2001 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE brake

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0 Steering locked
1 Steering unlocked
2 Ignition switched on
3 Starting the engine
Steering locked The key can be inserted and removed in
this position only.
To lock the steering column after you
have taken the key out, turn the
steering wheel until you hear it lock.Steering unlocked Individual electrical accessories are
ready for operation.
You will find that it is often easier to turn
the ignition key from position 0 to posi-
tion 1 when you move the steering
wheel slightly to help disengage the
lock. Ignition switched onAll electrical equipment and accesso-
ries are available for use. 1 Engage the parking brake
2 Move the shift lever to the neutral
position
3 Depress the clutch pedal
4 Turn the key to position 3 to start the
engine.
Do not actuate the starter for too short
a time, but not turn it for more than
approx. 20 seconds. Release the igni-
tion key immediately when the engine
starts.
Do not allow the engine to warm up by
leaving it running while the vehicle
remains stationary. Instead, drive off
immediately at a moderate engine
speed.
Do not run the engine in enclosed
areas. The exhaust gases contain
carbon monoxide, an odorless and
colorless, but highly toxic gas.
Breathing the exhaust gases poses an
extreme health risk, and can lead to
unconsciousness and death.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended
with the engine running. An unat-
tended vehicle with a running engine
represents a potential safety hazard.<
Steering/Ignition lock Starting the engine

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Starting the engine Switching off the engine Parking brake If the engine does not start on the first
attempt (if it is very hot or cold, for
instance):
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Cold starts at very low temperatures,
starting at approx. 5 7 (–15 6) and at
high altitudes (over 1,000 meters):
>On the first start attempt, engage the
starter for a longer period (approx.
10 seconds)
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Engine idle speed is controlled by the
engine computer system. Increased
speeds at startup are normal and
should decrease as the engine warms
up. If engine speed does not decrease,
service is required.
To prevent the battery from
discharging, always deactivate elec-
trical devices that are not in use. Switch
the ignition off when the vehicle is not
being driven.Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Do not remove the ignition key
while the vehicle is still moving.
If you did so, the steering lock would
engage when the steering wheel is
turned.
When you leave the vehicle, always
remove the ignition key and engage the
steering lock.
Set the parking brake when parking on
steep hills, because under certain
conditions, putting the vehicle into first
or reverse gear may not be enough to
prevent it from rolling away.
The power assist is not available when
the engine is not on. This means that
more effort is required for braking.<
The parking brake is designed primarily
to prevent the vehicle from rolling when
it is parked. It operates against the rear
wheels. To engageThe lever engages automatically, 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 (arrow) and lower the lever.
If, in exceptional circumstances,
it should be necessary to engage
the parking brake while the vehicle is
in motion, do not pull the lever with

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Parking brake Manual transmission excessive pressure. Keep your thumb
pressed against the release button
while carefully pulling up the lever to
apply moderate pressure.
Excessive pressure can lead to over-
braking and loss of traction (fishtailing)
at the rear axle.
The brake lamps do not come on when
the parking brake is engaged.
Set the parking brake when parking on
steep hills, because under certain
conditions, putting the vehicle into first
or reverse gear may not be enough to
prevent it from rolling away.<
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. The shift lever's neutral plane is located
between 3rd and 4th gears.
When shifting from each gear into
"Neutral," the shift lever automatically
springs back to the gear lever's home
position.
When shifting gears in the 5th/6th-
gear plane, be sure to press the
gear lever to the right in order to
prevent inadvertent selection of a gear
in the 3rd/4th-gear plane.
Do not hold the vehicle in place on
slopes by slipping or "riding" the clutch.
Use the parking brake instead. Other-
wise, riding the clutch will cause
tremendous wear and tear to the
clutch.<
Reverse Select only when the vehicle is
stationary. Press the shift lever to the
left to overcome the slight resistance.
As you do this, the backup lamps will
turn on automatically when the ignition
key is in position 2.

