Alpina Roadster S 2003 User Manual

Owner's Manual

Contents

From A to Z

Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 156 878 - © 06/02 BMW AG

for Vehicle

Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 156 878 - © 06/02 BMW AG

Z8

Congratulations, and thank you for choosing a BMW.

Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 156 878 - © 06/02 BMW AG

Thorough familiarity with your vehicle will provide you with enhanced control and
security when you drive it. We therefore have this request:

Please take the time to read this Owner's Manual and familiarize yourself with the
information that we have compiled for you before starting off in your new BMW. The
manual contains important data and instructions intended to assist you in obtaining
maximum satisfaction from your BMW's unique array of advanced technical fea­tures. It also contains information on vehicle maintenance designed to enhance
operating safety while simultaneously helping you to maintain your BMW's value
throughout an extended service life. For additional information refer to the supple­mental manuals.
This Owner's Manual should be considered a permanent part of this vehicle. It
should stay with the vehicle when sold to provide the next owner with important
operating, safety and maintenance information.

We recommend that you read this publication thoroughly.
We wish you an enjoyable driving experience.
BMW AG

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Notes

Using this Owner's Manual

This Owner's Manual has been spe­cially compiled to provide you with a
quick and convenient reference source.
The fastest way to find information on
particular topics is by turning to the
comprehensive index at the back of the
manual. If you are looking for a brief
summary of the essentials, you can turn
immediately to the first section.

Should the day come when you decide
to sell your BMW, please remember to
ensure that the new owner receives this
manual. The manual is legally consid­ered to be part of the vehicle.

Your BMW center will be happy to
assist you with any additional questions
that may arise.

Symbols used

Indicates precautions that must

be followed precisely in order to
avoid the possibility of personal injury
and serious damage to the vehicle.

Contains information that will

assist you in gaining the optimum
benefit from your vehicle and enable
you to care more effectively for your
vehicle.

environment.

<

information.

*

country-specific equipment and
optional extras.

adapted to suit an individual driver's
requirements – Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory – refer to page 49.
Remember that activation and adjust­ments on some of these systems can
only be performed at your BMW
center.

<

Refers to measures that can

be taken to help protect the

<

Marks the end of a specific item of

Indicates special equipment,

Identifies systems or components,

which can either be activated or

<

<

Your own personal vehicle

On buying your BMW, you have
decided in favor of a model with individ­ualized equipment and features. This
Owner's Manual describes all models
and equipment that BMW offers within
the same group.

We hope you will understand that
equipment and features are included
which you might not have chosen for
your vehicle. You can easily identify any
differences with the aid of the asterisk
used to identify all optional equipment
and accessories.

If your BMW features equipment which
is not described in this Owner's Manual
(car radio or telephone, for instance),
Supplementary Owner's Manuals are
enclosed. We ask you to read these
manuals as well.

Notes
Symbols
Your own personal vehicle

*

Notes

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5n

Status at time of printing

To ensure that our products continue to
embody unexcelled levels of quality and
safety, we at BMW pursue a policy of
continuous, ongoing development
embracing all aspects of design. This
process includes all components and
accessories as well as manufacturing
techniques. It is possible that some of
the equipment in your own vehicle may
differ from that described in this
manual. For the same reason, it is
impossible to guarantee that the
descriptions and illustrations will be
accurate in all respects. We must there­fore request your understanding for the
fact that we are unable to recognize lia­bility claims based on discrepancies
between the data, illustrations and
descriptions in this manual and your
own vehicle's equipment.

For your safety

Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels
containing up to and including

X

ethanol or other oxygenates with

10

X

up to 2.8

X

15
equivalent amount of co-solvent – will
not void the applicable warranties
respecting defects in materials or work­manship. Field experience has indi­cated significant differences in fuel
quality – i.e. volatility, composition,
additives, etc. – among gasolines
offered for sale in the United States and
Canada. Use of poor-quality fuels can
lead to poor starting, drivability prob­lems and stalling; these difficulties can
be aggravated by extreme operating
conditions such as those encountered
in extremely hot weather and at high
altitudes.
Should you encounter drivability prob­lems which you suspect could be
related to the fuel you are using, we
recommend that you respond by
switching to a recognized high-quality
brand.
Failure to comply with these recom­mendations may result in unscheduled
maintenance.
Always observe all applicable safety

oxygen by weight – i.e.

MTBE or 3X methanol plus an

rules and precautions when handling
gasoline.

parts and accessories approved by
BMW.
When you purchase accessories tested
and approved by BMW and Original
BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire
the assurance that they have been thor­oughly tested by BMW to ensure
optimum performance when installed
on your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free
from defects in material and workman­ship.
BMW will not accept any liability for
damages resulting from installation of
parts and accessories not approved by
BMW.
BMW cannot test every product made
by other manufacturers to confirm that
it can be used on a BMW safely and
without risk to either the vehicle, its
operation, or its occupants.
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories
and other products approved by BMW,
together with professional advice on
using these items, are available from all
BMW centers.
Installation and operation of non-BMW

<

Important safety information!
For your own safety, use genuine

Status at time of printing

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Notes

approved accessories such as alarms,
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors,
wheels, suspension components, brake
dust shields, telephones – including
operation of any portable cellular phone
from within the vehicle without using an
externally mounted antenna – or trans­ceiver equipment – e.g. C.B., walkie­talkie, ham radio or similar – may cause
extensive damage to the vehicle, com­promise its safety, interfere with the
vehicle's electrical system or affect the
validity of the BMW Limited Warranty.
See your BMW center for additional
information.

devices and systems may be performed
by any automotive repair establishment
or individual using any certified auto­motive part.

<

Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of the emission control

<

Symbol on vehicle parts

Indicates that you should consult

the relevant section of this
Owner's Manual for information on a
particular part or assembly.

Service and Warranty

This manual is supplemented by a Ser­vice and Warranty Information Booklet
for US models or a Warranty and Ser­vice Guide Booklet for Canadian
models.

Your BMW is covered by the following
warranties:

>

New Vehicle Limited Warranty

>

Limited Rust Perforation Warranty

>

Federal Emissions System Defect
Warranty

>

Federal Emissions Performance War­ranty

>

California Emissions Control System
Limited Warranty

Detailed information about these
warranties is listed in the Service and
Warranty Information Booklet for US
models or in the Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet for Canadian models.

Reporting safety defects

The following only applies to vehicles
owned and operated in the US.

If you believe that your vehicle has a
defect which could cause a crash or
could cause injury or death, you should
immediately inform the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration
NHTSA in addition to notifying BMW of
North America, Inc., P.O. Box 1227,
Westwood, New Jersey 07675-1227,
Telephone [phone].

If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it
may open an investigation, and if it
finds that a safety defect exists in a
group of vehicles, it may order a recall
and remedy campaign. However,
NHTSA cannot become involved in indi­vidual problems between you, your
dealer, or BMW of North America, LLC.

To contact NHTSA, you may either call
the Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at
1-800-424-9393 – or 202-366-0123 in
Washington, D.C. area – or write to:
NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transpor­tation, Washington, D.C. 20590. You
can also obtain other information about
engine vehicle safety from the Hotline.

For your safety

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Overview

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Controls and features

Operation, care

and maintenance

Owner service procedures

Advanced technology

Technical data

9n

Index

Index Data Technology Repairs Car care Operation Overview

Contents

Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 156 878 - © 06/02 BMW AG

Using this Owner's Manual 4
Symbols used 4
Your own personal vehicle 4

Notes

Status at time of printing 5
For your safety 5
Symbol on vehicle parts 6
Service and Warranty 6
Reporting safety defects 6

© 2002 Bayerische Motoren Werke
Aktiengesellschaft
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the
written consent of BMW AG, Munich.
Order No. 01 41 0 156 878
US English IX/2002
Printed in Germany
Printed on environmentally friendly paper
– bleached without chlorine and recyclable.

Cockpit 16
Instrument cluster 18
Indicator and warning lamps 20
Hazard warning flashers 24

Overview

Warning triangle 24
First-aid kit 24
Refueling 25
Fuel quality 26
Tire inflation pressure 26

Locks and security systems:

Keys 30
Electronic vehicle

immobilizer 31
Central locking system 32
Opening and closing – from the

outside 32
Using the key 32
Using the remote control 33
Opening and closing – from the

Controls and features

inside 36
Luggage compartment lid 37
Alarm system 38
Electric power windows 40
The automatic convertible

top 41

Adjustments:

Seats 45
Head restraints 46
Seat backrest 46
Belt guide 47
Steering wheel 47
Mirrors 47
Vehicle Memory, Key

Memory 49

Passenger safety systems:

Safety belts 50
Airbags 51
Transporting children safely 53

Contents

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Driving:

Ignition and steering lock 55
Starting the engine 56
Switching off the engine 56
Parking brake 57
Manual transmission 58
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp

flasher 58
Washer/Wiper system 59
Rear window defroster 60

Controls and features

Cruise control 61

Everything under control:

Odometer 62
Tachometer 62
Fuel gauge 62
Coolant temperature gauge 63
Service Interval Display 63
Clock 64
Multi-Information Radio (MIR) 64

Technology for safety and
driving convenience:

Dynamic Stability Control

DSC 65
Dynamic Performance

Control 66
Flat Tire Monitor 67

Lamps:

Parking lamps/Low beams 69
Instrument lighting 69
High beams/Standing lamps 70
Rear fog lamp 70
Interior lamps 70
Reading lamps 71

Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:

Heating and ventilation/

Air conditioner 72

Seat heating 77

Interior conveniences:

Glove compartment 78
Storage compartments 78
Beverage holder 80
Cellular phone 81
Ashtray 81
Cigarette lighter 82

Loading and transporting:

Cargo loading 83

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures 86
Driving notes 87
Catalytic converter 87
Antilock Brake System ABS 88
Dynamic Brake Control DBC 90
Disc brakes 90
Brake system 92
Winter operation 92
Power steering 94
Cellular phone 94
Car radio reception 95
Wind deflector 95
Hardtop 96

Wheels and tires:

Operation, care and maintenance

Tire inflation pressure 99
Tire condition 99
Tire replacement 100
Tire rotation 101
Wheel and tire

combinations 102

Special features of winter

tires 103
Snow chains 103
Approved wheel and tire

specifications 104

Contents

Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 156 878 - © 06/02 BMW AG

Under the hood:

Hood105
Engine compartment108
Washer fluids for the

washer systems110
Washer nozzles110
Engine oil111
Coolant113
Brake fluid114
Vehicle Identification

Number115

Maintenance and care:

The BMW Maintenance

System116
Caring for your vehicle117

Operation, care and maintenance

Airbags123
Vehicle storage124

Laws and regulations:

Technical modifications125
California Proposition 65

Warning125
OBD interface socket126

Replacement procedures:

Onboard tool kit130
Windshield wiper blades130
Lamps and bulbs131
Changing a wheel137
Battery138
Fuses140

In case of electrical
malfunction:

Fuel filler door142
Luggage compartment lid,

storage compartment142

Owner service procedures

Passenger door143
Closing the convertible top143

Giving and receiving
assistance:

Jump-starting145
Towing the vehicle146

Airbags150
Car radio reception151
Dynamic Stability Control

DSC 152
Safety belt tensioner153
Interior rearview mirror with

automatic dimmer154
Xenon lamps155

Advanced technology

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Engine data 158
Dimensions 159
Weights 160
Capacities 161
Electrical system 162
Drive belts 162

Technical data

Everything from A to Z 166

Index

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Cockpit 16
Instrument cluster 18
Indicator and warning lamps 20
Hazard warning flashers 24
Warning triangle 24
First-aid kit 24
Refueling 25
Fuel quality 26
Tire inflation pressure 26

Overview

Controls and features

Operation, care

and maintenance

Owner service procedures

Advanced technology

Technical data

Index

Index Data Technology Repairs Car care Controls Overview

Overview

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Cockpit

520us001

Cockpit

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1>Turn signal indicator 58

>

Standing lamps 70

>

High beams 70

>

Headlamp flasher 58

2 Parking lamps/Low beams 69
3 Washer/Wiper system 59
4 Hazard warning flashers 24
5 Central locking system 32
6 Rear window defroster for the

hardtop 60

7 Gearshift lever 58

To engage reverse gear, pull the
lever across the gate to the left to

overcome the detent
8 Cruise control 61
9 Adjusting the steering wheel 47

10 Horn: entire surface
11 Rear fog lamp 70
12 Unlocking the hood 105

>

Unlocking the luggage

13

compartment lid 37

>

Unlocking the fuel filler door 25

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Index Data Technology Repairs Car care Controls Overview

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Instrument cluster

520us002

Instrument cluster

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19n

1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp for

fuel reserve 62
2 Speedometer with indicator and

warning lamps for

>

Dynamic Stability Control
DSC 22

>

Engine electronics 22
3 Instrument panel lighting 69
4 Tachometer 62

with indicator and warning lamps
for:

>

Battery charge current 20

>

Convertible top operation 41

>

Flat Tire Monitor 20

>

Antilock Brake System ABS 21

>

Parking brake/Brake hydraulic

system/Cornering Brake Control

CBC 20

>

Service Engine Soon 22

>

Engine oil pressure/Engine oil

level 20, 21
5 Coolant temperature gauge with

Coolant temperature too high
warning lamp 63

6 Indicator and warning lamps for:

>

Rear fog lamp 22

>

Turn signal indicator, right 23
7 Clock 64

8 Control button for:

>

Clock 64

>

Trip odometer, reset to zero 62

9 Indicator and warning lamps for:

>

Please fasten safety belts 21

>

High beams 23

>

Airbags 21

10 Indicator for:

>

Odometer 62

>

Trip odometer 62

> Service Interval 63

11 Indicator and warning lamps for:

> Turn signal, left 23
> Brake pads 22

Index Data Technology Repairs Car care Controls Overview

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Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself

Indicator and warning lamps identified
by ● are tested for proper operation
whenever the ignition key is turned.
They each light up once for different
periods of time.

