2001 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE key battery

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Indicator and warning lamps

Technology
that monitors itself

Many of the systems in your BMW
monitor themselves automatically, both
during engine starts and while you are
driving. Indicator and warning lamps
identified by "

l

" are tested for proper
operation whenever the ignition key is
turned. They each light up once for
different periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these
systems, the corresponding lamp does
not go out after the engine is started, or
it lights up while the vehicle is moving.
You will see how to react to this below.

Red: stop immediately

Battery charge current

l

The battery is no longer being
charged. Indicates a problem
with the alternator's drive belt or a
defect in the charging circuit. Please
contact the nearest BMW center.
Never attempt to continue driving
with a defective alternator drive
belt, as this could result in overheating
and serious engine damage. A defec-
tive belt also leads to a substantial
increase in the amount of effort
required to steer the vehicle.

<


Engine oil pressure

l

Stop vehicle immediately and
switch off engine. Check the
engine oil and top up as required. If the
oil level is correct: please contact the
nearest BMW center.
Do not attempt to continue
driving, as lack of adequate lubri-
cation can lead to serious engine
damage.

<
Tire Pressure Warning (RDW)
This display is accompanied by
an audible warning signal: the
vehicle has a flat tire. Reduce your
speed immediately and avoid all abrupt
braking or steering maneuvers as you
bring the vehicle to a halt.
For additional information, refer to
page 81.
Brake warning lamp l
If the lamp comes on when the
parking brake is not engaged:
Check the brake fluid level. Before
driving further, be sure to comply with
the information on pages 109 and 130.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.

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KeysThe key set1 Master key with remote control
This key sets the functions for Key
Memory. Refer to page 55.
You can also identify individual keys
by applying the colored decals that
you received when accepting delivery
of your vehicle.
There is an extended-life battery
in every master key with remote
control that is charged automatically in
the ignition lock as you drive. For this
reason, if you have a master key with
remote control that is otherwise not
used, use that key at least once every
year while driving for an extended
period to charge the battery. Refer to
page 35 as well.<
2 Spare key for storage in a safe place,
such as in your wallet.
This key is not intended for constant
use
3 Door key
The locks for the luggage compart-
ment lid and the glove compartment
cannot be operated with this key –
this is recommended for valet
parking, for instance.
Replacement keysare available exclusively through your
BMW center. Since the keys are part of
a security system, vehicle ownership
must be checked before a replacement
key can be issued (refer to "Electronic
vehicle immobilizer" on page 33).
When picking up the replacement
key, take along all master keys
with remote control and spare keys
belonging to the vehicle. Whenever you
receive a new replacement key, turn
that key to position 2 in the ignition lock
once (ignition switched on) and then
back. This allows the electronic vehicle
immobilizer to "recognize" the new
key.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Opening and closing – via the remote control The conceptThe remote control gives you an excep-
tionally convenient method for
unlocking and locking your vehicle.
Furthermore, it provides two additional
functions which you can only execute
via the remote control:
>Switch on the interior light. Refer to
page 36
With this function, you can also
"search for" your vehicle – when
parked in an underground garage, for
instance.
>Open the luggage compartment lid.
Refer to page 37
The luggage compartment lid will
open slightly, regardless of whether it
was locked or unlocked.
Whenever you unlock (lock) the vehicle,
you simultaneously deactivate (activate)
the anti-theft system, disarm (arm) the
alarm system
* and switch the interior
lamps on (off).
You can have a signal set to
confirm that the vehicle's locks
have engaged securely.<
To end the alarm: press button 1
(unlock, refer to page 36) or turn the
ignition key to position 1.
For further details on the alarm
system
*, refer to page 42.<
Master key with remote control
Children might be able to lock the
doors from the inside. For this
reason, always take the vehicle keys
with you so that the vehicle can be
opened again from the outside at any
time.<
Master keys with remote control
that are used repeatedly are
always ready for operation since the
battery in the key is charged automati-
cally in the ignition lock as you drive.
If it is no longer possible to unlock the
vehicle via the remote control, the
battery is discharged. Use this key to
drive for an extended period in order to
recharge the battery. Refer also to
page 32.
Guard the remote control against unau-
thorized use by only surrendering the
spare key or the door key (refer to
page 32), for valet parking, for instance.
In the event of a system malfunction,
please contact your BMW center. You
can also obtain replacement keys
there.<

