2002 BMW Z8 CONVERTIBLE Owners Manual

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
The conceptDSC maintains vehicle stability even in
critical driving situations.
DSC maintains optimal, predictable
response 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 combination of gradu-
ated reductions in engine torque and
braking intervention at individually
selected wheels. DSC provides optimal
stability Ð within the limits defined by
the laws of physics.
The system automatically assumes
operational status each time the engine
is started.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment 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 and braking force.
The indicator lamp does not go out
after the engine is started, or 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
defects by referring the problem to your
BMW center.
To deactivate the systemPress the button, the indicator lamp
comes on and stays on.
When 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 Performance To 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 provided 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 information concerning
DSC, please refer to the chapter
"Advanced technology" on page 151.
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 perfor-
mance orientation Ð with a more perfor-
mance-oriented response program. The
result is crisper, faster reaction to
throttle inputs (Sport mode).
The system resets to the standard
response mode, with its combination of
comfort and performance orientation,
each time the engine is restarted. 520de057

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Dynamic Performance Flat Tire MonitorSport 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.
The conceptThe Flat Tire Monitor keeps track of the
inflation pressures in all four wheels as
you drive. The system provides an alert
whenever the inflation pressure has
dropped significantly in one of the tires.
To initialize the Flat Tire Monitor with
the correct inflation pressures, start by
ensuring that all of the vehicle's tires
are inflated to the pressures specified
in the inflation pressure table on
page 27. Now you can activate the
system.
The indicator lamp within the
instrument cluster flashes to
alert you to substantial pres-
sure loss in any of the tires.
To activate the system1. Turn the ignition key to position 2
2. Press the button long enough for the
indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster to light up red for a few
seconds
3. As you drive, the Flat Tire Monitor
automatically enters the system
initialization mode in which it stores
the current pressures as its reference
figures. The initialization process
lasts for ten minutes or somewhat
longer. Once it has been completed
the Flat Tire Monitor is able to detect
and warn of flat tires.520de117

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Flat Tire MonitorRepeat this process after any changes
in tire inflation pressure, tire rotation or
replacement.
Do not reactivate the system after peri-
odic corrections of inflation pressures
to maintain them at the levels stored
during an earlier initialization process. In the event of a flat tireThe 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 137.
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot alert
you to severe and sudden tire
damage caused by external factors.
Another factor which the Flat Tire
Monitor does not recognize is the
balanced and very gradual pressure
loss that takes place in all tires over an
extended period 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
inflation pressure while driving on
snow-covered or slippery road
surfaces.
Performance-oriented driving (slip at
the drive wheels, high levels of lateral
acceleration) can also delay the
appearance of status reports in the Flat
Tire Monitor's display panel.<
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
Parking 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 beams
If you switch off the ignition
while the low beams are on,
only the parking lamps (side
marker lamps) remain on.
520de036
"Follow me home" lamps:
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.<
"LIGHTS 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 beams have not
been switched off.Daytime driving 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
Parking lamps/Low beams Instrument lighting

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High beams/Standing lamps Rear fog lamp 1 High beams (blue indicator lamp)
2 Headlamp flasher (blue indicator
lamp)
3 Standing lampsStanding lamps, 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.
Comply with legal requirements
regarding fog lamp use.
520de039

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Interior lamps Reading lampsThe 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
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