tow BMW Z3 2002 User Guide

100n
Catalytic converterThe catalytic converter reduces harmful
exhaust emissions.
It is designed for use with unleaded fuel
only.
Even minute quantities of lead would be
enough to permanently damage both
the catalytic converter and the system's
oxygen sensor.
To ensure efficient, trouble-free engine
operation and avoid potential damage:
>Be sure to comply with the scheduled
maintenance requirements
>Fill the fuel tank well before it is
empty
>If the engine runs roughly, shut it off
as soon as possible
>Tow-start the vehicle only when the
engine is cold. Tow-starting when the
engine is warm could cause unburned
fuel to ignite on the way to the cata-
lytic converter, resulting in significant
damage. It is better to start the vehicle
with an outside starting aid>Avoid any other situations in which
the fuel would not be (completely)
burned, for instance:
Frequent or consecutive extended
starting attempts or repeated starting
attempts when the engine fails to
start. (Shutting down and restarting
an engine which is running properly
does not present a problem.) Never
allow the engine to run with any of
the spark plug cables disconnected.Be sure to comply with the
instructions above to prevent
unburned fuel from reaching the cata-
lytic converter. Otherwise, the catalytic
converter could respond by over-
heating, leading to serious damage.
Extreme temperatures occur at the
catalytic converter on this and every
catalyst-equipped vehicle. Heat shields
are installed adjacent to some sections
of the exhaust system. Never remove
these shields; do not apply under-
coating to their surfaces.
When driving, standing while the engine
is idling, or when parking, be careful to
avoid contact between the hot exhaust
system and easily-flammable materials
(hay, dry grass, leaves, etc.). Such
contact could cause a fire, resulting in
personal injuries and property
damage.<

111n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Tire condition Tire replacementmoderate speeds and with only small
amounts of water on the road.
Never continue driving on a
deflated (flat) tire. A flat tire greatly
impairs steering and braking response,
and can lead to complete loss of
control over the vehicle.
Avoid overloading the vehicle so that
the permitted load on the tires is not
exceeded. Overloading causes over-
heating and damage inside the tires.
The ultimate result can assume the
form of a sudden air loss.
Unusual vibrations encountered during
normal vehicle operation can indicate a
flat tire or some other vehicle malfunc-
tion. The type of problem can be
caused by contact with curbs, etc. This
is also true for irregularities in the
vehicle's handling characteristics, such
as a pronounced tendency to pull to the
left or right. Should this occur, respond
by immediately reducing your speed.
Proceed carefully to the nearest BMW
center or professional tire center, or
have the vehicle towed in to have it, its
wheels and tires inspected.
Tire damage (up to and including
sudden and complete air loss) can pose
an extreme hazard for both vehicle
occupants and other road users.< To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single tread
configuration from a single manufac-
turer. BMW tests and approves wheel
and tire combinations, refer to page 116.
DOT Quality GradesTread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger vehicle tires must
conform to Federal Safety
Requirements in addition to these
grades.<Tread wearThe tread wear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified government test
course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would
wear one and one-half (1g) times as
well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance
of tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due
to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road char-
acteristics and climate.

123n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Engine oil To check oil level1. Park the vehicle on a level surface
2. Switch the engine off after it has
reached normal operating tempera-
ture
3. After approx. 5 minutes, pull the
dipstick out and wipe it off with a
clean lint-free cloth, paper towel, or
similar material
4. Push the dipstick carefully all the way
into the guide tube and pull it out
again
5. The oil level should be between the
two marks on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption
is directly influenced by your driving
style and vehicle operating conditions.367de738
The space between the two marks on
the dipstick corresponds to approx.
1.1 US quarts (1 liter). Do not fill beyond
the upper mark on the dipstick. Excess
oil will damage the engine.460de189
To add oilWhile you should wait until the level has
dropped to just above the lower mark
before adding oil, you should never
allow the oil level to fall below this
mark.
BMW engines are designed to
operate without oil additives; the
use of additives could lead to damage
in some cases. This also applies to the
manual and automatic transmission, the
differential and the power steering
system.< 367de344

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
135n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Replacement procedures:
Onboard tool kit136
Windshield wiper blades136
Lamps and bulbs137
Master key with battery
lamp143
Remote control144
Wheel change146
Battery153
Fuses156
In case of electrical
malfunction:
Power convertible top157
Fuel filler door157
Assistance, giving and
receiving:
Jump-starting158
Towing the vehicle159
Repairs

136n
The onboard tool kit is located in the
luggage compartment, under the floor
mat.
Z3 coupe:
Grasp the floor mat by the straps on the
left and right. Pull it upward and remove
it.
Z3 roadster:
Lift the floor mat from the rear by the
strap and fold it forward.
Front1. Position the wipers vertically. To do
this, switch on the wipers and switch
off the ignition when the wipers are
approximately vertical
2. Raise the wiper arm completely
3. Press the spring retainer (arrow) and
extract the blade, pulling toward the
wiper arm
4. Insert a new wiper blade and apply
pressure until you hear it engage.365de097
Rear window wiper Ð Z3 coupeFollow the same procedure as
described for changing the front wiper
blades, except that the wiper does not
have to be positioned vertically.
Fold the wipers back onto the
window before you turn the igni-
tion key to position 1 or 2.<
Use only wiper blades which have
been approved by BMW.<
Onboard tool kit Windshield wiper blades

