2001 BMW M3 COUPE ignition

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Mirrors Exterior mirrors1 Switch for 4-way adjustment
2 Selection switch for changing
between mirrors
You can also adjust the mirrors manu-
ally by pressing against the outer edges
of their lenses.
The mirror on the passenger's
side features a lens with a more
convex surface than the mirror installed
on the driver's side. When estimating
the distance between yourself and
other traffic, bear in mind that the
objects reflected in the mirror are closer
than they appear. Estimations of the
distance to following traffic should
therefore not be regarded as precise.< Electric heatersBoth mirrors are automatically
defrosted with the ignition key in
position 2.
Passenger side exterior mirror tilt
function(automatic curb monitor
*)
Move the mirror selector switch 1 to the
"driver's mirror" position. When the
selector lever is placed in "Reverse,"
the passenger-side mirror tilts down-
ward. This allows the driver to see the
area directly adjacent to the vehicle
during parking (curbs, etc.).
You can deactivate this automatic
feature by setting the mirror selection
switch to the "passenger mirror" posi-
tion.

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MirrorsInterior rearview mirror with
automatic dimming featureBy responding to the effects of ambient
light and the glare from following traffic,
this mirror automatically dims through
an infinitely variable range.
The mirror switches to its clear,
undimmed mode whenever you shift
into reverse.
There are two photocells for automatic
dimming. One photocell (arrow) is posi-
tioned in the mirror's glass, while the
other is slightly offset on the opposite
side of the mirror. For further informa-
tion regarding the mirror's electro-
chromic technology, refer to page 161.
For the mirror to function properly, keep
the photocells clean and the area
between the inside rearview mirror and
the windshield free of any obstruction,
such as stickers etc.
Sun visorsThe sun visors can be folded down
toward the windshield or swiveled out
against the side windows.Lighted vanity mirror
*
Fold down the sun visor and slide the
cover panel to the side as required.
The mirror lamps operate from ignition
key position 1 on.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Seat and mirror memoryYou can store and recall three different
driver's seat and outside mirror posi-
tions. The illustration shows the buttons
located on the side of the seat.
The memory will not retain the
adjustments made to the lumbar
supports or the width of the back-
rests.<
If you press the
M
EMORY button acci-
dentally: press the button again; the
indicator lamp goes out.
To store1 Turn the key to ignition key position
1 or 2
2 Adjust your seat and outside mirrors
to the desired position
3 Press the
M
EMORY button: the indi-
cator lamp in the button lights up
4 Press memory button 1, 2 or 3, as
desired: indicator lamp goes out.
To select a stored setting
Do not select a memory position
while the vehicle is moving. If you
do so, there is a risk of accident from
unexpected seat movement.<
Convenience function:
1 The driver's door remains open after
unlocking or the ignition key is in
position 1
2 Briefly press memory button 1, 2 or 3,
as desired.
Movement stops immediately when
one of the seat-adjustment or
memory buttons is activated during
the adjustment process.
Security function:
1 The driver's door is closed and the
ignition key is either removed or in
position 0 or 2
2 Maintain pressure on the desired
memory button 1, 2 or 3, until the
adjustment process is completed.
Your can have your vehicle's
systems adjusted in such a
manner that your personalized settings
are automatically set for the seat and
outside mirror positions when you
unlock the vehicle with your personal
remote control.<
If you make use of this method of
adjustment, be sure that the foot-
well behind the driver's seat is unob-
structed before unlocking the vehicle. If
you fail to do so, any persons or objects
behind the seat could be injured or
damaged by a rearward movement of
the seat.<

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Airbags 1 Front airbags on the driver and
passenger sides
2 Side impact Head Protection System
on the driver's side (front)
3 Side airbags on the driver and
passenger sides (front and rear
*)
Protective effectThe front airbags provide additional
protection for the front-seat occupants
in the event of a severe frontal collision
on which the protection afforded by the
belts alone may no longer be sufficient.
The side impact Head Protection
System and the side airbags help
provide protection in the event of a
collision from the side. Each of the side
airbags is designed to help support the
occupant's upper body.
The side airbags in the rear
passenger area
* of your vehicle
may already have been deactivated
either at the time of manufacture or by a
BMW center. You may have them acti-
vated if you desire to do so. Please
contact your BMW center for additional
information.<
The illustration schematically depicts
the primary directions of vehicle impact
that initiate an airbag deployment.
The airbags will not be triggered in
the event of a minor accident, a
vehicle roll-over or collisions from the
rear.<
Functional status
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster shows the airbag
system status starting in ignition
key position 1.
Indicator lamp displays:
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly
then goes out: system operational
>The indicator lamp fails to come on:
system malfunction
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly
before going out, and then lights up
again: system malfunction.
If there is a system malfunction, there is
a risk that the airbags will not be trig-
gered within their normal response
range, even if the level of impact would
normally have triggered them.
Have the system checked by a BMW
center immediately.
The airbag indicator lamp also
comes on if the safety belt
tensioners have been triggered.<

