1998 BMW CONVERTIBLE service

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At a glanceControlsCar careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
ABS enhances active safety by helping
to prevent the wheels from locking under
braking. When the front wheels slide, the
driver loses steering control over the
vehicle. Traction loss at the rear wheels
can cause the rear end to break into
uncontrolled oversteer.
ABS is designed to meet two essential
requirements during every application:
dto help provide vehicle stability on all
types of road surface (asphalt,
cement, dirt, moisture, snow and ice).
dto help to retain steering and maneu-
vering capability under the same con-
ditions.
However, certain important consider-
ations must be borne in mind in connec-
tion with these requirements:
Not even ABS can suspend the normal
laws of physics. ABS alone can not pre-
vent accidents when the brakes are
applied without an adequate safety
interval between vehicles, when the car
reaches excessive rates of lateral accel-
eration in curves, or if aquaplaning
occurs. Responsibility for these types of
situations remains in the hands (and feet)
of the driver. You should never allow the
added safety of ABS to lull you into a
false sense of security, or mislead you
into taking increased risks that could
affect your own safety and that of others.
Driving with ABSThe yellow ABS warning in the instru-
ment panel goes out as soon as the
engine is started.
The system becomes operative once the
vehicle exceeds a speed of 5 mph
(8 km/h). The ABS is deactivated when-
ever the vehicle's speed drops below
approx. 2 mph (3 km/h). This means that
the wheels can lock in the Þnal phase of
a braking action - a factor of no signiÞ-
cance in actual practice.
The ABS system closed-loop control cir-
cuit cycles in fractions of a second. A
pulsation at the brake pedal indicates to
the driver that ABS is active, that is, that
the car is within its maximum braking
range. In addition, the audible pulsation
that accompanies the control operation
calls your attention to the reduced trac-
tion between tires and road surface
(marginal adhesion), and reminds you
that the vehicle's speed should be
reduced to adapt to road conditions.On road surfaces featuring a loose top
layer on a Þrmer substratum, e.g., on
gravel or snow, the braking distances
with ABS may be longer than with the
wheels locked. However, ABS continues
to provide enhanced vehicle and steer-
ing control under these conditions.
a
To ensure that the system remains
completely operational, never modify the
ABS. Service procedures on ABS are to
be performed by authorized technicians
only.c
ABS may fail to function with maximum
efÞciency when tires of different sizes
are mounted (e.g., winter tires/spare tire;
remount the correct tires at all wheels as
soon as possible).
In the event of a fault, the ABS warning
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up,
refer to page 18. The braking system
then reverts to conventional operation as
on a vehicle without ABS. However,
have the brake system checked by your
BMW Retailer as soon as possible. To
prevent undetected defects and cumu-
lative faults from adversely affecting the
brake system, refer any problems to
your authorized BMW Retailer at the
earliest opportunity.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)

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a
Do not lift the hardtop by the seals.
Accidentally shifted or pulled-out seals
cause leaks.c
RemoveProceed as for mounting, however in
the reverse order.Any BMW Service station will gladly
provide information on the purpose of
technical modifications to the car, the
legal position and the manufacturer's
recommendations. For this purpose,
the Retailer requires the Vehicle Identi-
fication Number and, in some cases,
also the engine number.
Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs)Control units, displays and other interior
equipment of your vehicle have LED's
behind protective lenses as a light
source. These LEDs resemble conven-
tional lasers and are classified by law as
"Class 1 light-emitting diodes".a
Do not remove the protective
lens and avoid staring directly at the
unfiltered beam for extended periods
(several hours), as inflammation of the
iris could result.c
Hardtop* Ð Convertible Technical modifications to the vehicle

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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

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Unlocking Pull the lever located under the left-
hand side of the instrument panel.a
Do not work on your vehicle with-
out appropriate skills. Always switch off
the engine and allow it to cool down be-
fore working in the engine compart-
ment.
Always disconnect the battery before
working on the electrical system. When
working on the vehicle, follow the rele-
vant instructions and information. When
you are not familiar with the relevant
specifications, have service operations
performed by your authorized BMW Re-
tailer. Failure to proceed in an informed,
professional manner when servicing
components and materials constitutes a
safety hazard for yourself and other us-
ers of the public roads.c
To openPush the release handle Ð at the front
left under the hood Ð upward and open
the hood.
To closeSimultaneously press down both sides
of the hood; continue pressing until you
hear the latches engage.a
Should you determine that the
hood is not completely closed while
driving, stop immediately and close it
securely.c
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BMW360de307
BMW
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Hood

