2000 BMW Z8 stop start

18n

Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself

Many of the systems for your BMW
monitor themselves automatically, both
during engine starts and while you are
driving. Indicator and warning lamps
that are identified by "

l

" are tested for
proper functioning whenever the igni-
tion key is turned. They each light up
once for different periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these
systems, the corresponding lamp does
not go out after the engine is started, or
it lights up while the vehicle is moving.
You will see how to react to this below.

Red: stop immediately

Battery charge current
The battery is no longer being
charged. There is a malfunction
in the alternator V-belt or in the charg-
ing circuit of the alternator. Please con-
tact the nearest BMW center.
If the V-belt is defective, do not
continue driving. The engine could
be damaged due to overheating. If the
V-belt is defective, increased steering
effort is also required.

<

Engine oil pressure

l

Stop vehicle and switch off en-
gine immediately. Check the en-
gine oil level and top off as required. If
the oil level is correct, please contact
the nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving. The en-
gine could be damaged because
of inadequate lubrication.

<



Tire Pressure Warning (RDW)

l

Flashing warning lamp in addi-
tion to an acoustic signal: a tire
failure has occurred. Carefully reduce
speed to less than 50 mph (80 km/h),
thus preventing any hard braking or
steering maneuvers.
For additional information, refer to
page 65.
Brake warning indicator

l

If the lamp comes on when the
parking brake is not engaged,
check the brake fluid level. Before driv-
ing further, be sure to read the notes on
pages 89 and 112.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.

19n

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview

Indicator and warning lamps

Red and yellow: continue driving
cautiously

The red brake warning lamp
comes on together with the yel-
low indicator lamps for ABS and
DSC:
The entire ABS, CBC, DSC and
DBC control system has failed.
Continue driving cautiously and
defensively. Avoid full brake
applications. Please have the
system checked by your BMW center
as soon as possible.
For additional information, refer to
pages 63, 86.
Warning lamps for Canadian
models.

Red: an important reminder

Brake warning lamp

l

Comes on when the parking
brake is applied Ð an additional
acoustic signal sounds when starting
off.
For additional information, refer to
page 55.



Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Please fasten safety belts

l

Together with an acoustic sig-
nal. Comes on until the safety
belts are fastened.
For additional information on safety
belts, refer to page 48.
Airbags

l



Please have the system in-
spected by your BMW center.
For additional information, refer to
pages 49, 148.

Yellow: check as soon as
possible

Antilock Brake System (ABS)

l

ABS has been deactivated in re-
sponse to system malfunction.
Conventional braking efficiency is avail-
able and unrestricted. Please have the
system inspected by your BMW center.
For additional information, refer to
page 86.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Engine oil level


Comes on while driving: the oil
level is at the absolute minimum;
refill as soon as possible. Do not drive
more than approx. 30 miles (50 km) until
you add oil.
For additional information, refer to
page 109.
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been shut off: add engine oil at
your earliest opportunity (when you
stop to refuel).
For additional information, refer to
page 109.

63n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
The conceptDSC maintains vehicle stability even in
critical driving situations. The system
optimizes vehicle stability during accel-
eration and when starting from a full
stop, as well as optimizing traction. In
addition, the system recognizes unsta-
ble vehicle conditions (understeering or
oversteering, for example) and holds
the vehicle on a sure course by inter-
vening via the engine and by braking
intervention at the individual wheels,
within physically feasible limits.
The system starts up automatically
each time you start the engine.Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out shortly
after you switch on the ignition.
Refer to page 20.
Indicator lamp flashes:
The system is active and governs drive
force and braking force.
If the indicator lamp does not go out
after the engine is started, or if it comes
on during normal driving and stays on:
There is a system malfunction or the
system was deactivated with the button.
You can continue to drive the vehicle
normally, but without DSC.
Please consult your BMW center for re-
pairs.
To deactivate the systemPress the button, and the indicator
lamp comes on and stays on.
When the DSC is deactivated, you are
operating the vehicle in the conven-
tional drive mode.
In the following rare circumstances, it
may be a good idea to deactivate the
DSC for a short period of time:
>When rocking the vehicle or starting
off in deep snow or on loose surfaces.
To maintain vehicle stability,
always drive with the system
switched on when possible.<520de035
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)

