2001 BMW M ROADSTER COUPE Owners Manual

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Antilock Brake System (ABS)The conceptABS increases active safety by
preventing the wheels from locking
when braking. The reason: locked
wheels are dangerous. When the front
wheels slide, the driver loses steering
control over the vehicle. Traction loss at
the rear wheels can cause the rear end
to break into an uncontrolled skid.
The system can achieve the shortest
braking distances possible under most
conditions (on straight-aways, in curves
and on various road surfaces.).
ABS is designed to meet two essential
requirements during every brake appli-
cation:
>To help provide vehicle stability.
>Assured ability to steer and maneuver
on the various road surfaces (asphalt,
concrete, dirt, wet conditions, snow
and ice).
Braking with ABSThe system is operative once the
vehicle exceeds a speed of approx.
6 mph (10 km/h). It is inactive once
again below approx. 4 mph (6 km/h).
Therefore, the wheels could theoreti-
cally tend to lock in the final phase of a
braking action, but this is insignificant in
actual practice.
If you are in a situation which requires
full braking, you will exploit the full
benefits of the ABS system if you apply
maximum brake pressure ("panic stop").
Since the vehicle maintains steering
responsiveness, you can avoid possible
obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort, despite the full brake application.The ABS closed-loop control circuit
cycles in fractions of a second. The
pulsation at the brake pedal, together
with sounds generated by the hydraulic
control system, indicate to you that the
vehicle is approaching its maximum
braking range. It is a reminder to you
that you must adapt the vehicle's road
speed to existing road conditions.
On road surfaces that have a loose
surface layer on a firm base with good
traction (on gravel, deep sand or snow,
for example), braking distances may be
longer than with locked wheels. This
also applies for driving with snow
chains. However, ABS continues to
provide enhanced vehicle stability and
steering response under these condi-
tions.
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Antilock Brake System (ABS)Information for your safetyNot even ABS can suspend the laws
of physics. ABS alone cannot prevent
accidents if the brakes are applied
without an adequate, safe distance
between vehicles or if the speed limit
has been exceeded. Nor can it prevent
the hazards of aquaplaning. Responsi-
bility for these types of situations
remains in the hands (and at the feet) of
the driver. You should never allow the
added safety of ABS to lull you into a
false sense of security, or mislead you
into taking increased risks that could
affect your own safety and that of
others.
Do not make any modifications to
the ABS system.
Service procedures on ABS are to be
performed by authorized technicians
only.< Antilock Brake System (ABS)/
Cornering Brake Control (CBC)CBC is an advanced engineering
feature of the ABS. When braking while
cornering at high speed or braking
during high lateral acceleration, or
when braking during a lane change,
vehicle stability is improved and
steering response is enhanced.
In the event of a malfunction
The ABS warning lamp comes
on, refer to page 22. The brake
system then reverts to conven-
tional operation as on vehicles
without ABS. However, have the
brake system checked by your
BMW center as soon as possible. To
prevent undetected defects and cumu-
lative faults from adversely affecting the
brake system, refer any problems to
your BMW center at the earliest oppor-
tunity.
If the red warning lamp for the
brake hydraulic system comes
on together with the yellow indi-
cator lamps for ABS and DSC
(refer to page 21), the entire
ABS, CBC and DSC control
system has failed. Continue to
drive cautiously and defensively.
Avoid full brake applications
because the vehicle could become
unstable and go out of control.
Have the system checked by your BMW
center as soon as possible.
Warning lamps for Canadian
models.
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Disc brakesDisc brakes furnish optimum decelera-
tion and braking control and greater
fade resistance under heavy use.
When the vehicle is driven only occa-
sionally, during extended periods when
the vehicle is not used at all, or in oper-
ating conditions where brake applica-
tions are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion of the
discs and accumulation of contamina-
tion on the brake pads. This occurs
because the minimal pressure which
must be exerted by the pads to clean
the discs by brake applications is not
reached.
If the brake discs are corroded, they will
tend to respond to braking with a
pulsating effect which even extended
application will fail to cure.
For your own safety: use only
brake pads that BMW has
approved for your specific vehicle
model. BMW cannot evaluate non-
approved brake pads to determine if
they are suited for use, and therefore
cannot ensure the operating safety of
the vehicle in the event of their use.<
Driving notesWhile driving in wet conditions and in
heavy rain, it is advisable to apply light
pressure to the brake pedal every few
miles – watch traffic conditions to
ensure that this maneuver does not
endanger other road users. The heat
generated in this braking process helps
dry the brake pads and discs.
