light BMW CONVERTIBLE 1998 User Guide

46
Exterior mirrors1 Mirror switch for 4-way adjustment.
2 Switch for changing to the other
mirror:
dPush switch to left Ð driver's mirror.
dPush switch to right Ð passenger's
mirror.
You can also adjust the mirrors manu-
ally by pressing against the outer edges
of the lens.
a
The mirror on the passenger's side
features a lens with a more convex cur-
vature than the mirror installed on the
driver's door. When estimating the dis-
tance between yourself and other traffic,
bear in mind that the objects reflected in
the mirror are closer than they appear.
This means that estimations of the dis-
tance to following traffic should not be
regarded as precise.c
Electric heatersBoth mirrors are heated automatically
corresponding to the outside tempera-
ture with the ignition key in position 2.
Inside rearview mirrorTo reduce glare from behind during
night driving: tilt small lever to dimmed
position.Lighted make-up mirrorFold down the sun visor, slide the cover
panel to the side.
The mirror lamps operate from ignition
key position 1 onward.Sun visorsThese can be folded down toward the
windshield or swiveled out against the
side windows.
1
2
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360de030
Mirrors

51
At a glanceControls Car careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
The airbags are triggered by impacts
coming from the directions shown in
the illustration. Note that the supple-
mentary protection against lateral
impact is available only on vehicles
equipped with optional door-mounted
airbags.Indicator lamp in instrument
clusterSystem operational:
dThe indicator lamp comes on briefly.
System malfunction:
dThe indicator lamp fails to come on.dIndicator lamp lights up for approx.
4 seconds, goes out brießy and then
lights up again.
A system malfunction could prevent the
system from responding to an impact
occurring within its normal response
range.
Please have your authorized BMW
Retailer inspect and repair the system
as soon as possible.
a
For your own safety, please ob-
serve the following precautions con-
cerning airbags, as otherwise their
protective function may be impaired. We
also request that you make this informa-
tion available to your passengers, and
that you urge them to observe the in-
structions for safety belt use: the air-
bags are a supplemental restraint
device designed to provide extra pro-
tection; they are not a substitute for
safety belts. Wear your safety belt at all
times. The system does not respond to
minor collisions, if the vehicle rolls over,
or if the impact is at the rear of the vehi-
cle. In this situation, only the safety belt
protects you.
When adjusting your seat, select a posi-
tion that provides maximum distance
between you and the steering wheel, the instrument panel and the door while still
allowing comfortable and safe access to
all vehicle controls.
Always grip the steering wheel on its
rim with your hands at the 9 and 3 oÕclock
positions, otherwise hand and arm inju-
ries could occur when the airbag
inflates.
Never allow any objects to obstruct the
area between the airbag and the driver/
passenger.
Do not use the cover panel above the
passenger-side airbag as a storage
area.
Do not glue, cover or in any way alter
the padded covers on the steering
wheel, the instrument panel or the side
trim panels of the front doors.
Do not install a rear-facing child re-
straint device on the front passenger
seat. Children under 12 years of age
should only sit in the back.c
Even when all these guidelines are
observed, there is still a residual risk of
mild facial injuries occurring in isolated
instances of airbag actuation. The igni-
tion and inßation noise may induce a
mild temporary hearing loss in sensitive
individuals.
Airbag information is also located on
the sun visors.
p
The indicator lamp comes on from
ignition key position 1 to indicate
that the system is operational.
390de142Airbags

54
0Steering lock engagedThe key can only be inserted and
removed in this position.
After extracting the key, turn the steer-
ing wheel a small amount to the left or
right until you hear the lock engage.
Your vehicle is equipped with an inter-
lock; this means that the ignition key
can not be turned into position 0 and
removed until the selector lever is in
position P.
Furthermore, the selector lever is locked
in position P when the ignition key is in
position 0 or removed from the ignition
switch.
To turn the key back into position 0 or
remove it, move the selector lever into
position P first.
1 Steering lock disengagedYou will often find that it is easier to turn
the ignition key from position 0 to 1 if you
move the steering wheel slightly to help
disengage the lock.2 Ignition onAll electrical equipment and accesso-
ries are available for use.3 Starter activationb
Vehicles with manual transmis-
sion: depress the clutch pedal while
you turn on the ignition, otherwise a
blocking system will prevent the engine
from starting.c
Before startingdApply the parking brake.
dThe manual-shift gear lever should
be in neutral; the automatic transmis-
sion selector lever should be in P
or N.
dAt low temperatures keep the clutch
pedal depressed.
dStart the engine without depressing
the accelerator.b
Do not operate the starter too briefly,
but not longer than approx. 20 seconds.
Release the ignition key as soon as the
engine starts. Do not allow the engine to
warm up by leaving it running while the
vehicle remains stationary. Instead, drive
off immediately at a moderate engine
speed.c
Should the engine fail to start on the first
attempt, e.g., if it is very hot or cold:
dStop and pause briefly before repeat-
ing the starting procedure. This pre-
vents the spark plugs from becoming
damp.
dPress the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
1 2
03
360de009Steering/ignition lock Starting the engine

