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 door141
Closing the convertible top141
Giving and receiving
assistance:
Jump starting143
Towing the vehicle144Airbags148
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
19n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Instrument cluster
1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp for
fuel reserve62
2 Speedometer with indicator and
warning lamps for
>
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)22
>
Engine electronics22
3 Instrument panel lighting69
4 Tachometer62
with indicator and warning lamps
for:
>
Battery charge current20
>
Convertible top operation41
>
Tire Pressure Warning (RDW)20
>
Antilock Brake System (ABS)21
>
Parking brake/Brake hydraulic
system/Cornering Brake Control
(CBC)20
>
Service Engine Soon22
>
Engine oil pressure/Engine oil
level20, 21
5 Coolant temperature gauge with
"Coolant temperature too high"
warning lamp63
6 Indicator and warning lamps for:
>
Rear fog lamp22
>
Turn signal, right23
7 Clock648 Control knob for:
>
Clock64
>
Trip odometer, reset to zero62
9 Indicator and warning lamps for:
>
Please fasten safety belts21
>
High beam23
>
Airbags21
10 Indicator for:
>
Odometer62
>
Trip odometer62
>
Service Interval63
11 Indicator and warning lamps for:
>
Turn signal, left23
>
Brake pads22
20n
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
identified by "
l
" are tested for proper
operation whenever the ignition key is
turned. They each light up once for
different periods of time.
The indicator lamps signal defects in
monitored systems either by remaining
lit after the engine is started or by
coming on in the course of normal
vehicle operation. Refer to the following
section for detailed information on how
to respond to the various types of warn-
ings.
Red: stop immediately
Battery charge current
The alternator is no longer
charging the battery. Indicates a
defect in the alternator drive belt or the
charging circuit. Please contact the
nearest BMW center.
Never attempt to continue driving
if the V-belt is defective: the
engine could overheat and sustain
serious damage. A broken or damaged
V-belt will also lead to a sudden
increase in steering effort.
<
Engine oil pressure
l
Stop vehicle and switch off
engine immediately. Check the
engine oil level and top up as required.
If the oil level is correct, please contact
the nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving. The
engine could sustain damage
owing to 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),
and avoid hard braking or steering
maneuvers.
For additional information, refer to
page 67.
Brake warning lamp
l
If the lamp comes on when the
parking brake is not engaged,
check the brake fluid level. Before
driving further, be sure to read the
notes on pages 91 and 112.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
30n
Keys1 The key memory functions are stored
in the remote-control key, refer to
page 48
There is an extended-life battery
in every master key that is
charged automatically in the steering
lock every time you drive.
For this reason, if you have a master
key that is not in regular use, use that
key approximately once every year
while driving for an extended period to
charge the battery. Also refer to
page 33.< 520de142
2 Spare key for storage in a safe place,
such as in your wallet. This key is not
intended for continuous use
3 Door and ignition key
The lock for the glove compartment
cannot be operated with this key.
This is recommended for valet
parking, etc.
There is a key case available for using
your master key on a regular basis.
Replacement keysReplacement keys are available exclu-
sively through your BMW center. Your
BMW center is obligated to ensure that
a person requesting a key is authorized
to do so, since the keys are an integral
element of the security system (refer to
"Electronic vehicle immobilizer" in the
following columns).
If possible, take all of the master
keys that belong to the vehicle
with you when you pick up your
replacement key.
Whenever you receive a new replace-
ment key, turn it once to position 2 in
the ignition lock (ignition switched on)
and then back, so that the electronic
vehicle immobilizer can initialize the
new key.<
33n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Opening and closing Ð from outsideUsing the remote control Remote control offers you optimal
convenience in using your vehicle's
locking system while also providing
three exclusive supplementary features:
>Interior lamp activation, refer to
page 34.
With this function, you can also
"search for" your vehicle Ñ if, for
example, it is parked in an under-
ground garage.
>Opening the luggage compartment
lid, refer to page 35.
>Panic mode, refer to page 35.
In case of danger, you can trigger
an alarm.
The anti-theft system is also deacti-
vated/activated simultaneously with the
unlocking or locking of the vehicle, and
the alarm system is disarmed/armed,
and the interior lamps are turned on/off.
Master keysKeys with remote control are master
keys. Refer to page 30.
You can have different confirma-
tion signals programmed into the
system to verify that the vehicle has
been locked correctly.<
Because children left within the
vehicle could lock the doors from
the inside, you should always remove
the key and take it with you to ensure
that you remain able to unlock the
vehicle from the outside at all times.<520de010
Master keys that are used repeat-
edly are always ready for opera-
tion since the battery in the key is
charged automatically in the steering
lock every time you drive.
