BMW M ROADSTER COUPE 2001 Owners Manual

91n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Disc brakesDisc brakes furnish optimum decelera-
tion and braking control and greater
fade resistance under heavy use.
When the vehicle is driven only occa-
sionally, during extended periods when
the vehicle is not used at all, or in oper-
ating conditions where brake applica-
tions are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion of the
discs and accumulation of contamina-
tion on the brake pads. This occurs
because the minimal pressure which
must be exerted by the pads to clean
the discs by brake applications is not
reached.
If the brake discs are corroded, they will
tend to respond to braking with a
pulsating effect which even extended
application will fail to cure.
For your own safety: use only
brake pads that BMW has
approved for your specific 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 in the event of their use.<
Driving notesWhile driving in wet conditions and in
heavy rain, it is advisable to apply light
pressure to the brake pedal every few
miles – watch traffic conditions to
ensure that this maneuver does not
endanger other road users. The heat
generated in this braking process helps
dry the brake pads and discs.
Maximum braking force is obtained
while the wheels continue to rotate,
peaking when the wheels remain on the
verge of locking without actually doing
so. ABS maintains this state automati-
cally. If the ABS fails, you should revert
to the staggered braking technique
described on page 94.
Extended or steep mountain descents
should be driven in the gear in which
only minimal periodic brake application
is required. This avoids excessive strain
on the brakes and possible impairment
of the braking effect.
You can increase the engine's braking
effect by selecting progressively lower
gears, downshifting into first gear, if
necessary. Should engine braking prove inade-
quate, you should still avoid extended,
continuous braking. Instead, decelerate
the vehicle with increased pressure on
the brake pedal (watch for following
traffic!), release the pedal and then
repeat the brake application (staggered
braking). This staggered braking tech-
nique allows the brakes to cool in the
intervals between active braking
phases, preventing overheating and
ensuring that full braking capacity
remains available at all times.
Do not drive the vehicle with the
clutch depressed, with the shift
lever in neutral or with the engine shut
off. The engine provides no braking
control when the transmission is in
neutral and there is no power assist for
braking and steering when the engine is
shut off.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any
other objects to protrude into the area
around the accelerator, clutch and
brake pedals and obstruct their move-
ment.<
ProCarManuals.com

92n
Brake system Brake fluid level
The warning lamp for the
hydraulic brake system comes
on:
The brake fluid level is too low in
the reservoir (refer to page 112).
If the brake fluid level is too low
and brake pedal travel is noticeably
longer, there may be a defect in one of
the two hydraulic brake circuits.
Proceed to the nearest BMW
center. Higher brake application
pressure may be necessary under these
conditions, and brake pedal travel may
be significantly longer. Please
remember to adapt your driving style
accordingly.<
Brake pads
The warning lamp for the brake
pads comes on:
The brake pads have reached
their minimum pad thickness. 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 specific 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 in the event of their use.<
ProCarManuals.com

93n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
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 vehicle
operation through the winter remains
safe and trouble-free.CoolantEnsure that the coolant contains the
year-round 50 : 50 ratio of water and
antifreeze with corrosion inhibitor.
This mixture provides protection
against freezing down to approx.
– 34 7 (– 37 6). Replace the coolant
every three years.LocksBMW door lock deicer can be used to
free the doors if they are frozen. This
deicer also contains lubricant.
After using deicer, treatment with BMW
lock cylinder grease is recommended.
Rubber seals and components In order to prevent freezing, apply BMW
rubber treatment or silicone spray to
weather-stripping on the doors, hood,
luggage compartment and to convert-
ible top seals.
A full range of car-care products is
available from your BMW center.< Snow chainsMount the BMW snow chains
* only in
pairs on the rear wheels only. Comply
with the manufacturer's safety precau-
tions. Do not exceed a speed limit of
30 mph (50 km/h) when driving with
chains. As an exception in this situa-
tion, we recommend that you deacti-
vate the DSC and RDW when snow
chains are mounted. Refer to page 65
or page 67.
Starting offWhen starting from a full stop or
"rocking" free in deep snow, we recom-
mend that you deactivate the DSC
system. Refer to page 65.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. Shift down
into the next lowest gear when
approaching uphill or downhill grades.
Maintain an adequate distance between
yourself and the vehicle ahead.Braking Winter road conditions substantially
reduce the traction available between
the tires and the road surface.
Remember that – in every situation –
braking distances will be significantly
longer as a result of this.
ABS is intended to prevent the wheels
from locking during brake applications,
thus helping to maintain vehicle stability
and steering response.
ProCarManuals.com