56
To engageThe lock engages automatically when
you lift the lever. The "P" indicator lamp
appears in the instrument cluster when
you turn the ignition key to position 2
(refer to page 21).To releasePull up on the lever, then press the
release button and lower the lever.The parking brake is primarily designed
to prevent the vehicle from rolling while
parked, and acts on the rear wheels.
a
Should exceptional circumstances
make it necessary to engage the brake
with the vehicle in motion, do not apply
excessive pressure. Keep your thumb
pressed against the release button while
carefully pulling up the lever to apply
moderate pressure.
Excessive pressure can lead to over-
braking and loss of traction (fishtailing)
at the rear.
The brake lamps do not come on when
the parking brake is engaged.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake when
parking on slopes and inclined surfaces,
since selecting 1st gear or reverse may
not provide adequate resistance to
rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in "Park".cTo avoid corrosion, apply the parking
brake lightly from time to time when
coasting to a standstill, e.g., at a trafÞc
signal, provided that it is safe to do so.
360us303Parking brake

57
At a glanceControls Car careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
The shift lever's neutral plane (dot in the
illustration) is located between 3rd and
4th gears
Whenever you shift from any gear into
"Neutral", the shift lever will automati-
cally return to the specified gear plane.
ReverseSelect only with the vehicle stationary.
Press the shift lever to the left to over-
come the slight resistance.Backup lampsAs you do this the backup lamps will
turn on automatically when the ignition
key is in position 2.a
Do not "ride" the clutch to hold the
vehicle in place on slopes; use the park-
ing brake instead. A slipping clutch in-
creases clutch wear.c
360de044Manual transmission

60
Indicator lamp for shift
electronicsdIf the lamp fails to go out or
dif it lights up during driving, there is a
malfunction in the shifting electronics
or in the transmission.
Bring the vehicle to a stop, select trans-
mission position "P", set the parking
brake and turn the engine off (ignition
key to position 0).
Wait a few seconds, then start the
engine.
If the indicator lamp goes out after a
few seconds, normal transmission per-
formance has been restored. Drive off
normally.
If the indicator lamp does not go out, all
selector lever positions can still be
selected, however in the forward posi-
tions the vehicle has limited perfor-
mances as it drives only in the 3rd or
4th gear.
If this happens, avoid extreme engine
loads and consult the nearest autho-
rized BMW Retailer.
a
Never carry out any work in the
engine compartment without first
ensuring that the transmission is in Park
or Neutral. Never leave children in the
vehicle unattended.c
For information on tow-starting, towing
and jump starting refer to pages 153
and 154.
1 High beam (blue indicator lamp)
2 Headlamp ßasher
3 Turn signal indicator (green indicator
lamp and rhythmic ticking of the
blinker relay).
Flashing of the indicator lamp and tick-
ing faster than normal: a turn-indicator
lamp is defective.
To signal brieflyPress the lever up to but not beyond the
lock.
O
Goes out after the engine has
started.
1
2
3
3
360de039
Automatic transmission*Turn signals/high beam

64
When you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp comes on briefly to indi-
cate that the system is operational.
If the indicator lamp comes on and
stays on, there are approx. 2.1 gallons
(8 liters) of fuel in the tank.
Tank volume: Page 166.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies, e.g.,
when you are driving in mountainous
areas, this may cause the needle to
fluctuate slightly.
a
Please refuel early, as driving
to the last drop of fuel can result in
damage to the engine and/or catalytic
converter.c
BlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at moder-
ate engine and vehicle speeds.RedIndicator lamp comes on, the warning
"COOLANT TEMPERATURE" appears
in Check Control
*: engine overheated.
Switch off the engine immediately and
allow it to cool down.
Between the blue and red sectorsNormal operating range. It is not un-
usual for the needle to rise as far as the
edge of the red sector in response to
high outside temperatures or severe
operating conditions.
Checking coolant level: Page 127.
Green lampsThe number of illuminated lamps
decreases as the time for your next
maintenance visit approaches.Yellow lamp This field appears together with
OILSERVICE or INSPECTION.
Maintenance is due. Please contact
your BMW Retailer for an appointment.Red lampMaintenance overdue.
F
R
12
UNLEADED GASOLINE
ONLY
360us032
360de007
360us009
Fuel gauge Coolant temperature Service Interval Display

