2001 BMW M3 COUPE brake fluid

11n

Controls and features
Operation, care and maintenance

Lamps:

Side lamps/Low beams81
Instrument lightning81
High beams/Parking lamps82
Fog lamps82
Interior lamps82
Reading lamps83

Controlling the climate
for pleasant driving:

Automatic climate control84
Heated seats89
Roller sun blind89

Interior conveniences:

HiFi system90
Glove compartment90
Storage compartments91
Cellular phone92
Ashtray, front92
Cigarette lighter93
Ashtray, rear93
Clothes hooks94

Loading and transporting:

Through-loading system95
Ski bag96
Cargo loading97
Roof-mounted luggage rack98

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures102
Driving notes103
Catalytic converter103
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)104
Disk brakes106
Brake system107
Winter operation108
Power steering110
Cellular phones110
Radio reception110

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressure111
Tire condition111
Tire replacement112
Tire rotation113
Wheel and tire
combinations114
Winter tires115
Snow chains115
Approved wheel and tire
specifications116

Under the hood:

Hood118
Engine compartment120
Washer fluids122
Washer nozzles122
Engine oil123
Coolant125
Brake fluid126
Vehicle Identification
Number126

Care and maintenance:

The BMW Maintenance
System127
Caring for your vehicle128
Airbags133
Vehicle storage133

Laws and regulations:

Technical modifications134
California Proposition
65 Warning134
OBD connector135

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.

<

20n

Indicator and warning lamps

Technology
that monitors itself

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

l

" are tested for
proper functioning whenever the igni-
tion 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. There is a malfunction
of the alternator drive belt or in the
charging circuit of the alternator. Please
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the drive belt is defective, do not
continue driving. The engine could
be damaged due to overheating. If the
V-belt is defective, increased steering
effort is also required.

<


Engine oil pressure

l

Stop vehicle immediately and
switch off engine. Check the
engine oil level and top up as required.
If the oil level is correct: please contact
the nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving, other-
wise, the engine could be
damaged because of inadequate lubri-
cation.

<



Tire Pressure Warning (RDW)
In addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded: a flat tire has
occurred. To come to an immediate
stop, reduce speed, while avoiding any
sudden, jerky braking or steering
maneuvers.
For additional information, refer to
page 78.
Brake hydraulic system

l

If the lamp comes on when the
parking brake is not engaged:
Check the brake fluid level. Before
driving further, be sure to read the addi-
tional information on pages 107
and 126.
Brake lamp for Canadian
models.

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
101n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures102
Driving notes103
Catalytic converter103
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)104
Disk brakes106
Brake system107
Winter operation108
Power steering110
Cellular phones110
Radio reception110
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure111
Tire condition111
Tire replacement112
Tire rotation113
Wheel and tire
combinations114
Winter tires115
Snow chains115
Approved wheel and tire
specifications116Under the hood:
Hood118
Engine compartment120
Washer fluids122
Washer nozzles122
Engine oil123
Coolant125
Brake fluid126
Vehicle Identification
Number126
Care and maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System127
Caring for your vehicle128
Airbags133
Vehicle storage133
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications134
California Proposition
65 Warning134
OBD connector135
Car care

107n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Brake system Brake fluid level
If the brake warning lamp
comes on with the parking
brake released:
The brake fluid level is too low in the
reservoir (refer to page 126).
If the brake fluid level is too low and
brake pedal travel has become notice-
ably longer, there may be a defect in
one of the brake system's hydraulic
circuits.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Proceed to the nearest BMW
center. Higher brake application
pressure may be necessary under these
conditions, and brake pedal travel may
be significantly longer. Please
remember to adapt your driving style
accordingly.<
Brake pads
If the warning lamp for the brake
pads lights up: only the
minimum pad thickness still
remains on the brake pads. Proceed to
the nearest BMW center as soon as
possible to have the pads replaced.
For your own safety: use only
brake pads which BMW has
approved for your specific vehicle
model. BMW cannot evaluate non-
approved brake pads to determine if
they are suited for use, and therefore
cannot ensure the operating safety of
the vehicle if they are installed.<

