BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE 2001 E46 Owner's Guide

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Driving:
Steering/Ignition lock66
Starting the engine66
Switching off the engine67
Parking brake67
Manual transmission68
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher69
Washer/Wiper system69
Rear window defroster71
Cruise control71
Everything under control:
Odometer73
Tachometer73
Engine oil temperature gauge73
Fuel gauge74
Coolant temperature gauge74
Service Interval Display75
Check Control76
Clock76
Computer77
Technology for driving comfort
and safety:
Park Distance Control (PDC)79
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)80
Tire Pressure Warning (RDW)81
M Engine dynamics control83Lamps:
Side lamps/Low beam
headlamps84
Instrument lighting84
High beams/Parking lamps85
Fog lamps85
Interior lamps86
Reading lamps86
Controlling the climate
for pleasant driving:
Automatic climate control88
Heated seats93
Cabin convenience:
Glove compartment94
Storage compartments95
Cellular phone96
Ashtray, front96
Cigarette lighter97
Ashtray, rear97
Loading and transporting
cargo:
Ski bag98
Cargo loading100
Roof-mounted luggage rack for
the hardtop101

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KeysThe key set1 Master key with remote control
This key sets the functions for Key
Memory. Refer to page 55.
You can also identify individual keys
by applying the colored decals that
you received when accepting delivery
of your vehicle.
There is an extended-life battery
in every master key with remote
control 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 at least once every
year while driving for an extended
period to charge the battery. Refer to
page 35 as well.<
2 Spare key for storage in a safe place,
such as in your wallet.
This key is not intended for constant
use
3 Door key
The locks for the luggage compart-
ment lid and the glove compartment
cannot be operated with this key –
this is recommended for valet
parking, for instance.
Replacement keysare available exclusively through your
BMW center. Since the keys are part of
a security system, vehicle ownership
must be checked before a replacement
key can be issued (refer to "Electronic
vehicle immobilizer" on page 33).
When picking up the replacement
key, take along all master keys
with remote control and spare keys
belonging to the vehicle. Whenever you
receive a new replacement key, turn
that key to position 2 in the ignition lock
once (ignition switched on) and then
back. This allows the electronic vehicle
immobilizer to "recognize" the new
key.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Electronic vehicle immobilizer Central locking systemThe key to security Your BMW is equipped with a passive
anti-theft system. This electronic immo-
bilization system is designed to reduce
the susceptibility of the 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 that 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 following can be unlocked or
locked simultaneously with the central
locking system:
>Doors
>Luggage compartment lid
>Fuel filler door
>Glove compartment.
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 38).
If it is operated from outside, the anti-
theft protection is activated at the same
time. This prevents the doors from
being unlocked via the locking buttons
or the door handles. The alarm system
is also activated or deactivated.

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Central locking system Opening and closing – via the door lockInformation for your safety:
If locked from the inside, the central
locking system unlocks automatically in
the event of an accident. In addition,
the hazard warning flashers and interior
lamps come on.
Using the keyTurn the key once to unlock the driver's
door, the fuel filler door and the glove
compartment.
Turn it a second time to release the
locks for the passenger-side door and
the luggage compartment lid.
You can have a signal set to
confirm that the vehicle's locks
have engaged securely.<
For further details on the alarm
system
*, refer to page 42.
Convenience operationWith the door closed, you can also
operate the electric windows and the
convertible top via the door lock.
To open: after turning the key a second
time, hold it in place in the "unlock"
position.
To close: hold the key in the "lock"
position.
Watch during the closing process
to make sure that nobody is
injured accidentally. Releasing the key
stops the operation. 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 – via the remote control The conceptThe remote control gives you an excep-
tionally convenient method for
unlocking and locking your vehicle.
Furthermore, it provides two additional
functions which you can only execute
via the remote control:
>Switch on the interior light. Refer to
page 36
With this function, you can also
"search for" your vehicle – when
parked in an underground garage, for
instance.
>Open the luggage compartment lid.
Refer to page 37
The luggage compartment lid will
open slightly, regardless of whether it
was locked or unlocked.
Whenever you unlock (lock) the vehicle,
you simultaneously deactivate (activate)
the anti-theft system, disarm (arm) the
alarm system
* and switch the interior
lamps on (off).
You can have a signal set to
confirm that the vehicle's locks
have engaged securely.<
To end the alarm: press button 1
(unlock, refer to page 36) or turn the
ignition key to position 1.
For further details on the alarm
system
*, refer to page 42.<
Master key with remote control
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 with remote control
that are used repeatedly are
always ready for operation since the
battery in the key is charged automati-
cally 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 to
drive for an extended period in order to
recharge the battery. Refer also to
page 32.
Guard the remote control against unau-
thorized use by only surrendering the
spare key or the door key (refer to
page 32), for valet parking, for instance.
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 – via the remote controlTo unlockPress button 1 to unlock the driver's
door only.
Press the button twice to unlock the
entire vehicle.
If you desire you can have this
function programmed into the
selected individual keys of your
choice.<
To lock and secure Press button 2.
Switching on the interior lampsAfter locking the vehicle, press
button 2.To deactivate the tilt alarm
sensor
* and interior motion
sensor*
Press button 2 a second time immedi-
ately after locking.
For additional information, refer to
page 43.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Opening and closing – via the remote controlTo 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
has not been opened unintentionally.<
Panic mode (trigger alarm)By pressing button 3 for more than
2 seconds, the alarm can be sounded
in the event of danger, if it is armed.
The alarm is switched off after button 1
is pressed. Non-BMW systemsExternal systems or devices may cause
local interference in the functions of the
remote control.
If this should occur, you can still open
and close the vehicle using the master
key in both the door and luggage
compartment lid 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 or
changes to these devices could
void the user's authority to operate this
equipment.<

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Opening and closing – from 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 anti-theft alarm system is not
activated.
When you open the driver's door
after unlocking it from the outside,
you can press the button to unlock the
passenger door, luggage compartment
lid, fuel filler door and glove compart-
ment.
When the driver's door is closed, this
same action relocks it.<
If you desire, the central locking
system will secure the locks as
soon as you start to drive. You can have
this function programmed into each
individual key.<
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 the locks>Either use the central locking button
to lock all doors at once, or
>press the individual safety lock
buttons down. As an added design
feature to prevent the driver from
being inadvertently locked out of the
vehicle, the driver's door safety 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
Luggage compartment lid The lock Only the master keys (refer to page 32)
fit in the lock for the luggage compart-
ment lid.To secure separatelyLock the glove compartment using the
master key.
This also locks the luggage compart-
ment lid and disconnects it from the
central locking system. If you surrender
only the door key (refer to page 32), this
will prevent unauthorized access via the
luggage compartment lid, for valet
parking, for instance.
Opening from outsidePress the button in the handle recess
(arrow):
The luggage compartment lid opens
slightly.
The luggage compartment is lit when
the luggage compartment lid is opened. Manual operation(in the event of electrical malfunction)
Turn the master key to the right as far
as it will go, the luggage compartment
lid will open slightly.
The luggage compartment is locked
again as soon as you close the lid.
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.

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Luggage compartment lid Luggage compartment ClosingThe 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.<
Do not drive with the luggage
compartment lid open, since
exhaust fumes could penetrate the inte-
rior of the vehicle. Nevertheless, should
it be absolutely necessary to operate
the vehicle with the luggage compart-
ment lid open (with closed convertible
top):
>Close all windows
>Increase the airflow of the automatic
climate control to a high level. Refer
to page 88.<
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" on
page 100.