light BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE 2001 E46 Service Manual

135n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Caring for your vehiclean accumulation of road salt. Use a
chrome polish for an additional treat-
ment.
Plastic components, vinyl upholstery,
headliners, lamp lenses, the clear cover
of the instrument cluster and compon-
ents with a sprayed matt black surface
can be cleaned with water (add plastic
shampoo as required). Do not allow
moisture to soak through the seats or
headliner. Never use solvents such as
lacquer thinner, heavy-duty grease
remover, fuels, or similar substances.
Rubber components should be cleaned
with water only; a rubber treatment or
silicone spray may also be applied. Do not remove safety belts to clean
them. Clean them with mild soapy
water only. Do not use chemicals or dry
cleaners to clean safety belts, since this
could damage the belt fabric.
After cleaning, never allow the inertia
reel to retract the belts until they are
completely dry. Dirty safety belts
prevent the inertia reel mechanism from
retracting the strap properly, and thus
constitute a safety hazard.
Heavily soiled floor carpets and mats
*
can be cleaned with an interior cleaner.
The floor mats can be removed from
the vehicle for cleaning.
Use only a damp cloth to clean trim
panels made of real wood
* and other
parts constructed of real wood
*. Follow
up by drying with a soft cloth.
Use the cleaning and car-care
products available at your BMW
center.<
Care of upholstery materials Depressions in the upholstery that
result from everyday use can be
brushed smooth by brushing against
the nap with a lightly dampened brush.
The tendency of the pile to lie in a
particular direction on velour upholstery
is not a quality defect, and, just as on
home textiles or clothing, cannot be
avoided.
Lint on upholstery materials, textile or
leather remnants that have been worn
into the upholstery may be removed
with a lint brush or a Velcro brush. A
cleaning glove is available for particu-
larly "stubborn" lint. Stains and fairly
large areas of dirt should be cleaned off
without delay, using lukewarm water
and an interior cleaner, stain remover or
appropriate cleaning fluid. Brush the
fabric afterwards to restore its appear-
ance.
If the vehicle will be stored for an
extended period or if it is exposed to
intense sunlight, cover all the seats or
the windows to prevent fading.
Use the cleaning and car-care
products available at your BMW
center.<

136n
Caring for your vehicleThe buildup of an electrostatic charge
on the seat covers, particularly if atmo-
spheric humidity is low, can give the
occupants an unpleasant electric shock
if they touch metal body parts after
leaving the vehicle. Although this is not
dangerous in any way, it can be
avoided by touching a bare or polished
metal part of the vehicle while getting
out.Alcantara
*
Clean using a gentle detergent, taking
care not to rub or scratch. Then finish
off by wiping it with a wet cloth.Leather care The leather upholstery
* used by BMW
is a natural product of the highest
quality, processed using state-of-the-
art methods to ensure that it will main-
tain its high quality for years to come,
provided that it is properly cared for.
Because this product is manufactured
using natural materials, you must make
allowance for its particular characteris-
tics and for the special care and atten-
tion this material needs in daily use.
Regular periodic cleaning and care are
essential, as dust and road dirt act as
abrasives in the pores and creases of the material. This leads to wear spots
and premature brittleness of the leather
surface. We therefore suggest that you
clean the leather with a vacuum cleaner
or dust cloth at frequent intervals.
For cleaning, use BMW leather cleaning
foam.
Since dirt and grease gradually attack
the protective layer of the leather, the
cleaned surfaces should be treated
with BMW leather care agent. This also
acts as an antistatic agent.
For protection against dampness or
moisture, treat the leather with a
BMW impregnating agent.
We recommend that you perform this
procedure twice a year on leather
exposed to normal use.
Spills should be wiped up immediately.
Remove grease and oil stains by
dabbing with spot remover. Avoid
rubbing.
If the upholstery is exposed to intense
sunlight or if the vehicle is going to be
left parked for an extended period of
time, cover all leather surfaces or all the
windows to prevent fading.Use the cleaning and car-care
products available at your BMW
center.<
Cleaning agents can contain
substances that are dangerous or
that pose health risks. For this reason,
always comply with the warnings and
danger notices on the packaging.
Open the doors or windows on your
vehicle when cleaning the interior.
Never clean your vehicle with solvents
or other materials not specifically
intended for this purpose.<

