BMW M ROADSTER COUPE 2001 Owners Manual

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine oil Coolant
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the
disposal of used oil.<
Recommendation: have the oil changed
by your BMW center only.
Continuous exposure to used oil
has caused cancer in laboratory
testing. Any skin areas that come in
contact with oil should thus be thor-
oughly washed with soap and water.
Store oil, grease, etc., always out of
reach of children. Comply with warning
labels and information on containers.
If you use SAE 15W-40 engine oil in low
temperatures (below +14 7/–10 6),
the engine may become difficult to
start.
Special engine oils individually
approved by BMW are preferred for use
in your engine. Please contact your
BMW center for details.<
Do not add coolant to the cooling
system when the engine is hot. If
you do, escaping coolant can cause
burns.
To avoid the possibility of damage later
on, do not use anything other than
factory-approved, nitrite and amino-
free extended-duty antifreeze with
corrosion inhibitor which can be used
with aluminum radiator cores. Your
BMW center is familiar with the
approved specifications.
Antifreeze and corrosion inhibitor
agents are hazardous to health. Store
them in their original containers. Keep
the containers tightly closed and out of
reach of children.
Extended-duty antifreeze with corro-
sion inhibitor contains the flammable
substance ethylene glycol. For this
reason, do not spill extended-duty anti-
freeze with corrosion inhibitor on hot
engine components. If you do, it could
be ignited and cause burns.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the
disposal of extended-duty antifreeze
with corrosion inhibitor.<
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Coolant Brake fluid Checking coolant levelThe correct coolant level when the
engine is cold (approx. +68 7/+20 6).
Unscrew the cap from the expansion
tank.
The coolant level is correct when the
upper end of the red float is at least
even with the upper edge of the filler
neck (refer to the arrow in the illustra-
tion), but no more than 0.8 in (2 cm)
above it – that is, up to the second mark
on the float (refer also to the schematic
diagram next to the filler neck).367de356
To add coolantWait until the engine cools before
removing the cap from the expansion
tank. The needle of the coolant temper-
ature gauge in the instrument cluster
must be located in the blue field; other-
wise, there is a danger of scalding.
1 Turn the cap slightly counterclock-
wise in order to allow accumulated
pressure to escape. Then open.
2 If the coolant is low, slowly add
coolant until the correct level is
reached – do not overfill.
The coolant is a mixture of water and
extended-duty antifreeze with corrosion
inhibitor. Always maintain the
prescribed all-season 50 : 50 mixture
ratio for year-round protection against
internal corrosion. No other additives
are required.
Replace the coolant regularly. Refer to
the Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models) or the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet (Canadian
models).If the warning lamp for the brake
hydraulic system comes on:
The brake fluid level is too low.
Add brake fluid until the upper
mark ("MAX") is reached.
To eliminate the cause of the brake fluid
loss, please consult a BMW center. You
can also receive information concerning
approved brake fluids (DOT 4) there.
Brake fluid loss may result in extended
brake pedal travel. If this occurs, refer
to the notes on page 92.
36mde789
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Brake fluid Vehicle Identification Number
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that is,
it absorbs moisture from the air
over time.
In order to ensure the operating safety
and reliability of the brake system, have
the brake fluid changed every two years
by a BMW center. Refer also to the
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models) or the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet (Canadian
models).
Brake fluid is hazardous to health and
will damage the vehicle's paint. You
should always store it in its original
container and in a location which is
inaccessible to children. Avoid brake
fluid spills. Do not fill brake fluid beyond
the "MAX" mark in the reservoir. The
brake fluid could ignite upon contact
with hot engine parts and cause serious
burns.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the
disposal of brake fluid.<
The Vehicle Identification Number is
located in the engine compartment
below the windshield (arrow) and on the
top of the instrument panel. 367us053
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The BMW Maintenance System has
been designed as a reliable means of
providing maximum driving and oper-
ating safety – and as cost-effectively as
possible for you.
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 your vehicle.
36mus731
Service Interval DisplayAdvanced technology is employed to
calculate the optimal maintenance
intervals, which are then indicated in
the Service Interval Display. While
conventional systems rely solely on
distance traveled to determine when
service is due, the BMW Maintenance
System considers the actual conditions
under which the vehicle operates.
