warning light BMW 3.0i ROADSTER 2003 Owners Manual

Contents
Contents
Notes
6About this Owner's Manual
6Symbols used
6Symbol on vehicle parts
6Your individual vehicle
6Status at time of printing
7For your own safety
7Service and warranty
8Reporting safety defects
Overview
12Cockpit
13Instrument cluster
14Indicator and warning lamps
Opening and closing
18Keys
18Central locking system
18Remote control
20Door lock
20Interior
21Luggage compartment lid
22Luggage compartment
22Electric power windows
23Manual convertible top
24Fully automatic convertible top*
26Wind deflector*
27Alarm system*
Adjustments
29Safe seating position
29Seats
30Seat memory*

31Seat heating*
31Safety belts
32Steering wheel
32Mirrors
33Airbags
34Transporting children safely
37Vehicle Memory, Key Memory
Driving
38Ignition lock
38Engine
39Parking brake
40Manual transmission
40Automatic transmission with
Steptronic*
42Electric Power Steering EPS
42Drivelogic*
42Turn signal indicators/Headlamp
flasher
43Washer/wiper system and
rain sensor*
44Cruise control*
Lamps
45Parking lamps/Low beams
46High beams/Standing lamps
46Instrument lighting
46Fog lamps
46Interior lamps
© 2002 Bayerische Motoren Werke
Aktiengesellschaft
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the
written consent of BMW AG, Munich.
Order No. 01 41 0 156 897
US English VIII/02
Printed in Germany
Printed on environmentally friendly paper –
bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling.

Overview
14
Indicator and warning
lamps
Technology that monitors itself
Indicator and warning lamps that are iden-
tified by
+ are tested for proper functioning
whenever the ignition key is turned. They
each light up once for different periods of
time.
If a fault should occur in one of these sys-
tems, the corresponding lamp does not go
out after the engine is started or it lights up
again while the vehicle is moving. The indi-
cated pages provide information on what
measures to take.
Please fasten safety belts
+31
Airbags
+33
Battery charge current
+87
Engine oil pressure/Engine oil level/
Engine oil sensor
+79
Parking brake/Chassis control sys-
tem/Dynamic Brake Control/Brake
fluid
+39/ 51/ 52/ 81
Brake warning lamp for Canadian
models
Antilock Brake System ABS/Chas-
sis control system
+53/ 51
Antilock Brake System ABS/Chas-
sis control system for Canadian
modelsDynamic Stability Control DSC
+51
Dynamic Traction Control DTC
+51
Flat Tire Monitor
+53
Automatic transmission
+41
Brake pads
+66
Add coolant80
Check Gas Cap
+
Service engine soon +83
Service engine soon
+
warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Defective bulbs45
Turn signal indicators42
Fog lamps46
Headlamp flasher/
High beams42/ 46

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Mobility
Reference
15
Electric Power Steering EPS +42
Engine electronics
+
Malfunction in the engine electron-
ics. You can continue to drive with
reduced engine output or engine speed.
Please have the system inspected by your
BMW center.
Colors
The indicator and warning lamps can light
up in various colors and combinations.
The following section explains the signifi-
cance of the individual colors as well as
how you should respond when they
appear.
>Red:
Stop the vehicle immediately
or
an important reminder
>Yellow:
Have the system inspected as soon as
possible
or
for your information
>Green:
For your information
>Blue:
For your information.

