2001 BMW Z8 Owners Manual

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
The conceptDSC maintains vehicle stability even in
critical driving situations.
DSC maintains optimal, predictable re-
sponse while maximizing traction when
you accelerate from a standing start or
speed up while already underway. The
system recognizes any tendency for the
vehicle to assume an instable attitude
such as oversteer and understeer, and
counteracts this tendency with a com-
bination of graduated reductions in en-
gine torque and braking intervention at
individually selected wheels. DSC pro-
vides optimal stability Ð within the limits
defined by the laws of physics.
The system automatically assumes
operational status each time the en-
gine is started.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp in the in-
strument cluster goes out
shortly after you switch on the
ignition. Refer to page 22.
The indicator lamp flashes:
The system is actively regulating drive
torque.
The indicator lamp does not go out
after the engine is started, or if it comes
on during normal driving and stays on:
There is a system malfunction or the
system was deactivated with the button.
You can continue to drive the vehicle
normally, but without DSC.
Please respond to any suspected de-
fects by referring the problem to your
BMW center.
To deactivate the systemPress the button, the indicator lamp
comes on and stays on.
When the DSC is deactivated, you are
operating the vehicle in the conven-
tional drive mode.
In the following rare circumstances, it
may be effective to deactivate the DSC
for a short period of time:
>When rocking the vehicle or starting
off in deep snow or on loose surfaces.
To maintain vehicle stability,
always drive with the system
switched on when possible.<520de035
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)

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Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) Dynamic PerformanceTo reactivate the systemPress the button again; the indicator
lamp goes out.
Not even DSC can suspend the
laws of physics. Responsibility for
careless driving remains in the hands
(and feet) of the driver. Never use the
added safety afforded by DSC as an
excuse for taking unnecessary risks.
Do not make any modifications to the
DSC system. Service procedures on
the system are to be performed by
authorized technicians only.<
For additional details concerning DSC,
please refer to the chapter "Advanced
technology" on page 149.
The system reacts to current conditions
with an instantaneous recalibration. It
revises the accelerator's standard
response designed to furnish an ideal
combination of comfort and perform-
ance orientation Ð with a more perform-
ance-oriented response program. The
result is crisper, faster reaction to
throttle inputs (Sport mode).
The system resets to the standard re-
sponse mode, with its combination of
comfort and performance orientation,
each time the engine is restarted. Sport mode recognitionActivating:
In ignition position 2, press the button.
The indicator lamp will come on.
Deactivating:
Whenever the indicator lamp is on, it
will go out if you press the button again.520de057

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Tire Pressure Warning (RDW)The conceptRDW monitors the tire pressure in all
four wheels while driving. The system
provides an alert whenever the inflation
pressure drops significantly in one of
the tires.
For RDW to "learn" the correct tire infla-
tion pressure, check the inflation pres-
sure in all tires, comparing them with
the values in the inflation pressure table
(refer to page 27), and make correc-
tions as necessary. Then activate the
system.
The indicator lamp within the in-
strument cluster flashes to alert
you to substantial pressure loss
in any of the tires.
To activate the system 1 Turn the ignition key to position 2
2 Press the switch long enough for
the indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster to light up red for a few
seconds
3 RDW carries out an automatic
initialization process while you are
driving, and stores this data to aim for
optimal conditions. This one-time
"learning" process lasts at least
10 minutes, after which the RDW is
able to detect and report a flat tire.520de117
Repeat this process after any changes
in tire inflation pressure, tire rotation or
replacement.
Do not reactivate the system after
periodic corrections of inflation pres-
sures to maintain them at the levels
stored during an earlier initialization
process.

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Tire Pressure Warning (RDW)Flat tire The red indicator lamp will flash in the
event of a flat tire.
A supplementary gong is also heard.
Carefully reduce speed to less than
50 mph (80 km/h), avoiding any hard
braking or steering maneuvers while
doing so.
For additional details, refer to page 135.
RDW cannot provide advance
warning of sudden and severe tire
damage caused by road hazards or
other environmental factors.
RDW is also not designed to detect the
gradual, even pressure loss that all tires
exhibit over extended periods of time.<
Check tire pressure on a regular
basis and correct it as required.
Refer to page 26.
Do not activate the system when driving
on snow chains or when operating the
vehicle on a closed racing circuit. False
alarms and undetected pressure loss
are both possible under these condi-
tions.
In certain circumstances, there could
be a delayed detection of any loss in in-
flation pressure while driving on snow-
covered or slippery road surfaces.
A performance-oriented driving style
can also cause delayed RDW alerts
(e. g. slippage in the drive wheels, high
lateral acceleration).<
System interferenceThe red indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster will stay on for as long as there
is a malfunction.
The indicator lamp will come on if the
system malfunctions.
Please contact your BMW center for
additional information.

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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

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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

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Reading lamps

The reading lamps can be switched on
and off using the push button, located
next to each lamp.520de041
In order to prevent battery
discharge, all of the lamps in the
vehicle are switched off automatically
approx. 15 minutes after the ignition
key has been turned to position 0.<

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520de042Heating and ventilation/Air conditioner