58n
Manual transmission
Turn signal/Headlamp flasher
Every time you shift gears, always
depress the clutch pedal all the way
down, pushing the gear lever into the
desired position.
Always remember to depress the clutch
pedal when starting the engine; a lock-
out device prevents starting when the
clutch is engaged.
The shift lever's neutral plane is located
between 3rd and 4th gears.
The shift lever automatically returns to
the 3rd/4th plane whenever you select
neutral. 520de158
When shifting across the gate to
the 5th/6th gear plane always
remember to push the lever to the right
to avoid inadvertent engagement of 3rd
or 4th gear <
Reverse Select "Reverse" only when the vehicle
is stationary. Press the shift lever to the
left to overcome the resistance.
As you do this, the backup lamp will
turn on automatically when the ignition
key is in position 2.
Never slip the clutch to prevent
the car from rolling backwards
when stopping on hills. Slipping the
clutch for extended periods leads to
rapid, premature clutch wear. <
1 High beam (blue indicator lamp)
2 Headlamp flasher (blue indicator
lamp)
3 Turn signals (green indicator lamp
and cyclical clicking from the blinker
relay)
If the indicator lamp and the clicking
from the relay are faster than normal,
one of the turn signal bulbs is defective.To signal brieflyPress the lever up to but not beyond
the pressure point. It then returns to the
center position when released.520de025
69n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Side lamps (Side marker lamps)
With the switch in this position,
the front, rear and side vehicle
lighting is switched on.
When leaving the vehicle parked, you
also have the additional option of acti-
vating the lighting on just one side, refer
to page 70.
Low beam headlamps
When you switch off the ignition
and the low beams are still on,
only the side lamps (side marker
lamps) remain on.
520de036
"Follow-me-home lighting":
If you actuate the headlamp
flasher after you have parked the
vehicle and shut off the engine, the low
beams will remain on for a brief period.
You may also have this function deacti-
vated if you wish.<
"LAMPS ON" warningIf you turn the ignition key to position 0,
an acoustic signal will sound for a few
seconds after the driver's door has
been opened if the low beam head-
lamps have not been switched off.Daytime running lamps
*
The headlamps are automatically
switched on for daylight driving when
ignition key is in position 2.
Turn the knob to adjust the lighting
intensity.520us008
Side lamps/Low beams Instrument panel lighting
70n
High beams/Parking lamps
Rear fog lamp Interior lamps
1 High beam (blue indicator lamp)
2 Headlamp flasher (blue indicator
lamp)
3 Parking lampsParking lamp, left or rightWhen leaving the vehicle parked, you
also have the additional option of acti-
vating the lighting on just one side:
With the ignition key in position 0, move
the turn signal lever in the desired
direction (for left or right side); allow the
detent to engage.520de025
The yellow indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster lights up
whenever the rear fog lamp is
switched on.
Obey the legal stipulations regarding
foglamp use.
520de039
The interior lamps operate automati-
cally.Switching the interior lamps on
and off manuallyTurn the knob.
If you want the interior lamps to
remain off, keep the knob turned for
approx. 3 seconds.
Turn the knob again to turn it back on.Footwell lampsThe footwell lamps operate in the same
way as the interior lamps.520de040
129n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Lamps and bulbs The lamps and bulbs make essential
contributions to the safety of your
vehicle. Therefore, comply fully with the
following instructions during bulb
replacement. If you are not familiar with
any of the procedures, consult your
BMW center.
Do not touch the glass portion of
a new bulb with your bare hands
since even small amounts of impurities
burn into the surface and reduce the
service life of the bulb. Use a clean
cloth, paper napkin, or a similar material,
or hold the bulb by its metallic base.<
A replacement bulb set is available from
your BMW center.
Whenever working on the elec-
trical system, switch off the elec-
trical accessory you are working on or
disconnect the cable from the negative
terminal of the battery. Failure to do this
could result in short circuits.