42n
Luggage compartment Alarm system
*
When opening the convertible top,
refer to page 45, make sure that
the luggage compartment is set up
properly, as otherwise damage may
occur.<
The conceptThe vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the
luggage compartment lid is opened
>To movement inside the vehicle (inte-
rior motion sensor)
>Altering the vehicle tilt angle, e. g. as
would occur while attempting to steal
the wheels or tow the vehicle (tilt
alarm sensor)
>To interruption of battery voltage.
The system responds to unauthorized
vehicle entry and attempted theft by
simultaneously activating the following:
>Sounding an acoustical alarm for
30 seconds
>The hazard warning flashers are acti-
vated for approx. five minutes
>The high beams flash on and off in
the same rhythm.
To activate and deactivate the
alarm systemWhen the vehicle is locked or unlocked
by using a key or with the remote
control, the alarm system is also simul-
taneously armed or disarmed.
The interior motion sensor is activated
approx. 30 seconds after you have
locked the vehicle.
If the alarm system has been armed
correctly, the hazard warning flashers
flash once.
You can have a signal set as
acknowledgment for both setting
and deactivating the alarm.<
You can also open the luggage
compartment lid when the system is
armed by pressing button 3 of the
remote control (refer to page 37). When
it is closed, the lid is once again
secured.

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Convertible topKeep children away from the travel path
of the convertible top while it is in
motion.<
To close the electric power
windows while driving, always be
sure to first close either the rear
windows, or all 4 windows at the same
time, otherwise, at high speed, the
windows may not close tightly.<
At higher speeds, the ensuing
vacuum in the passenger
compartment can cause the convertible
top to begin fluttering. Increase the air
supply via the ventilation controls so
that a vacuum does not occur in the
vehicle.<
1 Closing
2 OpeningOpening and closingWith ignition key in position 1 or 2 and
the vehicle stationary.
To avoid discharging the battery, when
possible you should start the engine
before opening or closing the top.
1 Observe the preceding safety
precautions.
2 Before opening the convertible top,
make sure that the base of the
convertible top compartment in the
luggage compartment is folded
down. Refer to page 41.
3 Make sure the luggage compartment
lid is closed.
4 Press and hold the corresponding
button for convertible top operation.
The red indicator lamp will light up
while the convertible top is in motion.
It goes out as soon as the opening or
closing operation is completed.
If the red indicator lamp flashes when
you release the button, this indicates
that the top has not completely
finished opening or closing. You can
press the corresponding button to
resume the process in the desired
direction.
If the yellow indicator lamp remains
on while you are pressing the button,
this indicates that the convertible top
compartment's lower panel has been
folded up and the top cannot be
moved, refer to step 2.
The automatic sequence will be
interrupted immediately if you
release the button that operates the
top. The sequence can be continued in
the desired direction by pressing this
button.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Starting the engine Switching off the engine Parking brake If the engine does not start on the first
attempt (if it is very hot or cold, for
instance):
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Cold starts at very low temperatures,
starting at approx. 5 7 (–15 6) and at
high altitudes (over 1,000 meters):
>On the first start attempt, engage the
starter for a longer period (approx.
10 seconds)
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Engine idle speed is controlled by the
engine computer system. Increased
speeds at startup are normal and
should decrease as the engine warms
up. If engine speed does not decrease,
service is required.
To prevent the battery from
discharging, always deactivate elec-
trical devices that are not in use. Switch
the ignition off when the vehicle is not
being driven.Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Do not remove the ignition key
while the vehicle is still moving.
If you did so, the steering lock would
engage when the steering wheel is
turned.
When you leave the vehicle, always
remove the ignition key and engage the
steering lock.
Set the parking brake when parking on
steep hills, because under certain
conditions, putting the vehicle into first
or reverse gear may not be enough to
prevent it from rolling away.
The power assist is not available when
the engine is not on. This means that
more effort is required for braking.<
The parking brake is designed primarily
to prevent the vehicle from rolling when
it is parked. It operates against the rear
wheels. To engageThe lever engages automatically, the
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
comes on when the ignition key is in
position 2. Refer to page 21.To releasePull up slightly on the lever, press the
button (arrow) and lower the lever.
If, in exceptional circumstances,
it should be necessary to engage
the parking brake while the vehicle is
in motion, do not pull the lever with

84n
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

86n
Interior lamps Reading lampsThe interior lamps operate automati-
cally.To switch the interior lamps on
and off manuallyPress the button briefly.
If you want the interior lamps to remain
off all the time, press and hold the
button for approx. 3 seconds.
To revert to normal operation, press the
button briefly.Footwell lampsThe footwell lamps operate in the same
way as the interior lamps.
Front reading lamps
*
Switch on and off with the switch adja-
cent to each lamp.
Rear reading lampsOn the hardtop
* there are also reading
lamps in the back. Switch on and off
with the switch adjacent to each lamp.
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.<