26n
Fuel specifications Tire inflation pressuresThe engine uses lead-free gasoline
only.
Required fuel:
>Premium Unleaded Gasoline,
min. 91 AKI.
AKI = Anti Knock Index
Do not use leaded fuels. The use
of leaded fuels will cause perma-
nent damage to the system's oxygen
sensor and the catalytic converter.<
The inflation pressures are indicated on
a label attached to the B-pillar behind
the driver's door (visible with door
open).Check tire pressuresAll pressure specifications are indicated
in psi (kilopascal [kPa]) with the tires at
ambient temperature (refer also to the
next page).
Check tire inflation pressures
regularly Ð at least every two
weeks and before every extended
journey. Incorrect tire pressure can
otherwise lead to tire damage and acci-
dents.
Check the inflation pressure of the
spare tire as well. Refer to the following
table and to page 110.<367de388
Comply with tire approval
specificationsThe inflation pressures in the table apply
to tires made by BMW-approved manu-
facturers. Your BMW center is familiar
with these pressures. Higher pressures
may be specified for tires made by other
manufacturers. You will find a list of
approved tires beginning on page 116.
Your vehicle is equipped with tires that
meet both US standards and European
standards. We recommend the exclu-
sive use of BMW-approved tires.
28n
Opening and closing:
Keys30
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer31
Central locking system32
Opening and closing from the
outside32
Opening and closing from the
inside36
Luggage compartment lid36
Electric power windows38
Sunroof, coupe39
Convertible top40
Adjustments:
Seats49
Mirrors50
Safety systems:
Safety belts52
Airbags54
Transporting children safely56
Driving:
Ignition lock58
Starting the engine59
Switching off the engine60
Parking brake60
Manual transmission61
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic62
Controls
31n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Electronic vehicle immobilizerThe key to securityThe electronic vehicle immobilization
unit increases the anti-theft protection
of your BMW Ð you do not have to
adjust or activate anything. This elec-
tronic immobilization system is
designed to reduce the susceptibility of
the vehicle to theft by making it impos-
sible to start the engine using any
means other than the special keys
furnished with the vehicle.
Your BMW center can cancel the elec-
tronic system authorization for indi-
vidual keys (in the event a key is lost,
for instance). A deactivated key can no
longer be used to start the engine.
How the electronics workAt the heart of this system is an elec-
tronic chip which is integrated into the
key. The lock mechanism itself is actu-
ally a dual-function device, simulta-
neously serving as a communications
interface designed to allow the security
system to maintain a continuous stream
of variable, vehicle-specific signals with
the electronic circuitry in the key. The
system will not release the ignition, fuel
injection and starter unless it recog-
nizes an "authorized" key.
Force applied to the key can
damage the integrated electronic
circuitry. A damaged key can no longer
be used to start the engine.<
44n
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
58n
0 Steering lockedThis is the only position in which the
ignition key can be inserted and
removed.
An acoustic warning sounds when you
fail to remove the ignition key after
opening the driver's door.
After removing the key, turn the
steering wheel slightly to the left or right
until the lock engages.367de009
Vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion
*:
Your vehicle is equipped with an inter-
lock. This means that the ignition key
cannot be turned to position 0 and
removed until the selector lever is in
position "P".
Furthermore, the selector lever is
locked in position "P" when the ignition
key is in position 0 or removed from the
ignition lock.
To turn the key back to position 0 or to
remove it, first move the selector lever
to position "P".<
1 Steering unlockedYou will often find that it is easier to turn
the ignition key from position 0 to 1 if
you move the steering wheel slightly to
help disengage the detent.
Individual electrical equipment and
accessories are available for use.2 Ignition onAll electrical equipment and accesso-
ries are available for use.3 Starting the engineVehicles with manual transmission:
When starting, depress the clutch,
since a lock otherwise prevents the
engine from being started.
Ignition lock
59n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Starting the engineBefore starting>Engage the parking brake
>Be sure that the gearshift lever is in
"Neutral" (or the selector lever in "P"
if the vehicle is equipped with auto-
matic transmission)
>Depress the clutch pedal.