Maximum braking force is obtained
while the wheels continue to rotate,
peaking when the wheels remain on the
verge of locking without actually doing
so. ABS maintains this state automati-
cally. If the ABS fails, you should revert
to the staggered braking technique
described on page 94.
Extended or steep mountain descents
should be driven in the gear in which
only minimal periodic brake application
is required. This avoids excessive strain
on the brakes and possible impairment
of the braking effect.
You can increase the engine's braking
effect by selecting progressively lower
gears, downshifting into first gear, if
necessary. Should engine braking prove inade-
quate, you should still avoid extended,
continuous braking. Instead, decelerate
the vehicle with increased pressure on
the brake pedal (watch for following
traffic!), release the pedal and then
repeat the brake application (staggered
braking). This staggered braking tech-
nique allows the brakes to cool in the
intervals between active braking
phases, preventing overheating and
ensuring that full braking capacity
remains available at all times.
Do not drive the vehicle with the
clutch depressed, with the shift
lever in neutral or with the engine shut
off. The engine provides no braking
control when the transmission is in
neutral and there is no power assist for
braking and steering when the engine is
shut off.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any
other objects to protrude into the area
around the accelerator, clutch and
brake pedals and obstruct their move-
ment.<
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Brake system Brake fluid level
The warning lamp for the
hydraulic brake system comes
on:
The brake fluid level is too low in
the reservoir (refer to page 112).
If the brake fluid level is too low
and brake pedal travel is noticeably
longer, there may be a defect in one of
the two hydraulic brake circuits.
Proceed to the nearest BMW
center. Higher brake application
pressure may be necessary under these
conditions, and brake pedal travel may
be significantly longer. Please
remember to adapt your driving style
accordingly.<
Brake pads
The warning lamp for the brake
pads comes on:
The brake pads have reached
their minimum pad thickness. Proceed
to the nearest BMW center as soon as
possible to have the pads replaced.
For your own safety: use only
brake pads that BMW has
approved for your specific vehicle
model. BMW cannot evaluate non-
approved brake pads to determine if
they are suited for use, and therefore
cannot ensure the operating safety of
the vehicle in the event of their use.<
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Winter operationThe onset of winter is often accompa-
nied by rapid changes in weather.
Adaptations in driving style should be
accompanied by preparations on the
vehicle itself to ensure that your vehicle
operation through the winter remains
safe and trouble-free.CoolantEnsure that the coolant contains the
year-round 50 : 50 ratio of water and
antifreeze with corrosion inhibitor.
This mixture provides protection
against freezing down to approx.
– 34 7 (– 37 6). Replace the coolant
every three years.LocksBMW door lock deicer can be used to
free the doors if they are frozen. This
deicer also contains lubricant.
After using deicer, treatment with BMW
lock cylinder grease is recommended.
Rubber seals and components In order to prevent freezing, apply BMW
rubber treatment or silicone spray to
weather-stripping on the doors, hood,
luggage compartment and to convert-
ible top seals.
A full range of car-care products is
available from your BMW center.< Snow chainsMount the BMW snow chains
* only in
pairs on the rear wheels only. Comply
with the manufacturer's safety precau-
tions. Do not exceed a speed limit of
30 mph (50 km/h) when driving with
chains. As an exception in this situa-
tion, we recommend that you deacti-
vate the DSC and RDW when snow
chains are mounted. Refer to page 65
or page 67.
Starting offWhen starting from a full stop or
"rocking" free in deep snow, we recom-
mend that you deactivate the DSC
system. Refer to page 65.Driving on low-traction road
surfacesUse smooth, gentle pressure to control
the accelerator pedal. Avoid excessive
engine speeds and shift to the next
higher gear at an early point. Shift down
into the next lowest gear when
approaching uphill or downhill grades.
Maintain an adequate distance between
yourself and the vehicle ahead.Braking Winter road conditions substantially
reduce the traction available between
the tires and the road surface.
Remember that – in every situation –
braking distances will be significantly
longer as a result of this.
ABS is intended to prevent the wheels
from locking during brake applications,
thus helping to maintain vehicle stability
and steering response.
