BMW M3 COUPE 2001 E46 Owner's Guide

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Electronic vehicle immobilizer Central locking systemThe key to security Your BMW is equipped with a passive
antiÐtheft system. This electronic immo-
bilization system is designed to reduce
the susceptibility of your vehicle to theft
by making it impossible to start the
engine using any means other than the
special keys furnished with the vehicle.
Your BMW center can cancel the elec-
tronic system authorization for indi-
vidual keys (in the event of loss, for
instance). A deactivated key can no
longer be used to start the engine.
How the electronics work At the heart of this system is an elec-
tronic chip which is integrated into the
key. The lock mechanism itself is actu-
ally a dual-function device, simulta-
neously serving as a communications
interface designed to allow the security
system to maintain a continuous stream
of variable, vehicle-specific signals with
the electronic circuitry in the key. The
system will not release the ignition, fuel
injection and starter unless it recog-
nizes an "authorized" key.
Force applied to the key can
damage the integrated electronic
circuitry. A damaged key can no longer
be used to start the engine.<
The conceptThe system engages and releases the
locks on the:
>Doors
>Luggage compartment lid
>Fuel filler door.
The central locking system is ready for
operation whenever the driver's door is
closed. The central locking system can
be operated
>from outside via the door lock and
using the remote control
>from inside by pressing a button.
If it is operated from inside, the fuel
filler door will not be locked (refer to
page 36).
When the system is actuated from
outside the vehicle, the antitheft protec-
tion is simultaneously activated. Both
the door locks and release handles
remain locked. The alarm system is also
activated or deactivated.
For your safety: if locked from inside,
the central locking system unlocks
automatically in the event of an acci-
dent. In addition, the hazard warning
flashers and interior lamps come on.

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Opening and closing Ð via the door lockUsing the keyTurning the key once in the driver's
door will unlock only the driver's door.
Turning the key a second time will
unlock the passenger's door, the
luggage compartment lid and the fuel
filler door.
You can have a signal set as an
acknowledgment message that
the vehicle is closed correctly.<
Convenience operating modeYou can also open the electric windows
and the sliding/tilt sunroof via the door
lock.
With the door closed, turn the key to
the "Unlock" position and hold it.Manual operation (in the event of electrical malfunction)
Turn the key all the way to the extreme
left or right to unlock/lock the door.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Opening and closing Ð via the remote control The conceptThe remote control makes opening and
locking the doors of your vehicle very
convenient. Furthermore, it provides
two additional functions which you can
only execute via the remote control:
>Switch on the interior lamps, refer to
page 34.
With this function, you can also
"search" for your vehicle Ð when
parked in an underground garage, for
instance
>Open the luggage compartment lid.
Refer to page 34.
The luggage compartment lid will
open slightly, regardless of whether it
was locked or unlocked.
The anti-theft system is also deacti-
vated/activated simultaneously with the
unlocking or locking of the vehicle, and
the alarm system is disarmed/armed,
and the interior lamps are switched on/
off.
You can have a signal set as an
acknowledgment message that
the vehicle is closed correctly.<
Master keysKeys with remote control are master
keys. Refer to page 30.
Children might be able to lock the
doors from the inside. For this
reason, always take the vehicle keys
with you so that the vehicle can be
opened again from the outside at any
time.<
Master keys that are used repeat-
edly are always ready for opera-
tion since the battery in the key is
charged automatically in the ignition
lock as you drive.
If it is no longer possible to unlock the
vehicle via the remote control, the
battery is discharged. Use this key
while driving for an extended period in
order to charge the battery. Refer also
to page 30.
Guard the remote control against unau-
thorized use by only surrendering the
spare key or the door key (refer to
page 30) e. g. for valet parking.
In the event of a system malfunction,
please contact your BMW center. You
can also obtain replacement keys
there.<

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Opening and closing Ð via the remote controlTo unlock the vehiclePress button 1.
After unlocking the driver's door, press
button 1 again to unlock the entire
vehicle.Convenience opening modePress and hold button 1. The windows
and the sliding/tilt sunroof are opened.To lock and securePress button 2.
To switch on the interior lampsAfter locking the vehicle, press
button 2.To deactivate the alarm system tilt
sensor and interior motion sensor Press button 2 a second time immedi-
ately after locking.
For additional information, refer to
page 41.
To open the luggage
compartment lidPress button 3.
The lid will open slightly, no matter
whether it was locked or unlocked.
Before and after a trip, be sure
that the luggage compartment lid
was not opened unintentionally.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Opening and closing Ð via the remote controlPanic mode (trigger alarm) By pressing button 3 for more than two
seconds, the alarm can be sounded in
the event of danger, if it is armed.
Pressing on button 1 will turn the alarm
off.
External systemsThe proper functioning of the remote
control system may be affected by
other units or equipment operating in
the immediate vicinity of your vehicle.
If this should occur, you can still open
and close the vehicle using the master
key in both the door and luggage
compartment locks.
For US owners onlyThe transmitter and receiver units
comply with part 15 of the FCC (Federal
Communication Commission) regula-
tions. Operation is governed by the
following:
FCC ID: LX8EWS
LX8FZVS
LX8FZVE
Compliance statement:
This device complies with part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
>This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
>this device must accept any interfer-
ence received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications to
these devices could void the
user's authority to operate the equip-
ment.<

