snow chains BMW Z4 COUPE 2006 E86 Owner's Manual
Page 52 of 128
Technology for driving comfort and safety
50 In the following exceptional circumstances, it 
may be effective to activate the DTC for a short 
period:
>When driving on snow-covered grades, in 
slush or on uncleared, snow-covered roads
>When rocking the vehicle or starting off in 
deep snow or on loose surfaces
>When driving with snow chains
Activating DTC
Press the button briefly; the DTC indicator lamp 
lights up in the instrument cluster.
Checking 
Deactivating DTC
Press the button again; the DTC indicator lamp 
in the instrument cluster goes out.
Malfunction in the driving stability 
control systems
Have the system checked as soon as possible.Drive cautiously, think well ahead and 
avoid full brake applications, otherwise 
unstable driving conditions could result.<
The vehicle remains operational. Have the sys-
tem checked as soon as possible.
Drive cautiously and think well ahead, 
otherwise unstable driving conditions 
could result.<
Drive-off assistant
The drive-off assistant enables you to drive off 
smoothly on uphill gradients. It is not necessary 
to use the handbrake for this.
1.Hold the car in place by depressing the 
brake.
2.Release the brake and drive off without 
delay.
The drive-off assistant holds the car in 
place for approx. 2 seconds after the 
brake is released. Depending on vehicle load, 
the car may roll backwards a little during this 
time span. Drive off without delay after releas-
ing the brake. Otherwise, the drive-off assistant 
will no longer hold the car in place after approx. 
2 seconds and the car will start to roll back-
wards.< The indicator lamp flashes:
DTC controls the drive forces and 
brake forces.
The indicator lamp is lit:
DTC has been activated.
The warning lamp for the brake system 
lights up in red, together with the yel-
low indicator lamps for ABS and DSC:
The driving stability control systems 
have failed.
Canadian models display these warn-
ing lamps.
The DSC warning lamp lights up 
together with the yellow warning lamp 
for the brake system:
DSC, including DTC and DBC, are 
malfunctioning.
Canadian models display these warn-
ing lamps. 
Page 53 of 128
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 51
Malfunction
The warning lamp for the brake system 
lights up in yellow. The drive-off assis-
tant has failed. The car will not be held 
in place after the brake is released. Have the 
system checked as soon as possible.
Flat Tire Monitor FTM
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor monitors tire pressures 
while the car is being driven. The system 
reports any significant loss of pressure in one 
tire in relation to another.
In the event of tire pressure loss, the rolling 
radius of the tire changes, thereby affecting the 
rotational speed of the wheels. This change is 
detected, and a flat tire warning is issued to the 
driver.
System requirements
To ensure a reliable flat tire warning, the system 
must be initialized with the correct tire inflation 
pressures.
The system must be reinitialized each 
time a tire inflation pressure has been cor-
rected or a wheel or tire has been changed.<
System limitations
The Flat Tire Monitor is unable to warn 
the driver of sudden, severe tire damage 
caused by external factors, nor can it identify 
the gradual loss of pressure that will inevitably 
occur in all four tires over a lengthy period of 
time.<
The system could issue a false warning or func-
tion in a delayed manner in the following situa-
tions:
>System was not initialized
>Driving on a snow-covered or slippery road 
surface
>Performance-oriented driving: slip at the 
drive wheels, high levels of lateral accelera-
tion
>Driving with snow chains attached
Initializing the system
The initialization is completed while you 
are driving, and can be interrupted at any 
time. Initialization is continued automatically 
when you continue driving.
When driving with snow chains, do not initialize 
the system.<
1.Start the engine immediately before pulling 
away, but do not drive off yet.
2.Press the button until the yellow indicator 
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up for a 
few seconds.
3.Drive off.
Initialization is completed during the drive, 
without any feedback issued.
Flat tire warning
The warning lamp in the instrument 
cluster lights up in red. A signal also 
sounds. There is a flat tire or a signifi-
cant loss of tire pressure.
1.Cautiously reduce speed to 50 mph/
80 km/h or lower. Avoid strong braking and 
steering maneuvers. Do not exceed a maxi-
mum speed of 50 mph/80 km/h.
If the car is not equipped with Run-
Flat Tires, refer to page84, the stan-
dard equipment by design, do not continue 
driving. Otherwise a severe accident could 
result after a tire puncture.<
2.At the next opportunity, check the air pres-
sure in all four tires.
