tow BMW M3 COUPE 2001 E46 User Guide

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

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Information for your safetyThe factory-approved radial tires are
matched to the vehicle and have been
selected to provide optimum safety and
driving comfort on your vehicle.
It is not merely the tire's service life, but
also driving comfort and Ð above all else
Ð driving safety that depend on the
condition of the tires and the mainte-
nance of the specified tire pressure.
Incorrect inflation pressure is a frequent
cause of tire damage. It also signifi-
cantly influences the roadholding ability
of your BMW.
Check tire inflation pressures on a
regular basis (refer to page 27), at
least every two weeks and before
beginning a longer trip. If this is not
done, incorrect tire pressures can
cause driving instability and tire
damage, ultimately resulting in acci-
dents.<
Tire tread Ð Tire damageInspect your tires frequently for tread
wear, signs of damage and for foreign
objects lodged in the tread. Check the
tread depth.
Tread depth should not be allowed to
go below 0.12 in (3 mm), even though
the legally specified minimum tread
depth is only 0.063 in (1.6 mm). At a
tread depth of 0.063 in (1.6 mm), tread
depth indicators (arrow) in the tread-
groove base will indicate that the legally
permissible wear limit has been
reached. Below 0.12 in (3 mm) tread
depth, there is an increased risk of
aquaplaning, even at relatively
moderate speeds and with only small
amounts of water on the road.
Do not drive 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 can lead to
overheating and increases the rate at
which damage develops inside the
tires. You could have a blowout as a
result.
Unusual vibrations encountered during
normal vehicle operation can indicate
tire failure or some other vehicle defect,
This is also true for irregularities in the
vehicle's handling characteristics, such
as a pronounced tendency to pull to the
left or right. Should this occur, respond
by immediately reducing your speed.
Proceed carefully to the nearest BMW
center or professional tire center, or
have the vehicle towed in to have it and
its tires inspected.
Tire damage (up to and including blow-
outs) can endanger the lives of both the
vehicle occupants and other road
users.<
Tire inflation pressure Tire condition

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine oilChecking the oil level 1 Park the vehicle on a level surface
2 Shut the engine off after it has
reached normal operating tempera-
ture
3 After approx. 5 minutes, pull the
dipstick out and wipe it off with a
clean lint-free cloth, paper towel or
similar material
4 Carefully push the dipstick all the way
into the guide tube and pull it out
again
5 The oil level should be between the
two marks on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption
is directly influenced by your driving
style and vehicle operating conditions.
The oil quantity between the two marks
on the dipstick corresponds to approx.
1.1 US quarts (1 liter).
To add oil Wait until the level has dropped to just
above the lower mark before adding oil.
However, never let the oil drop below
the lower mark.
Do not fill beyond the upper mark on
the dipstick. Excess oil will damage the
engine.
BMW engines are designed to
operate without oil additives; the
use of additives could lead to damage
in some cases. This is also true for the
manual transmission, the differential,
and the power steering system.<
Recommendation: have the oil changed
by your BMW center only.

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
137n
Replacement procedures:
Onboard tool kit138
Windshield wiper blades138
Lamps and bulbs138
Repairing a flat tire145
Battery148
Fuses151
Microfilter/Activated charcoal
filter 152
In case of
electrical malfunction:
Fuel filler door152
Sliding/tilt sunroof153
Giving and receiving
assistance:
Jump-starting154
Towing the vehicle155
Repairs

138n
The onboard tool kit is located in the
luggage compartment lid.
Loosen the wingnut to open.
1 Rotate the wiper arm completely out
from the windshield
2 Position the wiper blade at an angle
and pull the release spring (arrow)
3 Fold the wiper blade down and
unhook it toward the windshield
4 Pull the wiper blade past the wiper
arm toward the top
5 Insert a new wiper blade and apply
pressure until you hear it engage.
Use only BMW approved wiper
blades.<
The lamps and bulbs make essential
contributions to the safety of your
vehicle. Therefore, comply fully with the
following instructions during bulb
replacement. If you are not familiar with
any of the procedures, consult your
authorized BMW center.
Do not touch the glass portion of a
new bulb with your bare hands
since even small amounts of impurities
burn into the surface and reduce the
service life of the bulb. Use a clean
cloth, paper napkin, or a similar mate-
rial, or hold the bulb by its metallic
base. <
A replacement bulb set is available from
your BMW center.
Whenever working on the elec-
trical system, switch off the elec-
trical accessory you are working on or
disconnect the cable from the negative
terminal of the battery. Failure to do this
could result in short circuits.
To prevent injuries and damage when
changing a bulb, be sure to comply with
any instructions provided by the bulb
manufacturer.<
Onboard tool kit Windshield wiper blades Lamps and bulbs

140n
Lamps and bulbsFront turn signal indicator 21 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 indicator5 watt bulb
1 Use finger pressure against the rear
end of the lens (arrow) to press it
forward for removal
2 Apply gentle pressure to the bulb
while turning it to the left to remove.

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.

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.<