light BMW Z8 2001 User Guide

43n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
The automatic convertible top4 Press on both left and right sides to
lock the cover in place
5 Pull the button to verify that the
locking mechanism is engaged
securely.
The cover lock responds by
alternately engaging and releasing
with each successive application of
pressure.<
Be sure that the cover is properly
secured on the vehicle. If it is not
firmly secured, air pressure could
loosen the cover at higher speeds.<520de038
To remove the cover panel,Follow the same steps as for assembly,
however, in reverse sequence.
After removal, slide the two outside
ends of the cover under the retaining
strap, then tilt in the middle and fold
toward the outside (leather on leather).
After folding the cover, insert it in the
protective casing for subsequent
storage in the luggage compartment.520de109
Closing1 Push the switch toward "Close" (2)
and maintain pressure until the auto-
matic closing process is completed,
just before the top frame comes to
rest against the windshield header
rail.
The side windows automatically
retract and remain lowered slightly
for the duration of the closing proce-
dure.520de083

45n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
For maximum safety when adjusting the
seating position, please observe the
following:
Never try to adjust your seat while
driving the vehicle. The seat could
respond with an unexpected move-
ment, and the ensuing loss of vehicle
control could lead to an accident.
Be sure that the safety belt remains
firmly against your body at all times. In
the event of a frontal impact, a loose lap
belt could slide over the hips, leading to
abdominal injury. In addition, the safety
belt's restraint effectiveness is reduced
if the belt is worn loosely.
Never ride with the backrest reclined to
an extreme angle (especially important
for the passenger to remember). If you
do so, there is a risk that you will slide
under the safety belt in an accident,
thus reducing the protection provided
by the safety belt.<
Correct sitting postureTo reduce strain on the spinal column,
sit all the way back in the seat and rest
your back fully against the backrest.
The ideal sitting posture is achieved
with your head extending from your
spine in a straight line.
For long-distance driving, you may wish
to increase the backrest tilt-angle
slightly to reduce muscular tension.
You should be able to grasp the
steering wheel at its highest point with
your arms slightly bent.
1 Backward/Forward adjustment
2 Cushion height
3 Backrest angle
Adjust the head restraint manually.
Ensure that the backrest detent is
fully engaged before sliding the
seat to the rear. If the seat is moved
back with the backrest is folded
forward, the detents may not engage
during subsequent attempts to return
the backrest to its upright position.
Both the rear of the backrest and the
upholstery in the rear storage well may
sustain damage as a result. Always
ensure that the backrest is not reclined
to an excessively steep angle when
sliding the seat back: failure to observe
this precaution can result in damage to
both the upholstery in the rear storage
well and to the backrest itself.<
520de017
Seat adjustment

48n
Mirrors Car Memory, Key MemoryInterior rearview mirror with
automatic dimmer This mirror automatically responds to
ambient light and headlight glare from
following vehicles by dimming through
an infinitely variable range. The
dimming function is regulated by two
photocells; one is integrated in the
mirror's frame (arrow), while the other is
located at an offset position on the rear
of the mirror. 520de019
The mirror switches to its clear,
undimmed mode whenever you shift
into reverse.
To ensure that the photocells continue
to operate effectively, make certain that
their surfaces remain clear, and refrain
from allowing objects of any kind
(including windshield stickers) to
obstruct the area between the photocell
and the windshield.
For a more detailed explanation of the
electrochromatic technology used in
this mirror, please refer to page 150.
The conceptNo doubt you have reflected at one
time or another on how great it would
be if you could permanently configure
your car's various features and adjust-
ments to mirror your own individual
preferences. In developing the Z8,
BMW has incorporated a number of
options for personal adjustment that
can be programmed into your car by
your BMW center.
The available configuration data fall into
two categories, according to whether
their primary orientation is the vehicle
("Car Memory") or the individual ("Key
Memory"). Provided that each person
has a separate remote control key, you
can have your BMW center enter
adjustment data for as many as four
different individuals into the system.
The system then relies on a bilateral
data exchange to identify the individual
user and dial in the selected settings
whenever the remote control unit is
used to disengage the door locks.

49n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Car Memory, Key MemoryWhat the system can doYour BMW center can provide you with
details on the capabilities of the Car
Memory and Key Memory systems.
Below are a few examples:
A Car Memory sampler:
>Various signals to confirm release
and engagement of the vehicle's
locks.
>Activate/deactivate the "Follow-me-
home lighting" function.
A Key Memory sampler:
>Engage vehicle locks as soon as the
vehicle is underway.
At various points throughout this
Owner's Manual you will find this
symbol, indicating that the equipment
or system described in the adjacent
section can be preset for automatic
adjustment using the Car or Key
Memory.<

51n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Airbags 1 Front airbag on driver and passenger
side
2 Side airbags on driver and passenger
sideProtectionThe front airbags protect the driver and
passenger in the event of severe frontal
impacts in which a safety belt alone is
not enough to afford optimal protection.
The side airbags help provide protec-
tion in the event of a collision from the
side. Each of the side airbags is
designed to help support the seat occu-
pant's upper body.520de021
The illustration shows the system's
effective response range.
The airbags do not respond to mi-
nor impacts, if the vehicle rolls
over, or if the vehicle is hit from the
rear.<520de022
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster comes on to
confirm the system's operational
status from ignition key position 1.
System operational:
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly
then goes out.
System malfunction:
>The indicator lamp fails to come on
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly
before going out and then lighting up
again.
A system malfunction could prevent the
system from responding to a high-
intensity impact sustained within its
normal response range.
Have your BMW center inspect the
system immediately.

