1998 BMW CONVERTIBLE ECO mode

Congratulations, and thank you for choosing a BMW.
Thorough familiarity with your vehicle will provide you with enhanced control and
security when you drive it. Therefore, we have this request:
Please take the time to read this OwnerÕs Manual and familiarize yourself with the
information that we have compiled for you before starting off in your new car. It con-
tains important data and instructions intended to assist you in extracting maximum use
and satisfaction from your BMWÕs unique range of technical features. The manual also
contains information on care and maintenance designed to enhance operating safety
and contribute to maintaining your BMWÕs value throughout an extended service life.
This OwnerÕs Manual should be regarded as a permanent part of the vehicle. When the
vehicle is sold, the manual should remain in the car to furnish the next owner with a
source of important information on operation, safety and maintenance procedures.
This manual is supplemented by a Service and Warranty Information booklet
(US models only). We recommend that you read this publication carefully.
Your BMW is covered by the following warranties:

Ð

New Vehicle Limited Warranty

Ð

Limited Rust Perforation Warranty

Ð

Federal Emissions System Defect Warranty

Ð

Federal Emissions Performance Warranty

Ð

California Emission Control System Limited Warranty
Detailed information on these warranties is contained in the Service and Warranty
Information booklet.
We wish you many miles of driving pleasure and satisfaction.
BMW AG

4

Notes on the Owner's Manual

We have made every effort to ensure
that you are able to find what you need
in this Owner's Manual as quickly as
possible. The fastest way to find certain
topics is by using the detailed index at
the end. If you require an initial over-
view of your vehicle, this can be found
in the first chapter. The detailed table of
contents immediately following the
index is intended to arouse your curios-
ity about your BMW and stimulate you
to read about it.
If at some time you wish to sell your
BMW, remember to leave the Owner's
Manual with the vehicle; consider it part
of the vehicle.
Should you have any further questions,
your BMW Retailer will be glad to assist
at any time.

Symbols used

a

indicates notes you should defi-
nitely read Ð for the sake of your own
safety and the safety of others, and to

avoid damages to your BMW.

c

b

indicates notes that alert you to
specific features of your vehicle.

c

A

special information on recycling.

c
c

indicates the end of a block of infor-
mation.

*
indicates special equipment, country-

specific equipment and optional extras.

The individual vehicle

In buying your BMW, you have de-
cided in favor of a model with individu-
alized equipment and fittings. This
Owner's Manual describes all models
and equipment that BMW offers within
the same vehicle range.
We hope you will understand that this
manual describes equipment and fea-
tures which you might not have chosen
for your vehicle. You can easily recog-
nize any differences, as all optional
accessories are marked with an

asterisk

*
.
If your BMW features equipment which
is not described in this Owner's Manual
(e.g., car radio or telephone), (Supple-
mentary) Owner's Manuals are
enclosed. We ask you to read these
manuals, too. indicates that you should study
the relevant section of this Owner's
Manual in connection with a particular
part or assembly.

© 1997 BMW AG
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with
the written consent of BMW AG,
Munich.
Order-No. 01 41 9 790 377
US VIII/97
Printed in Germany
Printed on environment-friendly paper
(recyclable and chlorine-free).

At a glanceControls Car care Repairs Technical Data Index
21
Brake hydraulics, redn
Goes out after the engine has
started.
If the lamp comes on during
normal vehicle operation: low brake
fluid. Additional notes: Page 128
Parking brake, redm
Goes out after the engine has
started. Comes on when you
engage the parking brake.
Additional notes: Page 56
Emissions-related systemsY
Lamp goes out once engine
starts.
If this indicator lamp lights up
during normal vehicle operation, either
continuously or intermittently, this indi-
cates a fault in one of the emissions-
related electronic circuits. Although the
vehicle remains operational, you should
have the systems checked by a BMW
Retailer at the earliest possible opportu-
nity.
Please fasten safety belts
*, red
q
(With acoustic signal
if the
driverÕs belt is not buckled).
Lights up briefly when the
ignition key is turned, and then goes out
(in some models it goes out after you
fasten safety belts).
BMW Convertible
Rollover Protection System
*,
yellow
;
Goes out shortly after the igni-
tion is switched on:
System OK.
Indicator and warning lamps

At a glanceControls Car care Repairs Technical Data Index
25
BCBC+C/$
BCBC
Tire inflation pressures If the driver's door is open, the infla-
tion pressures are also visible on the
door pillar. Inflation pressures are
indicated in psi (bar) with tires cold
(ambient temperature).
The inflation pressures apply to tires
from BMW-approved manufacturers;
your BMW Retailer will provide you
with this information. Higher pres-
sures may be required for tires from
other manufacturers.a
Periodically check the inflation
pressure Ð also of the spare tire Ð at
least twice each month and before
setting out on an extended trip. Failing
this, incorrect tire pressure may ren-
der the car unstable or cause tire
damage resulting in an accident.cSedan models
BMW
modelTire sizes
Inßation pressures are
indicated in psi (bar)
318i185/65 R 15 88 Q, T M+S
185/65 R 15 88 T 29
(2.0)35
(2.4)36
(2.5)44
(3.0)
205/60 R 15 91 H
225/55 R 15 92 V
225/50 ZR 16
205/60 R 15 91 Q, H M+S
225/50 R 16 92 Q M+S29
(2.2)32
(2.2)32
(2.2)39
(2.7)
328i205/60 R 15 91 H
225/50 ZR 16
205/60 R 15 91 Q, H M+S
225/50 R 16 92 Q M+S29
(2.0)33
(2.3)33
(2.3)41
(2.8)
See next page for additional models

