2001 BMW Z8 Owners Manual

137n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Battery
A highly explosive gas is
generated when the battery is
charged.
If you happen to get acid in
your eyes, rinse thoroughly for
some minutes with clear water.
Consult a physician immediately. If you
get acid spray on your skin or clothing,
rinse with plenty of water. If acid is acci-
dentally ingested, consult a physician
immediately.
In order to protect the battery
case from ultraviolet radiation,
do not place it in direct sunlight.
A discharged battery can freeze. Store
the battery in areas where temperature
remains above freezing.
Removing and installing
Do not disconnect the battery
cable when the engine is running.
Disconnecting the battery cable when
the engine is running will cause a
voltage surge which will damage the
vehicle's onboard electronics.
Do not make any modifications in the
wires to the positive terminal. If you do
so, the protective function of the safety
battery terminal is no longer ensured.
Repairs and disposal may only be
performed by specially trained
personnel.<
When removing, first disconnect the
cable to the negative terminal, then
disconnect the cable to the positive
terminal. Loosen the center adjusting
screw for the battery's retaining strap
(use the screwdriver found in the
onboard tool kit) and remove the
bracket.
When installing, first connect the cable
for the positive terminal, then the cable
for the negative terminal.
When installing, make sure that
the battery is seated properly, and
that the battery bracket is installed with
the center adjusting screw. Failure to
observe these precautions could result
in an inadequately secured battery,
which could then shift in an accident.<
Charging the battery Charge the battery in the vehicle only
when the engine is not running. Use the
connections provided in the engine
compartment (for correct connections,
refer to "Jump starting" on page 143).
Before performing any work on
the electrical system, disconnect
the cable from the negative terminal. If
you do not, short circuits can create the
risk of fire or personal injury.<
If you plan to park the vehicle for longer
than 4 weeks, disconnect the battery
from the vehicle's electrical system by
disconnecting the cable at the negative
terminal. Then recharge the battery with
an appropriate battery charger.
If you intend to store the vehicle for
longer than 12 weeks, remove the
battery, charge it and store it in a cool
and dust-free room where there is no
danger of freezing. During storage,
have the battery recharged every six
months. Also, recharge the battery
before it is reinstalled. Failure to
observe these precautions can render
the battery unsuitable for continued
use. Every time the battery is
discharged, especially over extended
periods, its service life is reduced.

138n
Battery Fuses
Return used batteries to a recy-
cling point or your BMW center.
Maintain the battery in an upright posi-
tion for transport and storage. Secure
the battery to prevent it from tilting
during transport.<
If an electrical accessory should fail,
switch it off and check the fuse.
The fuses, their individual ampere
ratings and the equipment in the
circuits they protect are all indicated on
the cover of the fuse box in the glove
compartment and on the inside of the
cover panel for the storage compart-
ment located behind the passenger's
seat.
In the glove compartment>Open the glove compartment
>Unlock the fuse box and swing it
downward
>Remove the lid with the list on it.
Spare fuses and plastic tweezers are
located in the fuse box lid behind the
passenger-side seat
>Use the plastic tweezers to remove
the fuse for the accessory or equip-
ment that has stopped working
>Replace a blown fuse, recognizable
by its melted metal strip, with a new
fuse that has the same color and
ampere rating.520de078

139n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
FusesBehind the passenger's seat>Move the passenger's seat forward
and open the storage compartment
located behind it.
The list is on the lid's inside cover
>Remove the fuse box lid containing
the spare fuses and the plastic twee-
zers
>Use the plastic tweezers to remove
the fuse for the accessory or equip-
ment that has stopped working
>Replace a blown fuse, recognizable
by its melted metal strip, with a new
fuse that has the same color and
ampere rating.520de077
Do not attempt to repair a burned
out fuse or replace it with a fuse
having a different color or ampere
rating. To do this could cause a fire in
the vehicle resulting from a circuit over-
load.<
If the fuse continues to burn out, have
the problem taken care of by a BMW
center.

