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
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
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
17n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Indicator and warning lamps
Technology that monitors itself
Indicator and warning lamps that are
identified by "
l
," are tested for proper
functioning whenever the ignition 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
drive 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.
Please contact the nearest BMW
center.
Do not continue driving, other-
wise, the engine could be
damaged because of inadequate lubri-
cation.
<
Flat Tire Monitor
l
In addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded: a tire failure 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 82
Brake warning lamp
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
notes on pages 105 and 119.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
19n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Indicator and warning lamps
Yellow: check as soon as
possible
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
l
In addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded: ABS has been deacti-
vated in response to system malfunc-
tion. Conventional braking efficiency is
available and unrestricted. Please have
the system inspected at your BMW
center.
For additional information: refer to
page 105
ABS warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Engine oil level
Comes on while driving: the
engine oil level has fallen to the
absolute minimum; refill as soon as
possible. Do not drive more than
30 miles (50 km) until you do.
For additional information: refer to
page 116
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been switched off: add engine
oil at your earliest opportunity (when
you stop to refuel). For additional infor-
mation: refer to page 116
Brake pads
l
Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information: refer
to page 105
Flat Tire Monitor
l
The Flat Tire Monitor has been
deactivated, either at the button
or in response to a system malfunction.
In the event of a malfunction, have the
system checked by your BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
pages 24, 82
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)
l
The indicator lamp flashes and
an acoustic signal sounds:
The system is active and governs drive
and braking force.
If the indicator lamp fails to go out after
the engine is started, or if it comes on
during normal driving and stays on:
DSC has been deactivated, either at the
button or in response to a system
malfunction. In the event of a malfunc-
tion, have the system checked by your
nearest BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 81
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
l
Malfunction in DBC system.
Conventional braking efficiency
is available and unrestricted.
Have the system checked and repaired
at your BMW center as soon as
possible.
For additional information: refer to
page 82
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Add washer fluid
The washer fluid is too low. Top
off the fluid at the earliest
opportunity.
For additional information: refer to
page 115
Service Engine Soon
l
If the indicator lamp comes on
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems.
Although the vehicle remains opera-
tional, you should have the systems
checked by your BMW center at the
earliest possible opportunity.
For additional information: refer to
page 122
24n
Fuel specifications Tire inflation pressureThe engine uses lead-free gasoline
only.
Required fuel:
>Premium Unleaded Gasoline,
min. 91 AKI.
AKI = Anti Knock Index
Never use leaded fuel, as it would
cause permanent and irreversible
damage to the oxygen sensor and the
catalytic converter.<
Proper inflation pressures are on a
sticker attached to the B-pillar and
visible with the driver's door open.Check tire pressuresAll pressures are specified in the usual
units of the respective country (psi; kilo-
pascal) for tires at ambient temperature
(also refer to the following tire inflation
pressure table).
After correcting the tire inflation pres-
sure, reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor so
that it can monitor the tire inflation
pressure, refer to page 82.
Check your tire pressures on a
regular basis Ð at least twice a
month Ð and before every extended
journey. Incorrect tire pressure can
otherwise lead to driving instability, tire
damage and accidents.<
Comply with tire approval
specifications The inflation pressures in the table apply
to BMW approved tire sizes and tire
manufacturers. Your BMW center is
familiar with these pressures. Higher
pressures may be specified for tires
made by other manufacturers.
Your vehicle is equipped with tires
which not only meet US standards, but
also European standards. We recom-
mend the exclusive use of BMW
approved tires.
25n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Tire inflation pressure BMW Tires
All pressure specifications in
the table are indicated in psi
(kilopascal) with cold tires
(cold = ambient temperature)
225/45 ZR 18 33 (230) - 41 (280) -
255/44 ZR 18 - 35 (240) - 48 (330)
M3 convertible 225/40 ZR 19 33 (230) - 41 (280) -
255/35 ZR 19 - 35 (240) - 48 (330)
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S 33 (230) 38 (260) 36 (250) 46 (320)
82n
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) Flat Tire MonitorTo deactivate the systemPress the button; the indicator lamp
comes on and stays on.
The vehicle does not execute the
stability-enhancement and traction-
control functions when DSC is deacti-
vated.
We recommend that you deactivate the
system for increased traction:
>when rocking the vehicle or starting
off in deep snow or on loose surfaces
>or when driving with snow chains.
To maintain vehicle stability,
always drive with the system
switched on whenever possible.<
To reactivate the systemPress the button again; the indicator
lamp goes out.Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)DBC is an integral component of the
DSC system.
If you apply the brakes rapidly, this
system automatically generates
maximum braking force boost and thus
helps to achieve the shortest possible
braking distance in "panic braking" situ-
ations. All of the benefits of the ABS
system are exploited under these
circumstances.
Do not reduce the pressure on the
brake pedal for the duration of the
brake application. When the brake
pedal is released, the DBC is deacti-
vated.
The conceptThe Flat Tire Monitor keeps track of the
inflation pressures in your tires as you
drive. The system detects whenever the
inflation pressure in a tire drops off
significantly.
Controlling the tire pressure is based
on monitoring the rpms that the tires
have relative to each other. A flat tire is
detected and reported because the
rpms suddenly deviate drastically from
one another.