
109n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine compartment 1 Brake fluid reservoir114
2 Auxiliary terminal for 
jump-starting 145
3 Coolant expansion tank113
4 Engine oil filler neck111
5 Engine oil dipstick111
6 Reservoir for windshield and 
headlamp washer system110 

110n
Washer fluids  Washer nozzlesHeadlamp and windshield washer 
system Capacity in US quarts (liters): 
approx. 5.6 (5.3)
Fill with water and Ð if required Ð with a 
washer antifreeze (according to manu-
facturer's recommendations). 
We recommend that you mix the 
washer fluid before adding it to 
the reservoir.< 520de080
Antifreeze agents for the washer 
systems are highly flammable.
For this reason, keep it away from 
sources of flame and store it in its orig-
inal container. Store it so that it is inac-
cessible to children. Comply with the 
instructions on the containers.<
Windshield washer systemThe spray from the nozzles should be 
directed onto the windshield so as to 
ensure effective cleaning, even at high 
speeds. Use a needle to adjust the 
nozzles if required, or have them 
adjusted by your BMW center. Headlamp washer systemHave this system adjusted by your 
BMW center, if required. 

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  

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. 

155n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Xenon lamps Xenon lamps illuminate the side and 
front areas of the vehicle much more 
brightly and with greater uniformity than 
traditional halogen lamps.
In a xenon lamp, an electric arc 
replaces the filament to generate 
intense illumination. A gas mixture in a 
quartz glass tube with metal vapor is 
ignited by a high electric voltage. The 
arc that is generated is then sustained 
by a lower voltage. When the lamp is 
turned on, there is a brief warm-up 
period. Maximum brightness is attained 
in approx. 15 seconds.390de134
Xenon lamps provide significantly 
improved visibility, especially during 
adverse weather conditions and driving 
situations, e. g. driving at night in heavy 
rain or through road repair areas where 
there are no lane markers.
Vehicles with xenon lamps are 
equipped with automatic headlamp 
range control. As a result, the highway 
is always optimally lighted, regardless 
of load conditions, and drivers in 
oncoming traffic are not blinded.
Xenon lamps make a significant contri-
bution to highway safety since other 
highway users, bicyclists and motorcy-
clists in the right lane, and pedestrians 
are more easily detected.  

161n
Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
Capacities 
Notes
Fuel tank  
Reserve gal. (liters)
gal. (liters)approx. 19.3 (approx. 73)
approx. 2.5 (approx. 10) Fuel quality: page 
26
Windshield washer system/
Headlamp washer system quarts (liters) approx. 5.6 (approx 5.3) For details: page  110
Cooling system including heater 
circuit quarts (liters) 12.7 (12.0) For details: page 
113
Engine oil filter change quarts (liters) 7.9 (7.5) "BMW High Performance Synthetic  Oil." For details: page 112
Manual transmission quarts (liters) 2.0 (1.9) Lifetime fluid; no fluid change  required
Differential quarts (liters) 1.3 (1.2) Fluid change at the  1,200-mile-service, then lifetime 
fluid; no fluid change required 

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 ZFFailure to start146t
Fault in ABS89
Filler cap cover25
Filling capacities161
Filling the washer 
reservoir161
First-aid kit24
Fittings, tow-starting and 
towing146t
Flashlight79
Flat tire137t
Flat Tire Monitor67
Fog lamp, bulb 
replacement133t
"Follow me home" 
lamps49, 69
Footbrake90
Footwell lamps71
bulb replacement134t
Front seat adjustment45
Frost protection, 
radiator113
Fuel26
gauge62
indicator62
quality26
Fuel filler door
manual release after 
electrical fault142tFuel injection system158
Fuel tank capacity161
Fuses140
GGasoline26
quality26
Glove compartment78
bulb replacement135t
Gross vehicle weight160HHand lamp79
Handbrake57
Hands-free system81
Hardtop96
Hazard warning 
flashers24t
Hazard warning 
triangle24t
Head restraint46
Headlamp covers, 
care117t, 131t
Headlamp flasher70
Headlamp washer 
system60, 110, 161
Headlamps70
Headlight glare in rearview 
mirror48
Heated mirrors48
Heated seats77
Heating and ventilation72Heating, rapid77
Heavy loads83
Height159
High beams23, 58, 70
Holder for beverage 
cans80
Hood release105t
Horn17
Hydraulic system88, 92
IIdentification, tires102
Ignition keys30
Ignition lock55
Imprint4
Incoming-air mode74
Indicator lamps20
Inflation pressure26t, 99
monitoring67
INSPECTION63
Instrument cluster18
Instrument panel lighting69
Instruments18
Interaxle tire rotation101
Interface socket for Onboard 
Diagnostic126
Interference
cellular phone94
radio reception95
Interior lamps34, 71
bulb replacement135t
remote control34Interior motion sensor39
deactivating34
Interior rearview mirror with 
automatic 
dimmer48, 154
Intermittent mode of wiper 
system59
JJump-starting145KKey Memory49
Key with remote control30
Keys30LLamps and bulbs131t
Leather care122
Length159
License plate lamp, bulb 
replacement133t
Light switch69
Light-alloy wheels104
Lighter82
LIGHTS ON warning69
Loading83
Lock deicer92
Louvers72
Low beam headlamps69