Opening and closing
18
Opening and closing
Keys
The key set
1Master keys with remote control –
determine the functions of the Key
Memory, refer to page 37.
You can mark individual keys for subse-
quent identification by applying the col-
ored decals that you received when
accepting delivery of your vehicle
There is an extended-life battery
in every master key that is
charged automatically in the ignition
lock as you drive.
For this reason, if you have a master key
with remote control that is otherwise
not used, use that key approximately
once a year while driving for an
extended period to charge the bat-
tery.<
2Spare key for storage in a safe place,
such as in your wallet.
This key does no open the lock of the
luggage compartment lid – useful for
valet parking, for example.
This key is not intended for constant
use
Central locking system
The concept
The central locking system is ready for
operation whenever the driver's door is closed. The system simultaneously
engages and releases the locks on the
>doors
>luggage compartment lid
>fuel filler door
>storage compartment between the
backrests
>opened manual convertible top.
The central locking system can be oper-
ated
>from outside using the remote control
or via the driver's door lock
>from inside via the central locking sys-
tem button.
If it is operated from inside, the fuel filler
door will not be locked. Refer to page 20.
The anti-theft system is automatically acti-
vated whenever you activate the central
locking system from outside the vehicle. It
prevents the doors from being unlocked
with the lock buttons or release handles.
The alarm system is also armed.
The central locking system unlocks auto-
matically in the event of an accident. In
addition, the hazard warning flashers and
interior lamps come on.
Remote control
The concept
The remote control provides two additional
functions for central locking.
>Switching on interior lamps. Refer to
page 19.
With this function, you can also search
for the vehicle when parked in an
underground garage, for instance
>Opening the luggage compartment lid
separately. Refer to page 19. The lug-
gage compartment lid will open slightly,
regardless of whether it was locked or
unlocked.

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31
4.Press memory button 1, 2 or 3, as
desired. The indicator lamp goes out.
To select a stored setting
Do not select a memory position while
the vehicle is moving. If you do so,
there is a risk of accident due to unex-
pected seat movement.<
Ignition key position 1:
>Briefly press memory button 1, 2 or 3,
as desired.
Movement stops immediately when one
of the seat adjustment or memory but-
tons is operated during the adjustment
process.
With the driver's door closed and the igni-
tion key either removed or in position 0
or 2:
>Press and hold the desired memory
button – 1, 2 or 3 – until the adjustment
process is completed.
If you press the
MEMORY button
accidentally: press the button again;
the indicator lamp goes out.<
You can have your vehicle adjusted in
such a way that your personal set-
tings are automatically set for the seat
positions when you unlock the vehicle with
your personal remote control.<
If you make use of this method of
adjustment, be sure that the space
behind the driver's seat is unobstructed
before unlocking the vehicle. If you fail to
do so, objects behind the seat could be
damaged by a rearward movement of the
seat.<
Seat heating*
The seat cushion and backrest can be
heated with the ignition key in position 2.
You can call up different heating modes by
repeatedly pressing the buttons.
The seat heating can also be switched off
from the higher heating modes:
Press the button and hold it slightly longer.
Safety belts
Always fasten your safety belt before start-
ing off. As supplemental restraint devices,
the airbags are designed to enhance the
effectiveness of the safety belts, and not to
replace them.
To close
Make sure you hear the lock engage in the
belt buckle.
Please fasten safety belts warning
lamp:
Lights up for several seconds.
An acoustic signal will sound at the same
time.

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Reference
39
the ignition key immediately when the
engine starts.<
Extended starting attempts, charac-
terized by excessively frequent or
long periods with the starter engaged, can
damage the catalytic converter.<
If the engine fails to start on the first
attempt – if it is very hot or cold, for
instance:
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down.
Cold starts at very low temperatures –
starting at approx. +57 / –156
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter
>On the first start attempt, engage the
starter for a longer period –
approx. 10 seconds.
Manual transmission
1.Engage the parking brake
2.Gearshift lever in idling position
3.Depress clutch pedal
4.Start the engine.
Automatic transmission
1.Depress footbrake
2.Place selector lever in position P or N
3.Start the engine.
Before leaving the vehicle with the
engine running, place the selector
lever in position P and pull the parking
brake.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended with
the engine running. An unattended vehicle
with a running engine poses a safety haz-
ard.<
Switching off the engine
Do not remove the ignition key while
the vehicle is still moving. If you did so,
the steering lock would engage when the
steering wheel is turned.
When you leave the vehicle, always remove
the ignition key and engage the steering lock.
Always engage the parking brake when park-
ing on downhill roads.<
Manual transmission
Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Automatic transmission
Place the selector lever in position P and
turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Parking brake
The parking brake is designed primarily to
prevent the vehicle from rolling when
parked. It operates against the rear wheels.
The brake warning lamp lights up
when the parking brake is engaged;
if you start driving, an acoustic sig-
nal is heard as well.
Brake warning lamp for Canadian
models
To engage
The detent engages automatically and the
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
comes on when the ignition key is in posi-
tion 2.
To release
Pull up slightly on the lever, press the but-
ton and lower the lever.
If, in exceptional circumstances, it
should be necessary to engage the
parking brake while the vehicle is in motion,
do not pull it with excessive pressure. Keep
your thumb pressed against the release
button while carefully pulling up the lever.
Excessive pressure can lead to overbraking
and loss of traction – fishtailing – at the rear
axle.

