brakes BMW CONVERTIBLE 1998 Owners Manual

11

Contents

Controls and features
Care and maintenance

Lamps:

Parking lamps/low beams85
Instrument panel lighting85
Foglamps86
Interior lamps86
Reading lamps86

An inviting climate:

Heated seats87
Independent ventilation
system87
Automatic climate control88

Cabin convenience:

BMW Hi-Fi System93
Glove compartment93
Ashtray94
Coin box, cup holder94
Cigarette lighter94
Center arm rest, rear95
Through-loading system95
Ski bag95
Cargo loading98

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures100
Driving notes100
Catalytic converter102
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)103
Disc brakes104
Brake system105
Winter driving105
Roof-mounted luggage rack107
Radio reception108
Mobile phones108
Hardtop Ð Convertible109
Technical modifications
to the vehicle110

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressures111
Tire tread111
Tire replacement112
Interaxle tire changes112
The right choice113
Winter tires114
Approved wheels and tires115

Under the hood:

Hood118
Engine compartment 120
Washer fluids124
Engine oil124
Coolant127
Brake fluid128
Power steering fluid128
Vehicle Identification Number129

Care and maintenance:

The BMW Maintenance
System130
Caring for your car131
Cleaning and care
of the convertible top136
Vehicle storage137

At a glance
Controls and featuresCare and maintenanceAdvanced technology
Technical data
Owner service procedure
At a glanceControlsCar careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
Index
99
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures100
Driving notes100
Catalytic converter102
Antilock Brake System (ABS)103
Disc brakes104
Brake system105
Winter driving105
Roof-mounted luggage rack107
Radio reception108
Cellular phones108
Hardtop Ð Convertible109
Technical modifications to
the vehicle110
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressures111
Tire tread111
Tire replacement112
Interaxle tire changes112
The right choice113
Winter tires114
Approved wheels and tires115Under the hood:
Hood118
Engine compartment 120
Washer fluids124
Engine oil124
Coolant127
Brake fluid128
Power steering fluid128
Vehicle Identification Number118
Care and maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System130
Caring for your car131
Cleaning and care of the
convertible top136
Vehicle storage137

101
At a glanceControlsCar careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
ClutchDepress the clutch throughout its com-
plete travel range to shift gears. Do not
"ride" the clutch by driving with your
foot resting against the pedal.a
Brakes:
Do not drive with your foot resting on the
brake pedal. Even light but consistent
pedal pressure can lead to high temper-
atures, brake wear and possibly even
brake failure.
Aquaplaning:
A wedge of water can form between
tires and road surface when you oper-
ate the vehicle on wet or slushy roads.
This phenomenon is referred to as
aquaplaning, or hydroplaning, and it is
characterized by a partial or complete
loss of contact between the tires and
the road surface. The ultimate results
are loss of steering and braking control.Water on the roads:
When driving through water (maximum
depth one foot = 30 cm) always drive at
walking speed, otherwise damage to
the engine, the electrical system and
the transmission can occur.
Rear window shelf:
Never use the rear window shelf to
store heavy or bulky objects. They
could pose a danger to the occupants
when the car is braked heavily.
Clothes hooks:
When suspending clothing from the
hooks, ensure that they will not obstruct
the driver's vision. Refrain from hanging
heavy objects from the hooks, as these
could cause personal injury when the
car is braked heavily.c
Driving notes

