winter tires BMW Z4 3.0I COUPE 2008 E86 Owner's Manual

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
87
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.<
Temperature
The temperature grades are A, the highest, B
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to
a level of performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehi-
cle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either sep-
arately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.<
RSC: Run-Flat Tires
Run-Flat tires are labeled on the sidewall with a
circular symbol containing the letters RSC.
Refer to page88.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter performance proper-
ties than summer tires.
Tire condition
Inspect your tires frequently for tread wear,
signs of damage and for foreign objects lodged
in the tread. Check the tread depth.
Minimum tread depth
The tread depth should not drop below 1/8 in/
3 mm, although, for example, European legisla-
tion only specifies a minimum tread depth of
1/16 in/1.6 mm. At tread depths below 1/8 in/
3 mm there is an increased risk of high-speed
hydroplaning, even when only small amounts of
water are present on the road surface.
When winter tires wear down past a tread depth
of 1/6 in/4 mm, they become perceptibly less
suitable for winter conditions. In the interest of
safety, new tires should be installed.
Wear indicators in the base of the tread groove
are distributed around the tire's circumference;

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
89
Correct wheels and tires
BMW recommends using only wheels
and tires that have been approved by
BMW for your particular vehicle model, other-
wise 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.<
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.
Wheels with electronics for the Tire
Pressure Monitor TPM
When mounting new tires or changing from
summer to winter tires or vice versa, only use
wheels with TPMS electronics; otherwise the
Tire Pressure Monitor would not be able to
detect a flat tire, refer to page54. Your BMW
center will be glad to provide you with more
information.
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 BMW center will be glad to
provide 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.
Swapping wheels between the axles
BMW advises against moving the front wheels
to the rear wheel positions and vice versa, as
this may impair vehicle handling characteristics.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
101
Rear lamps
1Turn signal indicators, 21 watts, PY21W
Silver Vision
2Brake lamp, 21 watts, P21W
3Backup lamp, 16 watts, W16W
4Tail lamp, LED
5Brake lamp, 21 watts, H21W
In the event of a malfunction in lamp 4 or 5,
please contact your BMW center or a workshop
that works according to BMW repair proce-
dures with correspondingly trained personnel.
Changing bulbs
1.Remove the cover in the cargo bay by turn-
ing the lock, see arrow.
2.Apply gentle pressure to the bulb socket
while turning it to the left and remove it.
3.Remove and replace the bulb.
4.Insert bulb socket.
5.Reattach the cover.
Side marker lamps, rear
To change the bulbs, please contact your BMW
center or a workshop that works according to
BMW repair procedures with correspondingly
trained personnel.
Center high-mount brake lamp
This lamp uses LED technology for operation.
In the event of a malfunction, please contact
your BMW center or a workshop that works
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel.
License plate lamps
5-watt bulb, W5W
1.Push out the lamp with a screwdriver and
remove it.
2.Change the bulb and reinsert the lamp.
Changing a wheel
Run-Flat Tires
Your BMW is equipped with Run-Flat Tires as
standard. Therefore, no wheel has to be
changed immediately in the event of a loss in
inflation pressure.
Run-Flat Tires are labeled on the tire sidewall
with a circular symbol containing the letters
RSC. Also observe the information on page88.
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
advise you. Refer also to Wheel and tire
replacement, page88.
The tools for changing wheels are avail-
able as optional accessories from your
BMW center.<

Everything from A to Z
116
Everything from A to Z
Index
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System51
– indicator lamp12
Accident, refer to Emergency
call103
Acknowledgment signal for
locking/unlocking vehicle19
Activated-charcoal filter for
automatic climate control67
Additives
– coolant94
– engine oil94
Adjusting
– seats30
Adjusting the thigh support32
Airbags56
– deactivating37
– indicator/warning lamp13
– passenger airbags indicator
lamp37
– reactivation37
– safe seating position30
Airbag switch, refer to Key
switch for passenger
airbags36
Air conditioning62
Air-conditioning operation,
refer to Cooling
function63,66
Air distribution
– air conditioning63
– automatic66
– automatic climate control66
– individual63,66
– manual66
Air flow rate
– air conditioning63
– automatic climate control66
Airing out, refer to
Ventilation63,67Air outlets, refer to
Ventilation63,67
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure84
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode63,67
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications83
Alarm system23
– avoiding unintentional
alarms24
– interior motion sensor24
– switching off an alarm24
– tilt alarm sensor24
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires87,89
Ambient air, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode63,67
Ambient temperature
display48
Antenna, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Antifreeze46,94
– coolant94
– washer fluids46
Antilock Brake System
ABS51
– indicator/warning lamp12
– indicator lamp13
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system23
Anti-theft protection19,23
Approved engine oils94
Artificial leather, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Ashtray69
Assistance systems, refer to
Driving stability control
systems51AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control67
Audio device, external68
Automatic
– air distribution66
– air flow rate66
– cruise control46
– headlamp control59
– luggage compartment lid
operation22
– recirculated-air control
AUC67
– tailgate operation21
Automatic car wash, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Automatic climate control65
Automatic convertible top27
Automatic lamps59
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic42
– indicator lamp13
– interlock40,42
– selector lever43
– selector lever lock42
– shiftlock42
– shift paddles on steering
wheel43
– towing the vehicle106
– tow-starting106
AUTO program for automatic
climate control66
AUX-In jack68
Average fuel consumption50
– setting unit of measure50
Average speed50
– setting unit of measure50
Avoiding unintentional
alarms24
Axle loads, refer to
Weights113

