child lock BMW CONVERTIBLE 1998 Owners Manual

Contents

At a glance
Controls and features

Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning
lamps20
Hazard warning system22
Hazard warning triangle22
First-aid kit22
Refueling23
Fuel specification23
CARB OBD II interface24
Tire inflation pressures25

Locks and security systems:

Keys30
Electronic immobilizing device35
Doors31
Trunk lid33
Luggage compartment34
Power windows35
Sliding/tilt sunroof36
Convertible top operation37

Adjustments:

Seats43
Steering wheel45
Mirrors46

Passenger safety systems:

Safety belts47
Child restraint system48
Installing child seats49
Airbags50
Child-safety locks52
Rollover protection system Ð
convertible52
Driving:

Steering/ignition lock54
Starting the engine54
Switching off the engine55
Parking brake56
Manual transmission57
Automatic transmission58
Turn signals/high beam60
Wiper/washer system61
Cruise control62

Everything under control:

Odometer63
Tachometer63
Energy control63
Fuel gauge64
Coolant temperature gauge64
Service Interval Display64
Multi-Information Display (MID)66
Outside temperature display
and digital clock68
Check Control71
Check Control with outside
temperature display and
digital clock74
Onboard computer77

Technology for driving comfort
and safety:

Automatic stability control
plus traction (ASC+T)84

28
Locks and security systems:
Keys30
Electronic vehicle immobilizer 30
Doors31
Luggage compartment lid33
Luggage compartment34
Power windows35
Sliding/tilt sunroof36
Convertible top operation37
Adjustments:
Seats43
Steering wheel45
Mirrors46
Passenger safety systems:
Safety belts47
Child restraint system48
Installing child seats49
Airbags50
Child-safety locks52
Rollover protection system Ð
convertible52Driving:
Steering/ignition lock54
Starting the engine54
Switching off the engine55
Parking brake56
Manual transmission57
Automatic transmission58
Turn signals/high beam60
Wiper/washer system61
Cruise control62
Everything under control:
Odometer63
Tachometer63
Energy control63
Fuel gauge64
Coolant temperature gauge64
Service Interval Display64
Multi-Information Display (MID)66
Outside temperature display
and digital clock68
Check Control71
Check Control with outside
temperature display and
digital clock74
Onboard computer77

32
a
Children can lock the doors from
inside. Therefore, you should always
remove the key and take it with you to
ensure that you can unlock the car from
the outside at all times.c
In an accident, the central locking sys-
tem automatically unlocks the doors
and the interior lamps switch on.
Depending on the version, the hazard
warning flashers are also activated.
a
Avoid using the inside lock buttons
to lock the rear doors while driving, as
these doors would then fail to unlock au-
tomatically in the event of an accident.c
Opening doors from the insidePull interior door handle of a front door
twice in succession (the initial pull
unlocks the door, the second opens it).
Central locking system buttonThis button operates the central locking
system when the driverÕs door is
closed. It unlocks the doors and lug-
gage compartment, but does not arm
the alarm system.
The fuel filler door remains unlocked to
allow refueling.
The picture shows, as an example, the
shift arrangement for the BMW sedan.
Opening doors from the outsideLift the handle.Automatic window lowering (BMW Coupe, Convertible)a
The door windows are lowered
somewhat when the doors are opened
and then are raised again immediately
after the doors are locked. This makes it
easier to open the doors, prevents the
rubber door seals from being damaged
and ensures proper seating of the
windows in the rubber door seals after
closing.c
Driver's door lock heating
*
Lift the handle of the driver's door for
approx. 3 seconds: the heating
switches on. The switch-on time is
automatically controlled to save power.
S
360us124
Doors

35
At a glanceControls Car careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
Operational from ignition key posi-
tion 1.
dDepress the rocker switch until you
feel resistance:
The window continues to move as
long as the rocker switch is pressed.
dBriefly press the rocker switch to just
beyond the pressure point (one-
touch mode):
The window moves automatically.
Press and let go again to stop move-
ment.
The one-touch mode can be used to
open and close the front windows and
to open the rear windows
*.On vehicles equipped with front and
rear
* power windows:
There are separate switches located
below the rear windows (except on the
BMW Convertible).
Safety switch
* (arrow)
In this way the actuation of the windows
by means of rear switches, e.g., by chil-
dren, can be prevented.a
Always keep the safety switch
(arrow) in the depressed position when
children ride in the rear seat.
Always remove the key from the ignition
when leaving the vehicle.c
After the ignition is switched off, the
windows remain operational
dwith the ignition key at position 1 and
0, or removed, or
dwhen the front doors are open (max.
15 minutes) or until the front doors
are opened for the Þrst time.
Convenience modeAfter closing the doors, hold the key in
the lock position:
Any windows still open will close.a
Careless and inattentive closing of
the windows can lead to injuries.c
Safety featureIf one of the windows encounters resis-
tance while closing, it will respond by
halting and then opening somewhat
again.
You can deactivate this protective func-
tion, (e.g., in case of unauthorized intru-
sion into the vehicle) by pressing the
switch beyond its pressure point and
holding it there.
360us302Power windows*

