fuel BMW M3 COUPE 2001 E46 Owner's Manual

6n

For your own safety

Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels
containing up to and including
10 % ethanol or other oxygenates with
up to 2,8 % oxygen by weight (i.e. 15 %
MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an equiva-
lent amount of co-solvent) will not void
the applicable warranties respecting
defects in materials or workmanship.
Field experience has indicated signifi-
cant differences in fuel quality (volatility,
composition, additives, others) among
gasolines offered for sale in the United
States and Canada. The use of poor
quality fuels may result in drivability,
starting and stalling problems espe-
cially under certain environmental
conditions, such as high ambient
temperature and high altitude.
Should you encounter driveability
problems which you suspect could be
related to the fuel you are using, we
recommend that you respond by
switching to a recognized high-quality
brand.
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may result in unscheduled
maintenance.
Obey pertinent safety rules when you
are handling gasoline.

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Important safety information.
For your own safety, use genuine parts
and accessories approved by BMW.
When you purchase accessories tested
and approved by BMW and Original
BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire
the assurance that they have been thor-
oughly tested by BMW to ensure
optimum performance when installed
on your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free
from defects in material and workman-
ship.
BMW will not accept any liability for
damages resulting from installation of
parts and accessories not approved by
BMW.
BMW cannot test every product made
by other manufacturers to verify if it can
be used on a BMW safely and without
risk to either the vehicle, its operation,
or its occupants.
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories
and other products approved by BMW,
together with professional advice on
using these items, are available from all
BMW centers.

Installation and operation of non-BMW
approved accessories such as alarms,
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors,
wheels, suspension components, brake
dust shields, telephones (including
operation of any portable cellular phone
from within the vehicle without using an
externally mounted antenna) or trans-
ceiver equipment (such as CB, walkie-
talkie, ham radio or similar) may cause
extensive damage to the vehicle,
compromise its safety, interfere with
the vehicle's electrical system or affect
the validity of the BMW Limited
Warranty. See your BMW center for
additional information.
Do not use a key or remote control to
lock doors or luggage compartment
with anyone inside the car. See page 34
for more details.

<

Symbol on vehicle parts

Indicates that you should consult
the relevant section of this
Owner's Manual for information on a
particular part or assembly.

For your own safety

Contents

Overview
Controls and features

Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps20
Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL)23
Hazard warning flashers24
Warning triangle24
First-aid kit24
Refueling25
Fuel specifications26
Tire inflation pressure26

Opening and closing:

Keys30
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer31
Central locking system31
Opening and closing Ð
via the door lock32
Opening and closing Ð
via the remote control33
Opening and closing Ð
from the inside36
Luggage compartment lid37
Luggage compartment39
Alarm system40
Electric power windows42
Sliding/tilt sunroof43

Adjustments:

Seats45
Mirrors49
Seat and mirror memory51
Steering wheel52
Car Memory, Key Memory52

Passenger safety systems:

Safety belts54
Airbags56
Transporting children safely59

Driving:

Steering/Ignition lock62
Starting the engine62
Switching off the engine63
Parking brake63
Manual transmission64
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher65
Washer/Wiper system/Rain
sensor65
Rear window defroster67
Cruise control67

Everything under control:

Odometer69
Tachometer69
Engine oil temperature gauge69
Fuel gauge70
Coolant temperature gauge70
Service Interval Display71
Check Control72
Computer72

Technology for driving comfort
and safety:

Park Distance Control (PDC)75
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)76
Tire Pressure Warning (RDW)78
M Engine dynamics control80

Contents

Contents

Owner service procedures
Advanced technology
Technical data

Replacement procedures:

Onboard tool kit138
Windshield wiper blades138
Lamps and bulbs138
Repairing a flat tire145
Battery148
Fuses151
Microfilter/Activated charcoal
filter152

In case of
electrical malfunction:

Fuel filler door152
Sliding/tilt sunroof153

Giving and receiving
assistance:

