2001 BMW M3 COUPE service

We are pleased you have decided on a BMW M3.
Thorough familiarity with your vehicle will provide you with enhanced control and
security when you drive it. We therefore have this request:
Please read the information summarized for you in this Owner's Manual, before
starting off in your new BMW M3. It contains important instructions for operating
your vehicle that will allow you to get the most out of your BMW M3's technologi-
cally advanced qualities. In addition, you will find information on maintenance and
care, there to ensure operating and driving safety, as well as to maintain the best
possible value of your vehicle.
BMW M also makes a decisive contribution toward greater safety in traffic through
its BMW driver training.
This Owner's Manual should be considered a permanent part of this vehicle. It
should stay with the vehicle when sold to provide the next owner with important
operating, safety and maintenance information.
This manual is supplemented by a Service and Warranty Information Booklet
(US models) or a Warranty and Service Guide Booklet (Canadian models).
We recommend that you read this publication thoroughly.
Your BMW M3 is covered by the following warranties:
Ð New Vehicle Limited Warranty
Ð Limited Warranty Rust Perforation
Ð Federal Emissions System Defect Warranty
Ð Federal Emissions Performance Warranty
Ð California Emission Control System Limited Warranty
Detailed information about these warranties is listed in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US models) or in the Warranty and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models).
We wish you an enjoyable driving experience.
BMW M

Preface

© 2000 BMW M GmbH
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts,
only with the written consent of
BMW M GmbH, Munich.
Part number 01 41 0 155 433
US English VIII/00
Printed in Germany
Printed on environmentally friendly paper
(bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling).
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Notes on the Owner's Manual

We have made every effort to ensure
that you are able to find what you need
in this Owner's Manual as quickly as
possible. The fastest way to find certain
topics is by using the detailed index at
the end. If you wish to gain only an
initial overview of your vehicle, you will
find this in the first chapter.
The table of contents is intended to
pique your interest regarding your
BMW and to encourage you to read the
manual.
Should you wish to sell your BMW at
some time in the future, please
remember to hand over this Owner's
Manual to the new owner; it is part of
the vehicle.
Should you have any further questions,
your BMW center will be glad to assist
at any time.

Symbols used

Indicates instructions or precau-
tions that must be followed
precisely in order to avoid the possi-
bility of personal injury and serious
damage to the vehicle.

<


Contains information that will
assist you in gaining the optimum
benefit from your vehicle and enable
you to care more effectively for your
vehicle.

<


Refers to measures that can
be taken to help protect the
environment.

<



<

Marks the end of a specific item of
information.

*
Indicates special equipment,
country-specific equipment and
optional extras.

t

Identifies index entries that refer to
owner service procedures or topics on
car care.
Identifies systems or components,
which your BMW center can either
activate or adapt to suit an individual
driver's requirements ("Car Memory",
"Key Memory"). Refer to page 52.

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Your individual vehicle

On buying your BMW, you have
decided in favor of a model with individ-
ualized equipment and features. This
Owner's Manual describes all of the
equipment that the BMW M3 has to
offer you.
We hope you will understand that
equipment and features are included
that you might not have chosen for your
vehicle. You can easily spot any
possible differences, since all optional
accessories are marked with an
asterisk

*
.
If your BMW features equipment that is
not described in this Owner's Manual (a
car radio or telephone, for instance), we
have enclosed Supplementary Owner's
Manuals. We ask you to read these
manuals as well.

Notes
Symbols
Your individual vehicle

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview

Contents

Overview
Controls and features

Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps20
Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL)23
Hazard warning flashers24
Warning triangle24
First-aid kit24
Refueling25
Fuel specifications26
Tire inflation pressure26

Opening and closing:

Keys30
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer31
Central locking system31
Opening and closing Ð
via the door lock32
Opening and closing Ð
via the remote control33
Opening and closing Ð
from the inside36
Luggage compartment lid37
Luggage compartment39
Alarm system40
Electric power windows42
Sliding/tilt sunroof43

Adjustments:

Seats45
Mirrors49
Seat and mirror memory51
Steering wheel52
Car Memory, Key Memory52

Passenger safety systems:

Safety belts54
Airbags56
Transporting children safely59

Driving:

Steering/Ignition lock62
Starting the engine62
Switching off the engine63
Parking brake63
Manual transmission64
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher65
Washer/Wiper system/Rain
sensor65
Rear window defroster67
Cruise control67

Everything under control:

