2003 BMW M3 COUPE ESP

5

Notes

Status at time of printing

BMW pursues a policy of continuous,
ongoing development that is conceived
to ensure that our vehicles continue to
embody the highest quality and safety
standards combined with advanced,
state-of-the-art technology. For this
reason, the features described in this
Owner's Manual could differ from those
in your vehicle. Nor can errors and
omissions be entirely ruled out. You are
therefore asked to appreciate that no
claims can be recognized on the basis
of the data, illustrations or descriptions
in this Owner's Manual.

For your own safety

Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels
containing up to and including
10 % ethanol or other oxygenates with
up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight – that is,
15 % MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an
equivalent amount of co-solvent – will
not void the applicable warranties
respecting defects in materials or work-
manship. Field experience has indi-
cated significant differences in fuel
quality – volatility, composition, addi-
tives, etc. among gasolines offered for
sale in the United States and Canada.
The use of poor quality fuels may result
in driveability, starting and stalling
problems especially under certain envi-
ronmental conditions, such as high
ambient temperature and high altitude.
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems which you suspect could be
related to the fuel you are using, we
recommend that you respond by
switching to a recognized high-quality
brand.
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may result in unscheduled
maintenance.
Obey pertinent safety rules when you
are handling gasoline.

<

Important safety information!
For your own safety, use genuine
parts and accessories approved by
BMW.
When you purchase accessories tested
and approved by BMW and Original
BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire
the assurance that they have been thor-
oughly tested by BMW to ensure opti-
mum performance when installed on
your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free
from defects in material and workman-
ship.
BMW will not accept any liability for
damages resulting from installation of
parts and accessories not approved by
BMW.
BMW cannot test every product made
by other manufacturers to verify if it can
be used on a BMW safely and without
risk to either the vehicle, its operation,
or its occupants.
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories
and other products approved by BMW,
together with professional advice on
using these items, are available from all
BMW centers.
Installation and operation of non-BMW
approved accessories such as alarms,
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors,
wheels, suspension components, brake

handbook.book Page 5 Saturday, July 27, 2002 1:12 PM

18

Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself

Indicator and warning lamps that are
identified by

●

are tested for proper
functioning whenever the ignition key is
turned. They each light up once for dif-
ferent 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

●

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, stop
and switch off the engine immedi-
ately to prevent overheating and seri-
ous engine damage. If the drive belt is
defective, increased steering effort is
also required.

<

Engine oil pressure

●

An alarm sounds at the same
time. Stop 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 dam-
age from inadequate lubrication.

<

Flat Tire Monitor

●

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

●

If the lamp comes on when the
parking brake is not engaged:
check the brake fluid level. Before driv-
ing further, be sure to comply with the
instructions on pages 108 and 121.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.

Red: an important reminder

Brake warning lamp

●

Comes on when the parking
brake is engaged – an additional
acoustic signal sounds when starting
off. For additional information: refer to
page 63
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Please fasten safety belts

●

Comes on together with an
acoustic signal until the safety
belts are fastened.
For additional information on safety
belts: refer to page 47
Airbags

●

Please have the system
inspected at your BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 53

handbook.book Page 18 Saturday, July 27, 2002 1:12 PM

19

Red and yellow: continue driving
cautiously

The brake warning lamp lights
up together with the yellow indi-
cator lamps for ABS

●

and
DSC:
The entire ABS, CBC and DSC
control system has failed. Con-
tinue to drive; drive cautiously
and defensively and avoid full
brake applications. Please have the
system checked by your BMW center
as soon as possible.
For additional information: refer to
pages 81, 107
ABS, CBC and DSC indicator
and warning lamps for Canadian
models.

