maintenance BMW Z4 ROADSTER 2.5I 2004 E85 Owner's Manual

Z4 2.5i
Z4 3.0i

Congratulations, and thank you for choosing a BMW.
Thorough familiarity with your vehicle will provide you with
enhanced control and security when you drive it. There-
fore, we have one request:
Please take the time to read this Owner's Manual and
familiarize yourself with the information that we have com-
piled for you before starting off in your new BMW. The
manual contains important data and instructions intended
to assist you in obtaining maximum satisfaction from your
BMW's unique array of advanced technical features. It also
contains information on vehicle maintenance designed to
enhance operating safety while simultaneously helping you
to maintain your BMW's value throughout an extended ser-
vice life. For additional information refer to the supplemen-
tal manuals.
This Owner's Manual should be considered a permanent
part of this vehicle. It should stay with the vehicle when
sold to provide the next owner with important operating,
safety and maintenance information.
We wish you an enjoyable driving experience.
BMW AG

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Contents
The fastest way to find information on spe-
cial topics is by using the index, refer to
page 104.

Using this Owner's Manual

4Notes
7Reporting safety defects

At a glance

10Cockpit

Controls

16Opening and closing
27Adjustments
33Transporting children safely
36Driving
46Lamps
48Everything under control
52Technology for safety and driving
convenience
58Controlling the climate for pleasant
driving
64Interior conveniences

Driving tips

68Special operating instructions

Mobility

74Refueling
75Wheels and tires
81In the engine compartment
86Maintenance
87Laws and regulations
88Replacement procedures
93Giving and receiving assistance

Reference

100Technical data
104Everything from A to Z

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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.

<

Notes

6

Parts and accessories

For your own safety, use parts and
accessories approved by BMW.
When you purchase accessories tested
and approved by BMW and Original BMW
Parts, you simultaneously acquire the
assurance that they have been thoroughly
tested by BMW to ensure optimum perfor-
mance when installed on your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free from
defects in material and workmanship.
BMW will not accept any liability for dam-
age resulting from installation of parts and
accessories not approved by BMW.
BMW cannot test every product made by
other manufacturers to verify if it can be
used on a BMW safely and without risk to
either the vehicle, its operation, or its occu-
pants.
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories
and other products approved by BMW,
together with professional advice on using
these items, are available from all BMW
retailers.
Installation and operation of non-BMW
approved accessories such as alarms,
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors, wheels,
suspension components, brake dust
shields, telephones, including operation of
any portable cellular phone from within the
vehicle without using an externally
mounted antenna, or transceiver equip-
ment, e. g. C.B., walkie-talkie, ham radio or
similar, may cause extensive damage to
the vehicle, compromise its safety, inter-
fere with the vehicle's electrical system or
affect the validity of the BMW Limited War-
ranty. See your BMW center for additional
information.
Do not use key or remote control to lock
doors or trunk with anyone inside the vehi-
cle. Refer to the Owner's Manual for more
details.

<

Maintenance, replacement or repair
of the emission control devices and
systems may be performed by any automo-
tive repair establishment or individual using
any certified automotive part.

<

Service and warranty

This manual is supplemented by a Service
and Warranty Information Booklet for US
models, Warranty and Service Guide Book-
let for Canadian models.
We recommend that you read this publica-
tion thoroughly.
Your BMW is covered by the following war-
ranties:

>

New Vehicle Limited Warranty

>

Rust Perforation Limited Warranty

>

Federal Emissions System Defect War-
ranty

>

Federal Emissions Performance War-
ranty

>

California Emission Control System
Limited Warranty.
Detailed information about these warran-
ties is listed in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US models, War-
ranty and Service Guide Booklet for Cana-
dian models.