12 6
a
Continuous exposure to used oil
has caused cancer in laboratory testing.
Any skin areas that come in contact with
oil should be thoroughly washed with
soap and water.
Always store oil, grease, etc., out of
reach of children. Observe all warning
labels and information on lubricant
containers.
If you use SAE 15W-40 engine oil in low
temperatures below 145F (-10 6) the
engine may become difficult to start.c
*Special engine oils individually
approved by BMW are the most suited
to your engine. Please contact your
BMW Retailer for details..Engine oil
Special - Oils* most preferable
15W - 40
5W - 30
30
20
10
0
-10
-20
-30-20 0 20 40 60 80 °C°F
APISERVICESG
ENERGYCONSERVINGII
SAE
5W-30
365us312

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Warning lamp for brake hydraulic sys-
tem lights up:
Brake fluid loss resulting in extended
pedal travel.
Fill up to the upper mark (MAX, level
visible from the outside).
Any BMW Retailer can provide you with
information on factory-approved brake
fluids (DOT 4).
a
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, i.e., it
absorbs moisture from the atmosphere
over the course of time. To ensure that
your brake system continues to operate
at maximum efficiency, we strongly rec-
ommend that you have the brake fluid
changed at a BMW Retailer every two
years (refer to pages 71, 105 and 138
and to Service and Warranty Information booklet). Brake fluid is toxic, and also at-
tacks vehicle paintwork. Always store in
the original containers, and keep them
tightly closed, out of reach of children.
When disposing of it, observe the appli-
cable environmental protection laws. Do
not spill brake fluid and do not fill be-
yond the MAX graduation on the reser-
voir. Should it come into contact with
hot engine components, the brake fluid
could catch fire and cause serious
burns.c
A
Please observe the applicable envi-
ronmental protection laws when dis-
posing of used brake fluid.cWith the engine off, unscrew the reser-
voir cap, then reinsert it.
The fluid level should be in between the
graduations on the dipstick.
Use ATF to top up as required. Your
BMW Service representative can pro-
vide you with the fluid specifications.
Start the engine. Pour in more fluid as
required, continuing until it reaches to
between the two marks.
Switch off the engine. The fluid may rise
to about 0.2 inches (5 mm) above the
upper mark.
Screw the reservoir cap back on.
b
BMW 318i, 318is: Please contact
your BMW Retailer for the required
work.c
MAXMIN
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Brake fluid Power steering fluid

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At a glanceControlsCar careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
High steering effort:
Check oil level, refer to previous page.
High steering effort during sudden tran-
sitions:
Please contact your BMW Retailer for
an immediate inspection.a
If the power steering fails, in-
creased effort will be required to steer
the vehicle.c
In the engine compartment on the right-
hand side of the heater partition panel
(arrow).
The information on the type plate and
the Vehicle Identification Number must
match those contained in the vehicle
papers.
These data are essential for processing
inquiries, expediting service procedures
and when ordering replacement parts.
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Power steering fluid Vehicle Identification Number

13 0
The BMW Maintenance System has
been designed as a reliable means of
providing the customer with maximum
vehicle safety and reliability with mini-
mum complication and expense.
Please remember that regular periodic
maintenance plays an essential part in
ensuring continued vehicle security. It
also helps maintain the resale value of
the vehicle.
Service Interval DisplayAdvanced technology is employed to
calculate the optimal maintenance
intervals, which are then indicated in
the Service Interval Display. While con-
ventional maintenance systems rely on
mileage alone to determine when ser-
vice is due, the BMW Maintenance Sys-
tem reflects the actual conditions under
which the vehicle is operated, because
mileage is not simply mileage:
From the point of view of maintenance,
62,000 miles (100,000 km) accumulated
in short-distance driving are not the
equivalent of the same distance cov-
ered in long-distance highway travel.
The BMW Maintenance System
includes the Engine Oil Service as well
as Inspections I and II.
Determining the maintenance intervals
according to the actual loads on the car
covers every kind of operating situation.
However, drivers who cover only
extremely short distances - substantially
less than 6,200 miles (10,000 km) annu-
ally - should have the engine oil changed
at least once a year, as it continues to
age whether or not the car is used on a
regular basis.
Service and Warranty Information
bookletPlease refer to the Service and War-
ranty Information booklet for additional
information on maintenance intervals
and procedures.
Depending on operating conditions, as
a precaution against rust it may be a
good idea to have the body checked for
stone damage and chips at the same
time.
Please ensure that all maintenance
operations are entered in the Service
and Warranty Information booklet upon
completion. These entries will consti-
tute your proof that the vehicle has
received regular maintenance. They
are also required for warranty claims.b
Have your BMW Retailer carry out
the maintenance and repair. Your BMW
Retailer is always informed on the latest
maintenance work and repair tech-
niques and equipped with the required
special tools. In addition, the testing of
parts known from experience to be sub-
ject to wear is a permanent part of the
maintenance specifications.c
360us009The BMW Maintenance System