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Owner's Manual
for Vehicle
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Thank you for deciding on a BMW M3 convertible.
Thorough familiarity with your vehicle will provide you with enhanced control and
security when you drive it. Therefore, we have one request:
Read the information contained in this Owner's Manual before driving your new
BMW M3 convertible for the first time. It contains important information on vehicle
operation that will enable you to make full use of the advanced technical equipment
of your BMW M3 convertible. In addition, you will receive information on vehicle
maintenance, that help ensure operating and traffic safety, as well providing for the
best possible value retention of your BMW.
For more detailed information refer to the Supplemental Manuals.
BMW M also makes 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 convertible is covered by the following warranties:
Ð New Vehicle Limited Warranty
Ð Limited Rust Perforation Warranty
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
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Contents
© 2001 BMW M GmbH
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the
written consent of BMW M GmbH, Munich.
Order No. 01 41 0 156 249
US English VIII/01
Printed in Germany
Printed on environmentally friendly paper
(bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling).
Overview
Controls and features
Cockpit14
Instrument cluster15
Indicator and warning lamps17
Steering wheel with multifunction
buttons21
Warning triangle22
First-aid kit22
Refueling22
Fuel specifications24
Tire inflation pressure24
Opening and closing:
Keys28
Central locking system28
Opening and closing Ð via the
door lock29
lOpening and closing Ð via the
remote control30
Opening and closing Ð from the
inside33
Luggage compartment lid34
Luggage compartment36
Alarm system37
Electric power windows39
Convertible top40
Adjustments:
Correct sitting position44
Seats44
Head restraints46
Entering the rear47
Safety belts48
Seat and mirror memory48
Seat heating49
Steering wheel50
Mirrors50
Passenger safety systems:
Airbags52
Transporting children safely54
Rollover protection system58
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory60
Driving:
Steering/Ignition lock61
Starting the engine61
Switching off the engine62
Parking brake63
Manual transmission63
Sequential M gearbox SMG II64
Indicator/Headlamp flasher70
Washer/Wiper system/Rain
sensor71
Cruise control73
Everything under control:
Odometer75
Tachometer75
Engine oil temperature gauge75
Fuel gauge76
Temperature gauge76
Service Interval Display76
Check Control77
Clock77
Computer78
Technology for driving comfort
and safety:
Park Distance Control (PDC)80
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)81
Flat Tire Monitor82
M Engine dynamics control84
Contents
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5n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
Lamps:
Parking lamps/Low beams85
Instrument lighting86
High beams/Standing lamps86
Fog lamps86
Interior lamps87
Reading lamps87
Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:
Air conditioner88
Automatic climate control91
Interior conveniences:
Glove compartment95
Storage compartments96
Cellular phone96
Ashtray, front97
Ashtray, rear97
Loading and transporting
cargo:
Ski bag98
Cargo loading100
Roof-mounted luggage rack for
the hardtop101
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedure104
Driving notes105
Antilock Brake System105
Brake system105
Hardtop106
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure109
Tire condition109
Tire replacement110
Wheel and tire
combinations111
Winter tires112
Snow chains112
In the engine compartment:
Hood113
Engine compartment
essentials114
Washer fluids115
Engine oil116
Coolant118
Brake fluid119
Maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System120
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications121
California Proposition
65 Warning121
OBD interface socket122
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Contents
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index
Replacement procedures:
Onboard tool kit126
Windshield wiper blades126
Lamps and bulbs126
Repairing a flat tire132
Battery136
Fuses136
Giving and receiving
assistance:
Jump-starting137
Towing the vehicle139Engine data144
Dimensions145
Weights146
Capacities147Everything from A to Z150
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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
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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.
We hope that the detailed table of
contents provided on the preceding
pages will stimulate your interest and
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 precautions that must
be followed precisely in order to
avoid the possibility 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 environ-
ment.
<
<
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 vehicle maintenance.
Identifies systems or components,
which can either be activated or
adapted to suit an individual driver's
requirements ("Vehicle Memory", "Key
Memory"). Refer to page 60.
Remember that activation and adjust-
ments on some of these systems can
only be performed at your BMW
center.
<
Notes
Symbols
Your individual vehicle