air condition BMW Z4 ROADSTER 2.5I 2004 E85 Owner's Manual

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility

5

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, for
example a car radio or telephone, supple-
mentary Owner's Manuals are enclosed.
We ask that you read these manuals as
well.

Status of the Owner's
Manual

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.

For your own safety

Fuels

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 war-
ranties 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 driveability, 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.

<

Maintenance and repair

Advanced technology, e. g. the use of
modern materials and high-perfor-
mance electronics, requires specially
adapted maintenance and repair methods.
Therefore, only have corresponding work
on your BMW carried out by a BMW center
or a workshop that works according to
BMW repair procedures with correspond-
ingly trained personnel. If work is carried
out improperly there is a danger of conse-
quential damage and the related safety
risks.

<

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
33
Transporting children safely
Children on the passenger's
seat
Deactivating/reactivating passenger
airbags
The passenger airbags must be deac-
tivated before using a rear-facing
child-restraint system on the passenger
seat, refer also to page 34 for explanation.
BMW also recommends that the passenger
airbags be deactivated if a child is trans-
ported in a front-facing child-restraint sys-
tem, regardless of the age of the child. If
you transport a child in the passenger seat,
not an infant in a rear-facing seat, who is
properly seated and seat-belted at all
times, the potential benefits of airbags
deploying in an accident generally out-
weigh the risks of the child being injured by
the force of a deploying airbag.
Therefore, you should deactivate the pas-
senger airbags only if you find it difficult to
ensure that the child will remain properly
seated and seat-belted at all times.
Always position the passenger seat as far
back as possible and at the lowest level.
The above warning and recommendations
are compatible with regulations estab-
lished by the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration, NHTSA, permitting
the deactivation of passenger airbags by
means of an on-off switch for members of
certain at-risk groups.
Specifically, the at-risk groups are:
>Infants in rear-facing infant seats
>Persons with certain medical conditions
>Children aged 12 and under in the pas-
senger seat.
NHTSA provides this information via their
website, www.nhtsa.dot.gov, or via their
Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at
1-800-424-9393 or 366-0123
in Washington, D.C. area.<
The concept
Passenger airbags can be deactivated/
reactivated with the vehicle ignition key.
The key switch is located on the outer pas-
senger's side of the instrument panel.
The passenger airbags can only be deacti-
vated or reactivated with the vehicle stand-
ing still, ignition off and the passenger door
open.
Deactivation
Deactivation of the passenger airbags sys-
tem deactivates the passenger front, knee
and side airbag. The airbags on the driver
side remain active.
Using the vehicle ignition key, turn the key
switch to the OFF position. Note, the pas-
senger airbags will remain deactivated with
the switch in this position.
As soon as the reason for the deacti-
vation of the passenger airbags no
longer exists, you must reactivate these air-
bags so that they can deploy in an accident
within their normal deployment range.<
Reactivating
Using the vehicle ignition key, turn the key
switch to the AUTO position.
All airbags in the vehicle are activated and
will be triggered under appropriate condi-
tions.

Technology for safety and driving convenience
52
Technology for safety and driving
convenience
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC
The concept
This system optimizes driving stability and
traction, especially when just starting off,
when accelerating or when cornering. It
also maintains vehicle stability, even in crit-
ical driving situations.
DSC recognizes unstable vehicle condi-
tions, such as understeering or oversteer-
ing, and, within physically feasible limits,
helps keeping the vehicle on a steady
course by reducing engine speed and by
brake applications at individual wheels.
The DSC is operational every time you start
the engine. It includes the following func-
tions:
>Automatic Stability Control plus Trac-
tion ASC+T
>Dynamic Traction Control DTC
>Dynamic Brake Control DBC
The laws of physics cannot be
repealed even with DSC. It will always
be the driver's responsibility to drive in a
manner that matches road conditions. We
therefore urge you to avoid using the addi-
tional safety margin of the system as an
excuse for taking risks.
Do not make any modifications to the DSC
system. Allow only authorized technicians
to perform service procedures on the
DSC.<
Indicator lamps
The indicator lamps in the instrument clus-
ter go out shortly after you switch on the
ignition.
Dynamic Stability Control DSC indi-
cator lamp flashes:
The system is active and governs
drive torque and braking forces.The indicator lamp stays lit:
Dynamic Stability Control DSC and
Dynamic Traction Control DTC have been
switched off via the button.
Dynamic Traction Control DTC indi-
cator lamp lights up permanently:
DTC has been deactivated via the
DSC button.
Dynamic Stability Control DSC indi-
cator lamp flashes:
Dynamic Traction Control DTC indi-
cator lamp lights up permanently:
DTC is actively regulating drive
torque and braking forces.
Interventions to increase stability are
being performed to a limited degree
only.<
The Dynamic Stability Control DSC
indicator lamp and yellow brake
warning lamp for Dynamic Brake
Control DBC light up continuously:
Dynamic Stability Control DSC,
Dynamic Traction Control DTC and
Dynamic Brake Control DBC are malfunc-
tioning.
Have the system repaired at your BMW
center.
Dynamic Stability Control DSC indi-
cator lamp and yellow brake warn-
ing lamp for Dynamic Brake Control
DBC for Canadian models:
The vehicle remains completely oper-
ational without the DSC, DTC and
DBC functions.<
In the event of a malfunction, please see
your BMW center.

