2002 BMW Z8 CONVERTIBLE vent

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Washing your vehicle You can have your new BMW washed
in an automatic car wash. Car-wash
systems that do not employ brushes
are preferable.
Wipe away tough dirt and loosen and
remove dead insects before washing
the vehicle.
In order to avoid spots, do not wash the
vehicle when the hood is warm, or
during or immediately after exposure to
strong sunlight.
In order to protect your convertible top,
do not use washing programs featuring
wax application on your vehicle. The
small amount of beading wax always
used in automatic car washes will not
harm the convertible top.
When using an automatic car wash, be
sure that
>the car-wash system is suited for the
dimensions of your vehicle
>no damage will occur on vehicles
with attached body accessories (such
as spoilers or antennas). Consult the
car-wash operator if necessary>the wheels and tires of your vehicle
cannot be damaged by the convey-
ance devices of the car-wash system
>the vehicle is cleaned with minimum
brush pressure, and that ample water
is available for washing and rinsing.
Parts of the vehicle which are inacces-
sible to the automatic washer Ð such as
door sills, door and hood edges, etc. Ð
should be cleaned by hand.
In the winter months, it is especially
important to ensure that the vehicle is
washed on a regular basis. Large quan-
tities of dirt and road salt are difficult to
remove, and they also cause damage to
the vehicle.
If spray wands or high-pressure
washers are used, be sure to
maintain an adequate distance between
the spray source and the vehicle's
surface. Inadequate distance and
excessive pressure can damage or
weaken the finish, making it more
susceptible to further damage. In addi-
tion, moisture could penetrate to
vehicle components, leading to long-
term damage.<
When cleaning the headlamps,
please observe the following:
>Do not clean by wiping with a dry
cloth. 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.<
After washing the vehicle, apply
the brakes briefly to dry them.
Braking efficiency might otherwise be
reduced by the moisture and the brake
rotors could also be corroded.<
Caring for your vehicle

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Caring for your vehicleCleaning and care of the
convertible topThe appearance and life of the convert-
ible top are highly dependent on its
proper care and operation. You should
pay particular attention to the following
instructions if your vehicle has a light-
colored top.
Protect the vehicle from exposure to
intense sunlight whenever possible by
parking it in the shade. This will help to
prevent the paint, rubber and fabric-
covered parts from being attacked.
Never fold up the convertible top and
store it in the convertible top compart-
ment when it is wet, dirty or frozen, as
mildew stains and chafe spots may
result.
To prevent the formation of a crease in
the rear window and to avoid mildew
stains, do not leave the top folded in
the convertible top compartment for
long periods.
If the vehicle will be parked for lengthy
periods in an enclosed space, be sure
that the convertible top is dry and that
there is adequate ventilation.Clean off bird droppings immediately,
since they attack the convertible top
and cause the rubber seals to swell due
to their caustic characteristics.
Besides water, treat rubber seals only
with talcum powder, rubber-care prod-
ucts or silicone spray, particularly when
they feel dry or tend to stick.
Eliminate noises such as squeaks with
lubricant spray.
Never use sharp-edged objects to
clean the rear window of snow or ice. If
using a deicer spray, make sure that
none of the spray comes into contact
with the convertible top. Because of the
risk of damage and discoloration, do
not apply adhesive tape, stickers, or
similar materials to the window or cover
with plastic film.Dents and discoloration may show up
on the convertible top because of
improper care, cleaning or as the result
of excessive usage. The convertible top
and its seams may also develop leaks.
These problems are not covered by the
warranty. For repairs, please consult
your BMW center.
Special wash for the topRespond to more extensive dirt, which
is especially visible on light-colored top
materials, by cleaning the top with the
BMW Convertible Cleaning Set. Please
proceed as follows:
Spray the convertible top with the
cleaning agent and then rub with a well-
dampened sponge using circular
motions until a foam develops. Then
you can finish washing the vehicle in an
automatic car wash. After three to five
washings the convertible top should be
treated with a special impregnating
spray. Please follow the instructions on
the spray can.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Caring for your vehicle
To remove stains from the
convertible top, use only BMW-
approved cleaning agents. Do not use
spot removers, paint thinners, solvents,
gasoline or similar substances for
removing stains; these agents destroy
the rubber seals, which in turn leads to
leaks.
A full range of car-care products is
available from your BMW center.<
HardtopPlease observe and follow the instruc-
tions for caring for your vehicle starting
on page 117.
Exterior finish Your vehicle is protected by a multilayer
finish applied at the factory. Protection
against corrosion is provided by cata-
phoretic immersion priming using mate-
rials that have been specially developed
over many years of sustained research.
Regular maintenance makes an impor-
tant contribution to maintaining the
safety and value of your vehicle.
Increasing awareness of the effects of
harmful environmental factors on
vehicle finishes have led paint and
vehicle manufacturers to initiate
programs designed to further improve
the durability of their finishes. Despite
this, environmental factors that occur
locally or regionally can have negative
effects on the finish of your vehicle.
This should guide you in determining
the frequency and extent of your efforts
to maintain the vehicle finish.Road dirt, tar spots, dead insects,
animal droppings (strong alkali effect)
and even tree secretions (resins and
pollen), all contain substances capable
of causing damage to the finish of your
vehicle if allowed to remain for an
extended period of time (such as stains,
bumps, scratches and separation of the
top coat).
In industrial areas, deposits of flue dust,
lime, oily soot, precipitation containing
sulfur-dioxide (acid rain) and other envi-
ronmental pollutants will damage the
vehicle's finish unless adequate care is
provided Ð even though this is generally
limited to the outside horizontal
surfaces.
In tropical climates intense ultraviolet
radiation and high atmospheric
humidity are accompanied by tempera-
tures that can exceed 105 7 (40 6) in
the shade. Under those conditions, light
paints can reach temperatures of up to
175 7 (80 6) while darker finishes can
heat to levels as high as 250 7
(120 6).