94n
Winter operation Power steeringIf it should occur that the ABS does not
respond in a critical braking situation
and the wheels lock: reduce the pres-
sure on the brake pedal until the wheels
just start to roll again while still main-
taining enough force to continue
braking. Following that, increase pedal
pressure again. Reduce the pressure as
the wheels lock, then reapply pressure.
Repeat this process.
This type of staggered braking will
lower the braking distance, and the
vehicle still remains responsive to
steering.
You can still attempt to steer around
hazards once you have reduced the
pressure on the brake pedal.
Do not shift down on slick road
surfaces. Doing so could cause
the rear wheels to lose traction and
skid, which could result in the loss of
vehicle control.<
Depress the clutch pedal during
hard braking on road surfaces
which provide only poor or uneven trac-
tion.<
Skid controlDepress the clutch pedal and release
the accelerator pedal. Countersteer
carefully and attempt to regain control
of the vehicle.ParkingEngage 1st or reverse gear. Depending
on the steepness of the incline, you can
apply the parking brake as well. In order
to prevent the parking brake pads from
locking due to frost or corrosion, dry
them by gently applying the parking
brake as the vehicle is coming to a stop.
Make sure that following traffic is not
endangered.
The brake lamps do not light
up when the parking brake is
applied.<
Changes in steering response
(high steering effort, for example):
Consult a BMW center to have the
system checked.
If the power steering fails,
increased effort will be required
to steer the vehicle.<
ProCarManuals.com

95n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Cellular phone
*
Radio reception
Mobile communications systems
(cellular phones, two-way radios, etc.)
are approved only up to a power output
of 10 watts. Nonetheless, they may
cause interference in the operation of
your vehicle if they are not specifically
designed for use in your vehicle. BMW
can neither test nor assume responsi-
bility for every individual product being
offered on the market. We recommend
that you consult your BMW center
before purchasing any device of this
kind.
To ensure that your BMW continues to
provide reliable and trouble-free opera-
tion, refrain from using a cellular phone
or other radio device with an antenna
located inside the passenger compart-
ment. The antenna should always be
fitted on the outside of the vehicle.
Before loading the vehicle on
a car-carrier train or driving it
through a car wash, remove the
antenna.<
The reception and sound quality
obtained from mobile radios varies
according to a variety of factors,
including the broadcast range of the
transmitter and the directional orienta-
tion of the antenna.
Interference factors such as high-
tension power lines, buildings and
natural obstructions can all lead to
unavoidable reception interference,
regardless of how well the vehicle's
sound system is operating. Climatic
factors such as intense solar radiation,
fog, rain and snow can also interfere
with reception.
Cellular phones without official BMW
approval can also generate interference
during use. This phenomenon assumes
the form of a low-pitched hum
emanating from the speaker system.
Please refer to the Owner's Manual
provided with your sound system for
detailed information on its use.Whenever necessary (when
entering a car wash, for instance),
remove the rod antenna
* (refer also to
page 116). To remove the antenna,
grasp the rod at the bottom and
unscrew it to the left from the antenna
base.<
You will find additional information
concerning radio reception in the
chapter "Advanced technology" on
page 150.
ProCarManuals.com

96n
Hardtop
* – roadster
The fabric top does not have to be
removed even in winter, when the
hardtop is normally in constant use. In
order to prevent water spots and
mildew stains, the fabric top must be
completely dry before it is stored in the
convertible top compartment.
Two people are necessary for the
installation and removal of the hardtop.
Work with extreme caution during this
operation to avoid paint damage and
damage to the body and hardtop.
You may purchase a Hardtop lift
* from
your BMW center. This accessory is
especially designed to facilitate installa-
tion and removal of the hardtop.
InstallationHook the protective fabric on the
convertible top linkage (arrow).
Open the convertible top and fold it
down in the convertible top compart-
ment. Refer to pages 37 and 41.
When doing this, make sure the rear
window is laid down evenly and free
of creases. To prevent the rear window
from being scratched, position the
protective fabric in the window fold.
Do not install the convertible top cover.
Lower the side windows and remove
the rod antenna if necessary to avoid
damage.367de384
Rotate the cover panel which is located
in the right and left trim panels behind
the seats in the direction of the arrow
until the opening for the hardtop mount
is completely free.
Remove the hardtop from the protec-
tive cover. Clean any dirt and dust from
the contact surfaces between the
hardtop and the vehicle body in order
to protect against abrasion.
Position the hardtop on the mounts with
the assistance of a second person.367de385
ProCarManuals.com

97n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Hardtop
* – roadster
Using the wrench from the onboard tool
kit (fastened to the jack with a Velcro®
strip), turn the screw (arrow) two to
three turns into the windshield frame on
the right and left sides.367de386
Turn the right and left locking levers of
the rear hardtop mounting fasteners in
the direction of the arrow to the stop.
The rear mounting fasteners are
locked correctly when the locking
levers engage audibly and point to the
rear of the vehicle.<
Finally, tighten the screws in the wind-
shield frame (refer to the left column)
and secure the wrench in the onboard
tool kit.
After you have driven approx.
30 to 60 miles (50 to 100 km),
check the front hardtop fasteners to be
sure that they are seated securely.< 367de387
RemovalReverse the above procedure for
removal of the hardtop.
The two screws of the front
hardtop fasteners remain perma-
nently in the windshield frame of your
vehicle to prevent their loss.<
Following the initial delivery of the
vehicle, or after the hardtop has been in
use for an extended period, closing the
convertible top requires increased
effort. You may find this operation
easier with the assistance of a second
person. Following that, the convertible
top should remain closed for at least
12 hours.
ProCarManuals.com

