2001 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE ignition

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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

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Computer

Mode selectionFrom ignition key position 1 on, you can
use the button in the turn signal lever to
retrieve information from the computer
for display in the instrument cluster. By
pressing the button briefly in the direc-
tion of the steering column, you can call
up a new function for display.
The displays appear in the following
order:
Time of day, outside temperature,
average fuel consumption, cruising
range, average vehicle speed.
From ignition key position 1 on, the last
active setting is displayed.
Outside temperature You can change the units of measure
(6/7) for the outside temperature
display by pressing the right-hand reset
button in the instrument cluster while
the temperature display is active.
Ice warning If the outside temperature drops to
about 37.5 7 (+3 6), then the
computer will automatically switch to
show the outside temperature. In addi-
tion, a signal sounds as a warning and
the display flashes for a brief period.
This warning will repeat itself whenever
the temperature has climbed to at least
43 7 (+6 6) since the last warning,
and has then dropped back to 37.5 7
(+3 6).
Ice warnings do not exclude the
possibility that surface ice can still
occur at temperatures above 37.5 7
(+3 6), e. g. on bridges and shady
roads.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
The conceptThe PDC assists you when you back
into a parking space. A signal warns
you of the distance to an obstacle.
To do this, four ultrasonic sensors in
the rear bumper measure the distance
to the nearest object. The range for the
sensors located at both rear corners
ends approx. 2 ft. (60 cm) behind
the bumpers. The range for the two
middle sensors is approx. 4.9 feet
(1.50 meters).
The system is activated automatically
about one second after you engage
reverse with the ignition key in
position 2. PDC is deactivated when
you shift back out of reverse.
Acoustic signalsThe distance to the nearest object is
indicated by a tone sounding at various
intervals. As the distance between
vehicle and object decreases, the inter-
vals between the tones become
shorter. A continuous tone indicates the
presence of an object less than 1 ft.
(30 cm) away.
The warning signal is interrupted after
approx. three seconds if the distance to
the obstacle remains constant during
this time (if you are moving parallel to
a wall, for instance).
System malfunctions will be indicated
by a continuous high-pitched tone
when the system is activated the first
time. Please refer the problem to your
BMW center.The PDC does not remove the
driver's personal responsibility for
evaluating the distance between the
vehicle and any obstacles. Even when
sensors are involved, there is a blind
spot in which objects cannot be
detected. This applies especially in
those cases where the system
approaches the physical limits of ultra-
sonic measurement, as occurs with tow
bars and trailer couplings, and in the
vicinity of thin and painted objects.
Certain sources of sound, such as a
loud radio, could drown out the PDC
signal tone.<
Keep the sensors clean and free
of ice or snow in order to ensure
that they continue to operate effec-
tively.
Do not apply high pressure spray to the
sensors for a prolonged period of time.
Always maintain a distance of more
than 4 in (10 cm).<
Park Distance Control (PDC)
*

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Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)

The concept

DSC helps maintain vehicle stability,
even in critical driving situations.
The system optimizes vehicle stability
during acceleration and when starting
from a full stop, as well as optimizing
traction. In addition, the system recog-
nizes unstable vehicle conditions
(understeering or oversteering in
curves, for example) and holds the
vehicle on course by intervening via the
engine and by braking intervention at
the individual wheels within the limits
defined by the laws of physics.
The system starts up automatically
each time you start the engine.
The laws of physics cannot be
repealed, even with DSC. The
results of driving irresponsibly rest with
the driver. We therefore urge you to
avoid using the additional safety margin
of the system as an excuse for taking
risks. Do not make any modifications to
the DSC system. Service procedures
on the system are to be performed by
authorized technicians only.<
You will find additional details
concerning DSC in the chapter
"Advanced technology" on page 170.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp on the instru-
ment cluster will go out shortly
after the ignition has been
switched on. Refer to page 21.
>Indicator lamp flashes: the system is
active and is controlling the drive
torque based on driving conditions
>If the indicator lamp fails to go out
after the engine has been started, or
if it comes on during normal driving
and stays on: there is a system
malfunction or the system was deac-
tivated with the button. You can
continue to drive the vehicle
normally, but without DSC. Please
consult your BMW center for repairs.
To deactivate the systemPress the button – the indicator lamp
comes on and stays on.
When DSC is deactivated, you are
driving with conventional power
transfer.
We recommend that you turn the
system off for increased traction:
>When rocking the vehicle or starting
off in deep snow or on loose surfaces
>When driving with snow chains.
Refer also to page 110.
To help maintain driving stability,
drive with the DSC activated
whenever possible.< To reactivate the systemPress the button again; the indicator
lamp goes out.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Tire Pressure Warning (RDW)The conceptThe Tire Pressure Warning system
(RDW) monitors the tire inflation pres-
sure in all four tires while driving. The
system is designed to detect whenever
the inflation pressure in a tire drops off
significantly.
By monitoring the speeds of the tires
relative to each other, a flat tire can be
detected and reported because its
speed suddenly deviates drastically
from that of the other tires.
Initializing the systemInitializing is necessary to familiarize the
system with the correct inflation pres-
sure.
Repeat this process after any changes
in tire inflation pressure, tire rotation or
replacement. Do not carry out further
system initialization after correcting the
inflation pressure and letting the system
"learn" what condition is required.
1 Check the tire inflation pressure in all
the tires, comparing them with the
inflation pressure table (page 28),
and adjusting their pressure if neces-
sary
2 Turn the ignition key to position 2
3 Press button until the yellow indicator
lamp on the instrument cluster lights
up. After a little while, the indicator
lamp will go out automatically
4 After a few minutes, the RDW will
accept the current inflation pressure
as its reference value, and from that
point on, can detect and report a flat
tire.