If the inflation pressure is correct in all 
four tires, it is possible that the Flat 
Tire Monitor was not initialized. In this case, 
initialize the system.< 
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Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 85
approved wheels and tires are used, BMW can-
not evaluate their suitability, and therefore can-
not be held liable for driving safety.<
You can inquire about the correct wheel/tire 
combination at your BMW Center.
The correct combination of wheels and tires is 
also necessary to ensure reliable operation of 
various vehicle systems such as ABS and DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle 
response, only use tires of a single brand and 
tread configuration. After a tire has been dam-
aged, for instance, mount the original wheel and 
tire combination again as soon as possible.
Recommended tire brands
Certain makes of tire are recommended by 
BMW for each tire size. They are marked with a 
clearly visible BMW designation on the sidewall 
of the tire.
When properly used, these tires meet the high-
est standards in terms of safety and handling 
characteristics.
Run-Flat Tires
When mounting new tires or changing over 
from summer to winter tires and vice versa, 
mount Run-Flat Tires for your own safety. In the 
event of a flat, moreover, no spare wheel is 
available. Your BMW Center will be glad to pro-
vide you with more information.
For safety reasons, BMW recommends 
that damaged Run-Flat Tires be replaced 
rather than repaired.<
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW recommends the use of winter tires for 
operation under winter road conditions. While all-season tires with M+S designation provide 
better winter traction than summer tires, they 
generally do not achieve the full performance of 
winter tires.
Pay attention to speed
Always comply with the speed limit for the 
winter tires mounted on your car; failure 
to do so could result in tire damage and acci-
dents.<
If the car is capable of speeds higher than that 
permitted for the winter tires, a label stating the 
maximum permitted speed for the mounted 
tires must be displayed in your field of view. 
Specialist tire dealers and your BMW Center 
can supply these labels.
Storage
Store tires in a cool, dry place, protecting them 
against light whenever possible. Protect the 
tires from contact with oil, grease and fuel. Do 
not exceed the maximum tire inflation pressure 
indicated on the sidewall of the tire.
Snow chains* 
Only certain fine-link snow chains have been 
tested by BMW, classified as safe for use and 
recommended. Consult your BMW Center for 
more information. Attach snow chains in pairs 
and only to the rear wheels. 
Observe the manufacturer's instructions when 
mounting snow chains. Do not exceed a speed 
of 30 mph/50 km/h when using snow chains.
You are not permitted to mount snow chains to 
tires of the following sizes:
>255/40 R 17
>255/35 R 18
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor if 
snow chains are mounted, otherwise the 
instrument might issue an incorrect reading.
When driving with snow chains, you may find it 
helpful to activate DTC temporarily, refer to 
page50.< 
Page 118 of 128
Everything from A to Z
116 Exterior mirrors34
– adjusting34
– automatic dimming 
feature71
– automatic heating34
– folding in and out34
Eyeglasses compartment65
Eyes, tow-starting and towing 
away100
F
False alarm
– refer to Avoiding 
unintentional alarms24
– refer to Switching off an 
alarm24
Fasten safety belts, refer to 
Safety belts33
Filter
– refer to Microfilter60
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter63
Fine wood, refer to the Caring 
for your vehicle brochure
First aid, refer to First-aid 
kit99
First-aid kit99
Flat
– Run-Flat Tires84
Flat tire51
– Flat Tire Monitor51
– indicator/warning lamp13
– refer to Changing a wheel96
– refer to Tire condition83
– Run-Flat Tires84
Flat Tire Monitor FTM51
– indicator/warning lamp51
– initializing the system51
– snow chains85
– system limits51
Flat tire service, refer to 
Roadside Assistance98
Floods, refer to Driving 
through water71
Floor covers, carpets, refer to 
the Caring for your vehicle 
brochureFloor mats, refer to the Caring 
for your vehicle brochure
Fog lamps56
– indicator lamp13
Footbrake, refer to Braking 
safely71
For your own safety5
Front airbags52
FTM, refer to Flat Tire 
Monitor51
Fuel
– average consumption48
– capacity, refer to 
Capacities110
– display46
– quality79
– tank capacity79
