2001 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE steering wheel

111n
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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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Use narrow-link BMW snow chains on
winter tires in pairs only and only on the
rear wheels. Comply with all manufac-
turer's safety precautions when
mounting the chains.
Deactivate the Tire Pressure
Warning system (RDW) when
using snow chains. Malfunction warn-
ings and undetected losses in pressure
are a possibility when driving with snow
chains.
For further information, refer to
page 81.<
Tire condition, tire pressureOnce winter tires wear to a tread depth
of less than 0.16 in (4 mm), their perfor-
mance under winter driving conditions
deteriorates noticeably. Worn tires
should therefore be replaced to ensure
continued safety.
Inflate tires to specified pressure and
have the wheels balanced every time
the tires or wheels have been rotated;
re-initialize the Tire Pressure Warning
system (RDW) as well. Refer to page 81

for further information.
Special features of winter tires Snow chains
*
Choosing the right tireBMW recommends winter tires (M+S
radial tires) for driving in adverse winter
road conditions. So-called all-season
tires with the M+S identification mark
do indeed possess better winter trac-
tion than summer tires that have the H,
V, W, Y and ZR speed ratings, but they
generally fail to provide the same levels
of performance as winter tires.
In the interest of safe tracking and
steering response, install winter tires
made by the same manufacturer with
the same tread configuration on all four
wheels. Do not exceed specified
maximum speeds
Never exceed the maximum
speed for which the tires are
rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and
accidents.
Have this work performed by skilled
professionals only. Any BMW center
has the required technical knowledge
and the proper equipment and will be
happy to assist you.<

139n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Airbags 1 Front airbags on the driver and
passenger side
2 Side airbags on the driver and
passenger side (front and rear
*)
Important safety notices
Do not attempt to remove the gas
generators of the airbag supple-
mental restraint system from the
vehicle. Have testing and service
procedures performed by specially-
qualified technicians only. In the event
of a malfunction, deactivation, or trig-
gered actuation (as a response to an
accident) of the airbag restraint system,
consult your BMW center for repairs or
service operations.
No modifications may be made on
either the wiring or to individual compo-
nents. This also includes the uphol-
stered covers on the steering wheel, on
the instrument panel, in the door side
trim panels or in the rear. Never apply
adhesive materials to these compo-
nents or cover or modify them in any
way. Do not attempt to remove or
dismantle the steering wheel.
To ensure compliance with official
safety regulations, entrust disposal of
airbag generators to a BMW center.
Unprofessional attempts to service the
system could lead to failure in an emer-
gency or undesired airbag activation,
either of which could result in personal
injury.<

153n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Repairing a flat tire
Precautions in case of a flat tire:
Stop the vehicle as far as possible
from passing traffic; turn on the hazard
warning flashers.
Turn the steering wheel to the straight-
ahead position and engage the steering
lock. Engage the parking brake and
shift into 1st or reverse.
All passengers should be outside the
vehicle and well away from your imme-
diate working area (behind a guardrail,
for instance).
If a warning triangle or portable hazard
warning lamp is available, set it up on
the roadside at an appropriate distance
from the rear of the vehicle. Comply
with all safety guidelines and regula-
tions.<
M Mobility systemAn M Mobility system for fixing flat tires
is included with your BMW M3 convert-
ible. With the aid of this system, you
can apply a liquid sealant to the inside
of the tire, thereby sealing off the
damaged area, and then continue
driving.
The M Mobility system makes trans-
porting a spare wheel superfluous,
thereby reducing the amount of weight
you have to carry around.
The M Mobility system is located in the
luggage compartment under the floor
panel:
1 Raise the floor panel (refer to
page 41).
2 Loosen the M Mobility system from
its storage location.
Note that the fluid bottle in the
system's sealant container has to
be replaced every three years by your
BMW center, if the system is not
used.<

154n
Repairing a flat tireThe components of the M Mobility
system1 On/Off switch
2 Hose with pressure gauge for
connecting the compressor with the
sealant container or to connect the
compressor to the wheel
3 Pressure gauge for indicating tire
pressure
4 Connector hose from the sealant
container to the wheel
5 Sticker with maximum speed
6 Plug and cable for the cigarette
lighter socket
7 Protective gloves (not shown)
Use the M Mobility system
If possible, leave the foreign
object in the tire.<
Do not exceed the maximum
speed limits described below,
otherwise it could lead to accidents.
Before you use the M Mobility system,
read the warnings and danger notices
on the device carefully.<
1 Pull sticker 5 off for maximum speed
and affix it to the steering wheel.
2 Take the round cover off and hose 4
out. Unscrew the valve stem cover
from the defective wheel and screw
the hose to the valve.

