1998 BMW CONVERTIBLE tire pressure

101
At a glanceControlsCar careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
ClutchDepress the clutch throughout its com-
plete travel range to shift gears. Do not
"ride" the clutch by driving with your
foot resting against the pedal.a
Brakes:
Do not drive with your foot resting on the
brake pedal. Even light but consistent
pedal pressure can lead to high temper-
atures, brake wear and possibly even
brake failure.
Aquaplaning:
A wedge of water can form between
tires and road surface when you oper-
ate the vehicle on wet or slushy roads.
This phenomenon is referred to as
aquaplaning, or hydroplaning, and 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.Water on the roads:
When driving through water (maximum
depth one foot = 30 cm) always drive at
walking speed, otherwise damage to
the engine, the electrical system and
the transmission can occur.
Rear window shelf:
Never use the rear window shelf to
store heavy or bulky objects. They
could pose a danger to the occupants
when the car is braked heavily.
Clothes hooks:
When suspending clothing from the
hooks, ensure that they will not obstruct
the driver's vision. Refrain from hanging
heavy objects from the hooks, as these
could cause personal injury when the
car is braked heavily.c
Driving notes

10 5
At a glanceControlsCar careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
Failure of one brake circuitPedal travel increases, more pressure is
required at the pedal.
The remaining circuit continues to pro-
vide good braking response.a
In the event of any malfunction in
the brake system, consult the nearest
BMW Retailer as soon as possible.cThe onset of winter is often accompa-
nied by rapid changes in weather.
Adaptations in driving style should be
accompanied by preparations on the
vehicle itself to ensure that your
progress through the winter remains
safe and trouble-free.
CoolantEnsure that the coolant contains the
year-round 50:50 ratio of water and
antifreeze with corrosion inhibitor. This
mixture provides protection against
freezing down to approximately -345F
(-376). Replace the coolant every
three years.Lockscan be made operative again using
BMW lock de-icer. This de-icer also
contains lubricants.
In addition, a treatment with BMW lock
cylinder grease is recommended.Rubber seals and components To prevent the weather-stripping from
freezing, apply a spray-on rubber treat-
ment or silicone spray to the door, hood
and luggage compartment lid seals.b
A complete range of car-care
products is available from any autho-
rized BMW Retailer.c
Snow chainsBMW snow chains
* can be mounted on
both summer and winter tires. Mount
them in pairs on the rear wheels only
and observe the manufacturer's safety
precautions. Do not exceed a maximum
speed of 30 mph (50 km/h). For maxi-
mum traction, deactivate ASC+T when
driving with snow chains mounted, refer
to page 84.
Starting offWhen driving off in deep snow or "rock-
ing" the vehicle to free it, you should
switch off ASC+T, refer to page 84. Driving on low-traction road
surfacesOperate the accelerator pedal sensi-
tively, avoid high engine speeds and
shift up to the next-higher gear early.
Shift down into the next lowest gear
when approaching uphill or downhill
grades. Maintain an adequate distance
between yourself and the car ahead.
Brake system Winter driving

10 6
BrakesWinter road conditions substantially
reduce the amount of traction available
between the tires and the road surface;
the resulting - considerable - increases
in braking distance should be continu-
ally borne in mind.
ABS is intended to prevent the wheels
from locking under braking; to help the
vehicle to remain stable and sensitive to
steering. Should the ABS fail, with lock-
ing wheels as a result: 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,
release the pressure when the wheels
lock, reapply pressure, etc.
This staggered braking procedure will
reduce stopping distances while help-
ing you maintain steering control.
It can allow you to steer around hazards
once you have reduced the pressure on
the brake pedal.
a
Never downshift to exploit engine
braking when driving on slippery road
surfaces; it could lead to loss of rear-
wheel traction and endanger vehicle
control. ABS and ASC+T can not protect
against such loss of traction, since they
have no effect on this kind of decelera-
tion.c
b
Disengage the clutch during hard
braking on road surfaces affording only
poor or uneven traction.c
Loss of lateral traction (sliding)Release the accelerator pedal and
depress the clutch pedal or push the
selector lever to position N with auto-
matic transmission. Countersteer care-
fully and attempt to regain control of the
vehicle.
ParkingSelect 1st or reverse gear. If your car is
equipped with an automatic transmis-
sion, select Park. Engage the parking
brake when parking on hills and
inclined surfaces. To prevent frost and
corrosion from locking the parking
brake liners at the drum, you can dry
them by gently pulling up the lever
while stopping (ensure that you do not
endanger following traffic).a
The brake lamps do not light up
when the parking brake is applied.c
Winter driving

