2001 BMW M3 COUPE fuel fill door release

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Electronic vehicle immobilizer Central locking systemThe key to security Your BMW is equipped with a passive
antiÐtheft system. This electronic immo-
bilization system is designed to reduce
the susceptibility of your 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 which 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 system engages and releases the
locks on the:
>Doors
>Luggage compartment lid
>Fuel filler door.
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 36).
When the system is actuated from
outside the vehicle, the antitheft protec-
tion is simultaneously activated. Both
the door locks and release handles
remain locked. The alarm system is also
activated or deactivated.
For your safety: if locked from inside,
the central locking system unlocks
automatically in the event of an acci-
dent. In addition, the hazard warning
flashers and interior lamps come on.

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Opening and closing Ð from the 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 antitheft alarm system is not
activated.
If only the driver's door was
locked from the outside and you
press the button, then, when you open
the driver's door, the passenger's door,
the luggage compartment lid and the
fuel filler door will unlock as well.
The driver's door will be locked if it is
closed.<
The central locking system can be
unlocked automatically as soon as
you begin to drive if you desire. You
may also have this adjusted so that it is
specific to keys.<
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 locks>Either use the central locking button
to lock all doors at once
or
>press down the individual door lock
buttons. As an added design feature
to prevent the driver from being inad-
vertently locked out of the vehicle,
the driver's door 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.<

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Microfilter/Activated-charcoal filter Fuel filler door1 Open the hood
2 Release the three fasteners (arrow)
with a 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 Zhigh-speed aspirated
engine160
speed166
starting62t
torque166
Engine concept M3160
Engine oil
add123t
capacity169
consumption123
pressure20
temperature69
Entry to the rear47
Exterior mirrors49
Eyelets, towing155tFFailure messages72t
Fan87
Fault, ABS105
Filler cap cover25
Filling capacities169
Filling the washer
reservoir122t
First-aid kit24t
Flat tire111
repairing145
Fog lamps82
bulb replacement141t
Folding rear backrest95
Follow-Me-Home lamps81
Footbrake106Footwell lamps82
bulb replacement144t
Frost protection,
radiator125
Fuel26
consumption74
consumption display70
gauge70
preparation166
quality26
reserve indicator lamp70
Fuel filler door
manual release after
electrical fault152t
Fuel tank capacity169
Fuel tank gauge70
Functional status, electrical
and electronic
systems162
Fuses151
replacing151t
GGasoline26
Gasoline gauge70
Glove compartment90
Glove compartment lamp,
bulb replacement144t
Gross vehicle weight168
HHandbrake63
Handsfree system92
Hazard warning
flashers24t
Hazard warning triangle24
Head restraint46
Headlamp cleaning
system121, 122, 169
Headlamp cover,
care139t
Headlamp flasher82
Headlamp washer system,
refer to headlamp cleaning
system
Heated seats89
Heavy loads97
Height167
HiFi system Ð harman
kardon90
High beams65, 82
indicator lamp22
High engine speed160
High Performance Synthetic
Oil124
High-mount brake lamp143
Holder for beverages91
Hood release118t
Horn17
IIce warning73
Identification, tires114
Ignition key30
Ignition lock62
Imprint4
Indicator lamps20t
Individual settings52
Inflation
pressure26t, 111t
INSPECTION71
Instrument cluster18
Instrument lighting81
Instrument panel18
Interaxle tire rotation113t
Interface socket
for Onboard
Diagnostics135
Interference
cellular phone110
Interior lamps34, 82
bulb replacement143t
remote control34
Interior motion sensor40
Interior rearview mirror
automatic dimming
feature50, 161
Intermittent mode, wiper
system65