Orange: consult the nearest BMW
center

Sequential M gearbox SMG II
If the indicator lamp fails to go
out after the engine has been
started, or if it comes on during normal
driving: this indicates a malfunction in
the system. Please consult the nearest
BMW center.
Indicator lamp flashes: a system over-
load has occurred.
For additional information: refer to
page 69

Yellow: check as soon as possible

Engine oil level
Comes on while driving and is
accompanied by an alarm: the
engine oil level has fallen to the abso-
lute minimum; refill as soon as possible.
Do not drive more than 30 miles/50 km
before refilling.
For additional information: refer to
page 118

Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been shut off and is accompa-
nied by an alarm: add engine oil at your
earliest opportunity, such as when you
stop to refuel.
For additional information: refer to
page 118
Brake pads

●

Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information: refer
to page 108
Flat Tire Monitor

●

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 25, 82

Indicator and warning lamps

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

handbook.book Page 19 Saturday, July 27, 2002 1:12 PM

20
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)

●

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 has been 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 mal-
function.
In the event of a malfunction, have the
system checked by your nearest BMW
center.
For additional information: refer to
page 81
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)

●

Malfunction in DBC system.
Conventional braking efficiency
is available and unrestricted.
Have the system checked and repaired
at your BMW center as soon as possi-
ble.
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 118
SERVICE ENGINE SOON

●

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 124
SERVICE ENGINE SOON warn-
ing lamp for Canadian models.
Engine electronics

●

There is a fault in the electronic
engine-management system.
You can continue to drive with reduced
engine output or engine speed. Please
have the system inspected at your
BMW center.

Add coolant
Coolant level too low, top up as
soon as possible.
For additional information: refer to
page 120
CHECK FILLER CAP

●

This indicator lamp comes on
when the fuel filler cap is loose
or missing.
Close the filler cap tightly: refer to
page 24

Green: for your information

Turn signal indicator
Flashes when turn signals are
on. Rapid flashing: indicates a
system malfunction.
For additional information: refer to
page 70
Cruise control
Lights up when the cruise con-
trol is activated. Ready for oper-
ation via the steering wheel with multi-
function buttons.
For additional information: refer to
page 72
Front fog lamps
Lights up whenever the fog
lamps are on.
For additional information: refer to
page 88

Indicator and warning lamps

handbook.book Page 20 Saturday, July 27, 2002 1:12 PM

22

Steering wheel with multifunction buttons

These buttons let you operate the fol-
lowing functions quickly and without
being distracted from traffic conditions:

>

Selected radio functions

>

The cruise control

>

Selected telephone

*

functions

>

The voice recognition system

*

.
The controls are active only when
the corresponding systems and
accessories are switched on.

<

Press briefly:
Accept incoming call, start dialing, ter-
minate call.
Extended pressure:
Activate and deactivate voice entry.
Switch between phone, radio, cassette
and CD.

Forward

>Radio
Press briefly: station scan in
FM band
Extended pressure: station search
>CD/MD
Press briefly: jump to next track
Extended pressure: search function
in track
>Cassette
Press briefly: jump to next track or
stop fast forward
Extended pressure: fast forward
>Phone
Scan personal phone book.
Rewind: same functions as forward.
Volume.
Cruise control: select a stored setting.
Cruise control: store and accelerate +
or decelerate and store –.
Cruise control: activate/interrupt/deac-
tivate.
handbook.book Page 22 Saturday, July 27, 2002 1:12 PM

38
Floor matYou can turn the floor mat over to trans-
port soiled objects, etc. The rubber-
coated side can be washed and is
designed to inhibit sliding.
The fittings at the corners of the lug-
gage compartment provide you with a
convenient means of attaching luggage
nets* and flexible straps for securing
luggage.
Refer also to Cargo loading on
page 102.
Alarm system*The conceptThe vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the lug-
gage compartment lid are opened
>To movement inside the vehicle –
interior motion sensor
>Altering the vehicle tilt, e.g. as would
occur while attempting to steal the
wheels or tow the vehicle – tilt alarm
sensor system
>To interruption of battery voltage.
The system responds to unauthorized
vehicle entry and attempted theft by
simultaneously activating the following:
>Sounding an acoustical alarm for
30 seconds
>Activating the hazard warning flash-
ers for approx. five minutes
>Flashing the high beams on and off in
rhythm with the hazard warning flash-
ers.To arm and disarm the alarm
systemWhen the vehicle is locked or unlocked
by using a key or with the remote con-
trol, the alarm system is also simulta-
neously armed or disarmed.You can have a signal set as
acknowledgment for both arming
and disarming the alarm.<
You can also open the luggage com-
partment lid when the system is armed
by pressing the button of the remote
control, refer to page 32. When it is
closed, the lid is once again secured.
Luggage compartment
handbook.book Page 38 Saturday, July 27, 2002 1:12 PM