From the point of view of maintenance,
62,000 miles (100,000 km) accumu-
lated in short-distance urban driving are
not the equivalent of the same distance
covered at moderate speeds in long-
distance highway travel. In response
to this fact, the BMW Maintenance
System monitors operating conditions
as the basis for determining the
optimum service intervals for your indi-
vidual vehicle. The BMW Maintenance System
includes the Engine Oil Service as well
as Inspections I and II.
Determining the maintenance intervals
according to the actual loads on the
vehicle covers every kind of operating
situation. However, since oil deteriorates
over time regardless of use, even those
who drive only short distances – signifi-
cantly less than 6,200 miles (10,000 km)
annually – should have the engine oil
changed regularly. Refer to the Service
and Warranty Information Booklet (US
models) or to the Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet (Canadian models).
The BMW Maintenance System
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
The BMW Maintenance System Caring for your vehicleService and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models)/Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models)For detailed information on required
maintenance items and the work
involved, please refer to the Service
and Warranty Information Booklet (US
models) or to the Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet (Canadian models).
Depending upon operating conditions,
it may be advisable to have the body
checked for damage from rocks or
gravel at the same time as a precaution
against rust.Have your BMW center do the
maintenance and repair.
Your BMW center is always informed on
the latest maintenance work and repair
techniques and is equipped with the
required special tools. In addition,
checking parts known from experience
to be subject to wear is a permanent
part of the maintenance specifications.
Be sure that all maintenance work is
confirmed in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US models) or the
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models). These entries will
constitute your proof that the vehicle
has received regular maintenance. They
are also required for warranty claims.<
Washing your vehicleYou can wash your BMW by hand or in
an automatic car wash – even when it is
new. Car wash systems that do not
employ brushes are preferable.
Loosen and remove tough dirt and
dead insects before washing the
vehicle.
To prevent spots, avoid washing when
the hood is still warm, or immediately
after and during exposure to strong
sunlight.
If a brushless car wash is unavailable
and a brush car wash must be used,
modern systems with soft brushes are
preferable. In order to protect the
convertible top, special waxing
programs may not be selected for the
M roadster. The small amount of
beading wax always used in automatic
car washes will not harm your vehicle's
finish.
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Caring for your vehicleWhen using an automatic car wash, be
sure that:
>The car wash system is suited for the
dimensions of your vehicle.
>No damage will occur on vehicles
with attached body accessories (such
as spoilers or antennas). Consult the
car wash operator if necessary.
>The wheels and tires of your vehicle
cannot be damaged by the convey-
ance devices of the car wash system.
>The vehicle is cleaned with minimum
brush pressure, and ample water is
available for washing and rinsing.
Parts of the vehicle which are inacces-
sible to the automatic washer – such as
door sills, door and hood edges, etc. –
should be cleaned by hand.
In the winter months, it is especially
important to ensure that the vehicle is
washed on a regular basis. Large quan-
tities of dirt and road salt are difficult to
remove, and they also cause damage to
the vehicle.If spray wands or high-pressure
washers are used, be sure to
maintain an adequate distance between
the spray source and the vehicle's
surface. Inadequate distance and
excessive pressure can damage or
weaken the finish, making it more
susceptible to subsequent attack. In
addition, moisture could penetrate to
vehicle components, leading to long-
term damage.<
When cleaning the headlamps,
please observe the following:
>Do not rub dry (this causes scratches)
and never use abrasives or strong
solvents to clean the covers.
>Remove dirt and contamination (such
as insects) by soaking with BMW Car
Shampoo and then rinsing with plenty
of water.
>Always use a deicer spray to remove
accumulated ice and snow – never
use a scraper.<
After washing the vehicle, apply
the brakes briefly to dry them.
Braking efficiency might otherwise be
reduced by the moisture and the brake
discs could also be corroded.<
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Caring for your vehicleCleaning and care of the
convertible top – M roadsterThe appearance and life of the convert-
ible top are highly dependent on its
proper care and operation. You should
pay particular attention to the following
instructions if your vehicle has a light-
colored top.
Protect the vehicle from exposure to
intense sunlight whenever possible by
parking it in the shade. This will prevent
the paint, rubber and fabric-covered
parts from being attacked.
