
43n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Power convertible top
* – roadster
To mount the coverThe illustration depicts a representative
schematic of the fasteners for the
convertible cover.
To secure, press the outer ring of the
cover fastener onto the mating piece on
the vehicle (refer to the arrows).367de274
The attachment points of the cover are
indicated by the four arrows in the illus-
tration.
1 Position the convertible cover on the
convertible top compartment and
align the upper portions of the
fasteners with the lower portions on
the vehicle.
2 Lift the cover at the rear, reach
underneath it and engage the two
middle attachments.
3 Attach the front fasteners.367us669
4 Push the peripheral frame of the
cover under the edge of the convert-
ible top compartment.
5 Check the convertible cover to be
sure it is properly secured.
In order to avoid damage and
soiling of the inside of the convert-
ible top, always drive with the convert-
ible cover installed.<
Be sure that the cover is secured
properly on the vehicle. If it is not
firmly secured, the flow of air while
driving could loosen the cover at higher
speeds.< 367us077
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Power convertible top
* – roadster
2 When the doors are closed, lower the
side windows slightly.
3 Pull the release lever away from the
frame as far as possible.
4 Hold the footbrake down during the
entire closing procedure.
5 Press and hold the button for
convertible top operation in the
"Close" direction (1) until the closing
process is completed and the
convertible top frame has docked
against the windshield frame.36mus749
6 Insert the pins 1, on the left and the
right, into the guides in the wind-
shield frame. Using the handle recess
in the center of the convertible top
frame, pull the convertible top down.
Hold the top in this position and
secure both fasteners (refer also to
page 97).
If the footbrake is not applied, the
motor which operates the
convertible top will not operate.<
Be sure that the fastener hooks 2
on the left and right are securely
engaged in the frame of the windshield.
If they are not, the convertible top could
open while the vehicle is moving.< 367de047
At higher speeds, it may occur
that the lower air pressure which
is created in the passenger compart-
ment will cause the top or the rear
window to flutter. Increase the air
supply via the ventilation controls so
that a low pressure draft does not occur
in the vehicle.<
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Airbags Transporting children safely This is the correct way a larger child
should sit wearing the safety belt when
side airbags (arrow) are provided.367de360
Before installing any child restraint
system 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.
If it is necessary for a child (not an
infant) to ride in the vehicle, certain
precautions should be taken. First,
move the passenger seat as far away
from the instrument 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 appropriate 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
system.
Do not allow children to lean out of a
child restraint system toward the door
or instrument panel, as otherwise
serious 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 covering safety belts
on pages 49, 50. If you do not, the
protective function of the safety belts
will be limited.<
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Transporting children safelyChild restraint installationThe safety belt on the passenger side
can be locked for mounting and
securing child restraint systems.
A label with operating instructions is
attached to the belt next to the sliding
latch plate.367de361
To lock the beltExtract the entire length of the belt from
the inertia reel mechanism. Allow the
reel to retract the belt somewhat and
engage the buckle, then tighten the belt
against the child restraint system. The
retraction mechanism is now locked.
The belt cannot be retracted further.
Comply with the installation instructions
provided by the manufacturer of the
child restraint system.To release the beltRelease the buckle, remove the child
restraint system and allow the inertia
reel to retract the belt completely.
M coupeFor the use of child restraint systems
with a tether strap, an additional
mounting point is provided in the coupe
at the right rear on the roof frame.
Attach the tether strap hook to the
mounting point. Adjust the tether strap
according to the child restraint manu-
facturer's instructions.367us704
M coupe
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Cargo loadingStowing cargoIf you are transporting cargo in your
coupe:
>Load heavy cargo as far forward as
possible – directly behind the
luggage compartment partition – and
as low as possible.
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
>Do not pile objects higher than the
top edge of the backrest.
>Pull the partition net
* out (refer to
page 81). Be sure that no items are
able to penetrate the partition net.
367de702
M cou
pe
Securing the loadFor securing suitcases, you can obtain
load-securing devices
* from your BMW
center. The lashing eyes located in the
luggage compartment serve for
mounting these load-securing devices.
Comply with the information enclosed
with the load-securing devices.
367de627
M cou
pe
Always position and secure the
load correctly. If you do not, it can
endanger the passengers during
braking or evasive maneuvers, for
example, or in a crash.
