BMW M3 COUPE 2001 E46 Owner's Manual

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures102
Driving notes103
Catalytic converter103
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)104
Disk brakes106
Brake system107
Winter operation108
Power steering110
Cellular phones110
Radio reception110
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure111
Tire condition111
Tire replacement112
Tire rotation113
Wheel and tire
combinations114
Winter tires115
Snow chains115
Approved wheel and tire
specifications116Under the hood:
Hood118
Engine compartment120
Washer fluids122
Washer nozzles122
Engine oil123
Coolant125
Brake fluid126
Vehicle Identification
Number126
Care and maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System127
Caring for your vehicle128
Airbags133
Vehicle storage133
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications134
California Proposition
65 Warning134
OBD connector135
Car care

102n
To ensure that your vehicle provides
maximum economy throughout a long
service life, we request that you
observe the following instructions:
Because of its engineering design,
the BMW M3 is an especially high-
quality vehicle. It is in your best interest
to follow the break-in procedure very
closely. Doing this, you will create the
basis for a long, optimum service life.<
Engine and differential>Until a mileage reading of 1,200 miles
(2,000 km): drive at varying engine
and road speeds, but do not exceed
the following engine speeds or road
speeds:
5,500/rpm or 105 mph (170 km/h)
Obey your local and state maximum
speed limits.
Do not depress the accelerator pedal to
the full-throttle position.
>After you have monitored the break-
in period for 1,200 miles (2,000 km),
you can begin to gradually increase
both the engine speed and road
speed.
You should also comply with these
break-in procedures if the engine or
differential is replaced later in the
course of the vehicle service life.
TiresDue to technical factors associated
with their manufacture, tires do not
achieve their full traction potential until
an initial break-in period has elapsed.
Thus drive with extra care during the
initial 200 miles (300 km).
Obey your local and state maximum
speed limits.
When the vehicle is operated on
wet or slushy roads, a wedge of
water may form between the tire and
the road surface. This phenomenon is
referred to as aquaplaning, or hydro-
planing, and can lead to partial or
complete loss of traction, vehicle
control and braking effectiveness.
Reduce your speed on wet roads.<
Brake systemApproximately 300 miles (500 km) must
elapse before the brake pads and disks
achieve the optimal pad-surface and
wear patterns required for trouble -free
operation and long service life later on.
To break-in the separate parking brake
drums, apply the parking brake lightly
when coasting to a standstill (at a traffic
signal, for instance), provided that
traffic conditions allow you to do so. To
avoid corrosion, repeat this procedure
from time to time.
The brake lamps do not come on
when the parking brake is set.
Vacuum for the brake system servo unit
on your BMW is available only when the
engine is running. When you move the
vehicle with the engine off Ð when
towing, for example Ð substantially
higher levels of pedal force will be
required to brake the vehicle. optimally after about 300 miles
(500 km). Drive cautiously during this
break-in period and do not shift
roughly.
Break-in procedures

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Brakes: do not drive with your foot
resting on the brake pedal. Even
light but consistent pedal pressure can
lead to high temperatures, brake wear
and possibly even brake failure.
Aquaplaning:
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 is referred to as aqua-
planing, or hydroplaning, and can lead
to partial or complete loss of traction,
vehicle control and braking effective-
ness.
Driving through water:
Do not drive through water on the road
if it is deeper than 1 foot (30 cm), and
then only at walking speed. Otherwise,
the vehicle's engine, the electrical
systems and the transmission may be
damaged.
Rear window shelf:
Never use it to store heavy or hard
objects, otherwise, occupants could be
injured if the vehicle is braked hard.<
The 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 oxygen sensor.
To ensure efficient, trouble-free engine
operation and avoid potential damage:
>Be sure to comply with the scheduled
maintenance requirements
>Fill the fuel tank well before it is
empty
>Tow-start only when the engine is
cold. If you attempt to tow-start with
a warm engine, unburned residual
fuel in the catalytic converter could
ignite and cause damage. It is better
to start the vehicle with an outside
starting aid
>Avoid other situations in which the
fuel is not burned or burns incom-
pletely such as frequent or extended
starter engagement or repeated start
attempts in which the engine does
not start. Stopping and restarting an
engine which is running properly
does not present a problem. Never
allow the engine to run with any of
the spark plug cables disconnected. Be sure to observe the instruc-
tions above to prevent unburned
fuel from reaching the catalytic
converter. Otherwise there is danger of
overheating and damage to the cata-
lytic 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 at idle or when parking, take
precautions to avoid contact between
the hot exhaust system and easily flam-
mable materials (grass, hay or leaves,
for example). Such contact could lead
to a fire, resulting in personal injury and
property damage.<
Driving notes Catalytic converter

