2001 BMW M3 COUPE low oil pressure

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

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
29n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Driving:
Steering/Ignition lock62
Starting the engine62
Switching off the engine63
Parking brake63
Manual transmission64
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher65
Wiper/Washer 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 control80Lamps:
Side lamps/Low beams81
Instrument lighting81
High beams/Parking lamp82
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 rear 93
Clothes hooks94
Loading and transporting
cargo:
Through-loading system95
Ski bag96
Cargo loading97
Roof-mounted luggage rack98

128n
Washing your vehicle You can have your BMW washed in an
automatic car wash, even when it is
new. Car wash systems that do not
employ brushes are preferable.
Wipe away tough dirt and loosen and
remove dead insects before washing
the vehicle.
To prevent spots, avoid washing when
the hood is still warm, or immediately
after and during exposure to strong
sunlight.
When using an automatic car wash, be
sure that:
>The car wash system is suited for the
dimensions of your vehicle
>No damage will occur on vehicles
with attached body accessories (such
as spoilers or antennas). Consult the
car wash operator if necessary
>The wheels and tires of your vehicle
cannot be damaged by the convey-
ance devices of the car wash system
>The vehicle is cleaned with minimum
brush pressure, and that plenty of
water is available for washing and
rinsing. Vehicles with rain sensor:
Clean the windshield regularly. Wax
from automatic car washes or insects
can cause malfunctions in the rain
sensor function.
Turn the rain sensor off (refer to
page 66) when going through an
automatic car wash, otherwise, damage
could occur from unintended wiper
activation.<
Parts of the vehicle which are inacces-
sible to the automatic washer Ð such
as door sills, door and hood edges, etc.
Ð should be cleaned by hand.
In the winter months, it is especially
important to ensure that the vehicle is
washed on a regular basis. Large
quantities of dirt and road salt are
difficult to remove, and they also cause
damage to the vehicle.
If spray wands or high-pressure
washers are used, be sure to
maintain an adequate distance between
the spray source and the vehicle's
surface. Inadequate distance and
excessive pressure can damage or
weaken the finish, making it more
susceptible to subsequent attack. In
addition, moisture could penetrate to
vehicle components, leading to long-
term damage.<
When cleaning the headlamps,
please observe the following:
Do not wipe dry with a cloth
(scratches). Never use abrasives or
strong solvents. Remove dirt and
contamination (such as insects) by
soaking with BMW Car Shampoo and
then rinsing with plenty of water.
Always use a deicer spray to remove
accumulated ice and snow Ð never use
a scraper.<
After washing the vehicle, apply
the brakes briefly to dry them.
Braking efficiency might otherwise be
reduced by the moisture and the brake
rotors could also corrode.<
Caring for your vehicle

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

Everything from A to Z
177n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
JJump-starting154KKey30
with remote control30
Key Memory52LLamps
fog lamps82
footwell lamps82
interior lamps82
reading lamps83
LAMPS ON warning81
Lashing eyes98
LATCH attachment of the
child seat60
Leather care132
Length167
License plate lamp, bulb
replacement143t
Light switch81
Light-alloy wheels116
Lighter93
Load-securing devices98
Louvers84
Low beam headlamps81
bulb replacement139tLuggage compartment37
capacity168
emergency release37t
floor mat39
floor panel39
lid37
lighting37
locking separately37
remote control34
Luggage compartment
lamps, bulb
replacement144t
Luggage rack98
Lumbar support48
MM Engine dynamics
control80
M Mobility system145
components146
using146
Maintenance71, 127t
Make-up mirror50
Malfunction displays72t
Manual transmission64
Manual-shift gear lever64
Master key30
Mechanical seat45
Memory51
MFL (Multifunction steering
wheel)23Microfilter/Activated-
charcoal filter88
changing152t
Mirror memory51
Mirrors49
automatic curb
monitor49
with automatic dimming
feature161
Mobile phone110
Modifications,
technical6, 134
Motion sensor, interior40
Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL)23
M+S radial tires115
NNavigation system, refer to
the separate Owner's
Manual
Neckrest46OOBD interface socket135
Obstruction protection42
Odometer69
Oil
additives123
capacity169
consumption123Oil change intervals, see the
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US
models)/Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models)
Oil filter change169
Oil level, indicator lamp21
Oil pressure, indicator
lamp20
OILSERVICE71
Onboard computer, refer to
computer72
Onboard monitor, refer to
the separate Owner's
Manual
Onboard tool kit138t
Opening and closing
from inside36
via remote control33
via the door lock32
Outside temperature
display73
PPaint blemishes129
Paintwork
minor repairs130
waxing130
Paint, care129
Panic mode35