brake light BMW M3 COUPE 2002 E46 Owner's Manual

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Controls and features
Operation, maintenance

Lamps:

Parking lamps/Low beams80
Instrument lighting81
High beams/Standing lamps81
Fog lamps82
Interior lamps82
Reading lamps82

Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:

Air conditioner83
Automatic climate control86
Roller sun blind89

Interior conveniences:

Sound system90
Glove compartment90
Storage compartments91
Cellular phone92
Ashtray, front92
Ashtray, rear93
Clothes hooks93

Loading and transporting:

Through-loading system94
Ski bag95
Cargo loading96
Roof-mounted luggage rack97

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedure100
Driving notes101
Antilock Brake System101
Brake system102

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressure103
Tire condition103
Tire replacement104
Wheel and tire
combinations105
Special characteristics of winter
tires106
Snow chains106

In the engine compartment:

Hood107
Engine compartment
essentials108
Washer fluids109
Engine oil110
Coolant112
Brake fluid113

Maintenance:

The BMW Maintenance
System114

Laws and regulations:

Technical modifications115
California Proposition
65 Warning115
OBD interface socket116

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself

Indicator and warning lamps that are
identified by "

l

" are tested for proper
functioning whenever the ignition 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. Indicates a defective
alternator drive belt or a problem with
the alternator's charge circuit. Please
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the drive belt is defective, do not
continue driving, as the engine
could sustain serious damage from
overheating. If the drive belt is defec-
tive, increased steering effort is also
required.

<


Engine oil pressure


l

Stop the 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, as the
engine could sustain serious
damage from inadequate lubrication.

<



Flat Tire Monitor
l
In addition, an acoustic signal
sounds: a tire failure has
occurred. Reduce vehicle speed imme-
diately to stop the vehicle. Avoid hard
brake applications. As you steer the
vehicle, use caution and avoid overcor-
recting.
For additional information, refer to
page 77
Brake warning lamp
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
notes on pages 102 and 113
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.

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Indicator and warning lamps

Red: an important reminder

Parking brake
Comes on when the parking
brake is engaged Ð an additional
acoustic signal sounds when starting
off.
For additional information, refer to
page 58



Parking brake warning lamp for
Canadian models.
Please fasten safety belts

l


A warning signal will sound at
the same time. Lights up for a
few seconds or until the safety belt is
fastened.
For additional information on safety
belts, refer to page 45
Airbags

l


Please have the system
inspected by your BMW center.
For additional information, refer to
page 49

Red and yellow: continue driving
cautiously

If the brake warning lamp
comes on together with the
yellow indicator lamps for ABS
and DSC:
The entire ABS, CBC and DSC
control system


has failed.
Continue driving cautiously and
defensively. Avoid hard brake
applications. Please have the system
checked by your BMW center as soon
as possible.
For additional information, refer to
pages 76, 101.
ABS, CBC and DSC indicator
and warning lamps for Canadian
models.

Orange: consult the nearest
BMW center

Sequential M gearbox

*
SMG II
If the indicator lamp fails to go
out after the engine is started:
this indicates a malfunction in the
system. Please consult the nearest
BMW center.
Indicator lamp flashes: a system over-
load has occurred.
For additional information, refer to
page 64

