warning BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE 2001 E46 Owner's Guide

82n
Tire Pressure Warning (RDW)Activating/deactivating the
systemThe system is automatically active in
ignition key position 2 and is therefore
always on during driving.
To deactivate the system: tap the
button, the indicator lamp will light up
yellow.
To activate the system: tap the button
again; the indicator lamp goes out.
Deactivate the system while driving
with snow chains, since false warnings
and undetected losses in pressure are
possible under these kinds of condi-
tions.
In the event of a flat tire
The indicator lamp on the instru-
ment cluster will light up red in
the event of a significant loss in
tire pressure. In addition, an acoustic
signal is sounded. To come to an imme-
diate stop, reduce speed, while
avoiding any sudden, jerky braking or
steering maneuvers.
Fix the flat tire using the M Mobility
system (refer to page 153).
Resetting the indicator lamp: the red
indicator lamp has to be turned off
manually after putting on a new wheel.
At this point, hold the RDW button
down until the indicator lamp goes out.
Re-initialize the system afterward.
The RDW cannot alert you to
severe and sudden tire damage
caused by external factors.
The RDW will not identify the natural,
even loss of pressure in all four tires,
either.<
Check the tire inflation pressure
on a regular basis and correct if
necessary. Refer to page 27.
Under certain circumstances, there
may be false warnings or a delayed
detection of losses in pressure when
driving on snow-covered or slippery
road surfaces.
A sporty driving style (slip at the wheels
receiving the torque, high lateral accel-
erations) can lead to delayed RDW
warnings.<
System malfunctionAs long as there is still a malfunction,
the indicator lamp on the instrument
cluster will remain yellow.
Please contact your BMW center for
additional information.

84n
Parking lamps/Side marker lamps
With the switch in this position,
vehicle lighting is illuminated on
both sides. You can use the side
lamps for parking. Refer to page 85 for
one-sided lighting as an additional
possibility for parking.
Low beam headlamps
When you switch the ignition off
with the low beam headlamps
on, only the side lamps will
remain on.
"Follow-me-home lamps":
If you turn the headlamp flasher
on after you have parked the vehicle,
the low beam headlamps will remain on
for a short period of time. You can also
have this function deactivated.<
"LAMPS ON" warningWhenever you open the driver's door,
after having turned the ignition key to
position 0, you will hear a buzzing
sound for a few seconds to remind you
that the lamps have not been switched
off.Daylight driving lamps
*
If you desire, the lamp switch can be
left in the second position. When the
ignition is switched off, the external
lighting is also switched off.
In order to spare the battery, all of
the lamps in the vehicle are
switched off automatically approx.
15 minutes after the ignition key has
been turned to position 0.<
Turn the rotary dial to control the
lighting when the side lamps or low
beam headlamps are on.
Side lamps/Low beam headlamps Instrument lighting

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
103n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures104
Driving notes105
Catalytic converter105
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)106
Disc brakes108
Brake system109
Winter operation110
Power steering112
Cellular phone112
Radio reception112
Hardtop113
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressures115
Tire condition115
Tire replacement116
Tire rotation117
Wheel and tire
combinations118
Special features of winter
tires119
Snow chains119
Approved wheel and tire
specifications120Under the hood:
Hood121
Engine compartment124
Washer fluids126
Washer nozzles126
Engine oil127
Coolant129
Brake fluid130
Vehicle Identification
Number130
Care and maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System131
Caring for your vehicle132
Cleaning and caring for the
convertible top137
Airbags139
Storing your vehicle140
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications141
California Proposition 65
Warning141
OBD connector142
Car care

