2001 BMW M ROADSTER COUPE Owners Manual

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Switching off the engine Parking brakeTurn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Never remove the ignition key
while the vehicle is rolling. The
steering locks and it is impossible to
steer the vehicle.
Always remove the ignition key and
engage the steering lock before leaving
the vehicle.
Always engage the parking brake when
parking on slopes and inclined
surfaces, since even placing the lever in
1st gear or reverse may not provide
adequate resistance to rolling.<
The parking brake is designed primarily
to prevent the vehicle from rolling when
parked. It operates against 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.367de028
If, in exceptional circumstances,
it should be necessary to engage
the parking brake while the vehicle is
in motion, do not pull it with excessive
pressure. Keep your thumb pressed
against the release button while care-
fully pulling up the lever to apply
moderate pressure.
Excessive pressure can lead to over-
braking and loss of traction at the rear
(fishtailing).
The brake lamps do not come on when
the parking brake is engaged.
Always engage the parking brake when
parking on slopes and inclined
surfaces, since even placing the lever in
1st 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.
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Manual transmission Turn signals/High beamsPress the clutch pedal all the way down
each time you shift, pressing the
manual-shift gear lever into its proper
end position.
Depress the clutch when starting the
vehicle, too, otherwise, lockout will
prevent the engine from starting.
The shift lever's neutral plane is located
between 3rd and 4th gear.
When shifting from each gear into
"Neutral," the shift lever returns auto-
matically to this neutral position
because of its spring loading.36mde746
ReverseSelect reverse only when the vehicle is
stationary. Press the shift lever to the
left to overcome the resistance.
As you do this, the backup lamps will
turn on automatically when the ignition
key is in position 2.
Do not hold the vehicle in place on
slopes by slipping or "riding" the
clutch. Use the parking brake instead,
otherwise, the ensuing friction to the
clutch plates will cause a great deal of
wear and tear on the clutch.<
1 High beams (blue indicator lamp)
2 Headlamp flasher (blue indicator
lamp)
3 Turn signal indicator (green indicator
lamp and rhythmic clicking of the
relay)
If the indicator lamp and the clicking
from the relay are both faster than
normal, one of the turn signal indicators
has failed.To signal brieflyPress the lever up to but not beyond
the resistance point. It then returns to
the center position when released.367us024
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Wiper/Washer systemWindshield0 Wipers retracted
1 Intermittent operation
2 Normal wipe
3 Fast wipe
4 Brief wipe
5 Cleaning the windshieldRear window – M coupe only6 Intermittent operation/Cleaning the
rear window367de631
0 Wipers retractedThe wipers are partially hidden behind
the hood. To bring the wipers up into
their vertical position (important when
changing the blades, or folding up
when frost is expected):
Switch on the wipers and switch off the
ignition when the wipers are approxi-
mately vertical.
Fold the wipers down onto the
windshield before turning on the
ignition key. Failure to do this could
result in damage to the wiper/washer
system and hood.< 1 Intermittent operationThe length of the interval is varied auto-
matically according to the vehicle's
actual road speed.2 Normal wipeThe wipers automatically revert to inter-
mittent operation when the vehicle is
stationary.
3 Fast wipeWhen the vehicle is stationary, the
system does not switch to a lower
wiper speed.4 Brief wipeThe wipers move once across the wind-
shield.5 Cleaning the windshieldThe system sprays washer fluid against
the windshield and activates the wipers
for a brief period.
If you only pull the lever briefly, the
system sprays washer fluid onto the
windshield without activating the
wipers.
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Wiper/Washer system Rear window defroster6 Intermittent operation/
Cleaning the rear windowPress the lever briefly:
The intermittent setting of the rear
window wiper is switched on or off.
Press and hold the lever:
The system sprays washer fluid against
the rear window and activates the
wiper. After the lever is released, the
wiper continues to cycle for a few
seconds.
To change the wiper blades, refer to
page 128.
Cleaning the headlamps*If the headlamps are on, they will also
be cleaned every fifth time you activate
the cleaning the windshield 5 mode.
Do not use the washers if there is
any danger that the fluid will freeze
on the windshield, otherwise vision
could be obscured. For this reason, use
an antifreeze agent. Refer to page 108.