Technology for safety and driving convenience
56
Airbags
The following airbags are located under the
marked covers:
1Front airbags for driver and passenger
2Side airbags for driver and passenger
3Knee airbags for driver and passenger
Protective effect
The front airbags help protect the driver
and passenger in the event of a head-on
collision where the protection provided by
the safety belt alone would not be ade-
quate. The side airbags help provide pro-
tection in the event of a collision from the
side. Each of the side airbags is designed
to help support the seat occupant's upper
body. The knee airbags help provide addi-
tional protection in the event of a head-on
collision.
The airbags are deliberately not triggered
in every impact situation, e. g. less severe
accidents, certain roll-over conditions, or
rear-end collisions.
For information on the correct seating posi-
tion, refer to page 27.
Do not apply adhesive materials to
the cover panels of the airbags, cover
them or modify them in any other way. Do
not attempt to remove the airbag retention
system from the vehicle. Never modify or
tamper with either the wiring or the individ-
ual components in the airbag system. This
category includes the upholstery in the
center of the steering wheel, on the instru-
ment panel, the side trim panels on the
doors. Do not attempt to remove or dis-
mantle the steering wheel.
Do not touch the individual components directly after the system has been trig-
gered, because there is a danger of burns.
If you note any indication of system mal-
function, if you desire to have an airbag
deactivated, or if the airbag retention sys-
tem is triggered in response to an accident,
you should always entrust all inspection,
repair and dismantling operations to your
BMW center.
Unprofessional attempts to service the sys-
tem could lead to failure in an emergency
or undesired airbag activation, either of
which could result in personal injury.
To ensure compliance with official safety
regulations, please also entrust disposal of
airbag generators to a BMW center.<
Airbag warning information is also provided
on the sun visors.Automatic deactivation of the
passenger airbags
Before transporting a child on the
passenger seat be sure to observe
the information/instructions under Trans-
porting children safely, refer to page 33.<
Your BMW has a seat occupation detection
system. By evaluating the weight on the
passenger's seat, the system detects
whether or not the seat is occupied by a
child in the child-restraint system or an
adult.
>When a child is seated in the child-
restraint system, the front, side and
knee airbags are automatically deacti-
vated on the passenger's side.
>When an adult is traveling in the front
seat or it is unoccupied, the front, side
and knee airbags remain active on the
passenger's side.
Although not desired, it can occur in
the case of heavier children that the
passenger airbags remain active or, in the
case of very light adults or young persons,
that the passenger airbags are deactivated.
The condition of the passenger airbag sys-
tem is shown by the indicator lamp in the
central console, refer to Indicator lamps
below. If the indicator lamp signals that the
passenger airbags are active and you wish

Controlling the climate for pleasant driving
58
Controlling the climate for pleasant
driving
Air conditioning
1Air onto the windshield and the side
windows
2Air for the upper body area59
3Air for the footwell
4Air distribution595Air conditioning59
6Outside-air/recirculated-air mode59
7Temperature adjustment59
8Air supply/blower59
9Rear window defroster59