Never fold up the convertible top and
store it in the convertible top compart-
ment when wet, dirty or frozen, since
mildew stains and rub spots may result.
To prevent the formation of creases in
the rear window and mildew stains in
the fabric, do not leave the top folded
in the convertible top compartment for
extended periods.
If the vehicle will be parked for lengthy
periods in an enclosed space, be sure
that the convertible top is dry and that
there is adequate ventilation.Clean off bird droppings immediately,
since they attack the convertible top
and cause the rubber seals to swell due
to their caustic characteristics.
Besides water, treat rubber seals only
with talcum powder, rubber care prod-
ucts or silicone spray, particularly when
they feel dry or tend to stick.
Eliminate noises such as squeaks with
lubricant spray.
Never use sharp-edged objects to
clean snow or ice from the rear window.
The use of deicing spray is not
approved. Due to the danger of
damage and discoloration, do not apply
adhesive tape, stickers, etc., to the
window or cover it with plastic film.
Depressions and discoloration may
occur in the convertible top as a result
of improper maintenance and cleaning
or as the result of stresses from exces-
sive use. The convertible top and its
seams may also develop leaks. These
occurrences are not covered by the
warranty. For repairs, please consult
your BMW center.
Special wash for the topIn the case of more extensive dirt,
which is especially visible on light-
colored top materials, clean the top
with the BMW Convertible Cleaning
Set. Please proceed as follows:
Spray the convertible top with the
cleaning agent and then rub with a well-
dampened sponge using circular
motions until a foam develops. Then you
can finish washing the vehicle in an
automatic car wash. After three to five
washings the convertible top should be
treated with a special impregnating
spray. Please follow the instructions on
the spray can.
Use the cleaning and car-care
products that you can obtain at
your BMW center.<
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Caring for your vehicleRear window cleaningWhile the roadster's rear window has
the advantage of being extremely flex-
ible, there is the disadvantage that it
has a relatively soft surface. For this
reason, clean the rear window only with
a soft, antistatic cloth or with BMW
Convertible Rear Window Cleaner.
If you wash the vehicle frequently in
brush car washes, and in particular in
those with hard brushes, faint scratches
in the rear window may result. With the
window replacement system you can
replace a heavily scratched window at a
relatively low price. Please contact your
BMW center for additional information.
Do not use spot removers, paint
thinners, solvents, gasoline or
similar substances for removing spots
from the convertible top or from the
rear window. These materials destroy
the rubber seals, which will lead to
leaks. Use only BMW-approved
cleaners.<
Exterior finishTo provide effective corrosion protec-
tion, multilayer paintwork is applied at
the factory. Cataphoretic immersion
priming techniques are supplemented
using special body-cavity protectants,
with the application of specially-devel-
oped and extensively tested materials.
A layer of flexible PVC is first applied
to the undercarriage. Following this, a
comprehensive undercoating treat-
ment with a wax-based protectant is
applied.
Regular care makes an important
contribution to maintaining the safety
and value of your vehicle.
Increasing awareness of the effects of
harmful environmental factors on
vehicle finishes have led paint and
vehicle manufacturers to initiate
programs designed to further improve
the durability of their finishes. Despite
this, environmental factors which occur
locally or regionally can have negative
effects on the finish of your vehicle.
These should guide you in determining
the frequency and extent of your efforts
to maintain the vehicle finish.
Depending upon material and type
of impact (perforation of paint layer),
physical stresses from sand, road salt, gravel, etc., can cause corrosion to
start extending beneath the finish,
starting at the point of impact.
Road dirt, tar spots, dead insects,
animal droppings (strong alkali concen-
tration) and tree excretions (resins and
pollen) all contain substances capable
of causing damage when allowed to
remain on the finish of your vehicle for
any period of time (spots, etching,
flaking, separation in the top coat).
In industrial areas, deposits of flue dust,
lime, oily soot, precipitation containing
sulfur-dioxide (acid rain) and other envi-
ronmental pollutants will damage the
vehicle's finish unless adequate care is
provided – even though this is generally
limited to the outside horizontal
surfaces.
In coastal regions, high levels of atmo-
spheric salt and humidity promote
corrosion.
In the tropics, in addition to ultra-violet
radiation and high humidity, tempera-
tures over +105 7 (+40 6) in the
shade are common. Under those condi-
tions, light paints can reach tempera-
tures up to +175 7 (+80 6) and dark
paints up to +250 7 (+120 6).
