2002 BMW M6 CONVERTIBLE engine

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
You can drive as with a normal auto-
matic transmission. In addition, you can
also shift manually.
When you move the selector lever from
the "D" position to the left into the M/S
range, the performance-oriented shift
programs of the automatic transmission
are engaged. Steptronic enters the
manual selection mode and executes
the desired shift whenever you tap the
selector lever in the direction indicated
by "+" or "Ð." When you wish to use the
automatic transmission mode again,
move the selector lever to the right into
the "D" position.
Selector lever positions
P R N D M/S
Starting the engineThe engine can only be started in
selector lever positions P ("Park") or N
("Neutral").390us607
Range selectionA detent prevents inadvertent shifts to
the "Reverse" or "Park" selector lever
positions. To disengage the detent,
press the button on the front side of
the shift knob (arrow).
While the vehicle is stationary and
before shifting out of "Park" or
"Neutral," depress the footbrake in
order to disengage the selector lever's
lock mechanism (Shiftlock).
Hold the footbrake down until starting
off. The vehicle will otherwise "creep"
when a drive position is engaged.< 390de718

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Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
To prevent the vehicle from
starting off on its own, always
move the selector lever to position P or
N and engage the parking brake before
leaving your car with the engine
running. Do not leave the vehicle unat-
tended with the engine running. An
unattended vehicle with a running
engine represents a potential safety
hazard.
P ParkSelect "Park" only when the vehicle is
completely stopped. The transmission
locks to prevent the rear wheels from
turning.R ReverseSelect "Reverse" only when the vehicle
is completely stopped.N NeutralSelect "Neutral" only if your journey is
interrupted for a longer period.
D Drive
(automatic shift program)This position is designed for driving
under all normal operating conditions.
All forward gears are available."Kickdown"In the "kickdown" mode, you achieve
maximum acceleration and top speed
in position D.
Depress the accelerator pedal past the
detent at the full-throttle position.
M/S Manual mode and
Sport ProgramWhen you change from "D" to "M/S,"
the Sport Program is activated. This is
indicated by "D S" in the gear selection
display. The Sport Program is designed
for performance-oriented driving.
With the first brief touch, the automatic
transmission shifts from the Sport
Program to the manual mode. When-
ever you move the selector lever in the
"+" direction, the transmission upshifts,
and when you move it in the "Ð" direc-
tion, the transmission downshifts.
M1...M5 will be displayed in the gear
indicator.390de721

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
ATC executes upshifts and downshifts
only when the new gear will provide a
suitable combination of vehicle and
engine speed, i.e., ATC will not execute
downshifts that would cause the engine
to overrev. The gear selected will
appear briefly in the instrument cluster
followed by the current gear.
If you are driving in the manual
mode and wish to accelerate
rapidly from low road speeds (when
passing, for instance), you must shift
down manually or with the "kickdown"
function.<
You can only change from "S/M" to
selector lever positions "P," "R," and
"N" via the "D" position.
Electronic transmission control
module
If the indicator lamp comes on
or the message "TRANS. FAIL-
SAFE PROG" appears in the
Check Control
*, there is a fault in the
transmission system.
Bring the vehicle to a stop. Move the
transmission selector lever to "P."
Engage the parking brake and turn the
engine off (ignition key to position 0).
Wait a few seconds, then start the
engine.
If the indicator lamp goes out after a
few seconds, normal transmission
performance has been restored. You
may continue to drive as usual. If the
indicator lamp does not go out, you can
place the selector lever in all positions.
However, the vehicle will now only drive
forward with limited gear selection.
If this happens, avoid extreme engine
loads and refer the problem to the
nearest BMW center.
Never perform work in the engine
compartment without first
ensuring that the transmission is in
"Park" or "Neutral" as the vehicle could
otherwise start to move off on its own.<
For jump-starting, towing and tow-
starting, refer to pages 162 and 163.

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Washer/Wiper system Cruise controlThe programmed interval is deleted
>approx. 10 seconds after the lever is
placed in position 0 or
>after the engine is switched off.
When the rear window is opened, the
rear window wiper is switched off. It
must be switched on again after the
window has been closed.
For changing the wiper blade, refer to
page 150.You can store and automatically main-
tain any desired vehicle speed above
approx. 20 mph (30 km/h).
The cruise control is available whenever
the engine is running and the system
has been activated.
To activate the system From ignition key position 2:
Press the button and the indicator lamp
on the instrument cluster (refer to
page 21) will come on. You can now
use the cruise control.
Do not use cruise control on
twisting roads, when high traffic
density prevents driving at a constant
speed, or when the road surface is slick
(snow, rain, ice) or loose (rocks or
gravel, sand).< To deactivate the systemPress button as often as needed until
the indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
Cruise control is also deactivated when
the ignition key is in position 0.
The speed stored in memory is deleted.

