coolant level BMW CONVERTIBLE 1998 Owners Manual

20

Turn signal left/right, green

k

Flashes when the turn signals
are in operation.

Battery charge current, red

v

Goes out after the engine has
started.
If the lamp comes on during
normal vehicle operation:
The battery is no longer being charged.
Indicates a defect in the generator drive
belt or the charging circuit.

a

If the V-belt is defective, do not run
the coolant pump; overheating and
potential engine damage would result.
Contact your BMW Retailer.

c

High beam, blue

l
Lights up when the high beams
are switched on or the head-
lamp flashers are activated.
Engine oil pressure, redw
Goes out after the engine has
started. May come on briefly at
idle when the engine is hot,
but must go out again at higher engine
speed.
If the lamp comes on during normal vehi-
cle operation: stop vehicle and switch off
engine immediately. Check engine oil
level; if necessary, add oil. If oil level is
correct: contact your BMW Retailer.
Foglamps
*, green
t
Lights up whenever you switch
on the foglamps.
Airbags, redp
This lamp turns on for an oper-
ational check when you turn the
ignition key to position 1. If, at
the operation check, it does not go on,
or goes on while driving, have it checked
at your BMW Retailer.
Additional notes: Page 50
Automatic transmission
*, yellow
O
Goes out after the engine has
started.
Additional notes: Page 58
ASC+T (Automatic Stability
Control plus Traction), yellows
Goes out shortly after the igni-
tion is switched on:
System OK.
Additional notes: Page 84
ABS (Antilock Brake System),
yellowo
Goes out after the engine has
started. If the lamp comes on
during normal vehicle opera-
tion: ABS has been deactivated in
response to a system malfunction. Con-
ventional braking force remains unim-
paired.
Additional notes: Page 103
Brake pad wear, yellow#
Lights up when starter is actu-
ated and goes out when the
engine is started.
If the lamp comes on during normal
vehicle operation: replace brake pads
immediately.
a
Use only original BMW-approved
brake pads otherwise the vehicle
authorization is no longer valid.c
Indicator and warning lamps

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

72
Priority 3These status reports usually appear
after the car is parked and the ignition
key returned to position 0 (if several
messages have been recorded, they will
appear consecutively, with Priority 3
messages following Priority 1 and 2
messages).
Messages remain available for a period
of approx. two minutes after the display
goes out and the ignition key has been
removed, and can be displayed by
pressing the CHECK key.
The messages can also be displayed
before you start driving with the ignition
key in position 2. The texts then go out
after a short time or when you start driv-
ing, and no warning symbols remain.
Messages are not displayed again until
the ignition key is turned to position 0.
If a plus symbol appears: display addi-
tional messages by pressing the CHECK
key.Check coolant levelIndicates that coolant is almost down to
minimum level. Top up at the next
opportunity. Refer to page 127.To check the Check Control display
(only when no messages are displayed):
Press the CHECK key with the ignition
key in position 2: CHECK CONTROL
OK appears in the display.
EntriesAll numbers for the time and date are
entered with the entry keys according
to the following principle:
The numbers can be entered in any
order. Each time the key is pressed, or
for each half second the key is held
down, the numerical value increases by
one.To display time and datedPress the respective function key
(CLOCK/DATE).
When the ignition key is in position 0 or
removed, the displays appear for a few
seconds; in ignition key position 1 the
desired value is displayed indefinitely.
AM
360us322
1000 1001 10
Check Control*

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

13 7
At a glanceControlsCar careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
Never use spot remover, paint thinner,
solvents, gasoline etc. to remove spots
from the convertible top and from the
rear window, as these substances
destroy the rubber seals and lead to
leaks. Use only BMW-approved clean-
ers.
In addition to the advantage of being
extremely flexible, the rear window also
has the disadvantage of having a rela-
tively soft surface. For this reason, only
clean the rear window with a soft, anti-
static cloth or with BMW Convertible
Rear Window Cleaner.
If you wash the vehicle frequently in
brush car washes, and in particular in
those with hard brushes, faint scratches
in the rear window may result. With the
window replacement system you can
replace a heavily scratched window at a
relatively low price. Please contact your
authorized BMW Retailer for additional
information. b
A full range of car-care products is
available from your BMW Retailer.c
a
Cleaning agents can contain sub-
stances that are dangerous or bad for
your health. Therefore always observe
the warnings and danger notices on the
package.
Open the doors or windows on your ve-
hicle when cleaning the interior.
Never clean your vehicle with solvents
or other materials not specifically in-
tended for this application.c
Hardtop:Please follow the instructions for car
care from page 131.If the vehicle is to be temporarily stored
for more than three months, have the
following maintenance performed by
your BMW Retailer:
1 Cleaning, preservation and retreat-
ment of the engine, engine compart-
ment, underbody, axles and
subassemblies in accordance with
the factory speciÞcations. Vehicle
washing with interior cleaning fol-
lowed by paint and chrome care.
Clean rubber seals of the hood, lug-
gage compartment lid and doors and
rub with either talcum powder or
glycerine oil.
2 Change engine oil and oil Þlter at
operating temperature. As an addi-
tional corrosion protection measure,
an anti-corrosive agent can be added
to the engine in accordance with the
manufacturer's instructions.
3 Check the coolant level and concen-
tration and top up if necessary.
4 Check the acid level in the battery
cells and add distilled water if neces-
sary.
5 Increase the tire inßation pressure to
50.9 psi (3.5 bar).
Cleaning and care of the convertible top Vehicle storage