If it is no longer possible to unlock the
vehicle via the remote control, the
battery is discharged. Use this key
while driving for an extended period in
order to charge the battery. Refer also
to page 30.
To prevent unauthorized use of the
remote control, surrender only the door
and ignition key 3 or the spare key 2
(refer to page 30) when leaving the
vehicle for valet parking, for example.
In the event of a system malfunction,
please contact your BMW center. You
can also obtain replacement keys
there.<
38n
Alarm systemThe conceptThe vehicle alarm system responds
>when a door, the hood or the luggage
compartment lid is opened
>to movement inside the vehicle
(interior motion sensor)
>to variations in the vehicle's tilt angle
such as those occurring during
attempts to steal the wheels or tow
the vehicle
>to interruption of battery voltage.
The system responds to attempts of
unauthorized vehicle incursion and theft
by simultaneously activating the
following
>an alarm sounds for 30 seconds
>the hazard warning flashers are acti-
vated for approx. five minutes
>the high beams flash on and off in the
same rhythm.
To activate and deactivate the
alarm systemWhen the vehicle is locked or unlocked
via a door lock or with the remote
control, the alarm system is also simul-
taneously armed or disarmed.
The interior motion sensor and tilt alarm
sensor are activated approx.
30 seconds after you have finished
locking the vehicle.
The system indicates that it has been
correctly armed by switching on the
hazard warning flashers for a single
cycle and by emitting an acoustic
signal.
You can select the individual
confirmation signal used to indi-
cate that the alarm system has been
armed or disarmed.<
Indicator lamp displaysThe indicator lamp is located in the
inside rear view mirror's rotary knob.
>The indicator lamp flashes continu-
ously: the system is armed>The indicator lamp ßashes during
arming: a door, the hood or luggage
compartment lid is not completely
closed. Even if you do not respond by
securing the affected area, the system
starts to monitor all other points and
the indicator lamp reverts to contin-
uous, uninterrupted operation once
ten seconds have elapsed. The interior
motion sensor remains off>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 topWeather protectionThe fabric convertible top combines
reliable protection from the elements
with simple, convenient operation. Here
are a few tips to ensure that you enjoy
your BMW Z8 roadster.
It is advisable to close the convertible
top when the vehicle is parked. The
closed convertible top not only protects
the passenger compartment from
unforeseeable damage from the
weather, it also provides a certain
degree of theft protection. Even if the
convertible top is closed, store your
valuables only in the locked luggage
compartment.
To prevent damage to its rear window,
avoid opening or closing the fabric top
unless the temperature is well above
freezing. Operate the convertible top only
when the vehicle is stationary,
otherwise the procedure will be inter-
rupted. Driving before the opening or
closing procedure has been properly
concluded can lead to damage
or injury.
Do not lay objects on the convertible
top, since they would fall off when the
convertible top is operated and cause
damage or injuries.
Make sure that no objects or people get
in the way while the convertible top is
opening or closing, so that no damage
or injuries occur.
The automatic operating procedure is
interrupted immediately if the switch
for actuating the top is released. The
procedure can be continued in the
desired direction by pressing this
switch.<
To openFrom ignition key position 1:
If at all possible, only operate the
convertible top if the engine is running
to avoid discharging the battery.
Press and hold the switch in the
"Open" (1) direction until the opening
procedure has been completed with the
convertible top being stored in the
convertible top compartment and the
indicator lamp on the instrument cluster
(refer to page 18) has gone out.
The side windows will lower slightly
when the convertible top is being
opened. To reclose the side windows,
maintain pressure on the button after
the indicator lamp goes out. 520de055
55n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Your vehicle is equipped with an elec-
trically powered steering lock mecha-
nism.To activate the electrical power
supply and release the steering>Insert key at position 0. The steering
detent can be heard disengaging. If
you encounter any resistance when
turning the key to the right this indi-
cates that the detent is still engaged:
turn the steering wheel slightly to free
the mechanism and turn the key.
The vehicle immobilizer is deacti-
vated
>The sound system and other electri-
cal accessories are available for use
when the ignition key is in position 1 520de023
>Turning the key to position 2 provides
electrical power to the ignition and all
remaining electrical systems.
Removing the keyThe key is removed in position 0. Turn
the steering wheel to engage the
steering lock and activate the electronic
vehicle immobilizer.
With a discharged or discon-
nected battery, the steering
column 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.<
Ignition and steering lock