2002 BMW Z8 CONVERTIBLE winter tires

11n

Controls and features
Operation, care and maintenance

Lamps:

Parking lamps/Low beams69
Instrument lighting69
High beams/Standing lamps70
Rear fog lamp70
Interior lamps71
Reading lamps71

Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:

Heating and ventilation/
Air conditioner72
Seat heating77

Interior conveniences:

Glove compartment78
Storage compartments78
Beverage holder80
Cellular phone81
Ashtray81
Cigarette lighter82

Loading and transporting:

Cargo loading83

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures86
Driving notes87
Catalytic converter87
Antilock Brake System (ABS)88
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)90
Disc brakes90
Brake system92
Winter operation92
Power steering94
Cellular phone94
Car radio reception95
Wind deflector95
Hardtop96

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressure99
Tire condition99
Tire replacement100
Tire rotation101
Wheel and tire
combinations102
Special features of winter
tires103
Snow chains103
Approved wheel and tire
specifications104

Under the hood:

Hood105
Engine compartment108
Washer fluids110
Washer nozzles110
Engine oil111
Coolant113
Brake fluid114
Vehicle Identification
Number115

Maintenance and care:

The BMW Maintenance
System116
Caring for your vehicle117
Airbags123
Vehicle storage124

Laws and regulations:

Technical modifications125
California Proposition 65
Warning125
OBD interface socket126

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
85n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Car care Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures86
Driving notes87
Catalytic converter87
Antilock Brake System (ABS)88
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)90
Disc brakes90
Brake system92
Winter operation92
Power steering94
Cellular phone94
Car radio reception95
Wind deflector95
Hardtop96
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure99
Tire condition99
Tire replacement100
Tire rotation101
Wheel and tire
combinations102
Special features of winter
tires103
Snow chains103
Approved wheel and tire
specifications104Under the hood:
Hood105
Engine compartment108
Washer fluids110
Washer nozzles110
Engine oil111
Coolant113
Brake fluid114
Vehicle Identification
Number115
Maintenance and care:
The BMW Maintenance
System116
Caring for your vehicle117
Airbags123
Vehicle storage124
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications125
California Proposition 65
Warning125
OBD interface socket126

93n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Winter operationRubber seals and componentsTo prevent the weather-stripping from
freezing, apply a spray-on rubber treat-
ment or silicone spray to the door, hood
and luggage compartment lid seals.
A full range of car-care products is
available from your BMW center. * only in pairs
on rear tires, complying with the manu-
facturer's safety precautions. Do not
exceed a maximum speed of 30 mph
(50 km/h) while the snow chains are
mounted and refrain from activating the
Flat Tire Monitor, as the snow chains
could trigger false alarms and/or
prevent the system from detecting
actual pressure loss.
Starting off When starting off in deep snow or when
"rocking" the vehicle to free it, it may be
advisable to temporarily deactivate the
DSC. Refer to page 65.
To maintain vehicle stability,
always drive with the system
switched on whenever possible.<
Driving on low-traction road
surfaces Do not activate the Sport mode (refer to
page 66). Use smooth, gentle pressure
to control the accelerator pedal. Avoid
excessive engine speeds and upshift
early. Downshift well in advance when
approaching uphill or downhill grades.
Maintain an adequate distance
between yourself and the vehicle
ahead. BrakesWinter road conditions substantially
reduce the amount of traction available
between the tires and the road surface.
The resulting increases in braking
distance are considerable and should
be kept in mind at all times.
ABS is intended to prevent the wheels
from locking during brake applications,
thus helping to maintain vehicle stability
and steering response. If the ABS does not respond in a critical
braking situation and the wheels lock,
reduce the pressure on the brake pedal
until the wheels just start to roll again
while still maintaining enough force to
continue braking.
Then increase the pressure, reduce the
pressure when the wheels lock, reapply
pressure etc.
This staggered braking procedure will
reduce braking distances while helping
you maintain steering control.
You can always then attempt to steer
around hazards after you have reduced
pressure on the brake pedal.
Never downshift to exploit engine
braking when driving on slippery
road surfaces, as this could lead to a
loss of traction at the rear wheels,
impairing your ability to control the
vehicle.<
Depress the clutch during hard
braking on road surfaces that
provide only poor or uneven traction.<