The indicator lamps signal defects in
monitored systems by either remaining
lit after the engine is started or by
coming on in the course of normal
vehicle operation. Refer to the following
section for detailed information on how
to respond to the various types of warn­ings.

Red: stop immediately

Battery charge current
The battery is no longer being

charged. Indicates a defect in
the alternator drive belt or the charging
circuit. Please contact the nearest
BMW center.

Never attempt to continue driving

if the drive belt is defective: the
engine could overheat and sustain
serious damage. A broken or damaged
drive belt will also lead to a sudden
increase in steering effort.<

Engine oil pressure
Stop vehicle immediately and

switch off engine. Check the
engine oil level and top up as required.
Is the oil level OK: please contact the
nearest BMW center.

Do not continue driving. The
engine could sustain damage

owing to inadequate lubrication.<

●

Flat Tire Monitor ●
Flashing warning lamp in addi-

tion to an acoustic signal: a flat
tire has occurred. Carefully reduce
speed to less than 50 mph/80 km/h,
avoiding any hard braking or steering
maneuvers while doing so.
For additional information: page 67.

Brake warning lamp ●

Continues to light up with

parking brake released: check
the brake fluid level. Before driving fur­ther, be sure to read the notes on
pages 92 and 114.

Brake warning lamp for

Canadian models.

Indicator and warning lamps

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21n

Red and yellow: continue driving
cautiously

The red brake warning lamp
comes on together with the
yellow indicator lamps for ABS
and DSC:
The entire ABS, CBC, DSC and
DBC control system has failed.
Continue driving cautiously and
defensively. Avoid hard brake

applications. Please have the
system checked by your BMW center
as soon as possible.
For additional information:
pages 65, 88.

Warning lamps for Canadian

models.

Red: an important reminder

Brake warning lamp ●
Comes on when the parking

brake is applied – an additional
acoustic signal sounds when the
vehicle is set in motion.
For additional information: page 57.

Brake warning lamp for

Canadian models.

Please fasten safety belts ●

Together with an acoustic

signal. Comes on until the safety
belts are fastened.
For additional information on safety
belts: page 50.

Airbags ●

Please have the system

inspected by your BMW center.
For additional information:
pages 51, 150.

Yellow: check at the earliest
opportunity

Antilock Brake System ABS ●
ABS has been deactivated in

response to system malfunction.
Unrestricted conventional brake system
performance remains available. Please
have the system inspected by your
BMW center.
For additional information: page 88.

Antilock Brake System ABS

warning lamp for Canadian

models.

Engine oil level

Comes on while driving: the oil

level is at the absolute mini­mum; add engine oil as soon as pos­sible. Do not drive more than approx.
30 miles/50 km until you add oil.
For additional information: page 111.

Engine oil level

Comes on after the engine has

been switched off: add engine
oil as soon as possible, e.g. when refu­eling.
For additional information: page 111.

Index Data Technology Repairs Car care Controls Overview

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Indicator and warning lamps

Brake pads ●
Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information:

page 92.

Dynamic Brake Control DBC ●
Malfunction in the DBC system.

The brake system continues to
provide unrestricted conventional per­formance.
Have the system checked and repaired
at your BMW center as soon as pos­sible.
For additional information on DBC:
page 90.

Dynamic Brake Control DBC

warning lamp for Canadian

models

Dynamic Stability Control

DSC ●

Indicator lamp flashes:
The system is actively regulating engine
torque and braking force.
If the indicator lamp does not go out
after the engine is started, or if it comes
on during normal driving and stays on:
DSC has been switched off with the
button or has been deactivated
because of a malfunction. In the event
of a malfunction, have the system
checked by your BMW center.
For additional information: page 65.

Service Engine Soon ●
If the indicator lamp comes on

either continuously or intermit­tently, this indicates a fault in the emis­sions-related electronic systems.
Although the vehicle remains opera­tional, you should have the systems
checked by your BMW center at the
earliest possible opportunity.
For additional information: page 126.

Service Engine Soon warning

lamp for Canadian models.

Electronic engine-management

system

Malfunction in the electronic
engine-management system. The elec­tronics revert to a default mode permit­ting continued operation, but at lower
than usual engine speeds and with
reduced power. Please have the
system inspected by your BMW center.

Yellow: for your information

Rear fog lamp
Lights up whenever the rear fog
lamp is switched on.

For additional information: page 70.

Indicator and warning lamps

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23n

Green: for your information

Turn signal indicator
Flashes when the turn signals

are operated. Rapid flashing:
indicates a system malfunction.
For additional information: page 58.

Blue: for your information

High beams
Comes on when the high beams

are on or the headlamp flasher
is activated.
For additional information:
pages 58, 70.

Index Data Technology Repairs Car care Controls Overview

24n

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Hazard warning flashers Warning triangle* First-aid kit*

520de003

The button flashes continuously when
the hazard warning flashers are on.

To help you locate the button at night,
the button is also illuminated whenever
the vehicle's lamps are on.

520de004

The warning triangle is stored beneath
the floor panel located in the luggage
compartment.

Always observe all legal regula­tions requiring a warning triangle

to be carried in the vehicle.<

The first-aid kit is located under the lug­gage compartment's floor panel
beneath the onboard tool kit.

Some of the articles in the first-aid

kit may be used within a limited
time only. Check the expiration dates of
each of the items regularly, and replace
any whose expiration dates have
passed. You can get replacements in
any drugstore or pharmacy.
Always observe all legal regulations
requiring a first-aid kit to be carried in
the vehicle.<

Refueling

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520de006

520de007

25n

When refueling, insert the filler nozzle
completely into the filler pipe. Pulling
the nozzle out of the pipe during
refueling

> results in premature pump shutoff
> and will reduce the effect of the vapor

recovery system on the pump.

If the filler nozzle is used correctly, the
fuel tank is full when it shuts off for the
first time.

Fuel filler door

Before filling the tank, shut off the

engine. If you do not, fuel cannot
flow into the tank and the Service
Engine Soon lamp may come on.<

Press on the lower part of the button
with the fuel pump symbol to open.

To unlock the fuel filler door if the cen­tral locking system malfunctions, refer
to page 142.

Always observe all safety precau-

tions posted at the service station
when handling fuel.
Never carry spare fuel containers in
your vehicle. Whether empty or full,
these containers can leak, cause an
explosion, or lead to fire in the event of
a collision.<

Simple and environmentally
friendly

Open the filler cap carefully to

prevent fuel from spraying out.
Fuel spray may cause injury.
Do not top off. Topping off may cause
fuel spillage.<

Store the cap in the holder provided on
the inside of the fuel filler door while
refueling.

Close the filler cap carefully after

refueling until a click is heard.
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.<

Fuel tank capacity:
approx. 19.3 gal./approx. 73 liters, incl.
a reserve capacity of approx. 2.5 gal./
approx. 10 liters.

Do not drive until the tank is com-

pletely empty, as otherwise
engine functions are not ensured and
damage can occur.<

Index Data Technology Repairs Car care Controls Overview

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Fuel quality Tire inflation pressure

The engine uses lead-free gasoline
only.

Required fuel:
> Premium Unleaded Gasoline,

min. 91 AKI.
AKI = Anti Knock Index

Do not use leaded fuels. The use

of leaded fuels will cause perma­nent damage to the system's oxygen
sensor and the catalytic converter.<

520de008

You will find the tire inflation pressures
on the door pillar – visible with door
open.

Check tire pressures

All pressure specifications are indicated
in psi/kilopascal for cold tires at
ambient temperature, refer also to the
following table.

Remember to reactivate the Flat
Tire Monitor after every wheel or

tire change, refer to page 67.<

Check tire inflation pressures

regularly – at least every two
weeks and before each extended
journey. Otherwise, incorrect tire pres­sure can lead to poor handling, tire
damage and accidents.<

Comply with tire approval
specifications

The inflation pressures in the table
apply to tires sizes and makes by
BMW-approved manufacturers. Your
BMW center is familiar with these pres­sures. A higher pressure may be
required for tire makes not approved by
BMW. You will find a list of approved
tire sizes on page 104.

Your vehicle is equipped with tires that
not only meet US standards, but also
European standards. We recommend
the exclusive use of BMW-approved
tires.

Tire inflation pressure

Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 156 878 - © 06/02 BMW AG

BMW Tires

All pressure specifications in the table are
indicated in psi/kilopascal with cold tires,
cold = ambient temperature

Front: 245/45 R 18 96 W 35/240 –

Z8

Rear: 275/40 R 18 99 W – 35/240
245/45 R 18 96 H M+S 41/280 33/230

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Index Data Technology Repairs Car care Controls Overview

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Locks and security systems:

Keys 30
Electronic vehicle

immobilizer 31
Central locking system 32
Opening and closing – from the

outside 32
Using the key 32
Using the remote control 33
Opening and closing – from the

inside 36
Luggage compartment lid 37
Alarm system 38
Electric power windows 40
The automatic convertible

top 41

Adjustments:

Seats 45
Head restraints 46
Seat backrest 46
Belt guide 47
Steering wheel 47
Mirrors 47
Vehicle Memory, Key

Memory 49

Passenger safety systems:

Safety belts 50
Airbags 51
Transporting children safely 53

Controls

29n

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Driving:

Ignition and steering lock 55
Starting the engine 56
Switching off the engine 57
Parking brake 57
Manual transmission 58
Indicator/Headlamp flasher 58
Washer/Wiper system 59
Rear window defroster 60
Cruise control 61

Everything under control:

Odometer 62
Tachometer 62
Fuel gauge 62
Coolant temperature gauge 63
Service Interval Display 63
Clock 64
Multi-Information Radio MIR 64

Technology for safety and
driving convenience:

Dynamic Stability Control

DSC 65

Dynamic Performance

Control 66

Flat Tire Monitor 67

Lamps:

Parking lamps/Low beams 69
Instrument lighting 69
High beams/Standing lamps 70
Rear fog lamp 70
Interior lamps 70
Reading lamps 71

Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:

Heating and ventilation/

Air conditioner 72

Seat heating 77

Interior conveniences:

Glove compartment 78
Storage compartments 78
Beverage holder 80
Cellular phone 81
Ashtray 81
Cigarette lighter 82

Loading and transporting:

Cargo loading 83

Overview

Controls and features

Operation, care

and maintenance

Owner service procedures

Advanced technology

Technical data

Index

Index Data Technology Repairs Car care Controls Overview

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Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 156 878 - © 06/02 BMW AG

Keys

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The key set

1 The Key Memory functions are stored

in the remote-control key, refer to
page 49.
You can mark individual keys for sub­sequent identification by applying the
colored decals that you received
when accepting delivery of your
vehicle

There is an extended-life battery

in every master key that is
charged automatically in the ignition
lock every time you drive.
For this reason, if you have a master
key that is not in regular use, use that
key approximately once every year
while driving for an extended period to
charge the battery. Also refer to
page 33.<

2 Spare master key for storage in a

safe place, such as in your wallet.
This master key is not intended for
continuous use

3 Door and ignition key

The lock for the glove compartment
cannot be operated with this key.
This is recommended for valet
parking, etc.

There is a key case available for using
your master key on a regular basis.

Replacement keys

Replacement keys are available exclu­sively through your BMW center. Your
BMW center is obligated to ensure that
a person requesting a key is authorized
to do so, since the keys are an integral
element of the security system – refer to
Electronic vehicle immobilizer in the fol­lowing columns.

If possible, take all of the master

keys that belong to the vehicle
with you when you pick up your
replacement key.
Whenever you receive a new replace­ment key, turn it once to position 2 in
the ignition lock, ignition switched on,
and then back, so that the electronic
vehicle immobilizer can initialize the
new key.<

Electronic vehicle immobilizer

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Advanced electronics in action

At the heart of this system is an elec­tronic chip that is integrated into the
key. The lock mechanism itself is actu­ally a dual-function device, simulta­neously serving as a communications
interface designed to allow the security
system to maintain a continuous stream
of variable, vehicle-specific signals with

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The key to security

The electronic vehicle immobilizer
reduces your BMW's susceptibility to
theft by rendering it impossible to start
the engine using any means other than
the vehicle's own individual keys. The
system operates automatically, with no
action or intervention on your part. Your
BMW center can cancel the system
authorization for individual keys, for
instance, if a key is lost. A deactivated
key can no longer be used to start the
engine.

the electronic circuitry in the key. The
system will release the ignition, elec­tronic steering lock, fuel injection and
starter for use only if it detects the cor­rect key.

tronic circuitry and render it inoperative.
A damaged key can no longer be used
to start the engine or release the
steering lock.<

31n

Exposure to external force can
damage the key's integrated elec-

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Central locking system Opening and closing – from the outside

The concept

The central locking system is ready for
operation whenever the driver's door is
closed. The system engages and
releases the locks on the

> doors
> luggage compartment lid
> fuel filler door
> glove compartment
> cellular phone holder.

