1998 BMW CONVERTIBLE ignition

57
At a glanceControls Car careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
The shift lever's neutral plane (dot in the
illustration) is located between 3rd and
4th gears
Whenever you shift from any gear into
"Neutral", the shift lever will automati-
cally return to the specified gear plane.
ReverseSelect only with the vehicle stationary.
Press the shift lever to the left to over-
come the slight resistance.Backup lampsAs you do this the backup lamps will
turn on automatically when the ignition
key is in position 2.a
Do not "ride" the clutch to hold the
vehicle in place on slopes; use the park-
ing brake instead. A slipping clutch in-
creases clutch wear.c
360de044Manual transmission

60
Indicator lamp for shift
electronicsdIf the lamp fails to go out or
dif it lights up during driving, there is a
malfunction in the shifting electronics
or in the transmission.
Bring the vehicle to a stop, select trans-
mission position "P", set the parking
brake and turn the engine off (ignition
key to position 0).
Wait a few seconds, then start the
engine.
If the indicator lamp goes out after a
few seconds, normal transmission per-
formance has been restored. Drive off
normally.
If the indicator lamp does not go out, all
selector lever positions can still be
selected, however in the forward posi-
tions the vehicle has limited perfor-
mances as it drives only in the 3rd or
4th gear.
If this happens, avoid extreme engine
loads and consult the nearest autho-
rized BMW Retailer.
a
Never carry out any work in the
engine compartment without first
ensuring that the transmission is in Park
or Neutral. Never leave children in the
vehicle unattended.c
For information on tow-starting, towing
and jump starting refer to pages 153
and 154.
1 High beam (blue indicator lamp)
2 Headlamp ßasher
3 Turn signal indicator (green indicator
lamp and rhythmic ticking of the
blinker relay).
Flashing of the indicator lamp and tick-
ing faster than normal: a turn-indicator
lamp is defective.
To signal brieflyPress the lever up to but not beyond the
lock.
O
Goes out after the engine has
started.
1
2
3
3
360de039
Automatic transmission*Turn signals/high beam

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At a glanceControls Car careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
0 Wipers retracted
1 Intermittent wipe
2 Normal wipe
3 Fast wipe
4 Brief wipe
5 Automatic windshield washer
1 Intermittent wipe The length of the interval is varied auto-
matically according to the car's actual
road speed.
The headlamp cleaning equipment
* can
also influence this interval.
dShift briefly out of 0 into 1, and back
to 0.
dThe time lapse until the switching on
(out of 0 into 1) is the desired interval
(maximum 25 seconds).
Delete the programming:
dapprox. 10 seconds after the lever is
in position 0 or
dafter switching off the engine.
2 Normal wipeThe wipers automatically revert to inter-
mittent operation when the vehicle is
stationary.5 Automatic windshield washersThe system sprays washer fluid against
the windshield and actuates the wipers
for a brief period.
(Exception: If you pull the lever briefly,
the system sprays fluid onto the wind-
shield without activating the wipers).
a
Do not use the washers when there
is a danger of the fluid freezing on the
windshield, as otherwise your vision
could be obscured. Use antifreeze (refer
to page 124).
Do not use the washers when the reser-
voir is empty, otherwise damage to the
washer pump could result.c
Windshield washer jets
*
The windshield washer jets are auto-
matically heated with the ignition key in
position 2.
123
40
5
360us305Wiper/washer system

62
You can store and automatically main-
tain any desired vehicle speed above
approx. 25 mph (40 km/h).
The stored speed is deleted when the
motor is switched off.
1 Accelerate Tap the lever briefly:
The system records and maintains the
current vehicle speed. Every time you
tap the button the speed increases by
approx. 0.6 mph (1 km/h).
Hold the lever in this position:
The vehicle accelerates without pres-
sure on the accelerator pedal. As soon
as you release the lever, the system
records and maintains the current
speed.
2 DecelerateHold the lever in this position:
With the cruise control active, the system
automatically reduces the throttle open-
ing to slow the vehicle. As soon as you
release the lever, the system records and
maintains the current speed.
Tap the lever briefly:
Each time you tap it you decelerate
approx. 0.6 mph (1 km/h) if you are
cruising at a controlled speed.3 ResumeTap the lever briefly:
The vehicle accelerates to and main-
tains the last speed stored.4 OffTap the lever briefly:
Immediately deactivates the cruise con-
trol.
In addition, the system is also automati-
cally disabled in response to the follow-
ing conditions:
dWhen you apply pressure to the
brake or clutch pedal, and when you
move the automatic transmission
selector lever from Drive to Neutral,
dif you exceed the programmed speed
by more than 10 mph (16 km/h) for a
period of more than 30 seconds.The system is switched off and the
stored speed deleted from its memory
when you turn the ignition key to posi-
tion 0.
a
Refrain from using the cruise con-
trol on twisting roads, when high traffic
density prevents driving at a constant
speed and when driving on slippery
(snow, rain, ice) or loose (stones, sand)
road surfaces.c
b
If, on a downhill gradient, the
engine braking effect is not sufficient,
the controlled speed can be exceed-ed.
Speed can drop on uphill grades if the
engine output is insufficient.c
360de063Cruise control*

63
At a glanceControls Car careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
Records the total vehicle mileage
(registers distance in kilometers on
Canadian vehicles).Trip odometerRecords trip distances up to 999.9 miles
(kilometers).To reset to zeroPress button.
The displays appear from ignition key
position 1.
To display with ignition switched off:
Press the reset button (arrow).Never allow the engine to operate with
the needle in the red overspeed sector
of the gauge.
In this range the fuel supply is inter-
rupted to protect the engine, producing
the sensation of a loss of power.Indicates the current fuel consumption
in mpg (in liters per 100 km on Cana-
dian vehicles).
When the vehicle is stationary, the nee-
dle returns to zero (maximum reading
on Canadian models).
2040
120
140
km/h
240 220 200 180 160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20MPH
F360us320
360us030
360us031
Odometer Tachometer Energy control*

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

68
You can
ddisplay the time and date
dpre-program an hourly reminder sig-
nal (memo) e.g., a reminder of the
news
ddisplay the outside temperature.1 Display for outside temperature
gauge
2 Display for time and date
3 Tone symbol for active memo
function
4 Entry key for minutes/date
5 Entry key for hours/date
6 SET key for starting
7 Function key - memo
8 Function key - time/date
9 Scale selection key
10 Function key - outside temperature
10
MEMO
9
8
7
6
5
43
2
1
HR/DAT A-TEMP°C/°F SET h/DAT min/DAT
360us109Outside temperature display and digital clock*
To display time and datedPress the function key (8).
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.
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 the HR/DAT key for approx.
3 seconds until the dots in the
display flash.
dPress the scale selection key.
In the 12-hour mode, AM or PM will
appear on the right side of the clock
display.

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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.