Contents
Owner service procedures
Advanced technology
Technical data
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
Towing144Airbags148
Radio reception148
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)149
Safety belt tensioner149
Interior rearview mirror with
automatic dimmer150
Xenon lamps151Engine data154
Dimensions155
Weights156
Capacities157
Electrical system158
Drive belts158
36n
Alarm systemThe conceptThe vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the lug-
gage compartment lid is opened,
>To movement inside the vehicle
(interior motion sensor)
>To variations in the vehicle tilt sensor
such as those occuring during at-
tempts to steal the wheels or tow
the vehicle
>To interruption of battery voltage.
The system responds to unauthorized
vehicle entry and attempted theft by
simultaneously activating the following:
>Sounding an acoustical alarm for
30 seconds
>Activating the hazard warning flash-
ers for approx. five minutes
>Flashing the high beams on and off in
sync with the hazard warning flashers.
To activate and deactivate the
alarm systemWhen the vehicle is locked or unlocked
via a door lock or with the remote con-
trol, the alarm system is also simulta-
neously armed or disarmed.
The interior motion sensor and tilt alarm
sensor are activated approx. 30 sec-
onds after you have finished locking the
vehicle.
The system indicates that it has been
correctly armed by switching on the haz-
ard warning flashers for a single cycle
and by emitting an acoustical signal.
You can have different signals set
as acknowledgment messages for
arming and disarming.<
Indicator lamp displaysThe indicator lamp is located in the
inside rear view mirror's rotary knob.
>When the indicator lamp flashes con-
tinuously, the system is armed
>The indicator lamp flashes during
arming: the door(s), the hood or lug-
gage compartment lid are not com-
pletely closed. Even if you do not
close the alerted area, the remaining
areas are deadlocked, and the indi-
cator lamp flashes continuously after
10 seconds. However, the interior
motion sensor is not activated
>The indicator lamp goes out during
disarming: no manipulation or
attempted intrusions have been
detected in the period since the
system was armed520de014
41n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
The automatic convertible top4 Lock the cover by pressing down to
the right and left
5 Pull on the knob to check that it is
securely locked
Each time you press down on the
locking device, you will either lock
or unlock the cover.<
Be sure that the cover is secured
properly on the vehicle. If it is not
firmly secured, the flow of air while driv-
ing could loosen the cover at higher
speeds.<520de038
To remove the cover Follow the same steps as for assembly,
however, in reverse sequence.
After removing, feed both of the outside
ends for the cover under its respective
retaining strap, fold it in the middle and
then fold it toward the outside (leather
on leather).
Put the folded up cover back into its
protective sleeve and stow it in the lug-
gage compartment.520de109
Closing1 Press and hold the switch in the
"Close" (2) direction until the auto-
matic closing procedure stops of its
own accord, right before the convert-
ible top frame is lying on top of the
window frame520de083
51n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Airbags Child restraints
*
The illustration shows the correct seat-
ing position for an older child wearing a
safety belt with sufficient distance be-
tween him and the side airbag (arrow).520de116
Before installing any child restraint
device or child seat, please read
the following:
Never install a rear-facing child restraint
system in the passenger seat of this
vehicle.
If the airbag deploys and hits the back-
rest of the rear-facing child seat, it is
likely that the child sitting in the rear-
facing child seat will be seriously
injured or killed.
Certain precautions should be taken if it
is necessary for a child (not an infant) to
ride in the vehicle. First, move the pas-
senger seat as far away from the instru-
ment panel as possible. This important
precaution is intended to maximize the
distance between the airbag and the
child. Older children should be tightly
secured with the safety belt. Younger
children should be secured in an appro-
priate forward-facing child-restraint
system that has first been secured with
a safety belt.
In the interest of the child's safety,
please read carefully and comply with
the instructions for installation and use
provided by the child restraint's manu-
facturer whenever you use such a de-
vice.
Do not allow children to lean out of a
child restraint system toward the door
or instrument panel, as otherwise seri-
ous injuries may result if the airbag
deploys. Always ensure that all occu-
pants (of all ages) remain properly and
securely restrained at all times.
Read carefully and comply with the
safety precautions regarding safety
belts on page 48, otherwise, the pro-
tective function of the safety belts will
be compromised.<
53n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Your car has a steering-column lock
driven by an electric motor.Releasing the steering and
electricity supply>Insert the key in position 0. The steer-
ing is audibly released.
Encountering any resistance when
turning the key to the right means:
the steering column is still not un-
locked. Turning the steering column
to the right and left can make it easier
to turn the key.
