indi-
cated significant differences in fuel quality –
i.e. volatility, composition, additives, etc. –
among gasolines offered for sale in the
United States and Canada. The use of poor
quality fuels may result in drivability, start-
ing and stalling problems especially under
certain environmental conditions, such as
high ambient temperature and high alti-
tude.
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems that you suspect could be related to
the fuel you are using, we recommend that
you respond by switching to a recognized
high-quality brand.
Failure to comply with these recommenda-
tions may result in unscheduled mainte-
nance.
Follow the relevant safety rules when you
are handling gasoline.<
Important safety information!
For your own safety, use parts and
accessories approved by BMW.
When you purchase accessories tested
and approved by BMW and Original BMW
Parts, you simultaneously acquire the
assurance that they have been thoroughly
tested by BMW to ensure optimum perfor-
mance when installed on your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free from
defects in material and workmanship.
BMW will not accept any liability for dam-
age resulting from installation of parts and
accessories not approved by BMW.
BMW cannot test every product made by
other manufacturers to verify if it can be
used on a BMW safely and without risk to
either the vehicle, its operation, or its occu-
pants.Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories
and other products approved by BMW,
together with professional advice on using
these items, are available from all BMW
retailers.
Installation and operation of non-BMW
approved accessories such as alarms,
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors, wheels,
suspension components, brake dust
shields, telephones – including operation of
any portable cellular phone from within the
vehicle without using an externally mounted
antenna – or transceiver equipment – e.g.
C.B., walkie-talkie, ham radio or similar –
may cause extensive damage to the vehicle,
compromise its safety, interfere with the
vehicle's electrical system or affect the
validity of the BMW Limited Warranty. See
your BMW center for additional information.
Do not use key or remote control to lock
doors or luggage compartment with any-
one inside the car. Refer to the Owner's
Manual for more details.<
Maintenance, replacement or repair
of the emission control devices and
systems may be performed by any automo-
tive repair establishment or individual using
any certified automotive part.<Service and warranty
This manual is supplemented by a Service
and Warranty Information Booklet for US
models or a Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models.
We recommend that you read this publica-
tion thoroughly.
Your BMW is covered by the following war-
ranties:
>New Vehicle Limited Warranty
>Rust Perforation Limited Warranty
>Federal Emissions System Defect
Warranty
>Federal Emissions Performance
Warranty
>California Emission Control System
Limited Warranty.

Notes
8 Detailed information about these warran-
ties is listed in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US models or in the
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models.
Reporting safety defects
The following only applies to vehicles
owned and operated in the US.
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect
which could cause a crash or could cause
injury or death, you should immediately
inform the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration – NHTSA – in addition to
notifying BMW of North America, LLC,
P.O. Box 1227, Westwood, New Jersey
07675-1227,
Telephone toll-free 1-800-831-1117.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it
may open an investigation, and if it finds
that a safety defect exists in a group of
vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot
become involved in individual problems
between you, your retailer, or BMW of
North America, LLC.
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the
Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at
1-800-424-9393 or 366-0123 in
Washington, D.C. area, or write to: NHTSA,
U.S. Department of Transportation, Wash-
ington, D.C. 20590. You can also obtain
other information about motor vehicle
safety from the Hotline.

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Reference
9