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Caring for your vehicleCaring for the vehicle finish Regular washing is a preventive
measure against long-term effects from
substances that are harmful to the
vehicle's finish, especially if you drive
your vehicle in areas with high levels of
air pollution or natural contaminants
(tree resins, pollen).
Nevertheless, you should immediately
remove especially aggressive
substances. Failure to do so can lead to
changes in the paint's chemical struc-
ture or to discoloration. Gasoline spilled
during refueling, oil, grease, brake fluid
and bird droppings should always be
cleaned up immediately.
Any contamination remaining on the
surface of the vehicle will be especially
conspicuous after washing. Use
cleaning fluid or alcohol and a clean
cloth or cotton pad to remove. Remove
tar spots with tar remover. After
cleaning, the affected areas should be
waxed to ensure continued protection.
Use the cleaning and car-care
products available at your BMW
center.<
Waxing your vehicle Protect the finish using carnauba or
synthetic-based waxes only.
The best way to determine when the
finish needs to be waxed is by noting
when water stops beading on the
surface.
You can use a glass cleaner to remove
any wax or silicone that may have been
left on the windows during waxing.
Use the cleaning and car-care
products available at your BMW
center.<
Repairing the paintYou can touch up small areas of paint
damage with a BMW spray paint or a
BMW touchup stick.
The color code of your vehicle is
provided on a tag located near the
vehicle data plate and on the first page
of the Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models) or the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet (Canadian
models).
More extensive paint damage should
be repaired professionally in accor-
dance with the manufacturer's instruc-
tions. Your BMW center uses original
BMW finish materials in accordance
with approved repair procedures.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Caring for your vehicleWindow careYou can use window and glass cleaner
to clean inside window surfaces and
mirrors without smearing and streaking.
Never use polishing pastes or abrasive
(quartz) cleansers on mirror lenses.
Clean the wiper blades with soapy
water. The wiper blades should be
replaced twice a year Ð before and after
the cold season.
Use only wiper blades approved
by BMW.<
Caring for other vehicle
components and materials Light-alloy wheels should be treated
with alloy wheel cleaner, especially
during the winter months. However, do
not use aggressive products containing
acids, strong alkalis or abrasives. Do
not use steam cleaners operating at
temperatures above 140 7 (60 6).
Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Carefully clean chrome parts such as
lamp sockets assemblies, door handles
and similar items with an ample amount
of clean water Ð and shampoo, too, if
necessary Ð especially if there is an
accumulation of road salt. Use a
chrome polish for an additional treat-
ment.
Use water to clean plastic components,
headliners, lamp lenses, and surfaces
sprayed dull black Ð adding vinyl
shampoo, if necessary. Do not allow
moisture to soak through the seats or
headliner. Never use solvents such as
lacquer thinner, heavy-duty grease
remover, fuels, or similar substances.
Use a soft, clean cloth to wipe off the
clear covers of the instruments, using
methylated spirits with distilled water as
a cleaning solvent, if necessary, at a
mixing ratio of 1:1.Rubber components should be cleaned
with water only; a rubber treatment or
silicone spray may also be applied.
The safety belts should be cleaned with
a mild soap and water solution without
being removed from the vehicle. Never
attempt chemical or dry cleaning, as
damage to the belt fabric could result.
After cleaning, never allow the inertia
reel to retract the belts until they are
completely dry. Dirty safety belts
prevent the inertia reel mechanism from
retracting the strap properly, thus
constituting a safety hazard.
Heavily soiled floor carpets and mats
*
can be cleaned with an interior cleaner.
The floor mats can be removed from
the vehicle for cleaning.
Clean aluminum surfaces with water
and, if necessary, with a mild soap.
Never use solvents such as lacquer
thinner, heavy-duty grease remover,
fuels, or similar substances.
Use only a wet cloth to clean painted
inner parts. Dry them afterwards with a
soft cloth.
Use the cleaning and car-care
products available at your BMW
center.<

