2000 BMW Z8 warning

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Coolant temperature gauge Service Interval Display BlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at moder-
ate engine and vehicle speeds.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the
warning lamp comes on briefly to con-
firm that the system is operational.
If the lamp comes on while operating
the vehicle, the engine has overheated.
Turn it off immediately and let it cool
down.520de031
Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. It is not un-
usual for the needle to rise as far as
the edge of the red zone in response
to high outside temperatures or severe
operating conditions.
For checking coolant level, refer to
page 111.
Remaining distance before
serviceThe displays shown in the illustration
appear for a few seconds when the
ignition key is in position 1 or after the
engine is started.
The remaining distance in miles before
the next scheduled service will appear
together with the display OILSERVICE
or INSPECTION.
The computer bases its calculations for
the remaining distance on the preced-
ing driving conditions.
A flashing display and a "Ð" in front of
the number indicate that service is past
due by the number of miles displayed.
Please contact your BMW center for an
appointment.520us006

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Tire Pressure Warning (RDW)The conceptThe RDW monitors the tire pressure in
all four wheels while driving. The sys-
tem provides an alert whenever the in-
flation pressure drops significantly in
one of the tires.
For RDW to "learn" the correct tire infla-
tion pressure, check the inflation pres-
sure in all tires, comparing them with
the values in the inflation pressure table
(refer to page 25), and make correc-
tions as necessary. Then activate the
system.
This indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster will flash to inform
you if the inflation pressure in
one of the tires has dropped signifi-
cantly.
To activate the system 1 Turn the ignition key to position 2
2 Press the switch long enough for the
indicator lamp in the instrument clus-
ter to light up red for a few seconds
3 The RDW undergoes an automatic
"learning" process while you are driv-
ing, and stores this data to aim for op-
timal conditions. This one-time "learn-
ing" process lasts at least 10 minutes,
after which the RDW is able to detect
and report any tire failure.
Repeat this process after any changes
in tire inflation pressure, tire rotation or
replacement.
Once the pressures have been adjusted
to the reference values used in the
"learning" process, do not activate the
system a further time.520de117
Tire failureThe red indicator lamp will flash in the
event of a tire failure.
A supplementary gong is also heard.
Carefully reduce speed to less than
50 mph (80 km/h), avoiding any hard
braking or steering maneuvers while
doing so.
For additional details, refer to page 135.
The RDW cannot alert you to
severe and sudden tire damage
caused by external factors.
Nor can it detect the gradual loss of
pressure at all four tires that normally
occurs over a period of time.<

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Tire Pressure Warning (RDW)
Check tire pressure on a regular
basis and correct it if you need to.
Refer to page 24.
Do not carry out any system activation
while driving with snow chains or while
driving on curves. Malfunction warnings
and undetected losses are possible
while driving under these types of
conditions.
In certain circumstances, there could
be a delayed detection of any loss in in-
flation pressure while driving on snow-
covered or slippery road surfaces.
A sporty driving style can also cause
delayed RDW alerts (e. g. slippage in
the drive wheels, high lateral accelera-
tion).<
System interferenceThe red indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster will stay on for as long as there
is a malfunction.
The indicator lamp will come on if the
system malfunctions.
Please contact your BMW center for
additional information.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Side lamps (Side marker lamps)
With the switch in this position,
the front, rear and side vehicle
lighting is switched on. For light-
ing on one side for parking, refer to
page 68.
Low beams
When you switch off the ignition
and the low beams are still on,
only the side lamps (side marker
lamps) remain on.
520de036
"Follow-Me-Home" lamps:
If you actuate the headlamp
flasher after you have parked the vehi-
cle and shut off the engine, the low
beams will remain on for a brief period.
You may also have this function deacti-
vated if you wish.<
"LAMPS ON" warningIf you turn the ignition key in position 0,
an acoustic signal will sound for a few
seconds after the driver's door has
been opened if the low beam head-
lamps have not been switched off.Daytime running lamps switch
*
The headlamps are automatically
switched on for daylight driving when
ignition key is in position 2.
Turn the knob to adjust the lighting
intensity.520us008
Side lamps/Low beams Instrument lighting

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Car care Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures84
Driving notes85
Catalytic converter85
Antilock Brake System (ABS)86
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)88
Disc brakes88
Brake system89
Winter operation90
Power steering92
Cellular phone92
Radio reception92
Wind protection93
Hardtop94
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure96
Tire condition97
Tire replacement98
Tire rotation100
Wheel and tire
combinations101
Winter tires102
Snow chains102
Approved wheel and tire
specifications103Under the hood:
Hood104
Engine compartment106
Washer fluids108
Washer nozzles108
Engine oil109
Coolant111
Brake fluid112
Vehicle Identification
Number113
Maintenance and care:
The BMW Maintenance
System114
Caring for your vehicle115
Airbags121
Storing your vehicle122
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications123
California Proposition 65
Warning123
OBD interface socket124