137n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Cleaning and caring for the convertible topCareThe appearance and life of the convert-
ible top depend in large part on proper
care and handling. You should pay
particular attention to the following
instructions if your vehicle has a light-
colored top.
Whenever possible, protect the vehicle
from exposure to intense sunlight by
parking it in the shade so that the paint,
rubber and fabric-covered parts are not
harmed.
Never fold up the convertible top and
store it in the convertible top compart-
ment when wet, dirty or frozen, as
mildew stains and rub spots may result.
To prevent mildew stains, do not keep
the convertible top enclosed in the
convertible top compartment for any
extended period of time.
If the vehicle will be parked for lengthy
periods in an enclosed space, be sure
that the convertible top is dry and that
there is adequate ventilation.
Clean off bird droppings immediately,
since they attack the convertible top
and cause the rubber seals to swell due
to their caustic characteristics.
Besides water, treat rubber seals only
with talcum powder, rubber care prod-ucts or silicone spray, particularly when
they feel dry or tend to stick.
Eliminate noises such as squeaks with
lubricant spray.
Depressions and discoloration may
occur in the convertible top as a result
of improper maintenance and cleaning
or as the result of stresses from exces-
sive use. The convertible top and its
seams may also develop leaks. The
warranty does not cover these situa-
tions. For repairs, please consult your
BMW center.
Washing your vehicleYou can wash your BMW M3 convert-
ible in automatic car washes. Car wash
systems that do not employ brushes
are preferable.
If a brushless car wash is unavailable
and a brush car wash must be used,
modern systems with soft brushes are
preferable. Do not select the wax finish
option. The small amount of beading
wax always used in automatic car
washes will not harm your vehicle's
finish.
In the case of more extensive dirt,
which is definitely visible on light-
colored top materials, clean the top
with the BMW Convertible Cleaning
Set. Please proceed as follows:
Spray the convertible top with the
cleaning agent and then rub with a well-
dampened sponge using circular
motions until a foam develops. Then
you can finish washing the vehicle in an
automatic car wash. After washing your
vehicle 3 to 5 times, you should treat
the convertible top with a special
convertible top impregnating spray.
Please follow the instructions on the
spray can.

141n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Technical modifications California Proposition 65 WarningAny BMW center will be happy to
advise you concerning the advisability,
legal implications and factory recom-
mendations for technical modifications
to the vehicle. For this purpose, the
BMW center will require the Vehicle
Identification Number and, in some
cases, the engine number as well. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs)Light-emitting diodes installed behind
translucent lenses serve as the light
source for many of the controls and
displays in your vehicle. The concept
behind their operation is related to that
employed for lasers, and they are offi-
cially designated as Class 1 light-emit-
ting diodes.
Do not remove the protective lens
and avoid staring directly at the
unfiltered beam for extended periods
(several hours). To do so could result in
inflammation of the iris.<
California laws require us to state the
following warning:
Engine exhaust, some of its
constituents, and certain vehicle
components contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.<

142n
OBD connector The data link connector for onboard
diagnostics is located on the left-hand
side of the driver's side, on the under-
side of the instrument panel and under
a cover panel. The cover has the letters
"OBD" on it.
The purpose of the OBD system is to
assure proper emission control system
operation for the vehicle's lifetime by
monitoring emission-related compo-
nents and systems for deterioration and
malfunction.
An illuminated indicator informs
you of the need for service, not
that you need to stop the
vehicle. Your system should be
checked, however, at the earliest
possible opportunity.
If the indicator blinks or flashes, this
indicates a high level of engine misfire.
Reduce speed and contact your
nearest BMW center immediately.
Severe engine misfiring over even a
short period of time can seriously
damage emission control system
components, especially the catalytic
converter.
"Service Engine Soon" warning
lamp for Canadian models.
If the fuel filler cap is not on tight
enough, the OBD system can
detect leaking vapor and the indicator
will light up.
If the fuel filler cap is then tightened,
the indicator will usually go out after a
short period of time.<

147n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Lamps and bulbsLow beam headlamps and high
beam headlamps