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Winter operation Power steeringIf it should occur that the ABS does not
respond in a critical braking situation
and the wheels lock: reduce the pres-
sure on the brake pedal until the wheels
just start to roll again while still main-
taining enough force to continue
braking. Following that, increase pedal
pressure again. Reduce the pressure as
the wheels lock, then reapply pressure.
Repeat this process.
This type of staggered braking will
lower the braking distance, and the
vehicle still remains responsive to
steering.
You can still attempt to steer around
hazards once you have reduced the
pressure on the brake pedal.
Do not shift down on slick road
surfaces. Doing so could cause
the rear wheels to lose traction and
skid, which could result in the loss of
vehicle control.<
Depress the clutch pedal during
hard braking on road surfaces
which provide only poor or uneven trac-
tion.<
Skid controlDepress the clutch pedal and release
the accelerator pedal. Countersteer
carefully and attempt to regain control
of the vehicle.ParkingEngage 1st or reverse gear. Depending
on the steepness of the incline, you can
apply the parking brake as well. In order
to prevent the parking brake pads from
locking due to frost or corrosion, dry
them by gently applying the parking
brake as the vehicle is coming to a stop.
Make sure that following traffic is not
endangered.
The brake lamps do not light
up when the parking brake is
applied.<
Changes in steering response
(high steering effort, for example):
Consult a BMW center to have the
system checked.
If the power steering fails,
increased effort will be required
to steer the vehicle.<
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Cellular phone
*
Radio reception
Mobile communications systems
(cellular phones, two-way radios, etc.)
are approved only up to a power output
of 10 watts. Nonetheless, they may
cause interference in the operation of
your vehicle if they are not specifically
designed for use in your vehicle. BMW
can neither test nor assume responsi-
bility for every individual product being
offered on the market. We recommend
that you consult your BMW center
before purchasing any device of this
kind.
To ensure that your BMW continues to
provide reliable and trouble-free opera-
tion, refrain from using a cellular phone
or other radio device with an antenna
located inside the passenger compart-
ment. The antenna should always be
fitted on the outside of the vehicle.
Before loading the vehicle on
a car-carrier train or driving it
through a car wash, remove the
antenna.<
The reception and sound quality
obtained from mobile radios varies
according to a variety of factors,
including the broadcast range of the
transmitter and the directional orienta-
tion of the antenna.
Interference factors such as high-
tension power lines, buildings and
natural obstructions can all lead to
unavoidable reception interference,
regardless of how well the vehicle's
sound system is operating. Climatic
factors such as intense solar radiation,
fog, rain and snow can also interfere
with reception.
Cellular phones without official BMW
approval can also generate interference
during use. This phenomenon assumes
the form of a low-pitched hum
emanating from the speaker system.
Please refer to the Owner's Manual
provided with your sound system for
detailed information on its use.Whenever necessary (when
entering a car wash, for instance),
remove the rod antenna
* (refer also to
page 116). To remove the antenna,
grasp the rod at the bottom and
unscrew it to the left from the antenna
base.<
You will find additional information
concerning radio reception in the
chapter "Advanced technology" on
page 150.
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Hardtop
* – roadster
The fabric top does not have to be
removed even in winter, when the
hardtop is normally in constant use. In
order to prevent water spots and
mildew stains, the fabric top must be
completely dry before it is stored in the
convertible top compartment.
Two people are necessary for the
installation and removal of the hardtop.
Work with extreme caution during this
operation to avoid paint damage and
damage to the body and hardtop.
You may purchase a Hardtop lift
* from
your BMW center. This accessory is
especially designed to facilitate installa-
tion and removal of the hardtop.
InstallationHook the protective fabric on the
convertible top linkage (arrow).
Open the convertible top and fold it
down in the convertible top compart-
ment. Refer to pages 37 and 41.
When doing this, make sure the rear
window is laid down evenly and free
of creases. To prevent the rear window
from being scratched, position the
protective fabric in the window fold.
Do not install the convertible top cover.
Lower the side windows and remove
the rod antenna if necessary to avoid
damage.367de384
Rotate the cover panel which is located
in the right and left trim panels behind
the seats in the direction of the arrow
until the opening for the hardtop mount
is completely free.
Remove the hardtop from the protec-
tive cover. Clean any dirt and dust from
the contact surfaces between the
hardtop and the vehicle body in order
to protect against abrasion.
Position the hardtop on the mounts with
the assistance of a second person.367de385
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