1998 BMW CONVERTIBLE warning

64
When you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp comes on briefly to indi-
cate that the system is operational.
If the indicator lamp comes on and
stays on, there are approx. 2.1 gallons
(8 liters) of fuel in the tank.
Tank volume: Page 166.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies, e.g.,
when you are driving in mountainous
areas, this may cause the needle to
fluctuate slightly.
a
Please refuel early, as driving
to the last drop of fuel can result in
damage to the engine and/or catalytic
converter.c
BlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at moder-
ate engine and vehicle speeds.RedIndicator lamp comes on, the warning
"COOLANT TEMPERATURE" appears
in Check Control
*: engine overheated.
Switch off the engine immediately and
allow it to cool down.
Between the blue and red sectorsNormal operating range. It is not un-
usual for the needle to rise as far as the
edge of the red sector in response to
high outside temperatures or severe
operating conditions.
Checking coolant level: Page 127.
Green lampsThe number of illuminated lamps
decreases as the time for your next
maintenance visit approaches.Yellow lamp This field appears together with
OILSERVICE or INSPECTION.
Maintenance is due. Please contact
your BMW Retailer for an appointment.Red lampMaintenance overdue.
F
R
12
UNLEADED GASOLINE
ONLY
360us032
360de007
360us009
Fuel gauge Coolant temperature Service Interval Display

66
With the different versions you can dis-
play not only the time and the date, but
also information e.g., on economical
driving and warnings on defective sys-
tems.
The following applies to all versions:
The unit will reject implausible entries.
When entering numerical values with
the number entry keys, the numerical
value is increased by one each time the
key is pressed and after each additional
half second with the key held down.
Numbers can be entered in any order.
The entries are saved in the memory by
pressing the SET/RES or SET key.
Any interruption in the power supply,
e.g., when changing the battery, will
result in the loss of all data saved in the
memory. After the power supply is
restored, you will need to re-enter the
time, date and any switch-on times, the
distance or speed warning threshold.
Outside temperature display and
digital clockFor explanations and operating instruc-
tions, refer to page 68 ff.
Check ControlFor explanations and operating instruc-
tions, refer to page 71 ff.
360us307
360us308
Multi-information display (MID)*

69
At a glanceControls Car careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
Memo modePress the MEMO key to activate or
deactivate the signal. When MEMO is
active, a tone symbol appears in the
right display. The signal sounds every
hour at the pre-programmed time or
without programming 15 seconds
before each full hour.Outside temperatureData request: Press TEMP key.
If the outside temperature drops below
37.5 5F (+36), a warning signal sounds,
the temperature display automatically
appears and the unit of measure flashes
for 8 seconds.
The warning is repeated whenever the
temperature has increased to 43 5F
(+66) at least once before falling to
37.5 5F (+36) again.a
The temperature warning device
does nothing to alter the fact that sur-
face ice can still form at temperatures
above 37.5 5F (+36), e.g., on bridges
and on shade-covered road surfaces.c
EntriesAll numbers for the time and date are
entered with the entry keys according
to the following principle: The numbers
can be entered in any order. Each time
the key is pressed, or for each half sec-
ond the key is held down, the numerical
value increases by one.
Pressing the key longer starts the rapid-
advance function.
After a power failureThe dots in the display flash.
dPress the scale selection key as
required.
dEnter the time with the h/DAT and
min/DAT entry keys.
dPress SET. The clock starts.
dPress the HR/DAT key.
dEnter the date with the entry keys.
dPress SET.
dConfirm the year by pressing the SET
key or correct with the entry key and
complete the number entry by press-
ing the SET key.
360us321
Outside temperature display and digital clock*

71
At a glanceControls Car careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
Texts with messages and warnings are
used to alert the driver to defective sys-
tems. In addition, there is a warning
lamp in the instrument panel.
The time and date can be displayed
with the digital clock.
1 Status report symbol
2 Display
3 Plus symbol for additional messages
4 CHECK key
The defective-system messages are
divided into 3 different priorities:
Priority 1These defects are indicated immedi-
ately with the flashing warning lamp and
the flashing warning symbol (1). Several
simultaneous defects are displayed
consecutively. After 20 seconds or
when the CHECK key is pressed, the
warning lamp in the instrument cluster
stops flashing.
The messages continue to be displayed
until the defects are eliminated and can
not be deleted by pressing the CHECK
key (4).
Brake lamp electrical system
The brake lamps have failed. Fuse or
electrical circuit is defective. Refer to
page 151 or consult your BMW Retailer.
360us110Check Control*

Brake lamps defective
Brake lamps have failed - bulbs
defective.
Replace bulbs. Refer to page 143.Priority 2These defects appear when the ignition
key is in position 2. The warning sym-
bols remain after the message disap-
pears. If the plus symbol (3) appears:
Additional messages are present and
can be displayed by pressing the
CHECK key.
1 Brake lamp defective
A bulb has failed. Refer to page 143.
Low beams defective,
Backup lamps defective,
License plate lamp
Bulb has failed or fuse or electrical
circuit defective. Refer to pages 141,
143, 145 or visit a BMW Retailer.
Washer fluid low
Too low, top up at next opportunity.
Refer to page 124.
Check Control inactive
Messages and warnings can not be
displayed. See BMW Retailer.

