58n
Manual transmission Indicator/Headlamp ßasher Every time you shift gears, always
depress the clutch pedal all the way
down, pushing the gear lever into the
desired position.
Always remember to depress the clutch
pedal when starting the engine; a lock-
out device prevents starting when the
clutch is engaged.
The shift lever's neutral plane is located
between 3rd and 4th gears.
The shift lever automatically returns to
the 3rd/4th plane whenever you select
neutral. 520de158
When shifting across the gate to
the 5th/6th gear plane always
remember to push the lever to the right
to avoid inadvertent engagement of 3rd
or 4th gear.<
Reverse Select only when the vehicle is
stationary. Press the shift lever to the
left to overcome the resistance.
As you do this, the backup lamp will
turn on automatically when the ignition
key is in position 2.
Never slip the clutch to prevent
the vehicle from rolling backwards
when stopping on hills. Slipping the
clutch for extended periods leads to
rapid, premature clutch wear.<
1 High beams (blue indicator lamp)
2 Headlamp flasher (blue indicator
lamp)
3 Turn signal indicator (green indicator
lamp and cyclical clicking from the
blinker relay)
If the indicator lamp and the clicking
from the relay are faster than normal,
one of the turn signal bulbs is defective. To signal brieflyPress the lever up to but not beyond
the pressure point. It then returns to the
center position when released. 520de025
131n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Lamps and bulbs The lamps and bulbs make essential
contributions to the safety of your
vehicle. Therefore, comply fully with the
following instructions during bulb
replacement. If you are not familiar with
any of the procedures, consult your
BMW center.
Do not touch the glass portion of a
new bulb with your bare hands
since even small amounts of impurities
burn into the surface and reduce the
service life of the bulb. Use a clean
cloth, paper napkin, or a similar mate-
rial, or hold the bulb by its metallic
base.<
A replacement bulb set is available from
your BMW center.
Whenever working on the elec-
trical system, switch off the elec-
trical accessory you are working on or
disconnect the cable from the negative
terminal of the battery. Failure to do this
could result in short circuits.
To prevent injuries and damage,
comply with any instructions provided
by the bulb manufacturer.<
When cleaning the headlamps,
please observe the following:
>Do not wipe dry (scratches). 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.<
Xenon lamps
The main headlamps for your BMW
Z8 roadster have been designed using
xenon-light technology. The service life
of these bulbs is very long and the
probability of a failure is very low,
provided that they are not switched on
and off an unusual number of times.
Should a lamp ever fail, however,
please contact your BMW center for
assistance.
The xenon-light unit operates at
extremely high voltages; contact
with the unit's electrical components
can be fatal. We therefore urge you to
refer all service and repairs, including
bulb changes, to qualified professional
technicians.<
Neon lampsThe front turn signal indicators (side
marker lamps), the rear turn signal indi-
cators, the rear and brake lamps, as
well as the high-mounted brake lamp
are of neon-light technology. The
service life for these lamps is very high
and the likelihood of failure very
minimal.
Should a lamp ever fail, however,
please contact your BMW center for
assistance.
132n
Lamps and bulbsSide turn signal indicators10 watt bulb
Please contact a BMW center in the
event of a malfunction.Parking lamps5 watt bulb
Please contact a BMW center in the
event of a malfunction.
