Get Controls -> Safety Guide for BMW Z4 2 Door Second Generation (2009-2016)

Safety

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Safety

Protective effect

Vehicle equipment

Airbags are not activated by every collision, for

example in minor accidents and rear-end colli‐

sions.

This chapter describes all the standard equip‐

ment, national-market-specific equipment and

optional extras offered in the model series.

Consequently, you will find that it contains de‐

scriptions of items not available in a particular

vehicle on account of a combination of options,

for example, or the constraints applying to cer‐

tain national-market versions. This also applies

to safety-relevant functions and systems.

Even if all these instructions are complied with,

depending on the circumstances in which an

accident occurs, certain injuries as a result of

contact with the airbag cannot be entirely ruled

out.

The noise caused by the deployment of an air‐

bag may lead to brief and generally temporary

hearing loss in vehicle occupants sensitive to

noise.

Country-specific regulations must be observed

when using the corresponding functions and

systems.

Information for optimal protective effect

of the airbags

Airbags

There are the following airbags beneath the

covers indicated:

▷

Keep your distance from the airbags.

Always grip the steering wheel on the rim,

with your hands in the 3 o’clock and

9 o’clock positions, to minimise the risk of

injury to the hands or arms in the event of

the airbag being triggered.

▷

No other persons, pets or objects should

be held or permitted to remain between

the airbag and yourself.

▷

Do not use the front airbag cover on the

front passenger’s side as a tray.

Keep the dashboard and windscreen in the

area of the passenger’s side free, i.e. do

not attach adhesive foil or covers and do

not fit brackets, for example for navigation

devices or mobile phones.

1

2

Front airbags

Side airbags in the seat backrests

Front airbags

▷

Make sure that the front passenger adopts

a correct seated position, i.e. leaves his or

her feet in the footwell and does not rest

feet or legs on the instrument panel, other‐

wise he/she could sustain leg injuries in the

event of the front airbag being triggered.

Front airbags protect the driver and passenger

in the event of a head-on collision where the

action of the seat belts alone would be insuffi‐

cient.

Side airbags

In a side-on crash, the side airbag protects the

upper body at the side.

Do not fit seat covers, cushions or other

objects not specifically approved for seats

with integral side airbags to the front seats.

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Controls

Safety

▷

Do not hang items of clothing such as

coats or jackets over the backrests.

When the ignition, see page 48, is switched on,

the warning light shows briefly to indicate that

the entire airbag system and the belt tension‐

ers are operational.

Make sure that passengers do not lean

their heads against the side or head air‐

bags; otherwise they could be injured,

should the airbags deploy.

Airbag system faulty

▷

Warning light does not show when the ig‐

nition is switched on.

▷

Do not dismantle the airbag system.

Do not dismantle the steering wheel.

▷

Warning light remains lit.

Never attach any material to the airbag

covers with adhesive; never place material

over them or modify them in any way.

Airbag system faulty; have it checked

without delay

In the event of a fault in the airbag system,

have it checked without delay, as there is oth‐

erwise the risk that the system will not function

as intended even if a sufficiently severe acci‐

dent occurs.◀

▷

Do not modify individual components of

the system or its wiring in any way. The

same applies for the covers of the steering

wheel, the dashboard and the seats.◀

In the event of faults, taking the airbags

out of use and after they have been trig‐

Not for Australia/New Zealand: key

switch for front passenger airbags

gered

Avoid touching the system’s components im‐

mediately after it has been triggered, as there

is a risk of sustaining burns.

Only commission your Service Centre or au‐

thorised workshops with checking, repairing or

dismantling and scrapping airbag generators,

as your Service Centre or authorised work‐

shops have the required legal permits for han‐

dling explosives.

Any careless or unskilled interference with the

system could lead to its failure or to accidental

triggering with the risk of injury.◀

You can deactivate and subsequently reacti‐

vate the front and side airbags for the front

passenger by means of a key switch. This key

switch is set in the side of the dashboard on

the passenger side.

Operational readiness of the airbag

system

You can deactivate and reactivate the airbags

for the front passenger only when the car is at

a standstill and the front passenger's door is

open.

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Safety

Controls

Deactivating the front passenger

airbags

Indicator light for front passenger

airbags

Insert the integrated key and

press it in.

While the key is pressed in‐

wards, turn it to the OFF posi‐

tion as far as it will go.

Once the stop position has been reached, re‐

move the key.

Key switch in end position

The indicator light for the front passenger air‐

bags shows the operating status of the front

passenger airbags.