The central locking system can be
operated

> from the outside via the driver's door

lock or by using the remote control

> from the inside by pressing a button.
When actuated from inside, the fuel

filler door, glove compartment and cel­lular phone holder are not locked, refer
to page 36.
When actuated from outside, the anti­theft system is activated simulta­neously. This prevents the door handles
from unlocking the doors. The alarm
system is also armed or disarmed.

The central locking system unlocks
automatically in the event of an acci­dent. In addition, the hazard warning
flashers and interior lamps come on.

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Using the key

Swing the door lock mechanism's cover
upward. Return it to its original position
and allow the detent to engage when
you have finished locking or unlocking
the doors.

Turn the key in the driver's door once to
unlock the driver's door only; turning
the key a second time will unlock the
passenger door, the luggage compart­ment lid, the fuel filler door, the glove
compartment, and the cellular phone
holder.

If necessary, you can open the fuel filler
door by pressing the button inside the
vehicle, refer to page 25.

You can have a signal set as an

acknowledgement that the vehicle
is properly locked.<

Convenience operation

You can also operate the windows via
the door lock.

> To open: with the door closed, turn

the key to the unlock position and
hold it

> To close: with the door closed, turn

the key to the lock position and hold
it.

As the windows are closing you

should always monitor their path
and progress to ensure that no injuries
occur. Release the key to stop the win­dows.<

Manual operation

If an electrical malfunction occurs, you
can unlock or lock the driver's door with
the key in the end position of the lock.
Refer to page 143 for operating the
passenger door.

Opening and closing – from the outside

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Using the remote control

The remote control makes unlocking
and locking your vehicle extremely con­venient. It also offers three additional
functions that can only be carried out
with the remote control:

> Interior lamp activation, refer to

page 34.
With this function, you can also
search for your vehicle if, for
example, it is parked in an under­ground garage

> Opening the luggage compartment

lid, refer to page 35

> Panic mode, refer to page 35.

In case of danger, you can trigger an
alarm.

The anti-theft system is also deacti­vated/activated simultaneously with the
unlocking or locking of the vehicle, and
the alarm system is disarmed/armed,
and the interior lamps are switched on/
off.

You can have a signal set as an
acknowledgement that the vehicle

is properly locked.<

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Master keys

Keys with remote control are master
keys, refer to page 30.

Because passengers or animals

remaining in the vehicle could lock
the doors from the inside, you should
always remove the key and take it with
you to ensure that you remain able to
unlock the vehicle from the outside at
all times.<

Master keys that are used repeat-

edly are always ready for opera­tion since the battery in the key is
charged automatically in the ignition
lock every time you drive.
If it is no longer possible to unlock the
vehicle via the remote control, the bat­tery is discharged. Use this key while
driving for an extended period in order
to charge the battery, refer also to
page 30.
To prevent unauthorized use of the
remote control, surrender only the door
and ignition key 3 or the spare key 2 –
refer to page 30 – when leaving the
vehicle for valet parking, for example.
In the event of a system malfunction,
please contact your BMW center. You
can also obtain replacement keys
there.<

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Opening and closing – from the outside

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To unlock the vehicle

Press button 1.
Press the button once to unlock the

driver's door only; press it a second
time to unlock the passenger door, the
luggage compartment lid, the fuel filler
door, the glove compartment, and the
cellular phone holder.

If necessary, you can open the fuel filler
door by pressing the button inside the
vehicle, refer to page 25.

Convenience opening mode

Press and hold button 1. The windows
are then opened.

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To lock and secure

Press button 2.

You can have a signal set as an
acknowledgement that the vehicle

is properly locked.<

To deactivate the tilt alarm sensor
and interior motion sensor

Press button 2 again immediately after
locking.
For additional information: page 39.

To switch on the interior lamps

With the vehicle locked, press button 2.

Opening and closing – from the outside

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To open the luggage
compartment lid

Press button 3.
The luggage compartment lid opens

slightly.

Before and after a trip, be sure
that the luggage compartment lid

has not been opened unintentionally.<

Panic mode

You can respond to impending danger
by pressing and holding button 3 for
more than two seconds to trigger the
alarm system by hand. The alarm
system must be armed in advance for
this function to operate.

Deactivate alarm: press button 1.

Interference from outside
systems

The remote control system's perfor­mance may be affected by other equip­ment operating in the vehicle's vicinity.
You can respond to problems of this
nature by using the master key to
engage and release the locks at the
door.

For US owners only

The transmitter and receiver units
comply with part 15 of the FCC – Fed­eral Communications Commission –
regulations. Operation is governed by
the following:

FCC ID: LX8EWS

LX8FZVS
LX8FZVE

Compliance statement:
This device complies with part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:

> This device may not cause harmful

interference, and

> this device must accept any interfer-

ence received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.

Any unauthorized modifications to

these devices could void the
user's authority to operate the equip­ment.<

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Opening and closing – from the inside

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Use this button to operate the central
locking system when the doors are
closed. The doors and the luggage
compartment lid are unlocked or locked
only. The anti-theft system is not acti­vated.

If you wish, the central locking

system locks automatically as
soon as you drive off. You can have this
function set for specific keys.<

If only the driver's door was

unlocked from the outside and
you press the button
> the passenger door, the luggage

compartment lid, the fuel filler door,
the glove compartment and the cel­lular phone holder will be unlocked,
when the driver's door is open

> the driver's door will be locked again

if it is closed.<

To unlock and open the doors

> Either unlock the doors together with

the button for the central locking
system and then pull each of the
release handles above the armrests
or

> pull the release handle for each door

twice: the first pull unlocks the door,
and the second one opens it.

To engage the locks

> Lock both doors using the button for

the central locking.

Because passengers or animals

remaining in the vehicle could lock
the doors from the inside, you should
always remove the key and take it with
you to ensure that you remain able to
unlock the vehicle from the outside at
all times.<

Luggage compartment lid

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To unlock from the inside

Press on the upper half of the button
with the luggage compartment lid
symbol.

The luggage compartment lid opens
slightly.

This button will not open the lug-

gage compartment lid if the glove
compartment is locked, refer to
page 78.<

520us017

To open from the outside

Reach into the recess and open the
luggage compartment lid all the way.

The luggage compartment is illumi­nated when the lid is opened.

Manual operation

Should the electrical system malfunc­tion, the luggage compartment lid can
be opened from the inside, refer to
page 142.

To close

The luggage compartment is locked
again as soon as you close the lid.

37n

As with all closing procedures, be

sure that the travel path for the
luggage compartment lid is clear when
being closed to avoid injury.
Operate the vehicle only when the lug­gage compartment lid is completely
closed. Otherwise exhaust fumes could
penetrate the interior of the vehicle. If,
however, the luggage compartment lid
has to stay open and the convertible
top is closed while driving

> close all windows
> increase the air supply from the

heating and ventilation system to a
high level, refer to page 74.<

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Luggage compartment lid Alarm system

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Emergency release

This lever releases the luggage com­partment lid from the luggage compart­ment's interior.

The concept

The vehicle alarm system responds:
> when a door, the hood or the luggage

compartment lid is opened

> to movement inside the vehicle –

interior motion sensor

> to variations in the vehicle's tilt angle

such as those occurring during
attempts to steal the wheels or tow
the vehicle

> to interruption of battery voltage.
The system responds to attempts of

unauthorized vehicle incursion and theft
by simultaneously activating the fol­lowing:

> an alarm sounds for 30 seconds
> the hazard warning flashers are acti-

vated for approx. five minutes

> the high beams flash on and off in the

same rhythm.

To arm and disarm the alarm
system

When the vehicle is locked or unlocked
via a door lock or with the remote con­trol, the alarm system is also simulta­neously armed or disarmed.
The interior motion sensor and tilt alarm
sensor are activated approx.
30 seconds after you have finished
locking the vehicle.

The system indicates that it has been
correctly armed by switching on the
hazard warning flashers for a single
cycle and by emitting an acoustic
signal.

You can have different signals set

as an acknowledgement that the
alarm system has been armed or dis­armed.<

Alarm system

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Indicator lamp displays

The indicator lamp is located in the
inside rear view mirror's rotary knob.

> The indicator lamp flashes continu-

ously: the system is armed

> The indicator lamp flashes during

arming: a door, the hood or luggage
compartment lid is not completely
closed. Even if you do not respond by
securing the affected area, the
system starts to monitor all other
points and the indicator lamp reverts
to continuous, uninterrupted opera­tion once ten seconds have elapsed.
The interior motion sensor remains
off

> The indicator lamp goes out during

disarming: no manipulation or
attempted intrusions have been

detected in the period since the
system was armed

> The indicator lamp flashes for

10 seconds when the system is dis­armed: an attempted entry has been
detected in the period since the
system was armed.

Following triggering of an alarm, the
indicator lamp will flash continuously.

Avoiding unintentional alarms

The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion
sensor can be deactivated together.
This prevents a false alarm from being
triggered, for instance in garages with
elevator ramps, or when the vehicle is
transported by trailer or train:

Lock, i.e. arm the system, twice by
pressing button 2 on the remote control
twice in succession, refer to page 34,
or lock the vehicle twice with the key,
refer to page 32.
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and
then flashes continuously. The tilt alarm
sensor and the interior motion sensor
remain deactivated for as long as the
system is armed.

Interior motion sensor

In order for the interior motion sensor to
function properly, the windows and the
luggage compartment lid must be
closed.

However, deactivate the interior motion
sensor, see Avoiding inintentional
alarms, when

> children or animals are left in the

vehicle

> windows should remain open.

For US vehicles only:

The interior motion sensor is not
installed on US models as it has not
received FCC – Federal Communica­tions Commission – approval.<

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Electric power windows

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To open and close the windows

From ignition key position 1:
> Depress the rocker switch 1 until you

feel resistance:
The window remains in motion for as
long as you maintain pressure on the
switch

> Briefly press rocker switch 1 to just

beyond the initial point of resistance:
The window automatically remains in
motion until it reaches the end of its
travel. Briefly press the switch a
second time to stop the window.

The one-touch mode cannot be
used to close the passenger-side

window.<

Use switch 2 to select the window you
wish to open or close:

> Driver's window

Push the switch all the way to the left

> Passenger-side window

Push the switch all the way to the
right

> To activate both windows at the

same time
Push the switch to the center posi­tion.

The switch on the passenger-side door
activates the window for that side only.

After the ignition has been switched off:
Provided that no door is opened in the

intervening period, the electric power
windows remain available for operation
for up to 15 minutes.

Because the power windows are

sealed at high pressure to prevent
wind noise when closed, a powerful
motor is required for efficient closing.
When closing the windows, always
ensure that they are not obstructed in
any way. Unsupervised use of these
systems can result in serious personal
injury. Remove the ignition key to deac­tivate the electric power windows
whenever you leave the vehicle. Never
leave the keys in the vehicle with unsu­pervised children.
Never place anything that could
obstruct the driver's vision on or next to
the windows.<

To use the convenience mode via the
door lock or the remote control, refer to
page 32 or 34.

The automatic convertible top

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41n

Weather protection

The fabric convertible top combines
reliable protection from the elements
with simple, convenient operation. Here
are a few tips to ensure that you enjoy
your BMW Z8 roadster:

It is advisable to close the convertible
top when the vehicle is parked. The
closed convertible top not only protects
the passenger compartment from
unforeseeable damage from the
weather, it also provides a certain
degree of theft protection. Even if the
convertible top is closed, store your
valuables only in the locked luggage
compartment.

To prevent damage to its rear window,
avoid opening or closing the fabric top
unless the temperature is well above
freezing.

Operate the convertible top only

when the vehicle is stationary,
otherwise the procedure will be inter­rupted. Driving before the opening or
closing procedure has been properly
concluded can lead to damage or
injury.
Do not lay objects on the convertible
top, since they would fall off when the
convertible top is operated and cause
damage or injuries.
Make sure that no objects or people get
in the way while the convertible top is
opening or closing, so that no damage
or injuries occur.
The automatic operating procedure is
interrupted immediately if the switch
for actuating the top is released. The
procedure can be continued in the
desired direction by pressing this
switch.<

To open

From ignition key position 1:
If at all possible, only operate the con­vertible top if the engine is running to
avoid discharging the battery.

Press and hold the switch in the
open direction 1 until the opening pro­cedure has been completed with the
convertible top being stored in the con­vertible top compartment and the indi­cator lamp on the instrument cluster,
refer to page 18, has gone out.

The side windows will lower slightly
when the convertible top is being
opened. To reclose the side windows,
maintain pressure on the switch after
the indicator lamp goes out.

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The automatic convertible top

The indicator lamp stays on while the
convertible top is in motion. If the
opening procedure has not been com­pleted, the indicator lamp will blink after
you release the switch.

In order to avoid subsequent

moisture damage, do not leave
the convertible top retracted when it is
wet. Refer also to the chapter on
vehicle care beginning on page 118.<

520de108

To mount the cover

In order to avoid damage or get-

ting dirt on the inside of the con­vertible top, always drive with the con­vertible top cover installed.<

Remove the folded cover from the lug­gage compartment and extract it from
its protective slip case.