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Airbagscenter. Labels in the door opening
should indicate the status of your rear
seat side airbags. If you are uncertain of
their status, or wish to have the airbags
activated or deactivated, please
contact your BMW center.<
Even when all these guidelines are
observed, there is still a small residual
risk of injuries to the face, hands and
arms occurring from airbag deployment
in isolated instances. The ignition and
inflation noise may cause a mild tempo-
rary hearing loss in extremely sensitive
individuals.
For additional information concerning
the airbag system, refer to pages 133
and 158.This is the proper way for a child to sit
in a child restraint when rear side
airbags (arrow) are provided.
This is the right way for a larger child to
sit wearing the safety belt when rear
side airbags (arrow) are provided.

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0 Steering locked
1 Steering unlocked
2 Ignition switched on
3 Starting the engine
Steering locked The key can be inserted or removed in
this position only.
To lock the steering column after you
have removed the key, turn the steering
wheel until you hear it lock.
If the key is not removed, an acoustic
signal sounds after the driver's door
has been opened.
Steering unlocked Individual electrical accessories are
ready for operation.
You will find that it is often easier to turn
the ignition key from position 0 to posi-
tion 1 when you move the steering
wheel slightly to help disengage the
lock. Ignition switched onAll electrical equipment and accesso-
ries are available for use. 1 Engage the parking brake
2 Put manual-shift gear lever in idling
position
3 Step on the clutch pedal
4 Turn the key to position 3 to start the
engine.
Do not actuate the starter for too short
a time. Do not turn it for more than
approx. 20 seconds. Release the igni-
tion key immediately when the engine
starts.
Do not allow the engine to run in
enclosed spaces. The exhaust
gases contain carbon monoxide, an
odorless and colorless, but highly toxic
gas. Breathing the exhaust gases poses
an extreme health risk, and can lead to
unconsciousness and death.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended
with the engine running. An unat-
tended vehicle with a running engine
represents a potential safety hazard.<
Do not allow the engine to warm
up by leaving it running while the
vehicle remains stationary. Instead,
begin driving immediately at a
moderate engine speed.<
Steering/Ignition lock Starting the engine

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Starting the engine Switching off engine Parking brake If the engine does not start on the first
attempt (if the engine 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 about +5 7 (Ð15 6) and
at high altitudes over 3,300 ft
(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 do so, the steering will lock, making
it impossible to steer the vehicle.
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
gear or reverse 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 to apply the
brakes.<
The parking brake is primarily designed
to prevent the vehicle from rolling while
parked. It operates against the rear
wheels. To engageThe lever engages automatically, the
indicator lamp in the instrument panel
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.

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Parking brake Manual transmission
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
excessive pressure. Keep your thumb
pressed against the release button
while carefully pulling the lever up to
apply moderate pressure.
Excessive pressure can lead to over-
braking and loss of traction (fishtailing)
at the rear axle.
The brake lamps do not come on when
the parking brake is engaged.
Set the parking brake when parking on
steep hills, because under certain
conditions, putting the vehicle into first
gear or reverse may not be enough to
prevent it from rolling away.<
To avoid corrosion and one-sided
braking, apply the parking brake lightly
from time to time when coasting to a
standstill (at a traffic signal, for
instance), provided that it is safe to do
so.
The shift lever's neutral plane is located
between 3rd and 4th gear.
When shifting from each gear into
"Neutral," the shift lever automatically
springs back to the gear lever's home
position.
When shifting gears in the
5th/6th-gear plane, be sure to
press the gear lever to the right in order
to prevent inadvertent selection of a
gear in the 3rd/4th-gear plane.
Do not hold the vehicle in place on
slopes by slipping or "riding" the clutch.
Use the parking brake instead. Riding
the clutch causes the clutch assembly
to wear out sooner.<
Reverse Select only when the vehicle is
stationary. Press the shift lever to the
left to overcome the resistance.
As you do this, the backup lamps will
turn on automatically when the ignition
key is in position 2.