BMW Z8 2000 Owners Manual

Owner's Manual for the Vehicle.
With a quick reference guide
for your convenience.

Congratulations, and thank you for choosing a BMW.
Thorough familiarity with your vehicle will provide you with enhanced co\
ntrol and
security when you drive it. We therefore have this request:
Please take the time to read this Owner's Manual and familiarize yoursel\
f with the
information that we have compiled for you before starting off in your ne\
w vehicle. It
contains important data and instructions intended to assist you in gaini\
ng maximum
use and satisfaction from the unique range of technical features on your\
BMW. The
manual also contains information on care and maintenance designed to enh\
ance
operating safety and contribute to maintaining the value of your BMW thr\
oughout an
extended service life.
This manual is supplemented by a Service and Warranty Information Bookle\
t
(US models) or a Warranty and Service Guide Booklet (Canadian models)\
.
We recommend that you read this publication thoroughly.
Your BMW is covered by the following warranties:
Ð New Vehicle Limited Warranty
Ð Limited Warranty Rust Perforation
Ð Federal Emissions System Defect Warranty
Ð Federal Emissions Performance Warranty
Ð California Emissions Control System Limited Warranty
Detailed information about these warranties is listed in the Service and\
Warranty
Information Booklet (US models) or in the Warranty and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models).
We wish you an enjoyable driving experience.
BMW AG

© 2000 BMW AG
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the
written consent of BMW AG, Munich.
Part number 01 41 0 155 083
US English III/00
Printed in Germany
Printed on environmentally friendly paper
(bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling).
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Notes on the Owner's Manual

We have made every effort to ensure
that you are able to find what you need
in this Owner's Manual as quickly as
possible. The fastest way to find certain
topics is by using the detailed index at
the end. If you wish to gain only an ini-
tial overview of your vehicle, you will
find this in the first chapter.
The detailed table of contents that di-
rectly follows the summary of contents
is intended to stimulate your curiosity
regarding your BMW and to encourage
you to read the manual.
Should you wish to sell your BMW at
some time in the future, please remem-
ber to hand over this Owner's Manual
to the new owner; it is part of the vehi-
cle.
Should you have any further questions,
your BMW center will be glad to assist
at any time.

Symbols used

Indicates instructions or precau-
tions that must be followed pre-
cisely in order to avoid the possibility of
personal injury and serious damage to
the vehicle.

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Contains either information that
will assist you in gaining the opti-
mum benefit from your vehicle and en-
ables you to care more effectively for
your vehicle.

<


Refers to measures that can
be taken to help protect the
environment.

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<

Marks the end of a specific item of
information.

*
Indicates special equipment, country-
specific equipment and optional extras.
Identifies systems or components,
which your BMW center can either
activate or adapt to suit an individual
driverÕs requirements ("Car Memory",
"Key Memory"). Refer to page 46.

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The individual vehicle

If your BMW features equipment which
is not described in this Owner's Manual
(e. g. car radio, navigation system or
telephone), Supplementary Owner's
Manuals are enclosed. We ask you to
read these manuals as well.

Notes
Symbols
The individual vehicle

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Status at time of printing

BMW pursues a policy of continuous,
ongoing development designed to en-
sure that our vehicles continue to em-
body the highest quality and safety
standards combined with advanced,
state-of-the-art technology. For this
reason, it is possible that the features
described in this Owner's Manual could
differ from those on your vehicle. Nor
can errors and omissions be entirely
ruled out. You are therefore asked to
appreciate that no legal claims can be
entertained on the basis of the data,
illustrations or descriptions in this
Owner's Manual.

Status at time of printing

4n

For your own safety

Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels
containing up to and including
10 % ethanol or other oxygenates with
up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight (i. e. 15 %
MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an equiva-
lent amount of co-solvent) will not void
the applicable warranties respecting
defects in materials or workmanship.
Field experience has indicated signifi-
cant differences in fuel quality (volatility,
composition, additives, others) among
gasolines offered for sale in the United
States and Canada. The use of poor-
quality fuels may result in driveability,
starting and stalling problems espe-
cially under certain environmental con-
ditions such as high ambient tempera-
ture and high altitude.
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems which you suspect could be re-
lated to the fuel you are using, we rec-
ommend that you respond by switching
to a recognized high-quality brand.
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may result in unscheduled
maintenance.
Follow the relevant safety rules when
you are handling gasoline.

