BMW M3 COUPE 2001 E46 Owner's Manual

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
141n
Lamps and bulbsFront fog lamps HB4, 55 watt bulb
The 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.
Tail lamp assembly Tail lamps (4): bulbs 21/4 watts
Remaining bulbs: 21 watts
1 Turn signal yellow
2 Backup lamps white
3 Tail lamp red
4 Tail lamp/Brake lamp red
The illustration shows the right-hand
luggage compartment opening.Bulbs in the fenderAll of the bulbs are integrated in a
central bulb holder.
1 Releasing the bulb holder (arrow)

142n
Lamps and bulbs2 Removing the bulb holder
3 Unplug the power supply receptacle
Set the bulb holder aside (on the
luggage compartment floor, for
example)
4 Applying light pressure, turn 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 Applying light pressure, turn 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.

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
143n
Lamps and bulbsCenter (high-mount) brake lamp LED light bar on the rear window.
Please contact a BMW center in case of
a malfunction.
License plate lamps 5 watt bulb
1 Place a screwdriver in the slot and
press toward the left (arrow) to
release the lens
2 Replace the bulb.
Interior lamps Front:
Interior lamps (6 watt bulb)
Reading lamps (2 x 6 watt bulbs)
1 Using a screwdriver, press the lamp
out toward the front
2 Turn the bulb holder to the left and
remove it
3 Remove and replace the bulb.

144n
Lamps and bulbsRear:
Interior lamp (6 watt bulb)
Reading lamp (6 watt bulb)
1 Press the lamp out using a screw-
driver
2 Turn the bulb holder to the left and
remove it
3 Remove and replace the bulb.
Lighted make-up mirror10 watt bulb
1 Remove the bulb housing Ð use a
screwdriver if necessary
2 Replace the bulb.
Footwell lamps 5 watt bulb
1 Press the lamp out using a
screwdriver
2 Replace the bulb.Glove compartment lamp 5 watt bulb
1 Press the lamp out using a
screwdriver
2 Replace the bulb.Luggage compartment lamps One lamp each in the bulb holder of the
tail lamp assembly: 10 watt bulb.
1 Apply a screwdriver to the recess and
remove the lens
2 Replace the bulb.

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
145n
Repairing a flat tire
Precautions in case of a flat tire:
Stop the vehicle as far as possible
from passing traffic; switch on the
hazard warning flashers.
Switch on the hazard warning flashers.
Turn the steering wheel to the straight-
ahead position, remove the key and
engage the steering lock. Shift into 1st
or reverse gear and engage the parking
brake.
All passengers should be outside the
vehicle and well away from your imme-
diate working area (behind a guardrail,
for instance).
If a warning triangle or portable hazard
warning lamp is available, set it up on
the roadside at an appropriate distance
from the rear of the vehicle.
Comply with all safety guidelines and
regulations.<
M Mobility system With the BMW M3, you will find an
M Mobility system for fixing flat tires.
With the aid of this system, you can
apply a liquid sealant to the inside of
the tire, thereby sealing off the
damaged area, and then continue
driving.
The M Mobility system makes trans-
porting a spare wheel superfluous,
thereby reducing the amount of weight
you have to carry around.
The M Mobility system is located in the
luggage compartment under the floor
panel:
1 Lift up the floor panel
2 Loosen the M Mobility system from
its storage location.
Note that the fluid bottle in the
system's sealant container must
be replaced every 3 years by your BMW
center if the system is not used.<

146n
Repairing a flat tireThe components of the M Mobility
system1 On/Off switch
2 Connection 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 the tire
pressure
4 Connector hose from the sealant
container to the wheel
5 Sticker for 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 accidents could result.
Before you use the M Mobility system,
read the warnings and danger notices
on the device carefully.<
1 Pull sticker 5 off for speed limit and
affix it to the steering wheel
2 Remove the round cover and take out
hose 4. Unscrew the valve stem
cover from the defective wheel and
screw the hose to the valve

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
147n
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 the plug 6 and insert it into
the cigarette lighter socket in the
passenger compartment (refer to
page 93)
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 three minutes to elapse to let
the sealant flow in. It does not matter
afterward what the tire's inflation
pressure is
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 Then immediately 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

