service BMW Z4 2.5I 2005 User Guide

Wheels and tires
80
Tire coding
Understanding the lettering on the tire sidewall
makes it easier to identify and choose the cor-
rect tires.
Tire size
e.g. 225/50 R 16 92 V
Nominal width in mm
Cross-sectional
ratio in %
Radial belt construction
Rim diameter in inches
Load index,
not on ZR tires
Speed code letter,
in front of the R on ZR tires
Speed code letter
Q= up to 105 mph / 160 km/h
T= up to 118 mph / 190 km/h
H= up to 131 mph / 210 km/h
V= up to 150 mph / 240 km/h
W= up to 167 mph / 270 km/h
Y= up to 186 mph / 300 km/h
Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of
the U.S. Department of Transportation.
DOT code:
e.g. DOT xxxx xxx 5004
Manufacturer's code
for tire brand
Tire size and
tire version
Tire age
Tire age
The date on which the tire was manufactured is
indicated by the code on the sidewall:
DOT … 5004 indicates that the tire was manu-
factured in week 50 of the year 2004.BMW recommends the replacement of all tires
every 6 years at the latest, even if a tire usage of
10 years is possible.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
DOT quality grades
Tread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform to
Federal Safety Requirements in addition
to these grades.<
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half, 1 γ, times as well on the govern-
ment course as a tire graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due to varia-
tions in driving habits, service practices and dif-
ferences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B and C.
Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test sur-
faces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration, cor-
nering, hydroplaning, or peak traction charac-
teristics.<

Wheels and tires
82
Run Flat tires fitted
Run Flat tires are labeled on the sidewall with a
circular symbol containing the letters RSC.
Run Flat tires consist of self-supporting tires
and special rims. The tire reinforcement
ensures that driving remains possible to a
restricted degree in the event of pressure drop
or even if the tire is deflated.
Wheel and tire replacement
Have new wheels and tires mounted only
by a BMW center or specialized tire shop
that works according to BMW requirements
with the appropriately trained personnel. Work
that is improperly carried out could result in
consequential damage and pose safety haz-
ards. Make sure that the new wheels are bal-
anced.<
BMW advises against using retreaded
tires, since driving safety may be
impaired. This is due to possible variations in
casing structures and, in some cases, to their
extreme age, factors which can lead to a
decrease in their durability.<
The correct wheels and tires
BMW recommends using only wheels
and tires that have been approved by
BMW for your particular vehicle model, as oth-
erwise body contact and serious accidents can
result despite the use of the same nominal size,
e.g. due to manufacturing tolerances. If non-
approved wheels and tires are used, BMW can-
not evaluate their suitability, and therefore can-
not be held liable for driving safety. mation about the correct wheel and tire combi-
nations for your vehicle.
The correct wheel and tire combination also
affects other systems which would otherwise
be impaired, for example ABS or DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single brand and
tread configuration. In the event of a flat tire,
remount the previous wheel and tire combina-
tion as soon as possible.
Recommended tire brands
BMW tests certain tire brands for each tire size,
classifies them as road-safe and approves
them. You can best find out about these at a
specialized shop, particularly your BMW center.
Observe any country-specific regulations, e.g.
on making a corresponding entry in the vehicle
documents.
The factory-approved radial-ply tires are
matched to your vehicle and have been
selected to provide optimum safety and driving
comfort when used properly.
Run Flat tires
When mounting new tires or replacing summer
tires with winter tires, or vice versa, use Run Flat
tires since no spare wheel is available in the
event of a flat. Your BMW center will be glad to
provide you with more information.
For safety reasons, BMW recommends to
have Run Flat tires replaced, not repaired,
if they are damaged.<
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.
Observing speed ratings
Never exceed the maximum speed for
which the winter tires are rated. Unpro-
fessional attempts by laymen to service tires

In the engine compartment
84
In the engine compartment
Do not attempt to service your vehicle if
you do not have the required technical
background. If you are not familiar with the reg-
ulations to be observed, have your vehicle ser-
viced only by a BMW center or a workshop that
works according to BMW requirements with the
appropriately trained personnel. Work that is
improperly carried out could result in conse-
quential damage and pose safety hazards.<
Hood
To release
Pull the lever located under the left-hand side of
the instrument panel.
To open
1.Reach under the engine hood
2.Push the release handle up
3.Open the hood.
To close
Allow the hood to fall from a low height and
push on both sides so that it audibly engages.
As in all closing procedures, avoid injuries
by making sure that the travel path of the
hood is clear when it is closed.
If you notice while driving that the hood is not
completely closed, stop immediately and close
it securely.<

