2002 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE engine oil

116n
Engine oilChecking oil level 1. Park the vehicle on a level surface
2. With the engine warmed to its normal
operating temperature, allow it to idle
for at least 15 seconds, then switch
off
3. After approx. 1 minute, pull the
dipstick out and wipe it off with a
clean lint-free cloth, paper towel, or
similar material
4. Carefully push the dipstick all the
way into the guide tube and pull it
out again
5. The oil level should be between the
two marks on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption
is directly influenced by your driving
style and vehicle operating conditions.
The oil volume between the two marks
on the dipstick corresponds to approx.
1.4 US quarts (1.3 liter).
Adding engine oil While you should wait until the level has
dropped to just above the lower mark
before adding oil, you should never
allow the oil level to fall below this
mark.
Do not fill beyond the upper mark on
the dipstick. Excess oil will damage the
engine.
Before checking the engine oil level
after topping up, restart the engine and
allow it to run to obtain a correct
display. Then proceed as described
under "Checking engine oil level".

117n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Engine oil
BMW engines are designed to
operate without oil additives; the
use of additives could lead to damage
in some cases. This is also true for the
manual transmission, the differential,
and the power steering system.<
Recommendation: have the oil changed
by your BMW center only.
Continuous exposure to used oil
has caused cancer in laboratory
testing. For this reason, thoroughly
wash any areas of skin that come into
contact with oil using soap and water.
Always store oils, grease and similar
materials so that they are inaccessible
to children. Comply with warning labels
and information on containers.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the
disposal of used oil.<
Prescribed engine oilThe quality of the engine oil is
extremely important for the function
and life of an engine. Based on exten-
sive testing, BMW has approved only
certain types of engine oils.
Use only oils approved for your vehicle
model.
Ask your BMW center for details
concerning oils that have been
approved. You can also call BMW of
North America at 1-800-831-1117 or
visit this website: www.bmwusa.com
to obtain this information.< Alternative oil typesShould it not be possible to purchase
an oil approved by BMW, you can also
use other oils for adding smaller quanti-
ties between oil changes as an excep-
tion. The following information must be
specified on the package:
1. Viscosity
preferred: SAE 10W-60
or as an alternative: SAE 5W-40 or
SAE 10W-40
2. Specification
preferred: API SJ/CF
or as an alternative: API SJ (also SK,
SL, S etc.).
Low ambient temperaturesThe oils used by BMW at the factory for
your vehicle model can be used at virtu-
ally any ambient temperature.
However, if the vehicle is exposed to
temperatures below Ð4 7 (Ð20 6) for
extended periods, please have your
BMW center recommend a suitable oil.

120n
The BMW Maintenance System has
been designed as a reliable means of
providing maximum driving and oper-
ating safety Ð and as cost-effectively as
possible for you.
Please keep in mind that regular main-
tenance is not only necessary for the
safety of your vehicle, but also plays a
significant role in maintaining the resale
value of the vehicle.
Service Interval DisplayWhile conventional systems rely on
distance traveled alone to determine
when service is due, the BMW Mainte-
nance System has for years considered
the actual conditions under which the
vehicle operates, because miles can be
traveled in many different ways:
For example, 62,000 miles
(100,000 km) short-distance driving are
not equal to the same 62,000 miles
(100,000 ) of long-distance travel.
The BMW Maintenance System
includes the Engine Oil Service and
Inspections I and II.
Determining the maintenance intervals
according to the actual loads on the
vehicle covers every kind of operating
situation. Those who are outright
"Sunday drivers," driving fewer than
6,000 miles (10,000 km) per year
should, nevertheless have their oil
changed every 2 years at the most, no
matter what the Service Interval Display
indicates, since engine oil breaks down
over time, regardless of use. Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models)/Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models)For additional information on required
maintenance intervals and procedures,
please refer to the Service and
Warranty Information Booklet (US
models), or the Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet (Canadian models).As a precaution against corrosion, it is
advisable to have the body checked for
damage from rocks or gravel at the
same time, depending upon operating
conditions.
Have your vehicle's maintenance
and repairs performed at your
BMW center. Be sure that all mainte-
nance work is confirmed in the Service
and Warranty Information Booklet (US
models), or in the Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet (Canadian models).
These entries are your verification for
the regular maintenance of your vehicle
and are required for the performance of
warranty repairs.<
Storing the vehicleIf the vehicle is to be stored for longer
than three months, please follow the
instructions in the "Caring for your
vehicle" Manual.
The BMW Maintenance System