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Antilock Brake System (ABS)Information for your safetyNot even ABS can suspend the laws
of physics. The consequences of brake
applications with inadequate clear-
ances for safety between vehicles,
excessive speed or if aquaplaning
occurs are always the responsibility of
the driver. You should never allow the
added safety of ABS to mislead you into
taking risks of any kind.
Do not make any modifications
to the ABS system.
Service procedures on ABS are to be
performed by authorized technicians
only.<
In the event of a fault
If the ABS warning lamp comes
on, refer to page 19. The brake
system will then function the
same as on vehicles without
ABS. However, have the brake
system checked by your BMW
center as soon as possible. To prevent
undetected defects and cumulative
faults from adversely affecting the brake
system, refer any problems to your
BMW center at the earliest opportunity.
Cornering Brake Control (CBC)CBC is an advanced ABS engineering
design. Vehicle stability is also en-
hanced when braking during cornering
at high lateral acceleration, or when
braking during a lane changing.

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Dynamic Brake Control (DBC) Disc brakesIf you step on the brake rapidly, this
system automatically produces maxi-
mum braking force boost and thus
helps to achieve the shortest possible
braking distance during "panic stops."
All of the benefits of the ABS system
are exploited under these circum-
stances.
Do not reduce the pressure on the
brake pedal for the duration of the brake
application. When the brake pedal is
released, the DBC is deactivated.
In the event of a malfunction,
the yellow brake warning lamp
comes on. Normal braking effi-
ciency and ABS are still fully
available. Have the system
checked and repaired at your
BMW center as soon as possible.
Information for your safetyNot even DBC can suspend the laws
of physics. The consequences of brake
applications with inadequate clear-
ances for safety between vehicles,
excessive speed or if aquaplaning
occurs are always the responsibility of
the driver. You should never allow the
added safety provided by DBC to mis-
lead you into taking risks of any kind.Disc brakes furnish optimum decelera-
tion and braking control and greater
fade resistance under heavy use.
When the vehicle is driven only occa-
sionally, during extended periods when
the vehicle is not used at all, or in oper-
ating conditions where brake applica-
tions are less frequent, there is an in-
creased tendency for corrosion of the
rotors and accumulation of contamina-
tion on the brake pads. This occurs
because the minimal pressure which
must be exerted by the pads to clean
the rotors by brake applications is not
achieved.
If the brake rotors are corroded, they
will tend to respond to braking with a
pulsating effect that even extended
brake applications will fail to cure.
For your own safety: use only
brake pads BMW has approved
for your specific vehicle model. BMW
cannot evaluate non-approved brake
pads to determine if they are suited for
use, and therefore cannot ensure the
operating safety of the vehicle if they
are installed.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Disc brakes Brake systemDriving notesWhen driving in wet conditions and in
heavy rain, it is effective to apply light
pressure to the brakes every few miles
or kilometers. Watch traffic conditions
to ensure that this maneuver does not
endanger other road users. The heat
which is generated by the brake appli-
cations helps to dry the brake pads and
rotors.
Maximum braking force is obtained
while the wheels are not locked, but
rather when they are still barely turning
immediately prior to locking. ABS main-
tains this state automatically. If the ABS
fails, you should revert to the staggered
braking technique (refer to page 91).
Long or steep mountain descents do
not necessarily lead to reduced braking
efficiency if you drive downhill with the
transmission in a gear requiring minimal
brake applications.
Braking effect on the engine can be
further increased by downshifting, into
first gear, if necessary.If engine braking should prove to be
inadequate, you should still avoid ex-
tended, continuous braking. Instead of
maintaining low to moderate pressure
over an extended period of time, you
should decelerate by applying more
substantial pressure to the brake pedal
(watch for following traffic), releasing
the pedal, and then repeating the appli-
cation (staggered braking). The cooling
phases between active braking inter-
vals prevent the brakes from overheat-
ing and retain full braking capacity.
Do not coast with the clutch de-
pressed, the gear-shift lever in
neutral, or, above all, with the engine
shutt off; otherwise, the engine will pro-
vide no braking effect if the transmis-
sion is in neutral, and there is no brak-
ing or steering power assist if the
engine is not running. Do not allow floor
mats, carpets or any other objects to
protrude into the area around the brake
pedal, the clutch or the accelerator
which could obstruct their freedom of
movement.<
Brake fluid level
The brake warning lamp comes
on with the parking brake
released:
The brake fluid level is too low in
the reservoir (refer to page 112).
If the brake fluid level is too low
and brake pedal travel has become no-
ticeably longer, there may be a defect
in one of the brake system's hydraulic
circuits.
Proceed to the nearest BMW cen-
ter. Higher brake application pres-
sure may be necessary under these con-
ditions, and brake pedal travel may be
significantly longer. Please remember to
adapt your driving style accordingly.<