2003 BMW M3 COUPE warning

Contents

Notes

About this Owner's Manual4
Symbols used4
Your individual vehicle4
Status at time of printing5
For your own safety5
Symbol on vehicle parts6
Service and warranty6
Reporting safety defects6

Overview

Cockpit14
Instrument cluster16
Indicator and warning lamps18
Steering wheel with multifunction
buttons22
Hazard warning triangle*23
First-aid kit*23
Refueling24
Fuel specifications25
Tire inflation pressure25

Controls and features

Opening and closing:

Keys30
Central locking system30
Opening and closing – via the
remote control31
Opening and closing – via the
door lock33
Opening and closing – from the
inside34
Luggage compartment lid35
Luggage compartment37
Alarm system*38
Electric power windows40
Sliding/tilt sunroof*40

To adjust:

Safe seating position43
Seats44
Manual seat adjustment44
Power seat adjustment*45
Head restraints46
Entering the rear47
Safety belts47
Seat and mirror memory*49
Seat heating*50
Steering wheel51
Mirrors51

Passenger safety systems:

Airbags53
Transporting children safely55
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory59

handbook.book Page 8 Saturday, July 27, 2002 1:12 PM

Contents

Operation, maintenance

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures106
Driving notes107
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)107
Brake system108

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressure109
Tire condition109
Tire replacement110
Wheel and tire
combinations112
Winter tires112
Snow chains*113

In the engine compartment:

Hood114
Engine compartment
essentials116
Washer fluids118
Engine oil118
Coolant120
Brake fluid121

Maintenance:

The BMW Maintenance
System122

Laws and regulations:

California Proposition 65
warning124
OBD interface socket124

Owner service procedures

Replacement procedures:

Onboard tool kit128
Windshield wiper blades128
Lamps and bulbs129
Repairing a flat tire133
Battery137
Fuses138

Giving and receiving
assistance:

Jump-starting139
Towing the vehicle140

Technical data

Engine data144
Dimensions145
Weights146
Capacities147

handbook.book Page 10 Saturday, July 27, 2002 1:12 PM

15
1Parking lamps/Low beams86
2

>

Turn signal indicators70

>

Standing lamps87

>

High beams87

>

Headlamp flasher70

>

Computer78
3Washer/wiper system/Rain
sensor71
4Hazard warning flashers
5Rear window defroster93
6Central locking system30
7Steering wheel51
8Horn: the entire surface
9Fog lamps88

Cockpit

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

handbook.book Page 15 Saturday, July 27, 2002 1:12 PM

17
1Fuel gauge75
2Turn signal indicators20
3Speedometer
4Indicator and warning
lamps18 to 21
5Tachometer and engine oil temper-
ature gauge74
6Engine coolant temperature
gauge75
7Indicator and warning
lamps18 to 21
8Control button for

>

Clock77

>

Unit of measure of outside tem-
perature display78
9Display for sequential M gearbox
SMG II66
10 Indicator lamp for Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC)81
11 Display for

>

Trip odometer/Odometer74

>

Clock77

>

Service interval76

>

Computer78
12 Check Control76
13 Trip odometer, reset to zero74
14 Indicator and warning
lamps18 to 21

Instrument cluster

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

handbook.book Page 17 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

21

Blue: for your information

High beams
Comes on when the high beams
are on or the headlamp flasher
is actuated.
For additional information: refer to
pages 70, 87

Indicator and warning lamps

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

handbook.book Page 21 Saturday, July 27, 2002 1:12 PM