2001 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE fuel fill door release

33n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Electronic vehicle immobilizer Central locking systemThe key to security Your BMW is equipped with a passive
anti-theft system. This electronic immo-
bilization system is designed to reduce
the susceptibility of the vehicle to theft
by making it impossible to start the
engine using any means other than the
special keys furnished with the vehicle.
Your BMW center can cancel the elec-
tronic system authorization for indi-
vidual keys (in the event of loss, for
instance). A deactivated key can no
longer be used to start the engine.
How the electronics work At the heart of this system is an elec-
tronic chip that is integrated into the
key. The lock mechanism itself is actu-
ally a dual-function device, simulta-
neously serving as a communications
interface designed to allow the security
system to maintain a continuous stream
of variable, vehicle-specific signals with
the electronic circuitry in the key. The
system will not release the ignition, fuel
injection and starter unless it recog-
nizes an "authorized" key.
Force applied to the key can
damage the integrated electronic
circuitry. A damaged key can no longer
be used to start the engine.<
The conceptThe following can be unlocked or
locked simultaneously with the central
locking system:
>Doors
>Luggage compartment lid
>Fuel filler door
>Glove compartment.
The central locking system is ready for
operation whenever the driver's door is
closed.
The central locking system can be
operated
>from outside via the door lock and
using the remote control
>from inside by pressing a button.
If it is operated from inside, the fuel
filler door will not be locked (refer to
page 38).
If it is operated from outside, the anti-
theft protection is activated at the same
time. This prevents the doors from
being unlocked via the locking buttons
or the door handles. The alarm system
is also activated or deactivated.

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Central locking system Opening and closing – via the door lockInformation for your safety:
If locked from the inside, the central
locking system unlocks automatically in
the event of an accident. In addition,
the hazard warning flashers and interior
lamps come on.
Using the keyTurn the key once to unlock the driver's
door, the fuel filler door and the glove
compartment.
Turn it a second time to release the
locks for the passenger-side door and
the luggage compartment lid.
You can have a signal set to
confirm that the vehicle's locks
have engaged securely.<
For further details on the alarm
system
*, refer to page 42.
Convenience operationWith the door closed, you can also
operate the electric windows and the
convertible top via the door lock.
To open: after turning the key a second
time, hold it in place in the "unlock"
position.
To close: hold the key in the "lock"
position.
Watch during the closing process
to make sure that nobody is
injured accidentally. Releasing the key
stops the operation. Turn the key all the way to the extreme
left or right to unlock/lock the door.

38n
Opening and closing – from inside Use this button to operate the central
locking system whenever the doors are
closed. The doors and luggage
compartment lid are unlocked or locked
only. The anti-theft alarm system is not
activated.
When you open the driver's door
after unlocking it from the outside,
you can press the button to unlock the
passenger door, luggage compartment
lid, fuel filler door and glove compart-
ment.
When the driver's door is closed, this
same action relocks it.<
If you desire, the central locking
system will secure the locks as
soon as you start to drive. You can have
this function programmed into each
individual key.<
To unlock and open the doors>Either unlock the doors together with
the button for the central locking
system and then pull each of the
release handles above the armrests
or
>pull the release handle for each door
twice: the first pull unlocks the door,
and the second one opens it.
To engage the locks>Either use the central locking button
to lock all doors at once, or
>press the individual safety lock
buttons down. As an added design
feature to prevent the driver from
being inadvertently locked out of the
vehicle, the driver's door safety lock
button will not engage as long as the
door is open.
Children might be able to lock the
doors from the inside. For this
reason, always take the vehicle's keys
with you so that the vehicle can be
opened again from the outside at any
time.<

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.

Everything from A to ZDriving lamps84
Driving notes
aquaplaning105
brakes105
disc brakes108
general105
sliding111
slippery roads110
DSC (Dynamic Stability
Control)22, 80, 170
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)22, 80, 170
indicator lamp22EElectric power windows44
Electrical accessories,
failure160t
Electrical defect
convertible top162t
doors34t
fuel filler door161t
Electrical system182
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer33
Elements of operation16
Emergency lock operation
doors34t
Emergency operation
convertible top162t
fuel filler door161tEngine
coolant129, 181
data178
displacement178
high-speed engine171
output178
speed178
starting66
torque178
Engine compartment124
working in the engine
compartment121t
Engine oil127
add127t
additives127
capacity181
consumption127
level, indicator
lamp20, 21
oil dipstick127
pressure20
quality128t
specifications128t
thermometer73
viscosity128t
Exterior mirror
automatic dimming
feature53
Eyelets, towing165
FFailure messages76t
Failure of ABS107
Fan91
Fault displays, Check
Control76t
Filler cap cover26
Filling capacities181
Filling washer
reservoir126t, 181
Fittings, tow-starting and
towing165t
Flat tire115
repairing153
Fog lamps85
bulb replacement149t
Follow-me-home lamps84
Foot brake108
refer also to brake system
Footwell lamps86
bulb replacement152t
Front seat adjusting48
Frost protection,
radiator129
Fuel27
consumption78
consumption, display74
gauge74
preparation178
quality27
reserve indicator lamp74
specifications27tank capacity181
tank gauge74
Fuel filler door
manual release after
electrical fault161t
Fuses160
replacing160t
GGasoline27
gauge74
Glass holder, refer to
Beverage holder
Glove compartment94
Glove compartment lamp,
bulb replacement152t
Grilles88
Gross vehicle weight180HHandbrake67
Hands-free system96
Hardtop113
care138
Hazard warning flashers25
Hazard warning triangle25
Head protection system61
Head restraints50
Headlamp cleaning
system125, 126, 181
Headlamp cover,
care132, 147t