77
At a glanceControls Car careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
Allows you to select display data for
safe and economical driving.
If your car is equipped with the Check
Control option, texts with information
and warnings are used to alert the
driver to system malfunctions. In addi-
tion, an indicator lamp is provided in the
instrument cluster. For details and
operating instructions, refer to
pages 71 and 72.
With the digital clock you can
ddisplay the time and date,
dpre-program a reminder signal
(memo), e.g., to remind you of news
broadcasts.
Refer to page 74 for information and
details on using the digital clock.1 Display
2 Arrival time
3 Entry keys for numerical values
4 Information keys
For the onboard computer version
without Check Control, pressing the
CHECK key simply activates all dis-
play elements.
5 Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs)
6 Scale selection key
7 SET/RES key (start/stop)360us112Onboard computer*
Standard displays (no previous
data entries required)
Page
TEMP outside
temperature 78
RANGE estimated cruising
range 79
SPEED average speed 78
CONSUM 2 levels of average
consumption 79
With previous data entriesDIST distance remaining
to destination with
estimated
arrival time 79
LIMIT speed limit warning 80
The following systems are controlled by
the onboard computer: Page
TIMER Ð 2 switch-on times
for independent
ventilation 81
Ð independent
ventilation in direct
operating mode or 82
Ð timer 80
CODE immobilization/
protection from
misuse 82
The onboard computer operates at igni-
tion key positions 1 and 2.

80
Speed limit warning (Limit)You are alerted when you exceed the
maximum speed that you entered ear-
lier (e.g., posted speed limit). An acous-
tic signal sounds, the corresponding
LED flashes and the stored limit briefly
appears in the display.
Vehicle speed must drop back to at
least 3 mph (5 km/h) below the pro-
grammed speed to reset the system for
repeat warnings.
To enter the speed warning threshold:
Key sequence as in illustration. The
LED lights up.To cancel speed warning:
dPress the LIMIT key again.
The LED goes out, but the value re-
mains stored and can be reactivated
with the LIMIT key.
To adopt current speed as limit:
dPress the LIMIT and SET/RES keys.
Timer
*
The timer can be used only on vehicles
without independent ventilation. The
running time ranges up to 99 hours and
59 minutes. The time is shown in the
display: first in seconds and tenths of a
second, after a minute in minutes and
seconds and after an hour in hours and
minutes.
To start:
Key sequence as in illustration.
The LED lights up and the time runs in
the display.
360us119
360us120
Onboard computer*

81
At a glanceControls Car careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
To stop:
When the time is displayed:
dPress the SET/RES key.
If other information is displayed:
dKey sequence as in illustration.
Take intermediate time:
dPress the TIMER key.
The LED flashes, the intermediate time
is displayed and the timer continues to
run.
Display time again:
dPress the TIMER key again.b
The timer stops with the ignition
key in position 0 and runs again in posi-
tion 1.c
Independent ventilation
*
To enter activation times
You can select two starting times for
independent ventilation. After 30 min-
utes the ventilation shuts off again auto-
matically.
Refer to page 87 for important informa-
tion on using the independent ventila-
tion system.
When you press the TIMER key, the
current status of the ventilation appears
in the display.Enter a switch-on time:
Before you can enter data, the ignition
key must be at position 1 and the digital
clock must be visible in the display.
Repeat key sequence as in the illustra-
tion. (Press the TIMER key twice).
Enter the second switch-on time:
Repeat key sequence as in illustration.
Correct the entered time:
Repeat the key sequence as shown in
the illustration, but enter a different
time.
After you enter the time, an asterisk
*
appears in the display and the LED
lights up, so that you can ascertain that
a switch-on time has been selected.
During ventilation the LED blinks. It
goes off when you turn the switch off.
Request a previously selected time
(LED lights up):
dFor the first switch-on time, press the
TIMER key twice.
dFor the second switch-on time, press
the TIMER key three times.
360us311
Onboard computer*