1998 BMW CONVERTIBLE roof rack

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

37
At a glanceControls Car careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
a
Careless closing can lead to inju-
ries.
Always remove the key from the ignition
when leaving the vehicle.c
To avoid unpleasant drafts and pres-
sure variations within the passenger
compartment, you should keep the inte-
rior ventilation outlets open when the
sunroof is open and particularly when it
is raised, and select a higher blower
speed as required.
Manual convertible top
operationThe fabric top offers perfect weather
protection and can be opened and
closed simply and quickly by one
person.
Here are a few tips to ensure that you
have a lot of pleasure with your con-
vertible: It is advisable to close the top
when the vehicle is parked. The closed
convertible top not only protects the
passenger compartment from unfore-
seeable damage from the weather, 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 equipment and other
accessories.a
When closing the power windows
while driving: always close the rear win-
dows first or all four windows simulta-
neously, otherwise the windows may
not seal tightly at higher speeds.c
Opening convertible topFold out the unlocking handle and turn
it to the end stop. Raise (relax) the top
approx. 8 in (20 cm).36cde006
Sliding/tilt sunroof*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

At a glance
Controls and featuresCare and maintenanceAdvanced technology
Technical data
Owner service procedure
At a glanceControlsCar careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
Index
99
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
Cellular 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 tires115Under the hood:
Hood118
Engine compartment 120
Washer fluids124
Engine oil124
Coolant127
Brake fluid128
Power steering fluid128
Vehicle Identification Number118
Care and maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System130
Caring for your car131
Cleaning and care of the
convertible top136
Vehicle storage137

10 7
At a glanceControlsCar careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
A special luggage system is available as
an option for your BMW. Please
observe the precautions included with
the installation instructions.
Because roof racks raise the center of
gravity of the car when loaded, they
exercise a major effect on its handling
and steering response.
You should therefore always remember
not to exceed the approved roof weight,
the approved gross vehicle weight or
the axle weights when loading the rack.
For specifications refer to "Technical
data", page 163ff.
Make sure that the load is not too heavy,
and attempt to distribute it evenly.
Always load the heaviest items first (on
the bottom).
Make sure there is sufficient space to
raise the sliding/tilt sunroof.Secure the roof luggage correctly and
securely to prevent it from shifting or
being lost during driving (danger to fol-
lowing traffic).
Drive smoothly: avoid sudden accelera-
tion and braking maneuvers; corner
gently.
The roof load increases the surface
area exposed to the wind: increased
fuel consumption and stress on the roof
are the immediate results.Roof-mounted luggage rack*

172
Note: This index does not correspond to the original manual in all details
IIce warning
66
Identification mark, tires
113
Ignition
54
Ignition key
30
Ignition switch 54
Independent ventilation
81
Indicator lights
20
Inflation pressure 25
, 111
Inside mirror
46
Inside rearview mirror
46
INSPECTION
64
Installing child seats
49
Instrument
18
Instrument lighting
85
Interior lights
86
, 144
Interior lights,
Replace bulbs 144
Intermittent wiper switch
61
JJack
146
Jump start
153
KKeys
30
Kickdown
59
LLeather care
135
LED Light-emitting diodes

110
Length
161
License plate light,
Replace bulb
144Light switch
85
Light-emitting diode LED

110
Limit
80
Loading 98
Lock buttons
31
Locks, care 105
Lowbeam headlight
85
Lowbeam headlights,
Replace lights
141
Low-fuel warning light
64
Luggage straps
34
Lumbar support 45
MM+S-Tires
114
Maintenance 64
, 130
Make-up mirror
46
Manual transmission
57
Capacity
166
Manually controlled
recirculated-air
91
Maximum speed 163
Micro-filter
92
MID Multi-information
display
66
, 67
, 68
, 69
Mirror heating
46
Mirrors
46
Multifunction switch
60
Multi-information display
MID
66
, 67
, 68
, 69
OOdometer
63
OilCapacity
166
Oil additives 125
Oil change interval,
Refer to the service
booklet
124
Oil consumption
124
Oil dipstick
124
Oil filter change
166
Oil filter renewal 166
Oil level, indicator light
20
Oil pressure, indicator light

