brake BMW CONVERTIBLE 1998 Owner's Manual

10 5
At a glanceControlsCar careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
Failure of one brake circuitPedal travel increases, more pressure is
required at the pedal.
The remaining circuit continues to pro-
vide good braking response.a
In the event of any malfunction in
the brake system, consult the nearest
BMW Retailer as soon as possible.cThe onset of winter is often accompa-
nied by rapid changes in weather.
Adaptations in driving style should be
accompanied by preparations on the
vehicle itself to ensure that your
progress through the winter remains
safe and trouble-free.
CoolantEnsure that the coolant contains the
year-round 50:50 ratio of water and
antifreeze with corrosion inhibitor. This
mixture provides protection against
freezing down to approximately -345F
(-376). Replace the coolant every
three years.Lockscan be made operative again using
BMW lock de-icer. This de-icer also
contains lubricants.
In addition, a treatment with BMW lock
cylinder grease is recommended.Rubber seals and components To 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.b
A complete range of car-care
products is available from any autho-
rized BMW Retailer.c
Snow chainsBMW snow chains
* can be mounted on
both summer and winter tires. Mount
them in pairs on the rear wheels only
and observe the manufacturer's safety
precautions. Do not exceed a maximum
speed of 30 mph (50 km/h). For maxi-
mum traction, deactivate ASC+T when
driving with snow chains mounted, refer
to page 84.
Starting offWhen driving off in deep snow or "rock-
ing" the vehicle to free it, you should
switch off ASC+T, refer to page 84. Driving on low-traction road
surfacesOperate the accelerator pedal sensi-
tively, avoid high engine speeds and
shift up to the next-higher gear early.
Shift down into the next lowest gear
when approaching uphill or downhill
grades. Maintain an adequate distance
between yourself and the car ahead.
Brake system Winter driving

10 6
BrakesWinter road conditions substantially
reduce the amount of traction available
between the tires and the road surface;
the resulting - considerable - increases
in braking distance should be continu-
ally borne in mind.
ABS is intended to prevent the wheels
from locking under braking; to help the
vehicle to remain stable and sensitive to
steering. Should the ABS fail, with lock-
ing wheels as a result: 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,
release the pressure when the wheels
lock, reapply pressure, etc.
This staggered braking procedure will
reduce stopping distances while help-
ing you maintain steering control.
It can allow you to steer around hazards
once you have reduced the pressure on
the brake pedal.
a
Never downshift to exploit engine
braking when driving on slippery road
surfaces; it could lead to loss of rear-
wheel traction and endanger vehicle
control. ABS and ASC+T can not protect
against such loss of traction, since they
have no effect on this kind of decelera-
tion.c
b
Disengage the clutch during hard
braking on road surfaces affording only
poor or uneven traction.c
Loss of lateral traction (sliding)Release the accelerator pedal and
depress the clutch pedal or push the
selector lever to position N with auto-
matic transmission. Countersteer care-
fully and attempt to regain control of the
vehicle.
ParkingSelect 1st or reverse gear. If your car is
equipped with an automatic transmis-
sion, select Park. Engage the parking
brake when parking on hills and
inclined surfaces. To prevent frost and
corrosion from locking the parking
brake liners at the drum, you can dry
them by gently pulling up the lever
while stopping (ensure that you do not
endanger following traffic).a
The brake lamps do not light up
when the parking brake is applied.c
Winter driving

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At a glanceControlsCar careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
1 Fuse box
2 Brake ßuid reservoir
3 Engine oil dipstick
4 Coolant expansion tank
5 Engine oil Þller neck
6 Supply tank for headlamp washer
*
and windshield washer system
7Battery
Engine compartment BMW 318i, 318is

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At a glanceControlsCar careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
1 Fuse box
2 Engine oil dipstick
3 Brake ßuid reservoir
4 Power steering oil reservoir
5 Coolant expansion tank
6 Engine oil Þller neck
7 Supply tank for headlamp washer
*
and windshield washer system
8 Auxiliary terminal for jump starting
Engine compartment BMW 323i, 323is, 328i, 328is

