ECU BMW M3 COUPE 2001 E46 Owner's Guide

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.

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
151n
Battery Fuses
Return used batteries to a recy-
cling point or your authorized
BMW center. Maintain the battery in an
upright position for transport and
storage. Secure the battery against
tilting in transit.<
Storage periods during which the
battery is disconnected are not
taken into consideration by the Service
Interval Display for changing the brake
fluid.
For this reason, be sure that the brake
fluid is changed every two years,
regardless of the information displayed.
Please read the information on
page 126.<
If an electrical accessory should fail,
switch it off and check the fuse. In glove compartment1 Open the glove compartment and
turn the two white quick-release
fasteners outward. Spare fuses and
plastic tweezers are located on the
fuse holder
2 Use the plastic tweezers to remove
the fuse for the accessory or equip-
ment that has stopped working
3 Replace a blown fuse, recognizable
by its melted metal strip, with a new
fuse that has the same color or
ampere rating.
A list of fuses, their respective ampere
ratings and the equipment in their
circuits is provided below the fuse
holder.
To close the fuse holder, snap it into
position at the top and turn the two
fasteners inward.
Do not attempt to repair a burned
fuse or replace it with a fuse
having a different color or ampere
rating. To do this could cause a fire in
the vehicle resulting from a circuit
overload.<
If the fuse continues to burn through,
have the problem taken care of by a
BMW center.

152n
Microfilter/Activated-charcoal filter Fuel filler door1 Open the hood
2 Release the three fasteners (arrow)
with a f turn
3 Remove the filter cover
4 Remove the filter by pulling toward
the front and install a new one
5 Position the filter cover and secure it
with the three fasteners.
Manual release Pull the knob with the fuel pump symbol
(arrow) on the right trim panel of the
luggage compartment.

Everything from A to Z
177n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
JJump-starting154KKey30
with remote control30
Key Memory52LLamps
fog lamps82
footwell lamps82
interior lamps82
reading lamps83
LAMPS ON warning81
Lashing eyes98
LATCH attachment of the
child seat60
Leather care132
Length167
License plate lamp, bulb
replacement143t
Light switch81
Light-alloy wheels116
Lighter93
Load-securing devices98
Louvers84
Low beam headlamps81
bulb replacement139tLuggage compartment37
capacity168
emergency release37t
floor mat39
floor panel39
lid37
lighting37
locking separately37
remote control34
Luggage compartment
lamps, bulb
replacement144t
Luggage rack98
Lumbar support48
MM Engine dynamics
control80
M Mobility system145
components146
using146
Maintenance71, 127t
Make-up mirror50
Malfunction displays72t
Manual transmission64
Manual-shift gear lever64
Master key30
Mechanical seat45
Memory51
MFL (Multifunction steering
wheel)23Microfilter/Activated-
charcoal filter88
changing152t
Mirror memory51
Mirrors49
automatic curb
monitor49
with automatic dimming
feature161
Mobile phone110
Modifications,
technical6, 134
Motion sensor, interior40
Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL)23
M+S radial tires115
NNavigation system, refer to
the separate Owner's
Manual
Neckrest46OOBD interface socket135
Obstruction protection42
Odometer69
Oil
additives123
capacity169
consumption123Oil change intervals, see the
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US
models)/Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models)
Oil filter change169
Oil level, indicator lamp21
Oil pressure, indicator
lamp20
OILSERVICE71
Onboard computer, refer to
computer72
Onboard monitor, refer to
the separate Owner's
Manual
Onboard tool kit138t
Opening and closing
from inside36
via remote control33
via the door lock32
Outside temperature
display73
PPaint blemishes129
Paintwork
minor repairs130
waxing130
Paint, care129
Panic mode35

Everything from A to ZPark Distance Control
(PDC)75
Parking brake63
Parking help75
Parking lamp82
Parking, winter109
PDC (Park Distance
Control)75
Performance166
Phone hookup92
Phone, mobile110
Pollen88
Power seat47
Power windows42
Pressure specifications for
tires26
Pressure,
tires26, 26t, 111
Protective gloves141QQuality Grades112RRadiator169
Radio
please refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
reception110, 158
Radio Data System
(RDS)159
Rain sensor66, 160RDS (Radio Data
System)159
RDW (Tire Pressure
Warning)78
indicator lamp22
Reading lamps83
Rear backrest, folding95
Rear lamps141t
Rear window
defroster67, 88
Rear-entry assist47
Rearview mirror49
Recirculated air mode87
Reclining seat45
Refueling25
Remote control33
Removing condensation
from the windows87t
Repairing a flat tire145t
Replace windshield wiper
blades138t
Replacement key30t
Replacing bulbs138t
Reporting safety defects7
Restraint system55, 59
Return used
batteries151t
Reverse64
Roller blind, sun
protection89
Roof load capacity168Roof-mounted luggage
rack98
Rubber seals and
components108
SSafety belt tensioner159
Safety belts54
height adjustment55
three-point safety belt95
Safety buttons36
Safety defects, reporting7
Safety feature, electric
power windows42
Safety glasses141
Seat
mechanical45
power47
Seat adjusting45
Seat heating89
Seat memory51
Securing cargo97
Securing loads97
Self-defrosting mirrors49
Self-diagnostics162
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet127
Service Interval
Display71, 127
Service Manual127
Side airbags56Side impact Head Protection
System56
Side lamps81
Side marker lamp, bulb
replacement139t
Side turn signals, bulb
replacement140t
Ski bag96
Sliding/tilt sunroof43
closing after electrical
fault153t
convenience
operation32, 33
remote control33
Snow chains108, 115
Socket93
for flashlights93
for power supplies93
for vacuum cleaner93
Spare key30t
Spark plugs170
Speaker92
Speedometer18
Sport-mode,
identification80
Sports seat46, 47
Starting
problems63t, 103
Starting the engine62
Steel wheels116
Steering110
Steering lock62