1998 BMW CONVERTIBLE automatic transmission

Contents

At a glance
Controls and features

Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning
lamps20
Hazard warning system22
Hazard warning triangle22
First-aid kit22
Refueling23
Fuel specification23
CARB OBD II interface24
Tire inflation pressures25

Locks and security systems:

Keys30
Electronic immobilizing device35
Doors31
Trunk lid33
Luggage compartment34
Power windows35
Sliding/tilt sunroof36
Convertible top operation37

Adjustments:

Seats43
Steering wheel45
Mirrors46

Passenger safety systems:

Safety belts47
Child restraint system48
Installing child seats49
Airbags50
Child-safety locks52
Rollover protection system Ð
convertible52
Driving:

Steering/ignition lock54
Starting the engine54
Switching off the engine55
Parking brake56
Manual transmission57
Automatic transmission58
Turn signals/high beam60
Wiper/washer system61
Cruise control62

Everything under control:

Odometer63
Tachometer63
Energy control63
Fuel gauge64
Coolant temperature gauge64
Service Interval Display64
Multi-Information Display (MID)66
Outside temperature display
and digital clock68
Check Control71
Check Control with outside
temperature display and
digital clock74
Onboard computer77

Technology for driving comfort
and safety:

Automatic stability control
plus traction (ASC+T)84

Controls and features MaintenanceAt a glanceControls Car care Repairs Technical Data Index

19
1 Fuel gauge with low-fuel
warning lamp 64
2 Indicator lamp for turn signals 20
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator and warning lamps for

d

Battery charge current 20

d

High beams 20

d

Engine oil pressure 20
5 Tachometer 63
Energy control 63
6 Coolant temperature gauge 64
7 Indicator and warning lamps for

d

Brake pad wear 20

d

Brake system hydraulics 21

d

Parking brake 21

d

Airbag 50
8 Indicator lamp for ASC+T 20
9 Indicator and warning lamps for

d

Automatic transmission

*
20

d

Warning lamp for Check Control

*

71

d

Please fasten seat belts

*
21

d

ABS 20
10 Trip odometer 63
11 Service Interval Display 64
12 Odometer 6313 Indicator lamps for

d

Foglamps

*
20

d

Emissions-related systems
indicator 21

d

Rollover protection system

*
21
14 Trip odometer reset button 63

Instrument cluster

20

Turn signal left/right, green

k

Flashes when the turn signals
are in operation.

Battery charge current, red

v

Goes out after the engine has
started.
If the lamp comes on during
normal vehicle operation:
The battery is no longer being charged.
Indicates a defect in the generator drive
belt or the charging circuit.

a

If the V-belt is defective, do not run
the coolant pump; overheating and
potential engine damage would result.
Contact your BMW Retailer.

c

High beam, blue

l
Lights up when the high beams
are switched on or the head-
lamp flashers are activated.
Engine oil pressure, redw
Goes out after the engine has
started. May come on briefly at
idle when the engine is hot,
but must go out again at higher engine
speed.
If the lamp comes on during normal vehi-
cle operation: stop vehicle and switch off
engine immediately. Check engine oil
level; if necessary, add oil. If oil level is
correct: contact your BMW Retailer.
Foglamps
*, green
t
Lights up whenever you switch
on the foglamps.
Airbags, redp
This lamp turns on for an oper-
ational check when you turn the
ignition key to position 1. If, at
the operation check, it does not go on,
or goes on while driving, have it checked
at your BMW Retailer.
Additional notes: Page 50
Automatic transmission
*, yellow
O
Goes out after the engine has
started.
Additional notes: Page 58
ASC+T (Automatic Stability
Control plus Traction), yellows
Goes out shortly after the igni-
tion is switched on:
System OK.
Additional notes: Page 84
ABS (Antilock Brake System),
yellowo
Goes out after the engine has
started. If the lamp comes on
during normal vehicle opera-
tion: ABS has been deactivated in
response to a system malfunction. Con-
ventional braking force remains unim-
paired.
Additional notes: Page 103
Brake pad wear, yellow#
Lights up when starter is actu-
ated and goes out when the
engine is started.
If the lamp comes on during normal
vehicle operation: replace brake pads
immediately.
a
Use only original BMW-approved
brake pads otherwise the vehicle
authorization is no longer valid.c
Indicator and warning lamps