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
89
Maintenance
The BMW Maintenance
System
The BMW Maintenance System helps maintain
the road safety and operating reliability of your
BMW.
Please keep in mind that regular maintenance is
not only necessary for the safety of your vehi-
cle, but also plays a significant role in maintain-
ing the resale value of your vehicle.
Service interval display
While conventional systems rely on distance
traveled alone to determine when a service is
due, the BMW Maintenance System has taken
the actual conditions under which the vehicle is
operated into consideration for years, because
miles can be traveled in many different ways:
From a maintenance point of view,
60,000 miles/100,000 km accumulated in
short-distance urban driving are not the same
as 60,000 miles/100,000 km accumulated at
moderate cruising speeds in long-distance
highway travel.
The BMW Maintenance System includes the
Engine Oil Service and Inspections I and II.
Determining the maintenance intervals based
on the actual loads on the vehicle covers every
kind of operating situation. Minimal use drivers,
who drive fewer than about 6,200 miles/
10,000 km per year, should nevertheless have
the oil changed at least every 2 years since
engine oil deteriorates over time, regardless of
use.
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models, Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for Canadian
models
For additional information on required mainte-
nance intervals and procedures, please refer to
the Service and Warranty Information Booklet
for US models, or the Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet for Canadian models.
Depending on operating conditions, it may be
advisable to have the body checked for damage
from rocks or gravel as a precaution against cor-
rosion.
BMW recommends that you have your
BMW center perform the maintenance
and repair.
Be sure that all maintenance work is recorded in
the Service and Warranty Information Booklet
for US models, Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models. These entries will
serve as proof that the vehicle has received reg-
ular maintenance.<

Maintenance
90
OBD interface socket
The Onboard Diagnostic OBD interface socket
is located on the left of the driver's side under
the instrument panel and under a cover.
The cover has the letters OBD on it.
The purpose of the OBD system is to ensure
proper operation of the emission control sys-
tem for the vehicle's lifetime.
The system monitors emission-related compo-
nents and systems for deterioration and mal-
function.
If the Service engine soon indicator
lamp comes on either continuously or
intermittently, this indicates a fault in
the emission-related electronic systems.
Although the vehicle remains operational, you
should have the systems checked by your
BMW center at the earliest possible opportu-
nity.
The illuminated indicator informs you of the
need for service, not that you need to stop the
vehicle. However, the systems should be
checked by your BMW cente r a t t h e n e x t o p p o r -
tunity.
If the indicator blinks or flashes, this indicates a
high level of engine misfire. Reduce speed and
contact the nearest BMW center immediately.
Severe engine misfiring over even a short
period of time can seriously damage emission
control system components, especially the cat-
alytic converter.Indication of the above-described mal-
function in Canadian models.
If the gas cap is not on tight enough, the
OBD system can detect leaking vapor
and the indicator will light up. If the gas cap is
then tightened, the indicator will usually go out
after a short period of time.<
Event Data Recorders
Your vehicle may be equipped with one or more
sensing and diagnostic modules or a recording
device capable of recording or transmitting cer-
tain vehicle data or information. In addition, if
you have a Subscription Service Agreement for
the BMW Assist system, certain vehicle infor-
mation may be transmitted or recorded in order
to provide such services.
Care
Interesting facts about the care of your vehicle
are found in the Caring for your vehicle bro-
chure.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
91
Replacement procedures
Onboard tool kit
The onboard tool kit is stored in a tool pouch. It
is located in the luggage compartment beneath
the floor panel.
Windshield wiper blades
1.Swich off the ignition
2.Fold the wiper arm completely out from the
windshield
3.Place the wiper blade in a position at right
angles to the wiper arm
4.Press the locking spring
5.Fold the wiper blade down and unhook it
toward the windshield
6.Pull the wiper blade past the wiper arm
toward the top
7.Insert a new wiper blade and apply pressure
until you hear it engage.
Lamps and bulbs
The lamps and bulbs make essential contribu-
tions to the safety of your vehicle. Therefore,
comply fully with the following instructions dur-
ing bulb replacement. If you are not familiar with
the procedures, BMW recommends that you
have your BMW center carry out the work.
Do not touch the glass portion of a new
bulb with your bare hands since even
small amounts of impurities burn in to the sur-
face and reduce the service life of the bulb. Use
a clean cloth, paper napkin or a similar material,
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 cir-
cuits.
To prevent injuries and damage, always comply
with any instructions provided by the bulb man-
ufacturer.<
Accessing the headlamps
Protective cover in the wheel well
To gain access to the headlamp covers, turn the
front wheels in the required direction.