12 8
Warning lamp for brake hydraulic sys-
tem lights up:
Brake fluid loss resulting in extended
pedal travel.
Fill up to the upper mark (MAX, level
visible from the outside).
Any BMW Retailer can provide you with
information on factory-approved brake
fluids (DOT 4).
a
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, i.e., it
absorbs moisture from the atmosphere
over the course of time. To ensure that
your brake system continues to operate
at maximum efficiency, we strongly rec-
ommend that you have the brake fluid
changed at a BMW Retailer every two
years (refer to pages 71, 105 and 138
and to Service and Warranty Information booklet). Brake fluid is toxic, and also at-
tacks vehicle paintwork. Always store in
the original containers, and keep them
tightly closed, out of reach of children.
When disposing of it, observe the appli-
cable environmental protection laws. Do
not spill brake fluid and do not fill be-
yond the MAX graduation on the reser-
voir. Should it come into contact with
hot engine components, the brake fluid
could catch fire and cause serious
burns.c
A
Please observe the applicable envi-
ronmental protection laws when dis-
posing of used brake fluid.cWith the engine off, unscrew the reser-
voir cap, then reinsert it.
The fluid level should be in between the
graduations on the dipstick.
Use ATF to top up as required. Your
BMW Service representative can pro-
vide you with the fluid specifications.
Start the engine. Pour in more fluid as
required, continuing until it reaches to
between the two marks.
Switch off the engine. The fluid may rise
to about 0.2 inches (5 mm) above the
upper mark.
Screw the reservoir cap back on.
b
BMW 318i, 318is: Please contact
your BMW Retailer for the required
work.c
MAXMIN
360de098
360de097
Brake fluid Power steering fluid

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At a glanceControlsCar careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
Washing your carRight from the start, you can wash your
new BMW either by hand or in an auto-
matic car wash. BMW Convertible: For
instructions on cleaning and care of the
convertible top, refer to page 136 ff.
To prevent spots, avoid washing when
the hood is still warm, or immediately
after and during exposure to strong
sunlight.
When using an automatic car wash,
ensure that
dno damage occurs to vehicles with
add-on body elements (e.g., spoilers,
telephone aerials). Consult the car
wash operator if necessary
dthe vehicle is cleaned with minimum
brush pressure, and that ample water
is available for washing and rinsing.
Loosen and remove stubborn dirt and
dead insects before washing the car.
a
Always maintain an adequate dis-
tance between the spray source and the
vehicle's surface when using spray
wands and high-pressure washers. In-
adequate distance and excessive pres-
sure can damage or weaken the finish,
making it more susceptible to subse-
quent attack. In addition, moisture could
penetrate to vehicle components, lead-
ing to long-term damage.c
Parts of the car which are inaccessible
to the automatic washer - such as door
sills, door and hood edges, etc. -
should be cleaned by hand.
b
Please observe the following
when cleaning the headlamp covers:
dDo not clean by wiping with a dry
cloth (scratches). Never use abra-
sives or strong solvents to clean the
covers.
dRemove dirt and contamination (such
as insects) by soaking with BMW Car
Shampoo and then rinsing with
plenty of water.
dAlways use a de-icer spray to remove
accumulated ice and snow Ð Never
use a scraper!cIn the winter months, it is especially
important to ensure that the car 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.
a
After washing, the brakes may be
wet and thus less effective! Apply the
brakes briefly to dry them.c
Caring for your car

13 2
Exterior finishTo provide effective corrosion protec-
tion, multilayer paintwork is applied at
the factory. Cataphoretic immersion
priming techniques are supplemented
using special body-cavity protectants,
with the application of specially-devel-
oped and extensively tested materials.
The entire underbody is sprayed with a
flexible PVC layer before final compre-
hensive application of a wax-based
protectant.
Regular maintenance makes an impor-
tant contribution to maintaining the
safety and value of your vehicle.
Increasing awareness of the effects of
harmful environmental factors on vehi-
cle finishes have led paint and vehicle
manufacturers to initiate ongoing pro-
grams designed to further improve the
durability of their finishes. Despite the
high quality of the resulting products,
local and regional factors can still have
a negative effect on your car's paint-
work. These should guide you in deter-
mining the frequency and extent of your
efforts to maintain the vehicle finish.
Depending upon material and type of
impact (perforation of paint layer), phys-
ical stresses from sand, road salt,
gravel, etc. can cause corrosion to start extending beneath the finish, starting at
the point of impact.
Road dirt, tar spots, dead insects, ani-
mal droppings (strong alkali effect) and
tree excretions (resins and pollen) all
contain substances capable of causing
damage when allowed to remain on
your car's finish for any period of time
(spots, etching, flaking, separation in
the top coat).
In industrial areas, deposits from ßy ash,
lime, oily soot, sulphur dioxide in pre-
cipitation (acid rain) and other environ-
mental pollutants will damage the car's
surface (usually limited to the external
horizontal surfaces) unless adequate
protection is provided.
In coastal regions, high levels of atmo-
spheric salt and humidity promote cor-
rosion.
In tropical zones, temperatures of over
100 5F (approx. 406) in the shade pre-
vail, in addition to heavy ultraviolet radi-
ation and high humidity. Under those
circumstances, light-colored paints
reach temperatures of up to 175 5F
(approx. 806) and dark paints up to
250 5F (approx. 1206).
Caring for the vehicle finishAs a precaution against damage result-
ing from exposure to aggressive sub-
stances, we recommend that you wash
the car weekly when it is used in an
area with high levels of air pollution or
aggressive natural substances (tree
resin, pollen).
Remove particularly aggressive sub-
stances immediately in order to prevent
changes to, and discoloration of, the
paint. Such substances are e.g., gaso-
line spilled during refueling, oil, grease,
brake fluid and bird droppings.
Any contamination remaining on the
surface of the vehicle will be especially
conspicuous after washing. Use clean-
ing fluid or alcohol with a clean cloth or
cotton pad to remove. You can use tar
remover to remove any spots on the fin-
ish of the vehicle, but should never
apply it or any other aggressive
cleanser to lenses or headlamp covers.
These areas should then be waxed to
maintain protection.b
A full range of car-care products is
available from your BMW Retailer.c
Caring for your car