1. Unfold the cover and lay it out on top

of the convertible top

2. Guide the cover tabs into the slots at

the front, first on the right side, then
on the left, refer to arrow in detailed
view

While guiding the tabs in, use one

hand to press the inside part of
the convertible top down inside, so that
it does not get jammed in or dam­aged.<

3. Circling it around, push the cover

under the rear edge of the convert­ible top compartment. Lightly
pounding on the cover makes it
easier to attach properly

The automatic convertible top

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4. Press on both left and right sides to
lock the cover in place

5. Pull the button to verify that the
locking mechanism is engaged
securely.

The cover lock responds by alter-

nately engaging and releasing
with each successive application of
pressure.<

Be sure that the cover is properly

secured on the vehicle. If it is not
firmly secured, air pressure could
loosen the cover at higher speeds.<

520de109

To remove the cover

Follow the same steps as for assembly,
however, in reverse sequence.

After removal, slide the two outside
ends of the cover under the retaining
strap, then tilt in the middle and fold
toward the outside – leather on leather.

After folding the cover, insert it in the
protective casing for subsequent
storage in the luggage compartment.

To close

1. Push the switch toward close 2 and
maintain pressure until the automatic
closing process is completed, just
before the top frame comes to rest
against the windshield header rail.
The side windows automatically
retract and remain lowered slightly
for the duration of the closing proce­dure

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The automatic convertible top

520de104

2. Reach into the recess. A button is
pressed when doing so. Maintain
pressure on the button

3. Pull the convertible top frame onto
the window frame's header rail. The
button you are pressing releases the
automatic locking mechanism that
attaches the top frame to the header
rail.
The closing procedure is finished
after you hear the locking device
audibly click into place; the indicator
lamp on the instrument cluster will
then go out, refer to page 18.
To reclose the side windows, main­tain pressure on the button in the
recess after the indicator lamp goes
out.

The indicator lamp stays on while the
convertible top is in motion. The indi­cator lamp will blink if you release one
of the buttons before the closing proce­dure has been completed.

Power loss or malfunction

Should the electrical system malfunc­tion, an opened convertible top can be
closed manually, refer to page 143.

Wind deflector

Refer to page 95.

Hardtop

Refer to page 96 and following.

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Seats

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For maximum safety when adjusting the
seating position, please observe the
following:

Never try to adjust your seat while

driving the vehicle. The seat could
respond with un unexpected move­ment, and the ensuing loss of vehicle
control could lead to an accident.
Be sure that the safety belt remains
firmly against your body at all times. In
the event of a frontal impact, a loose lap
belt could slide over the hips, leading to
abdominal injury. In addition, the safety
belt's restraint effectiveness is reduced
if the belt is worn loosely.
Never ride with the backrest reclined to
an extreme angle – especially important
for the passenger to remember. If you
do so, there is a risk that you will slide
under the safety belt in an accident,
thus reducing the protection provided
by the safety belt.<

Correct sitting posture

To reduce strain on the spinal column,
sit all the way back in the seat and rest
your back fully against the backrest.
The ideal sitting posture is achieved
with your head extending from your
spine in a straight line.
For long-distance driving, you may wish
to increase the backrest tilt-angle
slightly to reduce muscular tension. You
should be able to grasp the steering
wheel at its highest point with your
arms slightly bent.

Seat adjustment

1 Backward/forward adjustment
2 Cushion height
3 Backrest angle
The head restraint is adjusted manually,

refer to page 46.

Ensure that the backrest detent is

fully engaged before sliding the
seat to the rear. If the seat is moved
back with the backrest folded forward,
the detents may not engage during
subsequent attempts to return the
backrest to its upright position. Both
the rear of the backrest and the uphol­stery in the rear storage well may sus­tain damage as a result.
Always ensure that the backrest is not
reclined to an excessively steep angle

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Seats Head restraints Seat backrest

when sliding the seat back: failure to
observe this precaution can result in
damage to both the rear trim panel and
to the backrest itself.<

520de016

Adjustments

Upward: by pulling.
Downward: unlock by first pressing the

button located on the right under the
leather, refer to arrow 1.

Align the head restraint so that its

center is approximately at ear
level, as otherwise there is an increased
risk of injury to the cervical vertebra in
an accident.<

To unlock

Pull on the outermost edge of the strap
and tip the backrest forward.

The strap for the driver's backrest is
located on the outside, while the pas­senger's seat is equipped with release
straps on both the left and right sides of
the backrest.

Lock both backrests while driving,

otherwise there is a danger of an
unexpected movement causing an
accident.
Do not use the strap as a holder, e.g.
for newspapers or other items. This
could cause the backrests to unlock.<

Belt guide Steering wheel Mirrors

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The strap for the belt guide can be
opened: release the push button.

This feature can be used to facilitate
access to the rear storage well for
loading and when using equipment fea­tures on the rear bulkhead.

For further information regarding
loading, refer to page 83.

Before each trip, insert the safety

belt into the guide strap, other­wise, it will not hold securely and lose
its effectiveness as a restraint device,
as it will be too loose.<

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Adjustments

Do not adjust the steering wheel

while the vehicle is moving. If you
do so, there is a risk of accident from
unexpected movement.<

Press button: move the steering wheel
forward or back to suit your selected
seating position.

Exterior mirrors

1 Switch for 4-way adjustment
2 Selection switch for changing

between mirrors, switch either all the
way to the left or the right.

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Mirrors

You can also adjust the mirrors manu­ally by pressing against the outer edges
of their lenses.

When estimating the distance

between yourself and other traffic,
bear in mind that the objects reflected
in the mirror are closer than they
appear. This means that estimates of
the distance to following traffic should
not be regarded as precise.<

Electric defrosting

Both mirrors are automatically
defrosted with the ignition key in posi­tion 2.

520de019

Interior rearview mirror with
automatic dimmer

This mirror automatically responds to
ambient light and headlamp glare from
following vehicles by dimming through
an infinitely-variable range. The dim­ming function is regulated by two pho­tocells. One is integrated in the mirror's
frame, refer to arrow, while the other is
located at an offset position on the rear
of the mirror.

The mirror switches to its clear,
undimmed mode whenever you shift
into reverse.

For trouble-free operation, keep the
photocells clean and do not cover the
area between the interior rearview
mirror and the windshield. Do not
attach any kind of stickers on the wind­shield in front of the mirror, either.

For a more detailed explanation of the
electrochromic technology used in this
mirror, please refer to page 154.

Vehicle Memory, Key Memory

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The concept

No doubt you have reflected at one
time or another on how great it would
be if you could permanently configure
your vehicle's various features and
adjustments to mirror your own indi­vidual preferences. In developing the
Z8, BMW has incorporated a number of
options for personal adjustment that
can be programmed into your vehicle
by your BMW center.

The available configuration data fall into
two categories, according to whether
their primary orientation is the vehicle –
Vehicle Memory – or the individual –
Key Memory. Provided that each
person has a separate remote-control
key, you can have your BMW center
enter adjustment data for as many as
four different individuals into the
system.

The system then relies on a bilateral
data exchange to identify the individual
user and dial in the selected settings
whenever the remote-control unit is
used to disengage the door locks.

What the system can do

Your BMW center can provide you with
details on the capabilities of the Vehicle
Memory and Key Memory systems.
Below a few examples:

A Vehicle Memory sampler:
> Different signals as acknowledge-

ment for locking/unlocking of the
vehicle, refer to pages 32, 34

> Deactivate/activate the Follow me

home lamps function, refer to

page 69.
A Key Memory sampler:
> Locking vehicle after driving off, refer

to page 36.

At various points throughout this

Owner's Manual you will find this
symbol, indicating that the equipment
or system described in the adjacent
section can be preset for automatic
adjustment using the Vehicle or Key
Memory.<

Index Data Technology Repairs Car care Controls Overview

50n

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Safety belts

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Drive with your safety belt on

Fasten your safety belt at the beginning
of every trip.

To close

Make sure you hear the lock engage in
the belt buckle.

To open

Press the red button in the buckle. Hold
the belt and guide it back into its reel.

For your safety, please comply

with the following instructions for
wearing safety belts. Otherwise, your
personal safety will be diminished, and
the safety belts' protective function
impaired. The following information also
applies to your passengers:
Never allow more than one person to
wear a single safety belt. Infants or
small children should never be held on
the lap of a passenger.
Avoid twisting the belt while routing it
firmly across the pelvis and shoulder,
wear it as snugly against your body as
possible. Do not allow the belt to rest
against hard or fragile objects in your
pockets. Never route the belt across
your neck, do not run it across sharp
edges and ensure that the belt does not
become caught or jammed.
Avoid wearing bulky clothing and pull
on the belt periodically to retension it
over your shoulder. In the event of a
frontal impact, a loose lap belt could
slide over your hips, leading to abdom­inal injury. In addition, the safety belt's
restraint effectiveness is reduced if the
belt is worn loosely.

Expectant mothers should always wear
their safety belts, taking care to position
the lap belt against the lower hips,
where it will not exert pressure against
the abdominal area.<

For care instructions, refer to page 121.

If the safety belt system has been

subjected to the stresses involved
in an accident or damaged in any other
way, have the complete mechanism
replaced by your BMW center,
including the safety belt tensioner and
have the belt anchorages checked.
If a child-restraint system
vehicle during an accident, consult the
manufacturer's instructions regarding
replacement.<

* is in the

Child-restraint systems*

Since your vehicle is equipped

with an airbag for the front pas­senger, never use any rearward-facing
child-restraint systems on the front pas­senger seat, otherwise serious injuries
can occur if the airbag is triggered.
Never modify a child-restraint system in
any way, as the result could be reduced
protection for your child.<

Airbags

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520de021

1 Front airbags for the driver and pas-

senger

2 Side airbags for the driver and pas-

senger

Protection

The front airbags protect the driver and
passenger in the event of severe frontal
impacts in which a safety belt alone is
not enough to provide optimal protec­tion. The side airbags help provide pro­tection in the event of a collision from
the side. Each of the side airbags is
designed to help support the seat
occupant's upper body.

520de022

The illustration shows the system's
effective response range; major
impacts occuring within this area will
initiate airbag deployment.

The airbags do not respond to

minor impacts, if the vehicle rolls
over, or if the vehicle is hit from the
rear.<

51n

Operational status

The indicator lamp in the instru­ment cluster comes on to con­firm the system's operational

status from ignition key position 1.
System operational:
> The indicator lamp comes on briefly

then goes out.

System malfunction:

> The indicator lamp fails to come on
> The indicator lamp comes on briefly

before going out and then lighting up
again.

A system malfunction could prevent the
system from responding to a high­intensity impact sustained within its
normal response range.

Have your BMW center inspect the
system immediately.

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Airbags

Sitting safely with airbags

Comply with the following instruc-

tions for the airbags, otherwise,
the airbags may not be able to provide
their maximum protection, with
resulting risks to personal safety. All
passengers in the vehicle should be
aware of and comply with this informa­tion:
The airbag is a supplemental restraint
device; it is not a substitute or replace­ment for your safety belt, which you
should continue to wear at all times.
When adjusting your seat, assume a
comfortable driving posture allowing
comfortable and secure access to all of
the vehicle's controls. Avoid sitting too
close to the steering wheel.
Always hold the steering wheel by the
rim – hands in the 9 o'clock and
3 o'clock positions – otherwise, your
hands or arms could be injured if the
airbag is triggered.
Never allow any other passengers, ani­mals or objects to intrude into the area
between the airbag and the driver or
front passenger.
Do not use the cover panel above the
front passenger airbag as a storage
area.

Do not apply adhesive materials to the
cover panels of the airbags, or cover or
modify them in any other way.
Do not use a rearward-facing child seat
in the front passenger seat.
If you use a child-restraint system,
carefully read and comply with the
instructions on page 53.
Be sure that child seats are installed
correctly and with the greatest possible
distance between them and the side
airbag. Do not allow children to lean out
of the child's seat in the direction of the
side trim panels. If they do so, serious
injuries can occur if the airbag is trig­gered.<

Even when all these guidelines are
observed, there is still a small residual
risk of injury to the face, hands and
arms occurring from airbag deployment
in isolated instances.
The ignition and inflation noise may
cause a mild temporary hearing loss in
extremely sensitive individuals.

You will find the proper airbag safety
precautions on both sun visors and on
the instrument panel – US models.

For additional information concerning
the airbag system, refer to pages 123
and 150.

The illustration shows the correct
seating position for a child in a child­restraint system
tance between the child and the side
airbag, refer to arrow.

* with sufficient dis-

Airbags Transporting children safely

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The illustration shows the correct
seating position for an older child
wearing a safety belt with sufficient dis­tance between the child and the side
airbag, refer to arrow.

Before installing any child-

restraint system or child seat,
please read the following:
Never install a rearward-facing child­restraint system in the passenger seat
of this vehicle.
If the airbag deploys and hits the back­rest of the rearward-facing child seat, it
is likely that the child sitting in the rear­ward-facing child seat will be seriously
injured or killed.
If it is necessary for a child, not an
infant, to ride in the vehicle, certain
precau-tions should be taken. First,
move the passenger seat as far away
from the instrument panel as possible.
This important precaution is intended to
maximize the distance between the
airbag and the child. Older children
should be tightly secured with the
safety belt, after they have outgrown a
booster seat that is appropriate for their
age, height and weight. Younger chil­dren should be secured in an appro­priate forward-facing child-restraint
system that has first been secured with
a safety belt.

