2001 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE Owner's Manual

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Brakes: do not rest your foot on
the brake pedal while driving.
Even light but consistent pressure on
the brake pedal can lead to high
temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake system failure.
Aquaplaning: when driving on wet or
slushy roads, reduce vehicle speed. If
you do not, a wedge of water may form
between the tires and the road surface.
This phenomenon is referred to as
aquaplaning, or hydroplaning, and can
lead to partial or complete loss of
contact between the tires and road
surface, vehicle control and braking
ability.
Driving through water: do not drive
through water on the road if it is deeper
than 1 foot (30 cm), and then only at
walking speed at the most. Otherwise,
the vehicle's engine, the electrical
systems and the transmission may be
damaged.<
The catalytic converter reduces harmful
pollutants in the exhaust emissions.
It is designed for use with unleaded fuel
only. Even minute quantities of lead
would be enough to permanently
damage both the catalytic converter
and the system's oxygen sensor.
To ensure efficient, trouble-free engine
operation and to avoid potential
damage:
>Be sure to comply with the required
scheduled maintenance work and
repair procedures.
>Fill the fuel tank well before it is
empty.
>Tow-start only when the engine is
cold, otherwise unburned, residual
fuel in the catalytic converter could
ignite and cause damage. It is better
to jump-start the vehicle with outside
assistance.
>Avoid other situations where the fuel
is not burned, or burns incompletely,
such as engaging the starter
frequently or for extended periods, or
repeated start attempts in which the
engine does not start (stopping and
restarting an engine which is running
properly does not present a problem).
Never let the engine run with any of
the spark plug cables disconnected. Be sure to observe the instruc-
tions above to prevent unburned
fuel from reaching the catalytic
converter. Otherwise there is danger of
overheating and damage to the cata-
lytic converter.
High temperatures occur in any vehicle
equipped with a catalytic converter.
Heat shields are installed adjacent to
some sections of the exhaust system.
Never remove these shields; do not
apply undercoating to their surfaces.
When driving, standing at idle, and
parking the vehicle, take extra care to
avoid contact between the exhaust
system and flammable materials (grass,
hay, leaves, etc.). Such contact could
start a fire, resulting in personal injury
and property damage.<
Driving notes Catalytic converter

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Antilock Brake System (ABS)The concept ABS helps prevent the wheels from
locking while braking, thereby
enhancing active driving safety. This is
because 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.
Under any given road conditions, ABS
can brake the vehicle within the
shortest possible distance and with the
greatest possible driving stability (on
straight-aways and curves, asphalt, ice,
wet road surfaces, etc.).
ABS is designed to meet two essential
requirements during every brake appli-
cation:
>To help provide vehicle stability
>To help maintain steering control and
maneuverability – on all types of road
surfaces (asphalt, concrete, mud, wet
road surfaces, snow, ice).
Braking with ABSThe system is operative once the
vehicle exceeds a speed of approx.
6 mph (10 km/h). The ABS is deacti-
vated whenever the vehicle's speed
drops back below approx. 4 mph
(6 km/h). This means that the wheels
can lock in the final phase of a panic
stop – a factor of no significance in
actual use.
If you are in a situation that requires full
braking, you will exploit the full benefits
of the ABS system if you apply
maximum pedal pressure ("panic stop").
Do not let up on the brake pedal even
after it starts pulsating. Since the
vehicle maintains steering response,
you retain the ability to avoid obstacles
using careful steering inputs.
The ABS system's closed-loop control
circuit cycles in fractions of a second.
Pulsation at the brake pedal shows you
that ABS is active and that you are thus
approaching the limits of the brake
system's effective response range. In
addition, a pulsation – a result of the
control function cycles – indicates to
the driver that vehicle speed should be
reduced to adapt to road surface condi-
tions when there is reduced traction and grip between tires and road surface
(slippery road surface).
On road surfaces with a loose surface
layer over a firm base, e.g. on gravel or
snow, as well as when driving with
snow chains on, braking distances may
be longer than with the wheels locked.
However, ABS continues to provide
enhanced vehicle stability and steering
response under these conditions.
Information for your safetyNot even ABS can suspend the laws of
physics. The consequences of brake
applications with inadequate clear-
ances for safety between vehicles,
excessive speed or if aquaplaning
occurs are always the responsibility 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 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.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Antilock Brake System (ABS)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 in
curves, or when braking during a lane
change, vehicle stability is improved
and steering response is enhanced.
In the event of a malfunction
If the ABS warning lamp comes
on, refer to page 21. The brake
system will continue to function
the same as on vehicles without ABS.
However, have the brake system
checked by your BMW center as soon
as possible. To prevent undetected
defects and cumulative faults from
adversely affecting the brake system,
refer any problems to your BMW center
at the earliest opportunity.
ABS warning lamp for Canadian
models.
If the brake warning lamp
comes on together with the indi-
cator lamps for ABS and DSC,
refer to page 21: then the entire
ABS, CBC and DSC
control
system has failed. Continue
driving cautiously and defen-
sively. Avoid full brake applica-
tions. This could cause the vehicle to
lose stability and you might no longer
be able to control it.
Have the system checked by your BMW
center as soon as possible.
CBC, ABS and DSC indicator
and warning lamps for Canadian
models.

