2001 BMW M ROADSTER COUPE oil level

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview

Instrument cluster

1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp
for reserve range62
2 Indicator lamp for turn signals23
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator and warning lamps for:

>

Battery charge current20

>

High beams23

>

Engine oil pressure20
5 Tachometer62
6 Coolant temperature gauge63
Also refer to Engine oil temperature
gauge on page63
7 Indicator and warning lamps for:

>

Brake pad wear22

>

Brake hydraulic
system/Cornering Brake Control
(CBC)20, 21

>

Parking brake21

>

Airbags21
8 Indicator and warning lamps for:

>

Service Engine Soon22

>

Check Filler Cap22

>

Safety belts21

>

Engine oil level22

>

Antilock Brake System (ABS)22
9 Indicator lamp for Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC)21, 2210 Trip odometer62
11 Service Interval Display64, 114
12 Odometer62
13 Indicator and warning lamps for:

>

Engine electronics22

>

Tire Pressure Warning
(RDW)21, 22
14 Trip odometer reset button62
The illustration shows the instrument
cluster in the US version. In the Cana-
dian models, some of the indicator and
warning lamps have a different appear-
ance. Refer to pages 20 to 23.
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Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself

Many of the systems of your BMW
monitor themselves automatically, both
during engine starts and while you are
driving. Indicator and warning lamps
that are identified by "

l

" are tested for
proper functioning whenever the igni-
tion key is turned. They each light up
once for different periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these
systems, the corresponding lamp does
not go out after the engine is started or
it lights up while the vehicle is moving.
You will see how to react to this below.

Red: stop immediately

Battery charge current

l

The battery is no longer being
charged. The alternator drive
belt is defective or there is a malfunc-
tion in the charging circuit of the alter-
nator. Please contact the nearest BMW
center.
If the drive belt is defective, do not
continue driving. The engine could
be damaged due to overheating.
Increased force is required to steer the
vehicle if the drive belt is defective.

<


Engine oil pressure

l

Stop the vehicle immediately
and switch off the engine.
Check the engine oil level. Top up as
required. If oil level is correct: please
contact the nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving, other-
wise, the engine could be
damaged because of inadequate lubri-
cation.

<



Brake hydraulic system

l

The brake fluid level is too low.
Before driving further, be sure to
read the notes on pages 92 and 112.
Brake hydraulic system warning
lamp for Canadian models.
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Indicator and warning lamps

Yellow: check as soon as possible

Antilock Brake System (ABS)

l

ABS has been deactivated in
response to system malfunction.
Conventional braking efficiency is avail-
able without limitations. Please have
the system inspected by your BMW
center.
For additional information, refer to
page 89.
Antilock Brake System warning
lamp for Canadian models.
Engine oil level

l

Comes on while driving: the
oil level is at the absolute
minimum; refill as soon as possible. Do
not drive more than approx. 30 miles
(50 km) until you add oil.
For additional information, refer to
page 109.
Engine oil level

l

Comes on after the engine has
been shut off: add engine oil at
your earliest opportunity (when you
stop to refuel).
For additional information, refer to
page 109.
Engine oil level

l

Comes on for a short time
(approx. 15 seconds) after the

engine has been started: please have
the system checked by your BMW
center.
Brake pads

l

Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information, refer
to page 92.
Tire Pressure Warning RDW

l

RDW has been switched off via
the button or has been deacti-
vated because of a malfunction. In the
event of a malfunction, have the system
checked by your BMW center.
For additional information, refer to
pages 26, 67.
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)

l

Indicator lamp flashes:
The system is active and governs drive
force and braking force.
If the indicator lamp fails to go out after
the engine is started, or if it comes on
during normal driving and stays on:
DSC has been switched off via the
button or has been deactivated
because of a malfunction.
In the event of a malfunction, have the
system checked by the nearest BMW
center.
For additional information, refer to
page 65.