Jump-starting154
Towing155Airbags158
Radio reception158
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)159
Safety belt tensioner159
M3 Engine concept160
Rain sensor160
Interior rearview mirror with
automatic dimming
feature161
Self-diagnostics162
Xenon lamps163Engine data166
Dimensions167
Weights168
Capacities169
Electrical system170
Drive belts170

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology

15n

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps20
Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL)23
Hazard warning flashers24
Warning triangle24
First-aid kit24
Refueling25
Fuel specifications26
Tire inflation pressure26
Overview

19n

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview

Instrument cluster

1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp for
fuel reserve70
2 Turn signal indicator22
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator lamp for:

>

Battery charge current20

>

High beams22

>

Engine oil pressure/Engine oil
level20, 21
5 Tachometer and engine oil
temperature gauge69, 69
6 Engine coolant temperature gauge
with "Coolant temperature too high"
indicator70
7 Indicator and warning lamps
(clockwise) for:

>

Parking brake/Brake hydraulic
system/Cornering Brake Control
(CBC)20

>

Antilock Brake System
(ABS)21

>

Brake pads21

>

Tire Pressure Warning
(RDW)20, 22

>

Airbags21

>

Please fasten safety belts21

>

Cruise control22
8 Set button for the clock73
9 Indicator lamp for Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC)2210 Indicator for:

>

Odometer69

>

Trip odometer69

>

Clock73

>

Service Interval71
Indicator for computer, operation
using the turn signal lever, refer to
page 72:

>

Clock

>

Outside temperature

>

Average fuel consumption

>

Crusing range

>

Average speed
11 Indicator for Check Control72
12 Trip odometer, reset to zero6913 Indicator and warning lamps
(clockwise) for:

>

Fog lamps22

>

Add washer fluid22

>

Coolant level22

>

Electronic Throttle Control
(EML)22

>

Service engine soon22
You can have the outside temper-
ature and distance traveled shown
in other units of measurement.

<

25n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Refueling Fuel filler door
Before filling the tank, shut off the
engine. If you do not, fuel cannot
flow into the tank and the "Service
Engine Soon" lamp may come on.<
Press on the rear edge of the fuel filler
door to open and close it.
To unlock if the central locking system
malfunctions, refer to page 152
When handling fuels, comply with
all of the applicable safety
precautions and regulations pertaining
to fuels.
Never carry spare fuel containers in
your vehicle. Whether empty or full,
these containers can leak, cause an
explosion, or lead to fire in the event
of a collision.<
Simple and friendly to the
environment
Open the filler cap carefully to
prevent fuel from spraying out.
Fuel spray may cause injury.<
Keep the filler cap in the bracket
attached to the fuel filler door.
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle
completely into the filler pipe. Pulling
the nozzle out of the pipe during refu-
eling
>results in premature pump shutoff
>and will reduce the effect of the vapor
recovery system on the pump.
As long as the filler nozzle is used prop-
erly, the fuel tank is full whenever the
nozzle shuts off the first time.
Tank capacity, refer to page 169.
Close the fuel cap carefully after
refueling until a "click" is heard.
While closing, be sure not to squeeze
the strap which is fastened to the cap.
A loose or missing cap will activate the
Service Engine Soon warning lamp.<

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Fuel specifications Tire inflation pressure Refuel with lead-freeThe engine uses lead-free gasoline
only.
Required fuel:
>Premium Unleaded Gasoline,
min. 91 AKI
AKI = Anti Knock Index
Do not use leaded fuels. The use
of leaded fuels will cause perma-
nent damage to the system's oxygen
sensor and the catalytic converter.<
Proper inflation pressures are on a
sticker attached to the B-pillar and
visible with the driver's door open.Check tire pressuresOn the next page you will find all the tire
pressure specifications, for tires at
ambient air temperature, stated in the
units usually used in your country (psi;
kilopascal).
After correcting the tire inflation pres-
sure, re-initialize the Tire Pressure
Warning system (RDW) so that it can
monitor the tire inflation pressure, refer
to page 78.
Check tire inflation pressures
regularly Ð at least every two
weeks and before beginning a longer
trip.
Incorrect tire pressure can otherwise
lead to driving instability, tire damage
and accidents.< Comply with tire approval
specifications The inflation pressures in the table
apply to tires made by BMW-approved
manufacturers. Your BMW center is
familiar with these pressures. Higher
pressures may be specified for tires
from other manufacturers. You will find
a list of approved tire sizes on
page 116.
Your vehicle is equipped with tires that
not only meet US standards, but also
European standards. We recommend
the exclusive use of BMW-approved
tires.