137n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Lamps and bulbsThe lamps and bulbs make essential
contributions to the safety of your
vehicle. Therefore, comply fully with the
following instructions during bulb
replacement. If you are not familiar with
any of the procedures, consult your
BMW center.
Do not touch the glass portion of
a new bulb with your bare hands
since even small amounts of impurities
burn in to the surface and reduce the
service life of the bulb. Use a clean
cloth, paper napkin, or a similar mate-
rial, or hold the bulb by its metallic
base.<
A replacement bulb set is available from
your BMW center.
Before working on the electrical
system, switch off the electrical
accessory you are working on or
disconnect the cable from the negative
terminal of the battery. Failure to
observe this precaution could result in
short circuits.
To prevent injuries and damage,
comply with any instructions provided
by the bulb manufacturer.<
The illustration depicts the right side
of the engine compartment.1 High beams HB3 bulb, 65 watts2 Low beams HB4 bulb, 55 watts
The bulb is pressurized. There-
fore, wear safety glasses and
protective gloves. Failure to comply
with these precautions could result in
physical injury if the bulb breaks.< 367us067
1. Turn the bulb holder with the bulb to
the left and remove toward the rear
2. Pull off the plug
3. Push the new bulb holder with the
bulb into the plug Ð ensure proper
locking
4. Reinstall in reverse order.
When cleaning the headlamps,
please observe the following:
>Do not wipe dry (this causes
scratches) and never use abrasives
or strong solvents to clean the covers
>Remove dirt and contamination (such
as insects) by soaking with BMW Car
Shampoo and then rinsing with plenty
of water
>Always use a deicer spray to remove
accumulated ice and snow Ð never
use a scraper.<

138n
Lamps and bulbsPosition lamps5 watt bulb
1. Using your fingertip, press forward
on the rear edge of the lamp (arrow)
and remove
2. Turn the bulb holder with the bulb to
the right and remove it from the lamp
3. Pull the bulb out of the socket and
replace
4. Install in the reverse order.367de737
Front turn signals21 watt bulb
1. Turn the bulb holder with the bulb to
the left and remove toward the rear
2. Applying light pressure, turn the bulb
to the left. Remove and exchange the
bulb
3. Insert the bulb holder and turn to the
right as far as possible.367de068
Side turn signals5 watt bulb
1. Use finger pressure against the front
edge of the lamp (arrow) to press it
toward the rear for removal
2. Turn the bulb holder with the bulb to
the right and remove it from the lamp
3. Pull the bulb out of the socket and
replace
4. Install in the reverse order.367de241

140n
Lamps and bulbsTail lamp assembly Ð Z3 coupeTail lamp, side marker lamp:
5 watt bulbs
Remaining bulbs: 21 watt
1 Turn signal
indicator yellow or white
2 Backup lamp white
3 Tail lamp, reflector red
4 Brake lamp red
5 Side marker lamps red367us629
Z3 cou
pe
1. Lift up the luggage compartment
floor mat
2. To loosen, turn the mounting clips
(arrows) of the right-hand trim panel
on the rear wall of the luggage
compartment approx. f turn with a
coin or screwdriver
3. Pull out the clips and remove the trim
panel367de322
Z3 coupe
4. Turn the corresponding bulb holder
to the left (arrow) and remove it
5. Press gently while turning the defec-
tive bulb to the left. Remove the bulb
and replace it
6. Insert the bulb holder and turn to the
right as far as possible
Side marker lamps:
Pull the bulb holder out of the tail lamp
assembly toward the front.
7. Reinstall the trim panel in the oppo-
site order:
Insert the clips and turn them approx.
f turn to secure them.367us630
Z3 coupe

149n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Wheel changePull the lifting handle up until the spare
wheel tray is lifted slightly. At the same
time, compress the locking spring
(arrow). This releases the spare wheel
(weight: approx. 8.8 lbs/4 kg). The
spare wheel must then be held with the
lifting handle.
Using the lifting handle, lower the spare
wheel bracket with storage tray and
spare wheel and place it on the ground.
Do not put your feet beneath the
rear of the vehicle because the
spare wheel could fall as it is being
lowered.< 367de270
Pull the storage tray with the spare
wheel completely out of the spare
wheel bracket toward the rear.367de276
Lift the spare wheel at the front. Lay it
down toward the rear next to the
storage tray and with the valve facing
upward. Quickly unscrew the valve
extension from the valve of the spare
wheel. Unscrew the valve cap from the
storage tray and mount it on the spare
wheel.
When the valve extension is
screwed onto or off of the spare
wheel, you may hear a brief hissing as
air escapes.<
The procedure for removing the spare
wheel is also illustrated with picto-
graphs located on the floor mat of the
luggage compartment.367de277

150n
Wheel change
The wheel with the flat tire cannot
be placed in the spare wheel
bracket in the place of the spare
wheel.<
There is a plastic bag in the onboard
tool kit. Put the flat tire and the storage
tray into this bag.
Do not reposition the storage tray
in the spare wheel bracket without
the spare wheel.<
Using the lifting handle, pull the spare
wheel bracket upward until the spring
retainer catches. Secure the bracket
with the hexagon nut Ð ensure that it is
tightened down correctly.
The spare wheel is returned to its orig-
inal position in the same manner as it is
removed, however in the reverse order.
When doing so, make sure that:
>The valve extension is mounted on
the spare wheel valve
>The storage tray is facing toward the
rear (see arrow) with the valve exten-
sion pointing to the inside left to
ensure that it is possible to check the
tire inflation pressure.367de271
Mount the spare wheel1. Secure the vehicle to prevent it from
rolling:
Place the wedge against the rear
surface of the front tire on the side
opposite the side being raised. If the
vehicle is parked on a downward
slope, place the wedge securely in
front of the tire. If the wheel must be
changed on a surface with a more
severe slope, take additional precau-
tions to secure the vehicle from
rolling
2. Wheels with full wheel covers
*:
reach into the ventilation openings
and pull the cover off
3. For wheels equipped with hub
covers
*: position a screwdriver in the
slot and pry the hub cover off
4. Loosen the lug bolts g a turn