Fuel display, refer to Fuel 
gauge46
Fuel filler flap, refer to Gas 
cap78
Fuel level
– refer to Fuel tank capacity79
Fuel tank capacity, refer to 
Capacities110
Fully automatic convertible 
top27
Fuses97
G
Gas cap78
Gasoline, refer to Fuel 
specifications79
Gasoline gauge, refer to Fuel 
gauge46
Gear indicator, automatic 
transmission with 
Steptronic40
Gear lever
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic40
– manual transmission40
Gearshifts
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic40
– manual transmission40
Glove compartment64Gross weight, refer to 
Weights109
H
Halogen lamps
– replacing bulbs94
Handbrake, refer to Parking 
brake39
Hands-free microphone67
Hardtop, refer to the separate 
Owner's Manual
Hardtop preparation73
Hazard warning flashers14
Headlamp control, 
automatic55
Headlamp flasher42
– indicator lamp12
Headlamps
– bulb replacement94
– care, refer to the Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
– cleaning43
– cleaning system, washer 
fluid44
– cover94
– glass, care, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
– washer reservoir, refer to 
Washer fluid reservoir44
– washer reservoir volume, 
refer to Capacities110
Head restraints32
– safe seating position30
Heated
– rear window59,63
– seats33
Heated mirrors34
Heating
– mirrors34
– rear window59,63
– seats33
Heavy loads, refer to Cargo 
loading72
Height, refer to 
Dimensions107,108 
Page 122 of 128
Everything from A to Z
120 Rod antenna, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Roller-blind cover65
Rope, refer to Towing 
methods101
RSC Runflat System 
Component, refer to Run-
Flat Tires84
Rubber parts, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Runflat System Component 
RSC, refer to Run-Flat 
Tires84
Run-Flat Tires84
– changing a tire83,84,85
– changing a wheel96
– flat tire51
– Flat Tire Monitor51
– tire inflation pressure80
– winter tires85
Runflat Tyres, refer to Run-
Flat Tires84
S
Safe seating position30
– with airbags30
– with head restraints30
– with safety belts30
Safety belts33
– care, refer to the Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
– damage34
– indicator/warning lamp33
– reminder33
– safe seating position30
Safety knobs, doors, refer to 
Locking the doors from 
inside21
Safety systems
– airbags52
– Antilock Brake System 
ABS49
– driving stability control 
systems49
Safety tires, refer to Run-Flat 
Tires84Screwdriver, refer to Onboard 
tool kit93
Screw thread, tow fitting101
Seat Belt Reminder, refer to 
'Fasten safety belts' 
reminder33
Seat heating33
Seat memory32
Seats30
– adjusting mechanically31
– adjusting the sports seat31
– heating33
– memory, refer to Seat 
memory32
– power adjustment31
– safe seating position30
– saving positions, refer to 
Seat memory32
Securing, locking the vehicle
– from inside21
– from outside19
Selector lever40
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic40
– lock, refer to Range 
selection, shiftlock40
Selector lever positions
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic40
Service, refer to Roadside 
Assistance98
Service, refer to Service and 
Warranty Information 
Booklet for US models, 
Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian 
models91
Service and warranty6
Service interval display47,91
Sheet ice, refer to Outside 
temperature warning46
Shifting gears
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic40
– manual transmission40
Shiftlock, refer to Range 
selection40
Shift paddles on the steering 
wheel41Side airbags52
Side marker lamps, front
– bulb replacement95
Side marker lamps, rear96
Side turn signal indicators, 
bulb replacement95
Side windows, refer to 
Windows25
Signal horn, refer to Horn10
Slipstream deflector, refer to 
Wind deflector66
Smokers' package, refer to 
Ashtray65
Snow chains85
Socket, On-Board Diagnosis 
OBD91
Socket, refer to Connecting 
electrical appliances67
SOS, refer to Emergency 
call98
Spare
– fuses97
– key18
– wheel, refer to Run-Flat 
Tires85
Spare fuses, refer to Fuses97
Special oils, refer to Approved 
engine oils89
Special wash program, refer to 
the Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Specified engine oils, refer to 
Approved engine oils89
Speed
– Run-Flat Tires51
– winter tires85
Speedometer12
Sport program
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic41
– Driving Dynamic Control42
Sports seat31
Spray nozzles, refer to 
Cleaning windshield44
Stability control, refer to 
Driving stability control 
systems49
Starting, refer to Starting the 
engine38