Replacement procedures
92 1.Open the caps with a suitable object, e.g. a
coin or screwdriver
2.Fold up the protective cover in the wheel
well.
Headlamp cover
1.Pull the wire clamp out straight
2.Pull the wire clamp past the catches, see
arrows, and fold it down
3.Flip the headlamp cover open and remove.
Reinstall the headlamp cover carefully. If
it is not on tight, the headlamp installation
could be damaged.<
Reinstall the headlamp cover in reverse order.
Low beams and high beams
Left side of engine compartment:
1Low beams
2High beams
H7 bulb, 55 watts
The H7 bulb is pressurized. Therefore,
wear safety glasses and protective
gloves. Failure to comply with these precau-
tions could result in physical injury if the bulb is
damaged.<
1.Turn the bulb holder to the left and pull out
2.Remove and replace the bulb
3.Install in the reverse order.
When cleaning the headlamps, please
observe the instructions in the Caring for
your vehicle brochure.<
Xenon lamps*
The service life of these bulbs is very long and
the probability of a failure is very low, provided
that they are not switched on and off an unusual
number of times. If one of these bulbs should
nevertheless fail, it is possible to continue driv-
ing with great caution using the fog lamps, pro-
vided traffic laws in your area do not prohibit
this.
Because of the extremely high voltages
involved, any work on the xenon lighting
system, including bulb-changing, should be
carried out by technically qualified personnel
only. Otherwise, there is a risk of fatal injury.<

Replacement procedures
94 Please contact a BMW center in case of a mal-
function.
License plate lamps
5 watt bulb
1.Push out the lamp with a suitable object and
remove it
2.Replace the bulb.
Snap the lamp back into place.
Light-emitting diodes LEDs
Control elements, display units and other inte-
rior equipment in your vehicle use a light-emit-
ting diode behind a cover as a light source.
These light-emitting diodes are similar to con-
ventional lasers.
Do not remove the covers, and do not
look directly at the unfiltered light for sev-
eral hours. Otherwise, it can lead to retinal irrita-
tion of the eye.<
Changing a wheel
Run Flat tires
Your BMW is equipped with Run Flat tires.
Therefore, the wheel no longer has to be
changed immediately in the event of a loss in
inflation pressure.
Run Flat tires are labeled on the sidewall with a
circular symbol containing the letters RSC.
Refer to page82.
BMW recommends that you consult your BMW
center if you wish to replace the tires of your
B MW , o r change from summe r to winter tire s o r
vice versa.
Your BMW center knows how to work with Run Flat tires and is equipped with the necessary
special tools.
When mounting or replacing summer
tires with winter tires, or vice versa, use
only Run Flat tires since no spare wheel is avail-
able in the event of a flat.<
Jacking points
The jacking points are located at the positions
indicated in the illustration.
Your BMW center can provide you with a
suitable jack as an accessory.<
Vehicle battery
Maintenance
The battery is completely maintenance-free.
This means that the original electrolyte will nor-
mally last for the service life of the battery under
moderate climatic conditions. Your BMW cen-
ter will be happy to advise you if you have any
questions concerning the battery.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp lights up:
The battery is no longer being charged.
The alternator drive belt is defective or
there is a malfunction in the charging circuit of
the alternator. Please contact the nearest BMW
center.
If the drive belt is defective, pull over and
switch off the engine immediately to pre-
vent overheating and serious engine damage.
If the onboard supply voltage drops to a very
low level, increased steering effort may also be
necessary.<

