2000 BMW Z8 tow

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To ensure that your vehicle provides
maximum economy throughout a long
service life, we request that you
observe the following instructions:
Your BMW Z8 roadster is an espe-
cially high-quality vehicle. It is in
your best interest to follow the break-in
instructions very closely. Doing this will
create the basis for a long, optimum
service life.<
Engine and differentialUp to 1,200 miles (2,000 km):
Drive at varying engine and road
speeds, but do not exceed 4,500 rpm
(4,500/min), or a road speed of 106 mph
(170 km/h).
Obey your local and state maximum
speed limits.
Absolutely refrain from the full-throttle
position with the accelerator.
Once you have driven 1,200 miles
(2,000 km), you can begin to gradually
increase both the engine speed and
road speed.
You should also comply with these
break-in procedures if the engine or
differential is replaced later in the
course of the vehicle service life.TiresDue to technical factors associated
with their manufacture, tires do not
achieve their full traction potential until
an initial break-in period has elapsed.
Thus, drive with extra care during the
initial 200 miles (300 km).
Obey your local and state maximum
speed limits.
When the vehicle is being driven
on wet or slushy roads, a wedge
of water may form between the tire and
the road surface. This phenomenon is
referred to as "aquaplaning," or "hydro-
planing," and can lead to partial or
complete loss of traction, vehicle con-
trol and braking effectiveness. Reduce
your speed on wet roads.<
Brake systemApproximately 300 miles (500 km) must
elapse before the brake pads and
rotors achieve the optimal pad-surface
and wear patterns required for trouble-
free operation and long service life.
To break in the separate parking brake
drums, apply the parking brake lightly
when coasting to a standstill (at a traffic
signal, for instance), provided that traf-
fic conditions allow you to do so.
To avoid corrosion, repeat this proce-
dure from time to time.
The brake lamps do not come
on when the parking brake is en-
gaged.
Vacuum for the brake system servo unit
on your BMW is available only when the
engine is running. When you move the
vehicle with the engine shut off Ð when
towing, for instance Ð substantially
higher levels of pedal force will be
required to brake the vehicle. optimally after about 300 miles (500 km).
Engage the gears carefully and without
high engine speeds during this break-in
period.
Break-in procedures

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Brakes:
Do not rest your foot on the brake
pedal while driving. Even light but con-
sistent pressure on the brake pedal
could lead to high temperatures, brake
wear, and possibly, to brake system
failure.
Aquaplaning:
Reduce speed while driving on wet or
slushy roads, otherwise, a wedge of
water can form between the tires and
the road surface. This phenomenon is
referred to as "aquaplaning" or "hydro-
planing." It is characterized by a partial
or complete loss of contact between
the tires and the road surface. The ulti-
mate results are loss of steering and
braking control.
Driving through water:
When there is water on the roads, do
not drive in it if it is deeper than 1 ft
(30 cm), and even then, only at walking
speed, otherwise the vehicle can sus-
tain damage to the engine, the electri-
cal systems and the transmission.<
The catalytic converter reduces harmful
exhaust emissions, and is designed for
use with unleaded fuel only. Even
minute quantities of lead would be
enough to permanently damage both
the catalytic converter and the system
oxygen sensor.To ensure efficient, trouble-free engine
operation and to avoid potential damage:>Be sure to comply with the scheduled
maintenance requirements
>Fill the fuel tank well before it is empty
>Tow-start only when the engine is
cold. If you attempt to tow-start with
a warm engine, unburned residual
fuel in the catalytic converter could
ignite and cause damage. It is better
to start the vehicle with an outside
starting aid
>Avoid other situations where the fuel
is either not burned or burns incom-
pletely, such as engaging the starter
frequently or for extended periods, or
repeated start attempts in which the
engine does not start (stopping and
restarting an engine which is running
properly does not present a prob-
lem). Never allow the engine to run
with any of the spark plug cables dis-
connected.Be sure to comply with the in-
structions above to prevent un-
burned fuel from reaching the catalytic
converter. Otherwise, there is the dan-
ger of overheating and damage to the
catalytic converter.
Extreme temperatures are present with
the catalytic converter both on this and
every catalytic converter-equipped ve-
hicle. Heat shields are installed adja-
cent to some sections of the exhaust
system. Never remove these shields;
do not apply undercoating to their sur-
faces. When driving, standing at idle,
and parking the vehicle, take care to
avoid contact between the exhaust sys-
tem and flammable materials (grass,
hay, leaves etc.). Such contact could
start a fire, resulting in serious personal
injury and property damage.<
Driving notes Catalytic converter

