heating BMW M ROADSTER COUPE 2001 User Guide

88n
Catalytic converterThe catalytic converter reduces harmful
exhaust emissions.
It is designed for use with unleaded fuel
only. Even minute quantities of lead
would be enough to permanently
damage both the catalytic converter
and the system's oxygen sensor.
To ensure efficient, trouble-free engine
operation and to avoid potential
damage:
>Be sure to comply with the scheduled
maintenance requirements.
>Fill the fuel tank well before it is
empty.
>Tow-start the vehicle only when the
engine is cold. Tow-starting when the
engine is warm could cause unburned
fuel to ignite to the catalytic converter,
resulting in significant damage. It is
better to start the vehicle with an
outside starting aid.>Avoid any other situations in which
the fuel would not be (completely)
burned, for instance:
Frequent or consecutive extended
starting attempts or repeated starting
attempts when the engine fails to
start. (Shutting down and restarting
an engine which is running properly
does not present a problem.)
Never let the engine run with any of
the spark plug connectors discon-
nected.Be sure to comply with the
instructions above to prevent
unburned fuel from reaching the cata-
lytic converter. This could cause over-
heating, leading to serious damage to
the catalytic converter.
Extreme temperatures occur at the
catalytic converter on this and every
catalyst-equipped vehicle. 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 while the engine
is idling, or when parking, be careful to
avoid contact between the hot exhaust
system and easily-flammable materials
(hay, dry grass, leaves, etc.). Such
contact could cause a fire, resulting in
personal injuries and property
damage.<
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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.<
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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
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Everything from A to ZGGasoline26
Glass sunroof36
Glove compartment78
Grilles72
Gross vehicle weight158HHardtop96
Hazard warning
flashers24t
Hazard warning system24
Hazard warning
triangle24t
Head restraints47
Headlamp cleaning
system108
Headlamp cover,
care116t, 129t
Headlamp flasher58
Headlamp washers60
Headlamps, high
beam23, 58
bulb replacement129t
Headlamps, low beam69
bulb replacement129t
Heated seats77
Heating and ventilation72
Height157
Height adjustment, seats46
Help with jump starting144High beams23, 58
bulb replacement129t
Hood release104t
Horn17
IIdentification number of the
vehicle113
Identification, tires101
Ignition key30
Ignition lock55
Ignition switch55
Immobilizer
electronic31
vehicle31
Imprint4
Indicator lamps20
Inflation pressures27t, 98
INSPECTION64
Instrument panel16
Instrument panel lighting69
Instruments18
Interior lamps70
bulb replacement133t
Interior rearview mirror,
automatic dimming
feature48
Intermittent wipe switch59JJump-starting144t
KKey, battery change134t
Keys30LLamp switch69
Lamps and bulbs129
Lashing eyes82
Leather care121
Length157
License plate lamps, bulb
replacement133t
Light-alloy wheel103
LIGHTS ON warning69
Limited slip differential153
Load-securing devices82
Lock buttons33
Locks, care93
Low beam headlamps69
bulb replacement129t
Low-fuel indicator lamp62
Luggage compartment34
capacity158
locking separately34
manual operation34
Luggage compartment lamp,
bulb replacement133t
Luggage compartment
lid34
manual operation34t
MM + S tires102
M Mobility system
components137
using137
M+S radial tires102
Magic Eye, refer to Battery
charge condition141
Maintenance64, 114
Malfunction, cellular
telephone95
Manual operation
convertible
top37t, 143t
doors32t
luggage
compartment34t
Manual transmission58
Master key, battery
change134t
Mirrors47
adjusting47
defrosting47
Mobile phone95
refer also to the separate
Owner's Manual
Modifications,
technical6, 124
Multifunction switch58
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