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Lamps
Parking lamps/Low beams
Parking lamps
The front, rear and side vehicle
lighting is switched on. You can use
the parking lamps to signal the
position of the vehicle when it is parked.
For information on lighting on one side of
the vehicle for parking, which is available
as an additional feature, refer to page 46.
Low beams
When you switch off the ignition
with the low beam headlamps on,
only the parking lamps will remain
on.
Follow me home lamps:
When you activate the headlamp flasher
after parking the vehicle and switching off
the lights, the low beams will come on for a
brief period.
You can also have this function acti-
vated/deactivated if you wish.<
Defective bulbs
The defective bulb indicator lamp
lights up:
At least one bulb of the vehicle's
exterior lighting has failed.
For replacing bulbs: refer to page 84.
LIGHTS ON warning
Whenever you open the driver's door after
having turned the ignition key to position 0,
you will hear an acoustic signal for a few seconds to remind you that the lamps have
not been switched off
.
Daytime driving lamps*
If you wish, the light switch can be left in
the second position. When the ignition is
switched off, the external lighting is also
switched off.
You can have the activation settings
for the daytime driving lamps pro-
grammed on your vehicle.<
Automatic headlamp control*
When the switch is set to this posi-
tion, the system automatically
switches the low beams on and off
in response to changes in ambient light – in
tunnels, at dusk, etc. – as well as to rain and
snow.
The vehicle's external lights remain
on constantly when you switch on the
front fog lamps after the headlights have
come on automatically.<
Automatic headlamp control cannot
serve as a substitute for the driver's
judgement in determining when the vehicle
lights should be switched on. For example,
the sensors are not able to detect fog. To
avoid safety risks, you should respond to
these kinds of low-visibility situations by
switching the headlights on manually.<
You can have the sensitivity of your
vehicle's automatic headlamp control
adjusted.<

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Technology for safety and driving
convenience
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC
The concept
DSC maintains vehicle stability, even in
critical driving situations.
The DSC is operational every time you start
the engine.
For additional details on the system
and the various functions, please
refer to the "Technology" brochure.<
Indicator lamps
The indicator lamps in the instrument clus-
ter go out shortly after you switch on the
ignition.
Dynamic Stability Control DSC indi-
cator lamp flashes:
The system is active and governs
drive torque and braking intervention.
The indicator lamp stays lit:
Dynamic Stability Control DSC and
Dynamic Traction Control DTC have been
switched off via the button.
Dynamic Traction Control DTC indi-
cator lamp lights up permanently:
DTC has been deactivated via the
DSC button.
Dynamic Stability Control DSC indi-
cator lamp flashes:
Dynamic Traction Control DTC indi-
cator lamp lights up permanently:
DTC is actively regulating drive
torque and braking intervention.
Interventions to increase stability are
being performed to a limited degree
only. indicator lamp and yellow brake
warning lamp for Dynamic Brake
Control DBC light up continuously:
Dynamic Stability Control DSC,
Dynamic Traction Control DTC and
Dynamic Brake Control DBC are malfunc-
tioning.
Have the system repaired at your BMW
center.
Indicator and warning lamps for
Canadian models.
The vehicle remains completely oper-
ational without the DSC, DTC and
DBC functions.<
In the event of a malfunction, please see
your BMW center.
If the brake warning lamp comes on
together with the yellow indicator
lamps for the Antilock Brake Sys-
tem ABS and the Dynamic Stability
Control DSC:
The entire ABS and DSC control
system has failed. Continue driving
cautiously and defensively. Avoid
hard brake applications. Please have the
system checked by your BMW center as
soon as possible.
ABS and DSC indicator and warn-
ing lamps for Canadian models.