Make sure that the key switch is in the

corresponding end position. Otherwise the air‐

bags are not activated/deactivated.◀

After switching on the ignition, the light indi‐

cates whether the airbags are activated or de‐

activated.

Front passenger airbags are deactivated.

The driver's airbags remain active.

If a child restraint system is no longer fitted in

the front passenger's seat, reactivate the front

passenger airbags so that they are triggered as

intended in the event of an accident.

▷

When front passenger airbags are deacti‐

vated, the indicator light remains illumina‐

ted.

▷

When front passenger airbags are activa‐

ted, the indicator light is not illuminated.

Activating the front passenger airbags

Insert the integrated key and

press it in.

Pedestrian protection

system, active

While the key is pressed in‐

wards, turn it to the ON position

as far as it will go.

Principle

Once the stop position has been reached, re‐

move the key.

With the active pedestrian protection system,

the engine compartment lid is raised in the

event of a pedestrian colliding with the vehicle

front. Sensors under the bumper detect pe‐

destrians. This provides additional deformation

space under the active engine compartment lid

for the subsequent head impact.

Key switch in end position

Make sure that the key switch is in the

corresponding end position. Otherwise the air‐

bags are not activated/deactivated.◀

Do not touch individual components

The front passenger airbags are reactivated

and can deploy correctly if the need arises.

Do not touch the actuators of the hinge

and engine compartment locks, as otherwise

there is a risk of injury due to inadvertent acti‐

vation of the system.◀

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Controls

Safety

Do not modify individual components of the

system or its wiring in any way.◀

System limits

The active engine compartment lid is only trig‐

gered at speeds between approx. 20 km/h,

12 mph and 55 km/h, 34 mph.

In the event of malfunctions, decommis‐

sioning or after triggering

For safety reasons, the system can also trigger

in rare cases if a pedestrian impact cannot be

fully excluded, for example:

Only commission your Service Centre with the

inspection, repair or disassembly/scrapping of

the system. Any careless or unskilled interfer‐

ence with the system could lead to its failure or

to accidental triggering with the risk of injury.◀

▷

a collision with a bin or boundary posts.

a collision with animals.

stone impact.

driving in snowdrifts.

Runflat indicator, RPA

Triggered pedestrian protection

system

Principle

The system detects a pressure loss in a tyre

on the basis of a comparison between the

speeds at which the individual wheels rotate

while the vehicle is in motion.

After triggering or damage

After triggering of the active engine com‐

partment lid or in the event of damage, have

the system checked and replaced.

If a tyre loses pressure, its rolling circumfer‐

ence changes, and this in turn alters the speed

of rotation of the corresponding wheel. This

change is detected and interpreted as a punc‐

ture.

Only have this work carried out at the Service

Centre, as otherwise correct functioning of this

safety device is not ensured.◀

Malfunction

Operating requirements

The indicator light lights up.

The system must have been initialised with

correct tyre pressure, otherwise reliable signal‐

ling of a puncture cannot be assured. Each

time the tyre pressure is adjusted or a tyre or

wheel is changed, initialise the system again.

The system has triggered or mal‐

functioned.

You can continue your journey, but moderate

your speed and exercise due caution. Drive im‐

mediately to the nearest Service centre to have

the system checked and repaired.

System limits

Sudden tyre damage

Do not open the engine compartment lid

No warning can be given of extreme,

sudden tyre failure caused by external fac‐

tors.◀

After the warning lamp has appeared, do

not open the engine compartment lid, as oth‐

erwise damage can be caused.◀

A natural, even loss of pressure in all four tyres

that occurs over time is not detected.

Notes

In the following situations, the system could be

slow to respond or operate incorrectly:

Doe not remove / alter the system

Do not remove the system or alter it in

any other way.

▷

If the system has not been initialised.

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Safety

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▷

When driving on snow-covered or slippery

surfaces.

4. Press button 2 for approximately 5 sec‐

onds until the reading appears.

When driving enthusiastically, causing the

driven wheels to spin, with high lateral ac‐

celeration.

▷

Driving with snow chains.

Initialising

On initialisation, the current tyre pressures are

stored as a reference for detection of a punc‐

ture. The initialisation is started by confirming

the correct pressures.

5. Drive off.

When driving with snow chains fitted, do not

initialise the system.

Initialisation is completed while the car is

moving.

Operating principle, see page 67.

Indication of a puncture

1. Start engine shortly before the trip, do not

drive off yet.

The warning lights light up yellow and

red. An acoustic signal also sounds.