171
At a glanceControls Car careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
Note: This index does not correspond to the original manual in all detailsClock
66
, 67
, 68
, 69
Cockpit
16
Coinbox 94
Computer 77
, 78
, 79
, 80
,
81
, 82
, 83
Consumption display
64
Convenient closure
31
Convertible, refer to BMW
convertible
Coolant
105
, 127
, 166
Coolant, Antifreeze 105
Cooling system
166
Cruise control 62
Cruising range 79
Cup holder
94
DDashboard
16
Dashboard lighting
85
Data
Dimensions
161
Engine
160
Road performance
163
Weights
163
Data, technical
160
Date
68
, 72
, 74
Daytime light switch
85
Decommissioning of the
Vehicle
137
Deep water 101
Defrost windshields
91
Defrost, windshields 91
Defrosting position 91
DieselInjection system
19
Interference
19
Digital clock
66
, 67
, 68
, 69
Dimensions
161
Dipstik, engine oil
124
Disc brakes
104
Disconnect the battery
150
Display lighting
85
Distance, remaining
79
Door keys
30
Door locks 31
Doors, emergency actuation

31
Drive belts
167
Driver's airbag
50
Driving hints
100
Driving in winter
105
EElectric window actuator
35
Electrical seat
Adjustment
44
Electrical system
167
Electrolyte
149
Electronic unit
Vehicle immobilization
30
Elements of operation
16
Emergency actuation,
Central locking system 31
Tank cover
152
Energy Control 63
Engine coolant 166
Engine data
160
Engine oil
124Capacity
166
Filling capacity
166
Engine oil additives 125
Engine oil consumption
124
Engine oil level
20
Engine oil pressure
20
Eyelets, tow starting and
Towing
154
FFailure message
71
Failure of an electrical
device
151
Fault display
71
Filler cap cover 23
Filling capacity 166
Final drive
Capacity
166
Filling capacity
166
First aid
22
First aid kit 22
Flashers
60
Flat tire 111
, 146
Flower pollen 92
Foglight
86
Foglights, replace bulb
142
Folding
Rear backrest
95
Footbrake
104
Footwell light,
Replace bulb
145
Footwell lights 86
Front seat, position
43
FuelPreparation
160
Processing 160
Fuel consumption indicator

63
Fuel gauge
64
Fuses,
Replacing 151
GGlove compartment
93
Glove compartment light,
bulb replacement 145
Gross weight,
permissible
163
HHand light
93
Handbrake 56
Hazard warning system
22
Hazard warning triangle 22
Head restraint
43
Headlight cleaning System

124
Headlight cleaning system

166
Headlight covers, care
131
Headlight flasher
60
Heated seats
87
Height
161
Hi-Fi System
93
High beams 60
Highbeam headlights,
Replace lights
141
Hood release
118
Horn
17
Everything from A to Z

175
At a glanceControls Car careRepairsTechnicalDataIndex
Note: This index does not correspond to the original manual in all details
AAdd coolant 127
Adding oil 125
Adjusting washer
nozzles 124
Antifreeze, use 127BBackup lamp,
replace bulb 143
Battery,
charging 150
Battery change,
master key 145
radio remote control 145
Battery,
add distilled water 149
discharged 153
Brake fluid, add 128
Brake lamps,
replace bulb 143
Brakes, defects 105CCheck air pressure 24
Check Control 70
Check engine oil level 124
Coolant, add 127DDefrost windshields 91
Difficult steering 129Door, emergency
actuation 32
EElectrical fault
Sliding/tilt sunroof 152
Fuel filler door 152
Emergency actuation,
Door 32
Sliding/tilt sunroof 152
Fuel filler door 152
External starts 153FFailure messages 70
Failure of an
electrical device 151
Fault displays 70
First aid 21
Fittings, tow-starting and
towing 154
Flat tire 146
Foglamps,
replace bulb 142
Footwell lamp,
replace bulb 145GGlove compartment lamp,
replace bulb 145
HHazard warning system 21
Hazard warning triangle 21
Headlamp cover, care 141
Help in case of a
breakdown 153
High beam headlamps,
replace lamps 141IIndicator lamps 19
Inflation pressure 24
Interior lamps,
replace bulbs 144KKey, battery change 145LLicense plate lamp,
replace bulb 144
Low beam headlamps,
replace lamps 141
Luggage compartment lid,
emergency actuation 32
Luggage compartment
lamps, replace bulb 145MMaintenance 63OOnboard tool kit 140
PParking lamp,
replace bulb 141
Power steering,
add oil 128
Pressure, tires 24
Protective glazing,
care 131RRear foglamps,
replace bulb 142
Remove mist on
windshields 91
Replace bulbs 141
Replace fuses 151SSliding/tilt sunroof,
close in case of power
supply interruption 152
Snow chains 105
Starting difficulties 102, 153
Starting with a discharged
battery 153TTaillamp 143
Taillamp,
replace bulb 143
Tire change 146
Tire damage 111
Tools 140
Owner service procedures from A to Z