10 3
At a glanceControlsCar careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
ABS enhances active safety by helping
to prevent the wheels from locking under
braking. When the front wheels slide, the
driver loses steering control over the
vehicle. Traction loss at the rear wheels
can cause the rear end to break into
uncontrolled oversteer.
ABS is designed to meet two essential
requirements during every application:
dto help provide vehicle stability on all
types of road surface (asphalt,
cement, dirt, moisture, snow and ice).
dto help to retain steering and maneu-
vering capability under the same con-
ditions.
However, certain important consider-
ations must be borne in mind in connec-
tion with these requirements:
Not even ABS can suspend the normal
laws of physics. ABS alone can not pre-
vent accidents when the brakes are
applied without an adequate safety
interval between vehicles, when the car
reaches excessive rates of lateral accel-
eration in curves, or if aquaplaning
occurs. Responsibility for these types of
situations remains in the hands (and feet)
of the driver. You should never allow the
added safety of ABS to lull you into a
false sense of security, or mislead you
into taking increased risks that could
affect your own safety and that of others.
Driving with ABSThe yellow ABS warning in the instru-
ment panel goes out as soon as the
engine is started.
The system becomes operative once the
vehicle exceeds a speed of 5 mph
(8 km/h). The ABS is deactivated when-
ever the vehicle's speed drops below
approx. 2 mph (3 km/h). This means that
the wheels can lock in the Þnal phase of
a braking action - a factor of no signiÞ-
cance in actual practice.
The ABS system closed-loop control cir-
cuit cycles in fractions of a second. A
pulsation at the brake pedal indicates to
the driver that ABS is active, that is, that
the car is within its maximum braking
range. In addition, the audible pulsation
that accompanies the control operation
calls your attention to the reduced trac-
tion between tires and road surface
(marginal adhesion), and reminds you
that the vehicle's speed should be
reduced to adapt to road conditions.On road surfaces featuring a loose top
layer on a Þrmer substratum, e.g., on
gravel or snow, the braking distances
with ABS may be longer than with the
wheels locked. However, ABS continues
to provide enhanced vehicle and steer-
ing control under these conditions.
a
To ensure that the system remains
completely operational, never modify the
ABS. Service procedures on ABS are to
be performed by authorized technicians
only.c
ABS may fail to function with maximum
efÞciency when tires of different sizes
are mounted (e.g., winter tires/spare tire;
remount the correct tires at all wheels as
soon as possible).
In the event of a fault, the ABS warning
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up,
refer to page 18. The braking system
then reverts to conventional operation as
on a vehicle without ABS. However,
have the brake system checked by your
BMW Retailer as soon as possible. To
prevent undetected defects and cumu-
lative faults from adversely affecting the
brake system, refer any problems to
your authorized BMW Retailer at the
earliest opportunity.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)

10 4
Disc brakes furnish optimum decelera-
tion and braking control as well as
greater fade resistance under heavy
use.
Limited vehicle use, extended periods
with the car parked or in storage and
light loading will increase the tendency
for corrosion to form on the rotors, and
dirt to accumulate on the pads. This
happens because the minimum pres-
sure between the pad and the disc
required for the self-cleaning function
of the disc brakes is not achieved.
If the brake rotors are corroded, they
will tend to respond to braking with a
pulsating effect which even extended
application will fail to cure.
a
Use only original BMW-approved
brake pads, as otherwise vehicle autho-
rization is no longer valid.c
Driving notes While driving in wet conditions and in
heavy rain, it is a good idea to apply
light pressure to the brake pedal every
few miles - Watch traffic conditions to
ensure that this maneuver does not
endanger other road users. The heat
generated in this braking process helps
dry the brake pads and rotors.
Maximum braking force is obtained
while the wheels continue to rotate,
peaking when the wheels remain on the
verge of locking without actually doing
so. ABS maintains this state automati-
cally. If the ABS fails, you should revert
to the staggered braking technique
described above (refer to page 106).
Extended or steep mountain descents
do not necessarily have to lead to
reduced braking efficiency; downshift
to a gear in which only minimal periodic
brake applications are required (you
can move the selector lever to the
appropriate lower range if your car is
equipped with an automatic transmis-
sion).
You can further increase the engine's
braking effect by selecting a lower gear,
downshifting as far as first gear or plac-
ing the selector lever in position 1 (2).Should engine braking prove inade-
quate, you should still avoid extended,
continuous braking. Instead of main-
taining low to moderate pressure over
an extended period of time, you should
decelerate the vehicle by applying more
substantial force at the pedal (watch for
following traffic!) and then pausing
before repeating the application. This
staggered braking technique allows the
brakes to cool in the intervals between
active braking phases, preventing over-
heating and ensuring that full braking
capacity remains available at all times.
a
Do not allow the vehicle to coast by
pressing down the clutch pedal or shift-
ing into neutral while underway. Never
drive with the engine switched
off (!). The engine provides no braking
effect when the clutch is disengaged or
the transmission is in neutral, and there
is no power-assist for brakes and steer-
ing when the engine is not running.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or other
objects to protrude into the area around
the accelerator, clutch and brake pedals
and obstruct their movement.c
Disc brakes

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

13 1
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

15 4
Tow fittingsThe screw-in tow fitting is stored in the
onboard tool kit; ensure that it remains
with the vehicle at all times. It can be
screwed in to either the front or the rear
of the vehicle and is intended for towing
only on a roadway. Access to tow socketsFront:
Pry out the cover with a screwdriver.Rear:
Pry out the cover with a screwdriver.
a
Ensure that the tow fitting is
screwed in tightly.c
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
dSelector lever on N.
Towing speed:
maximum 30 mph (50 km/h).
Towing distance:
maximum 30 miles (50 km).
a
The steering and brakes are with-
out power assist when the engine is off.
This means that increased effort is re-
quired for steering and braking.c
Towing with a commercial tow
truckNever use sling-type equipment to
transport the vehicle.
Use wheel lifts or transport the vehicle
on a flatbed truck.
Please observe all applicable national,
state, provincial and local towing laws.a
Never allow passengers to ride in
a towed vehicle.c
360de103
360de104
360us128
Towing the vehicle Towing