In the interest of the child's safety,
please carefully read and comply with
the instructions for installation and use
provided by the child restraint's manu­facturer whenever you use such a
device.
Do not allow children to lean out of a
child-restraint system toward the door
or instrument panel, as otherwise
serious injuries may result if the airbag
deploys. Always ensure that all occu­pants, of all ages, remain properly and
securely restrained at all times.
Read carefully and comply with the
safety precautions covering safety belts
on page 50. If you do not, the protec­tive function of the safety belts will be
limited.<

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Transporting children safely

520us003

Lock the safety belt

Extract the entire length of the belt from
the inertia reel mechanism. Allow the
reel to retract the belt somewhat and
engage the buckle, then tighten the belt
against the child-restraint system. The
retraction mechanism is now locked.
The belt cannot be retracted further.
Comply with the installation instructions
provided by the manufacturer of the
child-restraint system.

Child seat security

The safety belt on the passenger side
can be locked for mounting and
securing child-restraint systems.

A label with operating instructions is
attached to the belt next to the sliding
latch plate.

Release the safety belt

Release the buckle, remove the child­restraint system and allow the inertia
reel to retract the belt completely.

Ignition and steering lock

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Your vehicle is equipped with an elec­trically powered steering lock mecha­nism.

To activate the electrical power
supply and release the steering

> Insert key at position 0. The steering

lock can be heard disengaging. If you
encounter any resistance when
turning the key to the right this indi­cates that the lock is still engaged:
turn the steering wheel slightly to free
the mechanism and turn the key.
The vehicle immobilizer is deacti­vated

> The sound system and other elec-

trical accessories are available for
use when the ignition key is in posi­tion 1

> Turning the key to position 2 provides

electrical power to the ignition and all
remaining electrical systems.

Removing the key

The key is removed in position 0. Turn
the steering wheel to engage the
steering lock and activate the electronic
vehicle immobilizer.

With a discharged or discon-

nected battery, the steering
column will not be locked or unlocked.
Leaving the key in the ignition uses up a
minimal amount of power. In order to
avoid discharging the battery, remove
the key if the vehicle is to be parked for
an extended period of time.<

If the steering is locked and the

battery discharged or discon­nected, do not tow the vehicle, as it will
not be possible to turn the steering
wheel.<

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Starting the engine

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Before starting

> Engage the parking brake
> Make sure that the transmission is in

neutral

> Depress the clutch pedal
> Turn ignition key to position 2

Do not run the engine in closed

rooms, as otherwise breathing in
the harmful exhaust gases can lead to
unconsciousness and death. The
exhaust gases contain carbon mon­oxide, an odorless and colorless, but
highly toxic gas. Do not leave the
vehicle unattended with the engine run­ning, as otherwise it represents a
potential safety hazard.<

Do not press the accelerator pedal
while starting the engine by pressing
the starter button.

Do not actuate the starter button

for too short a time, but do not
keep it pressed for more than approx.
20 seconds.<

Do not allow the engine to warm up by
leaving it running while the vehicle
remains stationary. Instead, begin to
drive immediately at a moderate engine
speed.

Cold starts at high altitudes, above
approx. 3,300 ft/1,000 m and at very
low temperatures from approx. +5 7/
–15 6:

> On the first start attempt, engage the

starter for a longer period, approx.
10 seconds.

Engine idle speed is controlled by the
electronic engine-management system.
A fast idle immediately after starting is
normal and should decrease as the
engine warms up. If the idle does not
return to normal as the engine reaches
normal operating temperature, service
is required.

To prevent the battery from dis­charging, always switch off electrical
devices that are not in use. Switch the
ignition off when the vehicle is not
being driven.

Switching off the engine Parking brake

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57n

Turn ignition key to position 1 or 0.

Never remove the ignition key

while the vehicle is rolling. If you
do so, the ignition lock would engage
when the steering wheel is turned.
When you leave the vehicle, always
remove the ignition key and lock the
steering.
Always engage the parking brake when
parking on hills and inclined surfaces,
as selecting first gear or reverse may
not provide adequate resistance to
rolling.<

520de024

The parking brake is primarily designed
to prevent the vehicle from rolling while
parked. It operates on the rear wheels.

To engage

The lock engages automatically when
you lift the lever, and the indicator lamp
in the instrument cluster comes on
when the ignition key is in position 2.
Refer to page 21.

To release

Pull up slightly on the lever, press the
button and lower the lever.

If, in rare circumstances, it should

be necessary to engage the
parking brake while the vehicle is in
motion, do not pull hard on the lever.
Keep your thumb pressed against the
release button while carefully pulling
the lever up to apply moderate pres­sure.
Excessive pressure can lead to over­braking and loss of traction – fishtailing
– at the rear axle.
The brake lamps do not come on when
the parking brake is engaged.
Always engage the parking brake when
parking on hills and inclined surfaces,
as selecting first gear or reverse may
not provide adequate resistance to
rolling.<

To avoid corrosion and one-sided
braking, apply the parking brake lightly
from time to time when coasting to a
standstill, for instance at a traffic signal,
provided that it is safe to do so.

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Manual transmission Indicator/Headlamp flasher

Reverse

Select only when the vehicle is sta­tionary. Press the gearshift lever to the
left to overcome the resistance.

As you do this, the backup lamp will
turn on automatically when the ignition
key is in position 2.

Never slip the clutch to prevent

520de158

Every time you shift gears, always
depress the clutch pedal all the way
down, pushing the gearshift lever into
the desired position.

Always remember to depress the clutch
pedal when starting the engine; a lock­out device prevents starting when the
clutch is engaged.

When shifting across the gate to

the 5th/6th gear plane always
remember to push the lever to the right
to avoid inadvertent engagement of 3rd
or 4th gear.<

the vehicle from rolling backwards
when stopping on hills. Slipping the
clutch for extended periods leads to
rapid, premature clutch wear.<

1 High beams – blue indicator lamp
2 Headlamp flasher – blue indicator

lamp

3 Turn signal indicator – green indicator

lamp and cyclical clicking from the
turn signal indicator relay

If the indicator lamp and the clicking
from the relay are faster than normal,
one of the turn signal bulbs is defective.

To signal briefly

Press the lever up to but not beyond
the pressure point. It then returns to the
center position when released.

Washer/Wiper system

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0 Wipers retracted
1 Intermittent mode
2 Normal wiper speed
3 Fast wiper speed
4 Brief wipe

0 Wipers retracted

The wipers are partially hidden behind
the hood. To bring the wipers up into
their vertical position – important when
changing the blades, or folding up
when frost is expected:
With the lever in position 1, switch off
the ignition as soon as the wipers come
to a stop.

For information on replacing the wiper
blades, refer to page 130.

Fold the wipers back down onto

the windshield before you turn the
ignition key to position 1 or 2 again. If
you do not, they could be damaged.<

1 Intermittent mode

Wiper delay varies automatically
depending on actual road speed.

2 Normal wiper speed

The wipers automatically revert to inter­mittent mode when the vehicle is sta­tionary.

3 Fast wiper speed

When the vehicle is stationary, the
wipers operate at normal speed.

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Washer/Wiper system Rear window defroster

2 Clean windshield/headlamps

Every time they are actuated, both the
windshield and the headlamps are
cleaned.

Do not use the washers if there is

any danger that the fluid will
freeze on the windshield. If you do so,
your vision could be obscured. There-

520de139

1 Clean windshield
2 Clean windshield/headlamps

1 Clean windshield

The system sprays washer fluid against
the windshield and activates the wipers
for a brief period.

If you only pull the lever briefly, the
system sprays washer fluid onto the
windshield without activating the
wipers.

fore, use antifreeze, refer to page 110.
Do not operate the washer devices
when the reservoir is empty, as other­wise the washer pump will be dam­aged.<

Windshield washer jets

The windshield washer jets are heated
automatically when the ignition key is in
position 2.

To activate

With the hardtop in place, press the
button: as long as the indicator lamp
remains on, the rear window defroster
operates at high output – rapid thaw.

After the indicator lamp goes out, the
defroster continues operating at
reduced power for a limited period
before deactivating automatically.

To deactivate

If the indicator lamp is on, press the
button.

The indicator lamp is always

active. However, the rear window
defroster does not function when the
hardtop is removed.<

Cruise control

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You can store and automatically main­tain any desired vehicle speed above
approx. 20 mph/30 km/h.

Refrain from using the cruise con-

trol on twisting roads, when traffic
density prevents driving at constant
speed and when driving on slippery –
snow, rain, ice – or loose – gravel, sand
– road surfaces.<

Maintain speed/accelerate

Press the lever briefly in direction 1:
The system maintains the current
vehicle speed. Every time you briefly
press the lever, the speed increases by
approx. 0.6 mph/1 km/h.

Press and hold the lever in position 1:
The vehicle accelerates without pres­sure on the accelerator pedal. When
you release the lever, the system main­tains the current speed.

The vehicle may accelerate

beyond the preselected speed on
steep downhill stretches, where engine
braking alone may not be enough to
slow the vehicle. It can also slow when
the engine fails to maintain the prese­lected speed when ascending steep
grades.<

To decelerate

Press the lever briefly in direction 2:
With the cruise control active, the
speed decreases by approx. 0.6 mph/
1 km/h every time you briefly touch the
lever.

Press and hold the lever in position 2:
With the cruise control active, the
system automatically reduces the
throttle opening to slow the vehicle.
When you release the lever, the system
maintains the current speed.

To interrupt the cruise control

Press the lever briefly in direction 3:
The cruise control is immediately inter­rupted.

In addition, the system is automatically
interrupted in response to the following
conditions:

> braking
> clutch disengagement
> when vehicle speed deviates from

the preset speed for an extended
period, for instance, as a result of
pressure on the accelerator pedal.

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Odometer Tachometer Fuel gauge

520us004

1 Odometer

With the ignition key in position 0, you
can activate the displays shown in the
illustration by pressing the button in the
instrument cluster, refer to arrow.

2 Trip odometer

To reset the trip odometer to zero,
press the button with the ignition key in
position 1 and up, refer to arrow.

520de169

Be sure to avoid engine speeds in the
red overspeed sector, refer to arrow.

To protect the engine, the engine-man­agement system automatically inter­rupts the fuel supply in this range, pro­ducing the sensation of a sudden loss
of power.

When you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp lights up briefly to con­firm that the system is operational.

Once the indicator lamp comes on and
stays on, there are approx. 2.5 gal./
10 liters of fuel left in the fuel tank.

Fuel tank capacity: approx. 19.3 gal./
approx. 73 liters.

Certain operating conditions (such
as those encountered in mountainous
areas) may cause the needle to fluc­tuate slightly.

Refuel well before the tank is

completely empty, as otherwise
engine functions are not ensured when
driving to the last drop and damage can
occur.<

Coolant temperature gauge Service Interval Display

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Between the blue and red zones

Normal operating range. It is not
unusual for the needle to rise as far as
the edge of the red zone in response
to high outside temperatures or severe
operating conditions.

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63n

Blue

The engine is still cold. Drive at mod­erate engine and vehicle speeds.

Red

When you switch on the ignition, the
warning lamp comes on briefly to con­firm that the system is operational.

If the lamp comes on in the course of
normal vehicle operation, the engine
has overheated. Switch it off immedi­ately and let it cool down.

Checking coolant level, refer to
page 113.

Remaining distance before
service

The displays shown in the illustration
appear for a few seconds when the
ignition key is in position 1 or after the
engine is started.

The remaining distance in miles/km and
the next scheduled service will appear
together with the display OILSERVICE
or INSPECTION.
The computer bases its calculations for
the remaining distance on the previous
driving style.

A flashing display and a – in front of the
number indicate that service is past due
by the number of miles/km displayed.
Please contact your BMW center for an
appointment.

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Clock Multi-Information Radio MIR

The Multi-Information Radio allows you
to operate the navigation system and
various cellular phone functions as well
as your in-car sound system.

Please refer to the supplementary
Owner's Manual provided with your
sound system for detailed information
on adjusting and operating the Multi­Information Radio.

520us007

To set the clock

From ignition key position 0 on
To set ahead: turn the button to the

right.
To set back: turn the button to the left.
Hold the button turned continuously to

move the hands faster.

Outside temperature

You can have the outside temperature
shown on the Multi-Information Radio
display. Refer to the supplementary
Owner's Manual.

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Dynamic Stability Control DSC

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65n

The concept

DSC maintains vehicle stability even in
critical driving situations.

DSC maintains optimal, predictable
response while maximizing traction
when you accelerate from a standing
start or speed up while already
underway. The system recognizes any
tendency for the vehicle to assume an
instable attitude such as oversteer and
understeer, and counteracts this ten­dency with a combination of graduated
reductions in engine torque and braking
intervention at individually selected
wheels. DSC provides optimal stability
– within the limits defined by the laws of
physics.

The system automatically assumes
operational status each time the engine
is started.

Indicator lamp

The indicator lamp in the instru­ment cluster goes out shortly
after you switch on the ignition.

Refer to page 22.
The indicator lamp flashes:

The system is actively regulating engine
torque and braking force.

The indicator lamp does not go out
after the engine is started, or it comes
on during normal driving and stays on:
There is a system malfunction or the
system was deactivated with the
button. You can continue to drive the
vehicle normally, but without DSC.
Please respond to any suspected
defects by referring the problem to your
BMW center.

To deactivate the system

Press the button, the indicator lamp
comes on and stays on.

When DSC is deactivated, you are
operating the vehicle in the conven­tional drive mode.

In the following rare circumstances, it
may be effective to deactivate the DSC
for a short period of time:

> When rocking the vehicle or starting

off in deep snow or on loose sur­faces.

