Get Controls and features -> Driving: Ignition, Starting, Parking brake, Transmission Guide for BMW Z8 Roadster First Generation (2000-2003)

Ignition and steering lock

55n

> Turning the key to position 2 provides

electrical power to the ignition and all

remaining electrical systems.

Removing the key

The 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.<

Your vehicle is equipped with an elec-

trically powered steering lock mecha-

nism.

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.<

To activate the electrical power

supply and release the steering

> Insert key at position 1. 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 elec-

trical accessories are available for

use when the ignition key is in posi-

tion 1

⁵⁶ⁿStarting the engine

Do not press the accelerator pedal

while starting the engine (pressing the

starter button).

To prevent the battery from

discharging, always deactivate elec-

trical devices that are not in use. Switch

the ignition off when the vehicle is not

being driven.

Do not actuate the starter button

for too short a time, but do not

keep it pressed for more than approx.

20 seconds.<

Do not allow the engine to warm up by

leaving it running while the vehicle

remains stationary. Instead, begin to

drive immediately at a moderate engine

speed.

Before starting

> Engage the parking brake

> Make sure that the transmission is in

neutral

Cold starts at very low temperatures,

from approx. +5 7 (–15 6) and at alti-

tudes above 3,300 ft (1,000 meters):

> Depress the clutch pedal

> Turn ignition key to position 2.

> On the first start attempt, engage the

starter for a longer period (approx.

10 seconds).

Do not allow the engine to run in

enclosed areas. The exhaust

Engine idle speed is controlled by the

electronic engine-management system.

A fast idle immediately after starting is

normal and should decrease as the

engine warms up. If the idle does not

return to normal as the engine reaches

normal operating temperature, service

is required.

gases contain carbon monoxide, an

odorless and colorless, but highly toxic

gas. Breathing the exhaust gases poses

an extreme health risk, and can lead to

unconsciousness and death.

Do not leave the vehicle unattended

with the engine running. An unattended

vehicle with a running engine repre-

sents a potential safety hazard.<

Switching off the engine Parking brake

57n

If, in rare circumstances, it should

Turn ignition key to position 1 or 0.

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.

Never remove the ignition key

while the vehicle is rolling. If you

do so, the ignition lock would engage

when the steering wheel is turned.

When you leave the vehicle, always

remove the ignition key and engage the

steering lock.

Excessive pressure can lead to over-

braking and loss of traction (fishtailing)

at the rear axle.

Always engage the parking brake when

parking on hills and inclined surfaces,

as first gear or reverse may not provide

adequate resistance to rolling.<

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.<

The parking brake is primarily designed

to prevent the vehicle from rolling while

parked. It operates on the rear wheels.

To engage

The 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 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.

To release

Pull up slightly on the lever, press the

button and lower the lever.

⁵⁸ⁿManual transmission

Indicator/Headlamp ﬂasher

When shifting across the gate to

the 5th/6th gear plane always

remember to push the lever to the right

to avoid inadvertent engagement of 3rd

or 4th gear.<

Reverse

Select only when the vehicle is

stationary. Press the shift lever to the

left to overcome the resistance.

As you do this, the backup lamp will

turn on automatically when the ignition

key is in position 2.

Every time you shift gears, always

depress the clutch pedal all the way

down, pushing the gear lever into the

desired position.

1 High beams (blue indicator lamp)

2 Headlamp flasher (blue indicator

lamp)

Never slip the clutch to prevent

the vehicle from rolling backwards

when stopping on hills. Slipping the

clutch for extended periods leads to

rapid, premature clutch wear.<

3 Turn signal indicator (green indicator

lamp and cyclical clicking from the

blinker relay)

Always remember to depress the clutch

pedal when starting the engine; a lock-

out device prevents starting when the

clutch is engaged.

If the indicator lamp and the clicking

from the relay are faster than normal,

one of the turn signal bulbs is defective.

The shift lever's neutral plane is located

between 3rd and 4th gears.

The shift lever automatically returns to

the 3rd/4th plane whenever you select

neutral.

To signal briefly

Press the lever up to but not beyond

the pressure point. It then returns to the

center position when released.

Controls and features -> Driving: Ignition, Starting, Parking brake, Transmission for Your BMW Z8 Roadster First Generation (2000-2003)

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