Odometer69
Tachometer69
Engine oil temperature gauge69
Fuel gauge70
Coolant temperature gauge70
Service Interval Display71
Check Control72
Computer72

Technology for driving comfort
and safety:

Park Distance Control (PDC)75
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)76
Tire Pressure Warning (RDW)78
M Engine dynamics control80

Contents

Contents

Owner service procedures
Advanced technology
Technical data

Replacement procedures:

Onboard tool kit138
Windshield wiper blades138
Lamps and bulbs138
Repairing a flat tire145
Battery148
Fuses151
Microfilter/Activated charcoal
filter152

In case of
electrical malfunction:

Fuel filler door152
Sliding/tilt sunroof153

Giving and receiving
assistance:

Jump-starting154
Towing155Airbags158
Radio reception158
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)159
Safety belt tensioner159
M3 Engine concept160
Rain sensor160
Interior rearview mirror with
automatic dimming
feature161
Self-diagnostics162
Xenon lamps163Engine data166
Dimensions167
Weights168
Capacities169
Electrical system170
Drive belts170

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology

15n

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps20
Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL)23
Hazard warning flashers24
Warning triangle24
First-aid kit24
Refueling25
Fuel specifications26
Tire inflation pressure26
Overview

19n

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview

Instrument cluster

1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp for
fuel reserve70
2 Turn signal indicator22
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator lamp for:

>

Battery charge current20

>

High beams22

>

Engine oil pressure/Engine oil
level20, 21
5 Tachometer and engine oil
temperature gauge69, 69
6 Engine coolant temperature gauge
with "Coolant temperature too high"
indicator70
7 Indicator and warning lamps
(clockwise) for:

>

Parking brake/Brake hydraulic
system/Cornering Brake Control
(CBC)20

>

Antilock Brake System
(ABS)21

>

Brake pads21

>

Tire Pressure Warning
(RDW)20, 22

>

Airbags21

>

Please fasten safety belts21

>

Cruise control22
8 Set button for the clock73
9 Indicator lamp for Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC)2210 Indicator for:

>

Odometer69

>

Trip odometer69

>

Clock73

>

Service Interval71
Indicator for computer, operation
using the turn signal lever, refer to
page 72:

>

Clock

>

Outside temperature

>

Average fuel consumption

>

Crusing range

>

Average speed
11 Indicator for Check Control72
12 Trip odometer, reset to zero6913 Indicator and warning lamps
(clockwise) for:

>

Fog lamps22

>

Add washer fluid22

>

Coolant level22

>

Electronic Throttle Control
(EML)22

>

Service engine soon22
You can have the outside temper-
ature and distance traveled shown
in other units of measurement.

<

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Indicator and warning lamps
Tire Pressure Warning (RDW) l
RDW has been switched off or
has been deactivated because
of a malfunction. In the event of a
malfunction, have the system checked
by your BMW center.
For additional information, refer to
pages 26, 78.
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) l
The indicator lamp flashes when
the system is active and governs drive
force and braking force.
If the indicator lamp fails to go out after
the engine is started, or if it comes on
during normal driving and stays on:
DSC has been switched off via the
button or because of a malfunction.
In the event of a malfunction, have the
system checked by the nearest BMW
center.
For additional information, refer to
page 76 and on.
Add washer fluid
The washer fluid is too low.
Top up the fluid at the earliest
opportunity.
For additional information, refer to
page 122.
Service Engine Soon l
If the indicator lamp comes on
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems.
Although the vehicle remains opera-
tional, you should have the systems
checked by your BMW center at the
earliest possible opportunity.
For additional information, refer to
page 135.
Warning lamp: Service Engine
Soon for Canadian models.
Engine electronics l
There is a fault in the engine's
electronic control system. The
electronics allow for continued driving
with reduced engine output or speed.
Please have the system inspected by
your BMW center.
Add coolant
The coolant level is too low.
Add coolant at the earliest
opportunity.
For additional information, refer to
page 125.
Green: for your information
Turn signal indicator
Flashes when the turn signal is
on. Rapid flashing: indicates a
system malfunction.
For additional information, refer to
page 65.
Cruise control
Lights up when the cruise
control is activated. Available for
operation via the multifunction steering
wheel (MFL).
For additional information, refer to
page 67.
Fog lamps
Lights up whenever fog lamps
are on.
For additional information, refer to
page 82.
Blue: for your information
High beams
Lights up when the high beams
are on or the headlamp flasher
is actuated.
For additional information, refer to
pages 65, 82.