To maintain vehicle stability,
always drive with the system

switched on when possible.<

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Dynamic Stability Control DSC Dynamic Performance

To reactivate the system

Press the button again; the indicator
lamp goes out.

Not even DSC can suspend the

laws of physics. Responsibility for
careless driving remains in the hands of
the driver. Never use the added safety
provided by DSC as an excuse for
taking unnecessary risks.
Do not make any modifications to the
DSC system. Service procedures on
the system are to be performed by
authorized technicians only.<

For additional information concerning
DSC, please refer to the chapter
Advanced technology on page 152.

The system reacts to current conditions
with an instantaneous recalibration. It
revises the accelerator's standard
response designed to furnish an ideal
combination of comfort and perfor­mance orientation – with a more perfor­mance-oriented response program. The
result is crisper, faster reaction to
throttle inputs – Sport mode.

The system resets to the standard
response mode, with its combination of
comfort and performance orientation,
each time the engine is restarted.

Dynamic Performance Flat Tire Monitor

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67n

Sport mode recognition

Activating:
In ignition key position 2, press the

button. The indicator lamp will come
on.

Deactivating:
Whenever the indicator lamp is on, it

will go out if you press the button again.

The concept

The Flat Tire Monitor keeps track of the
inflation pressures in all four tires as
you drive. The system provides an alert
whenever the inflation pressure has
dropped significantly in one of the tires.

To initialize the Flat Tire Monitor with
the correct inflation pressures, start by
ensuring that all of the vehicle's tires
are inflated to the pressures specified
in the inflation pressure table, refer to
page 27. Then initialize the system.

The indicator lamp within the
instrument cluster flashes to
alert you to substantial pres-

sure loss in any of the tires.

Initialize system

1. Turn the ignition key to position 2

2. Press the button long enough for the
indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster to light up red for a few sec­onds

3. As you drive, the Flat Tire Monitor
automatically enters the system ini­tialization mode in which it stores the
current pressures as its reference
figures. The initialization process
lasts for ten minutes or somewhat
longer. Once it has been completed
the Flat Tire Monitor is able to detect
and warn of flat tires.

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Flat Tire Monitor

Repeat this process after any changes
in tire inflation pressure, tire rotation or
replacement.
Do not reactivate the system after peri­odic corrections of inflation pressures
to maintain them at the levels stored
during an earlier initialization process.

In the event of a flat tire

The red indicator lamp will flash in the
event of a flat tire. A supplementary
gong is also heard.

Carefully reduce speed to less than
50 mph/80 km/h, avoiding any hard
braking or steering maneuvers while
doing so.

For additional details, refer to
page 137.

The Flat Tire Monitor cannot alert

you to severe and sudden tire
damage caused by external factors.
Another factor which the Flat Tire
Monitor does not recognize is the
balanced and very gradual pressure
loss that takes place in all tires over an
extended period of time.<

Check the tire inflation pressure

regularly and correct it if neces­sary, refer to page 26.
Do not activate the system when using
snow chains and when driving the
vehicle on a closed racing circuit. False
alarms and undetected pressure loss
are both possible under these condi­tions.
In certain circumstances, there could
be a delayed detection of any loss in
inflation pressure while driving on
snow-covered or slippery road sur­faces.
Performance-oriented driving – slip at
the drive wheels, high levels of lateral
acceleration – can also delay the
appearance of status reports in the Flat
Tire Monitor's display.<

System interference

The red indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster will stay on for as long as there
is a malfunction.

The indicator lamp will come on if the
system malfunctions.

Please contact your BMW center for
additional information.

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Parking lamps/Low beams Instrument lighting

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Follow me home lamps:

If you actuate the headlamp
flasher after you have parked the
vehicle and switched off the engine, the
low beams will remain on for a brief
period. You may also have this function
deactivated if you wish.<

LIGHTS ON warning

520de036

Parking lamps – side marker
lamps

With the switch in this position,
the front, rear and side vehicle

lighting is switched on.
When leaving the vehicle parked, you
also have the additional option of acti­vating the lighting on just one side, refer
to page 70.

Low beams

If you switch off the ignition

while the low beams are on,

only the parking lamps – side
marker lamps – remain on.

If you turn the ignition key to position 0,
an acoustic signal will sound for a few
seconds after the driver's door has
been opened if the low beams have not
been switched off.

Daytime driving lamps*

The headlamps are automatically
switched on for daylight driving when
ignition key is in position 2.

Turn the knob to adjust the lighting
intensity.

69n

Index Data Technology Repairs Car care Controls Overview

70n

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High beams/Standing lamps

Rear fog lamp Interior lamps

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1 High beams – blue indicator lamp
2 Headlamp flasher – blue indicator

lamp

3 Standing lamps

Standing lamps, left or right

When leaving the vehicle parked, you
also have the additional option of acti­vating the lighting on just one side:

With the ignition key in position 0, move
the turn signal lever in the desired
direction – for left or right side; allow
the detent to engage.

520de039

The yellow indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up
whenever the rear fog lamp is

switched on.
Comply with legal requirements

regarding fog lamp use.

The interior lamps operate automati­cally.

Switching the interior lamps on
and off manually

Turn the knob.
If you want the interior lamps to remain

off, keep the knob turned for approx.
3 seconds.

Turn the knob again to turn them back
on.

Footwell lamps

The footwell lamps operate in the same
way as the interior lamps.

Reading lamps

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The reading lamps can be switched on
and off using the push button, located
next to each lamp.

71n

In order to prevent battery dis-

charge, all of the lamps in the
vehicle are switched off automatically
approx. 15 minutes after the ignition
key has been turned to position 0.<

Index Data Technology Repairs Car care Controls Overview

72n

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Heating and ventilation/Air conditioner

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Heating and ventilation/Air conditioner

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1 Air onto the windshield and the side

windows

2 Airflow for the upper body

The rotary dials make it possible for
you to open and close the air supply
through an infinitely-variable range,
while the levers change the airflow

direction. Refer to page 75
3 Front footwell ventilation
4 Air supply

Both the heating and ventilation are

available from position 1 on. Refer to

page 74
5 Defrost windows and remove

condensation 75
6 Temperature 74
7 Air distribution toward

> the windows

> the upper body

> the footwell

An infinitely-variable range of inter-

mediate settings is also available.

Refer to page 74
8 Rear window defroster with the

hardtop in place 75
9 Operating:

> Recirculated air 74

> Incoming air 74

> Air conditioner/Incoming air 74

> Air conditioner/Recirculated air 74

73n

Index Data Technology Repairs Car care Controls Overview

74n

Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 156 878 - © 06/02 BMW AG

Heating and ventilation/Air conditioner

Air supply

You can select blower speeds
from 1 to 4. The higher the
setting, the greater the

amount of heat and air supply.
In position 0, the blower, heating and
air conditioner are switched off.

Temperature

In order to increase the inte-

rior temperature, turn to the

right. For rapid heating, turn

completely to the right. Then
select an interior temperature that is
comfortable for you.

Air distribution

You can direct the airflow onto

the windows , toward the

upper body and into the

footwell . You can also
make all intermediate settings. In the
position a small amount of air also
flows to the windows to keep them free
of condensation.

Recirculated-air mode

If there are unpleasant odors
in the incoming air, you can
temporarily block the air

supply. The system then recir­culates the air already within the
vehicle.

If condensation starts to form on

window surfaces during operation
in the recirculated-air mode, switch this
mode off and increase the air supply as
required, or press the button for
defrosting windows and removing con­densation.<

Incoming-air mode

Recommended when driving
with the convertible top down.
The degree to which the pas-

senger compartment is
heated depends on temperature selec­tion and air distribution.

Air conditioner/Incoming-air
mode

The air is cooled and dehu­midified and – depending on
the temperature setting –

warmed again when the air
conditioner is switched on.
Depending on the weather, the wind­shield may fog over briefly when the
engine is started.

Use the button to switch the air condi­tioner off at outside temperatures
below approx. 41 7/5 6. This will help
to prevent condensation from forming
on window surfaces.
If the windows fog over after switching
the air conditioner off, switch it back
on.

Air conditioner/Recirculated-air
mode

Both systems are operating.

This is useful for cooling the

vehicle more rapidly after it

has been parked with the top
up on a hot day. This setting provides
the coldest possible airflow from the air
outlets with the temperature selection
switch turned all the way to the left.

Heating and ventilation/Air conditioner

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If condensation starts to form on

window surfaces during operation
in the recirculated-air mode, switch this
mode off and increase the air supply as
required, or press the button for
defrosting windows and removing con­densation.<

Defrosting windows and removing
condensation

This operation quickly
removes ice and condensa­tion from the windshield and

the side windows.

Rear window defroster

Whenever the hardtop is on,
the indicator lamp lights up

when the rear window
defroster is switched on. The rear
window defroster switches off
automatically, refer to page 60.

The indicator lamp is always

active. However, the rear window
defroster does not function when the
hardtop is removed.<

520de043

Draft-free ventilation

You can adjust the air outlets for the
upper body area for optimal personal
comfort:

Use rotary controls 1 to open and close
the air outlets through an infinitely-vari­able range.

75n

You can adjust the direction of the air­flow using the levers 2.

Set the air outlets so that the air flows
past you and is not directed straight at
you.

Microfilter

The microfilter removes dust and pollen
from the incoming air. Your BMW
center will change this filter during rou­tine maintenance. A substantial reduc­tion in airflow indicates that the filter
needs to be replaced early.

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76n

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Heating and ventilation/Air conditioner

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Rapid ventilation

1. Set the rotary control for the air
supply to position 4

2. Turn the rotary temperature control
completely to the left

3. Rotary control for air distribution in
position

4. Select incoming air

5. Open the air outlets for the upper
body area.

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Cooling

1. Set the rotary control for the air
supply to position 2

2. Use the rotary temperature control to
select an interior temperature com­fortable for you

3. Rotary control for air distribution in
position

4. Select the air conditioner/incoming­air mode

5. Open the air outlets for the upper
body area.

Rapid cooling

1. Set the rotary control for the air
supply to position 4

2. Turn the rotary temperature control
completely to the left

3. Rotary control for air distribution in
position

4. Select the air conditioner/recircu­lated-air mode

5. Open the air outlets for the upper
body area.

Heating and ventilation/Air conditioner Seat heating

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77n

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Rapid heating

1. Set the rotary control for the air
supply to position 3

2. Turn the rotary temperature control
completely to the right

3. Rotary control for air distribution in
position

4. Select incoming-air mode.

520de047

Heating

When the windows are free of ice and
condensation, we recommend the fol­lowing settings:

1. Set the rotary control for the air
supply to position 2

2. Use the rotary temperature control to
select an interior temperature com­fortable for you

3. Rotary control for air distribution in
position .

The seat cushion and backrest can
be heated when the ignition key is in
position 2.

By repeatedly pressing the button, you
can select one of three different opera­tion modes:

> Two indicator lamps on: heating at

high temperature

> One indicator lamp on: heating at low

temperature

> Indicator lamps off: seat heating

deactivated.

Index Data Technology Repairs Car care Controls Overview

78n

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Glove compartment Storage compartments

To lock

Use one of the master keys. The glove
compartment, the cellular phone holder
and the luggage compartment lid are
now locked.
A master key is also required for
unlocking.

If you turn over only your door and

520de049

To open

Pull the handle. The lamp comes on.
A beverage holder is stored in the glove

compartment.
For further information, refer to
page 80.

To close

Flip the door up.

To prevent injury in the event of an
accident, reclose the glove com-

partment immediately after use.<

ignition key for valet parking, for
example, refer to page 30, access to
the glove compartment, the cellular
phone holder and the luggage compart­ment is not possible when the vehicle
has been locked.<

Manual operation

If an electrical defect occurs, you can
unlock or lock the glove compartment
with the key in the end position of the
lock.
For information on the cellular phone
holder and the luggage compartment
lid, please refer to page 142.

In the doors

To open:
Pull the grab recesses.
To close:
Press cover back into place.

Storage compartments

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79n

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In the center console

To open:
Flip the cover up, refer to arrows 1 –

access to the ashtray and cigarette
lighter.
When the glove compartment has been
unlocked, press the button, refer to
arrow 2 – cellular phone holder.

To close:
Flip the cover back into place.

Manual operation

To operate the cellular phone holder in
case of an electrical malfunction, refer
to page 142.

520de082

Behind the seats

By way of example, the illustration
shows the storage compartment behind
the driver's seat.

To open:
Unlock by turning the master key all the

way to the left.
The cover will open slightly and can
then be flipped all the way up.

To close:
Press down until you hear it snap into

place. The cover has been locked
again.

If you turn over only your door and
ignition key for valet parking, refer

to page 30, access is impossible.<

Rechargeable flashlight

Located in the storage compartment
behind the driver's seat.
Because of overload-protection, the
flashlight can remain in its holder.

Be sure that the flashlight is

switched off when it is inserted
into its holder. Failure to do so could
lead to deep discharge and damage.<

Index Data Technology Repairs Car care Controls Overview

80n

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Storage compartments Beverage holder

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Navigation computer

Located in the storage compartment
behind the passenger's seat.

For further information regarding the
navigation system, refer to the separate
Owner's Manual.

520de138

CD changer

Located in the storage compartment
behind the driver's seat.

For further information regarding the
CD changer, refer to the separate
Owner's Manual.

1. Push the front passenger seat all the
way back

2. Take the beverage holder out of the
glove compartment and

3. place it in the bracket located on
the center console on the front pas­senger side. Refer to the illustration.

