Overview for Your BMW Z3 SUV First Generation (1995-2002)

15n  
Cockpit 16  
Overview  
Controls and features  
Operation, maintenance  
Owner service procedures  
Advanced technology  
Technical data  
Instrument cluster 18  
Indicator and warning lamps 20  
Hazard warning flashers 24  
Warning triangle 24  
First-aid kit 24  
Refueling 25  
Fuel specifications 26  
Tire inflation pressures 26  
Index  
Overview  
 
16nCockpit  
 
Cockpit  
17n  
1 Parking lamps/Low beams 76  
2 Horn  
3 Washer/Wiper system 65  
4 Hazard warning flashers 24  
5 Cruise control* 67  
6 > Turn signals 64  
> High beams 64  
> Headlamp flasher 64  
> Computer* 70  
7 Fog lamps 76  
8 Hood release 118  
 
18nInstrument cluster  
 
Instrument cluster  
19n  
1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp  
for reserve range 68  
11 Service Interval Display 69, 128  
12 Odometer 68  
2 Indicator lamp for turn signals 23  
3 Speedometer  
13 Indicator and warning lamps for:  
> Front fog lamps* 23  
> Engine electronics 22  
4 Indicator and warning lamps for:  
> Battery charge current 20  
> High beams 23  
14 Trip odometer reset button 68  
The illustration shows the instrument  
cluster in the US version. In the Cana-  
dian models, some of the indicator and  
warning lamps have a different appear-  
ance, refer to pages 20 to 23.  
> Engine oil pressure 20  
5 Tachometer 68  
6 Coolant temperature gauge 69  
7 Indicator and warning lamps for:  
> Brake pad wear 22  
> Brake hydraulic  
system 20, 21, 22  
> Parking brake 21  
> Airbags 21  
8 Indicator and warning lamps for:  
> Service Engine Soon 22  
> Automatic transmission* 22  
> Safety belts 21  
> Engine oil level 21  
> Antilock Brake System (ABS) 21  
9 Indicator lamp for Automatic  
Stability Control plus Traction  
(ASC+T)/Dynamic Stability Control  
(DSC*) 22  
10 Trip odometer/Gear indicator for  
automatic transmission with  
Steptronic* 68  
 
20nIndicator and warning lamps  
Brake hydraulic system G  
The brake fluid level is too low.  
Before driving further, be sure to  
read the notes on pages 104 and 126.  
Technology that monitors itself  
Red: stop immediately  
Indicator and warning lamps that are  
identified by "G" are tested for proper  
functioning whenever the ignition key is  
turned. They each light up once for  
different periods of time.  
Battery charge current G  
The battery is no longer being  
charged. The alternator drive  
belt is defective or there is a malfunc-  
tion in the charging circuit of the alter-  
nator. Please contact the nearest BMW  
center.  
Brake hydraulic system warning  
lamp for Canadian models.  
If a fault should occur in one of these  
systems, the corresponding lamp does  
not go out after the engine is started or  
it lights up while the vehicle is moving.  
You will see how to react to this in the  
following section.  
If the drive belt is defective, stop  
and switch off the engine immedi-  
ately to prevent overheating and  
serious engine damage. If the drive belt  
is defective, increased steering effort is  
also required.<  
Engine oil pressure G  
Stop the vehicle immediately  
and switch off the engine.  
Check the engine oil level and top off as  
required. If the oil level is correct,  
please contact the nearest BMW  
center.  
Do not continue driving, as the  
engine could sustain serious  
damage from inadequate lubrication.<  
 