28
Locks and security systems:
Keys30
Electronic vehicle immobilizer 30
Doors31
Luggage compartment lid33
Luggage compartment34
Power windows35
Sliding/tilt sunroof36
Convertible top operation37
Adjustments:
Seats43
Steering wheel45
Mirrors46
Passenger safety systems:
Safety belts47
Child restraint system48
Installing child seats49
Airbags50
Child-safety locks52
Rollover protection system Ð
convertible52Driving:
Steering/ignition lock54
Starting the engine54
Switching off the engine55
Parking brake56
Manual transmission57
Automatic transmission58
Turn signals/high beam60
Wiper/washer system61
Cruise control62
Everything under control:
Odometer63
Tachometer63
Energy control63
Fuel gauge64
Coolant temperature gauge64
Service Interval Display64
Multi-Information Display (MID)66
Outside temperature display
and digital clock68
Check Control71
Check Control with outside
temperature display and
digital clock74
Onboard computer77

55
At a glanceControls Car careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
When starting a cold engine at extreme-
ly low temperatures (+55F/-156 or be-
low) or at high altitudes (above 3,300 ft./
1,000 meters), proceed as follows:
dAt the first attempt, keep the starter
engaged for a bit longer (approx.
10 seconds).
dPress the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
If you operate the vehicle for longer
periods of time at high altitudes and
very low temperatures, put into the
engine an oil with a viscosity of 5WÐ30
(refer to page 126). Please contact your
authorized BMW Retailer for additional
information.a
Never allow the engine to run with
the vehicle standing in an enclosed ar-
ea. The exhaust gases contain carbon
monoxide, an odorless and colorless,
but highly toxic gas. Breathing the ex-
haust gases poses an extreme health
risk, and can lead to unconsciousness
and death.
Never leave the vehicle unattended with
the engine running, as such a vehicle
represents a serious potential safety
hazard.cTurn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
a
Always remove the ignition key
and engage the steering lock before
leaving the vehicle.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake when
parking on slopes and inclined surfaces,
since selecting 1st gear or reverse may
not provide adequate resistance to roll-
ing.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in Park.c
Starting the engine Switching off the engine

56
To engageThe lock engages automatically when
you lift the lever. The "P" indicator lamp
appears in the instrument cluster when
you turn the ignition key to position 2
(refer to page 21).To releasePull up on the lever, then press the
release button and lower the lever.The parking brake is primarily designed
to prevent the vehicle from rolling while
parked, and acts on the rear wheels.
a
Should exceptional circumstances
make it necessary to engage the brake
with the vehicle in motion, do not apply
excessive pressure. Keep your thumb
pressed against the release button while
carefully pulling up the lever to apply
moderate pressure.
Excessive pressure can lead to over-
braking and loss of traction (fishtailing)
at the rear.
The brake lamps do not come on when
the parking brake is engaged.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake when
parking on slopes and inclined surfaces,
since selecting 1st gear or reverse may
not provide adequate resistance to
rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in "Park".cTo avoid corrosion, apply the parking
brake lightly from time to time when
coasting to a standstill, e.g., at a trafÞc
signal, provided that it is safe to do so.
360us303Parking brake

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

58
Selector lever positionsP R N D 3 2 1Shift programsSwitch:
dA (Automatic)
dM (Manual)
Shift lever in position 3:
dSport program
See next page for an explanation of the
programs.
Range selectionA lock prevents inadvertent shifts into
certain selector lever positions. To re-
lease the shift-lock mechanism, press
the button on the front side of the se-
lector handle (arrow).
The engine can only be started in selec-
tor lever position P or N.b
You must step on the footbrake
with the vehicle stationary before the
selector lever will move out of P or N.
The footbrake must also be depressed
before selecting a drive position, since
the vehicle "creeps" in idle when a drive
position is engaged.
At engine speeds of over 2500 rpm
a lock also prevents shifting out of P
or N.c
However, it is possible to "rock" the car
free by shifting rapidly between D and
R, e.g., should you get stuck in deep
snow or sand.
a
Place the selector lever in position
P or N and firmly engage the parking
brake before leaving the vehicle with the
engine running, otherwise the vehicle
could roll. Never leave the vehicle unat-
tended with the engine running, since
such a vehicle represents a serious po-
tential safety hazard.
If you should accidentally select Neutral
while traveling at high speed, remove
your foot from the accelerator pedal im-
mediately. Wait until the engine is at idle
speed; only then should you select a
gear, otherwise the transmission could
be damaged.c
P - ParkSelect only with the vehicle stationary.
Transmission locks to prevent rear
wheels from turning.R - ReverseSelect only with the vehicle stationary.N - NeutralSelect only if your journey is interrupted
for a longer period. Select while the car
is being driven only if the vehicle begins
to skid.
360us304Automatic transmission*