1998 BMW CONVERTIBLE fuel

For your own safety

a

Use unleaded gasoline only.
Fuels containing up to 10% ethanol or
other oxygenates with up to 2.8% ox-
ygen by weight (i.e. 15% MTBE or
3% methanol plus an equivalent
amount of co-solvent) will not void the
applicable warranties with respect to
defects in materials or workmanship.
Field experience has indicated signifi-
cant differences in fuel quality (i.e.,
volatility, composition, additives, etc.)
among gasolines offered for sale in the
United States and Canada. The use of
poor-quality fuels may result in driving,
starting and stalling problems espe-
cially under certain environmental
conditions, such as high ambient tem-
perature and high altitude.
Should you encounter problems while
driving that you suspect could be
related to the fuel you are using,
we recommend that you respond
by switching to a recognized high-
quality brand.
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may result in unscheduled
maintenance. Follow the relevant
safety rules when you are handling
gasoline.

c

a

Important safety information!
For your own safety, use genuine
parts and accessories approved by
BMW.
When you purchase accessories
tested and approved by BMW and
Original BMW Parts, you simulta-
neously acquire the assurance that
they have been thoroughly tested by
BMW to ensure optimum performance
when installed on your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free
from defects in material and work-
manship.
BMW will not accept any liability for
damage resulting from installation of
parts and accessories not approved
by BMW.
BMW cannot test every product from
other manufacturers to verify if it can
be used on a BMW safely and without
risk to either the vehicle, its operation,
or its occupants.
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accesso-
ries and other products approved by
BMW, together with professional
advice on using these items, are avail-
able from all BMW Retailers.Installation and operation of non-BMW
approved accessories such as alarms,
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors,
wheels, suspension components,
brake dust shields, telephones
(including operation of any portable
cellular phone from within the vehicle
without using an externally mounted
antenna) or transceiver equipment
(e.g., C.B., walkie-talkie, ham radio or
similar) may cause extensive damage
to the vehicle, compromise its safety,
interfere with the vehicleÕs electrical
system or affect the validity of the
BMW Limited Warranty.
See your authorized BMW Retailer for
additional information.
Do not use key or remote control to
lock doors or luggage compartment
with anyone inside the car.
"Maintenance, replacement or repair
of the emission control devices and
systems may be performed by any
automotive repair establishment or
individual using any certified automo-
tive part."

c

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

Contents

Owner service procedure
Advanced technology
Technical data

Replacement procedures:

Onboard tool kit140
Windshield wiper blades140
Lamps and bulbs141
Master key with
battery lamp145
Changing tires146
Battery149
Fuses151

In case of electrical
malfunction:

Fuel filler door 152
Sliding/tilt sunroof 152

Assistance, giving and receiving:

Jump-starting153
Towing the vehicle154
Towing154Airbags156
Automatic Stability Control
plus Traction (ASC+T)156
Radio reception157
Safety belt tensioner157Engine specifications 160
Dimensions 161
Weights 163
Capacities 166
Electrical system 167
Drive belts 167

15

At a glance
Controls and featuresCare and maintenanceAdvanced technology
Technical data
Owner service procedure
Index

At a glanceControls Car care Repairs Technical Data Index

Cockpit 16
Instrument cluster 18
Indicator and warning lamps 20
Hazard warning system 22
Hazard warning triangle 22
First-aid kit 22
Refueling 23
Fuel specification 23
CARB OBD II interface 24
Tire inflation pressures 25

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

At a glanceControls Car care Repairs Technical Data Index
23
Refueling Fuel specificationTo unlock the filler door in the event of a
central locking system failure, refer to
page152.a
When handling fuel, comply with
the safety regulations displayed by gas
stations.cUnleaded gasoline only.
Minimum octane requirement: 89 AKI
BMW engines are equipped with knock
sensors and automatically adapt to op-
erate with fuels of different octane rat-
ings, as long as the minimum octane
requirement is met.
Higher octane fuels will provide in-
creased performance and fuel econ-
omy, while the use of gasoline with a
lower octane rating will have an adverse
effect.
a
Never use leaded fuel, as it would
cause permanent damage to both the
catalytic converter and the engine-man-
agement systemÕs oxygen sensors.c
AKI = Anti Knock Index
360de010

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

30
1 Master key with battery-powered
lamp (switch on by pressing the BMW
symbol).
2 Master key without lamp.
3 Spare key to be kept in a safe place
e. g. in your wallet. This key is not
intended for continuous use.
4 Door and ignition key
This key does not operate the locks
for the glove compartment and the
luggage compartment. This is useful
e. g. at a hotel.The electronic vehicle immobilization
unit increases the anti-theft protection
of your BMW Ð without additional
adjustment or activation of systems.
This electronic immobilization system is
designed to reduce the susceptibility of
the vehicle to theft by making it impos-
sible to start the engine using any
means other than the special keys fur-
nished with the vehicle.
The system features an electronic chip
integrated within the key as a supple-
ment to the conventional mechanical
locking system.
The lock mechanism itself is actually a
dual-function device, simultaneously
serving as a communications interface
designed to allow the car security sys-
tem to maintain a continuous stream of
variable, vehicle-specific signals with
the electronic circuitry in the key. The
ignition, the flow of fuel and the starter
are enabled only after the key has been
recognized as "authorized".
b
External force can damage the
electronic circuitry integrated in the key.
Such a key can no longer be used to
start the engine.c
Replacement of a keyReplacement keys are available exclu-
sively through your authorized BMW
Retailer, who is also under obligation to
request verification of vehicle owner-
ship before issuing a substitute key.
Your BMW Retailer can also cancel or
restore the electronic system authoriza-
tion for individual keys (e.g., if a key is
lost). A deactivated key can no longer
be used to start the engine.For US owners onlyThe transmitter and receiver units com-
ply with Part 15 of the FCC (Federal
Communication Commission) Regula-
tions. Operation is governed by the fol-
lowing:
FCC ID: LXBEWS
As defined in the regulations, such a
device is not to emit significant interfer-
ence and must also be shielded against
interference from external sources to
prevent unauthorized or inadvertent
activation.a
Any unauthorized modifications
or changes to these devices could void
the userÕs authority to operate this
equipment.c
14
BMW
BMW
BMW
BMW
23
365de122Keys Electronic vehicle immobilizer