Indicator and warning lamps  
21n  
Red and yellow: continue to drive Red: an important reminder  
cautiously  
Yellow: check as soon as possible  
Parking brake  
Comes on when the parking  
brake is engaged.  
Antilock Brake System (ABS) G  
Comes on during normal vehicle  
operation: ABS has been deac-  
tivated in response to system malfunc-  
tion. Conventional braking efficiency  
is available without limitations. Please  
have the system inspected by your  
BMW center.  
The red warning lamp for the  
brake hydraulic system comes  
on together with the yellow indi-  
cator lamps for ABS, ASC+T/  
DSC*:  
For additional information, refer to  
page 60.  
Parking brake warning lamp for  
Canadian models.  
The entire ABS, CBC, ASC+T/  
DSC* and ADB/DBC control  
system has failed. Continue  
driving cautiously and defen-  
sively. Avoid hard brake applications.  
Have the system checked by your BMW  
center as soon as possible.  
For additional information, refer to  
pages 73, 74 and 102.  
For additional information, refer to  
page 101.  
Please fasten your safety belt G  
Together with an acoustic signal.  
Comes on until the safety belts  
are fastened.  
Antilock Brake System warning  
lamp for Canadian models.  
For additional information on safety  
belts, refer to page 52.  
Engine oil level  
Comes on while driving: the  
oil level is at the absolute  
minimum; refill as soon as possible. Do  
not drive more than approx. 30 miles  
(50 km) until you do.  
Airbags G  
Warning lamps for Canadian  
models.  
Please have the system  
inspected by your BMW center.  
For additional information, refer to  
pages 54 and 164.  
For additional information, refer to  
page 123.  
Engine oil level  
Comes on after the engine has  
been switched off: add engine  
oil at your earliest opportunity (when  
you stop to refuel).  
For additional information, refer to  
page 123.  
 
22nIndicator and warning lamps  
Automatic transmission*  
Because of a malfunction, the  
automatic transmission shifts  
Indicator lamp for Automatic  
Stability Control plus Traction  
(ASC+T)/Dynamic Stability  
Control (DSC)* and brake  
hydraulic system warning  
lamp G  
Service Engine Soon G  
If the indicator lamp comes on  
either continuously or intermit-  
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-  
sions-related electronic systems.  
Although the vehicle remains opera-  
tional, you should have the systems  
checked by your BMW center at the  
earliest possible opportunity.  
For additional information, refer to  
page 133.  
only in the emergency program. Please  
consult the nearest BMW center.  
For additional information, refer to  
page 64.  
The indicator lamps remain on:  
The DSC* and ADB/DBC have been  
switched off with the button or there is  
a system malfunction.  
Brake pads G  
Have the brake pads checked.  
For additional information, refer  
Please consult the nearest BMW  
center.  
to page 104.  
"Service Engine Soon" warning  
lamp for Canadian models.  
Automatic Stability Control plus  
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic  
Stability Control (DSC)* G  
For additional information, refer to  
page 74.  
Indicator and warning lamps for  
Canadian models.  
Indicator lamp flashes:  
The system is actively regulating drive  
torque and braking force.  
Engine electronics G  
There is a fault in the engine's  
electronic control system. You  
can continue to drive with reduced  
engine output or engine speed. Please  
have the system inspected by your  
BMW center.  
The indicator lamp stays lit:  
ASC+T has been switched off with the  
button or it is defective, or the DSC*  
has been switched off, ADB is  
operational.  
Please consult the nearest BMW center  
in case of a malfunction.  
For additional information, refer to  
pages 73, 74.  
 
Indicator and warning lamps  
23n  
Green: for your information  
Blue: for your information  
Turn signal indicators  
Flashes when the turn signal  
indicators are in operation.  
Rapid flashing indicates a system  
malfunction.  
High beams  
Lights up when the high beams  
are on or the headlamp flasher  
is actuated.  
For additional information, refer to  
page 64.  
For additional information, refer to  
page 64.  
Front fog lamps*  
Lights up whenever you switch  
on the front fog lamps.  
For additional information, refer to  
page 76.  
 
24nHazard warning flashers Warning triangle*  
First-aid kit*  
Z3 coupe  
In the luggage compartment at the left  
rear. Release the Velcro®fasteners.  
Z3 roadster  
In the luggage compartment on the  
right in a storage tray.  
Some of the articles in the first-aid  
kit may be used within a limited  
Z3 coupe  
time only. For this reason, check the  
expiration dates of each of the items  
regularly, and replace any whose expi-  
ration dates have passed. You can  
acquire replacements in any drugstore  
or pharmacy. Always observe all legal  
regulations requiring a first-aid kit to be  
carried in the vehicle.<  
Z3 coupe  
The button flashes rhythmically when  
the hazard flashers are on.  
The warning triangle is located in the  
luggage compartment under the floor  
mat so that it is readily accessible (refer  
to the illustration).  
To help you locate the button in an  
emergency, the button is also illumi-  
nated whenever the vehicle lamps  
are on.  
Grasp the floor mat by the straps on the  
left and right. Pull it upward and remove  
it.  
Z3 roadster  
The warning triangle is located in the  
luggage compartment in the area of the  
sill.  
Always observe all legal regula-  
tions requiring a warning triangle  
to be carried in the vehicle.<  
 