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Caring for your vehicleLeather care The leather upholstery used by BMW is
a natural product of the highest quality,
processed using state-of-the-art
methods to ensure that it will maintain
its high quality for years to come,
provided that it is properly cared for.
Because the leather upholstery is
crafted using unadulterated natural
materials, it will display individual char-
acteristics and possible surface irregu-
larities. You should also bear in mind
that this kind of material needs special
care and attention.
Regular periodic cleaning and care are
essential, as dust and road dirt act as
abrasives in the pores and creases of
the material. This leads to wear spots
and premature brittleness on the
surface of the leather. We therefore
suggest that you clean the leather with
a vacuum cleaner or cloth at frequent
intervals.
For cleaning, use BMW leather cleaning
foam.Since dirt and grease gradually attack
the protective layer of the leather, the
cleaned surfaces should be treated
with BMW leather care agent. This also
prevents static electricity.
For protection against dampness or
moisture, treat the leather with a BMW
impregnating agent.
We recommend that you perform this
procedure twice a year on leather
exposed to normal use.
Spills should be wiped up immediately.
Remove grease and oil stains without
rubbing, but rather by dabbing with
spot remover.
If the upholstery is to be exposed to
intense sunlight or if the vehicle is to be
stored for an extended period, cover all
leather surfaces (or, better yet, the
windows) to prevent fading.
Use the cleaning and car-care
products available at your BMW
center.<
Cleaning agents can contain
dangerous or health-threatening
substances. Therefore, always comply
with the warnings and danger notices
on the package.
Open the doors or windows on your
vehicle when cleaning the interior
(when the convertible top is closed).
Never clean your vehicle with solvents
or other materials not specifically
intended for this application.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Airbags 1 Front airbags on the driver and
passenger side
2 Side airbags on the driver and front
passenger sideImportant safety notices
Do not attempt to remove the gas
generators of the airbag restraint
system from the vehicle. Testing and
servicing are to be performed only by
trained technicians.
In the event of a malfunction, deactiva-
tion, or triggered actuation (as a
response to an accident) of the airbag
restraint system, consult your BMW
center for repairs or service operations.
520de021
Do not modifiy or tamper with either the
wiring or the individual components in
the airbag system. These include the
padded steering wheel hub, the instru-
ment panel, and the side trim panels of
the doors. Never apply adhesive mate-
rials to these components or cover or
modify them in any way. Do not remove
or dismantle the steering wheel your-
self.
To ensure compliance with applicable
safety regulations, have a BMW center
dispose of airbag generators.
Unprofessional attempts to service the
system could lead to failure in an emer-
gency or undesired airbag activation,
either of which could result in personal
injury.<

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Vehicle storage
If the vehicle is to be stored for
more than three months, ensure
that the following service operations
are carried out first.<
Preparations for storageHave your BMW center perform the
following procedures:
1. Clean and apply a rust proofing
agent or other treatment to the
engine, engine compartment, under-
carriage, axles and major compo-
nents in accordance with approved
repair procedures. Wash the vehicle,
clean the interior and treat painted
and chromed parts. Clean the
weather-stripping around the hood,
luggage compartment and doors
2. Change engine oil and oil filter at
operating temperature. As an addi-
tional corrosion protection measure,
an anticorrosive agent can be added
to the engine in accordance with the
manufacturer's instructions
3. Check the coolant level and concen-
tration and top off if necessary
4. Check the fluid level of the wind-
shield washer fluid reservoir; top off
if necessary
5. Fill the fuel tank completely to
prevent the formation of condensa-
tion
6. Increase the tire inflation pressure to
51 psi (350 kPa).Before parking the vehicle1. Dry the parking brake and footbrake
by brake applications to prevent the
brake discs and drums from
corroding
2. Park the vehicle in a covered, dry,
and well-ventilated area. Place the
transmission in first gear or, if neces-
sary, chock the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from rolling. Do not engage
the parking brake
3. Remove the battery, charge it
completely and store it in a cool (but
frost-free) room
4. Remove the hardtop and store it
separately, refer to page 96
5. Close the convertible top.
During storageRecharge a battery that has been taken
out of the vehicle every six months. If it
is not recharged, it will not be service-
able. Every time the battery is
discharged, especially over extended
periods, its service life is reduced.Removing the vehicle from
storageRecharge the battery if the "Magic Eye"
turns black, refer to page 138.
Then have Inspection I performed by
your BMW center, including a brake
fluid replacement, if necessary. Refer to
the Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models) or the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet (Canadian
models).