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Antilock Brake System (ABS)Antilock Brake System (ABS)/
Cornering Brake Control (CBC) CBC is an advanced engineering
feature of the ABS. When braking while
cornering at high speed or braking
during high lateral acceleration in
curves, or when braking during a lane
change, vehicle stability is improved
and steering response is enhanced.
In the event of a malfunction
If the ABS warning lamp comes
on, refer to page 21. The brake
system will continue to function
the same as on vehicles without ABS.
However, have the brake system
checked by your BMW center as soon
as possible. To prevent undetected
defects and cumulative faults from
adversely affecting the brake system,
refer any problems to your BMW center
at the earliest opportunity.
ABS warning lamp for Canadian
models.
If the brake warning lamp
comes on together with the indi-
cator lamps for ABS and DSC,
refer to page 21: then the entire
ABS, CBC and DSC
control
system has failed. Continue
driving cautiously and defen-
sively. Avoid full brake applica-
tions. This could cause the vehicle to
lose stability and you might no longer
be able to control it.
Have the system checked by your BMW
center as soon as possible.
CBC, ABS and DSC indicator
and warning lamps for Canadian
models.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Brake system Brake fluid level
If the brake warning lamp
comes on with the parking
brake released: the brake fluid
level is too low in the reservoir (refer to
page 130).
If the brake fluid level is too low and
brake pedal travel has become notice-
ably longer, there may be a defect in
one of the brake system's hydraulic
circuits.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Proceed to the nearest BMW
center. Greater pressure on the
brake pedal may be necessary under
these conditions, and brake pedal
travel may be significantly longer.
Please remember to adapt your driving
style accordingly.<
Brake pads
If the warning lamp for the brake
pads comes on: only the
minimum pad thickness still
remains on the brake pads. Proceed to
the nearest BMW center as soon as
possible to have the pads replaced.
For your own safety: use only
brake pads that BMW has
approved for your particular vehicle
model. BMW cannot evaluate non-
approved brake pads to determine if
they are suited for use, and therefore
cannot ensure the operating safety of
the vehicle if they are installed.<

110n
Winter operationThe onset of winter is often accompa-
nied by rapid changes in weather.
Adaptations in driving style should be
accompanied by preparations on the
vehicle itself to ensure that your
progress through the winter remains
safe and trouble-free. CoolantBe sure that the coolant mixture
contains the year-round ratio of 50:50
water and extended-duty antifreeze/
corrosion inhibitor. This mixture
provides protection against freezing
down to approx. –34 7 (–37 6). Have
the coolant replaced every 3 years. LocksBMW door lock deicer can be used to
free them if frozen. This deicer also
contains lubricant.
After using the deicer, treatment with
BMW lock cylinder grease is recom-
mended.
Rubber components To prevent the weather-stripping from
freezing, apply a spray-on rubber treat-
ment or silicone spray to the door, hood
and luggage compartment lid seals.
A full range of car care products is
available from your BMW center.<
Snow chains Mount BMW snow chains
* only in pairs
on rear tires and always follow the
manufacturer's safety precautions. Do
not exceed a maximum speed of
30 mph (50 km/h) with snow chains. In
rare situations like these, it may be a
good idea to turn the DSC off briefly,
refer to page 80.
Deactivate the Tire Pressure Warning
system (RDW) when driving with snow
chains mounted. Snow chains can
cause the system to generate false
alarms and/or fail to detect pressure
loss, refer to page 81
Starting offWhen trying to drive out of deep snow,
or when "rocking" the vehicle to free it,
it may be prudent to temporarily deacti-
vate the DSC system. Refer to page 80. Driving on low-traction road
surfacesUse smooth, gentle pressure to control
the accelerator pedal. Avoid excessive
engine speeds and shift to the next
higher gear at an early point. Adapt
your speed and driving style when
approaching grades or slopes. Maintain
an adequate distance between yourself
and the vehicle ahead.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Tire replacement Tire rotation
Do not use retreaded tires. Driving
safety may be impaired by their
use. The reason for this are possible
variations in tire casing structures and,
in part, because they are already quite
old, which can lead to a deterioration in
their durability.<
Tire ageThe date on which the tire was manu-
factured is indicated by the code on the
sidewall:
DOT ... 1101 means that the tire was
produced in the 11th week of the year
2001.
BMW recommends replacing all tires
after 6 years at the latest, even if a tire
life of 10 years is possible.
Spare tires over 6 years old should be
used only in case of emergency. A tire
in this condition should be replaced by
a new tire immediately, and should not
be mounted together with new tires.
Re-initialize the Tire Pressure Warning
(RDW) after rotating the tires. Refer to
page 81 for further information.Summer tires
Due to different tire sizes on the
front and rear axles (refer to
page 120), the tires may not be rotated
from one axle to the other.<
Winter tiresThe wheels are designed specifically
for use at the front or rear only.
Because the front and rear wheels
feature different rim depths (refer to
page 120), you should never attempt to
switch wheels from the front to rear or
vice versa.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Use narrow-link BMW snow chains on
winter tires in pairs only and only on the
rear wheels. Comply with all manufac-
turer's safety precautions when
mounting the chains.
Deactivate the Tire Pressure
Warning system (RDW) when
using snow chains. Malfunction warn-
ings and undetected losses in pressure
are a possibility when driving with snow
chains.
For further information, refer to
page 81.<
Tire condition, tire pressureOnce winter tires wear to a tread depth
of less than 0.16 in (4 mm), their perfor-
mance under winter driving conditions
deteriorates noticeably. Worn tires
should therefore be replaced to ensure
continued safety.
Inflate tires to specified pressure and
have the wheels balanced every time
the tires or wheels have been rotated;
re-initialize the Tire Pressure Warning
system (RDW) as well. Refer to page 81

