key battery BMW M3 COUPE 2001 E46 Owner's Manual

20n

Indicator and warning lamps

Technology
that monitors itself

Many of the systems of your BMW
monitor themselves automatically, both
during engine starts and while you are
driving. Indicator and warning lamps
that are identified by "

l

" are tested for
proper functioning whenever the igni-
tion key is turned. They each light up
once for different periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these
systems, the corresponding lamp does
not go out after the engine is started or
it lights up while the vehicle is moving.
You will see how to react to this below.

Red: stop immediately

Battery charge current

l

The battery is no longer being
charged. There is a malfunction
of the alternator drive belt or in the
charging circuit of the alternator. Please
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the drive belt is defective, do not
continue driving. The engine could
be damaged due to overheating. If the
V-belt is defective, increased steering
effort is also required.

<


Engine oil pressure

l

Stop vehicle immediately and
switch off engine. Check the
engine oil level and top up as required.
If the oil level is correct: please contact
the nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving, other-
wise, the engine could be
damaged because of inadequate lubri-
cation.

<



Tire Pressure Warning (RDW)
In addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded: a flat tire has
occurred. To come to an immediate
stop, reduce speed, while avoiding any
sudden, jerky braking or steering
maneuvers.
For additional information, refer to
page 78.
Brake hydraulic system

l

If the lamp comes on when the
parking brake is not engaged:
Check the brake fluid level. Before
driving further, be sure to read the addi-
tional information on pages 107
and 126.
Brake lamp for Canadian
models.

30n
KeysThe key set1 Master key with remote control
This key sets the functions for Key
Memory. Refer to page 52
There is an extended-life battery
in every master key that is
charged automatically in the ignition
lock as you drive. For this reason, if you
have a master key that is otherwise not
used, use that key at least once every
year while driving for an extended
period to charge the battery. Refer also
to page 33.<
2 Spare key for storage in a safe place,
such as in your wallet. This key is not
intended for continuous use
3 Door key
The locks for the luggage compart-
ment lid and the glove compartment
cannot be operated with this key Ð
this is recommended for valet
parking, for instance.
Replacement keysare available exclusively through your
BMW center. Since the keys are part of
a security system, vehicle ownership
must be checked before a replacement
key can be issued (refer to "Electronic
vehicle immobilizer" on page 31).
If possible, take all of the master
keys that belong to the vehicle
with you when you pick up your
replacement key.
Whenever you receive a new replace-
ment key, turn that key to position 2 in
the ignition lock once (ignition switched
on) and then back. This allows the elec-
tronic vehicle immobilizer to "learn" the
new key.<

33n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Opening and closing Ð via the remote control The conceptThe remote control makes opening and
locking the doors of your vehicle very
convenient. Furthermore, it provides
two additional functions which you can
only execute via the remote control:
>Switch on the interior lamps, refer to
page 34.
With this function, you can also
"search" for your vehicle Ð when
parked in an underground garage, for
instance
>Open the luggage compartment lid.
Refer to page 34.
The luggage compartment lid will
open slightly, regardless of whether it
was locked or unlocked.
The anti-theft system is also deacti-
vated/activated simultaneously with the
unlocking or locking of the vehicle, and
the alarm system is disarmed/armed,
and the interior lamps are switched on/
off.
You can have a signal set as an
acknowledgment message that
the vehicle is closed correctly.<
Master keysKeys with remote control are master
keys. Refer to page 30.
Children might be able to lock the
doors from the inside. For this
reason, always take the vehicle keys
with you so that the vehicle can be
opened again from the outside at any
time.<
Master keys that are used repeat-
edly are always ready for opera-
tion since the battery in the key is
charged automatically in the ignition
lock as you drive.
If it is no longer possible to unlock the
vehicle via the remote control, the
battery is discharged. Use this key
while driving for an extended period in
order to charge the battery. Refer also
to page 30.
Guard the remote control against unau-
thorized use by only surrendering the
spare key or the door key (refer to
page 30) e. g. for valet parking.
In the event of a system malfunction,
please contact your BMW center. You
can also obtain replacement keys
there.<

40n
Alarm system
*
The conceptThe vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the
luggage compartment lid is opened.
>To movement inside the vehicle (inte-
rior motion sensor).
>Altering the angle of the vehicle tilt
sensor, e. g. as would occur while
attempting to steal the wheels or tow
the vehicle (tilt sensor alarm system).
>To interruption of battery voltage.
The system responds to unauthorized
vehicle entry and attempted theft by
simultaneously activating the following:
>Sounding an acoustical alarm for
30 seconds.
>Activating the hazard warning
flashers for approx. five minutes.
>Flashing the high beams on and off in
rhythm with the hazard warning
flashers.
To activate and deactivate the
alarm systemWhen the vehicle is locked or unlocked
by using a key or the remote control,
the alarm system is also simultaneously
armed or disarmed.
The interior motion sensor and the
alarm system tilt sensor are activated
approx. 30 seconds after the last door
has been locked.
If the alarm system has been armed
correctly, the hazard warning flashers
flash once.
You can have a signal set as
acknowledgment for both setting
and deactivating the alarm.<
You can also open the luggage
compartment lid when the system is
armed by pressing button 3 of the
remote control (refer to page 34). When
it is closed, the lid is once again
secured.
Indicator lampThe indicator lamp is located under the
interior rearview mirror.
>When the indicator lamp flashes
continuously: the system is armed.
>The indicator lamp flashes when it is
armed: the door(s), the hood or
luggage compartment lid are not
completely closed. Even if you do not
close the alerted area, the remaining
areas are deadlocked, and the indi-
cator lamp flashes continuously after
10 seconds. However, the interior
motion sensor is not activated.
>If the indicator lamp goes out when
the system is disarmed: no manipula-
tion or attempted intrusions have
been detected in the period since the
system was armed.

63n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Starting the engine Switching off engine Parking brake If the engine does not start on the first
attempt (if the engine is very hot or
cold, for instance):
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Cold starts at very low temperatures,
starting at about +5 7 (Ð15 6) and
at high altitudes over 3,300 ft
(1,000 meters):
>On the first start attempt, engage the
starter for a longer period (approx.
10 seconds)
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Engine idle speed is controlled by the
engine computer system. Increased
speeds at startup are normal and
should decrease as the engine warms
up. If engine speed does not decrease,
service is required.
To prevent the battery from
discharging, always deactivate elec-
trical devices that are not in use. Switch
the ignition off when the vehicle is not
being driven.Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Do not remove the ignition key
while the vehicle is still moving. If
you do so, the steering will lock, making
it impossible to steer the vehicle.
When you leave the vehicle, always
remove the ignition key and engage
the steering lock.
Set the parking brake when parking on
steep hills, because under certain
conditions, putting the vehicle into first
gear or reverse may not be enough to
prevent it from rolling away.
The power assist is not available when
the engine is not on. This means that
more effort is required to apply the
brakes.<
The parking brake is primarily designed
to prevent the vehicle from rolling while
parked. It operates against the rear
wheels. To engageThe lever engages automatically, the
indicator lamp in the instrument panel
comes on when the ignition key is in
position 2. Refer to page 21.To releasePull up slightly on the lever, press the
button (arrow) and lower the lever.

83n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Reading lamps The reading lamps are located in the
front near the interior lamp and in the
rear (illustration). They can be switched
on and off with the button adjacent to
each lamp.
To keep the battery from
discharging, all of the lamps in the
vehicle are switched off automatically
approx. 15 minutes after the ignition
key has been turned to position 0.<

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.