windshield wipers BMW M3 COUPE 2001 E46 Owner's Manual

66n
Washer/Wiper system/Rain sensorRain sensor
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When the rain sensor is activated, the
windshield wiper is controlled automati-
cally, depending on the degree of
wetness of the windshield (in both snow
and rain). You do not have to be
concerned with switching the wind-
shield wiper on or off or adjusting the
wipe interval between intermittent and
full wipe. Instead, you can concentrate
fully on the traffic conditions. This is
especially important under adverse
weather conditions.
The rain sensor is positioned on the
windshield, directly ahead of the inte-
rior rearview mirror.
To activate the rain sensor:
>From ignition key position 1, move
the lever to position 1. The wipers
travel once across the windshield,
regardless of the weather.
>You can leave the lever permanently
in position 1. It is then only necessary
to activate the rain sensor from igni-
tion key position 1. To do this
>give rotary dial 5 a quick turn or
>clean the windshield 5, refer to
page 66.
To adjust the sensitivity of the rain
sensor: turn rotary dial 5.Deactivating the rain sensor: put lever
in position 0.
Deactivate the rain sensor when
passing through an automatic car
wash. Failure to do so could result in
damage caused by undesired wiper
activation.<
Normal wiper speedWhen the vehicle is stationary, the
wipers switch automatically to intermit-
tent wipe (not on vehicles with rain
sensor).Fast wiper speedWhen the vehicle is stationary, the
wipers operate at normal speed (not on
vehicles with rain sensor).
0 Wipers retracted
1 Clean the windshieldClean the windshieldThe system sprays washer fluid onto
the windshield and activates the wipers
for a brief period.
If you only pull the lever briefly, the
system sprays washer fluid onto the
windshield without activating the
wipers.
Do not use the washers if there is
any danger that the fluid will
freeze on the windshield. If you do so,
your vision could be obscured. For this
reason, use an antifreeze agent. Refer
to page 122.

160n
M3 Engine concept Rain sensor
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BMW M will continue to develop BMW
engines for the performance-oriented,
yet responsible driver. That is why value
is placed on an engine design that
guarantees maximum thrust over a
wide engine speed range.
This is done by using high-grade mate-
rials and components with optimized
details. The engine thereby produces
higher speeds than can be achieved
with conventional engines.
Associated with the proper transmis-
sion gear ratio and an especially perfor-
mance-oriented engine electronics
system, the torque opens up with this
so-called "high-speed aspirated
engine" extremely evenly throughout
the entire engine speed range from
1,000 to max. 8 ,000 rpm.
In actual usage, this means improved
acceleration and more spontaneous
response throughout the engine speed
range, thus affording more driving plea-
sure.
Depending on how wet the windshield
is, the rain sensor controls the opera-
tion of the windshield wipers.
Infrared light is carried along the
surface of the windshield in an optical
conductor in such a manner that it is
reflected completely when the wind-
shield is dry. The quantity of reflected
light is measured.
If there is moisture on the glass, the
amount of light reflected is reduced
since the infrared light at the surface of
the windshield can escape. The quan-
tity of reflected light is thus a means of
gauging the degree of wetness on the
windshield.