The vehicle immobilizer is deacti-
vated
>In position 1, the radio and certain
electrical consumers are operational
>In position 2, the ignition, the starter
and all electrical consumers are op-
erational.520de023
Removing the keyThe key is removed in position 0. Turn
the steering wheel to engage the steer-
ing lock and activate the electronic
vehicle immobilizer.
With a discharged or discon-
nected battery, the steering col-
umn will not be locked or unlocked.
Leaving the key in the ignition uses up a
minimal amount of power. In order to
avoid discharging the battery, remove
the key if the vehicle is to be parked for
an extended period of time.<
If the steering is locked and the
battery discharged or discon-
nected, do not tow the vehicle, as it will
not be possible to turn the steering
wheel.<
Steering/Ignition lock
71n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Heating and ventilation/Air conditioning1 Air onto the windshield and the side
windows
2 Air flow for the upper body
The rotary dials make it possible for
you to open and close the air supply
through an infinitely-variable range,
while the levers change the air-flow
direction. Refer to page 73
3 Front footwell ventilation
4 Air supply
Both the heating and ventilation are
available from position 1 on. Refer to
page 72
5 To defrost windows and remove
condensation73
6 Temperature72
7 Air distribution toward
>the windows
>the upper body
>the footwell
All intermediate settings are possible,
too. Refer to page 72
8 Rear window defroster with the
hardtop in place73
9 Operating
>Recirculated air72
>Incoming air72
>Air conditioner/Incoming air72
>Air conditioner/Recirculated air72
72n
Heating and ventilation/Air conditioningAir supply
You can select blower speeds
from 1 to 4. The higher the set-
ting, the greater the amount of
heat and air supply. In position
0, the blower, heating and air condi-
tioner are switched off.
Temperature
In order to increase the inte-
rior temperature, turn to the
right. For rapid heating, turn
completely to the right. Then
select an interior temperature that is
comfortable for you.
Air distribution
You can direct the airflow onto
the windows , toward the
upper body and into the
footwell . You can also make
all intermediate settings. The "6 o'clock"
setting is recommended for normal con-
ditions (refer also to the illustration and
overview on page 70).
Recirculated air mode
If there are unpleasant odors
in the outside air, you can tem-
porarily block the air supply.
The system then recirculates
the air currently within the vehicle.
If the windows fog over when
using recirculated air, turn off the
recirculated air mode and increase the
airflow if necessary, or press the button
for "defrosting and defogging the win-
dows."<
Venting in outside air
Recommended when driving
with the convertible top open.
The degree to which the pas-
senger compartment is
heated depends on temperature selec-
tion and air distribution.
Air conditioner/Venting in outside
air
The air is cooled and dehu-
midified and Ð depending on
the temperature setting Ð
warmed again when the air
conditioner system is switched on.
Depending on the weather, the wind-
shield may fog over briefly when the
engine is started.
Do not turn on the air conditioner if out-
side air temperature is below approx.
41 7 (5 6). This will help to prevent
the windows from fogging.
If the windows fog over after switching
the air conditioner off, switch it back on.
Air conditioner/Recirculated air
mode
Both systems are operating.
Another advantage is that a
hot vehicle cools down more
quickly with the convertible
top closed. This way, you will get the
lowest possible vented air temperature
(turn the temperature rotary dial all the
way to the left).
81n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Cargo loadingStowing cargo If you are carrying cargo in the luggage
compartment of your BMW Z8 roadster:
>Load heavy cargo as far forward as
possible, directly behind the luggage
compartment partition
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
If you are stowing cargo behind the
seats in your BMW Z8 roadster:
>Stow only lightweight objects, such
as clothing items
>Do not pile objects higher than the
top edge of the backrest.
Do not stow either heavy cargo or
cargo with sharp edges and cor-
ners behind the seats, or else they
could damage the back of the seat or
the rear trim panel.
Cargo that is too big or unwieldy and
stowed behind the seats can also pre-
vent the seat from locking properly into
position. Therefore, check to make sure
that the seat is properly locked into
place, moving the seat forward if nec-
essary. Refer to page 43.
Always position and secure the load
correctly. If you do not, it can endanger
the passengers during braking or eva-
sive maneuvers.
Do not exceed the permissible gross
weight and axle load (refer to page 156),
otherwise the vehicle's operating safety
is no longer assured and you are in
violation of the law.
Make sure to secure heavy or hard
objects you stow in the passenger area,
otherwise, these objects could be flung
about during braking or evasive
maneuvers and possibly injure vehicle
occupants.<