104n
Antilock Brake System (ABS)The concept ABS keeps the wheels from locking
while braking, thereby enhancing active
driving safety. The reason: locked
wheels are dangerous. When the front
wheels slide, the driver loses steering
control over the vehicle. Traction loss at
the rear wheels can cause the rear end
to break into an uncontrolled skid.
Based on current road conditions, ABS
can brake the vehicle within the
shortest possible distance and with the
greatest possible driving stability (on
straight-aways and curves, asphalt, ice,
wet road surfaces, etc.).
ABS is designed to meet two essential
requirements during every brake appli-
cation:
>To help provide vehicle stability
>To help maintain steering control and
maneuverability Ð on all types of road
surfaces (asphalt, concrete, mud,
wet, snow, ice). Braking with ABSThe system becomes operative once
the vehicle exceeds a speed of approx.
6 mph (10 km/h). Whenever the
vehicle's speed drops below approx.
4 mph (6 km/h), the ABS is deactivated.
This means that the wheels can lock in the final phase of a panic stop Ð a factor
of no significance in actual use.
The ABS system works best in situa-
tions requiring maximum pressure on
the pedal ("panic stop"). Do not let up
on the brake pedal even after it starts
pulsating. Since the vehicle maintains
steering responsiveness, you can
nevertheless avoid possible obstacles
with a minimum of steering effort.
The ABS closed-loop control circuit
cycles in fractions of a second. Pulsa-
tion at the brake pedal shows you that
ABS is active, that you are braking
within the ABS' braking range and that
you are thus pushing the limit of the
system. In addition, a pulsation Ð a
result of the control function cycles Ð
indicates to the driver that the vehicle
speed should be reduced to adapt to
road surface conditions when there is
reduced traction and grip between tires
and road surface (slippery road
surface).
On road surfaces with a loose surface
layer over a firm base, e.g. on gravel or
snow, as well as when driving with
snow chains on, braking distances may
be longer for a locked-wheel condition.
However, ABS continues to provide
enhanced vehicle stability and steering
response under these conditions.
Information for your safetyNot even ABS can suspend the laws of
physics. The consequences of hitting
the brakes when there is inadequate
distance between vehicles, when the
vehicle is driven at excessive speeds
through curves, or during aquaplaning,
remain the driver's responsibility. You
should never allow the added safety of
ABS to lull you into a false sense of
security, or mislead you into taking risks
that could affect your own safety and
that of others.
Do not make any modifications to
the ABS system.
Service procedures on ABS are to be
performed by authorized technicians
only.< Antilock Brake System (ABS)/
Cornering Brake Control (CBC) CBC is an advanced engineering
design of the ABS. When braking while
cornering at high speed or braking
during high lateral acceleration, or
when braking during a lane change,
vehicle stability is improved and
steering response is enhanced.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Antilock Brake System (ABS)In the event of a malfunction
If the ABS warning lamp does
come on, refer to page 21. The
brake system will then function
the same as on vehicles without ABS.
However, have the brake system
checked by your BMW center as soon
as possible. To prevent undetected
defects and cumulative faults from
adversely affecting the brake system,
refer any problems to your BMW center
at the earliest opportunity.
ABS warning lamp for Canadian
models.
If the brake warning lamp
comes on together with the
indicator lamps for ABS and
DSC, refer to page 21, the entire
ABS, CBC and DSC control
system has failed. Continue
driving cautiously and defen-
sively. Avoid full brake applica-
tions. This could cause the vehicle to
lose stability and you might no longer
be able to control it.
Have the system checked by your BMW
center as soon as possible.
ABS, CBC and DSC indicator
and warning lamps for Canadian
models.