111
At a glanceControlsCar careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
Information for your safetyThe factory-approved radial tires have
been selected to provide optimum
safety and driving comfort on your vehi-
cle.
In a very real sense, both tire life and
your own safety are riding on correct
tire specifications and inflation pres-
sures.
Incorrect inflation pressures are a fre-
quent cause of tire damage. To a great
extent it also influences the ability of
your BMW to hold the road.a
Check the tire pressures Ð also in
the spare tire Ð at least every two weeks,
and before every extended trip.
Incorrect inflation pressures can also
lead to tire damage and accidents.c
Tire tread - tire damageInspect your tires frequently for tread
wear, signs of damage and for foreign
objects lodged in the tread. Check the
tread depth.
The tread depth should not be less than
0.12 in (3 mm). Otherwise there is an
increased risk of aquaplaning, even at
relatively moderate speeds and with
only small amounts of water on the
road.
We recommend that you always replace
the tires once the tread wears to 0.12 in
(3 mm). Once the tread has worn to
0.063 in (1.6 mm), tread depth indica-
tors appear.a
Never continue driving on a deflat-
ed (flat) tire. A flat tire greatly impairs
steering and braking response, and can
lead to complete loss of control over the
vehicle.
Avoid overloading the vehicle so that the
permitted load on the tires is not ex-
ceeded. This can cause overheating and
gradual internal damage. The ultimate
result can assume the form of a sudden
air loss.Unusual vibrations encountered during
normal vehicle operation can indicate
tire failure or some other vehicle defect,
as can variations in normal vehicle
response, such as a pronounced ten-
dency to pull to the left or right. Should
this occur, you should respond by
immediately reducing your speed and
carefully proceeding to the nearest
BMW Retailer or professional tire cen-
ter, or having the vehicle towed in to
have it and its tires inspected.
Tire damage (up to and including blow-
outs) can endanger the lives of both the
vehicle occupants and other road
users.c
Tire inflation pressures Tire tread

11 2
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single
tread configuration from a single manu-
facturer.
a
Do not use retreaded tires, as oth-
erwise driving safety may be impaired.
This is due to the possible variations in
casing structures and, in some cases, to
their extreme age, which can lead to a
decrease in their durability.cTread wear patterns differ at the front
and rear wheels according to the indi-
vidual operating conditions. In the inter-
est of safety and optimal vehicle
response, we advise against rotating
tires from front to rear and vice versa.
When considering the potential eco-
nomic benefits of interaxle tire rotation,
you must decide whether the expense
of having the tires rotated is likely to be
amortized during the anticipated exten-
sion in tire life. We recommend that you
discuss the matter with your BMW
Retailer.
Should you decide in favor of rotating
the tires, it is essential to observe the
following:
Leave the tires on the same side of the
vehicle (include spare in rotation pat-
tern as desired).
Braking response and traction may be
adversely affected.
Rotation should always be carried out
at short intervals, max. 3000 miles
(approx. 5000 km).
Following rotation always correct the
tire inflation pressure.Always replace tires after 10 years,
regardless of use or tread wear.
Spare tires over 6 years old should be
used only in case of emergency. Such a
tire should be replaced by a new tire
immediately, and should not be fitted
together with new tires.
The date on which the tire was manu-
factured is indicated by the code on
the sidewall: DOT ... 327 indicates that
the tire was manufactured in Week 32
of 1997.
Tire replacement Interaxle tire changes

11 4
We recommend winter tires (M+S radial
tires) for operation under inclement win-
ter driving conditions. Although all-sea-
son M+S tires provide better winter
traction than standard summer tires
with H, V, W and ZR speed ratings, they
generally fail to provide the same levels
of performance as standard snow tires
in winter driving.
If you fit winter tires, install radial tires
of the same tread configuration and
from a single manufacturer on all four
wheels (better still: on all five wheels).
This ensures safe tracking and steering
response.
Fit BMW-approved winter tires only.
Any BMW Retailer will be glad to pro-
vide you with information on the best
winter tires for your particular driving
conditions.Winter tires display a perceptible loss in
their ability to cope with winter driving
conditions once the tread wears to
below 0.16 in (4 mm), and should thus
be replaced.
Observe the specified tire inflation
pressures - and be sure to have the
wheel and tire assemblies balanced
every time you change the tires!
a
Never exceed the maximum speed
for which the tires are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and ac-
cidents.
Have this work performed by skilled pro-
fessionals only. Your BMW Retailer will
be glad to assist you.c
Store tires in a cool, dry place, away
from light whenever possible. Protect
the tires from contact with oil, grease
and fuel.
Winter tires

