1998 BMW CONVERTIBLE light

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

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

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

22
The button flashes intermittently when
the hazard warning lamps are on.
The button is also illuminated whenever
the vehicle lighting is switched on.The warning triangle can be stored in
the luggage compartment in a storage
shelf at the right for convenient access.
a
Comply with legal requirements
concerning the need to carry a warning
triangle in the car.cOn the right in the luggage compart-
ment, on a shelf.
a
Some of the items in the first-aid
kit are suitable for use for a limited
period only. Therefore you should regu-
larly check the contents and replace
defective articles. These are available in
any pharmacy.
Comply with legal requirements con-
cerning the need to carry a first-aid kit in
the car.c
360de040Hazard warning system Hazard warning triangle*First aid kit*

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

38
Unlock the convertible top storage
compartment with the handle in the rear
left side panel.
b
From ignition key position 1 or with
the door open: If the side windows are
closed, they move downward slightly
when the convertible top compartment
unlocking handle is operated.c
a
To prevent damage, it is not possi-
ble to unlock the convertible top com-
partment with the luggage compartment
open.cPosition the rear convertible top bow
vertically and hold in place. Raise the
convertible top compartment lid some-
what and unlock the catch lock by
pushing it to the right. Open the con-
vertible top compartment lid com-
pletely.
Lay the rear convertible top bow in the
convertible top compartment. Lift the
top at the front and also lay down
towards the rear.
In the process, make sure the rear win-
dow is laid down evenly and free of
folds. To prevent the rear window from
being scratched, a soft cloth should be
laid in the window fold. Close the convertible top compartment
lid by pressing down on both sides until
they are heard to engage securely.
When the convertible top compartment
lid is closed, the central locking system
is automatically unlocked, i.e., the lug-
gage compartment is no longer locked
and can be opened again.
a
If the convertible top compartment
lid is not properly closed, the luggage
compartment can not be opened to pre-
vent damage.
To prevent damage to the convertible
top due to the permanent presence of
moisture, never fold down the top while
wet (also refer to "Car care" starting on
page 136).c
36cde007
36cde008
36cde009
Convertible top operation

39
At a glanceControls Car careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
Closing convertible topMove ignition key into position 1.
Unlock and open the convertible top
storage compartment. Lift out the top
by the side guide piece and the front
top frame.b
From ignition key position 1 or with
the door open: If the side windows are
closed, they move downward slightly
when the convertible top compartment
unlocking handle is operated. Move the
side windows into the desired position
or close them after closing the convert-
ible top.cPosition the rear top bow vertically.
Close the convertible top compartment
lid by pressing down on both sides until
they are heard to engage securely. Fold
down the top bow.
When the convertible top compartment
lid is closed, the central locking system
is automatically unlocked, i.e., the lug-
gage compartment is no longer locked
and can be opened again.
Pull the convertible top frame onto the
windshield frame with the locking han-
dle and lock the top by turning the han-
dle until it is heard to engage.
The rear convertible top bow is auto-
matically pressed onto the convertible
top compartment lid and closes water-
tight under tension.
b
If the convertible top or the rear
window begins to flutter at high speeds,
increase the air intake via the ventilation
control to prevent a vacuum from
resulting in the passenger compart-
ment.c
Fully automatic convertible top
operation
*
The fully automatic convertible top per-
fectly combines extremely simple, com-
fortable operation with reliable protec-
tion from the elements. Here are a few
tips to ensure that you have years of
pleasure with your convertible:
It is advisable to close the top when the
vehicle is parked. The closed top not
only protects the passenger compart-
ment from unforeseen weather-related
damage, it also provides a certain
degree of theft protection. Even with
the top closed, it is always advisable to
keep valuables locked in the luggage
compartment.
Do not mount roof racks on the convert-
ible top. Please contact your BMW
Retailer for suitable mounting equip-
ment and other accessories.
To prevent damage, do not operate the
top at temperatures below 325F (0
6
).
To protect the battery, it is advisable to
operate the top with the engine running
when possible.
36cde010Convertible top operation

40
a
The convertible top operates fully
automatically. Assistance with your
hand is necessary only as an exception
(refer to the note, next column).
Only operate the convertible top with
the vehicle stopped and do not drive off
during operation, as otherwise the pro-
cess will be interrupted. A half-opened
top can cause damage or injuries.
Remove foreign objects from the wind-
shield frame before closing the convert-
ible top, since these may prevent the top
from closing.
Do not lay objects on the convertible
top. They would fall off during top oper-
ation and cause damage or injuries.
When closing the power side windows
during driving, always close the rear
windows first or all four windows simul-
taneously, as otherwise the windows
may not seal tightly at higher speeds.c
a
Do not reach into the convertible
top mechanism during opening and
closing. Keep children away from the
swiveling area of the convertible top
during operation.
Releasing the operating button for the
top immediately interrupts the automat-
ic movement. Movement can be contin-
ued in the desired direction by pressing
the appropriate button.c
b
If the convertible top has been
stored in the convertible top compart-
ment for a longer period, e.g., in the
winter when the hardtop is used, it may
be necessary to support the first auto-
matic closing operation by hand:
Should the top come to a stop shortly
before the end of the closing phase (still
open approx. 8 in/20 cm), reach into the
handle depression in the center of the
front convertible top frame and briefly
support the closing process while
pressing the button until it is automati-
cally continued.c
Opening and closing1 To open
2 To close
Press the convertible top operating but-
ton until the opening or closing process
is completed.
The indicator lamp (arrow) lights up
continuously during convertible top
operation. The indicator lamp flashes
after releasing the button if the opening
or closing process is not yet completed.36cde020
Convertible top operation