98n
Information for your safetyThe factory-approved radial tires are
matched to your vehicle and have been
selected to provide optimum safety and
driving comfort on your vehicle.
In a very real sense, tire life, driving
comfort and your own safety are riding
on correct tire specifications and infla-
tion pressures.
Incorrect inflation pressure is a
frequent cause of tire damage. It
also significantly influences the road-
holding ability of your BMW. Check tire
inflation pressures regularly (refer to
page 26), at least every two weeks and
before you begin an extended journey.
If this is not done, incorrect tire pres-
sures may cause unstable driving, tire
damage and accidents.<
Tire tread – Tire damageInspect your tires frequently for tread
wear, signs of damage and for foreign
objects lodged in the tread. Check the
tread pattern depth.
The tread pattern depth should be at
least 0.12 in (3 mm), although the
legally permissible minimum tread
pattern depth is 0.063 in (1.6 mm).
Wear indicators appear in the tread at
0.063 in (1.6 mm) to indicate that the
legally permissible wear limit has been
reached. There is a significantly
increased risk of aquaplaning at higher
speeds when the tread pattern depth is
below 0.12 in (3 mm), even if there is
only a small amount of water on the
road surface.390de331
Never continue driving on a
deflated (flat) tire. A flat tire greatly
impairs steering and braking response,
and can lead to complete loss of
control over the vehicle.
Avoid overloading the vehicle so that
the permitted load on the tires is not
exceeded. Overloading causes over-
heating and damage inside the tires.
The ultimate result can assume the
form of a sudden inflation pressure
loss.
Unusual vibrations encountered during
normal vehicle operation can indicate a
flat tire or some other vehicle defect, as
can variations in normal vehicle
response, such as a pronounced
tendency to pull to the left or right.
Should this occur, respond by reducing
your speed immediately. Drive carefully
to the nearest BMW center or profes-
sional tire dealer, or have the vehicle
towed in to have it and its tires
inspected.
Tire damage (up to and including
sudden and complete inflation pressure
loss) can pose an extreme hazard for
both vehicle occupants and other road
users.<
Tire inflation pressure Tire condition
ProCarManuals.com

99n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Tire replacementTo maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single tread
configuration from a single manufac-
turer. BMW tests and approves wheel
and tire specifications. Refer to
page 103.DOT Quality GradesTread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger vehicle tires must
conform to Federal Safety
Requirements in addition to these
grades. rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified government test
course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would
wear one and one-half (1g) times as
well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance
of tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due
to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road char-
acteristics and climate.TractionThe traction grades, from highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B and C.
Those grades represent the tire's ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on speci-
fied government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to
this tire is based on straight-
ahead braking traction tests, and does
not include acceleration, cornering,
aquaplaning, or peak traction charac-
teristics. highest), B and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause
the material of the tire to degenerate
and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to a sudden flat
tire. The grade C corresponds to a level
of performance which all passenger
vehicle tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
The temperature grade for this tire
is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or
in combination, can cause heat buildup
and possible tire failure. applicable on the tire sidewall between
tread shoulder and maximum section
width. For example:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
ProCarManuals.com

100n
Tire replacement Tire rotation
Do not use retreaded tires as this
could negatively affect driving
safety. This is due to the possible varia-
tions in casing structures and, in some
instances, to their extreme age, factors
which can lead to a decrease in their
durability.<
Tire ageThe date on which the tire was manu-
factured is indicated by the code on the
sidewall:
DOT ... 3200 indicates that the tire was
manufactured in week 32 of 2000.
BMW recommends the replacement
of all tires when the tires are no more
than 6 years old, even if a tire usage of
10 years is possible.
Spare tires over 6 years old should be
used only in case of emergency. A tire
of this age should be replaced by a new
tire immediately, and should not be
fitted together with new tires.
Between the axlesTread wear at the front and rear axle is
different and will vary according to indi-
vidual driving conditions. In the interest
of safety and optimal vehicle response,
we advise against rotating wheels from
front to rear and vice versa.
If rotating the wheels between the axles
is under consideration for economic
reasons, the costs for remounting the
wheels must be calculated against any
savings which might result from the
anticipated extension in tire life. Rota-
tion should always be carried out at
short intervals (max. 3,000 miles/
5,000 km). Consult your BMW center for
more information.Should you decide to rotate the wheels,
it is essential to comply with the
following:
Rotate wheels on the same side of the
vehicle only, otherwise braking effi-
ciency and road grip could be adversely
affected.
Following rotation, correct the tire infla-
tion pressure.
If tires with different sizes are
mounted on the front and rear
axles (refer to page 103), the wheels
may not be rotated from one axle to the
other.<
ProCarManuals.com