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Disk brakesDisk 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, and in
operating conditions where brake appli-
cations are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion of the
disks and accumulation of contamina-
tion on the brake pads. This occurs
because the minimal pressure that must
be exerted by the pads to clean the
disks by brake applications is not
reached.
If the brake disks 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 which 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 if they are installed.<
Driving notes While driving on wet roads or in heavy
rain, it is a good idea to apply light
pressure to the brake pedal every few
miles or kilometers. Watch traffic condi-
tions to ensure that this maneuver does
not endanger other road users. The
heat which is generated by the brake
applications helps to dry the brake
pads and disks.
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 should ever fail, pump
the brakes if possible (refer to
page 109).
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. Stay
within the allowable engine speed
range. For further information, refer to
page 69.
The braking effect of the engine can be
further increased by downshifting, into
first gear, if necessary. Should engine braking prove inade-
quate, you should still avoid extended,
continuous braking. Instead of main-
taining low to moderate pressure over
an extended period of time, you should
decelerate the vehicle by applying more
substantial force on the pedal (watch
for following traffic). Pause before
repeating the brake application. This
staggered braking technique allows the
brakes to cool in the intervals between
active braking phases, preventing over-
heating and ensuring that full braking
capacity remains available at all times.
Do not coast with the clutch
depressed, with the shift lever in
neutral or with the engine shut off. The
engine does not provide any braking
effect with the transmission in neutral or
with the engine shut off.
Do not allow floor mats, carpets or any
other objects to protrude into the area
around the brake pedal, the clutch or
the accelerator which could obstruct
their freedom of movement.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Brake system Brake fluid level
If the brake warning lamp
comes on with the parking
brake released:
The brake fluid level is too low in the
reservoir (refer to page 126).
If the brake fluid level is too low and
brake pedal travel has become notice-
ably longer, there may be a defect in
one of the brake system's hydraulic
circuits.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
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
If the warning lamp for the brake
pads lights up: only the
minimum pad thickness still
remains on the brake pads. Proceed to
the nearest BMW center as soon as
possible to have the pads replaced.
For your own safety: use only
brake pads which 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 if they are installed.<

108n
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
progress through the winter remains
safe and trouble-free. CoolantBe sure that the coolant mixture
contains the year-round ratio of 50:50
water and antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor.
This mixture provides protection
against freezing down to approx.
Ð34 7 (Ð37 6). Have the coolant
replaced every 4 years. LocksBMW door lock deicer can be used to
free them if frozen. This deicer also
contains lubricant.
After using deicer, treatment with BMW
lock barrel grease is recommended.
Rubber seals and components To prevent the weather-stripping from
freezing, apply a spray-on rubber treat-
ment or silicone spray to the door, hood
and luggage compartment lid seals.
A full range of car-care products is
available from your BMW center.<
Snow chains Mount BMW snow chains
*, whether on
summer or winter tires, in pairs on the
rear wheels only, keeping the manufac-
turer's safety instructions in mind. Do
not exceed a maximum speed of
30 mph (50 km/h) with snow chains. In
rare situations like these, it is advisable
to turn off the DSC and RDW. Refer to
page 76 or page 78.
Starting offWhen trying to drive out of deep snow,
or when "rocking" the vehicle to free it,
it may be advisable to temporarily
deactivate the DSC system. Refer to
page 76.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. Adapt
your speed and driving style when
approaching grades or slopes. Maintain
an adequate distance between yourself
and the vehicle ahead.

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Winter operationBrakingWinter road conditions substantially
reduce the amount of traction available
between the tires and the road surface;
the resulting increase in braking
distance is considerable and should
always be kept in mind.
ABS is intended to prevent the wheels
from locking during brake applications,
thus helping to maintain vehicle stability
and steering response.
If the ABS does not respond in a critical
braking situation and the wheels lock:
Reduce the pressure on the brake
pedal until the wheels just start to roll
again while still maintaining enough
force to continue braking. Then
increase the pressure, reduce the pres-
sure when the wheels lock, reapply
pressure etc.
This staggered braking procedure will
reduce stopping distances while
helping you maintain steering control.
You can then attempt to steer around
hazards after you have reduced pres-
sure 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 during hard
braking on road surfaces which
provide only poor or uneven traction.<
Skid control Depress the clutch and let up on the
gas. Countersteer carefully and attempt
to regain control of the vehicle.
ParkingEngage first 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.<

110n
Power steering Cellular phone
* Radio reception
If the steering response changes, e.g.
high steering effort:
Consult a BMW center to have it
checked.
If the power steering fails,
increased effort will be required to
steer the vehicle.<
Only mobile communications systems
(cellular phone, radio, etc.) with an
output up to 10 watts are permitted.
Mobile communications devices not
specifically designed for use in your
vehicle may trigger malfunctions while
operating your vehicle. BMW can
neither test nor assume responsibility
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, do not use a cellular phone or
other radio device with an antenna
located inside the passenger compart-
ment. The antenna should always be
mounted 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 vary
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,
structural or natural obstructions can all
lead to unavoidable reception interfer-
ence, regardless of how well the vehicle
sound system is operating.
Climatic factors such as intense solar
radiation, fog, rain and snow can also
interfere with reception.
Telephones without formal BMW
approval can also generate interfer-
ence. This phenomenon assumes the
form of a low-pitched hum emanating
from the speaker system.
Please refer to the separate Owner's
Manual that came with your vehicle for
information on setting and operating
your car radio.