2. Repeatedly tap button 1 on the turn indica‐

tor lever up or down until the correspond‐

ing symbol appears, accompanied by "RE‐

SET".

There is a puncture or substantial

loss of tyre pressure.

1. Reduce your speed and cautiously stop

the car. Avoid violent or sudden braking

and steering manoeuvres.

2. Check whether the vehicle is equipped

with standard tyres or runflat tyres.

The symbol identifying run-flat tyres, see

page 158, is the circle with the letters RSC

on the tyre sidewall.

Do not continue a journey without run-

flat tyres

3. Press button 2 to confirm the selection of

the runflat indicator.

Do not continue your journey if the vehicle is

not equipped with run-flat tyres, otherwise a

serious accident could occur.◀

It is possible that Dynamic Stability Control

DSC is activated as soon as the message for a

puncture appears.

What to do in the event of a puncture

Standard tyres

1. Identify the damaged tyre.

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Controls

Safety

Do this by checking the air pressure in all

four tyres.

As the possible distance largely depends on

the strain on the vehicle during the journey,

this can be shorter, or longer if the vehicle is

driven carefully, according to speed, road con‐

dition, outside temperature, load etc.

If all four tyres are inflated to the correct

pressures, the runflat indicator might not

have been initialised. In this case initialise

the system.

Continuing a journey with a flat tyre

If it is not possible to identify, contact a

Service centre.

Drive with care and do not exceed a

speed of 80 km/h, 50 mph.

2. Fix the puncture.

If tyre pressure has fallen, vehicle handling

changes, for example reduced directional sta‐

bility when braking, longer stopping distance

and modified self-steering behaviour.◀

Run-flat tyres

If a tyre has punctured you can continue your

journey, driving at speeds up to a maximum of

80 km/h, 50 mph.

Final tyre failure

Vibration or loud noises while driving

may be an indication that the tyre has finally

failed. Reduce your speed and stop, otherwise

sections of the tyre could become detached

and cause an accident. Do not drive the car

any further; contact your Service Centre in‐

stead.◀

Continuing a journey with a puncture

If you continue a journey with a puncture:

1. Avoid violent or sudden braking and steer‐

ing manoeuvres.

2. Do not exceed a speed of 80 km/h, 50 mph

any longer.

3. As soon as you get an opportunity, check

the tyre pressure in all four tyres.

Tyre Pressure Monitor TPM

If all four tyres are inflated to the correct

pressures, the runflat indicator might not

have been initialised. In this case initialise

the system.

Principle

The system monitors the tyre pressure in the

four fitted tyres. The system issues a warning

if the tyre pressure has dropped significantly in

one or more of the tyres. Sensors in the tyre

valves measure the tyre pressure.

Maximum possible distance with tyres entirely

deflated:

The possible distance with a puncture de‐

pends on the load and strain on the vehicle

during the journey.

Notes

Tyre damage caused by external factors

When the vehicle is subject to medium load,

the possible distance is approx. 80 km,

50 miles.

No warning can be given of sudden tyre

damage caused by external factors.◀

When driving with damaged tyres, the vehicle

handling changes, for example quicker loss of

traction when braking, longer stopping dis‐

tance and modified self-steering behaviour.

Adapt driving style accordingly. Avoid abrupt

steering or driving over obstacles, for example

curbs, potholes etc.

To operate the system, also note the informa‐

tion in the section entitled Tyre pressure, see

page 157.

Operating requirements

The system must have been reset with the

correct tyre pressure, since otherwise reliable

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Safety

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notification of a loss of tyre pressure cannot be

assured.

4. Press button 2 for approximately 5 sec‐

onds until the small warning light shines

yellow and the following display appears:

Perform a system reset after adjusting the tyre

pressure to a new value or after changing the

tyres or wheels.

Always use tyres with the electronic TPM sys‐

tem to ensure error-free system operation.

Resetting the system

Perform a system reset after adjusting the tyre

pressure to a new value or after changing the

tyres or wheels.

5. Drive off.

Operating principle, see page 67.

After you have driven for a short time at

over 30 km/h, the set tyre pressures are

adopted as the setpoint values. The sys‐

tem reset is completed during the drive,

which can be interrupted at any time. The

reset is automatically resumed when the

drive is continued. The indicator light goes

out on successful completion of the reset.

1. Start the engine, but do not drive off.

2. Repeatedly tap button 1 on the turn indica‐

tor lever up or down until the right symbol

appears, accompanied by "RESET".

Message in the event of low tyre

pressure

The warning lights light up yellow

and red. An acoustic signal also

sounds.