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Disc brakesDisc brakes furnish optimum decelera-
tion and braking control with greater
fade resistance under heavy use.
Using your vehicle only occasionally,
leaving your vehicle parked for
extended periods, and making only
minimal demands on your brakes
promotes brake disc corrosion and
brake pad contamination, because the
minimal loads required for your disc
brakes to self-clean have not been
reached.
If the brake discs are corroded, they will
tend to respond to braking with a
pulsating effect that even extended
brake applications will fail to cure.
For your own safety: use only
brake pads that BMW has
approved for your particular 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 if they are installed.<
Driving notes When driving in wet conditions and in
heavy rain, it is effective to apply light
pressure to the brakes every few miles.
Be aware of traffic conditions to ensure
that this maneuver does not endanger
other road users. The heat which is
generated by the brake applications
helps to dry the brake pads and discs.
Maximum braking force is obtained
while the wheels are not locked, but
rather when they are still barely turning
immediately prior to locking. ABS main-
tains this state automatically. If the ABS
should ever fail, pump the brakes if
possible (refer to page 111).
Drive down long or steep descents in
the mountains using a gear that
requires the least amount of braking.
Doing this prevents putting excessive
loads on the brakes, which in turn
keeps the brake system from possibly
being damaged. Stay within the allow-
able engine speed range. For further
information, refer to page 73.
Braking effect on the engine can be
further increased by downshifting, into
first gear, if necessary. Should the braking effect from the
engine prove inadequate, you should
still avoid extended, continuous
braking. Instead, decelerate the vehicle
by stepping hard on the brake pedal
(while watching out for drivers behind
you), and, if necessary, continue to
decelerate by pumping the brakes
(staggered braking). This staggered
braking technique allows the brakes to
cool in the intervals between active
braking phases. This prevents over-
heating and ensures that full braking
capacity remains available at all times.
Do not coast with the clutch
depressed, with the shift lever in
neutral or with the engine shut off. The
engine does not provide any braking
effect with the transmission in neutral or
with the engine shut off.
Do not allow floor mats, carpets or any
other objects to protrude into the area
around the brake pedal, the clutch or
the accelerator which could obstruct
their freedom of movement.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Brake system Brake fluid level
If the brake warning lamp
comes on with the parking
brake released: the brake fluid
level is too low in the reservoir (refer to
page 130).
If the brake fluid level is too low and
brake pedal travel has become notice-
ably longer, there may be a defect in
one of the brake system's hydraulic
circuits.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Proceed to the nearest BMW
center. Greater pressure on the
brake pedal may be necessary under
these conditions, and brake pedal
travel may be significantly longer.
Please remember to adapt your driving
style accordingly.<
Brake pads
If the warning lamp for the brake
pads comes on: only the
minimum pad thickness still
remains on the brake pads. 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 particular 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 if they are installed.<