Service Engine Soon

l

If the indicator lamp comes on
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems.
Although the vehicle remains opera-
tional, you should have the systems
checked by your BMW center at the
earliest possible opportunity.
For additional information, refer to
page 125.
Service Engine Soon warning
lamp for Canadian models.
Engine electronics

l

There is a fault in the engine's
electronic control system. You
can continue to drive with reduced
engine output or engine speed. Please
have the system checked by your BMW
center.
Check Filler Cap

l

If the indicator lamp lights up
with the filler cap properly
closed: there is a fault in the fuel
system. The system should be checked
at the earliest possible opportunity at
your BMW center.
For additional information, refer to
page 25.
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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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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine oil To check oil level1 Park the vehicle on a level surface.
2 Switch the engine off after it has
reached normal operating tempera-
ture.
3 After approx. 1 minute, pull the
dipstick out and wipe it off with a
clean lint-free cloth, paper towel, or
similar material.
4 Push the dipstick carefully all the way
into the guide tube and pull it out
again.
5 The oil level should be between the
two marks on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption
is directly influenced by your driving
style and vehicle operating conditions.36mde790
The space between the two marks on
the dipstick corresponds to approx.
1.4 US quarts (1.3 liter). Do not fill
beyond the upper mark on the dipstick.
Excess oil will damage the engine.36mde791
To add oilWait until the level has dropped to just
above the lower mark before adding oil.
Do not wait until the oil drops below the
lower mark.
BMW engines are designed to
operate without oil additives; the
use of additives could lead to damage
in some cases. This also applies to the
manual transmission, differential and
the power steering system.< 36mde792
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Caring for your vehicleRear window cleaningWhile the roadster's rear window has
the advantage of being extremely flex-
ible, there is the disadvantage that it
has a relatively soft surface. For this
reason, clean the rear window only with
a soft, antistatic cloth or with BMW
Convertible Rear Window Cleaner.
If you wash the vehicle frequently in
brush car washes, and in particular in
those with hard brushes, faint scratches
in the rear window may result. With the
window replacement system you can
replace a heavily scratched window at a
relatively low price. Please contact your
BMW center for additional information.
Do not use spot removers, paint
thinners, solvents, gasoline or
similar substances for removing spots
from the convertible top or from the
rear window. These materials destroy
the rubber seals, which will lead to
leaks. Use only BMW-approved
cleaners.<
Exterior finishTo provide effective corrosion protec-
tion, multilayer paintwork is applied at
the factory. Cataphoretic immersion
priming techniques are supplemented
using special body-cavity protectants,
with the application of specially-devel-
oped and extensively tested materials.
A layer of flexible PVC is first applied
to the undercarriage. Following this, a
comprehensive undercoating treat-
ment with a wax-based protectant is
applied.
Regular care makes an important
contribution to maintaining the safety
and value of your vehicle.
Increasing awareness of the effects of
harmful environmental factors on
vehicle finishes have led paint and
vehicle manufacturers to initiate
programs designed to further improve
the durability of their finishes. Despite
this, environmental factors which occur
locally or regionally can have negative
effects on the finish of your vehicle.
These should guide you in determining
the frequency and extent of your efforts
to maintain the vehicle finish.
Depending upon material and type
of impact (perforation of paint layer),
physical stresses from sand, road salt, gravel, etc., can cause corrosion to
start extending beneath the finish,
starting at the point of impact.
Road dirt, tar spots, dead insects,
animal droppings (strong alkali concen-
tration) and tree excretions (resins and
pollen) all contain substances capable
of causing damage when allowed to
remain on the finish of your vehicle for
any period of time (spots, etching,
flaking, separation in the top coat).
In industrial areas, deposits of flue dust,
lime, oily soot, precipitation containing
sulfur-dioxide (acid rain) and other envi-
ronmental pollutants will damage the
vehicle's finish unless adequate care is
provided – even though this is generally
limited to the outside horizontal
surfaces.
In coastal regions, high levels of atmo-