147n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Capacities
Notes
Fuel tank
Reserve gal. (liters)
gal. (liters)approx. 16.6 (approx. 63)
approx. 2.1 (approx. 8)Fuel specification: refer to page 24
Windshield washer system/
Headlamp washer system quarts (liters) approx. 5.6 (approx. 5.3)For details: refer to page 115
Cooling system including heater circuit quarts (liters) approx. 9.9 (approx. 9.3) For details: refer to page 118
Engine with oil filter change quarts (liters) approx. 5.3 (approx. 5.0) For details: refer to page 117
Manual transmission quarts (liters) approx. 1.9 (approx. 1.8) Oil change during running-in check
and during each inspection II
Differential quarts (liters) approx. 1.2 (approx. 1.1) Oil change during running-in check
and during each inspection II

Everything from A to Z
A
ABS (Antilock Brake System) 19, 105
Accessories 10
Activated-charcoal filter 94
Adding brake fluid 119t
coolant 118t
engine oil 116t
washer fluid 115t
Adjusting head restraints 46
lumbar support 45
mirrors 50
seats 45
steering wheel 50
temperature 89
thigh support 45
Air conditioner 89, 93
Air distribution 89
automatic 92
Air outlets 88, 91
Air pressure, tires 109
Air supply 89, 92
Airbags 52
warning lamp 18 Alarm system
37
avoiding unintentional
alarm 38
indicator lamp 38
interior motion sensor 37
tilt alarm sensor 37
Antifreeze 118
radiator 118
Antilock Brake System (ABS) 19, 105
Anti-theft alarm system 37
Anti-theft protection 28
Approved weights 146
Aquaplaning 105, 109
Armrest 96
Ashtray front 97
rear 97
AUC (Automatic recirculated-air
control) 93
Automatic climate control 88, 91
Automatic cruise control 73
Automatic headlight
control 85
Automatic recirculated-air control (AUC) 93 Automatic windshield
washer 72
Auxiliary terminal for jump- starting 114t
Average fuel consumption 79
Average speed 79
Avoiding unintentional alarm 38
B
Backrest unlocking 47
Backup lamps 64
bulb replacement 129t
Battery 136
add distilled water 136t
charge current 17
charging 136t
maintenance 136
Belts 48
Beverage holder 96
Blower 89, 92
BMW Maintenance System 120
Bore 144
Bottle holder, refer to beverage holder 96 Brake fluid change
76
Brake fluid level 105
indicator lamp 17
Brake lamps bulb replacement 129t
center 131
Brake system brake fluid level 105
brake fluid level, warning
lamp 105
brake pads 106
brake pads, indicator
lamp 19
disc brakes 106
indicator lamp 17
malfunction 105
Break-in procedure 104
Bulbs and lamps 126
C
California Proposition 65 Warning 121
Can holder, refer to beverage holder 96
Capacities 147
Car care, refer to the "Caring
for your vehicle" manual
Car telephone 96

Everything from A to Z
151n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Car wash systems, refer to
the "Caring for your
vehicle" manual
Cargo loading100
CBC (Cornering Brake
Control)105
Cellular phone96
hands-free system96
speaker96
Center (high-mount) brake
lamp131
Center armrest96
Central locking system28
Check Control77
Checking engine coolant
level118t
Checking engine oil
level116t
Child Seat Safety57
Child-restraint systems54
Cigarette lighter97
Clean the headlamps72
Cleaning windshield72
Clock77
also refer to the "Radio
Owner's Manual" or to the
"Onboard Computer
Owner's Manual" Cockpit14
Coin box96
Combination switch70
Compression ratio144
Computer
also refer to the "Onboard
Computer Owner's
Manual"78
Configure personal settings,
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory60
Connecting electrical
appliances97
Connecting vacuum
cleaner97
Consumption display76
Consumption, fuel79
Control elements14
Convertible top
electrical
malfunction42t
Coolant118, 147
Coolant temperature
gauge76
Cooling system,
capacities147
Copyright4 Cornering Brake Control
(CBC)105
Correct sitting position44
Cruise control73
Cruising range79
Cup holder, refer to
beverage holder96
Curb weight146
D
Dashboard
lighting86
Data
dimensions145
engine144
technical144
weights146
Daytime driving lamps85
Deep water105
Defroster, rear window89
Defrosting the windows92
Digital clock77
also refer to the "Radio
Owner's Manual"
Dimensions145 Dimming inside rearview
mirror51
Dipstick, engine oil116
Disc brakes106
Displacement144
Display lighting86
Displays15
Distance warning80
Door key28
Door mirror50
Doors
electrical
malfunction29t
manual operation29t
remote control30
unlocking and locking29
Draft-free ventilation90, 94
Driving lamps85
Driving notes
aquaplaning105
brakes105
disc brakes106
in general105
DSC (Dynamic Stability
Control)81
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)81
indicator lamp19

