2000 BMW Z8 Owners Manual

104n
To unlock Pull the lever located under the left-
hand side of the instrument panel. 520de084
Do not work on your vehicle with-
out appropriate skills. Always
switch off the engine and allow it to
cool down before working in the engine
compartment. Always disconnect the
battery before working on any electrical
systems or equipment, especially when
these are located within the engine
compartment. Comply with all applica-
ble instructions and warnings. If you are
not familiar with the guidelines speci-
fied for the work you are doing on your
vehicle, have it done by a BMW center,
otherwise, improper servicing of parts
and materials constitutes a safety risk
for vehicle occupants and other road
users.<
To openPress the release handle upward and
open the hood.520de085
Hood

105n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
HoodTo closeAllow the hood to fall from just a little
height, and then press down on both
sides of the hood at the same time until
you hear it audibly engage.
To avoid injuries, be sure that the
travel path of the hood is clear
when it is being closed, as with all
closing procedures.
If it is determined that the hood is not
completely closed while driving, stop
immediately and close it securely.<520de086

106n
Engine compartment
520de087

107n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine compartment 1 Brake fluid reservoir112
2 Auxiliary terminal for jump
starting143
3 Coolant expansion tank111
4 Engine oil filler neck109
5 Engine oil dipstick109
6 Reservoir for windshield and
headlamp washer system108

108n
Washer fluids Washer nozzlesHeadlamp and windshield washer
system Capacity in US quarts (liters):
approx. 5.6 (5.3)
Fill with water and Ð if required Ð with a
washer antifreeze (according to manu-
facturer's recommendations).
We recommend that you mix the
washer fluid before adding it to
the reservoir.< 520de080
Antifreeze agent for the washer
systems is inflammable. For this
reason, keep them away from sources
of flame and store them only in their
original containers. Store them so that
they are inaccessible to children.
Comply with the instructions on the
containers.<
Windshield washer system The spray from the nozzles should be
directed onto the windshield so as to
ensure effective cleaning, even at high
speeds. Use a needle to adjust the noz-
zles if required, or have them adjusted
by your BMW center.Headlamp washer systemHave this system adjusted by your
BMW center, if required.

109n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine oilChecking the oil level 1 Park the vehicle on a level surface
2 Let the warmed-up engine idle for
about 15 seconds, then turn it off
3 Pull the dipstick out after about
1 minute and wipe it off with a clean
lint-free cloth, tissue, or similar
material
4 Carefully push the dipstick all the way
into the guide tube and pull it out
again
5 The oil level should be between the
two marks on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption
is directly influenced by your driving
style and vehicle operating conditions.520de089
The oil volume between the two marks
on the dipstick corresponds to approx.
1.1 US quarts (1 liter). Do not fill beyond
the upper mark on the dipstick. Excess
oil will damage the engine.520de091
Adding engine oil Wait until the level has dropped to just
above the lower mark before adding oil.
However, never let the oil drop below
the lower mark.
BMW engines are designed to
operate without oil additives; the
use of additives could lead to damage
in some cases. This also applies to the
manual transmission, differential and
the power steering system.<520de090

110n
Engine oil Specified engine oilThe quality of the engine oil is ex-
tremely important for the function and
life of an engine. Based on extensive
testing, BMW has approved only cer-
tain types of engine oils.
Use only approved "BMW High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil."
If you are unable to obtain "BMW High
Performance Synthetic Oil," you can
add small amounts of synthetic oil in
between oil changes. Use only oils with
the API SH specification or higher.
Ask your BMW center for details
concerning the specific "BMW
High Performance Synthetic Oil" or
"synthetic oils" that have been
approved.<
You can also call BMW of North Amer-
ica at 1-800-831-1117 or visit this web-
site, www.bmwusa.com, to obtain this
information.
Viscosity ratings Viscosity is the oil flow rating as estab-
lished in SAE classes.
Select the correct SAE class based
on the climatic conditions in the area
where you typically drive your BMW Z8
roadster.
Approved oils are SAE classes
5W-40 and 5W-30.<
These oils may be used for driving in all
outside temperatures.
530us050

111n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine oil Coolant
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the dis-
posal of used oil.<
Recommendation: Have the oil changed
by your BMW center only.
Continuous exposure to used oil
has caused cancer in laboratory
testing.
For this reason, thoroughly wash any
areas of skin that come into contact
with oil using soap and water.
Always store oils, grease, etc. so that
they are inaccessible to children, and
follow warning labels on containers.<
Do not add coolant to the cooling
system when the engine is hot,
since escaping coolant can cause
burns.
To avoid the possibility of damage later
on, never use anything other than fac-
tory-approved, nitrite- and amino-free,
extended-duty antifreeze with corrosion
inhibitor. Your BMW center is familiar
with the official specifications.
Antifreeze and anticorrosion agents are
hazardous to health. You should always
store them in their original containers
and in a location that is inaccessible to
children. Extended-duty antifreeze with
corrosion inhibitor contains the flamma-
ble substance ethylene-glycol. For this
reason, do not spill extended-duty anti-
freeze with corrosion inhibitor on hot
engine components. If you do, it could
be ignited and cause serious burns.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the dis-
posal of extended-duty antifreeze with
corrosion inhibitor.<
Adjust coolant level when the engine is
cold (approx. 68 7/20 6):
Up to the MAX mark on the transparent
reservoir.520de092