Do not exceed the permissible gross
weight and the approved axle loads
(refer to page 158). If you do so, the
operating safety of the vehicle is no
longer ensured, and the registration
specifications are not met.
Do not carry hard or heavy objects
unsecured in the passenger compart-
ment. If you do so, they may be
projected through the air during braking
and evasive maneuvers, for example, or
in a crash, thus endangering vehicle
occupants.<
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Roof-mounted luggage rackA special luggage system is available
for your coupe as an optional acces-
sory. Please comply with the precau-
tions included with the installation
instructions.
Because roof racks raise the center of
gravity of the vehicle when loaded, they
exercise a major effect on its handling
and steering response.
You should therefore always remember
not to exceed the approved roof load
capacity, the approved gross vehicle
weight or the axle loads when loading
the rack. You will find the specifications
for this under "Technical Data" on
page 158.
Make sure that the load is not too large
in size, and distribute it evenly. Always
load the heaviest pieces first (on the
bottom). Be sure that adequate clear-
ance is maintained for raising the
sunroof, and that objects do not project
into the opening path of the luggage
compartment lid.
Lash the roof luggage down correctly
and securely to prevent it from shifting
or being lost during driving – this would
endanger following traffic.Drive smoothly and avoid sudden
acceleration or braking. Do not corner
at high speeds.
The roof load increases the aerody-
namic resistance. Increased fuel
consumption results from this.
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Catalytic converterThe catalytic converter reduces harmful
exhaust emissions.
It 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's 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 the vehicle only when the
engine is cold. Tow-starting when the
engine is warm could cause unburned
fuel to ignite to the catalytic converter,
resulting in significant damage. It is
better to start the vehicle with an
outside starting aid.>Avoid any other situations in which
the fuel would not be (completely)
burned, for instance:
Frequent or consecutive extended
starting attempts or repeated starting
attempts when the engine fails to
start. (Shutting down and restarting
an engine which is running properly
does not present a problem.)
Never let the engine run with any of
the spark plug connectors discon-
nected.Be sure to comply with the
instructions above to prevent
unburned fuel from reaching the cata-
lytic converter. This could cause over-
heating, leading to serious damage to
the catalytic converter.
Extreme temperatures occur at the
catalytic converter on this and every
catalyst-equipped vehicle. Heat shields
are installed adjacent to some sections
of the exhaust system. Never remove
these shields; do not apply under-
coating to their surfaces.
When driving, standing while the engine
is idling, or when parking, be careful to
avoid contact between the hot exhaust
system and easily-flammable materials
(hay, dry grass, leaves, etc.). Such
contact could cause a fire, resulting in
personal injuries and property
damage.<
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Antilock Brake System (ABS)Information for your safetyNot even ABS can suspend the laws
of physics. ABS alone cannot prevent
accidents if the brakes are applied
without an adequate, safe distance
between vehicles or if the speed limit
has been exceeded. Nor can it prevent
the hazards of aquaplaning. Responsi-
bility for these types of situations
remains in the hands (and at the feet) of
the driver. You should never allow the
added safety of ABS to lull you into a
false sense of security, or mislead you
into taking increased risks that could
affect your own safety and that of
others.
Do not make any modifications to
the ABS system.
Service procedures on ABS are to be
performed by authorized technicians
only.< Antilock Brake System (ABS)/
Cornering Brake Control (CBC)CBC is an advanced engineering
feature of the ABS. When braking while
cornering at high speed or braking
during high lateral acceleration, or
when braking during a lane change,
vehicle stability is improved and
steering response is enhanced.
In the event of a malfunction
The ABS warning lamp comes
on, refer to page 22. The brake
system then reverts to conven-
tional operation as on vehicles
without ABS. However, have the
brake system checked by your
BMW center as soon as possible. To
prevent undetected defects and cumu-
lative faults from adversely affecting the
brake system, refer any problems to
your BMW center at the earliest oppor-
tunity.
If the red warning lamp for the
brake hydraulic system comes
on together with the yellow indi-
cator lamps for ABS and DSC
(refer to page 21), the entire
ABS, CBC and DSC control
system has failed. Continue to
drive cautiously and defensively.
Avoid full brake applications
because the vehicle could become
unstable and go out of control.
Have the system checked by your BMW
center as soon as possible.
Warning lamps for Canadian
models.
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