2001 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE tow

127n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine oilChecking oil level 1 Park the vehicle on a level surface
2 Shut the engine off after it has
reached normal operating tempera-
ture
3 After approx. one minute, pull the
dipstick out and wipe it off with a
clean lint-free cloth, paper towel, or
similar material
4 Carefully push the dipstick 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.
The oil volume between the two marks
on the dipstick corresponds to approx.
1.4 US quarts (1.3 liters).
Adding engine oil Wait until the level has dropped to just
above the lower mark before adding oil.
However, never let the oil drop below
the lower mark.
Do not fill beyond the upper mark on
the dipstick. Excess oil will damage the
engine.
To obtain a correct reading when
rechecking the oil level after adding
lubricant, start the engine and allow it
to run, then switch it off and proceed as
described in the section on "Checking
oil level".
BMW engines are designed to
operate without oil additives; the
use of additives could lead to damage
in some cases. This is also true for the

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
145n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Replacement procedures:
Onboard tool kit146
Windshield wiper blades146
Lamps and bulbs146
Repairing a flat tire153
Battery157
Fuses160
Replacing microfilter and
activated-charcoal filter161
In case of
electrical malfunction:
Fuel filler door161
Convertible top162
Assistance, giving and
receiving:
Jump-starting164
Towing the vehicle165
Repairs

146n
The onboard tool kit is located in the
luggage compartment lid.
Loosen the wingnut to open.
Tow fitting storage location, refer to
page 165.
1 Fold the wiper arm completely out
from the windshield.
2 Position the wiper blade at an angle
and pull the release spring (arrow).
3 Fold the wiper blade down and
unhook it toward the windshield.
4 Pull the wiper blade past the wiper
arm toward the top.
5 Insert a new wiper blade and apply
pressure until you hear it engage.
Use only BMW approved wiper
blades.<
The lamps and bulbs make essential
contributions to the safety of your
vehicle. For this reason, follow the
instructions below carefully when
replacing a bulb. If you are not familiar
with any of the procedures, consult
your BMW center.
Do not touch the glass portion of a
new bulb with your bare hands
since even small amounts of impurities
burn into the surface and reduce the
service life of the bulb. Use a clean
cloth, paper napkin, or a similar mate-
rial, or hold the bulb by its metallic
base.<
A replacement bulb set is available from
your BMW center.
Whenever working on the elec-
trical system, switch off the elec-
trical accessory you are working on or
disconnect the cable from the negative
terminal of the battery. Failure to do this
could result in short circuits.
To prevent injuries and damage when
changing a bulb, be sure to comply with
any instructions provided by the bulb
manufacturer.<
Onboard tool kit Windshield wiper blades Lamps and bulbs

148n
Lamps and bulbsFront turn signal indicators21 watt bulb
1 Using a screwdriver, release the inner
hook through the upper opening.
2 Remove lamp by pulling it out toward
the front.
3 Applying light pressure, turn the bulb
to the left. Remove and exchange the
bulb.
4 Insert the 2 pins on the lamp into the
guides on the vehicle.
5 Push the lamp in. Carefully apply
pressure until you hear it snap into
place.
Side turn signal indicators5 watt bulb
1 Use finger pressure against the rear
end of the lamp (arrow) to press it
forward for removal.
2 Apply gentle pressure to the bulb
while turning it to the left to remove.

151n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Lamps and bulbsCenter (high-mount) brake lamp

LED strip in luggage compartment lid.
Please contact a BMW center in case of
a malfunction.
License plate lamps 5 watt bulb
1 Place a screwdriver in the slot and
press toward the left (arrow) to
release the lens.
2 Replace the bulb.
Interior lamps Front:
Interior lamps (6 watt bulb)
Reading lamps (2 x 6 watt bulbs)
1 Using a screwdriver, press the lamp
out toward the front.
2 Turn the bulb holder to the left and
remove.
3 Remove and replace the bulb.

155n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Repairing a flat tire3 Flip open the cover and pull out the
enclosed protective gloves. Take out
hose 2 with the pressure gauge and
screw it to the terminal for the sealant
container as shown in the illustration.
4 Make sure that the system has been
switched off (position 0).
Take out plug 6 and insert it into the
cigarette lighter socket in the
passenger compartment (refer to
page 97).
5 Make sure that the screw on the rear
of pressure gauge 3 is tightened
down. Turn on the M Mobility system
(position I, refer to illustration) and
allow 3 minutes to elapse, to let the
sealant flow in. The tire's inflation
pressure is insignificant at this stage.
6 Turn the device off.
Disconnect the connector hose from
the sealant container and the tire
valve. Stow the M Mobility system in
the luggage compartment.
7 Right afterward, drive at least
1.2 miles (2 km), so that the liquid
sealant distributes evenly throughout
the inside of the tire.
Do not exceed 40 mph (60 km/h), and
if possible, do not drop below 10 mph
(20 km/h).
Stop at an appropriate spot.

156n
Repairing a flat tire 8 Take the hose with the pressure
gauge out and screw it onto the
valve.
Take the plug out and plug it into the
cigarette lighter socket in the
passenger compartment.
9 Reset the air pressure to 29 psi
(200 kilopascal):
>To increase the tire pressure: turn
on the M Mobility system
(position I). To check the new tire
pressure briefly turn off the device.
>To reduce the tire pressure: turn
the screw on the back of the pres-
sure gauge, this will open the air
release valve.
If the air pressure won't hold,
carry out step 10 anyway and then
repeat steps 7 through 10 again.
The use of the M Mobility system may
be ineffective if the damaged area in
the tire is larger than approx. 0.16 in
(4 mm). Please consult the nearest
BMW center if the tire cannot be
temporarily repaired with the M Mobility
system.<
10 Unscrew the hose from the valve
and stow the M Mobility system in
the luggage compartment.
After the flat tire has been fixed and you
start driving again, do not exceed a
maximum speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
You will find corresponding instructions
for using the M Mobility system on the
device.
Replace the defective tire as soon as
possible and have the new wheel/tire
balanced. Re-initialize the Tire Pressure
Warning system (RDW), and refer to
page 81 for further information. Have
the M Mobility system refilled. Contact
your BMW center for this.

161n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Replacing microfilter and activated-charcoal filter Fuel filler door 1 Open the hood.
2 Release the three fasteners (arrow)
with f turn.
3 Remove the filter cover.
4 Remove the filter by pulling toward
the front and install a new one.
5 Position the filter cover and secure it
with the three fasteners.
Manual release Pull the knob with the fuel pump symbol
(arrow) on the right trim panel of the
luggage compartment.