Everything from A to Z
122 Lighter socket, refer to
Cigarette lighter69
Lighting
– instruments60
– lamps and bulbs98
– vehicle, refer to Lamps59
Lighting of the instruments,
refer to Instrument
lighting60
LIGHTS ON warning60
Light switch59
Loads, refer to Cargo
loading77
Loads, securing77
Locking the doors
– from inside21
– from outside19,20
Locking the vehicle
– from inside21
– from outside19
Longlife oils
– approved engine oils94
Low beams59
– automatic59
– bulb replacement99
– indicator lamp, defective
bulb13
Luggage compartment, refer
to Cargo bay23
Luggage compartment lid22
– emergency release23
– indicator lamp13
– opening from inside the
vehicle22
– opening from the outside22
– remote control20
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires89
Maintenance96
– refer to Service Booklet
– refer to Service interval
display49,96
Making telephone calls, refer
to Owner's Manual for
TelephoneMalfunction
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic43
– convertible top28
– door lock20
– fuel filler door82
– luggage compartment lid22
– tailgate22
Malfunction of electrical
accessory102
Manual
– air distribution66
– air flow rate66
Manual convertible top25
Manual mode, refer to
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic43
Manual operation
– door lock20
– driver's door20
– fuel filler door82
– luggage compartment lid22
– power convertible top28
– tailgate22
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission42
Manual transmission42
Manufacturer5
Master keys with remote
control18
Maximum cooling66
Maximum speed
– with winter tires89
Measurements, refer to
Dimensions111,112
Mechanical seat31
Memory
– Seat memory32
– Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory18
Microfilter
– air conditioning64
– automatic climate control67
Microphone, refer to Mobile
phone preparation
package71
Minidisc operation, refer to
Owner's Manual for Radio/
Onboard ComputerMirrors34
– exterior mirrors34
– heating34
– interior rearview mirror34
Mobile communications in the
vehicle, refer to the separate
Owner's Manual
Mobile phone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Mobile phone preparation
package71
Modifications, technical, refer
to For your own safety5
M Sports seat31
Multifunctional steering
wheel, refer to Buttons on
the steering wheel11
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signal
indicators/headlamp
flasher44
– refer to Washer/wiper
system45
N
Navigation system, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Neck support, refer to Head
restraints32
Nets69
New
– keys18
– tires88
Nylon rope, refer to Tow
rope106
O
OBD socket, refer to Socket
for On-Board Diagnosis
OBD96
Octane numbers, refer to Fuel
specifications83
Odometer48
Oil, refer to Engine oil92
Oil level92
– checking93
Oil service49

Everything from A to Z
124 Rubber parts, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Runflat System Component
RSC, refer to Run-Flat
Tires88
Run-Flat Tires88
– changing a tire87,89
– changing a wheel101
– flat tire53,55
– Flat Tire Monitor53
– tire inflation pressure84
– Tire Pressure Monitor54
– winter tires89
Runflat Tyres, refer to Run-
Flat Tires88
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
– airbags56
– Antilock Brake System
ABS51
– driving stability control
systems51
Safety tires, refer to Run-Flat
Tires88
Saving
– fuel74
Screw thread, tow fitting106
Seat Belt Reminder, refer to
'Fasten safety belts'
reminder33
Seat heating33
Seat memory32Seats30
– 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 lever42
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic42
– lock, refer to Range
selection, shiftlock42
Selector lever positions
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic42
Service, refer to Roadside
Assistance103
Service, refer to Service and
Warranty Information
Booklet for US models,
Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian
models96
Service and warranty6
Service interval display49,96
Sheet ice, refer to Outside
temperature warning48
Shifting gears
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic42
– manual transmission42
Shiftlock, refer to Range
selection42
Shift paddles on the steering
wheel43
Side airbags56
Side marker lamps, front
– bulb replacement100
Side marker lamps, rear101
Side turn signal indicators,
bulb replacement100
Side windows, refer to
Windows24Signal horn, refer to Horn10
Slipstream deflector, refer to
Wind deflector70
Smokers' package, refer to
Ashtray69
Snow chains90
Socket, On-Board Diagnosis
OBD96
Socket, refer to Connecting
electrical appliances70
SOS, refer to Emergency
call103
Spare
– fuses102
– key18
– wheel, refer to Run-Flat
Tires89
Spare fuses, refer to
Fuses102
Special oils, refer to Approved
engine oils94
Special wash program, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Specified engine oils, refer to
Approved engine oils94
Speed
– Run-Flat Tires53,55
– winter tires89
Speedometer12
Sport program
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic43
– Dynamic Driving Control44
Sports seat31
Spray nozzles, refer to
Cleaning windshield46
Stability control, refer to
Driving stability control
systems51
Starting, refer to Starting the
engine40
Starting difficulties
– jump-starting104
– temperature41
Starting with a flat battery,
refer to Jump-starting104
Status of this Owner's Manual
at time of printing5