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>Forceful braking and braking with ABS:
Brake lamps 1 and 2 light up on both
vehicle sides together with the center
brake lamp.
Antilock Brake System ABS
The concept
ABS keeps the wheels from locking during
braking, thereby enhancing active driving
safety.
Malfunction
If the yellow indicator lamps for the
Antilock Brake System ABS come
on together with the brake warning
lamp and the indicator lamp for the
Dynamic Stability Control DSC:
The entire ABS and DSC control
system has failed. Continue driving
cautiously and defensively. Avoid
hard brake applications. Please have the
system checked by your BMW center as
soon as possible.
ABS and DSC indicator and warn-
ing lamps for Canadian models.
Braking with ABS
If you are in a situation which requires full
braking, you will exploit the full benefits of
the ABS system if you apply maximum
brake pressure – panic stop.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combines with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits to indi-
cate to the driver that ABS is in its active
mode.
Flat Tire Monitor
The concept
The tire pressure is determined using the
signals of the ABS sensors.
The system provides an alert whenever the
tire pressure of one tire drops relative to
that of another.
Prerequisites
In order for the system to "learn" the cor-
rect tire inflation pressures, please do the
following:
>Check the inflation pressure in all tires
>Compare to the inflation pressure table
– refer to page 72 – and correct if nec-
essary
>Initialize the system.
Check the tire pressures regularly
and correct if necessary. Refer to
page 71.<
Indicator lamp
In the event of a flat tire
The indicator lamp lights up red; in
addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded:
Respond immediately by carefully reducing
vehicle speed to under 50 mph / 80 km/h.
Avoid hard brake applications and steering
maneuvers.
If your vehicle is equipped with
Run Flat tires, note the information on
page 75.<
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot alert you
to severe and sudden tire damage
caused by external factors. Another factor
which the Flat Tire Monitor does not recog-
nize is the even and very gradual pressure
loss that takes place in all tires over an
extended period of time.<

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Driving notes
Parking the vehicle
Condensation forms in the air conditioner
system during operation, which then exits
under the vehicle. Traces of condensed
water on the ground underneath the vehi-
cle are thus normal.
Brakes
Do not drive with your foot resting on
the brake pedal. Even light but con-
sistent pedal pressure can lead to high
temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce vehicle speed. If you do not, a
wedge of water may form between the tires
and the road surface. This phenomenon
can lead to partial or complete loss of trac-
tion, vehicle control and braking effective-
ness.<
Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the
road if it is deeper than 1 ft / 30 cm,
and then only at walking speed. Otherwise,
the vehicle's engine, the electrical systems
and the transmission may be damaged.<
High temperatures
High temperatures occur with every
vehicle equipped with a catalytic con-
verter. Heat shields are installed adjacent to
some sections of the exhaust system. Never
remove these shields; do not apply under-
coating to their surfaces. When driving,
standing at idle and parking the vehicle,
take care to avoid contact between the hot
exhaust system and flammable materials –
e.g. hay, leaves, grass, etc. Such contact
could lead to a fire, resulting in serious per-
sonal injury and property damage.<
Brake system
The brake warning lamp lights up
although the parking brake is not
engaged: check the brake fluid
level. It is very important that you follow the
instructions on page 81 before driving on.
Disc brakes
Corrosion
Limited vehicle use, extended periods with
the vehicle parked or in storage, and oper-
ating conditions in which braking is
restricted to gentle, low-pressure applica-
tions will all increase the tendency for cor-
rosion to form on the rotors and contamina-
tion to accumulate on the brake pads. This
occurs because the minimal pressure
which must be exerted by the pads to clean
the rotors by brake applications is not
reached.
If the brake rotors are corroded, they will
tend to respond to braking with a pulsating
effect which even extended application will
fail to cure.
Wet roads
When driving in heavy rain and on wet
roads, it is useful to apply light pressure
to the brake pedal every few miles. Watch
traffic conditions to ensure that this maneu-
ver does not endanger other road users.
The heat generated in this process helps
dry the pads and rotors to ensure that your
brake system will respond with undimin-
ished efficiency when you need it.
Inclines
Extended or steep mountain descents
should be driven in the gear or drive posi-
tion in which only minimal periodic brake
application is required. This helps avoid
placing excessive loads on the brake sys-
tem. Observe the maximum allowable
engine speed when doing so; refer to
page 47.
Do not coast with the clutch
depressed or with the transmission or
selector lever in Neutral. Do not coast with