1998 BMW CONVERTIBLE maintenance

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

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

9

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

At a glanceControlsCar careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex

Index

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

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

17
1 Lamp switch 85
2 Foglamps 86
3 Horn, entire surface
4 Wiper/washer lever 61
5 Rear window defroster 91
6 Hazard warning system 22
7 Automatic cruise control

*
62
8 Adjust steering wheel

*
45
9 Turn signals, high beam headlamps
and headlamp flasher 60
10 Engine hood unlocking device 118

Cockpit

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 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