140n
Manual release Pull the knob with the fuel pump symbol
(arrow) on the right trim panel of the
luggage compartment. 520de151
Manual release 1 Flip the backrest for the passenger's
seat forward and open the storage
compartment located behind it
2 Lift the cover off the fuse box
3 Pull the ring to release the trunk lid
(arrow 1) or the celluar phone holder
(arrow 2). 520de128
Fuel filler door Luggage compartment lid, storage compartment

141n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Passenger door Closing the convertible top Manual release>Unlock from the inside and open (pull
on the door handle twice; refer to
page 36)
>Moving the lever of the passenger-
side door upward or downward.
Upward: door is always unlocked.
Downward: door is always locked,
but can be opened from inside.520de147
Manual operation
You can close the convertible top
manually, but never open it manu-
ally, because this would cause
damage.<
In the event of a malfunction, please
consult your BMW center to have it
corrected.
If you do close the convertible top
manually, please proceed as instructed
in the next column.
1 Take off the oval-shaped cover cap,
using a screwdriver to help you if
necessary
2 Put the long end of the Allen wrench
(from the onboard tool kit) into the
support
3 Unlock the locking retainer by turning
it clockwise all the way to the right,
and pull the Allen wrench out again 520de137

142n
Closing the convertible top 4 Pull the convertible top on the
convertible top frame forward and
sideways (arrows) and, using a little
effort, swing it forward over the
window frame 520de054
5 Gripping the recessed handle, pull
the convertible top frame all the way
on top of the window frame
6 Place the Allen wrench (from the on-
board tool kit) into the support
7 If you keep turning the Allen wrench
counter-clockwise, you will hear the
convertible top lock with the window
frame.520de106

143n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Do not use spray starter fluids to start
the engine.
If the battery is discharged, the engine
can be started with the use of two
jumper cables and the battery of
another vehicle. Use only jumper cables
with fully insulated grips on the terminal
clamps.
Do not touch the parts conducting
current while the engine is
running. There is a risk of fatal injury if
you do this.<
Carefully comply with the following
instructions to avoid personal injury or
damage to one or both vehicles:
1 Be sure that the battery on the
support vehicle is also rated at
12 volts, and that the capacities of
the two batteries (Ah) are roughly
comparable (refer to printing on
casing)
2 Leave the discharged battery
connected to the vehicle's electrical
system
3 Make sure that there is no contact
between the bodywork of the two
vehicles Ð short circuit risk!
4 Start by connecting the jumper cable
from the positive terminal of the
support vehicle to the positive
terminal connector located in your
BMW's engine compartment. The
cover of the auxiliary terminal for
jump starting is identified by a "+"
sign. Refer to the illustration. Remove
by pulling the tab (arrow) 520de088
5 Then connect the negative terminals.
Attach the cable to either the support
vehicle's negative battery terminal (Ð),
or to a suitable ground on its engine
or bodywork. Then connect the other
end of the cable to a ground on the
engine or on the bodywork of the
vehicle that is to be started. This is
a special nut that is provided on your
BMW (refer to the illustration)
Follow the same sequence for
connecting the jumper cables if
you assist in jump starting another
vehicle, otherwise, you run the risk of
injury caused by spark generation at the
battery.<520de133
Jump starting

144n
Jump starting Towing the vehicle6 Start the support vehicle's engine
and let it run
7 Start the engine on the vehicle
needing the jump start, and allow it to
run as usual. If the first start attempt
is not successful, wait a few minutes
before another attempt in order to
allow the discharged battery to
recharge
8 Before disconnecting the jumper
cables from your BMW, turn on the
lamps, set the blower to the highest
speed and allow the engine to run for
at least 10 seconds. This will prevent
a voltage surge from the voltage
regulator to the electrical accessories
9 Then disconnect the jumper cables in
reverse sequence.
Have the battery recharged if necessary.
Tow fittingThe screw-in tow fitting is stored in the
onboard tool kit; be sure that it remains
in the vehicle at all times. This fitting
is designed for installation in the tow
sockets located at the front and rear of
the vehicle. It is intended for towing on
paved road surfaces only.
It should not be used to pull a vehicle
out of deep snow, mud, sand, etc.
Always observe all applicable towing
laws and regulations.Access to tow socketsFront:
The uppermost grille stub is clipped on
the grille Ð which is located below the
main grille on the lower right Ð and this
grille can be pulled off, if you pull
forward on it.520de152
Rear:
Use a screwdriver to press sideways on
the opening to remove the cover (arrow).
Screw the tow fitting in until it
bottoms firmly. If this is not done,
the threads could be damaged.
Do not tow the vehicle by any compo-
nents of the running gear, or lash them
down in any way. If you do so, the
components could be damaged,
leading to possible accidents.<
Use only a nylon towing strap to tow
the vehicle. The inherent resilience of
this material helps protect both vehicles
from sudden jerking movements.520de164