2002 BMW M3 COUPE check oil

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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. Indicates a defective
alternator drive belt or a problem with
the alternator's charge circuit. Please
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the drive belt is defective, do not
continue driving, as the engine
could sustain serious damage from
overheating. If the drive belt is defec-
tive, increased steering effort is also
required.

<


Engine oil pressure


l

Stop the 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, as the
engine could sustain serious
damage from inadequate lubrication.

<



Flat Tire Monitor
l
In addition, an acoustic signal
sounds: a tire failure has
occurred. Reduce vehicle speed imme-
diately to stop the vehicle. Avoid hard
brake applications. As you steer the
vehicle, use caution and avoid overcor-
recting.
For additional information, refer to
page 77
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 102 and 113
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Indicator and warning lamps

Yellow: check as soon as possible

Antilock Brake System (ABS)

l

In addition, an acoustic signal
sounds: ABS has been deacti-
vated in response to system malfunc-
tion. Conventional braking efficiency is
available and unrestricted. Please have
the system inspected by your BMW
center.
For additional information, refer to
page 101
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 110
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been switched off: refill engine
oil at the earliest opportunity (next time
you stop for gas).
For additional information, refer to
page 110

Brake pads

l

Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information, refer
to page 102
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, 77
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)

l


The indicator lamp flashes and
an acoustic signal sounds: the system
is active and governs drive force 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 malfunction, have the
system checked by your nearest BMW
center.
For additional information, starting on
page 76

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 76
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Add washer fluid
The washer fluid is too low. Top
up the fluid at the earliest
opportunity.
For additional information, refer to
page 109
Add coolant
The coolant level is too low. Add
coolant at the earliest opportu-
nity.
For additional information, refer to
page 112

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Fuel gauge Temperature gauge Service Interval Display Once the indicator lamp stays on
continuously, there are still approx.
2 gallons (8 liters) of fuel in the fuel
tank.
Fuel tank capacity: approx. 16.6 gal.
(63 liters).
If the tilt of the vehicle varies (when you
are driving in mountainous areas, for
example), the needle may fluctuate
slightly.
Please refuel early, since driving
to the last drop of fuel can result in
damage to the engine and/or catalytic
converter.<
When you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp lights up briefly as a
functional check.
BlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at
moderate engine and vehicle speeds. RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the
warning lamp comes on briefly to
confirm that the system is operational.
If the lamp comes on while operating
the vehicle, the engine has overheated.
Switch off the engine immediately and
allow it to cool down.
Checking coolant level, refer to
page 112.Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. The needle
may rise as far as the edge of the red
sector in normal operation.
Remaining distance for serviceThe displays shown in the illustration
appear for a few seconds when the
ignition key is in position 1 or after the
engine is started.
The next service due appears with the
message OILSERVICE or INSPECTION,
together with the distance remaining
before the next scheduled service.
The computer bases its calculations of
the remaining distance on the
preceding driving style.
A flashing message and a "Ð" in front of
the number mean that the service
interval has already been exceeded by
the distance shown on the display.
Please contact your BMW center for an
appointment.

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Engine compartment essentials1 Filler neck for headlamp and
wind-
shield washer system109
2 Coolant expansion tank112
3 Positive terminal connection for
jump-starting (positive terminal)131 4 Engine oil filler neck110
5 Expansion tank for SMG
* hydraulic
unit (checking and possible refilling
by your BMW center)596 Engine oil dipstick110
7 Filler neck for brake fluid113

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Engine oilChecking engine 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".

