2001 BMW M ROADSTER COUPE Owners Manual

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Power convertible top
* – roadster
Weather protectionThe convertible top combines reliable
protection from the elements with
simple, convenient operation. Here are
a few tips to ensure that you have plea-
sure with your roadster.
It is advisable to close the convertible
top when the vehicle is parked. The
closed convertible top not only protects
the passenger compartment from
unforeseeable damage from the
weather, it also provides a certain
degree of theft protection. In addition,
keep valuables only in the locked
luggage compartment, even with the
convertible top closed.
Never mount a roof-mounted luggage
rack on the convertible top. Please
contact your BMW center for suitable
securing devices and additional acces-
sories.
To prevent damage, do not operate the
convertible top at temperatures at or
below the freezing point.
To conserve the battery, it is advisable
to operate the top only with the engine
running.Operate the convertible top only
when the vehicle is stationary.
Do not lay objects on the convertible
top, since they would fall off when the
convertible top is operated and cause
damage or injuries.
Do not reach into the convertible top
mechanism during opening and closing.
Keep children away from the moving
parts of the convertible top during
operation.
The automatic sequence is interrupted
immediately if the button for actuating
the top (pages 42 and 45) is released.
The sequence can be continued in the
desired direction by pressing the
button.<
To open 1 With the doors closed, lower the side
windows a few inches (centimeters).
2 To release the convertible top: pull
the levers outward on the left and the
right of the convertible top frame
(refer to the illustration).367de046
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Power convertible top
* – roadster
3 Raise the convertible top approx. 8 in
(20 cm) from the convertible top
frame on the inside to relieve tension
on the top. Refer to arrow 1.
Be sure that the convertible top
folds at the front linkage joints first
(refer to arrow 2). If it does not, the
convertible top linkage could be bent.<
4 Press the release lever against the
frame of the top.367de399
5 Hold the footbrake down during the
entire opening procedure.
6 Lift the convertible top frame. Press
and hold the button for convertible
top operation in the "Open" direc-
tion (2) until the opening process is
completed and the convertible top is
folded into the convertible top
compartment.36mus749
If the convertible top has not been
lifted far enough, or if the foot-
brake is not applied, the motor which
operates the convertible top will not
operate.<
In order to avoid subsequent
moisture damage, do not leave
the convertible top open when it is wet
(refer also to the chapter on vehicle
care).<
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Power convertible top
* – roadster
To mount the coverThe illustration depicts a representative
schematic of the fasteners for the
convertible cover.
To secure, press the outer ring of the
cover fastener onto the mating piece on
the vehicle (refer to the arrows).367de274
The attachment points of the cover are
indicated by the four arrows in the illus-
tration.
1 Position the convertible cover on the
convertible top compartment and
align the upper portions of the
fasteners with the lower portions on
the vehicle.
2 Lift the cover at the rear, reach
underneath it and engage the two
middle attachments.
3 Attach the front fasteners.367us669
4 Push the peripheral frame of the
cover under the edge of the convert-
ible top compartment.
5 Check the convertible cover to be
sure it is properly secured.
In order to avoid damage and
soiling of the inside of the convert-
ible top, always drive with the convert-
ible cover installed.<
Be sure that the cover is secured
properly on the vehicle. If it is not
firmly secured, the flow of air while
driving could loosen the cover at higher
speeds.< 367us077
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Power convertible top
* – roadster
To close1 To remove the convertible top cover:
>Loosen the fasteners. Pull the cap
of the latch upward. Refer to the
arrow.367de724
>Release the front fasteners (outer
arrows).
>Pull the outer frame of the cover
under the edge of the convertible
top compartment.
>Lift the cover from the rear and
release the middle fasteners
(middle arrows).367us670
>To avoid damage, carefully fold the
cover and store it in the luggage
compartment.
Do not position heavy objects on
the cover.
The cover should be spread out if you
store it away from the vehicle.< 367de247
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Power convertible top
* – roadster
2 When the doors are closed, lower the
side windows slightly.