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Opening and closing Ð from the inside Use this button to operate the central
locking system whenever the doors are
closed. The doors and luggage
compartment lid are unlocked or locked
only. The antitheft alarm system is not
activated.
If only the driver's door was
locked from the outside and you
press the button, then, when you open
the driver's door, the passenger's door,
the luggage compartment lid and the
fuel filler door will unlock as well.
The driver's door will be locked if it is
closed.<
The central locking system can be
unlocked automatically as soon as
you begin to drive if you desire. You
may also have this adjusted so that it is
specific to keys.<
To unlock and open the doors>Either unlock the doors together with
the button for the central locking
system and then pull each of the
release handles above the armrests
or
>pull the release handle for each door
twice: the first pull unlocks the door,
and the second one opens it.
To engage locks>Either use the central locking button
to lock all doors at once
or
>press down the individual door lock
buttons. As an added design feature
to prevent the driver from being inad-
vertently locked out of the vehicle,
the driver's door lock button will not
engage as long as the door is open.
Children might be able to lock the
doors from the inside. For this
reason, always take the vehicle's keys
with you so that the vehicle can be
opened again from the outside at any
time.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Lugagge compartment lidThe lock Only the master keys (refer to page 30)
fit in the lock for the luggage compart-
ment lid.
To secure separatelyTurn the master key to the right past the
resistance point and then pull it out in
the horizontal position.
This locks the luggage compartment lid
and disconnects it from the central
locking system. If you surrender only
the door key (refer to page 30), this will
prevent unauthorized access via the
luggage compartment lid. This is
convenient for valet parking, for
instance.
To open from outsidePress the button in the handle recess
(arrow): the luggage compartment lid
opens slightly.
The luggage compartment is lighted
when the luggage compartment lid is
opened. Manual operation(in the event of electrical malfunction)
Turn the master key to the left to the
stop Ð the luggage compartment lid will
open slightly.
The luggage compartment is locked
again as soon as you close the lid.

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Lugagge compartment lidTo opening from the insideIf the luggage compartment lid has not
been locked separately, you can open it
with this button in the footwell on the
driver's side when the vehicle is
stationary.
To closeThe handle recesses in the interior trim
panel of the luggage compartment lid
(arrows) make it easier to pull the lid
down.
To avoid injuries, be sure that the
travel path of the luggage
compartment lid is clear when it is
closed, as with all closing procedures.<
Operate the vehicle only when the
luggage compartment lid is
completely closed. Otherwise, exhaust
fumes could penetrate the interior of
the vehicle. Should it be absolutely
necessary to operate the vehicle with
the luggage compartment lid open:
>Close all windows. Shut the sliding/
tilt sunroof.
>Increase the airflow of the automatic
climate control to a high level. Refer
to page 84.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Luggage compartment Floor panelTo raise and secure the floor panel, lift
it by the ring and hook it into the rubber
seal of the run-off gutter with the
hanger (arrow).
Floor matYou can turn the floor mat over if
required (for transporting soiled objects
for instance). The rubberized side may
be washed. It reduces movement of
objects placed on it.
The fittings at the inner corners of the
luggage compartment provide you with
a convenient means of attaching
luggage nets
* and flexible straps for
securing suitcases and luggage.
Refer also to "Cargo loading," page 97.

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Alarm system
*
The conceptThe vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the
luggage compartment lid is opened.
>To movement inside the vehicle (inte-
rior motion sensor).
>Altering the angle of the vehicle tilt
sensor, e. g. as would occur while
attempting to steal the wheels or tow
the vehicle (tilt sensor alarm 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
flashers for approx. five minutes.
>Flashing the high beams on and off in
rhythm with the hazard warning
flashers.
To activate and deactivate the
alarm systemWhen the vehicle is locked or unlocked
by using a key or the remote control,
the alarm system is also simultaneously
armed or disarmed.
The interior motion sensor and the
alarm system tilt sensor are activated
approx. 30 seconds after the last door
has been locked.
If the alarm system has been armed
correctly, the hazard warning flashers
flash once.
You can have a signal set as
acknowledgment for both setting
and deactivating the alarm.<
You can also open the luggage
compartment lid when the system is
armed by pressing button 3 of the
remote control (refer to page 34). When
it is closed, the lid is once again
secured.
Indicator lampThe indicator lamp is located under the
interior rearview mirror.
>When the indicator lamp flashes
continuously: the system is armed.
>The indicator lamp flashes when it is
armed: the door(s), the hood or
luggage compartment lid are not
completely closed. Even if you do not
close the alerted area, the remaining
areas are deadlocked, and the indi-
cator lamp flashes continuously after
10 seconds. However, the interior
motion sensor is not activated.
>If the indicator lamp goes out when
the system is disarmed: no manipula-
tion or attempted intrusions have
been detected in the period since the
system was armed.