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Tire Pressure Warning (RDW)Activating/deactivating the
systemThe system is automatically active in
ignition key position 2 and is therefore
always on during driving.
To deactivate the system: tap the
button, the indicator lamp will light up
yellow.
To activate the system: tap the button
again; the indicator lamp goes out.
Deactivate the system while driving
with snow chains, since false warnings
and undetected losses in pressure are
possible under these kinds of condi-
tions.
In the event of a flat tire
The indicator lamp on the instru-
ment cluster will light up red in
the event of a significant loss in
tire pressure. In addition, an acoustic
signal is sounded. To come to an imme-
diate stop, reduce speed, while
avoiding any sudden, jerky braking or
steering maneuvers.
Fix the flat tire using the M Mobility
system (refer to page 153).
Resetting the indicator lamp: the red
indicator lamp has to be turned off
manually after putting on a new wheel.
At this point, hold the RDW button
down until the indicator lamp goes out.
Re-initialize the system afterward.
The RDW cannot alert you to
severe and sudden tire damage
caused by external factors.
The RDW will not identify the natural,
even loss of pressure in all four tires,
either.<
Check the tire inflation pressure
on a regular basis and correct if
necessary. Refer to page 27.
Under certain circumstances, there
may be false warnings or a delayed
detection of losses in pressure when
driving on snow-covered or slippery
road surfaces.
A sporty driving style (slip at the wheels
receiving the torque, high lateral accel-
erations) can lead to delayed RDW
warnings.<
System malfunctionAs long as there is still a malfunction,
the indicator lamp on the instrument
cluster will remain yellow.
Please contact your BMW center for
additional information.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
M Engine dynamics controlThe system (sport mode identification)
will cause the engine to respond more
spontaneously to the motion of the
accelerator pedal. Activating/deactivating sport
mode identificationActivating: with the key in ignition key
position 2, press the sport button. The
indicator lamp will light up.
Deactivating: press the sport button
again; the indicator lamp will go out.
The sporty mode is deactivated every
time the engine is started.

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Parking lamps/Side marker lamps
With the switch in this position,
vehicle lighting is illuminated on
both sides. You can use the side
lamps for parking. Refer to page 85 for
one-sided lighting as an additional
possibility for parking.
Low beam headlamps
When you switch the ignition off
with the low beam headlamps
on, only the side lamps will
remain on.
"Follow-me-home lamps":
If you turn the headlamp flasher
on after you have parked the vehicle,
the low beam headlamps will remain on
for a short period of time. You can also
have this function deactivated.<
"LAMPS ON" warningWhenever you open the driver's door,
after having turned the ignition key to
position 0, you will hear a buzzing
sound for a few seconds to remind you
that the lamps have not been switched
off.Daylight driving lamps
*
If you desire, the lamp switch can be
left in the second position. When the
ignition is switched off, the external
lighting is also switched off.
In order to spare the battery, all of
the lamps in the vehicle are
switched off automatically approx.
15 minutes after the ignition key has
been turned to position 0.<
Turn the rotary dial to control the
lighting when the side lamps or low
beam headlamps are on.
Side lamps/Low beam headlamps Instrument lighting