Refueling  
25n  
When handling fuels, comply with  
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle  
completely into the filler pipe. Pulling  
the nozzle out of the pipe during refu-  
eling  
all of the applicable safety  
precautions and regulations pertaining  
to fuels.  
Never carry spare fuel containers in  
your vehicle. Whether they are empty or  
full, these containers can leak, cause an  
explosion, or lead to fire in the event of  
a collision.<  
> results in premature shutoff  
> and will reduce the effect of the vapor  
recovery system.  
If the filler nozzle is operated correctly,  
the fuel tank is full when it shuts off the  
first time.  
Tank capacity, approx. 13.5 gal.  
(51 liters), incl. a reserve capacity of  
approx. 2.1 gal. (8 liters).  
Before filling the tank, switch off  
the engine, as otherwise fuel  
cannot flow into the tank and the  
"Service Engine Soon" warning lamp  
may come on, refer to page 22.<  
Close the fuel filler cap:  
Position the cap on the neck. Turn the  
cap clockwise to the stop.  
Close the filler cap carefully after  
refueling until a "click" is heard.  
Open the fuel filler cap:  
To open the fuel filler door, turn the fuel  
filler cap counterclockwise and remove  
the cap. Place the filler cap in the  
bracket attached to the fuel filler door.  
While closing, be sure not to squeeze  
the strap which is fastened to the cap.  
A loose or missing cap will activate the  
"Service Engine Soon" lamp.<  
Open the filler cap carefully. If you  
do not, fuel could spray out.<  
Close the fuel filler door.  
To unlock the fuel filler door manually in  
the event of an electrical malfunction of  
the central locking system, refer to  
page 157.  
 
26nFuel specifications  
Tire inflation pressures  
The engine uses lead-free gasoline  
only.  
Comply with tire approval  
specifications  
Required fuel:  
The inflation pressures in the table apply  
to tires made by BMW-approved manu-  
facturers. Your BMW center is familiar  
with these pressures. Higher pressures  
may be specified for tires made by other  
manufacturers. You will find a list of  
approved tires beginning on page 116.  
> Premium Unleaded Gasoline,  
min. 91 AKI.  
AKI = Anti Knock Index  
Do not use leaded fuels. The use  
of leaded fuels will cause perma-  
nent damage to the system's oxygen  
sensor and the catalytic converter.<  
Your vehicle is equipped with tires that  
meet both US standards and European  
standards. We recommend the exclu-  
sive use of BMW-approved tires.  
The inflation pressures are indicated on  
a label attached to the B-pillar behind  
the driver's door (visible with door  
open).  
Check tire pressures  
All pressure specifications are indicated  
in psi (kilopascal [kPa]) with the tires at  
ambient temperature (refer also to the  
next page).  
Check tire inflation pressures  
regularly – at least every two  
weeks and before every extended  
journey. Incorrect tire pressure can  
otherwise lead to tire damage and acci-  
dents.  
Check the inflation pressure of the  
spare tire as well. Refer to the following  
table and to page 110.<  
 
Tire inflation pressures  
27n  
BMW  
Tires  
All tire pressures are in psi  
(kilopascals [kPa])  
225/50 R 16 92 V  
225/50 ZR 16  
29 (200) 32 (220)  
Front: 225/45 ZR 17  
Rear: 245/40 ZR 17  
29 (200)  
32 (220)  
205/60 R 15 91 Q M+S  
205/55 R 16 91 Q M+S  
225/50 R 16 92 Q M+S  
225/45 R 17 91 Q M+S  
Z3 roadster 2.5i  
32 (220) 35 (240)  
Spare tire:  
T 115/90 R 16 92 M  
61 (420) 61 (420)  
29 (200) 32 (220)  
225/50 R 16 92 V  
225/50 ZR 16  
Front: 225/45 ZR 17  
Rear: 245/40 ZR 17  
29 (200)  
32 (220)  
Z3 roadster 3.0i  
Z3 coupe 3.0i  
205/55 R 16 91 Q M+S  
225/50 R 16 92 Q M+S  
225/45 R 17 91 Q M+S  
32 (220) 35 (240)  
61 (420) 61 (420)  
Spare tire:  
T 115/90 R 16 92 M