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Important safety information.
For your own safety, use genuine parts
and accessories approved by BMW.
When you purchase accessories tested
and approved by BMW and Original
BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire
the assurance that they have been thor-
oughly tested by BMW to ensure opti-
mum performance when installed on
your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free
from defects in material and workman-
ship.
BMW will not accept any liability for
damage resulting from installation of
parts and accessories not approved by
BMW.
BMW cannot test every product made
by other manufacturers to verify if it can
be used on a BMW safely and without
risk to either the vehicle, its operation,
or its occupants.
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories
and other products approved by BMW,
together with professional advice on
using these items, are available from all
BMW centers.

Installation and operation of non-BMW
approved accessories such as alarms,
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors,
wheels, suspension components, brake
dust shields, telephones (including
operation of any portable cellular phone
from within the vehicle without using an
externally mounted antenna) or trans-
ceiver equipment (such as C.B., walkie-
talkie, ham radio or similar) may cause
extensive damage to the vehicle, com-
promise its safety, interfere with the
vehicle's electrical system or affect the
validity of the BMW Limited Warranty.
See your BMW center for additional
information.

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Maintenance, replacement, or re-
pair of the emission control de-
vices and systems may be performed
by any automotive repair establishment
or individual using any certified auto-
motive part.

<



Symbol for vehicle parts

Indicates that you should consult
the relevant section of this
Owner's Manual for information on a
particular part or assembly.

For your own safety

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The following applies only to vehicles owned and operated in the US.

REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS

If you believe that your vehicle has a defect that could cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you should
immediately inform the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addition to notifying BMW of
North America, Inc., P.O. Box 1227, Westwood, New Jersey 07675-1227, Telephone (201) 307-4000.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an investigation, and if it finds that a safety defect exists in a
group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in indi-
vidual problems between you, your dealer, or BMW of North America, Inc.
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-9393 (or 202-366-0123 in
Washington, D.C. area) or write to: NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, D.C. 20590. You can
also obtain other information about motor vehicle safety from the Hotline.

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Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview

Contents

Overview
Controls and features

Cockpit14
Instrument cluster16
Indicator and warning lamps18
Hazard warning flashers22
Warning triangle22
First-aid kit22
Refueling23
Fuel quality24
Tire inflation pressure24

Locks and security systems:

Keys28
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer29
Central locking system30
Opening and closing Ð from
outside30
Using the key30
Using the remote control31
Opening and closing Ð from
inside34
Luggage compartment lid35
Alarm system36
Electric power windows38
The automatic convertible
top39

Adjustments:

Seats43
Steering wheel45
Mirrors45
Car Memory, Key Memory46

Passenger safety systems:

Safety belts48
Airbags49
Child restraints51
Child seat safety52

Driving:

Steering/Ignition lock53
Starting the engine54
Turning the engine off54
Parking brake55
Manual transmission56
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher56
Wiper/Washer system57
Rear window defroster58
Cruise control59

Everything under control:

Odometer60
Tachometer60
Fuel gauge60
Coolant temperature gauge61
Service Interval Display61
Clock62
Multi-Information Radio (MIR)62

Technology for safety and
driving convenience:

Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)63
Dynamic Driving Control64
Tire Pressure Warning (RDW)65

Contents

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Controls and features
Operation, care and maintenance

Lamps:

Side lamps/Low beams67
Instrument lighting67
High beams/Parking lamps68
Rear foglamp68
Interior lamps68
Reading lamps69

Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:

Heating and ventilation/
Air conditioning70
Seat heating75

Interior conveniences:

Glove compartment76
Storage compartments76
Beverage can holder78
Cellular phone79
Ashtray79
Cigarette lighter80

Loading and transporting:

Cargo loading81

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures84
Driving notes85
Catalytic converter85
Antilock Brake System (ABS)86
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)88
Disc brakes88
Brake system89
Winter operation90
Power steering92
Cellular phone92
Radio reception92
Wind protection93
Hardtop94

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressure96
Tire condition97
Tire replacement98
Tire rotation100
Wheel and tire
combinations101
Winter tires102
Snow chains102
Approved wheel and tire
specifications103

Under the hood:

Hood104
Engine compartment106
Washer fluids108
Washer nozzles108
Engine oil109
Coolant111
Brake fluid112
Vehicle Identification
Number113

Maintenance and care:

The BMW Maintenance
System114
Caring for your vehicle115
Airbags121
Storing your vehicle122

Laws and regulations:

Technical modifications123
California Proposition 65
Warning123
OBD interface socket124