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Cruise control To activate the system From ignition key position 2.
Press button 3 and the indicator lamp
on the instrument cluster (refer to
page 23) will come on. You can now
use the cruise control.
Do not use cruise control on
twisting 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, sand).< To deactivate the system Press button 3 as often as you need to
until the indicator lamp on the instru-
ment cluster goes out.
Cruise control is also deactivated when
the ignition key is in position 0.
The speed stored in memory is deleted.
To store and maintain speed or to
acceleratePress button 1 briefly: the system regis-
ters and maintains the current vehicle
speed. Every time you tap the button,
the speed increases by approx.
0.6 mph (1 km/h).
Press and hold button 1: the vehicle
accelerates without pressure on the
accelerator pedal. When you release
the button, the system registers and
maintains the current speed.
If, on a downhill gradient, the
engine braking effect is not suffi-
cient, the controlled speed may be
exceeded. Speed can drop on uphill
grades if the engine output is insuffi-
cient.< To deceleratePress button 2 briefly: if you are already
driving with active cruise control, the
speed is decreased by approx. 0.6 mph
(1 km/h) every time you tap the button.
Press and hold button 2: with the cruise
control active, the system automatically
reduces the throttle opening to slow the
vehicle. When you release the button,
the system registers and maintains the
current speed.
To interrupt the cruise control When the cruise control is on, press
button 3. The indicator lamp will stay
on.
You can use the cruise control again
whenever you want by calling up the
speed that was stored last.
In addition, cruise control is interrupted
automatically
>if the brakes are applied
>when you depress the clutch pedal,
>if you exceed or fall below the
programmed speed for an extended
period (by depressing the acceler-
ator, for example).Recall the stored speed.Press button 4: the vehicle accelerates
to and maintains the last speed stored.

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DisplayThe following information or conditions
are displayed from ignition key posi-
tion 2 on, until the cause has been
corrected:
1 Inspect the low beam and high beam
headlamps, as well as the side lamps
2 Door open
3 Luggage compartment lid open
4 Check brake and tail lamps.
After completion of a trip and upon
opening the driver's door, an acoustic
signal will sound yet not be displayed,
as a reminder that the low beam head-
lamps have not been turned off.
If you wish to have a permanent time
display, you can make this adjustment
in the radio display
* (refer to the Radio
Owner's Manual).
You can set the time of day, and the
display for the car radio
*, as follows.
Adjustments From ignition key position 1:
To set ahead: turn the button to the
right.
To set back: turn the button to the left.
The adjustment speed will increase the
longer you continue to hold the button.
To change the display mode: press the
knob briefly.
Every time you press the knob, the
clock display alternates between the
12-hour or 24-hour mode.
In ignition key position 0: the time is
displayed for a few seconds after you
press the left button (refer to "Odom-
eter" on page 73).
Check Control

Clock

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures104
Driving notes105
Catalytic converter105
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)106
Disc brakes108
Brake system109
Winter operation110
Power steering112
Cellular phone112
Radio reception112
Hardtop113
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressures115
Tire condition115
Tire replacement116
Tire rotation117
Wheel and tire
combinations118
Special features of winter
tires119
Snow chains119
Approved wheel and tire
specifications120Under the hood:
Hood121
Engine compartment124
Washer fluids126
Washer nozzles126
Engine oil127
Coolant129
Brake fluid130
Vehicle Identification
Number130
Care and maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System131
Caring for your vehicle132
Cleaning and caring for the
convertible top137
Airbags139
Storing your vehicle140
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications141
California Proposition 65
Warning141
OBD connector142
Car care

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To ensure that your vehicle continues to
provide maximum economy throughout
an extended service life, we request
that you devote careful attention to the
following section.
Your BMW M3 convertible is a
masterpiece of superlative tech-
nology. To create the basis for many
years of driving pleasure, we urge you
to observe the following precautions
during the initial operation period.<
Engine and differential>Up to 1,200 miles (2,000 km): drive at
varying engine and road speeds, but
do not exceed the following engine or
road speeds: 5,500 rpm or 105 mph
(170 km/h)
Do not depress the accelerator pedal to
the full throttle position.
>Following the Break-In Inspection at
1,200 miles (2,000 km), you can
gradually increase engine or road
speeds.
Follow the same break-in procedure if
either the engine or the differential is
replaced in the future.
TiresDue to technical factors associated
with their manufacture, tires do not
achieve their full traction potential until
after an initial break-in period. You
should therefore drive with extra care
during the initial 200 miles (300 km).
Obey your local and state maximum
speed limits.
When the vehicle is operated on
wet or slushy roads, a wedge of
water may form between the tire and
the road surface. This phenomenon is
referred to as aquaplaning, or hydro-
planing, and can lead to partial or
complete loss of traction, vehicle
control and braking effectiveness.
Reduce your speed on wet roads.<
Brake systemApproximately 300 miles ( 500 km) must
elapse before the brake pads and discs
achieve the optimal pad-surface and
wear patterns required for troublefree
operation and long service life later on.
To break-in the separate parking brake
drums, apply the parking brake lightly
when coasting to a standstill (at a traffic
signal, for instance), provided that
traffic conditions allow you to do so. To
avoid corrosion, repeat this procedure
from time to time.
The brake lamps do not come on
when the parking brake is
engaged.
Vacuum for the brake system servo unit
on your BMW is available only when the
engine is running. When you move the
vehicle with the engine off – when
towing, for example – substantially
higher levels of pedal force will be
required to brake the vehicle. optimally after about 300 miles
(500 km). Drive cautiously during this
break-in period and do not shift at high
engine speeds.
Break-in procedures

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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