Giving and receiving assistance
96
Giving and receiving assistance
Receiving assistance
The BMW Group's Mobile Service offers you
24-hour assistance in the event of a breakdown,
even on weekends and holidays.
The telephone number of the Mobile Service
control center in your country is listed in the
Contact brochure.
If your vehicle has the necessary equipment,
you can contact the Mobile Service or issue an
emergency call using buttons in the center con-
sole, behind the parking brake under a cover.
When the emergency call is initiated, a tele-
phone connection is established with the BMW
Assist response center.
If your vehicle is equipped with an activated
BMW Assist and the current location of the
vehicle can be determined, this location is
transmitted to the BMW Assist response cen-
ter.
Requirements for initiating an emergency call or
contacting Mobile Service:
>Ignition key in position 1 or higher
>The car phone must be registered with a
mobile network
>The emergency call system must be opera-
tional.
Access to the buttons
Fold up the cover.
1Emergency call
2Roadside Assistance
Initiating an emergency call*
Press button1 for at least 2 seconds.
The indicator lamp in the button lights up. As
soon as a telephone connection to the BMW
Assist response center has been set up, the
indicator lamp flashes.
If the indicator lamp is flashing but you cannot
hear the emergency call center, you may still be
heard by the emergency call center.
For technical reasons, the emergency call
function cannot be guaranteed in certain
unfavorable conditions.<
If certain requirements are met, an emergency
call is automatically initiated after a serious
accident. The automatic emergency call will not
be hindered by pressing the button.
Roadside Assistance*
Press button2 for at least 2 seconds.
The indicator lamp in the button lights up. As
soon as a telephone connection to the Road-
side Assistance has been set up, the indicator
lamp flashes.
Depending on the country you are in, your vehi-
cle's current location will also be transmitted if
your vehicle is equipped with an activated BMW
Assist function.
Warning triangle*
The warning triangle is stored in the rear lug-
gage compartment panel.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
107
Bandages, refer to First-aid
kit97
Bar, towing99
Battery94
– charging95
– disposal95
– indicator lamp12,94
– jump-starting97
– power supply interruption95
– remote control16
Belts, refer to Safety belts30
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts30
Beverage holders64
Blower
– air conditioning59
– automatic climate control62
Blower, refer to Air
supply59,62
BMW5
BMW Maintenance
System89
Bottle holders, refer to
Beverage holders64
Brake fluid88
– filling88
– indicator/warning
lamp13,88
– level88
Brake force display52
Brake hydraulic system88
– indicator/warning
lamp13,88
Brake lamps
– brake force display52
– bulb replacement93
– indicator lamp, defective
lamp13
Brake pads88
– break-in procedures68
– warning lamp88
Brake pad wear indicator
– brake pads88
– warning lamp13
Brake rotors
– brake system69
– break-in procedures68Brakes
– ABS50
– brake fluid88
– brake pads88
– break-in procedures68
– indicator/warning
lamps13,51
– parking brake37
Brake system
– brake fluid88
– brake pads88
– break-in procedures68
– disc brakes69
– indicator lamp13
Breakdown
– Flat Tire Monitor52
Breakdown service, refer to
Mobile Service96
Breaking in the differential,
refer to Engine and
differential68
Break-in procedures68
Bridging, refer to Jump-
starting97
Bulb replacement, refer to
Lamps and bulbs91
Buttons in the multifunction
steering wheel10
C
California laws
– Event Data Recorders90
– Proposition 65 warning6
Can holders, refer to Beverage
holders64
Capacities105
Capacity
– luggage compartment, refer
to Weights103
Car battery94
Car care, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Care, refer to the Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Car keys, refer to Keys16Carpet care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Car radio, refer to the separate
Owner's Manual
Car telephone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Car wash, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system69
CD changer, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
CD operation, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Center high-mount brake
lamp, bulb replacement93
Central locking system16
– interior18
Changes, technical, refer to
For your own safety6
Changing a wheel94
– Run Flat tires94
Charge indicator lamp12,94
Check gas cap, indicator
lamp13
Child-restraint mounting
system, LATCH35
Child-restraint systems33
Child seat, refer to
Installing child-restraint
systems34
Chrome parts, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cigarette lighter65
Cigarette lighter socket65
Cleaning the rear window,
refer to the Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Cleaning the vehicle, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure