1998 BMW CONVERTIBLE climate control

11

Contents

Controls and features
Care and maintenance

Lamps:

Parking lamps/low beams85
Instrument panel lighting85
Foglamps86
Interior lamps86
Reading lamps86

An inviting climate:

Heated seats87
Independent ventilation
system87
Automatic climate control88

Cabin convenience:

BMW Hi-Fi System93
Glove compartment93
Ashtray94
Coin box, cup holder94
Cigarette lighter94
Center arm rest, rear95
Through-loading system95
Ski bag95
Cargo loading98

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures100
Driving notes100
Catalytic converter102
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)103
Disc brakes104
Brake system105
Winter driving105
Roof-mounted luggage rack107
Radio reception108
Mobile phones108
Hardtop Ð Convertible109
Technical modifications
to the vehicle110

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressures111
Tire tread111
Tire replacement112
Interaxle tire changes112
The right choice113
Winter tires114
Approved wheels and tires115

Under the hood:

Hood118
Engine compartment 120
Washer fluids124
Engine oil124
Coolant127
Brake fluid128
Power steering fluid128
Vehicle Identification Number129

Care and maintenance:

The BMW Maintenance
System130
Caring for your car131
Cleaning and care
of the convertible top136
Vehicle storage137

At a glance
Controls and featuresCare and maintenanceAdvanced technology
Technical data
Owner service procedure
At a glanceControls Car careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
Index
29
Technology for driving comfort
and safety:
Automatic Stability Control
plus Traction (ASC+T)84
Lamps:
Headlamp switch85
Instrument panel lighting85
Foglamps86
Interior lamps86
Reading lamps86
An inviting climate:
Heated seats87
Independent ventilation
system87
Automatic climate control88Cabin convenience:
BMW Hi-Fi System93
Glove compartment93
Ashtray94
Coin box, cup holder94
Cigarette lighter94
Center arm rest, rear95
Through-loading system95
Ski bag95
Cargo loading98

88
Automatic climate control
3
BMWBMW
A
AUTO
41
2
AUTO
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89
At a glanceControls Car careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
1 Air ßow directed against windshield
and door windows
2 Air ßow toward upper body
The rotary dial on the right affords
continuous opening or closing of the
air supply, the lever changes the
direction of the air ßow. The rotary dial
on the left tempers the air coming out
(page 92).
3 Front footwell ventilation
Corresponding vent outlets are also
located in the rear footwell.
4 ControlsAutomatic climate control

90
Controls1 Automatic air distribution
2 Individual air distribution
3 Temperature and air ßow display
4 Air grill for interior temperature
sensor - please keep clear and
unobstructed
5 To defrost windshield and door
windows
6 Air conditioner
7 Recirculated-air mode
8 Rear window defroster
9 Temperature control Ð right-hand
side
10 Air supply
11 Temperature control Ð left-hand side
Air conditioning for comfortUse the automatic system; switch on
AUTO key1. Select the interior temper-
ature that is comfortable for you, e.g.,
70 5F (226). With exterior temperatures
above 41 5F (56) you can also use air-
conditioning 6. This dries the air and
prevents window mist when e.g., per-
sons with damp clothing are in the vehi-
cle. Adjust vent 2 in such a way that the
air blows past you and does not strike
you directly. Turn the rotary control on
the left under the vents 2 for the upper
body area to a middle setting, so that
you will be driving in cooler air that
does not tire you out.
The following description gives you
additional individual settings.
Automatic air distribution
Individual air distribution
360us314
When you activate the AUTO
mode, the program takes
over the setting of the air distribution
and the air supply and, in addition,
adjusts your temperature pre-selections
to exterior conditions (summer, winter).
This program maintains a comfortable
in-car climate regardless of the season.
Select the interior temperature that is
comfortable for you, e.g., 70 5F (226).
The temperature pre-selections as well
as the lettering AUTO for the air supply
appear in indicator 3.
Open the vent outlets for the upper
body area. Switch on the air conditioner
in warm weather.
The maximum cooling capacity is
achieved when you set the rotary dial 3
(refer to page 92) to cold.
You can cancel the automatic
program by selecting distri-
bution patterns to suit your
individual requirements. You
can direct air toward the windshield and
windows 7, toward the upper body
5
and/or into the footwell
6.
AUTO
Automatic climate control

91
At a glanceControls Car careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
To defrost windshield and door
windows
Air conditioner Circulated air mode/Automatic
recirculated air control (AUC)
*
Press the button repeatedly to run
through the following control sequence:
dIndicator lamps off: outside air flow
operational.
dLeft-hand indicator lamp on Ð AUC
mode: the system detects pollutants
in the outside air and responds by
deactivating the outside air flow as
required. The system then recircu-
lates the air currently within the vehi-
cle.
dRight-hand indicator lamp on: the
flow of outside air into the vehicle is
permanently blocked. The system
then recirculates the air currently
within the vehicle.a
If the windshields fog over in circu-
lated air mode, switch off the circulated
air mode/Automatic recirculated air
control and increase the air supply. if
necessary.c
Rear window defrosterBMW Convertible: Heated rear-window
blower.
The rear-window blower is always
switched off with the convertible top
down.
When the hardtop
* is in place, press
the rear-window heating button.
Temperature
This program is designed for
rapid removal of ice and con-
densation from the windshield and side
windows.
The air conditioner cools and
dehumidifies incoming air
before reheating it to the selected tem-
perature.
Depending on the weather, the wind-
shield may fog over briefly when the
engine is started.
Switching off the air conditioner at out-
side temperatures below approx. 41 5F
(56) will prevent the windows from
fogging up.
Frequently switching the air condi-
tioner on and off may also promote the
formation of condensation on the win-
dow surfaces.
b
Condensation forms in the air
conditioner system during operation,
which then exits under the vehicle. It is
not unusual for a small puddle to form
there.c
You can respond to unpleas-
ant odors in the outside air
by temporarily excluding the outside air.
The system then recirculates the air
currently within the vehicle.
A
The indicator lamp comes
on to confirm that the rear
defroster is operating.
The defroster switches off automatically
after approx. 15 minutes.
On both the driver's and the
passenger's side you can
adjust the specific temperature. The fig-
ures in the display provide a general
indication of interior temperature. We
recommend 70 5F (226) as a standard
setting for comfortable travel, both with
and without the air conditioner. When
you start the vehicle, the system
ensures that the selected temperature
is achieved as quickly as possible and
maintained at a constant level by the
control.
Automatic climate control

92
Air supply
Draft-free ventilation
You can adjust the vent outlets for the
upper body area to select the optimum
airflow rates and directions for your
own personal requirements:
Use rotary controls 1 to open and close
the vents throughout and infinitely-vari-
able range. Use the levers 2 to adjust
the direction of the air flow.
The rotary control 3 allows you to mix
the air from the outlets for your upper
body by warming or cooling it as
desired:
Turn toward blue Ð colder
Turn toward red Ð warmer
MicrofilterThe microfilter removes dust and pollen
from the incoming air. The filter is
changed by your BMW Retailer when
you bring your vehicle for maintenance.
A substantial reduction in air flow indi-
cates that the filter needs to be
replaced prematurely. In the AUTO mode, the air
supply is controlled automat-
ically and AUTO appears in display 3,
refer to the summary on page 90. Using
"+" and "Ð" you can vary the air flow.
Your setting is indicated by bars, the
automatic control is switched off. You
can reactivate it by pressing the AUTO
key.
When you press "-" during operation at
minimum blower speed all displays are
canceled: the fan, heating and air con-
ditioner are switched off, the air supply
is blocked. By pressing on any key of
the air conditioning you can again
engage the system.
Effective heating and cooling is ensured
at a medium blower speed.
1 2 3
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Automatic climate control

14 9
At a glanceControlsCar careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
The battery is located behind the right-
side trim panel in the luggage compart-
ment. A separate positive terminal in
the engine compartment is available for
jump-starting (also refer to page 153).
Only certain battery types may be used
on the BMW convertible. Consult your
BMW Retailer for details.
The battery is maintenance-free, mean-
ing that the electrolyte will normally last
for the life of the battery.
Should the electrolyte drop to below
the minimum level - e.g., during extend-
ed operation in hot climates - add dis-
tilled water (no acid!).
Electrolyte level: Up to the "MAX" mark
on the outside of the battery in each
cell, approx. 0.2 inches (5 mm) above
the top of the plates.
Keep the top of the battery clean and
dry.
SymbolsYou will find the following symbols on
your car battery. To avoid injury, please
observe the corresponding precautions
whenever you work with or near the
battery.

360de125
Before working with the battery,
read the following:
R
Wear eye protection. Avoid let-
ting acid or lead particles come
into contact with your eyes, your
skin or your clothing.
S
Battery acid is extremely corro-
sive. Wear eye protection and
protective gloves. Do not tilt the
battery; acid could emerge from the
ventilation openings.
T
Ensure that children keep well
away from batteries and battery
acid.
U
Never allow sparks or open
ßame, and do not smoke in the
vicinity of the battery. Avoid
sparks from electrical cables and
equipment. Never short-circuit the bat-
tery terminals. There is a danger of
injury from powerful sparks.
V
A highly-explosive gas is gener-
ated when the battery is
charged.
W
If you happen to get acid in your
eyes, rinse thoroughly for sev-
eral minutes with clear water.
Then consult a physician immediately. If
you get acid spray on your skin or cloth-
ing, apply soap immediately to neutral-
ize the acid, then rinse with plenty of
water. If electrolyte is accidentally
ingested, consult a physician immedi-
ately.
X
To protect the casing against
ultraviolet radiation, avoid
exposing it to direct sunlight.
A discharged battery can freeze; always
store the battery in areas where the
temperature remains above freezing.
Battery