55n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Your vehicle is equipped with an elec-
trically powered steering lock mecha-
nism.To activate the electrical power
supply and release the steering>Insert key at position 0. The steering
detent can be heard disengaging. If
you encounter any resistance when
turning the key to the right this indi-
cates that the detent is still engaged:
turn the steering wheel slightly to free
the mechanism and turn the key.
The vehicle immobilizer is deacti-
vated
>The sound system and other electri-
cal accessories are available for use
when the ignition key is in position 1 520de023
>Turning the key to position 2 provides
electrical power to the ignition and all
remaining electrical systems.
Removing the keyThe key is removed in position 0. Turn
the steering wheel to engage the
steering lock and activate the electronic
vehicle immobilizer.
With a discharged or discon-
nected battery, the steering
column will not be locked or unlocked.
Leaving the key in the ignition uses up a
minimal amount of power. In order to
avoid discharging the battery, remove
the key if the vehicle is to be parked for
an extended period of time.<
If the steering is locked and the
battery discharged or discon-
nected, do not tow the vehicle, as it will
not be possible to turn the steering
wheel.<
Ignition and steering lock

57n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Parking brake The parking brake is primarily designed
to prevent the vehicle from rolling while
parked. It operates on the rear wheels.To engageThe lock engages automatically when
you lift the lever, and the indicator lamp
in the instrument cluster comes on
when the ignition key is in position 2.
Refer to page 21.To releasePull up slightly on the lever, press the
button and lower the lever.520de024
If, in rare circumstances, it should
be necessary to engage the
parking brake while the vehicle is in
motion, do not pull hard on the lever.
Keep your thumb pressed against the
release button while carefully pulling
the lever up to apply moderate pres-
sure.
Excessive pressure can lead to over-
braking and loss of traction (fishtailing)
at the rear axle.
The brake lamps do not come on when
the parking brake is engaged.
Always engage the parking brake when
parking on hills and inclined surfaces,
as selecting first gear or reverse may
not provide adequate resistance to
rolling.<
To avoid corrosion and one-sided
braking, apply the parking brake lightly
from time to time when coasting to a
standstill (at a traffic signal, for
instance), provided that it is safe to do
so.

62n
1 Odometer With the ignition key in position 0, you
can activate the displays shown in the
illustration by pressing the button in the
instrument cluster (arrow).2 Trip odometerTo reset the trip odometer to zero,
press the button (arrow) with the igni-
tion key in position 1.520us004
Never allow engine speed to climb until
the needle enters the tachometer's red
sector.
To protect the engine, the engine-
management system automatically
interrupts the fuel supply in this range,
producing the sensation of a sudden
loss of power.520de029
When you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp lights up briefly to
confirm that the system is operational.
Once the indicator lamp comes on and
stays on, there are approx. 2.5 gallons
(10 liters) of fuel left in the fuel tank.
For fuel tank capacity, refer to
page 157.
Certain operating conditions (such
as those encountered in mountainous
areas) may cause the needle to fluc-
tuate slightly.
Please refuel early, since driving
to the last drop of fuel can result
in damage to the engine or catalytic
converter.<520us005
Odometer Tachometer Fuel gauge

67n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Tire Pressure Warning (RDW)The conceptRDW monitors the tire pressure in all
four wheels while driving. The system
provides an alert whenever the inflation
pressure drops significantly in one of
the tires.
For RDW to "learn" the correct tire infla-
tion pressure, check the inflation pres-
sure in all tires, comparing them with
the values in the inflation pressure table
(refer to page 27), and make correc-
tions as necessary. Then activate the
system.
The indicator lamp within the in-
strument cluster flashes to alert
you to substantial pressure loss
in any of the tires.
To activate the system 1 Turn the ignition key to position 2
2 Press the switch long enough for
the indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster to light up red for a few
seconds
3 RDW carries out an automatic
initialization process while you are
driving, and stores this data to aim for
optimal conditions. This one-time
"learning" process lasts at least
10 minutes, after which the RDW is
able to detect and report a flat tire.520de117
Repeat this process after any changes
in tire inflation pressure, tire rotation or
replacement.
Do not reactivate the system after
periodic corrections of inflation pres-
sures to maintain them at the levels
stored during an earlier initialization
process.

69n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Side lamps (Side marker lamps)
With the switch in this position,
the front, rear and side vehicle
lighting is switched on.
When leaving the vehicle parked, you
also have the additional option of acti-
vating the lighting on just one side, refer
to page 70.
Low beam headlamps
When you switch off the ignition
and the low beams are still on,
only the side lamps (side marker
lamps) remain on.
520de036
"Follow-me-home lighting":
If you actuate the headlamp
flasher after you have parked the
vehicle and shut off the engine, the low
beams will remain on for a brief period.
You may also have this function deacti-
vated if you wish.<
"LAMPS ON" warningIf you turn the ignition key to position 0,
an acoustic signal will sound for a few
seconds after the driver's door has
been opened if the low beam head-
lamps have not been switched off.Daytime running lamps
*
The headlamps are automatically
switched on for daylight driving when
ignition key is in position 2.
Turn the knob to adjust the lighting
intensity.520us008
Side lamps/Low beams Instrument panel lighting