ESP BMW Z4 SDRIVE28I 2012 Owner's Guide

Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
DOT code:
DOT xxxx xxx 3311
xxxx: manufacturer code for the tire brand
xxx: tire size and tire design
3311: tire age
Tire age
The tire manufacturing date is contained in the
tire identification mark: DOT ... 3311 means that
the tire was manufactured in the week 33 of
2011.
BMW recommends that you replace all tires af‐
ter 6 years at most, even if some tires may last
for 10 years.
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
Treadwear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform to
Federal Safety Requirements in addition
to these grades.◀
Treadwear
The treadwear 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 (11/2) times
as well on the government 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 variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences 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 surfa‐
ces 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, cornering, hydro‐
planing, or peak traction characteristics.
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. Sus‐
tained 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 Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Temperature grade for this tire
The temperature grade for this tire is es‐
tablished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinfla‐
tion, or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and pos‐
sible tire failure.◀Seite 159Wheels and tiresMobility159
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Run-flat tires
Label
RSC label on the tire sidewall.
The wheels are composed of special rims and
tires that are self-supporting, to a limited de‐
gree.
The support of the sidewall allows the tire to re‐
main drivable to a restricted degree in the event
of a pressure loss.
Driving can continue with a damaged tire, refer
to page 77.
Changing run-flat tires
For your own safety, only use run-flat tires. No
spare tire is available in the case of a flat tire. Your
service center will be glad to advise you.
Changing wheels and tires
Mounting Information on mounting tires
Have mounting and balancing performed
only by a service center or tire specialist.
If this work is not carried out properly, there is
the danger of subsequent damage and related
safety hazards.◀
Wheel and tire combination
Information on the correct wheel-tire combina‐
tion and rim versions for your vehicle can be ob‐
tained from your service center.
Incorrect wheel and tire combinations impair the
function of a variety of systems such as ABS or
DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle re‐
sponse, use only tires with a single tread con‐
figuration from a single manufacturer.
Following tire damage, have the original wheel
and tire combination remounted on the vehicle
as soon as possible.
Approved wheels and tires
The manufacturer of your vehicle recom‐
mends that you use only wheels and tires that
have been approved for your particular vehicle
model.
For example, despite having the same official
size ratings, variations can lead to body contact
and with it, the risk of severe accidents.
The manufacturer of your vehicle cannot evalu‐
ate non-approved wheels and tires to determine
if they are suited for use, and therefore cannot
ensure the operating safety of the vehicle if they
are mounted.◀
Recommended tire brands
For each tire size, the manufacturer of your ve‐
hicle recommends certain tire brands. These
can be identified by a star on the tire sidewall.
With proper use, these tires meet the highest
standards for safety and handling.
Retreaded tires
The manufacturer of your vehicle does not rec‐
ommend the use of retreaded tires.
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Retreaded tires
Possibly substantial variations in the de‐
sign and age of the tire casing structures can
limit service life and have a negative impact on
road safety.◀
Winter tires
The manufacturer of your vehicle recommends
winter tires for winter roads or at temperatures
below +45 ℉/+7 ℃.
Although so-called all-season M+S tires do pro‐
vide better winter traction than summer tires,
they do not provide the same level of perform‐
ance as winter tires.
Maximum speed of winter tires
If the maximum speed of the vehicle is higher
than the permissible speed for the winter tires,
then display a corresponding sign in the field of
vision. You can obtain this sign from the tire spe‐
cialist or from your service center.
Maximum speed for winter tires
Do not exceed the maximum speed for the
winter tires; otherwise, tire damage and acci‐
dents can occur.◀
Run-flat tires
For your own safety, only use run-flat tires. No
spare tire is available in the case of a flat tire. Your
service center will be glad to advise you.
Rotating wheels between axles
The manufacturer of your vehicle advises
against swapping wheels between the front and
rear axles.
This can impair the handling characteristics.
Rotating the tires is not permissible when using
different types of tires.
Storage
Store wheels and tires in a cool, dry place with
as little exposure to light as possible.Always protect tires against all contact with oil,
grease and fuels.
Do not exceed the maximum tire inflation pres‐
sure indicated on the side wall 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 service center for
more information.
Snow chains must be mounted in pairs and on
the rear wheels only. Observe the manufactur‐
er's instructions when mounting snow chains.
Do not exceed a speed of 30 mph/50 km/h when
using snow chains.
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, it can be bene‐
ficial to temporarily activate DTC, refer to
page 83.Seite 162MobilityWheels and tires162
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Replacing componentsVehicle equipment
This chapter describes all series equipment as
well as country-specific and special equipment
offered for this model series.Therefore, it also
describes equipment that may not be found in
your vehicle, for instance due to the selected
special equipment or the country version. This
also applies to safety-related functions and sys‐
tems.