Do not run the engine in enclosed
spaces. The exhaust gases
contain carbon monoxide, an odorless
and colorless, but highly toxic gas.
Breathing the exhaust gases poses an
extreme health risk, and can lead to
unconsciousness and death.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended
with the engine running. An unattended
vehicle with a running engine repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.<
Starting the engine>Do not press the accelerator pedal
while starting the engine.
Do not actuate the starter for too
short a time. Do not turn it for
more than approx. 20 seconds. Release
the ignition key immediately after the
engine starts.
Do not allow the engine to warm up
by leaving it running while the vehicle
remains stationary. Instead, begin to
drive immediately at a moderate engine
speed.<
Should the engine fail to start on the
first attempt (if it is very hot or cold, for
instance):
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Cold starts at very low temperatures,
from approx. +5 7 (Ð15 6) and at
altitudes above approx. 3,300 ft
(1,000 m):
>On the first start attempt, engage the
starter for a longer period (approx.
10 seconds).
If these temperature conditions are
anticipated for a longer period, have the
engine oil changed to a special oil, refer
to page 124. Please contact your BMW
center for additional information.
Usually, it is not necessary to depress
the accelerator pedal. However, at high
altitudes or in very hot or very cold
weather, depress the pedal halfway
down when starting the engine.
Engine idle speed is controlled by the
engine computer system. Increased
speeds at start-up are normal and
should decrease as the engine warms
up. If engine speed does not decrease,
service is required.
To prevent the battery from
discharging, always switch off any
accessories which are not required.
Switch off the ignition when the vehicle
is not being driven.
60n
Switching off the engine Parking brakeTurn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Do not remove the ignition key
while the vehicle is rolling. The
steering locks and it is impossible to
steer the vehicle.
Always remove the ignition key and
engage the steering lock before leaving
the vehicle.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake when
parking on slopes and inclined
surfaces, since even placing the gear-
shift lever in 1st gear or reverse may not
provide adequate resistance to rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in "P".<
The parking brake is designed primarily
to prevent the vehicle from rolling when
parked. It operates against the rear
wheels.To engageThe lever engages automatically when
you pull it up, and the indicator lamp in
the instrument panel comes on when
the ignition key is in position 2, refer to
page 21.To releasePull up slightly on the lever, press the
button and lower the lever.367de028
If, in exceptional circumstances,
it should be necessary to engage
the parking brake while the vehicle is
in motion, do not pull it with excessive
pressure. Keep your thumb pressed
against the release button while care-
fully pulling up the lever to apply
moderate pressure.
Excessive pressure can lead to over-
braking and loss of traction at the rear
(fishtailing).
The brake lamps do not come on when
the parking brake is engaged.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake when
parking on slopes and inclined
surfaces, since even placing the gear-
shift lever in 1st gear or reverse may not
provide adequate resistance to rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in "P".<
To avoid corrosion and one-sided
braking, apply the parking brake lightly
from time to time when coasting to a
standstill (at a traffic signal, for
instance), provided that it is safe to do
so.
61n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Manual transmissionPress the clutch pedal all the way down
each time you shift, pressing the gear-
shift lever into its proper end position.
Depress the clutch when starting the
vehicle, too, otherwise, lockout will
prevent the engine from starting.
The gearshift lever's neutral plane is
located between 3rd and 4th gear.
When shifting from each gear into
"Neutral", the gearshift lever returns
automatically to this neutral position
because of its spring loading.367de353
ReverseSelect reverse only when the vehicle is
stationary. Press the gearshift lever to
the left to overcome the resistance.
As you do this, the backup lamps will
turn on automatically when the ignition
key is in position 2.
Do not hold the vehicle in place on
slopes by slipping or "riding" the
clutch. Use the parking brake instead,
otherwise, the ensuing friction to the
clutch plates will cause a great deal of
wear and tear on the clutch.<