2008 BMW Z4 Owner's Manual - Page 77

Drive defensively Avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking maneuvers. To do so, keep an adequate distance to the forward vehicle. A defensive and smooth driving style keeps fuel consumption down. Have the vehicle serviced Have the vehicle serviced regularly to achieve good economy and a long vehicle life. BMW recommends having the vehicle serviced at a BMW center. Also note the BMW service system, refer to page 96. Avoid high engine speeds Only use first gear when setting off. In second and higher gears, accelerate without hesitation or pauses. When accelerating, shift up before reaching high engine speeds. When you reach the desired speed, shift into the highest applicable gear and drive with the engine speed as low as possible and at a constant speed. As a rule: driving at low engine speeds lowers fuel consumption and reduces wear. Driving notes Close the luggage compartment lid/ tailgate Operate the vehicle only when the luggage compartment lid/tailgate is closed. Otherwise, exhaust fumes could enter the interior of the vehicle.< Should it be absolutely necessary drive with the luggage compartment lid/tailgate open: 1. Coupe: close both windows. Roadster: close all windows if the convertible top is closed. 2. Greatly increase the air flow from the air conditioning or automatic climate control, refer to page 62 or 65. Coasting When approaching a red light, take your foot off the accelerator and coast to a stop in the highest applicable gear. On a downhill slope, take your foot off the accelerator and coast in a suitable gear. The fuel supply is interrupted when coasting. Hot exhaust system In all vehicles, extremely high temperatures are generated in the exhaust system. Never remove the heat shields installed in this area, nor apply undercoating to their surfaces. When driving, standing at idle or parking the vehicle, take care to avoid contact between the hot exhaust system and flammable materials, e.g. hay, leaves, grass, etc. Such contact could lead to a fire, resulting in serious personal injury and property damage. Do not touch the hot exhaust pipes to avoid the risk of injury from burns.< Switch off the engine during lengthy stops Switch off the engine when stopping for lengthy periods, e.g. at traffic lights, railroad crossings or in traffic congestions. You achieve fuel savings even if standing time is as short as approx. 4 seconds. Functions such as the air conditioner and the seat or rear window heating draw large amounts of power and consume additional fuel. Especially in city traffic and in stop and go driving they have a considerable impact. Therefore, switch these functions off when they are not really needed. Hydroplaning When driving on wet or slushy roads, reduce vehicle speed. If you do not, a wedge of water may form between the tires and the road surface. This situation, known as hydroplaning, means that the tire can com75 Online Edition for Part no. 01 41 0 014 500 - © 08/07 BMW AG Reference Mobility Switch off functions you do not need at the moment Driving tips Controls At a glance