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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. Due to technical inno-
vations, maintenance costs were again
able to be markedly reduced with
respect to the previous model.
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 km) 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 Ð
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, if
your vehicle is exposed to potential
damage from unimproved road
surfaces we suggest that you have the
body checked for damage from stone
chips and gravel at the same time.
Have your BMW center do the
maintenance and repair.
Be sure that all maintenance 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 proof that the vehicle
has received regular maintenance. They
are also a requirement for warranty
claims.<
The BMW Maintenance System

Everything from A to Z
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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Caring for headlamp covers,
refer to the "Caring for your
vehicle" manual
Caring for your vehicle's
paintwork, refer to the
"Caring for your vehicle"
manual
CBC (Cornering Brake
Control)101
warning lamp18
Cellular phone92
refer also to the separate
Owner's Manual
Center (high-mount) brake
lamp125
Center armrest91
Central locking system28
key33
Check Control72
Checking
engine coolant112t
engine oil level110t
tire inflation
pressures24t
Child seat security54
Child-restraint systems52
Cigarette lighter93
Clean the headlamps67 Clean the windshield67
Clock72
also refer to the "Radio
Owner's Manual"
Clothes hooks93
Cockpit14
Coin box91
Combination switch65
Compression136
Computer72
refer also to the "Onboard
Computer Owner's
Manual"
Configuring individual
settings with Vehicle and
Key Memory55
Connecting car vacuum
cleaner93
Consumption74
Consumption display71
Control elements14
Coolant112
Coolant system,
capacity139
Coolant temperature
gauge71
Copyright4 Cornering Brake Control
(CBC)101
warning lamp18
Cover, sun blinds89
Cruise control68
Cruising range74
Curb weight138
D
Data
dimensions137
engine136
technical136
weights138
Daytime driving lamps80
DBC (Dynamic Brake
Control)77
Deep water101
Defrostable rear window88
Defroster, rear window84
Defrosting windows87
Dimensions137
Dipstick, engine oil110
Disc brakes102
Displacement136
Display lighting81
Distance warning75
Divided rear backrest94
Door key28 Doors
electrical
malfunction29t
manual operation29t
operating manually29
remote control30
unlocking and
locking29, 30
Draft-free ventilation85, 88
Driving notes
aquaplaning101
brakes101
DSC (Dynamic Stability
Control)76
indicator lamp19
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)77
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)76
indicator lamp19
E
Electric power windows39
Electrical malfunction
doors29t
fuel filler door22t
luggage compartment
lid34
sliding/tilt sunroof41t

Everything from A to ZEmergency release of
luggage compartment lid
from luggage
compartment's interior36
Engine
displacement136
starting56t
torque136
Engine compartment
essentials108
Engine coolant112
add112t
checking112t
Engine cooling system,
capacity139
Engine data136
Engine oil
adding110t
capacity139
consumption110
for low ambient
temperatures111
level, checking110t
level, indicator lamp17
pressure17
pressure, indicator
lamp17
quality111 specifications111
thermometer70
viscosity111
Engine speed136
Entry to the rear45
Exterior mirrors48
F
Failure messages72
Filling capacities139
Filling the washer
reservoir109t
First-aid kit22
Flat tire103
repairing126
Flat Tire Monitor77
indicator lamp17, 19
Fog lamps82
bulb replacement123t
Folding rear backrest94
Follow me home lamps80
Footbrake102
Footwell lamps82
Front seat adjusting42
Frost protection,
radiator112
Fuel24
Fuel consumption74 Fuel consumption
display71
Fuel filler door22
electrical
malfunction22t
manual operation22t
Fuel gauge71
Fuel quality24
Fuel reserve indicator
lamp71
Fuel tank capacity139
Fuel tank gauge71
G
Gasoline24
Gasoline gauge71
Gearshift lever58
Glove compartment90
Gross vehicle weight138 H
Handbrake58
Hands-free system92
Hazard warning triangle22
Head restraints44
adjusting44 Headlamp cleaning
system108
Headlamp control80
Headlamp flasher81
Headlamp washer
system139
Heated seats47
Heavy loads96
Height137
HiFi system90
High beams65, 81
indicator lamps20
Holder for beverages91
Hood release107t
Horn14
I
Ice warning73
Identification, tires105
Ignition key28
Ignition key positions56
Ignition lock56
Imprint4
Indicator lamps17
Individual settings with
Vehicle and Key
Memory55
Inflation pressure,
tires24, 103