To prevent injuries and damage,
comply with any instructions provided
by the bulb manufacturer.<
When cleaning the headlamps,
please observe the following:
>Do not wipe dry (scratches). Never
use abrasives or strong solvents to
clean the covers
>Remove dirt and contamination (such
as insects) by soaking with BMW Car
Shampoo and then rinsing with plenty
of water
>Always use a deicer spray to remove
accumulated ice and snow Ð never
use a scraper.<
Xenon lamps
The main headlamps for your BMW
Z8 roadster have been designed using
xenon-light technology. The service life
of these bulbs is very long and the
probability of a failure is very low,
provided that they are not switched on
and off an unusual number of times.
Should a lamp ever fail, however,
please contact your BMW center for
assistance.
The xenon light unit operates at
extremely high voltages; contact
with the unit's electrical components
can be fatal. We therefore urge you to
refer all service and repairs, including
bulb changes, to qualified professional
technicians.<
Neon lampsThe front turn signal indicators (side
marker lamps), the rear turn signal indi-
cators, the rear and brake lamps, as
well as the high-mount brake lamp, are
of neon-light technology. The service
life for these lamps is very high and the
likelihood of failure very minimal.
Should a lamp ever fail, however,
please contact your BMW center for
assistance.
130n
Lamps and bulbsSide turn signal indicators10 watt bulb
Please contact a BMW center in the
event of a malfunction.Side lamps5 watt bulb
Please contact a BMW center in the
event of a malfunction.
Tail lamps 1 Turn signal indicator red
2 Tail lamp/Brake lamp red
3 High-mounted brake lamp red
4 Backup lamp red/white
5 Rear fog lamp red
6 Reflector red520us010
Side marker lamps, rearPlease contact a BMW center in the
event of a malfunction.520us011
145n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Towing the vehicle
Avoid "off-center" towing. Be sure
that the tow rope is pulled tightly
when the towing vehicle begins to
move.<
The towed vehicle should always
be the lighter of the two vehicles.
If this is not the case, it is no longer
possible to control vehicle response.<
Tow-startingFor instructions on jump starting, refer
to page 143.
Never attempt to use your vehicle to
push another vehicle, since damage to
the energy-absorbing bumpers could
result.
Towing a vehicle1 Put the manual-shift gear lever in
neutral
2 Towing speed:
Max. 45 mph (70 km/h)
3 Towing distance:
Max. 95 miles (150 km)
4 Leave the ignition key in position 1
to ensure that the brake lamps, turn
signals, horn and windshield wipers
remain operative, and to prevent the
steering lock detent from engaging
5 Switch on the hazard-warning system
(comply with country-specific regula-
tions).
Find some means of identifying the
vehicle in tow, e. g. place a sign or
warning triangle in the rear window.
Make sure that the ignition key
remains in position 1 even
when the electrical system has failed
to prevent the steering lock from
engaging. The steering and brakes are
without power assist when the engine is
not running. This means that increased
effort is required for steering and
braking.<
Towing with a commercial tow
truck>Do not tow with sling-type equipment
>Use a wheel lift or flat bed equipment
>Please comply with applicable towing
laws.
