2001 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE brake

133n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Caring for your vehicleExterior finish To provide effective corrosion protec-
tion, multilayer paintwork is applied at
the factory. Cataphoretic immersion
priming techniques are supplemented
with special body-cavity protectants
and application of specially developed
and extensively tested materials.
A layer of flexible PVC is first applied to
the undercarriage. Following this, a
comprehensive undercoating treat-
ment with a wax-based protectant is
applied. Regular maintenance makes
an important contribution to maintaining
the safety and value of your vehicle.
Increasing awareness of the effects of
harmful environmental factors on
vehicle finishes have led paint and
vehicle manufacturers to initiate
ongoing programs designed to further
improve the durability of their finishes.
Despite this, regional environmental
factors can have negative effects on
your vehicle's finish. Consider these
factors in determining the frequency
and extent of your efforts to maintain
the vehicle finish.
Depending upon material and type of
impact (perforation of paint layer), phys-
ical stresses from sand, road salt,
gravel, etc., can cause corrosion to start extending beneath the finish,
starting at the point of impact.
Road dirt, tar spots, dead insects,
animal droppings (strong alkali effect)
and tree excretions (resins and pollen)
all contain substances capable of
causing damage when allowed to
remain on the finish of your vehicle for
any period of time. This includes spots,
etching, flaking, and separations in the
top coat.
In industrial areas, deposits of flue dust,
lime, oily soot, precipitation containing
sulfur-dioxide (acid rain) and other envi-
ronmental pollutants will damage the
vehicle's finish unless adequate care is
provided – even though this is generally
limited to the outside horizontal
surfaces.
In coastal regions, high levels of atmo-
spheric salt and humidity promote
corrosion.
In tropical zones, high humidity and
heavy ultraviolet radiation prevail, in
addition to temperatures of over 105 7
(+40 6) in the shade. Under these
conditions, light paints can reach
temperatures up to 175 7 (+80 6) and
dark ones up to 250 7 (+120 6).
Caring for the vehicle finish Regular washing is a preventive
measure against long-term effects from
substances that are harmful to the
vehicle's finish, especially if you drive
your vehicle in areas with high levels of
air pollution or aggressive natural
substances (tree resins, pollen).
Nevertheless, you should immediately
remove especially aggressive
substances. Failure to do so can lead to
changes in the paint's chemical struc-
ture or to discoloration. Gasoline spilled
during refueling, oil, grease and brake
fluid should always be cleaned away
immediately, as should bird droppings.
Any contamination remaining on the
surface of the vehicle will be especially
conspicuous after washing. Use
cleaning fluid or alcohol with a clean
cloth or cotton pad to remove these
stains. Remove tar spots with tar
remover. After cleaning, the affected
areas should be waxed to ensure
continued protection.
Use the cleaning and car-care
products available at your BMW
center.<

140n
Storing your vehicle
If you intend to store the vehicle
for more than 3 months, be sure to
follow the maintenance instructions on
this page.<
Storage preparationsHave your BMW center perform the
following procedures:
1 Clean and apply a rustproofing agent
or other treatment to the engine,
engine compartment, undercarriage,
axles and major components in
accordance with approved repair
procedures. First wash the vehicle
surface, then clean the interior,
following up with paint- and chrome
care, after which you clean the
rubber seals for the hood and doors.
2 Change the engine oil and oil filter
with the engine warm. As an addi-
tional corrosion protection measure,
an anticorrosive agent can be added
to the engine in accordance with the
manufacturer's instructions.
3 Check the coolant level and concen-
tration, top up if necessary.
4 Check the fluid level of the wind-
shield washer fluid reservoir; top up if
necessary.
5 Fill the fuel tank completely to
prevent the formation of condensa-
tion.
6 Increase the tire inflation pressure to
51 psi (350 Kilopascal).Before parking the vehicle1 To prevent the brake discs and
drums from corroding, dry the
parking and footbrake by applying
the brakes.
2 Park the vehicle in a covered, dry,
and well-ventilated area. Place the
transmission in first gear or, if neces-
sary, chock the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from rolling. Do not set the
parking brake.
3 Remove the battery, charge it
completely and store it in a cool (but
frost-free) room.
4 Remove the hardtop and store it
separately. Refer to page 114.
5 Close the convertible top.During storageRecharge the battery every six months.
If it is not recharged, it will not be
useable. Every time the battery is
discharged, especially over extended
periods, its service life is reduced.
Removing the vehicle from
storageRecharge the battery if the "Magic
Eye
*" turns black. Refer to page 157.
Then have Inspection I performed by
your BMW center, including a brake
fluid replacement if necessary.

149n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Lamps and bulbsFog lamps HB4 bulb, 51 watt
The bulb is pressurized. There-
fore, wear safety glasses and
protective gloves. Failure to comply
with this precaution could lead to injury
if the bulb is accidentally damaged
during replacement.<
1 Pull the headlamp cover forward to
remove.
2 Loosen the screw (arrow) and pivot
the headlamp outward.
3 Release the spring on the rear of the
headlamp and swivel the cover to the
left.
4 Release the clip, pull off the terminal
caps and replace the bulb.
Tail lamp assemblyTail lamp 4: bulbs 21/4 watts
Remaining bulbs: 21 watts
1 Turn signal yellow
2 Backup lamp white
3 Tail lamp red
4 Tail lamp/Brake lamp red
The illustration shows the right-hand
luggage compartment opening.Bulbs in the fenderAll of the bulbs are integrated in a
central bulb holder.
1 Release the bulb holder (arrow).

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.

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.<

159n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
BatteryCharging the battery Charge the battery in the vehicle only
when the engine is not running.
Before doing any work on the
electrical system, be sure to
disconnect the cable from the battery's
negative terminal. Failure to do so can
result in short-circuits, a fire or personal
injury.<
If you plan to park the vehicle for longer
than 4 weeks, disconnect the battery
from the vehicle electrical system by
disconnecting the cable at the negative
terminal. Then recharge the battery with
an appropriate battery charger.
If the vehicle is parked for more than
12 weeks, remove the battery, recharge
it and store it in a cool yet frost- and
dust-free area. During storage, have the
battery recharged every 3 months.
Also, recharge the battery before it is
reinstalled. If this is not done, the
battery will not be serviceable. Every
time the battery is discharged, espe-
cially over extended periods, its service
life is reduced.
Return used batteries to a recy-
cling point or your BMW center.
Maintain the battery in an upright posi-
tion for transport and storage. Secure
the battery to prevent it from tilting
during transport.<
Storage periods during which the
battery is disconnected are not
taken into consideration by the Service
Interval Display for changing the brake
fluid.
For this reason, be sure that the brake
fluid is changed every two years,
regardless of the information displayed.
Comply with the information on this
subject on page 130.<

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