3. Press button 2 to confirm the selection of

the Tire Pressure Monitor.

▷

There is a puncture or substantial

loss of tyre pressure.

The following display appears:

▷

The system has not been reset. The sys‐

tem therefore issues a warning in the event

of a deviation from the most recently saved

tyre pressures.

1. Reduce your speed and cautiously stop

the car. Avoid violent or sudden braking

and steering manoeuvres.

2. Check whether the vehicle is equipped

with standard tyres or runflat tyres.

The symbol identifying runflat tyres, see

page 86, is the circle with the letters RSC

on the tyre side wall.

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Safety

Do not continue a journey without run-

flat tyres

Maximum possible distance with tyres entirely

deflated:

Do not continue your journey if the vehicle is

not equipped with run-flat tyres, otherwise a

serious accident could occur.◀

The possible distance with a puncture de‐

pends on the load and strain on the vehicle

during the journey.

When the vehicle is subject to medium load,

the possible distance is approx. 80 km,

50 miles.

It is possible that Dynamic Stability Control

DSC is activated as soon as the message for a

puncture appears.

When driving with damaged tyres, the vehicle

handling changes, for example quicker loss of

traction when braking, longer stopping dis‐

tance and modified self-steering behaviour.

Adapt driving style accordingly. Avoid abrupt

steering or driving over obstacles, for example

curbs, potholes etc.

What to do in the event of a puncture

Standard tyres

1. Identify the damaged tyre.

Do this by checking the air pressure in all

four tyres.

As the possible distance largely depends on

the strain on the vehicle during the journey,

this can be shorter, or longer if the vehicle is

driven carefully, according to speed, road con‐

dition, outside temperature, load etc.

If the pressure of all four tyres is correct,

the Tire Pressure Monitor may not have

been reset. Then reset the system.

If it is not possible to identify, contact a

Service centre.

Continuing a journey with a flat tyre

2. Fix the puncture.

Drive with care and do not exceed a

speed of 80 km/h, 50 mph.

Tyre sealants can damage the TPM wheel

electronics. Check the electronics at the

next opportunity and adjust it if necessary.

If tyre pressure has fallen, vehicle handling

changes, for example reduced directional sta‐

bility when braking, longer stopping distance

and modified self-steering behaviour.◀

Run-flat tyres

If a tyre has punctured you can continue your

journey, driving at speeds up to a maximum of

80 km/h, 50 mph.

Final tyre failure

Vibration or loud noises while driving

may be an indication that the tyre has finally

failed. Reduce your speed and stop, otherwise

sections of the tyre could become detached

and cause an accident. Do not drive the car

any further; contact your Service Centre in‐

stead.◀

Continuing a journey with a puncture

If you continue a journey with a puncture:

1. Avoid violent or sudden braking and steer‐

ing manoeuvres.

2. Do not exceed a speed of 80 km/h, 50 mph

any longer.

System limits

3. As soon as you get an opportunity, check

the tyre pressure in all four tyres.

The system does not work properly if a reset

hasn't been carried out (e.g. a puncture is re‐

ported although the tyre pressures are cor‐

rect).

If the pressure of all four tyres is correct,

the Tire Pressure Monitor may not have

been reset. Then reset the system.

86

Safety

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The tyre pressure depends on the temperature

of the tyre. When the temperature of the tyre

increases, such as during driving or through

exposure to the sun, the tyre pressure increa‐

ses. The tyre pressure decreases when the

temperature of the tyre falls. As a result, when

the temperature drops significantly, a warning

may be issued on the basis of the set warning

limits.

Dynamic brake lights

Principle

Malfunction

The small warning light flashes in yel‐

low, and then shines continuously.

The large warning light shines in yel‐

low. A puncture cannot be detected.

▷

Normal braking: brake lights illuminate.

Severe braking: brake lights flash.

Shortly before the vehicle comes to a stand‐

still, the hazard warning system is activated.

Display in the following situations:

▷

A wheel is fitted without electronic TPM

functionality: have this checked by the

Service centre.

Deactivating the hazard warning system:

▷

Press the accelerator.

Press the hazard warning system button.

▷

Malfunction: have the system checked by

your Service centre.

The TPM system could not complete the

reset. Reset the system again.

The small warning light flashes in yel‐

low, and then shines continuously.

The large warning light shines in yel‐

low. A puncture cannot be detected.

Display in the following situations:

▷

Fault due to systems or devices with the

same frequency. The system is automati‐

cally active again after the interference

field has been left.

87

Controls -> Safety for Your BMW Z4 2 Door Second Generation (2009-2016)

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