15 6
Deceleration sensors continuously
monitor the physical forces acting upon
the vehicle. If a frontal impact results in
deceleration, for which the protection
afforded by safety belts no longer suf-
fices, the gas generators of the driver's
and the passenger's airbags ignite
simultaneously. The passenger's air-
bag is activated only when a special
sensor indicates that the front passen-
ger's seat is occupied.
In the event of a severe side impact the
side airbag
* is activated on the side on
which the impact occurred.
The airbags, which are under the cover
of the steering wheel, in the instrument
panel or the side trim panels of the front
doors, are deployed and inflated by the
gas within a few milliseconds. In the
process they tear or push apart the pro-grammed separation points in their
upholstered covers.
Because the inflation process must be
virtually instantaneous, it is necessarily
accompanied by a certain amount of
ignition and inflation noise. The gas
which the system employs to inflate the
airbag is not dangerous, and the asso-
ciated smoke is quickly dissipated.
The entire process is completed within
one twentieth of a second.Automatic Stability Control plus Trac-
tion helps maintain stable and con-
trolled vehicle response by inhibiting
slip at the drive wheels.
The system employs special sensors to
monitor wheelspeed and relay the data
to the system's electronic control unit,
which uses this information to calculate
slip rates at the individual wheels.
Depending on the driving situation, two
forms of remedial action can then be
taken by the system: it reacts to slip-
page caused by large amounts of
excess torque by instructing the engine
management system to reduce power
output. As a supplementary measure,
the system will also respond to an
especially pronounced tendency to-
ward traction loss at either of the drive
wheels with automatic individual appli-
cation of the affected wheel's brakes.
This achieves a locking action compa-
rable with a controlled limited-slip dif-
ferential. This brake action is active up
to 25 mph (40 km/h). From 25 mph
(40 km/h) upward, a diminished brake
action improves the traction up to
60 mph (100 km/h).
390de012Airbags ASC+T*

170
Note: This index does not correspond to the original manual in all details
AABS (Antilock Brake
System)
103
Acceleration values
163
Activated charcoal filter
92
Adjusting steering wheel 45
Air conditioner
91
Air distribution 90
Air pressure
111
Air supply
92
Airbag
50
Aluminum wheel
115
Antifreeze
105
, 127
Antifreeze,
Radiator
105
, 127
Antifreeze,
radiator
127, 105
Anti-lock braking system
ABS
103
Aquaplaning
100
, 111
ASC+T Automatic stability
control plus
Traction
Traktion
10
, 84
Ashtray
94
AUC Automatic
recirculated-air control
91
Automatic car washes
131
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC
91
Automatic stability control
plus traction
ASC+T
10
, 84Automatic transmission
58
Capacity
166
Filling capacity
166
Autoradio
108
Average fuel
consumption
79
Average speed 78
Axle load, permissible
163
BBackrest unlock
45
Backup lights
57
, 143
Battery
149
, 167
Removal and
installation 150
Symbols
149
Battery capacity
167
Battery change
Key
145
Battery charge current
20
Battery electrolyte
149
Battery, discharged 153
Belts
47
blower 92
BMW Convertible
Car wash
136
Care
136
Electrical
Convertible top
actuation
39
Emergency closure
41
Fully automatic
Convertible top
actuation
39Hardtop
109
Manual convertible top
Actuation 41
Manual convertible top
actuation 37
Rear window
Ventilation 91
, 105
Rollover protection
system
52
Ski bag 97
Storage compartment
95
Vehicle
decommissioning
137
BMW Convrtible
Electrical windows
Lifters
36
BMW Hi-Fi System
93
BMW Sport seat
44
Brake fluid
128
Brake lights,
Replace bulbs
143
Brake pads
20
Brake system hydraulic
circuits
21
Brake-in procedure
100
Brakes
104
Defects 128
Interference
105
Braking system 105
Breaking in vehicle
100
Bulb replacement 141
CCar battery
149
Car wash
131
CARB OBD II interface
24
Care of upholstery
134
Care of wool velour 134
Care, exterior
132
Care, interior 133
Care, vehicle exterior
132
Catalytic converter
102
Cellular phone
108
Center armrest 95
Central brake light
143
Central locking system
31
Central locking system
button
32
Central locking unit
31
Changes,
technical
6
Charge-current indicator
light
20
Charging the battery
150
Check air pressure
25
Check control
71
Check Control with outside
temperature gauge and
digital clock 74
Check engine oil level
124
CHECK key
71
Check oil level 124
Childproof door locks
52
Child-restraint system 48
Cigarette lighter
94
Everything from A to Z