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
59
Air distribution
You can direct airflow onto the
windows , toward the upper
body and into the footwell .
All intermediate settings are pos-
sible.
Air supply/blower
You can set the blower to 8 differ-
ent levels. Both heating and ven-
tilation become more effective as
the air supply rate is increased.
Turn the rotary control toward zero:
The blower and the heating are turned off,
and the air supply is stopped.
Temperature
In order to increase the tempera-
ture of the passenger compart-
ment, turn to the right toward the
red zone.
Air conditioning
The air is cooled and dehumidi-
fied and – depending on the tem-
perature setting – rewarmed.
Depending on the weather, the
windshield may fog over briefly when the
engine is started.
Condensation forms during operation
of the air conditioning system, which
then exits under the vehicle. Traces of con-
densed water on the ground underneath
the vehicle are thus normal.<
Outside-air/recirculated-air mode
If there are unpleasant odors in
the outside air, you can tempo-
rarily block the supply of incom-
ing air. The system then recircu-
lates the air currently within the vehicle.
If the windows fog over in the recircu-
lated air mode, switch this mode off
and increase the air supply as required. Do
not use the recirculated-air mode continu-
ously over a long period of time as this
would otherwise reduce the air quality in
the interior of the vehicle.<
Rear window defroster
The indicator lamp lights up when
the rear window defroster is
active. The rear window defroster
switches off automatically.
Ventilation
You can adjust the blower controls for the
upper body area to obtain the optimum air-
flow rates and directions for your personal
requirements:
1Rotary dials for opening and closing the
vents at any setting desired
2Slide for adjusting airflow direction
Microfilter
The built-in microfilter removes dust and
pollen from the incoming air and in the
recirculated air mode. Your BMW center
will replace this filter during the regularly
scheduled maintenance. A substantial
reduction in airflow indicates that the filter
needs to be replaced earlier.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
61
Automatic climate control*
1Air onto the windshield and the side
windows
2Air for the upper body area63
3Air for the footwell
4Individual air distribution62
5To defrost windows and remove
condensation62
6Automatic air distribution and air
supply627Air supply/blower62
8Air conditioning59
9Maximum cooling62
10Temperature62
11Outside air/Automatic recirculated air
control AUC/recirculated air mode63
12Rear window defroster63

Controlling the climate for pleasant driving
62
Tips for pleasant driving
Use the automatic system – switch on with
AUTO button 6. Select the desired interior
temperature.
Detailed setting options are described for
you below.
Automatic air distribution and supply
The AUTO program assumes the
adjustment of the air distribution
and air supply for you and in addi-
tion adapts the temperature to
external influences, summer or winter, to
meet preferences you can specify.
In the AUTO program, the air conditioning
mode is also turned on at the same time.
The AUTO program functions only to
a limited extent when the convertible
top is open.<
Individual air distribution
You yourself can direct airflow
onto the windows , toward the
upper body and into the foot-
well . The arrow lights up. The
automatic air supply remains unchanged.
All intermediate settings are possible. By
pressing the AUTO button, you can reacti-
vate the air distribution.
Temperature
The interior temperature that
appears on the display panel is a
general figure intended for refer-
ence purposes. When you start
the vehicle, the system ensures that the
selected temperature is reached as quickly
as possible, regardless of the season. It
then maintains this temperature.
Air supply/blower
You can set the blower through
an infinitely variable range of
speeds. This shuts off the auto-
matic air supply. The arrow lights
up. The automatic air distribution remains
unchanged. You can reactivate the auto-
matic air supply by pressing the AUTO but-
ton.When you turn the rotary control toward
zero: the blower, heating and air condi-
tioner are switched off, and the air supply is
stopped. You can reactivate the system by
turning the control toward the right again.
To defrost windows and remove
condensation
This program quickly removes ice
and condensation from the wind-
shield and the side windows.
Maximum cooling
Above an outside temperature of
417/+56 and with the engine
running, you achieve a maximum
cooling effect as quickly as possi-
ble. At the same time, the air conditioning is
turned on.
The temperature is set to the lowest possi-
ble value. The system switches into the
recirculated air mode and air flows at max-
imum blower speed from the air outlets
only. Therefore, the air outlets must always
be open when you select this program.
Air conditioning
The air is cooled and dehumidi-
fied and, depending on the tem-
perature setting, rewarmed.
Depending on the weather, the
windshield may fog over briefly when the
engine is started.
The air conditioning system is automati-
cally switched on when you use the AUTO
program.
Condensation forms during operation
of the air conditioning system, which
then exits under the vehicle. Traces of con-
densed water on the ground underneath
the vehicle are thus normal.<