3 Pull the release lever away from the
frame as far as possible.
4 Hold the footbrake down during the
entire closing procedure.
5 Press and hold the button for
convertible top operation in the
"Close" direction (1) until the closing
process is completed and the
convertible top frame has docked
against the windshield frame.36mus749
6 Insert the pins 1, on the left and the
right, into the guides in the wind-
shield frame. Using the handle recess
in the center of the convertible top
frame, pull the convertible top down.
Hold the top in this position and
secure both fasteners (refer also to
page 97).
If the footbrake is not applied, the
motor which operates the
convertible top will not operate.<
Be sure that the fastener hooks 2
on the left and right are securely
engaged in the frame of the windshield.
If they are not, the convertible top could
open while the vehicle is moving.< 367de047
At higher speeds, it may occur
that the lower air pressure which
is created in the passenger compart-
ment will cause the top or the rear
window to flutter. Increase the air
supply via the ventilation controls so
that a low pressure draft does not occur
in the vehicle.<
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For maximum safety, please comply
with the following:
Never try to adjust your seat while
operating the vehicle. The seat
could respond with an unexpected
movement, and the ensuing loss of
vehicle control could result in an acci-
dent.
Be sure that the safety belt is fastened
firmly against your body at all times. In
the event of a frontal impact, a loose lap
belt could slide over your hips, leading
to abdominal injury. In addition, the
safety belt's restraint effectiveness is
reduced if the belt is worn loosely.
When adjusting your seat, select a
position that provides the maximum
distance between you and the steering
wheel, instrument panel and door while
still allowing comfortable and safe
access to all vehicle controls.<
Correct sitting postureTo reduce strain on your spinal column,
sit all the way back in the seat and rest
your back fully against the backrest.
In the ideal sitting posture, your head
extends along a straight line from your
spine.
For long-distance driving, you may wish
to increase the backrest tilt angle
slightly to reduce muscular tension.
You should also be able to grasp the
highest point of the steering wheel with
your arms slightly bent.
After a seat adjustment in the coupe,
adjust the height of the safety belt also.
Refer to page 49.1 Height
*
2 Backward/Forward adjustment367de015
Seat adjustment
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IndexDataTechnologyRepiarsCar careControlsOverview
Seat adjustment Mirrors Backrest anglePull the lever and apply or remove
weight as required.
Read and comply with the adjust-
ment instructions on page 46.
Failure to do so can result in diminished
personal safety.< Head restraintsThe head restraints are integrated into
the backrests.
Head restraints reduce the risk of spinal
injury in the event of an accident.367de076
Exterior mirrorsMake adjustments with the large, four-
directional mirror switch.
Change to the other rearview mirror
with the smaller switch.
>Push the switch up – mirror on the
driver's side.
>Push the switch down – mirror on the
passenger's side.
You can also adjust the mirrors manu-
ally by pressing against the outer edges
of their lenses.365de030
The mirror on the passenger's
side features a lens with a more
convex surface than the mirror installed
on the driver's side. When estimating
the distance between yourself and
other traffic, bear in mind that the
objects reflected in the mirror are closer
than they appear. This means that esti-
mations of the distance to following
traffic should not be regarded as
precise.<
Electric defrosting
*
Both mirrors are defrosted automa-
tically when the ignition key is in posi-
tion 2.
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MirrorsInterior rearview mirror with
automatic dimming featureBy responding to the effects of ambient
light and the glare from following traffic,
this mirror automatically dims through
an infinitely variable range. There are
two photocells for automatic dimming.
One photocell (arrow) is positioned in
the mirror frame, while the other is
slightly offset on the back of the mirror.
The mirror switches to its clear,
undimmed mode whenever you shift
into reverse. 367de397
For the mirror to function properly, keep
the photocells clean and the area
between the inside rearview mirror and
the windshield free of any obstruction,
such as stickers etc.
For further information regarding the
mirror's electrochromic technology,
refer to page 152.
Vanity mirrorsFold the sun visors down and push the
cover (coupe only) to the side.
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