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
125
Steering wheel10
– adjusting35
– buttons on steering
wheel11
– lock40
Steptronic, refer to Sport
program and Manual
operation43
Storage compartments68
–
eyeglasses
compartment69
– glove compartment68
Storage nets69
Storage space
– refer to Cargo bay23
– refer to Storage
compartments68
Storing seat position, refer to
Seat memory32
Stowage, refer to Storage
compartments68
Summer tires, refer to Wheels
and tires84
Supply reservoir, refer to
Washer fluid reservoir46
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switch for passenger
airbags36
Switching cooling function on/
off manually63,66
Symbols4
T
Table of contents3
Tachometer48
Tailgate21
– emergency operation22
– indicator lamp13
– opening from inside the
vehicle21
– opening from the outside21
– opening manually22
– remote control20
– roller-blind cover70
Tail lamps, refer to Rear
lamps101Tail lights, refer to Rear
lamps101
Tank contents
– refer to Capacities114
Tank indicator, refer to Fuel
gauge48
Technical data110
Technical modifications, refer
to For your own safety5
Telephone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Telephone preparation
package71
Temperature
– air conditioning63
– automatic climate control66
– coolant, refer to Coolant
thermometer49
– engine49
Temperature display
– outside temperature48
– outside temperature
warning48
– setting unit of measure50
Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control46
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center high-mount brake
lamp101
Three-point safety belt, refer
to Safety belts33
Tilt alarm sensor24
Tilt function, passenger-side
mirror34
Tire, flat53,55
– Flat Tire Monitor53
– indicator/warning lamp13
– Run-Flat Tires88
– Tire Pressure Monitor54
Tire inflation pressure84
– checking84
– loss53,54
– restoring84
Tire pressure monitoring,
refer to
– Flat Tire Monitor53
– Tire Pressure Monitor
54Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM54
– indicator/warning lamp55
– resetting the system54
– system limits54
Tire Quality Grading86
Tire renewal88
Tires
– age86,88
– break-in procedures74
– changing88
– coding86
– condition87
– damage88
– DOT quality grades86
– flat53,55
– inflation pressure84
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Flat Tire Monitor53
– replacement88
– size84
– storage89
– temperature87
– traction87
– tread87
– tread wear87
– Uniform Tire Quality
Grading86
– wear indicators, refer to
Minimum tread depth87
– wheel and tire
replacement88
– winter tires89
– with emergency features,
refer to Run-Flat Tires88
Tire storage89
Tool kit, refer to Onboard tool
kit98
Torque, refer to Engine
data110
Tow bar106
Tow fitting
– screw thread106
Towing eyelet105
Towing the vehicle105
– methods106
– with automatic
transmission106
Tow rope106

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
127
Windshield
– cleaning45
– defrosting and removing
condensation63,66
Windshield wipers
– blades, care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
– changing blades98
– refer to Washer/wiper
system45
Winter tires89
– changing101
– condition87
– Run-Flat Tires89
– storage89
Wiper blades
– care, refer to the Caring for
your vehicle brochure
– changing98
Wood decoration, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Work in the engine
compartment91
Wrench/screwdriver, refer to
Onboard tool kit98
X
Xenon lamps
– replacing bulbs99

Refueling
So that you have important specifications avail-
able to you when you stop to refuel, we recom-
mend that you fill out this table with the data
that apply to your vehicle. Consult the index for
individual specifications.Fuel
Engine oil
Do not add engine oil until the corresponding
warning lamp comes on in the instrument clus-
ter or the oil lever monitor shows "+1.0", refer to
page93.
Tire inflation pressures
Specifications
Please enter your preferred fuel here.
Preferred oil grade
Summer tires
FrontRearWinter tires
FrontRear
Up to 2 persons
2 persons plus luggage