Tail lamps 1 Turn signal indicator red
2 Rear lamp/Brake lamp red
3 High-mount brake lamp red
4 Backup lamp red/white
5 Rear fog lamp red
6 Reflector red520us010
Side marker lamps, rearPlease contact a BMW center in the
event of a malfunction.520us011
Everything from A to Z
A
ABS (Antilock Brake System) 21, 88
Accessories 6
Activated charcoal filter 75
Add brake fluid 114t
engine coolant 114t
engine oil 111t
washer fluid 110, 161
Adjust seats 45
steering wheel 47
temperature 74
washer nozzles 110t
Adjustment setting configuration 49
Air conditioner 72
Air distribution 74
Air outlets 72
Air pressure 99
Air supply 74
Airbags 21, 51 , 123 , 150
Alarm system 38
Antenna 94
Antifreeze 113
radiator 92
Antifreeze/corrosion protection 92
Antilock Brake System (ABS) 21, 88 Anti-theft alarm system
38
Anti-theft protection 32
Approved gross vehicle weight 160
Aquaplaning 99
Ashtray 81
Attach vehicle vacuum cleaner 82
Automatic car washes 117
Automatic headlamp washers 60
Automatic windshield washer 60
Avoiding a false alarm 39t
Axle weights 160
B
Backrest
adjusting 45
unlock 46
Backup lamps 58
bulb replacement 133t
Battery 138, 162
add distilled water 138t
capacity 162
charge current 20
charging 139t
discharged 145t
recycling 140t
removing and
installing 139t Belts
50
Beverage holder 80
Blower 74
BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil 112
Bore 158
Brake hydraulic system 20, 92
Brake system faults 92t
fluid 114t
pads 22, 92
refer also to ABS, DBC and
Disc brakes
Break-in procedure 86
Bulbs and lamps 131tC
California Proposition 65
Warning 125
Can holder 80
Car Memory 49
Car phone 81, 94
Car radio 64, 95
reception 95, 151
refer also to the radio
Owner's Manual
Car wash 117
Care exterior 119
for the vehicle finish 120
interior 121 Catalytic converter
87
CBC (Cornering Brake Control) 21, 89
CD player, refer to the radio Owner's Manual
Cellular phone 94
refer also to separate
Owner's Manual
Central locking system 32
key 36
Changing a wheel 137t
Changing the oil filter 161
Changing tires 137t
Checking air pressure 26t
Checking engine oil level 111t
Child restraint systems 54
Child seat safety 54
Child seats 53
Child-restraint systems 53
Cigarette lighter 82
Clean headlamps 60
Clock 64
Cockpit 16
Code, refer to the radio
Owner's Manual
Combination switch, turn signal indicator/headlamp
flasher 59
Compartments 79
for stowing items 78
Compression 158
Everything from A to ZRestraint systems53
Return used
batteries140t
Reverse17, 58
Roof load capacity160
Rotating the tires101
Rubber parts93SSafety belt tensioners153
Safety belts50
Safety buttons36
Safety tires99
Seat adjustment45
Seat heating77
Securing cargo83
Self-defrosting mirrors48
Service Interval
Display63, 116
Shelves78, 79
Should131t
Side airbags51
Side marker lamps69
bulb
replacment131t, 132t
Skid control94
Slippery roads93
Snow chains93, 103, 104
Socket82
for flashlights82
for power supplies82
for vacuum cleaners82Sound system, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Spare key30
Spark plugs162
Speaker81
Specified engine oil112
Speedometer18
Starting56
problems87t, 145
Steel wheels104
Steering94
Steering wheel lock55
Stopping the vehicle57
Storage areas78, 79
Storing your vehicle124
Stroke158
Summer tires102
Switching off the engine57
Switching off the interior
motion sensor39t
Switching off the tilt alarm
sensor39t
Symbols4, 138
TTachometer62
Tail lamps132
bulb replacment132t
Tank capacity161
Technical data158
Technical
modifications6, 125Telephone81
Temperature display
outside temperature64
Temperature gauge
engine coolant63
Temperature
selection74, 75
Tilt alarm34
Tilt alarm sensor39
Tire codes102
Tire damage99t
Tire inflation
pressure26, 99
Tire pressure monitor67
Tire replacement100, 101
Tire rotation101
Tire specifications104
Tire tread99
Tools130t
Torque158
Tow fittings146t
Towing the vehicle146t
Tow-starting146t
Track159
Traction Control System
refer to DSC65
Transmission58
Transmitter key30
Tread depth, tires99
Trip odometer62
Trunk lid, refer to luggage
compartment lid37Turn signal indicator23, 59
Turning circle159
UUniform Tire Quality
Grading101
Unusually high steering
effort20, 94
Use antifreeze114t
radiator114t
Used batteries,
disposal140tVVacuum cleaner82
Vehicle battery138, 162
Vehicle care
exterior119
interior121
Vehicle equipment
options and accessories5
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN)115
Vehicle immobilizer31
Vehicle painting119
Vehicle storage124
Vehicle weight160
Vehicle, starting56
Vehicle, stopping57
Ventilation72
draft-free75
Vinyl upholstery, care121