170n
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) Safety belt tensioner

Highly sensitive sensors monitor the
number of revolutions of the wheels,
steering angle, lateral acceleration,
brake pressure and the movement of
the vehicle around its vertical axis.
If differences in wheel speed should
occur, the system will recognize the
potential dangers associated with
wheel spin and will reduce the drive
torque; if necessary, it will do so using
brake intervention at the rear wheels as
well.
When instable vehicle operating condi-
tions are detected, the application of
the brakes with DSC can also act on the
front wheels to stabilize the vehicle.
You may need some time to become
accustomed to this system's interven-
tion. However, it provides optimum
drive force and vehicle stability.
The braking intervention may be
accompanied by a certain degree of
noise.The safety belt tensioner makes sure
that the belt tightens during a head-on
collision to ensure that occupants
remain firmly positioned in their seats.
A gas-pressure system retracts the
buckle assembly to tension the
shoulder and lap belts within fractions
of a second. This tends to reduce the
tendency to slide under the lap belt
even more.

Everything from A to ZAABS (Antilock Brake
System)21, 106
Acceleration181
Accessories6
Activated-charcoal filter92
replacing161t
Adding
brake fluid125t, 130t
coolant129t
engine oil127t
washer fluid126t, 181
Adjusting
clock76
head restraints50
interior temperature90
steering wheel55
thigh support area49
Adjusting seats
lumbar support49
Air conditioner91
Air distribution,
automatic90
Air outlets88
Air pressure115
Air supply91
recirculated air mode91
vents91
Airbags61, 139, 168
warning lamp21, 22Alarm system42
avoiding unintentional
alarms43
indicator lamp43
interior motion sensor42
tilt sensor alarm
system42
Alcantara care136
Antenna112
Antenna, Diversity169
Antifreeze129
radiator110
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)21, 106
Anti-theft alarm system42
Anti-theft protection33
Approved wheel and tire
specifications120
Aquaplaning105, 115
Armrest95
Ashtray
front96
rear97
AUC (Automatic recirculated
air control)91
Automatic climate
control88
Automatic cruise
control71
Automatic recirculated air
control (AUC)91Automatic windshield
washer70
Auxiliary terminal for jump-
starting125t
Average fuel
consumption78
Average speed78
Axle loads180
BBackrest
releasing51
Backup lamps68
replacing bulb149t
Battery157, 182
add distilled water157t
capacity182
charging159t
current check lamp20
removal and
installation158
symbols158
Belts57
Beverage holder95
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oils128
BMW Maintenance
System131
BMW Sports seat49
Bore178Bottle holder, refer to
Beverage holder
Brake system20, 109
ABS21t, 106
brake faults109t
brake fluid change75
brake fluid level, warning
lamp20, 109
brake lamp, center151
brake lamps, replacing
bulb149t
brake pads, indicator
lamp22, 109
disc brakes108
driving notes105
warning lamp20, 109
Break-in procedure104
Bulbs and lamps146
CCalifornia Proposition
65 Warning141
Can holder, refer to
Beverage holder
Capacities181
Car battery182
Car Memory55
Car radio112
reception113, 169
refer also to the separate
Owner's Manual

Everything from A to Z
189n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Headlamp flasher69, 85
Headlamp washer
system125, 126, 181
Heated mirror52
Heated seats93
Heater and ventilation88
Heavy loads100
Height50, 179
High beam lamps69, 85
indicator lamps23
High Performance Synthetic
Oils128
High-speed engine171
Holder for beverage
cans, refer to Beverage
holder
Hood121
opening121
unlocking121
Horn17IIce warning77
Identification number,
vehicle130
Identification, tires118, 120
Ignition key32
Ignition key position66
Ignition lock66
Imprint4
Indicator lamps20tIndividual settings
car memory, key
memory55
Inflation pressures115t
INSPECTION75
Instrument cluster18
Instrument lighting84
Instruments18
Interference
cellular phone112
Interior lamps36, 86
bulb replacement151t
remote control36
Interior mirror
automatic dimming
feature53
Interior motion sensor42
disarm43t
Interior rearview mirror
automatic dimming
feature53, 173
Intermittent operation69
JJump-starting164KKey Memory55
Keys32
with remote control32
LLamp switch84
Lamps
footwell lamps86
high beam headlamps85
instrument lighting84
interior lamps86
parking lamp85
reading lamps86
Lamps and bulbs146
LAMPS ON warning84
Lashing eyes101
LATCH attachment for child
seat59
Leather care136
Length179
License plate lamp
bulb replacement151t
Lighter97
Load-securing devices101
Low beam headlamps84
lamp malfunction147t
Lower rollover protection
system64t
Luggage
compartment40, 41
capacity180
emergency release39t
enlarging41
floor mat41
floor panel41fold down convertible top
compartment base41
remote control37
Luggage compartment
lamps39
bulb replacement152t
Luggage compartment
lid39
emergency release39t
Luggage rack101
Lumbar support49
MM Engine dynamics
control83
M Mobility system153
M+S-tires119
M3 engine concept171
Maintenance75, 131
Make-up mirror53
Malfunction of ABS107
Manual convertible
top operation in case of
electrical defect162t
Manual transmission68
Manual-shift gear lever68
Master key32
Maximum speed181
Memory54
MFL (Multifunction steering
wheel)24