Do not use the washers when the reser-
voir is empty, otherwise damage to the
washer pump could result.< Windshield washer jetsThe windshield washer jets are heated
automatically
* when the ignition key is
in position 2.
The M coupe is equipped with a rear
window defroster.To activatePress the button, the indicator lamp
comes on.To deactivatePress the button if the indicator lamp is
on.
Maximum switch-on time
8 minutes.<36mus727
M coupe
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Cruise control
*
You can store and automatically main-
tain any desired vehicle speed above
approx. 25 mph (40 km/h).
The system is switched off and the
stored speed deleted from its memory
when you turn the ignition key to posi-
tion 0.
Do not use the cruise control on
winding roads, when high traffic
density prevents driving at a constant
speed, when the road surface is slick
(snow, rain, ice) or when the road
surface is loose (rocks or gravel,
sand).< 365us059
To store and maintain speed/
to acceleratePress the lever briefly in direction 1:
The system records and maintains the
current vehicle speed. Every time you
briefly press the lever, the speed
increases by approx. 0.6 mph (1 km/h).
Hold the lever in position 1:
The vehicle accelerates without pres-
sure on the accelerator pedal. When
you release the lever, the system stores
and maintains the current speed.
If, on a downhill grade, the engine
braking effect is insufficient, the
controlled speed can be exceeded.
Speed can drop on uphill grades if the
engine output is insufficient.< To deceleratePress the lever briefly in direction 2:
If you are already driving with active
cruise control, the speed is decreased
by approx. 0.6 mph (1 km/h) every time
you briefly press the lever.
Hold the lever in position 2:
With the cruise control active, the
system automatically reduces the
throttle opening to slow the vehicle.
When you release the lever, the system
stores and maintains the current speed.Activate stored setting (resume)Press the lever briefly in direction 3:
The vehicle accelerates to and main-
tains the last speed stored.To deactivatePress the lever briefly in direction 4:
The cruise control is deactivated imme-
diately.
In addition, the system is also automati-
cally deactivated in response to the
following conditions:
>When you apply the brakes.
>When you depress the clutch.
>If you exceed or fall below the
programmed speed for an extended
period (by depressing the acceler-
ator, for example).
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1 OdometerYou can activate the displays shown in
the illustration with the ignition key in
position 0 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 or higher.36mus728
Never allow the engine to operate with
the needle in the red overspeed sector
of the gauge.
To protect the engine, the engine
management system automatically
interrupts the fuel supply in this range;
you will notice a loss of power.36mde750
When you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp comes on briefly to
confirm that the system is operational.
Once the indicator lamp stays on
continuously, there are still approx.
2.1 gallons (8 liters) of fuel in the fuel
tank.
Tank capacity: page 159.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies (extended
driving in mountainous areas, for
example), the needle may fluctuate
slightly.
Please refuel early, since driving
to the last drop of fuel can result in
damage to the engine and/or catalytic
converter.< 36mus729
Odometer Tachometer Fuel gauge
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Coolant temperature gauge Engine oil temperatureBlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at
moderate engine and vehicle speeds.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the
warning lamp comes on briefly to
confirm that the system is operational.
Comes on while driving: the engine is
overheated. Switch off the engine
immediately and allow it to cool down.36mde752
Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. It is not
unusual for the needle to rise as far as
the edge of the red zone in response to
high outside temperatures or severe
operating conditions.
Checking coolant level: page 112.
During normal operation the engine oil
temperature is between 175 7 (80 6)
and 250 7 (120 6). During perfor-
mance-oriented driving, do not exceed
the maximum temperature of 265 7
(130 6).
Up to an oil temperature of 140 7
(60 6) an engine speed of 4,000 rpm
may not be exceeded.
36mus730
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Service Interval Display Outside temperature ClockGreen lamps The number of illuminated lamps
decreases as the time for your next
maintenance visit approaches.Yellow lamp This field appears together with
OILSERVICE or INSPECTION.
This alerts you that maintenance is due.
Please arrange for an appointment with
your BMW center.Red lamp Maintenance is overdue.36mus731
The display appears from ignition key
position 1.36mus732
Set the clock
Starting in ignition key position 0.
Press adjustment knob (arrow) with a
pointed object, e.g. a ballpoint pen.
Press briefly: setting is carried out in
steps of one minute.
Keep pressing: setting is carried out in
fast mode.
Releasing adjustment knob stops
setting.36mde756
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