72
Priority 3These status reports usually appear
after the car is parked and the ignition
key returned to position 0 (if several
messages have been recorded, they will
appear consecutively, with Priority 3
messages following Priority 1 and 2
messages).
Messages remain available for a period
of approx. two minutes after the display
goes out and the ignition key has been
removed, and can be displayed by
pressing the CHECK key.
The messages can also be displayed
before you start driving with the ignition
key in position 2. The texts then go out
after a short time or when you start driv-
ing, and no warning symbols remain.
Messages are not displayed again until
the ignition key is turned to position 0.
If a plus symbol appears: display addi-
tional messages by pressing the CHECK
key.Check coolant levelIndicates that coolant is almost down to
minimum level. Top up at the next
opportunity. Refer to page 127.To check the Check Control display
(only when no messages are displayed):
Press the CHECK key with the ignition
key in position 2: CHECK CONTROL
OK appears in the display.
EntriesAll numbers for the time and date are
entered with the entry keys according
to the following principle:
The numbers can be entered in any
order. Each time the key is pressed, or
for each half second the key is held
down, the numerical value increases by
one.To display time and datedPress the respective function key
(CLOCK/DATE).
When the ignition key is in position 0 or
removed, the displays appear for a few
seconds; in ignition key position 1 the
desired value is displayed indefinitely.
AM
360us322
1000 1001 10
Check Control*

74
The Check Control uses texts with mes-
sages and warnings to alert the driver
to defective systems. In addition, an
indicator lamp is provided in the instru-
ment cluster. For details and operating
instructions, refer to pages 71, 72.
The outside temperature can also be
displayed.
With the digital clock you can
ddisplay the time and date,
dpre-program an hourly reminder sig-
nal (memo) e.g., a reminder of the
news.1 Digital clock display
2 Tone symbol for active memo
function
3 Function key - date
4 Function key - clock
5 SET/RES key
6 Function key - memo
7 Scale selection key
8 Function key - outside temperature
9 Entry keys for numerical values
360us111Check Control with outside temperature display and digital clock*
To display time and datedPress the respective function
key (4/3).
When the ignition key is in position 0
or removed, the displays appear for a
few seconds; in ignition key position 1,
the desired value is displayed indefi-
nitely.
You can display the time in 12 or 24 hour
increments; the date can be shown in
European or US sequence. To change
setting:
dPress time or date function key (4/3)
until the dots ßash.
dPress scale selection key (7).
In the 12-hour mode, AM or PM will
appear on the right side of the clock
display.Memo modeSwitch on and off with the MEMO key.
When MEMO is active, a tone symbol
appears in the right display. The signal
sounds every hour at the pre-pro-
grammed time or without program-
ming 15 seconds before each full
hour.

75
At a glanceControls Car careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
Display outside temperaturePress TEMP key.
If the outside temperature drops below
37.5 5F (+36), a warning signal sounds,
the temperature display automatically
appears and flashes for 8 seconds.
The warning is repeated whenever the
temperature has increased to 43 5F
(+66) at least once before falling to
37.5 5F (+36) again.a
The temperature warning device
does nothing to alter the fact that sur-
face ice can still form at temperatures
above 37.5 5F (+36), e.g., on bridges
and on shade-covered road surfaces.c
EntriesAll numbers for the time and date are
entered with the entry keys according
to the following principle:
The numbers can be entered in any
order. Each time the key is pressed, or
for each half second the key is held
down, the numerical value increases by
one.
After a power failureThe time display flashes and the follow-
ing appears in the left display: "Enter
time".
dEnter the time with the entry keys.
dPress the SET/RES key.
The clock starts.
The left display shows: Enter date.
dEnter the date with the entry keys.
dPress the SET/RES key.
dConfirm the year by pressing the
SET/RES key or correct it with the
entry key; complete the number entry
by pressing the SET/RES key.
AM
360us322
1000 1001 10
Check Control with outside temperature display and digital clock*

77
At a glanceControls Car careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
Allows you to select display data for
safe and economical driving.
If your car is equipped with the Check
Control option, texts with information
and warnings are used to alert the
driver to system malfunctions. In addi-
tion, an indicator lamp is provided in the
instrument cluster. For details and
operating instructions, refer to
pages 71 and 72.
With the digital clock you can
ddisplay the time and date,
dpre-program a reminder signal
(memo), e.g., to remind you of news
broadcasts.
Refer to page 74 for information and
details on using the digital clock.1 Display
2 Arrival time
3 Entry keys for numerical values
4 Information keys
For the onboard computer version
without Check Control, pressing the
CHECK key simply activates all dis-
play elements.
5 Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs)
6 Scale selection key
7 SET/RES key (start/stop)360us112Onboard computer*
Standard displays (no previous
data entries required)
Page
TEMP outside
temperature 78
RANGE estimated cruising
range 79
SPEED average speed 78
CONSUM 2 levels of average
consumption 79
With previous data entriesDIST distance remaining
to destination with
estimated
arrival time 79
LIMIT speed limit warning 80
The following systems are controlled by
the onboard computer: Page
TIMER Ð 2 switch-on times
for independent
ventilation 81
Ð independent
ventilation in direct
operating mode or 82
Ð timer 80
CODE immobilization/
protection from
misuse 82
The onboard computer operates at igni-
tion key positions 1 and 2.