BMW Z8 2001 Owners Manual

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

Z8
BMW recommends Castrol

Congratulations, and thank you for choosing a BMW.
Thorough familiarity with your vehicle will provide you with enhanced control and
security when you drive it. We therefore have this request:
Please take the time to read this Owner's Manual and familiarize yourself with the
information that we have compiled for you before starting off in your ne w BMW. It
contains important data and instructions intended to help you derive maximum use
and satisfaction from your BMW's unique range of technical features. The manual
also contains information on care and maintenance designed to enhance operating
safety and contribute to maintaining the value of your vehicle throughout an
extended service life.
This manual is supplemented by a Service and Warranty Information Booklet
(US models) or a Warranty and Service Guide Booklet (Canadian models).
We recommend that you read the applicable 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 concerning these warranties is provided 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.
Order No. 01 41 0 155 673
US English IX/2000
Printed in Germany
Printed on environmentally friendly paper
(bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling).
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Using this owner's manual

This Owner's Manual has been
specially compiled to provide you with
a quick and convenient reference
source. The fastest way to find informa-
tion on particular topics is by turning to
the comprehensive index at the back of
the manual. If you are looking for a brief
summary of the essentials, you can turn
immediately to the first section.
We hope that the detailed table of
contents provided on the pages
following the content summary will
stimulate your interest and encourage
you to explore the remainder of the
manual.
Should the day come when you decide
to sell your BMW, please remember to
ensure that the new owner receives this
manual. The manual is legally consid-
ered to be part of the vehicle.Should you have any further questions,
your BMW center will be happy to
assist you with any additional questions
that may arise.

Symbols used

Indicates instructions or precau-
tions that must be followed
precisely in order to avoid the possi-
bility of personal injury and serious
damage to the vehicle.

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Contains either information that
will assist you in gaining the
optimum benefit from your vehicle and
enables 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.

t

Identifies index entries that refer to
owner service procedures or topics on
car care.

Identifies systems or components,
which your BMW center can either
activate or adapt to suit an individual
driver's requirements ("Car Memory",
"Key Memory"). Refer to page 48.

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Notes
Symbols
The individual vehicle

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Your own personal vehicle

If your BMW includes optional equip-
ment not described in this manual
(sound system, navigation system,
mobile phone, etc.), please refer to the
separate manuals provided. We urge
you to take the time to study their
contents carefully.

Status at time of printing

To ensure that our products continue to
embody unexcelled levels of quality and
safety, we at BMW pursue a policy of
continuous, ongoing development
embracing all aspects of design. This
process includes all components and
accessories as well as manufacturing
techniques. It is possible that some of
the equipment in your own vehicle may
differ from that described in this
manual. For the same reason, it is
impossible to guarantee that the
descriptions and illustrations will be
accurate in all respects. We must there-
fore request your understanding for the
fact that we are unable to recognize
liability claims based on discrepancies
between the data, illustrations and
descriptions in this manual and your
own vehicle's equipment.

Status at time of printing

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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. Use of inferior fuels
can lead to poor starting, drivability
problems and stalling; these difficulties
can be aggravated by extreme oper-
ating conditions such as those encoun-
tered in extremely hot weather and at
high altitudes.
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems which you suspect could be
related to the fuel you are using, we
recommend that you respond by
switching to a recognized high-quality
brand.
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may result in unscheduled
maintenance.
Always observe all applicable safety
rules and precautions when 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
optimum 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 confirm that
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,
compromise 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
repair of the emission control
devices and systems may be performed
by any automotive repair establishment
or individual using any certified auto-
motive part.

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Symbol on 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

Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps20
Hazard warning flashers24
Warning triangle24
First-aid kit24
Refueling25
Fuel quality26
Tire inflation pressure26

Locks and security systems:

Keys30
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer31
Central locking system32
Opening and closing Ð from the
outside32
Using the key32
Using the remote control33
Opening and closing Ð from the
inside36
Luggage compartment lid37
Alarm system38
Electric power windows40
The automatic convertible
top41

Adjustments:

Seats45
Steering wheel47
Mirrors47
Car Memory, Key Memory48

Passenger safety systems:

Safety belts50
Airbags51
Transporting children safely53

Driving:

Ignition and steering lock55
Starting the engine56
Turning the engine off56
Parking brake57
Manual transmission58
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher58
Washer/Wiper system59
Rear window defroster60
Cruise control61

Everything under control:

Odometer62
Tachometer62
Fuel gauge62
Coolant temperature gauge63
Service Interval Display63
Clock64
Multi-Information Radio (MIR)64

Technology for safety and
driving convenience:

Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)65
Dynamic Performance
Control66
Tire Pressure Warning (RDW)67

Contents