oil level BMW M3 COUPE 2003 E46 Owner's Manual

18

Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself

Indicator and warning lamps that are
identified by

●

are tested for proper
functioning whenever the ignition key is
turned. They each light up once for dif-
ferent 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

●

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, stop
and switch off the engine immedi-
ately to prevent overheating and seri-
ous engine damage. If the drive belt is
defective, increased steering effort is
also required.

<

Engine oil pressure

●

An alarm sounds at the same
time. 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, as the
engine could sustain serious dam-
age from inadequate lubrication.

<

Flat Tire Monitor

●

In addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded: a tire failure 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 82
Brake warning lamp

●

If the lamp comes on when the
parking brake is not engaged:
check the brake fluid level. Before driv-
ing further, be sure to comply with the
instructions on pages 108 and 121.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.

Red: an important reminder

Brake warning lamp

●

Comes on when the parking
brake is engaged – an additional
acoustic signal sounds when starting
off. For additional information: refer to
page 63
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Please fasten safety belts

●

Comes on together with an
acoustic signal until the safety
belts are fastened.
For additional information on safety
belts: refer to page 47
Airbags

●

Please have the system
inspected at your BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 53

handbook.book Page 18 Saturday, July 27, 2002 1:12 PM

19

Red and yellow: continue driving
cautiously

The brake warning lamp lights
up together with the yellow indi-
cator lamps for ABS

●

and
DSC:
The entire ABS, CBC and DSC
control system has failed. Con-
tinue to drive; drive cautiously
and defensively and avoid full
brake applications. Please have the
system checked by your BMW center
as soon as possible.
For additional information: refer to
pages 81, 107
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 has been
started, or if it comes on during normal
driving: 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 69

Yellow: check as soon as possible

Engine oil level
Comes on while driving and is
accompanied by an alarm: the
engine oil level has fallen to the abso-
lute minimum; refill as soon as possible.
Do not drive more than 30 miles/50 km
before refilling.
For additional information: refer to
page 118

Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been shut off and is accompa-
nied by an alarm: add engine oil at your
earliest opportunity, such as when you
stop to refuel.
For additional information: refer to
page 118
Brake pads

●

Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information: refer
to page 108
Flat Tire Monitor

●

The Flat Tire Monitor has been
deactivated, either at the button
or in response to a system malfunction.
In the event of a malfunction, have the
system checked by your BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
pages 25, 82

Indicator and warning lamps

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

handbook.book Page 19 Saturday, July 27, 2002 1:12 PM

118
Washer fluidsHeadlamp* and windshield
washer systemCapacity approx.
5.6 US quarts/5.3 liters.
Fill with water and – if required – with a
washer antifreeze additive according to
manufacturer's recommendations.
We recommend that you mix the
washer fluid before adding it to
the reservoir.<
Antifreeze agents for the washer
fluid are highly flammable. For this
reason, keep them away from sources
of flame and store them only in their
original containers. Store them inacces-
sible to children. Comply with the
instructions on the containers.<
Engine oilChecking the oil level1. Park the vehicle on a level surface
2. Switch the engine off after it has
reached normal operating tempera-
ture
3. After approx. 5 minutes, pull the dip-
stick out and wipe it off with a clean
lint-free cloth, paper towel, or similar
material
4. Carefully push the dipstick all the
way into the guide tube and pull it
out again
5. The oil level should be between the
two marks on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption
is directly influenced by your driving
style and vehicle operating conditions.
The oil volume between the two marks
on the dipstick corresponds to approx.
1.4 US quarts/1.3 liter.
handbook.book Page 118 Saturday, July 27, 2002 1:12 PM

119
Adding engine oilWhile you should wait until the level has
dropped to just above the lower mark
before adding oil, you should never
allow the oil level to fall below this
mark.
Do not fill beyond the upper mark on
the dipstick. Excess oil will damage the
engine.
Before checking the engine oil level
after topping up, restart the engine and
allow it to run to obtain a correct dis-
play. Then proceed as described under
Checking the oil level.
BMW engines are designed to
operate without oil additives; the
use of additives could lead to damage
in some cases. This also applies to the
manual transmission, the differential,
and the power steering system.<
Recommendation: have the oil changed
by your BMW center only.
Continuous exposure to used oil
has caused cancer in laboratory
testing. For this reason, thoroughly
wash any areas of skin that come into
contact with oil using soap and water.
Always store oils, grease and similar
materials so that they are inaccessible
to children. Comply with warning labels
and information on containers.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the dis-
posal of used oil.<
Specified engine oilsThe quality of the engine oil is
extremely important for the function
and life of an engine. Based on exten-
sive testing, BMW has approved only
certain grades of engine oil.
Use only oils approved for your vehicle
model.
Ask your BMW center for details
concerning oils that have been
approved. You can also call BMW of
North America toll-free at 1-800-831-
1117 or visit this website:
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this infor-
mation.<
Alternative oil typesIf a High Performance Synthetic Oil
approved by BMW should be unavail-
able, you may use small volumes of
other oils for topping up between oil
changes. The following data must
appear on the packaging:
>Viscosity
preferred: SAE 10W-60
alternative: SAE 5W-40 or
SAE 10W40
>Specifications
preferred: API SJ/CF
alternative: API SJ – also SK, SL, S
etc.Low ambient temperaturesThe oils used by BMW at the factory for
your vehicle model can be used at virtu-
ally any ambient temperature.
Engine oil
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
handbook.book Page 119 Saturday, July 27, 2002 1:12 PM