Tool kit
The onboard vehicle tool kit is stored in a pouch
under the trunk floor panel.
Replacing the wiper blades
1.Fold up the wiper arm.2.Fold the wiper blade upwards.3.Press the hook.4.Pull the wiper blade downward out of the
holder and remove it toward the top left, see
arrow.
Do not fold out the wiper arms
To avoid damage, make sure that the
wiper arms are resting against the windshield
before you open the engine compartment.◀
Lamp and bulb replacement
General information
Lamps and bulbs make an essential contribution
to vehicle safety.
The manufacturer of your vehicle recommends
that you entrust corresponding procedures to
your service center if you are unfamiliar with
them or they are not described here.
You can obtain a selection of replacement bulbs
at your service center.
Danger of burns
Only change bulbs when they are cool;
otherwise, there is the danger of getting
burned.◀
Working on the lighting system
When working on the lighting system, you
should always switch off the lights affected to
prevent short circuits.
To avoid possible injury or equipment damage
when replacing bulbs, observe any instructions
provided by the bulb manufacturer.◀
Do not touch the bulbs
Do not touch the glass of new bulbs with
your bare hands, as even minute amounts of
contamination will burn into the bulb's surface
and reduce its service life.
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Breakdown assistanceVehicle equipment
This chapter describes all series equipment as
well as country-specific and special equipment
offered for this model series.Therefore, it also
describes equipment that may not be found in
your vehicle, for instance due to the selected
special equipment or the country version. This
also applies to safety-related functions and sys‐
tems.
Hazard warning system
The button for the hazard warning system is lo‐
cated on the center console.
Emergency Request
Requirements
▷Equipment version with full preparation
package mobile phone.
An Emergency Request can be made, even
if no mobile phones are paired with the ve‐
hicle.▷BMW Assist is activated.▷Radio ready state is activated.▷The BMW Assist system is logged in to a
wireless communications network sup‐
ported by BMW Assist.▷The Assist system is operable.Only press the SOS button in an emergency.
Emergency Request not guaranteed
For technical reasons, the Emergency Re‐
quest cannot be guaranteed under unfavorable
conditions.◀
Service contract▷After your contract with BMW Assist has ex‐
pired, the BMW Assist system can be deac‐
tivated by the service center without you
having to visit a workshop.
After deactivation, an Emergency Request
is no longer possible.▷Under certain circumstances, the system
can be reactivated by a service center after
you sign a new contract.
Initiating an Emergency Request
1.Briefly press the cover flap to open.2.Press the SOS button until the LED in the
button lights up.▷The LED lights up: an Emergency Request
was initiated.
If the situation allows, wait in your vehicle
until the voice connection has been estab‐
lished.▷The LED flashes if the connection to the
BMW Assist Response Center has been es‐
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After the Emergency Request arrives at the
BMW Assist Response Center, the BMW
Assist Response Center contacts you and
takes further steps to help you.
Even if you are unable to respond, the BMW
Assist Response Center can take further
steps to help you under certain circumstan‐
ces.
For this purpose, data that are used to de‐
termine the necessary rescue measures,
such as the current position of the vehicle if
it can be established, are transmitted to the
BMW Assist Response Center.▷If the LED is flashing but the BMW Assist
Response Center cannot be heard on the
hands-free system, the hands-free system
may be malfunctioning. However, the BMW
Assist Response Center may still be able to
hear you.
Initiating an Emergency Request
automatically
Under certain conditions, an Emergency Re‐
quest is automatically initiated immediately after
a severe accident. Automatic Collision Notifica‐
tion is not affected by pressing the SOS button.
Warning triangle
The warning triangle is located in a holder in the
trunk lid. Press the tabs to take it out.
First aid kit
The first aid pouch is located on the lateral stor‐
age shelf behind the seats.
Some of the articles contained in the first aid
pouch have a limited service life.
Check the expiration dates of the contents reg‐
ularly and replace any items promptly.
Roadside Assistance
Service availability
Roadside Assistance can be reached around the
clock in many countries. You can obtain assis‐
tance there in the event of a vehicle breakdown.
Jump-starting
Notes
If the battery is discharged, an engine can be
started using the battery of another vehicle and
two jumper cables. Only use jumper cables with
fully insulated clamp handles.
To prevent personal injury or damage to both
vehicles, adhere strictly to the following proce‐
dure.
Do not touch live parts
To avoid the risk of potentially fatal injury,
always avoid all contact with electrical compo‐
nents while the engine is running.◀
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Preparation1.Check that the battery of the other vehicle
has a voltage of 12 V. This information can
be found on the battery.2.Switch off the engine of the assisting vehi‐
cle.3.Switch off any electronic systems/power
consumers in both vehicles.