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Caring for your vehicleCaring for the vehicle finishRegular washing is a preventive
measure against long-term effects from
substances which are harmful to the
vehicle's finish, especially if you drive
your vehicle in areas with high levels of
air pollution or aggressive natural
substances (tree resins, pollen).
Nevertheless, you should immediately
remove especially aggressive
substances. Failure to do so can lead to
changes in the paint's chemical struc-
ture or to discoloration. Gasoline spilled
during refueling, oil, grease and brake
fluid should always be cleaned away
immediately, as should bird droppings
(finish damage).
Any contamination remaining on the
surface of the vehicle will be especially
conspicuous after washing. Use
cleaning fluid or alcohol with a clean
cloth or cotton pad to remove. Remove
tar spots with tar remover. After
cleaning, the affected areas should be
waxed to ensure continued protection.
Use the cleaning and car-care
products that you can obtain at
your BMW center.<
Waxing your vehicleProtect the finish using carnauba or
synthetic-based waxes only.
The best way to determine when the
finish needs to be waxed is by noting
when water stops beading on the
surface.
You can use a glass cleaner to remove
any wax or silicone that may have been
left on the windows during waxing.
Use the cleaning and car-care
products that you can obtain at
your BMW center.<
Paint damageYou can touch up minor paint flaws with
BMW spray paint or a BMW touchup
stick.
The color code for your vehicle is
provided on a tag located near the
vehicle data plate and on the first page
of the Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models) or the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet (Canadian
models).
Damage caused by flying stones,
scratches, etc., must be touched up
without delay to prevent rust from
forming.
If corrosion has started to form in an
area with paint damage, remove all rust
and clean the area. Finally, apply the
finish coat. Wait a few days, then polish
the repaired area. Finish by applying a
wax preservative.
More extensive paint damage should
be repaired professionally in accor-
dance with the manufacturer's instruc-
tions. Your BMW center uses original
BMW finish materials in accordance
with approved repair procedures.
Use the cleaning and car-care
products that you can obtain at
your BMW center.<
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Caring for your vehicleWindow careYou can use window and glass cleaner
to clean inside window surfaces and
mirrors without smearing and streaking.
Never use polishing pastes or abrasive
(quartz) cleansers on mirror lenses!
Clean the wiper blades with soapy
water. The wiper blades should be
replaced twice a year, before and after
the cold season.
Use only wiper blades which have
been approved by BMW.<
Caring for other vehicle
components and materialsLight-alloy wheels should be treated
with alloy wheel cleaner, particularly
during the winter months. Do not use
aggressive products containing acids,
strong alkalis or abrasives. Alloy wheels
should not be cleaned with a steam jet
operating at temperatures in excess of
+140 7 (+60 6). Follow the manufac-
turer's instructions.
If your vehicle is equipped with chromed
parts
* such as window frames, door
handles, etc., clean these parts thor-
oughly with plenty of water and, if they
are exposed to the effects of salt, also
with a shampoo additive. Use chrome
polish for additional treatment.
Plastic components, vinyl upholstery,
the headliners, lamp lenses, the clear
cover of the instrument cluster and
components with a sprayed dull black
surface can be cleaned with water (add
plastic shampoo as required). Do not
allow moisture to soak through the
seats or headliner. Never use solvents
such as lacquer thinner, heavy-duty
grease remover, fuels, etc.
Rubber components should be cleaned
with water only; a rubber treatment or
silicone spray may also be applied.The safety belts should be cleaned with
a mild soap and water solution without
being removed from the vehicle. Never
attempt chemical or dry cleaning, since
this could cause damage to the belt
fabric.
After cleaning, never allow the inertia
reels to retract the belts until they are
completely dry. Dirty safety belts
prevent the inertia reel mechanism from
retracting the strap properly, and thus
constitute a safety hazard.
Heavily soiled floor carpets and mats
*
can be cleaned with an interior cleaner.
The floor mats can be removed from
the vehicle for cleaning.
Please use only a damp cloth to clean
wooden fascia panels and components.
Follow up by drying with a soft cloth.
Use the cleaning and car-care
products that you can obtain at
your BMW center.<
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