85n
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

91n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Winter operationDriving on low-traction road
surfacesDo not activate the Sport Mode (refer to
page 64). Use smooth, gentle pressure
to control the accelerator pedal. Avoid
excessive engine speeds and shift to
the next higher gear at an early point.
Shift down into the next lowest gear
when approaching uphill or downhill
grades. Maintain an adequate distance
between yourself and the vehicle
ahead.BrakesWinter road conditions substantially
reduce the amount of traction available
between the tires and the road surface.
The resulting increases in braking dis-
tance are considerable and should be
kept in mind at all times.
ABS is intended to prevent the wheels
from locking during brake applications,
thus helping to maintain vehicle stability
and steering response.If the ABS does not respond in a critical
braking situation and the wheels lock,
reduce the pressure on the brake pedal
until the wheels just start to roll again
while still maintaining enough force to
continue braking.
Then increase the pressure, reduce the
pressure when the wheels lock, reapply
pressure etc.
This staggered braking procedure will
reduce braking distances while helping
you maintain steering control.
You can always then attempt to steer
around hazards after you have reduced
pressure on the brake pedal.
Do not shift down on slick road
surfaces if you want to decelerate.
Doing so could cause the wheels to
lose traction and skid, thus resulting in
the loss of vehicle control.<
Depress the clutch during hard
braking on road surfaces that pro-
vide only poor or uneven traction.<
Skid control Depress the clutch and release the
accelerator pedal. Countersteer care-
fully and attempt to regain control of the
vehicle.ParkingEngage first or reverse gear. Depending
on the steepness of the incline, you can
apply the parking brake as well. In order
to prevent the parking brake pads from
locking due to frost or corrosion, dry
them by gently applying the parking
brake as the vehicle is coming to a stop.
Make sure that following traffic is not
endangered.
The brake lamps do not come
on when the parking brake is
engaged.<

Everything from A to Z
165n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Paintwork, minor
repairs118
Paintwork, waxing118
Parking brake55
Parking lamps68
Parking, winter91
Performance154
Pocket flashlight77
Pollen73
Power steering92
Power windows38
Pressure monitoring,
tires65
Pressure, tires24,96
Pre-warmed seats75 R
Radio62
refer also to the radio
Owner's Manual
Radio reception92,148
Radios92
RDW (Tire Pressure
Warning)65
Reading lamps69
Rear foglamps68
Rear lamp130
Rear window
defroster58,73
Rearview mirror45
Recirculated air mode72 Refueling23
Remaining fuel indicator60
Remote control31
Removing condensation
from the windows73
Removing the vehicle from
storage122
Replacement keys28
Reporting Safety Defects5
Restraint systems51
Reverse15,56
Roof load capacity156
Rotating the tires100
Rubber parts90
S
Safety belt tensioner149
Safety belts48
Safety buttons34
Seat heating75
Securing cargo81
Self-defrosting mirrors45
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet
(US models)114
Service Interval
Display61,114
Shelves76,77
Side airbags49
Side lamps67 Side marker lamps67
bulb
replacement129,130
Sliding91
Slippery roads91
Snow chains90,103
Socket80
Spare key28
Spark plugs158
Speaker79
Speed control59
Speedometer16
Starting54
Starting
problems85,143,144
Steel wheels103
Steering92
Steering wheel lock53
Stopping the vehicle54
Storage areas76,77
Storing your vehicle122
Stroke154
Summer tires101
Switching off the engine54
Symbols2,136
T
Tachometer60
Taillamps
bulb replacement130
Tank capacity157
Technical data154 Technical
modifications4,123
Telephone79
Temperature display
outside temperature62
Temperature gauge
engine coolant61
Temperature layering73
Tilt alarm32
Tilt sensor alarm sensor37
Tire codes101
Tire damage97
Tire inflation
pressure24,96
Tire pressure monitoring65
Tire Pressure Warning
(RDW)65
Tire replacement98,99
Tire rotation100
Tire specifications103
Tire tread97
Together19
Tools128
Torque154
Tow fittings144
Tow starting144
Towing144
Track155
Traction Control System
refer to DSC63
Transmission56
Transmitter key28
Tread depth, tires97