By using the removable plastic insert,
you can place beverage cans or cups of
various sizes in the holder.

Do not place any open drinks in

the holder while driving, otherwise
the liquid could slop over the side and
either stain the upholstery or cause
burns.<

Cellular phone Ashtray

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81n

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Located in the storage compartment in
the center console.

To remove

1. Press the button and remove the
plug

2. Slide the button to the left and
remove the telephone.

Press the phone into the storage com­partment to return. The button locks the
phone back in place.

For further information on the cellular
phone, refer to the separate Owner's
Manual.

520de131

Hands-free system

Located over the interior rearview
mirror.

For further information on the cellular
phone, refer to the separate Owner's
Manual.

To open

Lift the cover.
To extinguish a cigarette, brush off the

ash and gently press the tip into the
funnel, refer to arrow 1.

To empty

Press button, refer to arrow 2: the ash­tray rises and can now be extracted.

Index Data Technology Repairs Car care Controls Overview

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Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 156 878 - © 06/02 BMW AG

Cigarette lighter

520de053

Press in. You can remove the lighter
from its socket for use as soon as it
snaps back out.

Hold or touch the hot cigarette

lighter by the knob only. Holding
or touching it in other areas could result
in burns.
The cigarette lighter remains opera­tional when the ignition key has been
removed. This is yet another reason you
should never allow unsupervised chil­dren to remain alone in the vehicle.<

Cigarette lighter socket

The socket is suitable for attaching
power supplies for flashlights, car
vacuum cleaners, or other appliances
up to a rating of approx. 200 watts at
12 volts. Avoid damaging the socket by
inserting plugs of improper shapes or
sizes.

Cargo loading

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83n

Stowing cargo

If you are carrying cargo in the luggage
compartment of your BMW Z8 roadster:

> Load heavy cargo as far forward as

possible, directly behind the luggage
compartment partition

> Cover sharp edges and corners.
If you are stowing cargo behind the

seats in your BMW Z8 roadster:
> Stow only lightweight objects, such

as clothing

> Do not pile objects higher than the

top edge of the backrest.

Do not stow either heavy cargo or

cargo with sharp edges and cor­ners behind the seats, or else they
could damage the backrest or the rear
trim panel.
Cargo that is too big or unwieldy and
stowed behind the seats can also pre­vent the seat from locking properly into
position. Therefore, check to make sure
that the seat is properly locked into
place, moving the seat forward if nec­essary, refer to page 45.

Always position and secure the load
correctly. If you do not, it can endanger
vehicle occupants during braking or
evasive maneuvers.
Do not exceed the approved gross
vehicle weight or the approved axle
loads, refer to page 160, otherwise the
vehicle's operating safety is no longer
assured and you are in violation of the
law.
Make sure to secure heavy or hard
objects you stow in the passenger area,
otherwise, these objects could be flung
about during braking or evasive maneu­vers and possibly injure vehicle occu­pants.<

Index Data Technology Repairs Car care Controls Overview

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85n

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Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures 86
Driving notes 87
Catalytic converter 87
Antilock Brake System ABS 88
Dynamic Brake Control DBC 90
Disc brakes 90
Brake system 92
Winter operation 92
Power steering 94
Cellular phone 94
Car radio reception 95
Wind deflector 95
Hardtop 96

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressure 99
Tire condition 99
Tire replacement 100
Tire rotation 101
Wheel and tire

combinations 102

Special features of winter

tires 103
Snow chains 103
Approved wheel and tire

specifications 104

Under the hood:

Hood 105
Engine compartment 108
Washer fluids for the washer

systems 110
Washer nozzles 110
Engine oil 111
Coolant 113
Brake fluid 114
Vehicle Identification

Number 115

Maintenance and care:

The BMW Maintenance

System 116
Caring for your vehicle 117
Airbags 123
Vehicle storage 124

Laws and regulations:

Technical modifications 125
California Proposition

65 Warning 125
OBD interface socket 126

Overview

Controls and features

Operation, care

and maintenance

Owner service procedures

Advanced technology

Technical data

Index

Index Data Technology Repairs Car care Controls Overview

Car care

86n

Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 156 878 - © 06/02 BMW AG

Break-in procedures

To ensure that your vehicle provides
maximum economy throughout an
extended service life, we request that
you comply with the following informa­tion.

Your BMW Z8 is an especially

high-quality vehicle. To protect
your own investment, we recommend
that you follow he break-in instructions
carefully. By doing so, you will create
the basis for optimal service life of the
vehicle.<

Engine and differential

Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km:
Drive at varying engine and road
speeds, but do not exceed 4,500 rpm
or a road speed of 106 mph/170 km/h.

Comply with local and state maximum
speed limits.

Avoid depressing the accelerator to the
full-throttle position.

Following the Break-In Inspection at
1,200 miles/2,000 km, you can gradu­ally increase engine or road speeds.

You should also comply with these
break-in procedures should the engine
or differential be replaced later in the
course of the vehicle's service life.

Tires

Owing to technical factors associated
with their manufacture, tires do not
achieve their full traction potential until
an initial break-in period has elapsed.
Thus drive with extra care during the
initial 200 miles/300 km.

Comply with local and state maximum
speed limits.

When the vehicle is being driven

on wet or slushy roads, a wedge
of water may form between the tire and
the road surface. This phenomenon is
referred to as hydroplaning or aqua­planing and can lead to partial or com­plete loss of traction, vehicle control
and braking effectiveness. Reduce your
speed on wet roads.<

Brake system

Approximately 300 miles/500 km must
elapse before the brake pads and
rotors achieve the optimal pad-surface
and wear patterns required for trouble­free operation and long service life.

To break in the separate parking brake
drums, apply the parking brake lightly
when coasting to a standstill at a traffic
signal, for instance, provided that traffic
conditions allow you to do so.
To avoid corrosion, repeat this proce­dure from time to time.

The brake lamps do not come

on when the parking brake is
engaged.
Vacuum for the brake system servo unit
on your BMW is available only when the
engine is running. When you move the
vehicle with the engine shut off – when
towing, for instance – substantially
higher levels of pedal force will be
required to brake the vehicle.<

Clutch

The clutch will also begin to function
optimally after about 300 miles/500 km.
Engage the gears carefully and without
high engine speeds during this break-in
period.

Driving notes Catalytic converter

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87n

Brakes:

Do not rest your foot on the brake
pedal while driving. Even light but con­sistent pressure on the brake pedal
could lead to high temperatures, brake
wear, and possibly, to brake system
failure.
Aquaplaning:
Reduce speed while driving on wet or
slushy roads, otherwise, a wedge of
water can form between the tires and
the road surface. This phenomenon is
referred to as aquaplaning or hydro­planing. It is characterized by a partial
or complete loss of contact between
the tires and the road surface. The ulti­mate results are loss of steering and
braking control.
Driving through water:
When there is water on the roads, do
not drive in it if it is deeper than 1 ft/
30 cm, and even then, only at walking
speed, otherwise the vehicle can sus­tain damage to the engine, the elec­trical systems and the transmission.<

The catalytic converter reduces harmful
exhaust emissions.

It is designed for use with unleaded fuel
only. Even minute quantities of lead
would be enough to permanently
damage both the catalytic converter
and the system's oxygen sensor.

To ensure efficient, trouble-free engine
operation and to avoid potential
damage:

> Be sure to comply with the scheduled

maintenance requirements

> Fill the fuel tank well before it is

empty

> Tow-start only when the engine is

cold. If you attempt to tow-start with
a warm engine, unburned residual
fuel could ignite on the way to the
catalytic converter and cause
damage. It is better to start the
vehicle with a battery charger or
assistance from another vehicle

> Avoid other situations where the fuel

is either not burned or burns incom­pletely, such as engaging the starter
frequently or for extended periods, or
repeated start attempts in which the
engine does not start – stopping and
restarting an engine which is running
properly does not present a problem.
Never allow the engine to run with

any of the spark plug cables discon­nected.

Be sure to comply with the

instructions above to prevent
unburned fuel from reaching the cata­lytic converter. Otherwise, there is the
danger of overheating and damage to
the catalytic converter.
Extreme temperatures are present with
the catalytic converter both on this and
every catalyst-equipped vehicle. Heat
shields are installed adjacent to some
sections of the exhaust system. Never
remove these shields; do not apply
undercoating to their surfaces. When
driving, standing at idle, and parking
the vehicle, take care to avoid contact
between the exhaust system and flam­mable materials, e.g. grass, hay, leaves
etc. Such contact could start a fire,
resulting in serious personal injury and
property damage.<

Index Data Technology Repairs Car care Controls Overview

88n

Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 156 878 - © 06/02 BMW AG

Antilock Brake System ABS

The concept

ABS enhances active safety by helping
to prevent the wheels from locking
under braking. Why is this important?
When front wheels lock up and cease
to turn, the tires break into a slide.
Result: the driver loses the ability to
steer the vehicle. Traction loss at the
rear wheels can cause the back end of
the vehicle to slip sideways and break
away in uncontrolled oversteer.

With ABS, you will achieve the shortest
possible braking distances under all
given conditions – braking while driving
straight ahead or in curves, different
road surfaces.

ABS is designed to meet two essential
requirements during every brake appli­cation:

> To help provide vehicle stability
> To help retain steering and maneu-

vering capability on all types of road
surfaces, e.g. asphalt, concrete, dirt,
wet surfaces, snow and ice.

Braking with ABS

The system is operative once the
vehicle exceeds a speed of approx.
6 mph/10 km/h. The ABS is deactivated
whenever the vehicle's speed drops
back below approx. 4 mph/6 km/h. This
means that the wheels can lock only in
the final phase of a panic stop – a factor
of no substantive significance in actual
use.

The ABS system works best in situa­tions requiring maximum pressure on
the pedal – full braking. Since the
vehicle maintains steering responsive­ness, you can nevertheless avoid pos­sible obstacles with a minimum of
steering effort.

The ABS system's closed-loop control
circuit cycles in fractions of a second.
A pulsing of the brake pedal, combined
with the sounds associated with the
hydraulic controls, tells you that the
brake system is within its maximum
limit range and reminds you that you
should adapt your vehicle's speed to
road conditions.

On road surfaces that have a loose sur­face layer on a firm base with good
traction – on gravel, deep sand or snow,
for example – braking distances may be
longer than with locked wheels. This
also applies to driving with snow
chains. However, ABS continues to
provide enhanced vehicle stability and
steering response under these condi­tions.

Antilock Brake System ABS

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89n

Information for your safety

Not even ABS can suspend the laws of
physics. The consequences of brake
applications with inadequate clear­ances for safety between vehicles,
excessive speed or if aquaplaning
occurs are always the responsibility of
the driver. You should never allow the
added safety provided by ABS to mis­lead you into taking risks of any kind.

Do not make any modifications to

the ABS system.
Service procedures on ABS are to be
performed by authorized technicians
only.<

In case of a system malfunction

the ABS warning lamp lights up,
refer to page 21. The brake
system then continues to
operate as on vehicles without
ABS. However, have the brake

system checked by your BMW
center as soon as possible. To prevent
undetected defects and cumulative
faults from adversely affecting the
brake system, refer any problems to
your BMW center at the earliest oppor­tunity.

Cornering Brake Control CBC

CBC is an advanced ABS engineering
design. Vehicle stability is also
enhanced when braking during cor­nering at high rates of lateral accelera­tion and during lane changes.

Index Data Technology Repairs Car care Controls Overview

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Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 156 878 - © 06/02 BMW AG

Dynamic Brake Control DBC Disc brakes

If you step on the brake pedal rapidly,
this system automatically produces
maximum braking force boost and thus
helps to achieve the shortest-possible
braking distance during panic stops. All
of the benefits of the ABS system are
exploited under these circumstances.

Do not reduce the pressure on the
brake pedal during the brake applica­tion. When the brake pedal is released,
the DBC is deactivated.

Information for your safety

Not even DBC can suspend the laws of
physics. The consequences of brake
applications with inadequate clear­ances for safety between vehicles,
excessive speed or if aquaplaning
occurs are always the responsibility of
the driver. You should never allow the
added safety provided by DBC to mis­lead you into taking risks of any kind.

Disc brakes furnish optimal decelera­tion and braking control and greater
fade resistance under heavy use.

When the vehicle is driven only occa­sionally, during extended periods when
the vehicle is not used at all, or in oper­ating conditions where brake applica­tions are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion of the
rotors and accumulation of contamina­tion on the brake pads. This occurs
because the minimal pressure which
must be exerted by the pads to clean
the disc brakes by brake applications is
not achieved.

If the brake rotors are corroded, they
will tend to respond to braking with a
pulsating effect that even extended
brake applications will fail to cure.

For your own safety: use only

brake pads BMW has approved
for your specific vehicle model. BMW
cannot evaluate non-approved brake
pads to determine if they are suited for
use, and therefore cannot ensure the
operating safety of the vehicle if they
are installed.<

Disc brakes

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91n

Driving notes

When driving in heavy rain and on wet
roads it is advisable to apply light pres­sure to the brake pedal every few miles.
Monitor traffic conditions to ensure that
this maneuver does not pose a hazard
to you or to other road users. The heat
generated in this braking process helps
dry the pads and rotors

Maximum braking force is obtained
while the wheels are not locked, but
rather when they are still barely turning
immediately prior to locking. ABS main­tains this state automatically. If the ABS
fails, you should revert to the staggered
braking technique, refer to page 93.