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Cruise controlTo store and maintain speed
or to acceleratePress button (+) briefly:
The system registers and maintains the
current vehicle speed. Every time you
tap the button, the speed increases by
approx. 0.6 mph (1 km/h).
Press and hold button (+):
The vehicle accelerates without pres-
sure on the accelerator pedal. When
you release the button, the system
stores and maintains the current speed.
If, on a downhill gradient, the
engine braking effect is not suffi-
cient, the controlled speed can be
exceeded. Speed can drop on uphill
grades if the engine output is insuffi-
cient.<
To deceleratePress button (Ð) briefly:
If you are already driving with active
cruise control, the speed is decreased
by approx. 0.6 mph (1 km/h) every time
you tap the button.
Press and hold button (Ð):
With the cruise control active, the
system automatically reduces the
throttle opening to slow the vehicle.
When you release the button, the
system registers and maintains the
current speed.
To interrupt the cruise control When the system is activated, press the
button. The indicator lamp stays on.
You can use the cruise control again
whenever you want by calling up the
speed that was stored last.
In addition, cruise control is interrupted
automatically:
>When the brakes are applied
>When you depress the clutch pedal
>If you exceed or fall below the
programmed speed for an extended
period (by depressing the acceler-
ator, for example). To recall the stored settingPress button:
The vehicle accelerates to and main-
tains the last speed stored.

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Tachometer Energy control Fuel gaugeDo not operate the engine with the
needle in the red overspeed zone of the
gauge.
To protect the engine, the engine-
management system interrupts the fuel
supply when you approach this sector.390us004
Indicates the current fuel consumption
in mpg (in liters/100 km on Canadian
vehicles). This allows you to see
whether your current driving style is
conducive to fuel economy with
minimum exhaust emissions.
When the vehicle is stationary, the
display goes to "Maximum" (zero on
Canadian models).390us005
When you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp comes on briefly to
confirm that the system is operational.
If the indicator lamp stays on, there are
approx.
>2.0 gal (8 liters) Ð
BMW 525i, BMW 530i
>2.5 gal (10 liters) Ð BMW 540i
of fuel still in the tank.
Tank capacity: refer to page 173
Certain operating conditions (such as
those encountered in mountainous
areas) may cause the needle to fluc-
tuate slightly.
Please refuel early, since driving
to the last drop of fuel can result in
damage to the engine and/or catalytic
converter.< 390us006

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Coolant temperature gauge Service Interval DisplayBlueThe 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 warning lamp lights up during
normal vehicle operation, or the
message "COOLANT TEMPERATURE"
appears in the Check Control
*, the
engine is overheated. Shut off the
engine immediately and allow it to cool
down.
390de007
Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. The needle
may rise as far as the edge of the red
sector in normal operation.
Checking coolant level: refer to
page 142.
The range of available displays varies
according to your individual vehicle's
equipment.
Green lampsThe number of illuminated lamps
decreases as the time for your next
maintenance visit approaches.Yellow lampThis field appears together with
OILSERVICE or INSPECTION.
Maintenance is due. Please contact
your BMW center for an appointment.Red lampThe maintenance deadline has been
passed.390us702

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Check Control>"RELEASE PARKINGBRAKE"
>"COOLANT TEMPERATURE"
The coolant is overheated. Stop the
vehicle immediately and switch off
the engine. Refer to pages 82
and 142
>"STOP! ENGINE OILPRESS"
The oil pressure is too low. Stop the
vehicle immediately and switch off
the engine. Refer to pages 19, 140
>"CHECK BRAKE FLUID"
Indicates that brake fluid is down to
roughly minimum level. Have the
reservoir topped up at the earliest
opportunity, refer to page 143. Have
the source of the brake fluid loss
repaired at your BMW center
>"TIRE DEFECT"
*
Reduce vehicle speed immediately
and stop the vehicle. Avoid hard
brake applications. Do not oversteer.
Refer to page 100
>"SELFLEVEL SUSP.INACT"
Please consult the nearest BMW
center. Refer to page 99
>"SPEED LIMIT"
*
Display if the programmed speed
limit has been exceeded, refer to
page 91Priority 2
These displays appear for 20 seconds
when the ignition key is turned to posi-
tion 2. The warning symbols remain
after the message disappears. You can
display the messages again by pressing
the CHECK button 3:
>"TRUNKLID OPEN"
Message appears only when the
vehicle is initially set in motion
>"DOOR OPEN"
This message appears after a defined
road speed has been exceeded
>"FASTEN SEAT BELTS"
*
In addition to this message, a
warning lamp with the safety belt icon
appears and an acoustic signal
sounds
>"WASHER FLUID LOW"
Too low; top up fluid at the next
opportunity. Refer to page 139
>"CHECK ENGINE OIL LEV"
The engine oil level is at the absolute
minimum. You should respond by
topping up the oil as soon as
possible, refer to page 140. Do not
continue for more than approximately
30 miles (50 km) before adding oil>"CHECK FILLER CAP"
Inspect the cap to make sure that it is
closed properly, refer to page 24. If
the cap is not closed securely it will
trigger the "Service Engine Soon"
lamp
>"OUTSIDE TEMP. +20 7 (Ð5 6)"
This display is only an example. The
current temperature is displayed at
outside temperatures of +37.5 7
(+3 6) and below. Refer also to
page 80
>"SET TIRE PRESSURE"
*
The RDC has imported the current
inflation pressure in the tires as the
target values which the system will
monitor.
Refer to page 99
>"CHECK TIRE PRESSURE"
*
Check and correct the tire inflation
pressure to specifications at the
earliest opportunity (next stop for
fuel).
Refer to page 99
>"TIRECONTROL INACTIVE"
*
A temporary interference of the RDC
or a system fault. Refer to page 100
>"CHECK BRAKE LIGHTS"
A lamp has failed or the electrical
circuit has a fault. Refer to pages 154
and 160 or consult a BMW center