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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
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63
Outside air/Automatic recirculated
air control AUC/recirculated air
mode
You can respond to unpleasant
external odors or pollutants by
temporarily stopping the flow of
outside air. The system then
recirculates the air currently within the
vehicle.
By repeatedly pressing the button, you can
select one of three different operating
modes.
>Indicator lamps off: outside air flows
into the vehicle
>Left-hand indicator lamp on, AUC
mode: the system detects pollutants in
the outside air and responds by deacti-
vating the outside airflow as required.
The system then recirculates the air
currently within the vehicle. Depending
on air quality requirements, the system
automatically switches between out-
side air supply and recirculation of the
air already within the vehicle
>Right-hand indicator lamp on: the flow
of outside air is permanently blocked.
The system recirculates the air already
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 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
2Sliders for adjusting airflow direction
Microfilter/activated-charcoal filter
The built-in microfilter removes dust and
pollen from the incoming air. The activated-
charcoal filter provides additional protec-
tion by filtering gaseous pollutants from the
outside air. Your BMW center replaces this
combined filter as a standard part of your
scheduled maintenance. A substantial
reduction in airflow indicates that the filter
needs to be replaced earlier.

Mobility
To ensure that you stay mobile,
the following chapter provides you with
important information on fuels and fluids,
tires and wheels, maintenance procedures
and steps to take in the event of a break-
down.

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75
Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressure
Information for your safety
It is not merely the tire's service life, but
also driving comfort and driving safety that
largely depend on the condition of the tires
and the maintenance of the specified tire
pressure.
Check tire inflation pressures regu-
larly and correct them if necessary: at
least every two weeks and before every
extended journey. If this is not done, incor-
rect tire pressures can cause driving insta-
bility or tire damage, ultimately resulting in
accidents.
Do not drive with a deflated, i.e. flat, tire
unless your vehicle is equipped with Run
Flat tires. A flat tire greatly impairs steering
and braking response, and can lead to
complete loss of control over the vehicle.<
Checking tire pressures
Check the tire inflation pressures only
when the tires are cold. This means after a
maximum driving distance of 1.25 miles/
2 km or if the vehicle has been parked for at
least 2 hours. Warm tires have higher infla-
tion pressures.
Reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor after cor-
recting the tire inflation pressure. Refer to
page 55.
Inflation pressures for original tires
The specified inflation pressures for tires at
ambient temperature are provided on the
placard on the B-pillar and are visible when
the driver's door is open.
Inflation pressures for other tire
sizes
The following tire inflation pressure tables
show the inflation pressures for the speci-
fied tire sizes at ambient temperature.
Reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor after
correcting the tire inflation pressure.
Refer to page 55.<
Tire size
The inflation pressures in the table apply to
BMW-approved tire sizes and brands. Your
BMW center will be glad to supply this
information.

Maintenance
86
Maintenance
The BMW Maintenance
System
The BMW Maintenance System has been
designed as a reliable means of providing
maximum driving and operating safety, and
as cost-effectively for you as possible.
Please keep in mind that regular mainte-
nance is not only necessary for the safety
of your vehicle, but also plays a significant
role in maintaining the resale value of your
vehicle.
Service interval display
While conventional systems rely on dis-
tance traveled alone to determine when a
service is due, the BMW Maintenance Sys-
tem has taken the actual conditions under
which the vehicle is operated into consid-
eration 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 accu-
mulated 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 dete-
riorates 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
maintenance 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 precau-
tion against corrosion.
BMW recommends that you have your
BMW center perform the mainte-
nance and repair.
Be sure that all maintenance work is
recorded in the Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US models, Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian
models. These entries will serve as proof
that the vehicle has received regular main-
tenance.<
Care
Interesting facts about the care of your
vehicle are found in the Caring for your
vehicle brochure.

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91
Please contact a BMW center in case of a
malfunction.
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.
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 page 80.
BMW recommends that you consult your
BMW center if you wish to replace the tires
of your BMW, or change from summer to
winter tires or vice versa.
Your BMW center knows how to work with
Run Flat tires and is equipped with the nec-
essary special tools.
When mounting or replacing summer
tires with winter tires, or vice versa,
use only Run Flat tires since no spare
wheel is available in the event of a flat.<
Jacking points
The jacking points are located at the posi-
tions indicated in the illustration.
Your BMW center can provide you
with a suitable jack.<
Battery
Maintenance
The battery is completely maintenance-
free. This means that the original electro-
lyte will normally last for the service life of
the battery under moderate climatic condi-
tions.
Please consult your BMW center
whenever you have any questions
concerning the battery.<
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp for the battery
charge current lights up:
The battery is no longer being
charged. The alternator drive belt is defec-
tive 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 prevent overheating and serious engine
damage.
If the onboard supply voltage drops to a
very low level, increased steering effort
may also be necessary.<