When descending steep hills and
extended grades, downshift to a gear
that will allow you to continue safely
with only a minimal amount of braking.
By minimizing the loads placed on the
brake system, this strategy helps
ensure that optimal brake system
response will remain available at all
times.

You can enhance the engine's braking
effect by downshifting, into first gear, if
necessary.

Even if engine braking fails to slow the
vehicle sufficiently, you should still
make every effort to avoid prolonged
braking with continuous application of
low to moderate pressure at the pedal.
It is better to decelerate the vehicle by
applying a higher level of force at the
pedal – watch following traffic – and
then subsequently pausing to allow the
brakes to cool briefly before starting on
your next braking cycle – staggered
braking. By protecting brake system
components against overheating, the
cooling phases afforded by this stag­gered, or intermittent braking technique
help maintain consistent availability of
optimal braking response when it is
needed.

Do not coast with the clutch pedal

depressed, the gearshift lever in
neutral, or, above all, with the engine
switched off; otherwise, the engine will
provide no braking effect if the trans­mission is in neutral, and there is no
braking or steering power assist if the
engine is not running.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any
other objects to obstruct the acceler­ator, clutch or brake pedals and pose a
safety hazard by reducing their avail­able travel range.<

Index Data Technology Repairs Car care Controls Overview

92n

Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 156 878 - © 06/02 BMW AG

Brake system Winter operation

Brake fluid level

The brake warning lamp comes
on with the parking brake
released:
The brake fluid level in the
reservoir is too low, refer to
page 114.

If the brake fluid level is too low and
brake pedal travel has become notice­ably longer, there may be a defect in
one of the two brake system's hydraulic
circuits.

Proceed to the nearest BMW

center. Higher brake application
pressure may be necessary under these
conditions, and brake pedal travel may
be significantly longer. Please
remember to adapt your driving style
accordingly.<

Brake pads

The warning lamp for the brake
pads comes on:

The brake pads have reached
their minimum thickness. Proceed to
the nearest BMW center as soon as
possible to have the pads replaced.

For your own safety: use only

brake pads BMW has approved
for your specific vehicle model. BMW
cannot evaluate non-approved brake
pads to determine if they are suited for
use, and therefore cannot ensure the
operating safety of the vehicle if they
are installed.<

Winter is often accompanied by rapid
changes in weather, requiring not only a
different driving style, but also certain
preparations to the vehicle itself to
ensure that your progress through the
winter months remains safe and
trouble-free.

Coolant

Be sure that the coolant mixture con­tains the year-round ratio of 50:50
water and extended-duty antifreeze
with corrosion inhibitor. This mixture
provides protection against freezing
down to approx. –34 7/–37 6.

Locks

BMW door lock deicer can be used to
free doors if frozen. This deicer also
contains lubricant.
After using the deicer, treatment with
BMW lock cylinder grease is recom­mended.

Winter operation

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Rubber seals and components

To prevent the weather-stripping from
freezing, apply a spray-on rubber treat­ment or silicone spray to the door, hood
and luggage compartment lid seals.

A full range of car-care products is
available from your BMW center.<

Snow chains

Mount BMW snow chains* only in pairs
on rear tires, complying with the manu­facturer's safety precautions. Do not
exceed a maximum speed of 30 mph/
50 km/h while the snow chains are
mounted and refrain from activating the
Flat Tire Monitor, as the snow chains
could trigger false alarms and/or pre­vent the system from detecting actual
pressure loss.

Starting off

When starting off in deep snow or when
rocking the vehicle to free it, it may be
advisable to temporarily deactivate the
DSC, refer to page 65.

Driving on low-traction road
surfaces

Do not activate the Sport mode, refer to
page 66. Use smooth, gentle pressure
to control the accelerator pedal. Avoid
excessive engine speeds and upshift
early. Downshift well in advance when
approaching uphill or downhill grades.
Maintain an adequate distance
between yourself and the vehicle
ahead.

Brakes

Winter road conditions substantially
reduce the amount of traction available
between the tires and the road surface.
The resulting increases in braking dis­tance are considerable and should be
kept in mind at all times.

ABS is intended to prevent the wheels
from locking during brake applications,
thus helping to maintain vehicle stability
and steering response.

If the ABS should fail during critical
braking and the wheels lock: reduce the
pressure on the brake pedal until the
wheels just start to roll again while still
maintaining enough force to continue
braking.
Then increase the pressure, reduce the
pressure when the wheels lock, reapply
pressure etc.
This staggered braking procedure will
reduce braking distances while helping
you maintain steering control.
You can always then attempt to steer
around hazards after you have reduced
pressure on the brake pedal.

Never downshift to exploit engine

braking when driving on slippery
road surfaces, as this could lead to a
loss of traction at the rear wheels,
impairing your ability to control the
vehicle.<

Depress the clutch during hard

braking on road surfaces that pro­vide only poor or uneven traction.<

To maintain vehicle stability,
always drive with the system

switched on whenever possible.<

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Winter operation Power steering Cellular phone

Skid control

Depress the clutch and release the
accelerator pedal. Countersteer care­fully and attempt to regain control over
the vehicle.

Parking

Engage first or reverse gear. Depending
on the steepness of the incline, you can
apply the parking brake as well. In order
to prevent the parking brake pads from
locking due to frost or corrosion, dry
them by gently applying the parking
brake as the vehicle is coming to a
stop. Make sure that following traffic is
not endangered.

The brake lamps do not come
on when the parking brake is

engaged.<

If there is a change in steering response
– e.g. difficult or over-responsive
steering – at increasing speeds, consult
a BMW center to have it checked.

If the power steering fails,
increased effort will be required to

steer the vehicle.<

Mobile communications systems, cel­lular phone, radio, etc., are permitted
with an output of up to 10 watts only.
Mobile communications devices not
specifically designed for use in your
vehicle may trigger malfunctions while
you are operating your vehicle. BMW
can neither test nor assume responsi­bility for every individual product being
offered on the market. We recommend
that you consult your BMW center
before purchasing any device of this
kind.

To ensure reliable and trouble-free
operation of your BMW, do not use any
cellular phones or other radio devices
where the antenna is located either
inside the passenger compartment or
otherwise not attached to the outside of
the vehicle.

You will find instructions for operating
your cellular phone in the supplemen­tary Owner's Manual.

Car radio reception Wind deflector

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The reception and sound quality
obtained from mobile radios vary
according to a variety of factors,
including the broadcast range of the
transmitter and the directional orienta­tion of the antenna.
Interference factors such as high-ten­sion power lines, structural or natural
obstructions can all lead to unavoidable
reception interference, regardless of
how well the vehicle sound system is
operating.
Climatic factors such as intense solar
radiation, fog, rain and snow can also
interfere with reception.

Radio interference can also be caused
by either cellular phones not recom­mended by BMW or by portable
phones. This phenomenon assumes the
form of a low-pitched hum emanating
from the speaker system.

Please refer to the Owner's Manual that
you received for detailed information on
settings and operation of your radio.

You will find additional details con­cerning radio reception in the chapter
Advanced technology on page 151.

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Mounting

Attach the wind deflector while the con­vertible top is open and its cover is not
mounted.

1. Push the brackets for the wind
deflector, with the zippers fastened
and facing to the front, onto both roll­over protection bars as far as to the
upper edge of the chrome collars,
refer to arrow

95n

2. Guide the four fasteners to their
respective slots, attach them at an
angle, and press them into place
using the strap hanging in front of
them. Shove the four straps under
the inner side of the convertible top

3. Shove both the center elements all
the way to the vehicle's outside
edge, refer to arrows, so that the
cover can then easily be mounted

4. Fit the cover if you wish to drive with
the convertible top open, refer to
page 42.

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Wind deflector Hardtop

Removal

Pull the four straps to release the
retainers, then reverse the installation
sequence to remove the wind deflector.

Fold the wind deflector and place it in
its protective slipcase prior to storing it
in the luggage compartment.

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While driving

You can always drive with the wind
deflector installed. Whenever the con­vertible top is closed, flip the center
section of the wind deflector down to
get a better view to the rear.

1. With the two stud fasteners closed,
first unfasten the zippers entirely

2. Release the two stud fasteners and
lay down the center section either to
the rear or the front, as shown in the
illustration.

When reattaching, first fasten the two
stud fasteners, then zip the zippers up.

Removal

Your BMW Z8 roadster is equipped
with a hardtop as standard equipment.
Two individuals are required for its
removal. When removing the top,
always proceed with utmost caution to
avoid damage to the vehicle's paint and
bodywork as well as to the hardtop
itself.

1. Set up the hardtop cart as described
in the accompanying assembly
instructions

2. Lower the side windows

3. Press to release the side trim, refer
to arrow

Every time you press on it, you
either lock or unlock the side trim

panel.<

Hardtop

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97n

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4. Remove both the left and right side
trim panels

5. Remove the tool used for locking the
hardtop, located next to the hardtop
catch on the left side, position the
tool and turn it forward until you hear
an audible click. Do this both on the
left and right side of the hardtop to
release both catches

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6. Remove the two oval cover panels
from the front of the hardtop frame,
using a screwdriver, if necessary

7. Position the tool for locking the
hardtop, and turn it outward until you
hear an audible click. Do this both on
the left and right side of the hardtop
frame to release both catches

8. The hardtop's detent mechanism is
now completely disengaged. With
the aid of an assistant, lift the
hardtop up and over the rear of the
vehicle

Do not set the hardtop down
upright, as damage could result.<

9. Place the hardtop on the hardtop
cart as described in the enclosed
assembly instructions

To avoid possible damage, take
care not to jam the electrical wires

on the left and right sides.<

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Hardtop

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10. Press the left and right protective
covers onto the hardtop brackets.

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Installing

Goes the same way as for taking the
hardtop off, just do it in reverse order.

Attach the protective cloth insert to the
roof brace before placing the convert­ible top on the hardtop cart, refer to
arrow.

Whenever the hardtop is in constant
use, the fabric convertible top does not
need to be dismantled, even in winter.
Before storing the fabric convertible top
in the convertible top compartment, it
has to be completely dry to keep any
water or mildew stains from forming.

Two individuals are required for
removal and installation. When
removing the top, always proceed with
utmost caution to avoid damage to the
vehicle's paint and bodywork as well as
to the hardtop itself.

The hardtop headlining fabric

must not contact the hardtop
brackets.
Otherwise it jams and can lead to
damage.<

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Tire inflation pressure Tire condition

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Information for your safety

The factory-approved Run-Flat Tires
are matched to your vehicle and offer
both optimum driving safety and the
desired driving comfort when used
properly.

It is not merely the tire's service life, but
also driving comfort and – above all else
– driving safety that depend on the con­dition of the tires and the maintenance
of the specified tire pressure.

Incorrect inflation pressure is a

frequent cause of tire damage. It
also significantly influences the road­holding ability of your BMW. Check tire
inflation pressures regularly, refer to
page 26, at least every two weeks and
before beginning a longer trip. If this is
not done, incorrect tire pressures can
cause driving instability and tire
damage, ultimately resulting in acci­dents.<

Run-Flat Tires

Your BMW Z8 is equipped with Run­Flat Tires.
The Run-Flat Tires consists of self-sup­porting tires and special rims. Special
reinforcement elements support the
sidewalls in the event of pressure loss.
Although tire performance is then
restricted, the vehicle can still be driven
on the deflated tire for a limited dis­tance. Your vehicle is equipped with a
Flat Tire Monitor that signals you in
case of a flat tire.
For further information, refer to
pages 67, 137.

Tire tread – tire damage

Inspect your tires frequently for tread
depth, wear, signs of damage and for
foreign objects lodged in the tread.

Tread depth should not be allowed to
fall below 0.12 in/3 mm, even though
the legally specified minimum tread
depth as specified by European legisla­tors is only 0.063 in/1.6 mm. Below

0.12 in/3 mm tread depth, there is an
increased risk of hydroplaning, even at
relatively moderate speeds and with
only small amounts of water on the
road.

Wear indicators in the tread-groove
base, refer to arrow, are distributed
around the tire circumference and are
marked on the tire sidewall with TWI –
Tread Wear Indicator. At a tread depth

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Tire condition Tire replacement

of 0.063 in/1.6 mm, the indicators will
signal that the legally permissible wear
limit has been reached.

Avoid overloading the vehicle so

that the permitted load on the tires
is not exceeded. Overloading can lead
to overheating and increases the rate at
which damage develops inside the
tires.
You could have a blowout as a result.
Unusual vibrations during driving
caused, for example, by running over
curbs etc., can indicate wheel or tire
damage, as well as other damage on
the vehicle. This also applies to abnor­malities with regard to the accustomed
handling characteristics, such as strong
pulling to the left or right. Should this
occur, respond by immediately
reducing your speed. Proceed carefully
to the nearest BMW center or profes­sional tire center, or have the vehicle
towed in to have it and its wheels or
tires inspected.
Tire damage can endanger the lives of
both the vehicle occupants and other
road users.<

To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single
tread configuration from a single manu­facturer. BMW tests and approves
wheel and tire combinations, refer to
page 104.

DOT Quality Grades

Tread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C

All passenger car tires must con­form to Federal Safety Require-

ments in addition to these grades.<

Tread wear

The tread wear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled condi­tions on a specified government test
course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would
wear one and one-half – 1 1/2 – 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 surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.

The traction grade assigned to

this tire is based on straight­ahead braking traction tests, and does
not include acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction charac­teristics.<