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Ignition key positions0 Steering locked
1 Steering unlocked
2 Ignition switched on
3 Starting engineSteering locked The key can be inserted or removed in
this position only.
After removing the key, turn the
steering wheel slightly to the left or right
until you hear the lock engage.
If the key is not removed, an acoustic
signal is sounded after the driver's door
has been opened.
The sound system remains operational
for approx. 20 minutes after you switch
off the ignition (ignition key in position 0
or key removed). Simply switch it back
on.Steering unlocked You will find that it is often easier to turn
the ignition key from position 0 to posi-
tion 1 when you move the steering
wheel slightly to help disengage the
lock.
Individual electrical accessories are
ready for operation. 1. Engage the parking brake
2. Gearshift lever in idling position
3. Press the clutch pedal at low
temperatures
4. Start the engine. Do not press the
accelerator pedal. Do not actuate the
starter for too short a time. Do not
turn it for more than approx.
20 seconds. Release the ignition key
immediately when the engine starts.
Do not allow the engine to warm up by
leaving it running while the vehicle
remains stationary. Instead, begin
driving immediately at a moderate
engine speed.
Vehicles with sequential M gearbox
*
SMG II: refer to the instructions on
page 60.
Do not allow the engine to run in
enclosed spaces. The exhaust
gases contain carbon monoxide, an
odorless and colorless, but highly toxic
gas.
Breathing the exhaust gases poses an
extreme health risk, and can lead to
unconsciousness and death.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended
with the engine running. An unat-
tended vehicle with a running engine
represents a potential safety hazard.<
Ignition lock Starting the engine

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Parking brake Manual transmission 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 cluster
comes on when the ignition key is in
position 2, refer to page 18.To releasePull up slightly on the lever, press the
button (arrow) and lower the lever.
If, in exceptional circumstances, it
should be necessary to engage
the parking brake while the vehicle is in
motion, do not pull it with excessive
pressure. Keep your thumb pressed
against the release button while care-
fully pulling the lever up to apply
moderate pressure.
Excessive pressure can lead to over-
braking and loss of traction (fishtailing)
at the rear axle.
The brake lamps do not come on when
the parking brake is engaged.
Set the parking brake when parking on
steep hills, because under certain
conditions, putting the vehicle into first
or reverse gear may not be enough to
prevent it from rolling away.<
To avoid corrosion and one-sided
braking, apply the parking brake lightly
from time to time when coasting to a
standstill (at a traffic signal, for
instance), provided that it is safe to do
so.
Press the clutch pedal all the way down
each time you shift, pressing the
manual gearshift lever into its proper
end position.
When shifting gears in the
5th/6th-gear plane, be sure to
press the gearshift lever to the right in
order to prevent inadvertent selection
of a gear in the 3rd/4th-gear plane.<

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Manual transmission Sequential M gearbox
* SMG II
Reverse Select only when the vehicle is
completely stopped. Press the gearshift
lever to the left to overcome the slight
resistance.
As you do this, the backup lamps will
come on automatically when the igni-
tion key is in position 2.
Do not hold the vehicle in place on
slopes by slipping or "riding" the
clutch. Use the parking brake instead.
Riding the clutch causes the clutch
assembly to wear out sooner.<
The conceptThe sequential M gearbox SMG II is an
automated manual gearbox with which
clutching and shifting is assumed by an
electro-hydraulic system.
The SMG II is operated via two shift
paddles on the steering wheel and the
selector lever in the center console.
It offers the following functions:
>Sequential and automated shifting
mode
>Ability to choose between different
driving programs (Drivelogic)
>Gradient assistance
>Upshift display (shift lights)
>Throttle blip
>Driving dependent functions:
The respective driving situation (e.g.
cornering, mountain driving, braking)
is detected by sensors and taken into
account accordingly for shifting, e.g.
to achieve optimum gear selection
during deceleration and subsequent
acceleration>Slip recognition at the rear axle for
increasing driving stability, e.g.
during downshifting on slippery road
surfaces
>Operating safety through protection
against misshifting.