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
69
Driving notes
Parking the vehicle
Condensation forms in the air conditioner
system during operation, which then exits
under the vehicle. Traces of condensed
water on the ground underneath the vehi-
cle are thus normal.
Brakes
Do not drive with your foot resting on
the brake pedal. Even light but con-
sistent pedal pressure can lead to high
temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce vehicle speed. If you do not, a
wedge of water may form between the tires
and the road surface. This phenomenon
can lead to partial or complete loss of trac-
tion, vehicle control and braking effective-
ness.<
Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the
road if it is deeper than 1 ft / 30 cm,
and then only at walking speed. Otherwise,
the vehicle's engine, the electrical systems
and the transmission may be damaged.<
High temperatures
High temperatures occur with every
vehicle equipped with a catalytic con-
verter. Heat shields are installed adjacent
to some sections of the exhaust system.
Never remove these shields; do not apply
undercoating to their surfaces. When driv-
ing, standing at idle and parking the vehi-
cle, take care to avoid contact between the
hot exhaust system and flammable materi-
als, e.g. hay, leaves, grass, etc. Such con-
tact could lead to a fire, resulting in serious
personal injury and property damage.<
Brake system
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp lights up
although the parking brake is not
engaged:
Check the brake fluid level. It is very impor-
tant that you follow the instructions on
page 85 before driving on.
Disc brakes
Corrosion
Limited vehicle use, extended periods with
the vehicle parked or in storage, and oper-
ating conditions in which braking is
restricted to gentle, low-pressure applica-
tions will all increase the tendency for cor-
rosion to form on the rotors and contamina-
tion to accumulate on the brake pads. This
occurs because the minimal pressure
which must be exerted by the pads to clean
the rotors by brake applications is not
reached.
If the brake rotors are corroded, they will
tend to respond to braking with a pulsating
effect which even extended application will
fail to cure.
Wet roads
When driving in heavy rain and on wet
roads, it is useful to apply light pressure
to the brake pedal every few miles. Watch
traffic conditions to ensure that this maneu-
ver does not endanger other road users.
The resulting heat dries the brake rotors
and brake pads. Immediate braking control
is then available if necessary.
Inclines
Extended or steep mountain descents
should be driven in the gear or drive posi-
tion in which only minimal periodic brake
application is required. This helps avoid
placing excessive loads on the brake sys-
tem. Observe the maximum allowable
engine speed when doing so; refer to
page 48.

Special operating instructions
70 Do not coast with the clutch
depressed or with the transmission or
selector lever in Neutral. Do not coast with
the engine switched off. Otherwise the
engine provides no braking effect and there
is no power-assist for braking or steering
when the engine is off.<
Brake pads
The yellow indicator lamp for the
brake pads lights up:
Have the condition of the brake
pads inspected.
For your own safety: use brake pads
which the manufacturer has approved
for your specific vehicle model. The manu-
facturer cannot evaluate non-approved
brake pads to determine if they are suitable
for use, and therefore cannot ensure the
operating safety of the vehicle in the event
of their use.<
Cargo loading
Avoid overloading the vehicle so that
the permitted load on the tires is not
exceeded. Otherwise, overheating and
inner damage to the tires may result. The
ultimate result can assume the form of a
sudden air loss.<
Determining the maximum load
1.Locate the following statement on your
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo should never
exceed XXX kg or YYY lbs; otherwise
damage to the vehicle and unstable
driving conditions could result.<2.Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passenger that will be riding
in your vehicle
3.Substract the combined weight of the
driver and passenger from XXX kilo-
grams or YYY pounds
4.The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load
capacity.
For example, if the XXX amount equals
551 lbs. and there will be two 150 lbs.
passengers in your vehicle, the amount
of available cargo and luggage load
capacity is 251 lbs.
551 lbs. minus 300 lbs. = 251 lbs.
5.Determine the combined weight of lug-
gage and cargo being loaded on the
vehicle. That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo and luggage
load capacity calculated in Step 4.
Load
The permissible load is the sum of the
occupants' weights and the weight of the
cargo. The greater the weight of the occu-
pants, the less cargo can be transported.
Stowing cargo
>Load heavy cargo as far forward as
possible, directly behind the luggage
compartment partition, and as low as
possible
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
To avoid damaging the rear of the
backrest or the rear interior trim
panel, do not stow heavy cargo or cargo
with sharp edges and corners behind the
seats.
In addition, large and bulky cargo stowed