>Low beam headlamps: H7 bulb,
55 watts
>High beam headlamps: H7 bulb,
55 watts
The H7 bulb is pressurized. There-
fore, wear safety glasses and
protective gloves. Failure to comply
with this precaution could lead to injury
if the bulb is damaged during replace-
ment.<
Please contact a BMW center in case of
a malfunction.
Parking lamps5 watt bulb
Please contact a BMW center in case of
a malfunction.
When cleaning the headlamps,
please observe the following:
>Do not clean by wiping with a dry
cloth (scratches). Never use abra-
sives or strong solvents to clean the
covers
>Remove dirt and contamination (such
as insects) by soaking with BMW Car
Shampoo and then rinsing with plenty
of water.
Always use a deicer spray to remove
accumulated ice and snow – never use
a scraper.<
Xenon lamps
*
The service life of these bulbs is very
long and the probability of a failure is
very low, provided that they are not
switched on and off an unusual number
of times. If one of these bulbs should
nevertheless fail, it is possible to
continue driving with great caution
using the fog lamps, provided traffic
laws in your area do not prohibit this.
Because of the extremely high
voltages involved, any work on the
xenon lighting system should be carried
out by technically-qualified personnel
only. Otherwise, there is a risk of fatal
injury.<

148n
Lamps and bulbsFront turn signal indicators21 watt bulb
1 Using a screwdriver, release the inner
hook through the upper opening.
2 Remove lamp by pulling it out toward
the front.
3 Applying light pressure, turn the bulb
to the left. Remove and exchange the
bulb.
4 Insert the 2 pins on the lamp into the
guides on the vehicle.
5 Push the lamp in. Carefully apply
pressure until you hear it snap into
place.
Side turn signal indicators5 watt bulb
1 Use finger pressure against the rear
end of the lamp (arrow) to press it
forward for removal.
2 Apply gentle pressure to the bulb
while turning it to the left to remove.

150n
Lamps and bulbs2 Take out the bulb holder.
3 Disconnect the power supply plug.
Set the bulb holder aside (on the
luggage compartment floor, for
example).
4 Apply light pressure while turning the
bulb to the left. Remove and
exchange the bulb.
5 Plug in the power supply receptacle.
6 Reattach the bulb holder until you
hear it snap into place (illustration).
Bulbs in the luggage
compartment lid1 Using a screwdriver, loosen the clip.
2 Fold the trim panel down (arrow 1).
Disengage the bulb holder (arrow 2)
and remove it.
3 Apply light pressure while turning the
bulb to the left. Remove and
exchange the bulb.
4 Press the bulb holder into position
until you hear it engage.
5 Reinstall the trim with the clip.

154n
Repairing a flat tireThe components of the M Mobility
system1 On/Off switch
2 Hose with pressure gauge for
connecting the compressor with the
sealant container or to connect the
compressor to the wheel
3 Pressure gauge for indicating tire
pressure
4 Connector hose from the sealant
container to the wheel
5 Sticker with maximum speed
6 Plug and cable for the cigarette
lighter socket
7 Protective gloves (not shown)
Use the M Mobility system
If possible, leave the foreign
object in the tire.<
Do not exceed the maximum
speed limits described below,
otherwise it could lead to accidents.
Before you use the M Mobility system,
read the warnings and danger notices
on the device carefully.<
1 Pull sticker 5 off for maximum speed
and affix it to the steering wheel.
2 Take the round cover off and hose 4
out. Unscrew the valve stem cover
from the defective wheel and screw
the hose to the valve.

155n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Repairing a flat tire3 Flip open the cover and pull out the
enclosed protective gloves. Take out
hose 2 with the pressure gauge and
screw it to the terminal for the sealant
container as shown in the illustration.
4 Make sure that the system has been
switched off (position 0).
Take out plug 6 and insert it into the
cigarette lighter socket in the
passenger compartment (refer to
page 97).
5 Make sure that the screw on the rear
of pressure gauge 3 is tightened
down. Turn on the M Mobility system
(position I, refer to illustration) and
allow 3 minutes to elapse, to let the
sealant flow in. The tire's inflation
pressure is insignificant at this stage.
6 Turn the device off.
Disconnect the connector hose from
the sealant container and the tire
valve. Stow the M Mobility system in
the luggage compartment.
7 Right afterward, drive at least
1.2 miles (2 km), so that the liquid
sealant distributes evenly throughout
the inside of the tire.
Do not exceed 40 mph (60 km/h), and
if possible, do not drop below 10 mph
(20 km/h).
Stop at an appropriate spot.