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Wind protection MountingAttach the wind protector while the
convertible top is open and its cover
not mounted.
1 Push the brackets for the wind pro-
tector, with the zippers fastened and
facing to the front, onto both roll-over
protection bars as far as to the upper
edge of the chrome collars (arrow) 520de134
2 Guide the four fasteners to their
respective slots, attach them at an
angle, and press them into place
using the strap hanging in front of
them. Shove the four straps under
the inner side of the convertible top
3 Shove both the center elements all
the way to the vehicle's outside edge
(arrows), so that the cover can then
easily be mounted
4 Fit the cover if you wish to drive with
the convertible top open (refer to
page 40).520de135
RemovingLoosen the mounting fasteners by pull-
ing on the four straps, then reverse the
sequence for attaching.
Put the folded up wind protector in its
protective sleeve and stow it in the lug-
gage compartment.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Tire tread Ð tire damageInspect your tires frequently for tread
depth, wear, signs of damage and for
foreign objects lodged in the tread.
Tread depth should not be allowed to
fall below 0.12 in (3 mm), even though
the legally specified minimum tread
depth is only 0.063 in (1.6 mm). At a
tread depth of 0.063 in (1.6 mm), tread
depth indicators (arrow) in the tread-
groove base will indicate that the legally
permissible wear limit has been
reached. Below 0.12 in (3 mm) tread
depth, there is an increased risk of
aquaplaning, even at relatively moder-
ate speeds and with only small amounts
of water on the road.390de331
Avoid overloading the vehicle so
that the permitted load on the tires
is not exceeded. Overloading can lead
to overheating and increases the rate
at which damage develops inside the
tires. You could have a blowout as a
result.
Unusual vibrations encountered during
normal vehicle operation can indicate
tire failure or some other vehicle defect,
as can variations in normal vehicle
response, such as a pronounced ten-
dency to pull to the left or right. Should
this occur, respond by immediately re-
ducing your speed. Proceed carefully to
the nearest BMW center or professional
tire center, or have the vehicle towed in
to have it and its tires inspected.
Tire damage can endanger the lives of
both the vehicle occupants and other
road users.<
Tire condition

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Replacement procedures:
Onboard tool kit128
Windshield wiper blades128
Lamps and bulbs129
Changing a wheel135
Battery136
Fuses138
In case of electrical
malfunction:
Fuel filler door140
Luggage compartment lid,
storage compartment140
Passenger-side door141
Closing the convertible top141
Giving and receiving
assistance:
Jump starting143
Towing144
Repairs

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The onboard tool kit is located under
the luggage compartment's floor panel.
520de059
1 To move the wipers to the fold-out
position:
Turn the ignition on. Set the wiper
lever in position 1 (intermittent set-
ting). Turn the ignition back off during
the wiper-delay pause. The wipers
will then be in a rather vertical position
2 Rotate the wiper arm completely out
from the windshield
3 Position the wiper blade at an angle
and pull the release spring (arrow)
4 Fold the wiper blade down and
unhook it toward the windshield
5 Pull the wiper blade past the wiper
arm toward the top
6 Insert a new wiper blade and press it
in until you hear it click into place. 520de060
Fold the wipers back onto the
windshield before turning the igni-
tion key to position 1 or 2. If you do not,
the wipers could be damaged.<
Use only wiper blades approved
by BMW.<
Onboard tool kit Windshield wiper blades

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Lamps and bulbsReplace the rear foglamp 21 watt bulb
1 Unlock the ventilation grille by giving
it a 1/4 turn (use a screwdriver or
coin) and remove it520de068
2 Reach into the opening, turn the bulb
holder to the left and take it out
3 Replace the bulb.Replace the backup lamp 21 watt bulb
Replacing this bulb is done the same as
it is for the rear foglamp.520de069
Replace the license plate lamp5 watt bulb
1 Turn the lamp to the right and take it
out by pulling downward
2 Turn the lamp socket toward the rear
and take it out
3 Replace the bulb.520us012

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Jump starting Towing6 Start the support vehicle's engine
and let it run
7 Start the engine on the vehicle need-
ing the jump start, and allow it to run
as usual. If the first start attempt is
not successful, wait a few minutes
before another attempt in order to
allow the discharged battery to
recharge
8 Before disconnecting the jumper
cables from your BMW, turn on the
lamps, set the blower to the highest
speed and allow the engine to run for
at least 10 seconds. This will prevent
a voltage surge from the voltage reg-
ulator to the electrical accessories
9 Then disconnect the jumper cables in
reverse sequence.
Have the battery recharged if necessary.
Tow fittingThe screw-in tow fitting is stored in the
onboard tool kit; be sure that it remains
in the vehicle at all times. This fitting
is designed for installation in the tow
sockets located at the front and rear of
the vehicle. It is intended for towing on
paved road surfaces only.
It should not be used to pull a vehicle
out of deep snow, mud, sand, etc.
Always observe all applicable towing
laws and regulations.Access to tow socketsFront
The uppermost grille stub is clipped on
the grille Ð which is located below the
main grille on the lower right Ð and this
grille can be pulled off, if you pull for-
ward on it.520de081
Rear
Use a screwdriver to press sideways on
the opening to remove the cover (arrow).
Screw the tow fitting in until it bot-
toms firmly. If this is not done, the
threads could be damaged.
Do not tow the vehicle by any compo-
nents of the running gear, or lash them
down in any way. If you do so, the com-
ponents could be damaged, leading to
possible accidents.<
Use only a nylon towing strap to tow
the vehicle. The inherent resilience of
this material helps protect both vehicles
from sudden jerking movements.520de065