102n
Wheel and tire combinations The right choice
Use only wheels and tires
approved by BMW for the corre-
sponding vehicle model, as otherwise
the tires may make contact with the
body as the result of tolerances despite
the same nominal size being used,
resulting in serious accidents. If non-
approved wheels and tires are used,
BMW cannot evaluate their suitability,
and therefore cannot be held liable for
driving safety.<
For wheel and tire specifications
approved by BMW, refer to page 104.
The correct wheel and tire combi-
nation affects different systems
that otherwise will not function prop-
erly, e. g. ABS, DSC and Flat Tire
Monitor.
For this reason, use only tires of the
same brand and tread pattern on the
vehicle and, for example, restore the
approved wheel and tire combination
following a flat tire as soon as
possible.<
Codes on tires and wheels The code on tires has the following
meaning.
Codes on radial tires:
The speed rating indicates the
approved maximum speed for the tire.
Summer tires:
S = up to 112 mph (180 km/h)
T = up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
H = up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
V = up to 150 mph (240 km/h)
W = up to 167 mph (270 km/h)
Y = up to 186 mph (300 km/h)
ZR = over 150 mph (240 km/h)
Winter tires:
Q M+S = up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
T M+S = up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
H M+S = up to 130 mph (210 km/h) For example:
Nominal width
in mm
Aspect ratio in X
Radial tire code
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating
(not on ZR tires)
Speed rating
(before R on ZR tires)
245/45 R
1896W
Codes on light-alloy wheels:
Protect tire valves from dirt by using
screw-on valve stem caps. Dirt in the
valves frequently leads to slow leaks.
Safety tires carry additional designation
codes; these vary according to manu-
facturer:
Bridgestone RFT
Dunlop DSST
Goodyear EMT
Michelin ZPStorageAlways store tires in a cool, dry place,
protecting them against light whenever
possible. Protect the tires against
contact with oil, grease and fuel. For example:
Rim width
in inches
Code letter for
flange type
Symbol for full-drop
center rim
Rim diameter in inches
Hump on the 2 rim shoulders
8 x 18 EH2
J

103n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Special features of winter tires Snow chains
*
Choosing the right tireFor winter road driving, BMW recom-
mends winter tires (M+S radial belt
tires). Although all-season M+S tires
provide better winter traction than stan-
dard summer tires with H, V, W, Y and
ZR speed ratings, they generally fail to
provide the same levels of performance
as standard snow tires in winter driving.
In the interests of safe tracking and
steering response, install radial tires
made by the same manufacturer and
with the same tread configuration on all
four wheels if you elect to mount winter
tires.
When selecting winter tires,
remember that you should never
mount anything other than safety tires,
as your vehicle is not equipped with a
spare tire.
For further information, refer to
page 137.<
Do not exceed specified
maximum speeds
Never exceed the maximum speed
for which winter tires are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and
accidents.
Have this work performed by skilled
professionals only. Your BMW center
will be glad to assist you with both their
expertise and the proper equipment for
your vehicle.<
Tire condition, tire pressureOnce the tread depth on winter tires is
less than 0.16 in (4 mm), they are no
longer suitable for winter road driving,
and in the interest of safety should be
replaced.
Comply with the specified tire inflation
pressures Ð and be sure to have the
wheel and tire assemblies balanced
every time you change the tires.
The use of narrow-link BMW snow
chains is permissible in pairs only on
the rear wheels with winter tires with
tire size 245/45 R 18 96 H. Comply with
all manufacturer's safety precautions
when mounting the chains. Do not
exceed a speed of 30 mph (50 km/h)
while driving with mounted snow
chains.
Do not activate the Flat Tire
Monitor when driving with snow
chains mounted. Malfunction warnings
and undetected losses in pressure are
a possibility when driving with snow
chains.
For further information, refer to
page 67.<

104n
Approved wheel and tire specifications Snow chains
*
It is impossible to install snow chains
on 275/40 R 18 99 W summer tires.
Do not activate the Flat Tire
Monitor when driving with snow
chains mounted. Malfunction warnings
and undetected losses in pressure are
a possibility when driving with snow
chains.
For further information, refer to
page 67.< BMW tests certain tire brands for each tire size, classifies them as road-safe and
approves them. Your BMW center can provide further information.
Observe any regulations applicable in the country of use, e. g. requiring entry in
the vehicle documents.
Tire specifications Light-alloy wheel
BMW Z8
Summer tires
Front: 245/45 R 18 96 W 8Jx18EH2
Rear: 275/40 R 18 99 W 9Jx18EH2
Winter tires
245/45 R 18 96 H M+S 8Jx18EH2
The use of rims and wheel bolts
that do not meet the specifica-
tions of the original factory-installed
equipment will affect the safe operation
of your vehicle and may cause an acci-
dent and personal injury.
Never mix tires of different design, such
as steel-belted radials with radial bias-
belted or bias-ply tires, etc. Mixing tire
types will adversely affect roadholding
and can lead to loss of vehicle
control.<

117n
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

137n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Changing a wheel Safety tiresYour BMW Z8 roadster is equipped
with safety tires.
The safety tires are made of self-
supporting tires mounted on specially-
designed wheel rims. Special reinforce-
ment elements support the sidewalls in
the event of pressure loss. Although tire
performance is then restricted, the
vehicle can still be driven on the
deflated tire for a limited distance. Your
vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure
monitor that signals you in case of a flat
tire.
In the event of a flat tireThe red indicator lamp on the instru-
ment panel will flash in the event of a
flat tire. In addition, a gong will sound.
Refer to page 67.
Carefully reduce speed to less than
50 mph (80 km/h), avoiding any hard
braking or steering maneuvers while
doing so.
You will still be able to drive approx.
155 miles (250 km) on your safety tire,
until you can get to a safe place to park,
a gas station, or to your nearest BMW
center. Under minimum vehicle loading,
it could conceivably last more than
155 miles (250 km).
If you cannot immediately determine
which tire is defective just by looking
at it, then check the tire pressure in all
four tires.Have your BMW center replace
your tires. For safety reasons, do
not have safety tires repaired. Your
BMW center has been trained to work
with the safety tires and is equipped
with the necessary special tools.<
If necessary, please have your
BMW center switch the tires on
your vehicle from summer to winter
tires, or the reverse.<