At a glanceControls Car care Repairs Technical Data Index
27
BCBC+$
BC-
max.
Tire inflation pressures (cont.)
Convertible models
BMW
modelTire sizes
Inßation pressures are
indicated in psi (bar)
318i
323i205/60 R 15 91 H
225/55 R 15 92 V
225/50 ZR 16
205/60 R 15 91 Q, H M+S
225/50 R 16 92 Q M+S29
(2.0)32
(2.2)32
(2.2)39
(2.7)
328i205/60 R 15 91 H
225/50 ZR 16
205/60 R 15 91 Q, H M+S
225/50 R 16 92 Q M+S29
(2.0)33
(2.3)33
(2.3)41
(2.8)

35
At a glanceControls Car careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
Operational from ignition key posi-
tion 1.
dDepress the rocker switch until you
feel resistance:
The window continues to move as
long as the rocker switch is pressed.
dBriefly press the rocker switch to just
beyond the pressure point (one-
touch mode):
The window moves automatically.
Press and let go again to stop move-
ment.
The one-touch mode can be used to
open and close the front windows and
to open the rear windows
*.On vehicles equipped with front and
rear
* power windows:
There are separate switches located
below the rear windows (except on the
BMW Convertible).
Safety switch
* (arrow)
In this way the actuation of the windows
by means of rear switches, e.g., by chil-
dren, can be prevented.a
Always keep the safety switch
(arrow) in the depressed position when
children ride in the rear seat.
Always remove the key from the ignition
when leaving the vehicle.c
After the ignition is switched off, the
windows remain operational
dwith the ignition key at position 1 and
0, or removed, or
dwhen the front doors are open (max.
15 minutes) or until the front doors
are opened for the Þrst time.
Convenience modeAfter closing the doors, hold the key in
the lock position:
Any windows still open will close.a
Careless and inattentive closing of
the windows can lead to injuries.c
Safety featureIf one of the windows encounters resis-
tance while closing, it will respond by
halting and then opening somewhat
again.
You can deactivate this protective func-
tion, (e.g., in case of unauthorized intru-
sion into the vehicle) by pressing the
switch beyond its pressure point and
holding it there.
360us302Power windows*

36
Pressing and holding down the center
button opens or closes all four side win-
dows simultaneously.
During opening, briefly press the rocker
switch to just beyond the pressure
point (one-touch mode): the side win-
dows move automatically. Press briefly
and let go again to stop movement.Operate in ignition key position 2.
Open and lowerPress recessed button (1) until pressure
point is reached.Close and raisePress raised button (2) until pressure
point is reached.
At transition from closing to raising and
vice-versa: system off.One-touch mode(only open/raise)
Briefly press the respective button
beyond the pressure point.
The sliding/tilt sunroof moves automati-
cally. Briefly press the button a second
time to stop the sunroof.
b
During raising, the headliner also
retracts a few inches.c
In the event of an electrical malfunc-
tion, you can also operate the sliding/tilt
sunroof manually, refer to page 152.
After the ignition is switched off, the
windows remain operational
dwith the ignition key at position 1 and
0, or removed, or
dwhen the front doors are open (max.
15 minutes) or until the front doors
are opened for the Þrst time.
Convenient closure
*
After closing the doors, hold the key in
the lock position: the still-open sunroof
is closed.
36cde002
BMW Convertible
360de022
Power windows*Sliding/tilt sunroof*

54
0Steering lock engagedThe key can only be inserted and
removed in this position.
After extracting the key, turn the steer-
ing wheel a small amount to the left or
right until you hear the lock engage.
Your vehicle is equipped with an inter-
lock; this means that the ignition key
can not be turned into position 0 and
removed until the selector lever is in
position P.
Furthermore, the selector lever is locked
in position P when the ignition key is in
position 0 or removed from the ignition
switch.
To turn the key back into position 0 or
remove it, move the selector lever into
position P first.
1 Steering lock disengagedYou will often find that it is easier to turn
the ignition key from position 0 to 1 if you
move the steering wheel slightly to help
disengage the lock.2 Ignition onAll electrical equipment and accesso-
ries are available for use.3 Starter activationb
Vehicles with manual transmis-
sion: depress the clutch pedal while
you turn on the ignition, otherwise a
blocking system will prevent the engine
from starting.c
Before startingdApply the parking brake.
dThe manual-shift gear lever should
be in neutral; the automatic transmis-
sion selector lever should be in P
or N.
dAt low temperatures keep the clutch
pedal depressed.
dStart the engine without depressing
the accelerator.b
Do not operate the starter too briefly,
but not longer than approx. 20 seconds.
Release the ignition key as soon as the
engine starts. Do not allow the engine to
warm up by leaving it running while the
vehicle remains stationary. Instead, drive
off immediately at a moderate engine
speed.c
Should the engine fail to start on the first
attempt, e.g., if it is very hot or cold:
dStop and pause briefly before repeat-
ing the starting procedure. This pre-
vents the spark plugs from becoming
damp.
dPress the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
1 2
03
360de009Steering/ignition lock Starting the engine