20
OIL SERVICE
64
Oil, power steering
128
On-board computer 77
, 78
,
79
, 80
, 81
, 82
, 83
Operating
31
Outside rearview mirror
46
Outside temperature
66
, 78
Display
66
Outside temperature
indicator 68
PPaintwork, care
132
Paintwork, dirt and
contaminants 132
Paintwork, minor repairs

133
Paintwork, waxing
133
Parking brake
56
Parking light 85
Parking light,
Replace bulb 141Parking lights
60
Parking, Winter 106
Passenger airbag 50
Payload, maximum 163
Pocket light
93
Power door locks
31
Power steering, oil 128
Pressure, tire
25
Pressure, tires 111
Procedure
147
RRadiator
166
Reading lights
86
Rear backrest,
folding
95
Rear foglight
86
, 143
Reclining seat
43
Refueling
23
Remote control
On-board computer
83
Remove mist
Windshields
91
Replacement keys
30
Reverse
57
Rims
113
, 115
Road performance
163
Roof load, approved 163
Roof load, permissible 163
Roof rack
107
Roof-mounted luggage rack

107
Rubber parts
105
Rubber seals and
Everything from A to Z

173
At a glanceControls Car careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
Note: This index does not correspond to the original manual in all detailscomponents
105
SSAFETY DEFECTS
7
Seat heaters
87
Seat, electric 44
Seat, mechanical
43
Seatback release 45
Seatbelts
47
Seats, adjustment
43
Selector lever, automatic
transmission
58
Service Interval Display
64
Shift programs
59
Side airbag
50
Sliding
106
Sliding/tilt sunroof
36
Close in case of electrical
fault
152
Slippery roads
105
Snow chains
105
Spare key
30
Spare keys 30
Spare tire 112
, 146
Spark plugs
167
Special oils 125
Speed warning activation
threshold 80
Sport seat 44
Start
54
Start the engine
Preheating
54
Starting assistance
153Starting problems
102
Steel wheel
115
Steering
128
Steering lock
54
Steering wheel lock
54
Stopwatch
80
Storage shelves
93
Summer tires
113
Sun visor
46
Switching off the engine
55
Switching off the vehicle 55
Symbols
4
Battery 149
TTachometer
63
Tailgate
33
Taillights 143
Taillights,
Replace bulbs
143
Tank cover
Unlock in case of
electrical fault 152
Technical Data 160
Technical data 160
Telephone
108
Temperature 91
Temperature display
66
Temperature layering 92
Tempomat
62
Thigh support
Ajustment 44
Third brake light
143Through loading system
95
Timer
81
Tire change
146
Tire damages 111
Tire inflation pressure
25
,
111
Tire inscription
113
Tire replacement 112
Tire sizes
115
Tire tread 111
Tool kit
140
Tools
140
Tow starting
154
Towing
154
Towing eyelets
154
Track
161
Trailer load, permissible
163
Trailer nose weight,
permissible
163
Transmission 57
Traveling abroad
102
Tread depth, tires 111
Trip
63
Trip distance recorder
63
Trip odometer
63
Trunk
Capacity
163
Trunk lights,
Replace bulb
145
Turn on
54
Turn signal indicator
60
Turn signal,Replace bulb
142
Turn signals
143
Turning circle 161
Turning radius 161
UUnloaded vehicle weight

163
Unlocking and locking doors

31
Used batteries
150
VVehicle care, interior
133
Vehicle decommissioning

137
Vehicle identification
129
Vehicle identification
number
129
Vehicle immobilization unit

30
Vehicle paintwork
132
Vehicle weight
163
Ventilate at a standstill
81
Ventilation, draft free
92
WWarm feet - cool head
92
Warning
71
Warning Light-On
85
Warning lights
20
Washer fluid
Add
124
Fill up 166
Washer fluid reservoir
Everything from A to Z