13 7
At a glanceControlsCar careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
Never use spot remover, paint thinner,
solvents, gasoline etc. to remove spots
from the convertible top and from the
rear window, as these substances
destroy the rubber seals and lead to
leaks. Use only BMW-approved clean-
ers.
In addition to the advantage of being
extremely flexible, the rear window also
has the disadvantage of having a rela-
tively soft surface. For this reason, only
clean the rear window with a soft, anti-
static cloth or with BMW Convertible
Rear Window Cleaner.
If you wash the vehicle frequently in
brush car washes, and in particular in
those with hard brushes, faint scratches
in the rear window may result. With the
window replacement system you can
replace a heavily scratched window at a
relatively low price. Please contact your
authorized BMW Retailer for additional
information. b
A full range of car-care products is
available from your BMW Retailer.c
a
Cleaning agents can contain sub-
stances that are dangerous or bad for
your health. Therefore always observe
the warnings and danger notices on the
package.
Open the doors or windows on your ve-
hicle when cleaning the interior.
Never clean your vehicle with solvents
or other materials not specifically in-
tended for this application.c
Hardtop:Please follow the instructions for car
care from page 131.If the vehicle is to be temporarily stored
for more than three months, have the
following maintenance performed by
your BMW Retailer:
1 Cleaning, preservation and retreat-
ment of the engine, engine compart-
ment, underbody, axles and
subassemblies in accordance with
the factory speciÞcations. Vehicle
washing with interior cleaning fol-
lowed by paint and chrome care.
Clean rubber seals of the hood, lug-
gage compartment lid and doors and
rub with either talcum powder or
glycerine oil.
2 Change engine oil and oil Þlter at
operating temperature. As an addi-
tional corrosion protection measure,
an anti-corrosive agent can be added
to the engine in accordance with the
manufacturer's instructions.
3 Check the coolant level and concen-
tration and top up if necessary.
4 Check the acid level in the battery
cells and add distilled water if neces-
sary.
5 Increase the tire inßation pressure to
50.9 psi (3.5 bar).
Cleaning and care of the convertible top Vehicle storage

171
At a glanceControls Car careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
Note: This index does not correspond to the original manual in all detailsClock
66
, 67
, 68
, 69
Cockpit
16
Coinbox 94
Computer 77
, 78
, 79
, 80
,
81
, 82
, 83
Consumption display
64
Convenient closure
31
Convertible, refer to BMW
convertible
Coolant
105
, 127
, 166
Coolant, Antifreeze 105
Cooling system
166
Cruise control 62
Cruising range 79
Cup holder
94
DDashboard
16
Dashboard lighting
85
Data
Dimensions
161
Engine
160
Road performance
163
Weights
163
Data, technical
160
Date
68
, 72
, 74
Daytime light switch
85
Decommissioning of the
Vehicle
137
Deep water 101
Defrost windshields
91
Defrost, windshields 91
Defrosting position 91
DieselInjection system
19
Interference
19
Digital clock
66
, 67
, 68
, 69
Dimensions
161
Dipstik, engine oil
124
Disc brakes
104
Disconnect the battery
150
Display lighting
85
Distance, remaining
79
Door keys
30
Door locks 31
Doors, emergency actuation

31
Drive belts
167
Driver's airbag
50
Driving hints
100
Driving in winter
105
EElectric window actuator
35
Electrical seat
Adjustment
44
Electrical system
167
Electrolyte
149
Electronic unit
Vehicle immobilization
30
Elements of operation
16
Emergency actuation,
Central locking system 31
Tank cover
152
Energy Control 63
Engine coolant 166
Engine data
160
Engine oil
124Capacity
166
Filling capacity
166
Engine oil additives 125
Engine oil consumption
124
Engine oil level
20
Engine oil pressure
20
Eyelets, tow starting and
Towing
154
FFailure message
71
Failure of an electrical
device
151
Fault display
71
Filler cap cover 23
Filling capacity 166
Final drive
Capacity
166
Filling capacity
166
First aid
22
First aid kit 22
Flashers
60
Flat tire 111
, 146
Flower pollen 92
Foglight
86
Foglights, replace bulb
142
Folding
Rear backrest
95
Footbrake
104
Footwell light,
Replace bulb
145
Footwell lights 86
Front seat, position
43
FuelPreparation
160
Processing 160
Fuel consumption indicator

63
Fuel gauge
64
Fuses,
Replacing 151
GGlove compartment
93
Glove compartment light,
bulb replacement 145
Gross weight,
permissible
163
HHand light
93
Handbrake 56
Hazard warning system
22
Hazard warning triangle 22
Head restraint
43
Headlight cleaning System

124
Headlight cleaning system

166
Headlight covers, care
131
Headlight flasher
60
Heated seats
87
Height
161
Hi-Fi System
93
High beams 60
Highbeam headlights,
Replace lights
141
Hood release
118
Horn
17
Everything from A to Z