DRIVING TIPS -> Things to remember when driving for Your BMW Z4 2 Door First Generation (2002-2008)

Things to remember when driving  
DRIVING TIPS  
Things to remember when driving  
Engine, transmission, and axle  
drive  
Vehicle features and  
options  
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km  
Do not exceed the maximum engine and road  
speed:  
This chapter describes all standard, country-spe‐  
cific and optional features offered with the series.  
It also describes features and functions that are  
not necessarily available in your vehicle, e.g., due  
to the selected options or country versions. This  
also applies to safety-related functions and sys‐  
tems. When using these functions and systems,  
the applicable laws and regulations must be ob‐  
served.  
For gasoline engine 4,500 rpm and  
100 mph/160 km/h.  
Avoid full load or kickdown under all circumstan‐  
ces.  
From 1,200 miles/2,000 km  
The engine and vehicle speed can gradually be  
increased.  
Breaking-in period  
Tires  
General information  
Tire traction is not optimal due to manufacturing  
circumstances when tires are brand-new; they  
achieve their full traction potential after a break-in  
time.  
Moving parts need to begin working together  
smoothly.  
The following instructions will help you to ach‐  
ieve a long vehicle life and good efficiency.  
Drive conservatively for the first  
200 miles/300 km.  
During break-in, do not use the Launch Control,  
refer to page 127.  
Brake system  
Brake discs and brake pads only reach their full  
effectiveness after approx. 300 miles/500 km.  
Drive moderately during this break-in period.  
Safety information  
Warning  
Due to new parts and components, safety and  
driver assistance systems can react with a de‐  
lay. There is a risk of accident. After installing  
new parts or with a new vehicle, drive conser‐  
vatively and intervene early if necessary. Ob‐  
serve the break-in procedures of the respective  
parts and components.  
Following part replacement  
Observe the break-in procedures again, if com‐  
ponents mentioned above are replaced.  
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Things to remember when driving  
DRIVING TIPS  
Mobile communication devices  
in the vehicle  
General driving notes  
Closing the trunk lid  
Safety information  
Warning  
Vehicle electronics and mobile phones can in‐  
fluence one another. There is radiation due to  
the transmission operations of mobile phones.  
There is a risk of injury or risk of damage to  
property. If possible, in the car's interior use  
only mobile phones with direct connections to  
an exterior antenna in order to exclude mutual  
interference and deflect the radiation from the  
car's interior.  
Warning  
An open trunk lid protrudes from the vehicle  
and can endanger occupants and other traffic  
participants or damage the vehicle in the event  
of an accident, braking or evasive maneuvers.  
In addition, exhaust fumes may enter the car's  
interior. There is a risk of injury or risk of dam‐  
age to property. Do not drive with the trunk lid  
open.  
Hydroplaning  
On wet or slushy roads, a wedge of water can  
form between the tires and road surface.  
Driving with the trunk lid open  
This phenomenon is referred to as hydroplaning.  
It is characterized by a partial or complete loss of  
contact between the tires and the road surface,  
ultimately undermining your ability to steer and  
brake the vehicle.  
If driving with the tailgate open cannot be  
avoided:  
If the convertible top is closed, close all win‐  
dows.  
Greatly increase the air flow from the vents.  
Drive moderately.  
Driving through water  
Hot exhaust gas system  
General information  
When driving through water, follow the following:  
Warning  
Drive through calm water only.  
During driving operation, high temperatures can  
occur underneath the vehicle body, for instance  
caused by the exhaust gas system. If combusti‐  
ble materials, such as leaves or grass, come in  
contact with hot parts of the exhaust gas sys‐  
tem, these materials can ignite. There is a risk  
of injury or risk of damage to property. Do not  
remove the heat shields installed and never ap‐  
ply undercoating to them. Make sure that no  
combustible materials can come in contact with  
hot vehicle parts in driving operation, idle or  
during parking. Do not touch the hot exhaust  
gas system.  
Drive through water only if it is not deeper  
than maximum 9.8 inches/25 cm.  
Drive through water no faster than walking  
speed, up to 3 mph/5 km/h.  
Safety information  
NOTICE  
When driving too quickly through too deep wa‐  
ter, water can enter into the engine compart‐  
ment, the electrical system or the transmission.  
There is a risk of damage to property. When  
driving through water, do not exceed the maxi‐  
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Things to remember when driving  
DRIVING TIPS  
mum indicated water level and the maximum  
speed for driving through water.  
The heat generated during braking dries brake  
discs and brake pads and protects them against  
corrosion.  
In this way braking efficiency will be available  
when you need it.  
Braking safely  
General information  
The vehicle is equipped with the Antilock Brake  
System ABS as a standard feature.  
Hills  
General information  
Perform an emergency stop in situations that re‐  
quire such.  
Drive long or steep downhill gradients in the gear  
that requires least braking effort. Otherwise, the  
brakes may overheat and reduce brake effi‐  
ciency.  
Steering is still responsive. You can still avoid any  
obstacles with a minimum of steering effort.  
You can increase the engine's braking effect by  
shifting down, going all the way to first gear, if  
needed.  
Pulsation of the brake pedal and sounds from the  
hydraulic circuits indicate that the Antilock Brake  
System ABS is in its active mode.  
In certain braking situations, the perforated brake  
discs can emit functional noises. However, func‐  
tional noises have no effect on the performance  
and operational reliability of the brake.  
Safety information  
Warning  
Light but consistent brake pressure can lead to  
high temperatures, brakes wearing out and  
possibly even brake failure. There is a risk of  
accident. Avoid placing excessive stress on the  
brake system.  
Objects in the area around the  
pedals  
Warning  
Objects in the driver's floor area can limit the  
pedal distance or block a depressed pedal.  
There is a risk of accident. Stow objects in the  
vehicle such that they are secured and cannot  
enter into the driver's floor area. Use floor mats  
that are suitable for the vehicle and can be  
safely attached to the floor. Do not use loose  
floor mats and do not layer several floor mats.  
Make sure that there is sufficient clearance for  
the pedals. Ensure that the floor mats are se‐  
curely fastened again after they were removed,  
for instance for cleaning.  
Warning  
In idle state or with the engine switched off,  
safety functions, for instance engine braking ef‐  
fect, braking assistance and steering assis‐  
tance, may not be available. There is a risk of  
accident. Do not attempt to drive in idle state or  
with the engine switched off.  
Brake disc corrosion  
Corrosion on the brake discs and contamination  
on the brake pads are increased by the following  
circumstances:  
Driving in wet conditions  
When roads are wet, salted, or in heavy rain, gen‐  
tly press the brake pedal every few miles.  
Low mileage.  
Extended periods when the vehicle is not  
used at all.  
Ensure that this action does not endanger other  
traffic.  
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Things to remember when driving  
DRIVING TIPS  
Infrequent use of the brakes.  
Aggressive, acidic, or alkaline cleaning  
agents.  
Corrosion buildup on the brake discs will cause a  
pulsating effect on the brakes in their response -  
generally this cannot be corrected.  
Condensation water under the  
parked vehicle  
When using the automatic climate control, con‐  
densation water develops and collects under‐  
neath the vehicle.  
Driving on racetracks  
Higher mechanical and thermal loads during  
racetrack operation lead to increased wear. This  
wear is not covered by the warranty. The vehicle  
is not designed for use in motor sports competi‐  
tion.  
Have vehicle checked by a dealer’s service cen‐  
ter or another qualified service center or repair  
shop before and after driving on a racetrack.  
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