Bodywork contact between vehicles
Make sure that there is no contact be‐
tween the bodywork of the two vehicles;
otherwise, there is the danger of short cir‐
cuits.◀
Starting aid terminals
Connecting order
Connect the jumper cables in the correct
order; otherwise, there is the danger of injury
from sparking.◀
The so-called starting aid terminal in the engine
compartment acts as the battery's positive ter‐
minal.
The body ground or a special nut acts as the
negative terminal.
Connecting jumper cables1.Pull off the cap of the BMW starting aid ter‐
minal.2.Attach one terminal clamp of the positive
jumper cable to the positive terminal of the
battery, or to the corresponding starting aid
terminal of the vehicle providing assistance.3.Attach the other end of the cable to the pos‐
itive terminal of the battery, or to the corre‐
sponding starting aid terminal of the vehicle
to be started.4.Attach one terminal clamp of the negative
jumper cable to the negative terminal of the
battery, or to the corresponding engine or
body ground of the vehicle providing assis‐
tance.5.Attach the other end of the cable to the neg‐
ative terminal of the battery, or to the corre‐
sponding engine or body ground of the ve‐
hicle to be started.
Starting the engine
Never use spray fluids to start the engine.
1.Start the engine of the assisting vehicle and
let it run for several minutes at an increased
idle speed.
If the vehicle being started has a diesel en‐
gine: let the engine of the assisting vehicle
run for approx. 10 minutes.2.Start the engine of the vehicle being started
in the usual way.
If the first starting attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes before making another
attempt in order to allow the discharged bat‐
tery to recharge.3.Let both engines run for several minutes.4.Disconnect the jumper cables in the reverse
order.
Check the battery and recharge if necessary.
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Indicator/warning lampsVehicle equipment
This chapter describes all series equipment as
well as country-specific and special equipment
offered for this model series.Therefore, it alsodescribes equipment that may not be found in
your vehicle, for instance due to the selected
special equipment or the country version. This
also applies to safety-related functions and sys‐
tems.
Overview
The indicator and warning lamps can light up in
a variety of combinations and colors. See the ta‐
ble for information on causes and how to re‐
spond. Note whether a lamp comes on alone or
in combination with another. Some lamps can
light up in different colors. Corresponding dis‐
tinctions are made in the text. 12CauseHow to respondTurn signalThe high beams/headlamp flasher are
switched on.Fasten safety belts.Fasten safety belt, refer to
page 38.Indication in US modelsLights up in red:The parking brake is set.Release the parking brake.Lights up in yellow:Parking brake malfunctioning.Have the system checked imme‐
diately.Parking brake malfunctioning.
Emergency braking with the parking brake not
possible.Have the system checked imme‐
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12CauseHow to respondParking brake malfunctioning.
Not functional while vehicle is stationary.Secure vehicle against rolling
when parked. Have the system
checked immediately.Parking brake failedSecure vehicle against rolling
when parked. Have the system
checked immediately.Indication in Canadian modelsLights up in red:The parking brake is set.Release the parking brake.Lights up in yellow:Parking brake malfunctioning.Have the system checked imme‐
diately.Parking brake malfunctioning.
Emergency braking with the parking brake not
possible.Have the system checked imme‐
diately.Parking brake malfunctioning.
Not functional while vehicle is stationary.Secure vehicle against rolling
when parked. Have the system
checked immediately.Parking brake failedSecure vehicle against rolling
when parked. Have the system
checked immediately.External temperature warningDrive conservatively, refer to
page 60.Lights up briefly:
Approx. 2.1 US gal/8 liters of fuel remain in the
tank.
Remains on:
The remaining range is no more than 30 miles/
50 km, refer to page 61.The engine refuses to start.Depress the brake or clutch to
start the engine, refer to
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12CauseHow to respondThe ignition is switched on and driver's door
is open.Switch off the ignition, refer to
page 45, or close the driver's
door.To drive through automatic car washes, the
transmission can be shifted to N. After approx.
30 minutes, the transmission automatically
changes to P. The indicator lamp lights up just
before the gear is changed automatically.To keep the transmission in
transmission position N, switch
on the ignition.For some functions, the indicator lamp lights
up if the desired function cannot be executed
at the moment.The parking lamps are still on.Switch off the parking lamps, re‐
fer to page 68.The roadside parking lamps are still onSwitch off the roadside parking
lamps, refer to page 70.A door is open.The hood is open.Lights up in red:Roof activation system failure.Roof cannot be moved. If the re‐
tractable hardtop does not lock,
contact your nearest service
center.The roof activation system is malfunctioning.Roof movement incomplete.
Please check if the roof is
blocked, then press or pull the
switch again.The roof is not locked.Open the roof fully and close it
again. Only continue driving after
taking this measure.Lights up in yellow:High temperature of roof motor.Roof activation temporarily lim‐
ited to closing only.Seite 188MobilityIndicator/warning lamps188
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