121n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine compartment 1 Filler neck for headlamp and wind-
shield washer cleaning system122
2 Coolant expansion tank125
3 Positive terminal connection (for jump
starting) (positive terminal)154
4 Engine oil filler neck123
5 Engine oil dipstick123
6 Filler neck for brake fluid126

126n
Brake fluid Vehicle IdentificationIf the brake warning lamp comes on
and the parking brake has been
released: check the brake fluid level
and if necessary, fill it up to the "MAX"
mark.
For adding brake fluid or for deter-
mining and correcting the cause of
brake fluid loss, consult your BMW
center. Your BMW center is familiar
with the specifications for factory-
approved brake fluids (DOT 4).
Due to loss of brake fluid, pedal travel
can lengthen and braking efficiency
may be reduced. Comply with the
instructions for this found on page 107.
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that is,
it absorbs moisture from the air
over time.
In order to ensure the brake system's
safety and reliability, have the brake
fluid changed every two years by an
authorized BMW center. Refer also to
pages 71, 151 and to the Service and
Warranty Information Booklet (US -
models) or the Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet (Canadian models).
Brake fluid is toxic and damages the
vehicle's paint. You should always store
it in its original container and in a loca-
tion inaccessible to children.
Do not spill brake fluid and fill the brake
fluid reservoir only as far as the "MAX"
mark. The brake fluid could ignite upon
contact with hot engine parts and
cause burns.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the
disposal of brake fluid.<
In the engine compartment, on the
right-hand strut dome (arrow).

129n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Caring for your vehicleExterior finish To provide effective corrosion protec-
tion, multilayer paintwork is applied at
the factory. Cataphoretic immersion
priming techniques are supplemented
with special body-cavity protectants, by
applying specially developed and
extensively tested materials.
A layer of flexible PVC is first applied to
the undercarriage. Following this, a
comprehensive undercoating treat-
ment with a wax-based protectant is
applied. Regular maintenance makes
an important contribution to maintaining
the safety and value of your vehicle.
Increasing awareness of the effects of
harmful environmental factors on
vehicle finishes have led paint and
vehicle manufacturers to initiate
programs designed to further improve
the durability of their finishes. Despite
this, regional environmental factors can
have negative effects on your vehicle's
finish. These should guide you in deter-
mining the frequency and extent of your
efforts to maintain the vehicle finish.
Depending upon material and type of
impact (perforation of paint layer),
physical stresses from sand, road salt,
gravel etc., can cause corrosion to
extend beneath the finish, starting at
the point of impact.Road dirt, tar spots, dead insects,
animal droppings (strong alkali effect)
and tree excretions (resins and pollen)
all contain substances capable of
causing damage when allowed to
remain on the finish of your vehicle
for any period of time (spots, etching,
flaking, separation in the top coat).
In industrial areas, deposits of flue dust,
lime, oily soot, precipitation containing
sulfur-dioxide (acid rain) and other
environmental pollutants will damage
the vehicle's finish unless adequate
care is provided Ð even though this
is generally limited to the outside hori-
zontal surfaces.
In coastal regions, high levels of
atmospheric salt and humidity promote
corrosion.
In tropical zones, high humidity and
heavy ultraviolet radiation prevail, in
addition to temperatures of over 105 7
(+40 6) in the shade. Under these
conditions, light paints can reach tem-
peratures up to 175 7 (+80 6) and
dark ones up to 250 7 (+120 6).
Caring for the vehicle finish Regular washing is a preventive
measure against long-term effects from
substances that are harmful to the
vehicle's finish, especially if you drive
your vehicle in areas with high levels
of air pollution or aggressive natural
substances (tree resins, pollen).
Nevertheless, you should immediately
remove especially aggressive
substances. Failure to do so can lead to
changes in the paint's chemical
structure or to discoloration. Gasoline
spilled during refueling, oil, grease and
brake fluid should always be cleaned
away immediately, as should bird
droppings (finish damage).
Any contamination remaining on the
surface of the vehicle will be especially
conspicuous after washing. Use
cleaning fluid or alcohol with a clean
cloth or cotton pad to remove. Remove
tar spots with tar remover. After
cleaning, the affected areas should be
waxed to ensure continued protection.
Use the cleaning and car-care
products that you can obtain at
your BMW center.<