Everything from A to ZE
Electric power windows39
Electrical accessories,
failure136t
Electrical malfunction
convertible top42t
doors29t
fuel filler door22t
luggage compartment
lid34t
Electrical outlet97
Emergency release of
luggage compartment lid
from luggage
compartment's interior35
Engine
coolant118
coolant, capacity147
data144
displacement144
output144
starting61t
torque144
Engine compartment114
Engine coolant,
adding118t Engine oil
add116t
capacity147
consumption116
for low ambient
temperatures117
oil dip stick116
pressure17
quality117
temperature75
types117
viscosity117
Engine oil level
checking114t
indicator lamp19
Engine speed144
Entering the rear of the
vehicle47
Entry toward rear47
Eyelets, towing139t
F
Failure messages77
Filling capacities147
Filling the washer
reservoir115t
First-aid kit22 Flat tire109
repairing132
Flat Tire Monitor82
indicator lamp17, 19
Fog lamps86
bulb replacement129t
Follow me home lamps85
Footbrake, refer to brake
system106
Front fog lamps86
Front head restraints46
Front seat adjusting44
Fuel24
consumption display76
gauge76
preparation144
Fuel consumption79
Fuel filler door22
electrical
malfunction22t
manual operation22t
Fuel gauge76
Fuel quality24
Fuel tank capacity147
Fuses, replacing136t G
Gas gauge76
Gasoline24
Gearshift lever63
Glove compartment95
Grilles88, 91
Gross vehicle weight146
H
Handbrake63
Hardtop106
Hazard warning flashers14
Hazard warning triangle22
Head restraints46
adjusting46
Headlamp cleaning
system114, 115
Headlamp covers,
care127t
Headlamp flasher86
Headlamp washer system,
capacities147
Heated mirror50
Heated seats49
Heater and
ventilation88, 91
Heavy loads100

Everything from A to ZM
M Engine dynamics
control84
M Mobility system132
M+S-tires112
Maintenance76, 120
Malfunction displays77
Manual operation
convertible top42t
doors29t
fuel filler door22
luggage compartment
lid34t
Manual transmission63
Master key28
MFL (Multifunction steering
wheel21
MFL (Multifunction steering
wheel)21
Microfilter90, 94
Mirror50
inside rearview51
outside50
Mirror memory48 Mirrors
adjusting50
automatic curb
monitor51
heating50
Mobility system132
Modifications,
technical10, 121
Mounting the roof rack106
Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL)21
O
OBD interface socket122
Odometer75
Oil
additives117
capacity147
consumption116
oil dipstick116
quality117
types117
viscosity117
Oil change intervals, refer to
the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US
models) or the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models) Oil dipstick116
Oil filter change147
Oil level
checking116t
indicator lamp19
Oil pressure, indicator
lamp17
OILSERVICE76
Onboard Computer
also refer to the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer"
Onboard tool kit126t
Opening and closing
from inside33
via the door lock29
via the remote control30
Operating vehicle at low
ambient
temperatures117
Outlets, ventilation88, 91
Output, engine144
Outside temperature
display78 P
Paintwork, care, refer to the
"Caring for your vehicle"
manual
Park Distance Control
(PDC)80
Parking brake63
Parking help80
Parking lamps85
bulb replacement127t
PDC (Park Distance
Control)80
Pollen filter90, 94
Power windows39
Prevent accidental alarm38
R
Radiator147
Rain sensor71
Reading lamps87
Rear entry aid47
Rear head restraints46
Rear window
defroster89, 93
Rearview mirror50
Recirculated-air
mode89, 93
Reclining seat44