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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
progress through the winter remains
safe and trouble-free. CoolantBe sure that the coolant mixture
contains the year-round ratio of 50:50
water and extended-duty antifreeze/
corrosion inhibitor. This mixture
provides protection against freezing
down to approx. –34 7 (–37 6). Have
the coolant replaced every 3 years. LocksBMW door lock deicer can be used to
free them if frozen. This deicer also
contains lubricant.
After using the deicer, treatment with
BMW lock cylinder grease is recom-
mended.
Rubber components To prevent the weather-stripping from
freezing, apply a spray-on rubber treat-
ment or silicone spray to the door, hood
and luggage compartment lid seals.
A full range of car care products is
available from your BMW center.<
Snow chains Mount BMW snow chains
* only in pairs
on rear tires and always follow the
manufacturer's safety precautions. Do
not exceed a maximum speed of
30 mph (50 km/h) with snow chains. In
rare situations like these, it may be a
good idea to turn the DSC off briefly,
refer to page 80.
Deactivate the Tire Pressure Warning
system (RDW) when driving with snow
chains mounted. Snow chains can
cause the system to generate false
alarms and/or fail to detect pressure
loss, refer to page 81
Starting offWhen trying to drive out of deep snow,
or when "rocking" the vehicle to free it,
it may be prudent to temporarily deacti-
vate the DSC system. Refer to page 80. 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. Adapt
your speed and driving style when
approaching grades or slopes. Maintain
an adequate distance between yourself
and the vehicle ahead.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Winter operationBrakesWinter road conditions substantially
reduce the amount of traction available
between the tires and the road surface;
the resulting increase in braking
distance is considerable and should
always be kept in mind.
ABS is intended to prevent the wheels
from locking during brake applications,
thus helping to maintain vehicle stability
and steering response.
If the ABS does not respond in a critical
braking situation and the wheels lock:
reduce the pressure on the brake pedal
until the wheels just start to roll again
while still maintaining enough force to
continue braking.
Then increase the pressure, reduce the
pressure when the wheels lock, reapply
pressure etc.
Pumping the brakes will reduce braking
distance while helping you maintain
steering control over the vehicle.
You can then attempt to steer around
hazards after you have reduced pres-
sure on the brake pedal. Do not downshift to decelerate on
slick road surfaces. Doing so
could cause loss of traction at the rear
wheels, which could result in the loss of
vehicle control.<
Depress the clutch during hard
braking on road surfaces that
provide only poor or uneven traction.<
Skid control Depress the clutch and release the
accelerator pedal. Countersteer care-
fully and attempt to regain control of the
vehicle.
ParkingEngage either 1st gear or reverse.
Apply the parking brake whenever you
park on inclined surfaces. 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 come on
when the parking brake is
applied.<

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Power steering Cellular phone
*
Radio reception
If the steering response changes, e.g.
high steering effort:
Consult a BMW center to have it
checked.
If the power steering fails,
increased effort will be required to
steer the vehicle.<
Mobile communications systems
(cellular phone, radio, etc.) are
permitted with an output up to 10 watts
only. Mobile communications devices
not specifically designed for use in your
vehicle may trigger malfunctions while
operating your vehicle. BMW can
neither test nor assume responsibility
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, do not use a cellular phone or
other radio device with an antenna
located inside the passenger compart-
ment. The antenna should always be
mounted 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 vary
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, build-
ings and natural obstructions can all
lead to unavoidable reception interfer-
ence, 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.
Car telephones or cellular phones not
approved by BMW can also cause
interference in the radio during a tele-
phone call. This phenomenon assumes
the form of a low-pitched hum
emanating from the speaker system.
Please refer to the separate Owner's
Manual that came with your vehicle for
information on setting and operating
your car radio.
You will find additional details
concerning car radio reception in the
chapter "Advanced technology" on
page 169.