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
29n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Driving:
Steering/Ignition lock62
Starting the engine62
Switching off the engine63
Parking brake63
Manual transmission64
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher65
Wiper/Washer system/Rain
sensor65
Rear window defroster67
Cruise control67
Everything under control:
Odometer69
Tachometer69
Engine oil temperature gauge69
Fuel gauge70
Coolant temperature gauge70
Service Interval Display71
Check Control72
Computer72
Technology for driving comfort
and safety:
Park Distance Control (PDC)75
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)76
Tire Pressure Warning (RDW)78
M Engine dynamics control80Lamps:
Side lamps/Low beams81
Instrument lighting81
High beams/Parking lamp82
Fog lamps82
Interior lamps82
Reading lamps83
Controlling the climate
for pleasant driving:
Automatic climate control84
Heated seats89
Roller sun blind89
Interior conveniences:
HiFi system90
Glove compartment90
Storage compartments91
Cellular phone92
Ashtray, front92
Cigarette lighter93
Ashtray rear 93
Clothes hooks94
Loading and transporting
cargo:
Through-loading system95
Ski bag96
Cargo loading97
Roof-mounted luggage rack98

31n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Electronic vehicle immobilizer Central locking systemThe key to security Your BMW is equipped with a passive
antiÐtheft system. This electronic immo-
bilization system is designed to reduce
the susceptibility of your vehicle to theft
by making it impossible to start the
engine using any means other than the
special keys furnished with the vehicle.
Your BMW center can cancel the elec-
tronic system authorization for indi-
vidual keys (in the event of loss, for
instance). A deactivated key can no
longer be used to start the engine.
How the electronics work At the heart of this system is an elec-
tronic chip which is integrated into the
key. The lock mechanism itself is actu-
ally a dual-function device, simulta-
neously serving as a communications
interface designed to allow the security
system to maintain a continuous stream
of variable, vehicle-specific signals with
the electronic circuitry in the key. The
system will not release the ignition, fuel
injection and starter unless it recog-
nizes an "authorized" key.
Force applied to the key can
damage the integrated electronic
circuitry. A damaged key can no longer
be used to start the engine.<
The conceptThe system engages and releases the
locks on the:
>Doors
>Luggage compartment lid
>Fuel filler door.
The central locking system is ready for
operation whenever the driver's door is
closed. The central locking system can
be operated
>from outside via the door lock and
using the remote control
>from inside by pressing a button.
If it is operated from inside, the fuel
filler door will not be locked (refer to
page 36).
When the system is actuated from
outside the vehicle, the antitheft protec-
tion is simultaneously activated. Both
the door locks and release handles
remain locked. The alarm system is also
activated or deactivated.
For your safety: if locked from inside,
the central locking system unlocks
automatically in the event of an acci-
dent. In addition, the hazard warning
flashers and interior lamps come on.

32n
Opening and closing Ð via the door lockUsing the keyTurning the key once in the driver's
door will unlock only the driver's door.
Turning the key a second time will
unlock the passenger's door, the
luggage compartment lid and the fuel
filler door.
You can have a signal set as an
acknowledgment message that
the vehicle is closed correctly.<
Convenience operating modeYou can also open the electric windows
and the sliding/tilt sunroof via the door
lock.
With the door closed, turn the key to
the "Unlock" position and hold it.Manual operation (in the event of electrical malfunction)
Turn the key all the way to the extreme
left or right to unlock/lock the door.