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Sequential M gearbox* SMG II
The vehicle may roll slightly before
it is held by the gradient assis-
tance after releasing the footbrake.
Two seconds after the footbrake is
released, the vehicle begins to roll, as it
is no longer held with the gradient
assistance.<
The gradient assistance must be reacti-
vated before each use.
Indicator lamp
The transmission indicator lamp
in the instrument cluster goes
out after the engine is started.
>If it does not go out, or if it lights up
during driving, a fault has occurred.
The available functions may be
limited under certain circumstances.
Drive carefully and with the Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC) activated.
Have the system checked by the
nearest BMW center
>If the indicator lamp flashes while
driving, the system is overloaded.
Avoid high loads until the indicator
lamp goes out again permanently.
Shift lightsTo achieve the best possible vehicle
acceleration with a sporty driving style
in the sequential mode, shift lights in
the instrument cluster indicate the
optimum shifting point shortly before
the maximum engine speed is reached.
1 When the maximum engine speed is
approached, yellow indicator fields
(shift lights) in the tachometer light up
consecutively to indicate the
approaching upshift time
2 Shift at the latest when the last indi-
cator field lights up red.Tire replacement, snow chainsFollowing a tire or wheel change and
after mounting or removing snow
chains, the slip recognition of the

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Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) Flat Tire MonitorTo deactivate DSCPress the DSC button briefly; the indi-
cator lamp will light up and stay on.
The vehicle does not execute the
stability-enhancement and traction-
control functions when DSC is deacti-
vated.
We recommend that you deactivate
DSC for increased traction:
>When rocking the vehicle or starting
off in deep snow or on loose surfaces
>When driving with snow chains.
To maintain vehicle stability,
always drive with the DSC acti-
vated on whenever possible.<
Reactivating the DSCPress the button again; the indicator
lamp goes out.Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)DBC is an integral component of the
DSC system.
If you apply the brakes rapidly, this
system automatically generates
maximum braking force boost and thus
helps to achieve the shortest possible
braking distance in "panic braking" situ-
ations. All of the benefits of the ABS
system are exploited under these
circumstances.
Do not reduce the pressure on the
brake pedal for the duration of the
brake application. When the brake
pedal is released, the DBC is deacti-
vated.
The conceptAs you drive, the Flat Tire Monitor
keeps track of pressure levels in all four
tires in order to detect and warn of any
substantial pressure loss.
The system actually detects pressure
loss by monitoring differences in the
relative speeds of the four wheels. It
interprets variations outside specified
limits as severe pressure loss, and then
responds by generating a warning.

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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 instructions very
closely. Doing this, you will create the
basis for a long, optimum service life.<
Engine and differential>Until a km reading of 1,200 miles
(2,000 km): drive at varying engine
and road speeds, but do not exceed
the following rpms 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.
Vehicles with SMG II
* (refer to
page 59): refrain from using driving
program 6 in the sequential mode
during the break-in period.
>After you have monitored the break-
in period for 1,200 miles (2,000 km),
you can begin to gradually increase
both engine and road speed.
Please remember to observe the same
break-in procedures if either the engine
or the differential is replaced later in the
course of the vehicle's service life.TiresOwing 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 systemApprox. 300 miles (500 km) must
elapse before the brake pads and
rotors 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
engaged.
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 at high
engine speeds.
Break-in procedures

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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 parcel tray:
Never use it to store heavy or hard
objects, otherwise, occupants could be
injured if the vehicle is braked hard.
Clothes hooks:
When suspending clothing from the
hooks, be sure that they will not
obstruct the driver's vision. Do not hang
heavy objects on the hooks. If you do
so, they could cause personal injury
during braking or evasive maneuvers.<
The conceptThe Antilock Brake System (ABS) keeps
the wheels from locking while braking,
thereby enhancing active driving safety.Braking with ABSIf you are in a situation that requires full
braking, you will exploit the full benefits
of the ABS system if you apply
maximum brake pressure ("panic
stop"). Since the vehicle maintains
steering responsiveness, you can
nevertheless avoid possible obstacles
with a minimum of steering effort.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combines
with sounds from the hydraulic circuits
to indicate to the driver that ABS is in
its active mode.Cornering Brake Control (CBC)CBC is an advanced engineering
design of the ABS. When braking while
cornering at high speed or braking
during high lateral acceleration, or
when braking during a lane change,
vehicle stability is improved and
steering response is enhanced.
Driving notes Antilock Brake System