spheric salt and humidity promote
corrosion.
In the tropics, in addition to ultra-violet
radiation and high humidity, tempera-
tures over +105 7 (+40 6) in the
shade are common. Under those condi-
tions, light paints can reach tempera-
tures up to +175 7 (+80 6) and dark
paints up to +250 7 (+120 6).
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Caring for your vehicleCaring for the vehicle finishRegular washing is a preventive
measure against long-term effects from
substances which are harmful to the
vehicle's finish, especially if you drive
your vehicle in areas with high levels of
air pollution or aggressive natural
substances (tree resins, pollen).
Nevertheless, you should immediately
remove especially aggressive
substances. Failure to do so can lead to
changes in the paint's chemical struc-
ture or to discoloration. Gasoline spilled
during refueling, oil, grease and brake
fluid should always be cleaned away
immediately, as should bird droppings
(finish damage).
Any contamination remaining on the
surface of the vehicle will be especially
conspicuous after washing. Use
cleaning fluid or alcohol with a clean
cloth or cotton pad to remove. Remove
tar spots with tar remover. After
cleaning, the affected areas should be
waxed to ensure continued protection.
Use the cleaning and car-care
products that you can obtain at
your BMW center.<
Waxing your vehicleProtect the finish using carnauba or
synthetic-based waxes only.
The best way to determine when the
finish needs to be waxed is by noting
when water stops beading on the
surface.
You can use a glass cleaner to remove
any wax or silicone that may have been
left on the windows during waxing.
Use the cleaning and car-care
products that you can obtain at
your BMW center.<
Paint damageYou can touch up minor paint flaws with
BMW spray paint or a BMW touchup
stick.
The color code for your vehicle is
provided on a tag located near the
vehicle data plate and on the first page
of the Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models) or the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet (Canadian
models).
Damage caused by flying stones,
scratches, etc., must be touched up
without delay to prevent rust from
forming.
If corrosion has started to form in an
area with paint damage, remove all rust
and clean the area. Finally, apply the
finish coat. Wait a few days, then polish
the repaired area. Finish by applying a
wax preservative.
More extensive paint damage should
be repaired professionally in accor-
dance with the manufacturer's instruc-
tions. Your BMW center uses original
BMW finish materials in accordance
with approved repair procedures.
Use the cleaning and car-care
products that you can obtain at
your BMW center.<
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Storing your vehicle
If you intend to store the vehicle
for longer than three months, have
the maintenance operations described
on this page performed.<
Preparation for storageHave the following operations
performed by your BMW center:
1 Clean and apply a rustproofing agent
or other treatment to the engine,
engine compartment, undercarriage,
axles and major components in
accordance with approved repair
procedures. Wash the vehicle, clean
the interior and treat painted and
chromed parts. Clean the rubber
seals around the hood, luggage
compartment and doors.
2 Change the engine oil and oil filter
with the engine at operating tempera-
ture. As an additional corrosion
protection measure, a corrosion
inhibitor can be added to the engine
in accordance with the manufac-
turer's instructions.
3 Check the coolant level and concen-
tration and top up if necessary.
4 Check the fluid level of the wind-
shield washer fluid reservoir; top up if
necessary.
5 Fill the fuel tank completely to
prevent the formation of condensa-
tion.
6 Increase the tire inflation pressure to
51 psi (350 kPa).Before parking the vehicle for
storage1 Dry the parking brake and footbrake
by brake applications to prevent the
brake discs and drums from
corroding.
2 Park the vehicle in a covered, dry,
and well-ventilated room. Place the
transmission in 1st gear. Chock the
wheels to prevent the vehicle from
rolling if necessary. Do not apply the
parking brake.
3 Remove the battery, charge it
completely and store it in a cool (but
frost-free) room.
M roadster:
4 Remove the hardtop
* and store it
separately. Refer to page 97.
5 Close the convertible top.
During storageRecharge the battery every six months.
If it is not recharged, it will not be
serviceable. Every time the battery is
discharged, especially over extended
periods, its service life is reduced.Removing the vehicle from
storageRecharge the battery if the "Magic Eye"
turns black. Refer to page 141.
Then have Inspection I performed by
your BMW center, including a brake
fluid replacement if necessary. Refer to
the Service Manual.
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