for further information.
Special features of winter tires Snow chains
*
Choosing the right tireBMW recommends winter tires (M+S
radial tires) for driving in adverse winter
road conditions. So-called all-season
tires with the M+S identification mark
do indeed possess better winter trac-
tion than summer tires that have the H,
V, W, Y and ZR speed ratings, but they
generally fail to provide the same levels
of performance as winter tires.
In the interest of safe tracking and
steering response, install winter tires
made by the same manufacturer with
the same tread configuration on all four
wheels. Do not exceed specified
maximum speeds
Never exceed the maximum
speed for which the tires are
rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and
accidents.
Have this work performed by skilled
professionals only. Any BMW center
has the required technical knowledge
and the proper equipment and will be
happy to assist you.<

120n
Approved wheel and tire specifications Depending on the tire size, certain tire brands tested by BMW have been
classified and approved as safe in traffic. Contact your BMW center for a list
of these tires.
Observe any country-specific regulations, e.g. on making a corresponding
entry in the vehicle documents.
Tire specifications Light-alloy wheel
BMW M3 convertible
Summer tires
Front: 225/45 ZR 18 8J x 18 EH2
Rear: 255/40 ZR 18 9J x 18 EH2
Front: 225/40 ZR 19 8J x 19 EH2
Rear: 255/35 ZR 19 9.5J x 19 EH2
Winter tires (M+S)
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 H
Rear: 225/45 R 17 91 H7.5J x 17 EH2 IS47
7.5J x 17 EH2 IS25
Snow chains
*
It is not possible to mount snow chains
on tires with 18-/19-inch wheels.
Deactivate the Tire Pressure
Warning system (RDW) when
using snow chains. Malfunction warn-
ings and undetected losses in pressure
are a possibility when driving with snow
chains.
For further information, refer to
page 81.<Winter tires
When selecting winter tires,
always remember the different rim
depths on the front and rear wheels.
Failure to mount the tires approved for
each wheel can lead to damage.<

121n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Do not work on your vehicle
without appropriate skills. Always
switch off the engine and allow it to
cool down before working in the engine
compartment. Always disconnect the
battery before working on any electrical
systems or equipment, especially when
these are located within the engine
compartment. Comply with all appli-
cable instructions and warnings. Failure
to work in an informed, professional
manner when servicing components
and materials constitutes a safety
hazard for vehicle occupants and other
road users. If you are not familiar with
the guidelines, please have the opera-
tions performed by your BMW center.<
To unlock Pull the lever located under the left-
hand side of the instrument panel.
To openPull the release handle and open the
hood.
Hood