120
However, if the vehicle is exposed to
temperatures below –47/–206 for
extended periods, please have your
BMW center recommend a suitable oil.
Coolant
Do not add coolant to the cooling
system when the engine is hot. If
you attempt to do so, escaping coolant
can cause burns.
Antifreeze and anti-corrosion agents
are hazardous to health. You should
always store them in their original con-
tainers and in a location inaccessible to
children. Antifreeze and anti-corrosion
agents are inflammable. For this rea-
son, do not spill them on hot engine
parts. They could ignite and cause
burns. Comply with the instructions on
the containers.<
Check the coolant level and add
coolantCheck the coolant level when the
engine is cold, approx. 687/+206.
1. Open the cap for the expansion tank
by turning it slightly counterclock-
wise to allow accumulated pressure
to escape. Then open
2. The coolant level is correct when the
upper end of the red float is at least
even with the upper edge of the filler
neck – refer to the arrow in the illus-
tration. The end of the float may stick
out by a maximum of 3/4 in / 2 cm –
that is, up to the second mark on the
float. Refer also to the schematic dia-
gram next to the filler neck
Engine oil
handbook.book Page 120 Saturday, July 27, 2002 1:12 PM

Everything from A to Z
151
CHECK FILLER CAP
indicator lamp 19
Checking coolant level 120
Checking oil level 116, 118
Child seat 55
Child-restraint systems 55
Cigarette lighter 98
Cleaning windshield 72
Clock 77
refer also to the radio or
onboard computer
Owner's Manual
Clothes hooks 99
Cockpit 14
Code, tires 112
Coin box 96
Compression ratio 144
Computer 78
Condensation, removing
from windows 92
Configure personal settings
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory 59
Consumption
display 75
fuel 79
Coolant 116, 120, 147
indicator lamp 19
Cooling system 147
Copyright 4Cornering Brake Control
(CBC) 107
indicator lamp 19
Cruise control 72
indicator lamp 20
Cup holder, see Beverage
holder 96
Curb weight 146
Cushion height 145
D
Data
dimensions 145
engine 144
weights 146
Daytime driving lamps 86
DBC Dynamic Brake
Control 82
warning lamp 19
Defrost position 92
Defrosting
rear window 93
windows 92
Digital clock 77
Dimensions 145
Dipstick, engine oil 118
Disc brakes 108
Displacement 144
Display lighting 87
Displays 16
Distance warning 80
Divided rear backrest 100Door key 30
Door lock buttons 34
Doors
emergency operation 33
manual operation 33
remote control 31
unlocking and locking
31, 33
Drivelogic 68
Driving notes
braking 107
disc brakes 108
general 107
hydroplaning 107
DSC Dynamic Stability Con-
trol 81
indicator lamp 19
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC) 82
warning lamps 19
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 81
indicator lamp 19
E
Electric power windows 40
Electrical accessories, fail-
ure 138
Electrical malfunction
doors 33
fuel filler door 24
sliding/tilt sunroof 42Emergency operation
doors 33
fuel filler door 24
sliding/tilt sunroof 42
Emergency release
luggage compartment
lid 37
Engine
displacement 144
output 144
starting 61
switching off 63
torque 144
Engine compartment 116
Engine coolant 147
refilling 120
temperature gauge 75
Engine data 144
Engine electronics
warning lamp 19
Engine oil
adding 116, 118
capacity 147
consumption 118
quality 119
types 119
viscosity 119
Engine oil level
indicator lamp 19
warning lamp 18
Engine oil pressure
warning lamp 18
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
handbook.book Page 151 Saturday, July 27, 2002 1:12 PM

Everything from A to Z
153
Leather care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Length 145
License plate lamp
replacing bulb 133
Light switch 86
Lighter 98
Lighting, see Lamps
LIGHTS ON warning 86
Load-securing devices 102
Lock, steering wheel 60
Low beams 86
bulb replacement 129
Luggage compartment 35
capacity 146
floor mat 38
floor panel 37
manual operation 35
Luggage compartment lid 35
emergency release 37
manual operation 35
opening from the inside 36
remote control 32
securing separately 35
Luggage compartment light-
ing 35
Luggage rack 103
Lumbar support 45M
M Engine dynamics
control 85
M Mobility system 133
M+S tires 112
Maintenance 76, 122
Malfunction displays 76
Manual transmission 64
Master keys 30
with remote control 30
Memory 49, 59
Microfilter 94
Microphone 97
Mirror defrosting 51
Mirror memory 49
Mirrors 51
automatic curb monitor 50
inside rearview 52
outside 51
Mobility system 133
Modifications, technical 5
Multifunction switch 70
N
Navigation system, refer to
the separate Owner's
Manual
Neckrest 46
O
OBD interface socket 124Obstruction protection
power windows 40
sliding/tilt sunroof 41
Odometer 74
Oil
capacity 147
dipstick 118
quality 119
viscosity 119
Oil additives 119
Oil change interval, refer to
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US
models / Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
Oil filter change 147
Oil level
checking 118
indicator lamp 19
warning lamp 18
Oil pressure
warning lamp 18
OIL SERVICE 76
Oil types 119
Onboard computer, refer to
Owner's Manual for
Onboard Computer
Onboard tool kit 128Opening and closing
from inside 34
via remote control 31
via the door lock 33
Operating elements 14
Outlets, ventilation 90
Outside temperature dis-
play 78
P
Paintwork care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Panic mode, trigger
alarm 32
Park Distance Control
(PDC) 80
Parking aid 80
Parking brake 63
Parking lamps 86
PDC Park Distance
Control 80
Pollen 94
Power output 144
Power seat 45
Pressure, tires 25, 109
R
Radiator 147
Radio navigation, refer to
the Owner's Manual for
Radio 79
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
handbook.book Page 153 Saturday, July 27, 2002 1:12 PM