40
Electric power windowsTo open and close windows
When leaving the vehicle, always
remove the ignition key from the
lock and remember to close the doors
to prevent children from operating the
power windows and injuring them-
selves, etc.<
After the ignition has been switched off,
you can still operate the power win-
dows for up to 15 minutes as long as
no one has opened and again closed
any of the doors.
With the ignition key in position 1 or
higher
>Press the switch until you feel resis-
tance: the window retracts and the
swivel window opens as long as you
maintain pressure on the switch
>Press the switch briefly past the pres-
sure point: the window moves auto-
matically. Pressing the switch again
stops the opening cycle.
You can close the windows in the same
manner by pulling the switch. The
swivel window does not close automat-
ically.
For convenience closing via the door
lock or the remote control, refer to
page 33 or 32.Safety featureThe windows are each equipped with
contact strips located in the upper win-
dow frames. If pressure is exerted
against this contact strip while a win-
dow is being raised, the system will
respond by stopping the window and
then retracting it a small distance.
Despite this safety feature, be
extremely careful to ensure that
the closing path of the window is not
obstructed. Some types of objects –
very thin objects, for instance, might fail
to trigger the contact strip in some situ-
ations.
You can override this safety feature by
pressing the switch beyond the resis-
tance point and holding it.<
Sliding/tilt sunroof*
To prevent injuries, exercise care
when closing the sliding/tilt sun-
roof and keep it in your field of vision
until it is shut.
When leaving the vehicle, always
remove the ignition key from the lock
and remember to close the doors to
prevent children from operating the
sunroof and injuring themselves, etc.<
handbook.book Page 40 Saturday, July 27, 2002 1:12 PM

41
Opening and closingWith the ignition key in position 1 or
higher
>Slide the switch until you feel resis-
tance: the sunroof opens or closes as
long as you hold the switch
>Slide the switch past the pressure
point: the sunroof moves automati-
cally.
Tapping the switch again stops the
motion immediately.
The headliner retracts with the sunroof
while it is opening.
After the ignition has been switched off,
you can still operate the sunroof for up
to 15 minutes, as long as no one opens
any of the doors.
For convenience closing via the door
lock or the remote control, refer to
pages 32 and 33.Raising the sunroofWith the ignition key in position 1 or
higher: tap the switch.
Tapping the switch again stops the
motion immediately.
If you briefly press the switch in the
raise direction while the sunroof is
open, the sunroof will rise to its upper-
most position.
After the ignition has been switched off,
you can still operate the sunroof for up
to 15 minutes, as long as no one opens
any of the doors.
The headliner insert slides back some-
what when you raise the roof.
Do not use force to close the
headliner insert while the sunroof
is in its raised position, as damage to
the mechanism could result. resistance
>when it is closing from the raised
position
>when it is closing from a point
roughly past the middle of its travel,
the closing cycle is interrupted and the
sliding/tilt sunroof will open again
slightly.
Despite this safety feature, be
extremely careful to ensure that
the closing path of the sunroof is not
obstructed. Remember that the safety
mechanism may not be able to detect
obstructions – very thin objects, for
instance, under all circumstances.
You can override this safety feature by
pressing the switch beyond the pres-
sure point and holding it.<
Sliding/tilt sunroof*
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
handbook.book Page 41 Saturday, July 27, 2002 1:12 PM