13 8
Conduct the following work immedi-
ately prior to storing the vehicle:
1 Activate the parking brake and foot-
brake to dry them; this will prevent
the brake disks and drums from cor-
roding.
2 Store the vehicle in a dry, well-venti-
lated room, shift into reverse gear or
set the selector lever to position P
and chock the wheels to prevent roll-
ing. Do not set the parking brake.
3 Remove the battery, recharge and
store in a cool, frost-free room.
During storage, recharge the battery
every three months, as otherwise it will
become unusable. Every time the bat-
tery is discharged, especially over
extended periods, its service life is
reduced.
Removing vehicle from storageRecharge the battery and replace if
necessary.
Then have Inspection I carried out by
your BMW Retailer.a
Storage periods during which the
battery is disconnected are not taken
into consideration by the Service Inter-
val Display for changing the brake fluid.
Therefore, make sure that the brake fluid
is changed every two years at the latest,
regardless of the display. Additional
notes: refer to page 128.c
Vehicle storage

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At a glanceControlsCar careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
Taillamps 1 Turn signal yellow
21 watt bulb
2 Backup lamp white
21 watt bulb
3 Brake lamp red
21 watt bulb
4 Taillamp red
5 watt bulbdRemove the lamp cover after releas-
ing the locking device.
dOnce you have found the lamp
holder for the defective bulb, push it
gently to the rear while turning to the
left to remove.
dUse the same procedure to remove
the bulb.
Center brake lamp
*
21 watt bulb
dOpen the luggage compartment lid.
dPush the bulb holder's release knob
gently to the rear while turning to the
left to remove.
dUse the same procedure to remove
the bulb.
BMW Convertible:
LED strip in luggage compartment lid.
Please contact a BMW Retailer in the
case of a malfunction.
12
3
4
360us093
360de119
360de120
Bulb replacement

14 6
a
Change tires only on a flat, hard
surface affording good traction. Avoid
jacking the car on a soft or slippery sup-
port surface (snow, ice, loose gravel,
etc.), as it could slide sideways.
Take extra care to ensure that the base
of the jack is positioned on a solid sup-
port surface.
Never use wooden blocks or similar
objects to support the base of the jack,
as the weight of the car could exceed
their support capacity.
Never lie beneath the vehicle or start
the engine while the car is supported by
the jack - risk of fatal injury.
Additional precautions to observe when
changing flat tires:
When pulling over on the roadside to
change a tire, always try to park the car
as far as possible from passing traffic.
Switch on the hazard flashers.
All passengers should be outside the
car and well away from your immediate
working area (e.g., behind the guard-
rail).Turn the steering wheel to the straight-
ahead position, remove the key and
engage the steering lock. Shift into 1st
or reverse (selector lever in Park with
automatic) and engage the parking
brake.
If a warning triangle or portable hazard
warning lamp is available, set it up on
the roadside at an appropriate distance
from the rear of the vehicle. Observe all
safety guidelines and regulations.c
b
To avoid rattling noises, note the
positions of the tools and return them to
their original positions.c
To change the tire you will need
Car jackIn the luggage compartment below the
floor mat at the right next to the spare
tire.
After using, screw the jack all the way
back down and insert it in its holder.Spare wheel and hexagon
adapter
*
Both are stored in the luggage com-
partment below the floor mat. Take out
the floor mat. Remove the hexagon
adapter (only on models with light-alloy
wheels with wheel lug cover in the
shape of a large hexagon nut), unscrew
the wing nut by hand and remove the
wheel.Wheel stud wrench In the luggage compartment at the right
on the box. ScrewdriverIn onboard tool kit beneath luggage
compartment floor panel.b
The storage shelf in the spare tire
can be used to store small parts. To
avoid rattling noises, you can place
cloths between them.c
360de106
Changing tires