2001 BMW M ROADSTER COUPE warning light

11n

Controls and features
Operation, care and maintenance

Cabin convenience:

Glove compartment78
Storage compartments78
Storage boxes78
Beverage holder79
Ashtray79
Cigarette lighter80

Loading and transporting:

coupe:
Roll-up cover81
Partition net81
Cargo loading82
Roof-mounted luggage
rack83

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedure86
Driving notes87
Catalytic converter88
Antilock Brake System (ABS)89
Disc brakes91
Brake system92
Winter operation93
Power steering94
Cellular phone95
Radio reception95
Hardtop – roadster96

Wheels and tires:

Notes on tire inflation
pressure98
Tire condition98
Tire replacement99
Tire rotation100
Wheel and tire
combinations101
Special features of winter
tires102
Snow chains102
Approved wheel and tire
specifications103

Under the hood:

Hood104
Engine compartment106
Fluids for the washer
systems108
Washer nozzles108
Engine oil109
Coolant111
Brake fluid112
Vehicle Identification
Number113

Care and maintenance:

The BMW Maintenance
System114
Caring for your vehicle115
Airbags122
Storing your vehicle123

Laws and regulations:

Technical modifications124
California Proposition
65 Warning124
OBD connector125
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20n

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.

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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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22n

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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23n

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview

Indicator and warning lamps

Green: for your information

Turn signal indicators
Flashes when the turn signal
indicators are in operation.
Rapid flashing indicates a system
malfunction.
For additional information, refer to
page 58.

Blue: for your information

High beams
Lights up when the high beams
are on or the headlamp flasher
is actuated.
For additional information, refer to
page 58.
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Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
29n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Everything under control:
Odometer62
Tachometer62
Fuel gauge62
Coolant temperature gauge63
Engine oil temperature gauge63
Service Interval Display64
Outside temperature64
Clock64
Technology for safety and
driving convenience:
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)65
Tire Pressure Warning (RDW)67
Lamps:
Parking lamps/Low beams69
Interior lamps70
Reading lamps71Controlling the climate
for pleasant driving:
Heating and ventilation/
Air conditioner72
Seat heating77
Cabin convenience:
Glove compartment78
Storage compartments78
Storage boxes78
Beverage holder79
Ashtray79
Cigarette lighter80
Loading and transporting
cargo:
coupe:
Roll-up cover81
Partition net81
Cargo loading82
Roof-mounted luggage
rack83
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55n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
0 Steering lock engagedThis is the only position in which the
ignition key can be inserted and
removed.
An acoustic warning sounds when you
fail to remove the ignition key after
opening the driver's door.
After removing the key, turn the
steering wheel slightly to the left or right
until you hear the lock engage.1 Steering lock disengagedYou will often find that it is easier to turn
the ignition key from position 0 to 1 if
you move the steering wheel slightly to
help disengage the detent.
Individual electrical equipment and
accessories are available for use.367de009
2 Ignition onAll electrical equipment and accesso-
ries are available for use.3 Starting the engineWhen starting, depress the clutch,
since a lock otherwise prevents the
engine from being started.
Steering/Ignition lock
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67n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Tire Pressure Warning (RDW)The conceptThe Tire Pressure Warning (RDW) moni-
tors the tire pressure in all four wheels
while driving. The system is designed to
detect whenever the inflation pressure
in a tire drops significantly, monitoring
the speed of the tires relative to each
other. A flat tire can be detected and
reported because its speed suddenly
deviates drastically from that of the
other tires.
Initializing the systemInitializing is necessary to familiarize the
system with the correct inflation pres-
sure.
Repeat this process after any changes
in tire inflation pressure, tire rotation or
replacement. Do not carry out further
system initialization after correcting the
inflation pressure and letting the system
"learn" what condition is required.
1 Check the tire inflation pressure in all
the tires, comparing them with the
inflation pressure table (page 27),
and adjusting their pressure if neces-
sary.
2 Turn the ignition key to position 2.36mus735
3 Continue to press the button until the
indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up. After a short time,
the indicator lamp will go out auto-
matically.
4 Switch the ignition off.
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68n
Tire Pressure Warning (RDW)Activating/deactivating the
systemThe system is automatically active in
ignition key position 2 and is therefore
always on during driving.
To deactivate the system: tap the
button, the indicator lamp will light up.
To activate the system: tap the button
again, the indicator lamp goes out.
Deactivate the system while driving
with snow chains, since false warnings
and undetected losses in pressure are
possible under these kinds of condi-
tions. 36mus735
Flat tire
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster will flash in the
event of tire pressure loss. To
come to an immediate stop, reduce
speed, while avoiding any sudden, jerky
braking or steering maneuvers.
Fix the flat tire using the M Mobility
system (refer to page 135).
Reset the indicator lamp: the indicator
lamp must be switched off manually
after mounting a new wheel. At this
point, hold the RDW button down until
the indicator lamp goes out. Re-
initialize the system afterward.
The RDW cannot alert you to
severe and sudden tire damage
caused by external factors.
The RDW will not identify the natural
loss of pressure in all four tires, either.<
Check the tire inflation pressure
on a regular basis and correct if
necessary. Refer to page 26.
Under certain circumstances, there
may be false warnings or a delayed
detection of pressure losses when
driving on snow-covered or slippery
road surfaces.
A sporty driving style (slip at the wheels
receiving the torque, high lateral accel-
eration) can lead to delayed RDW warn-
ings.<
System malfunctionAs long as there is still a malfunction,
the indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster will stay lit.
Please contact your BMW center for
assistance.
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