148n
Repairing a flat tire Battery 8 Take out the hose with the pressure
gauge and screw it onto the valve.
Take out the plug and plug it into the
cigarette lighter socket in the
passenger compartment
9 Inflate the tire pressure:
>To increase the tire pressure: turn
on the M Mobility system
(position I). To check the new tire
pressure briefly turn off the device
>To reduce the tire pressure: turn
the screw on the back of the pres-
sure gauge; this will open the air
release valve
If the air pressure won't hold, still
carry out step 10 and then repeat
steps 7 through 10 again.
The use of the M Mobility system may
be ineffective if the damaged area in
the tire is larger than approx. 0.16 in
(4 mm). Please consult the nearest
BMW center if the tire cannot be
temporarily repaired with the M Mobility
system.<
10 Unscrew the hose from the valve
and stow the M Mobility system in
the luggage compartment.
After the flat tire has been fixed and you
start driving again, do not exceed a
maximum speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
You will find corresponding instructions
for using the M Mobility system on the
device.
Replace the defective tire as soon as
possible and have the new wheel/tire
balanced. Re-initialize the Tire Pressure
Warning system (RDW), refer to
page 78 for further information. Have
the M Mobility system refilled. Contact
your BMW center for this.
Battery locationThe battery is located at the right-rear
of the luggage compartment. Raise the
luggage compartment floor panel (refer
to page 39). Using a screwdriver or a
coin and f turn, release both of the
caps as shown in the illustration, taking
them out along with an additional cap in
the top center of the right side trim
panel. Remove the fasteners. In order
to remove the storage tray, slide the
side trim panel slightly upward.
Battery posts, terminals, and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds. Wash hands after
handling.<

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
149n
BatteryCharge conditionYou can read the charge condition of
the battery with the "Magic Eye
*" (a
hydrometer):
>Green: adequate charge
>Black: not charged adequately. The
battery must be recharged. Please
contact your BMW center for addi-
tional information
>Yellow: replace the battery.
The projected service life of the
battery can only be reached if the
battery is fully-charged at all times. If
the vehicle is primarily used for stop-
and-go traffic, be sure to check the
charge state often.<
MaintenanceThe battery is completely maintenance-
free. That means that the original
battery acid will normally last for the
service life of the battery under
moderate climate conditions.
For all questions that regard the
battery, please consult your BMW
center. Since the battery is absolutely
maintenance-free, the following infor-
mation is for your use only.<
SymbolsYou will find the following symbols on
your car battery. For your safety, please
be cautious whenever you work with or
near the battery.
Before handling the battery,
please read the following
information.
A highly-explosive gas is
generated when the battery is
charged.
Never allow sparks or open
flame near the battery. Do not
smoke in the vicinity of the
battery. Avoid creating sparks when
working around electrical cables or
equipment. Turn the key to position 0 in
the ignition when disconnecting or
connecting the battery. Don't short-
circuit the battery terminal. If you do so,
you could be injured by electrical
sparks.
In order to protect the battery
case from ultraviolet radiation,
do not place it in direct sunlight.
A discharged battery can freeze. Store
the battery in areas where temperature
remains above freezing.

150n
Battery
Battery acid is extremely corro-
sive. Wear eye protection and
protective gloves. Do not tip the
battery. Battery acid can leak from the
ventilation openings.
Be sure that children keep well
away from batteries and battery
acid.
Wear eye protection. Do not
allow particles containing
battery acid or lead to come into
contact with your eyes, your skin, or
your clothing.
If you happen to get acid in your
eyes, rinse thoroughly for
15 minutes with clear water.
Following that, consult a physician
immediately. If your skin or clothing are
splashed with acid, rinse immediately
with plenty of soap and water. If acid is
accidentally swallowed, consult a
physician immediately.
Removal and installation
Do not disconnect the battery
when the engine is running.
Disconnecting the battery cable when
the engine is running will cause a
voltage surge which will damage the
vehicle's onboard electronics. Do not
make any modifications in the wires to
the positive terminal. If you do so, the
protective function of the safety battery
terminal is no longer ensured. Repairs
and disposal may only be performed by
specially-trained personnel.<
When removing the battery, disconnect
the cable on the negative terminal first,
then the cable on the positive terminal.
Loosen the center adjusting screw on
the battery retaining strap (use the
screwdriver included with the onboard
tool kit) and disconnect the strap.
When installing a battery, connect the
positive terminal first, then connect the
negative terminal.
When installing a battery, be sure
that it is mounted properly and
that the retaining bracket is installed
with the center adjustment screw. If this
is not done, the battery will not be
adequately secured in case of an acci-
dent.<
Charging the battery Charge the battery in the vehicle only
when the engine is not running.
Before performing any work on
the electrical system, disconnect
the cable from the negative terminal. If
you do not, short circuits can create the
risk of fire or personal injury.<
If you plan to park the vehicle for longer
than 4 weeks, disconnect the battery
from the vehicle electrical system by
disconnecting the cable at the negative
terminal. Then recharge the battery with
an appropriate battery charger.
If you intend to store the vehicle for
longer than 12 weeks, remove the
battery, charge it and store it in a cool
and dust-free room where there is no
danger of freezing. During storage,
have the battery recharged every 3
months. Also, recharge the battery
before it is reinstalled. If this is not
done, the battery will not be service-
able. Every time the battery is drained,
especially over extended periods, its
service life is reduced.