BMW Owner Letter ( Affix Child Seat Labels on Z3 Models)

December, 1996

Dear BMW owner:
BMW is participating in discussions now underway among the automotive industry and the federal government to determine how best to communicate airbag safety information to the general public. These discussions, especially the potential for serious injury to small children, have received considerable attention.

BMW is taking several steps to inform you about the most effective way to use the safety features on your BMW.

Please read the enclosed BMW Safety Tips card and communicate these reminders to your passengers. Then, place this card in the door side pocket for easy reference.

Most importantly:

^ Never install a rear - facing child - restraint device in the passenger's seat of your BMW Z3.

^ The driver and passenger should use safety belts at all times.

^ Always move both driver and passenger seat as far from the airbag as practical.

If it is necessary for a child to ride in the car, certain precautions should be taken. First, move the passenger seat as far away from the dashboard as possible. This important precaution is intended to maximize the distance between the airbag and the child. Older children, should be tightly secured with the safety belt. Younger children should be secured in a child restraint device that has first been secured with a safety belt. However. never install a rear-facing child restraint device in the passenger seat of your BMW Z3.

Your Z3 has one of the industry's first dual - threshold airbag systems. BMWs have a dual - deployment threshold for belted and unbelted occupants. If the safety belt is used, the airbag will not deploy at a lower crash severity, but only at the higher crash severity, where airbags have been demonstrated to be beneficial in helping to prevent harm to occupants. If the safety belt is not used, the airbag will deploy at the lower crash severity. Therefore, it is important to always wear the safety belt.

As another reminder, BMW has created the enclosed labels. We recommend that you affix them to your vehicle in the location shown in the enclosed illustration sheet. They reinforce the importance of safety belt usage.

Finally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration continues to evaluate the legality of temporarily disconnecting airbags. While there may be special circumstances that would support a serious measure such as this, it is generally not recommended by BMW.

Airbags have been demonstrated to be effective life-saving and injury - preventing safety devices. With a few precautions, described in this letter and on the BMW Safety Tips card, airbags should not present a hazard to children and small - stature occupants.

If you have any questions concerning this information, please contact the service advisor at your BMW retailer or our BMW Airbag Information Line at 1-800-595-4050.

On behalf of everyone at BMW, let me wish you the safest of holiday seasons. Please drive carefully.