47
At a glanceControls Car careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
Always fasten your seat belt before
starting off.
To fasten: make sure you hear the catch
engage in the belt buckle.
To release: press the red button in the
buckle, hold the belt and guide it back
into its reel.
The safety belt inertial mechanism
locks:
din a sudden stop or crash
dwhen you pull it sharply
dduring abrupt braking and
acceleration
din curves
dwhen the vehicle is at an
extreme angle.The safety belt can be adjusted individ-
ually to different body sizes with the
belt height adjustment:
Downward adjustment (1):
Push button downward.
Upward adjustment (2):
Grasp deflection fitting on ribbed side
sections and slide upward.
a
For your own safety, please ob-
serve the following when putting on the
safety belt, otherwise its protective
function may be impaired. Also ensure
that the other occupants follow these in-
structions.
Never allow more than one person to
wear a single safety belt. Never allow in-
fants or small children to ride in a pas-
senger's lap.
Avoid twisting the belt while routing it
firmly across the hips and shoulder. Do
not allow the belt to rest against hard or
fragile objects in your pockets. The
safety belt must not run across the
wearer's neck, nor should it be trapped
or abraded by coming into contact with
sharp edges or objects.
The belt should rest as firmly as possible
against your body You should avoid
wearing clothing that prevents it from
doing so. Pull the belt periodically to re-
tention it across your shoulder. In the
event of a frontal collision, a loose lap
belt could slide over your hips, leading
to abdominal injury. Due to the in-
creased distance between belt and
body, there would also be a delay before
restraint becomes effective.
360de032
360de033
Safety belts

48
Expectant mothers should always wear
their safety belts, taking care to position
the lap belt against the lower hips,
where it will not exert pressure against
the abdominal area.
Never attempt to modify the safety
belts.c
For care instructions refer to page 134.Never install a rear-facing child restraint
system in the front passenger's seat!
Never attempt to modify either the
safety belts or any child restraint sys-
tem.
Should the safety belts be damaged or
stretched in an accident, the entire belt
system - including safety belt tension-
ers - must be replaced and the anchor-
ing mounts inspected at a BMW
Retailer.
If the safety belt tensioner has been
activated, a distance of roughly 0.8 in
(20 mm) will remain between the safety
belt lock and the tensioner module.
Installing child restraintsTo install and secure child restraint sys-
tems, all rear safety belts (and the front
passenger's safety belt) are equipped
with a special locking mode.
A label with operating instructions is
attached to the belt next to the latch
plate.To lock the beltExtract the entire length of the belt from
the inertia reel mechanism. Allow the
reel to retract the belt somewhat and
engage the buckle, then tighten the belt
against the child restraint system. The
retraction mechanism is now locked.
Always observe the installation instruc-
tions provided by the manufacturer of
the child restraint system.360us125
Safety belts Child restraint system

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

52
Notes on safetyNever attempt to remove the gas gener-
ator for the airbag passenger-restraint
system from the vehicle. Testing and
service procedures are to be performed
exclusively by qualified technicians. In
the event of malfunction, deactivation
or triggering (in response to an acci-
dent), always entrust repair and service
operations to your authorized BMW
Retailer.
Do not modify or tamper with either the
wiring or the individual components in
the airbag system; these include also
the padded covers on the steering
wheel, on the instrument panel or on
the side trim panels of the front doors.
Never apply adhesive materials to these
components and never cover or modify
them in any way. Do not remove or dis-
mantle the steering wheel.
The airbag generator can be disposed
of only by a BMW Retailer.
Unprofessional attempts to service the
system could lead to failure in an emer-
gency or undesired airbag activation,
either of which could result in personal
injury.Insert the key in the slot in one of the
rear door latch mechanisms and turn
toward the outside: the door can now
be opened from the outside only.The rollover protection system is acti-
vated automatically in the event of an
accident or in a critical driving situation
(extreme tilting in the longitudinal or lat-
eral axis, loss of ground contact). The
protective bars located behind the rear
head restraints extend within a fraction
of a second.
In addition to the roll bar integrated in
the windshield frame, the rollover pro-
tection system helps provide all vehicle
occupants, and in particular the rear
passengers, with needed headroom.
b
When the hardtop
* is on, it is
advisable to use "soft" protective cov-
ers, in order to prevent damage to the
luggage compartment lid when the sys-
tem is activated. Please contact your
authorized BMW Retailer for additional
information.c
a
Always keep the space required by
the rollover protection system free of
obstacles.
In the case of minor, non-rollover acci-
dents, passengers are protected only by
the buckled safety belt and the belt ten-
sioner and, depending on the severity of
the accident, the airbag restraint sys-
tem.c
360de012
BMW Sedan
Airbags Child-safety locks Rollover protection system*

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

12 7
At a glanceControlsCar careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
Coolant level with engine cold: up to
the KALT/COLD mark on the transpar-
ent coolant expansion tank.
The coolant is a mixture of water and
extended-duty antifreeze with corrosion
inhibitor. Always maintain the prescribed
all-season 50:50 mixture ratio for year-
round protection against internal corro-
sion. No other additives are required.
Replace the coolant every three years.
To add coolantWait until the engine cools before re-
moving the cap from the expansion
tank. Before unscrewing the cap, en-
sure that the needle on the temperature
gauge is in the blue sector to avoid
scalding.
dStart by turning the cap counter-
clockwise. Pause to allow any accu-
mulated pressure to escape, then
open.
dAdd coolant up to the KALT/COLD
mark. Excess coolant drains off
through the overßow line.a
Do not add coolant while the
engine is hot.
To avoid the possibility of damage later
on, never use anything other than
factory-approved nitrite and amino-free
long-term antifreeze and corrosion
protectant. Your authorized BMW
Retailer is familiar with the official
specifications.
Antifreeze with corrosion protectant is
toxic. Always store in original contain-
ers only, keeping them tightly closed.
Store well out of reach of children.
When disposing of it, observe the
applicable environmental protection
laws.Long-term antifreeze and corrosion
protectant contains the flammable
substance ethylene glycol. You should
therefore avoid spilling it on hot engine
components, as it could catch fire and
cause serious burns.c
A
Observe the applicable environ-
mental protection laws when disposing
of used antifreeze.c
360de099Coolant