Never allow passengers to ride in a
towed vehicle for any reason.<520us014
Everything from A to ZAABS (Antilock Brake
System)21, 88
Accessories6
Activated charcoal filter75
Add
brake fluid112t
engine coolant112t
engine oil109t
washer fluid108, 157
Adjust
seats45
temperature74
washer nozzles108t
Adjustment setting
configuration48
Air conditioner72
Air distribution74
Air outlets72
Air pressure98
Air supply74
Airbags21, 51, 121, 148
Alarm system38
Antenna94
Antifreeze111
radiator92
Antifreeze/corrosion
protection92
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)21, 88
Anti-theft alarm system38
Anti-theft protection32Approved gross vehicle
weight156
Aquaplaning98
Ashtray81
Attach vehicle vacuum
cleaner82
Automatic car washes115
Automatic headlamp
washers60
Automatic windshield
washer60
Avoiding a false alarm39t
Axle loads156
BBackrest
adjusting45
unlock46
Backup lamps58
bulb replacement130t
Battery136, 158
add distilled water136t
capacity158
charge current20
charging137t
discharged143
recycling138t
removing and
installing137t
Belts50
Beverage can holder80
Blower74BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil110
Bore154
Brake hydraulic
system20, 91
Brake system91
faults91t
fluid112t
pads22, 92
refer also to ABS, DBC and
Disc brakes
Break-in procedure86
Bulbs and lamps129t
CCalifornia Proposition
65 Warning123
Can holder80
Car Memory48
Car phone81
Car radio64
reception94, 148
refer also to the radio
Owner's Manual
Car wash115
Care
exterior117
for the vehicle finish118
interior119
CBC (Cornering Brake
Control)21, 89CD player, refer to the radio
Owner's Manual
Cellular phone94
refer also to the separate
Owner's Manual
Central locking system32
key36
Changing a wheel135t
Changing the oil filter157
Changing tires135t
Checking air pressure26t
Checking engine oil
level109t
Child restraint
systems53, 54
Child seat safety54
Child seats53
Cigarette lighter82
Clean headlamps60
Clock64
Cockpit16
Code, refer to the radio
Owner's Manual
Combination switch, turn
signal indicator/headlamp
flasher58
Compartments79
for stowing items78
Compression154
Connector for On-Board-
Diagnostics124
Consumption display62
A-Z
Everything from A to ZService Interval
Display63, 114
Shelves78, 79
Side airbags51
Side lamps69
bulb replace-
ment129t
Side marker lamps69
Skid control93
Slippery roads93
Snow chains92, 103
Socket82
for flashlights82
for power supplies82
for vacuum cleaners82
Sound system, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Spare key30
Spark plugs158
Speaker81
Specified engine oil110
Speedometer18
Starting56
problems87t, 143
Steel wheels103
Steering94
Steering wheel lock55
Stopping the vehicle56
Storage areas78, 79
Storing your vehicle122
Stroke154
Summer tires101Switching off the engine56
Switching off the interior
motion sensor39t
Switching off the tilt sensor
alarm system39t
Symbols4, 136
TTachometer62
Tail lamps130
bulb replacement130t
Tank capacity157
Technical data154
Technical
modifications6, 123
Telephone81
Temperature display
outside temperature64
Temperature gauge
engine coolant63
Temperature
selection74, 75
Tilt alarm34
Tilt alarm sensor39
Tire codes101
Tire damage98t
Tire inflation
pressure26, 98
Tire pressure monitor67
Tire Pressure Warning
(RDW)67
Tire replacement99, 100Tire rotation100
Tire specifications103
Tire tread98
Tools128t
Torque154
Tow fittings144t
Tow starting144t
Towing the vehicle144t
Track155
Traction Control System
refer to DSC65
Transmission58
Transmitter key30
Tread depth, tires98
Trip odometer62
Trunk lid, refer to luggage
compartment lid37
Turn signal indicator23, 58
Turning radius155
UUniform Tire Quality
Grading100
Unusually high steering
effort20, 94
Use anti-freeze112t
radiator112t
Used batteries,
disposal138t
VVacuum cleaner82
Vehicle battery136, 158
Vehicle care
exterior117
interior119
Vehicle equipment
options and accessories5
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN)113
Vehicle immobilizer31
Vehicle painting117
Vehicle storage122
Vehicle weight156
Vehicle, starting56
Vehicle, stopping56
Ventilation72
draft-free75
Vinyl upholstery, care119WWarning lamps20
Washer nozzles,
adjusting108t
Washer reservoir,
filling108t
Washing your car115
Water on roadways87
Waxing, paintwork118
Wear indicator in the
tires99
Weights156