tire pressure 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

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

15

At a glance
Controls and featuresCare and maintenanceAdvanced technology
Technical data
Owner service procedure
Index

At a glanceControls Car care Repairs Technical Data Index

Cockpit 16
Instrument cluster 18
Indicator and warning lamps 20
Hazard warning system 22
Hazard warning triangle 22
First-aid kit 22
Refueling 23
Fuel specification 23
CARB OBD II interface 24
Tire inflation pressures 25

At a glanceControls Car care Repairs Technical Data Index
25
BCBC+C/$
BCBC
Tire inflation pressures If the driver's door is open, the infla-
tion pressures are also visible on the
door pillar. Inflation pressures are
indicated in psi (bar) with tires cold
(ambient temperature).
The inflation pressures apply to tires
from BMW-approved manufacturers;
your BMW Retailer will provide you
with this information. Higher pres-
sures may be required for tires from
other manufacturers.a
Periodically check the inflation
pressure Ð also of the spare tire Ð at
least twice each month and before
setting out on an extended trip. Failing
this, incorrect tire pressure may ren-
der the car unstable or cause tire
damage resulting in an accident.cSedan models
BMW
modelTire sizes
Inßation pressures are
indicated in psi (bar)
318i185/65 R 15 88 Q, T M+S
185/65 R 15 88 T 29
(2.0)35
(2.4)36
(2.5)44
(3.0)
205/60 R 15 91 H
225/55 R 15 92 V
225/50 ZR 16
205/60 R 15 91 Q, H M+S
225/50 R 16 92 Q M+S29
(2.2)32
(2.2)32
(2.2)39
(2.7)
328i205/60 R 15 91 H
225/50 ZR 16
205/60 R 15 91 Q, H M+S
225/50 R 16 92 Q M+S29
(2.0)33
(2.3)33
(2.3)41
(2.8)
See next page for additional models

26
BCBC+C/$
BCBC
Tire inflation pressures (cont.)
Coupe models
BMW
modelTire sizes
Inßation pressures are
indicated in psi (bar)
318is
323is205/60 R 15 91 H
225/55 R 15 92 V
225/50 ZR 16
205/60 R 15 91 Q, H M+S
225/50 R 16 92 Q M+S29
(2.0)32
(2.2)32
(2.2)39
(2.7)
185/65 R 15 88 Q M+S29
(2.0)35
(2.4)36
(2.5)44
(3.0)
328is205/60 R 15 91 H
225/50 ZR 16
205/60 R 15 91 Q, H M+S
225/50 R 16 92 Q M+S29
(2.0)33
(2.3)33
(2.3)41
(2.8)
See next page for additional models

At a glanceControls Car care Repairs Technical Data Index
27
BCBC+$
BC-
max.
Tire inflation pressures (cont.)
Convertible models
BMW
modelTire sizes
Inßation pressures are
indicated in psi (bar)
318i
323i205/60 R 15 91 H
225/55 R 15 92 V
225/50 ZR 16
205/60 R 15 91 Q, H M+S
225/50 R 16 92 Q M+S29
(2.0)32
(2.2)32
(2.2)39
(2.7)
328i205/60 R 15 91 H
225/50 ZR 16
205/60 R 15 91 Q, H M+S
225/50 R 16 92 Q M+S29
(2.0)33
(2.3)33
(2.3)41
(2.8)

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

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 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