2002 BMW Z3 ECU

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Manual convertible top, roadster>To avoid damage, carefully fold the
cover and store it in the luggage
compartment.
Do not position heavy objects on
the cover.
If you store the cover away from the
vehicle, the cover should be spread
out.<
2. When the doors are closed, lower the
side windows slightly367de247
3. Pull the release lever away from the
frame as far as possible
4. Holding the convertible top at the
front convertible top frame, lift it out
of the convertible top compartment
and fold it forward
When folding the convertible top
forward, do not grasp it by the
side linkage. If you do so, there is a risk
of injury to your hands and fingers.<
5. 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 convert-
ible top frame, pull the convertible
top down. Hold the top in this posi-
tion and secure both fasteners, refer
also to page 109.367de047
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.<
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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Power convertible top, roadster
*
Weather protectionThe convertible top combines reliable
protection from the elements with
simple, convenient operation. Here are
a few tips to ensure that you have plea-
sure with your 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. In addition,
keep valuables only in the locked
luggage compartment, even with the
convertible top closed.
Never mount a roof-mounted luggage
rack on the convertible top. Please
contact your BMW center for suitable
securing devices and additional acces-
sories.
To prevent damage, do not operate the
convertible top at temperatures at the
freezing point.
To conserve the battery, it is advisable
to operate the top only with the engine
running.Operate the convertible top only
when the vehicle is stationary.
Do not lay objects on the convertible
top, since they would fall off when the
convertible top is operated and cause
damage or injuries.
Do not reach into the convertible top
mechanism during opening and closing.
Keep children away from the moving
parts of the convertible top during
operation.
The automatic sequence is interrupted
immediately if the button for actuating
the top (pages 45 and 48) is released.
The sequence can be continued in the
desired direction by pressing the
button.<
To open 1. With the doors closed, lower the side
windows a few inches (centimeters)
2. To release the convertible top: pull
the levers outward on the left and the
right of the frame of the top (refer to
the illustration)367de046

46n
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 fasteners
3. Attach the front fasteners367us669
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 cover
secured in place.<
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

48n
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 frame367us366
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 convert-
ible top frame, pull the convertible
top down. Hold the top in this posi-
tion and secure both fasteners, refer
also to page 109.
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.<

56n
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, 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-restraint system 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
device.
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 52, 53. If you do not, the
protective function of the safety belts
will be limited.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Transporting children safelyChild-restraint system 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.
Z3 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
Z3 coupe

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
P Ñ Park Select only when the vehicle is
stationary. The transmission locks to
prevent the rear wheels from turning.R Ñ Reverse Select only when the vehicle is
stationary. N Ñ Neutral Select only if your journey is interrupted
for a longer period. D Ñ Drive
(automatic shift program) This position is designed for driving
under all normal operating conditions.
All forward gears are available. Kickdown In the kickdown mode, you achieve
maximum performance and in
position D, you reach maximum speed.
Depress the accelerator pedal past the
increased resistance point at the full-
throttle position.
M/S Ð manual mode and
Sport Program When you change from D to M/S, the
Sport Program is activated. This is
indicated by "S" in the gear selection
display. The M/S mode is recom-
mended for performance-oriented
driving.
With the first brief touch, the automatic
transmission shifts from the Sport
Program to the manual mode. When
you tab the selector lever in the "+"
direction, the transmission shifts up.
When the lever is tabbed in the
"Ð" direction, the transmission shifts
down. M1 to M5 is indicated in the
transmission range display.
Upshifts or downshifts will only be
carried out by the ATC at appropriate
engine speeds and road speeds. If the 367de704
engine speed is too high, for instance,
the downshift will not be executed. The
gear selected will appear briefly in the
instrument cluster followed by the
current gear.
If you are driving in the manual
mode and wish to accelerate
rapidly Ð to pass another vehicle, for
example Ð shift down manually or with
the "Kickdown" function.<
You can only change from M/S to
selector lever positions "P", "R" and "N"
via the "D" position.
In the following situations, the Steptronic
"thinks" for you in the manual mode:
>In order to prevent engine over-
speeding, the transmission shifts
automatically to the next higher gear
shortly before the engine speed
cutoff point
>At low speeds, the transmission
shifts down automatically Ð you do
not have to act
>In the kickdown mode, the transmis-
sion shifts down to the lowest possible
gear based on the engine speed
>Depending on the situation Ð when
driving in adverse winter conditions,
for example Ð the transmission may
also start out in 2nd or 3rd gear.

94n
Cargo loadingStowing cargoIf you are transporting cargo in your
coupe:
>Load heavy cargo as far forward as
possible Ð directly behind the
luggage compartment partition Ð 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 93). Be sure that no items are
able to penetrate the partition net.
367de702
Z3 cou
pe
Securing cargoFor securing luggage, 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
Z3 cou
pe
Always position and secure the
cargo correctly. If you do not, it
can endanger the passengers during
braking or evasive maneuvers, for
example.
Do not exceed the approved gross
vehicle weight or the specified
maximum axle loads (refer to
page 172), otherwise the vehicle's
operating safety is no longer assured
and you are in violation of the law.
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,
thus endangering vehicle occupants.<