Two things that I’ve wanted to do for a LONG time on this car is buy new headlight bulbs and buy amber indicators. I don’t know why its taken me such a long time to do this, but finally I have and I’m very pleased.
First, the install of the new headlight bulbs – Osram Night Breaker D2S.
There’s some guides online on how to change E46 headlight bulbs, which I glanced over very quickly, but its pretty obvious and pretty easy. Un-clip the cap and get it out the way first
BMW E46 EML warning light - the EML stands for Engine Management Light and if illuminated indicates there is a fault within the engine module. You can diagnose & clear the warning light by using the BMW iCarsoft i910. FOR BMW 3 SERIES F30 E90 E91 E93 E46 1998- SMOKED/AMBER LED SIDE REPEATER LAMPS Vehicle Parts & Accessories, Car Parts, External Lights & Indicators eBay! Buy BMW INDICATOR AMBER E46 RF O/S online. Other symbol colors such as blue and green provide the driver with information such as lights and indicators. Flashing warning lights inform the driver of an urgent issue. BMW Dash Lights.
Then un-plug the connector to the bulb itself
Then un-screw the black bayonet-style fitting which is holding the bulb in. Once that’s un-screwed, the bulb is loose so be careful!
Here’s the old vs new bulbs alongside each other. Osram Night Breaker on the right
Once done, I obviously had to test with 1 side an Osram Night Breaker and the other side left un-touched. In this photo, the nearside has the Osram fitted. Can you tell a difference?
… Probably not much due to taking the photo in daylight, but after doing the other side then going for a drive at night, I certain can tell a difference! Much nicer & safer to drive with at night now.
And the other thing that arrived a couple days after the bulbs were my amber indicators – finally!
E46 Amber Indicators Model
I’ve wanted amber indicators for such a long time, and I was worried about buying them too as I wanted to make sure the quality was to OE standards. These were purchased from “onlinecarparts.co.uk” (seemingly based in Berlin).
That website actually has quite a number of different variants of indicators, all looking the same in photos, but made by different manufacturers. I went for TYC priced at just under £10 each (bargain!). TYC is stamped on my existing indicators, so going by that, I would assume that TYC-made parts are OE standard, if not actually OEM?
Anyway, here’s a before photo…
… And after …
Much much MUCH better!
For the front-end now, ideally I just need new fog lights and perhaps a repainted front bumper as it does have a LOT of stone-chips and paint starting to flake off.
Perhaps I’ll get round to that one day! ?
We’ve all been there: You’re driving along the freeway, enjoying the views, and all of a sudden, you hear a beep—you look down, and a symbol appears on your dashboard. You start to wonder what could be wrong.
Some symbols on your car’s dashboard are more obvious than others. However, it’s important to know exactly what they mean in case you need to pull over and call for help. At Virginia Tire & Auto, your safety is our No. 1 priority. That’s why we’re breaking down your dashboard, symbol by symbol.
15 Common Warning Lights on Your Car’s Dashboard
1. Oil Pressure Light
This old fashioned oil can image indicates that there is an issue with your car’s oil pressure system. Either you’re running low on oil or your oil pump isn’t circulating enough fluid to properly lubricate the surfaces inside your vehicle. This should be addressed as soon as possible, as your engine can wear quickly without proper lubrication.
2. Tire Pressure Warning Light
Also known as the TPMS symbol, this image signals that the pressure in one or more of your tires is too low or too high and needs to be addressed. Driving on low- or high-pressure tires is unsafe and can cause additional damage to your vehicle. Usually, tire pressure should be between 30 and 35 psi (pounds per square inch).
If your light goes off when you’re near a Virginia Tire & Auto, drop on by! We have free air available at all our stores, and one of our team members can repair or replace your tire in no time.
Bmw E46 M3 Amber Indicators
3. Engine Temperature Warning
If you see this symbol pop up, it means that your engine is overheated. This most likely has to do with your coolant (also called antifreeze), but it can happen for a variety of reasons. It’s important to address this immediately to avoid further damage.
4. Traction Control Light
This indicates that your vehicle’s traction control system is activated. The traction control system utilizes your anti-lock brake system to determine if one wheel is spinning faster than another. If it detects that a wheel is slipping, it applies the brakes until it regains traction. This is most helpful if you’re driving in rain or snow.
5. Anti-lock Brake Warning Light
Speaking of your anti-lock brakes, if this “ABS” warning lights up while you’re driving, it means that something is wrong with the system. As you know, your anti-lock brakes work to keep your car in contact with the road safely, so it’s important to diagnose the issue as soon as possible. Keep in mind, every time you turn on your vehicle, the system does a self-check, and may light up for just a few seconds. If it goes away immediately, your system is in working order.
6. Traction Control Malfunction
This light indicates that your vehicle’s traction control system might have a broken or damaged sensor or some other malfunction. In some cars, the same control module operates the anti-lock brakes and the traction control system, so the light sometimes comes on when there are problems with your ABS.
7. Engine Warning (Check Engine Light)
Your check engine light may appear for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, it can indicate a serious issue and require you to pull over immediately. This could indicate low oil pressure or overheating. Other times, this light will appear if your gas cap is open, loose, or cracked, causing fuel to evaporate.
If this light appears, it’s wise to pull over and check your gas cap and other systems in your vehicle. If it’s flashing, you should definitely stop driving! In most vehicles, a flashing check engine light signals that you have a serious problem that could cause serious damage if ignored.
8. Battery Alert
This symbol indicates that there is an issue with the vehicle’s charging system. Interestingly enough, the culprit might not be your battery. While it might indicate that you have a loose or damaged battery cable, it can also signal that your alternator belt is broken. If it is your battery, occasionally you’ll notice that your clock is fading or your headlights are dimming. If you wait too long, your vehicle can completely conk out. This is what has happened when you see fellow drivers “jumping” each other’s cars.
Not sure what the problem is? Our experts can help diagnose any battery-related or electrical issues, and if you need a new battery, we offer America’s No. 1 battery replacement—Interstate Batteries.
9. Low Fuel Indicator
Most drivers are very familiar with this symbol. It simply means you’re running low on gas. It’s not a good idea to see if you can make it home if you have a ways to go. You never know how weather or traffic patterns will play out, so it’s best to stop at the nearest gas station and fill up!
10. Automatic Shift Lock or Engine Start Indicator
If you see this symbol, you’re most likely trying to shift gears or start your ignition without engaging the brake. The automatic shift lock will lock your vehicle in park or neutral until you engage the brake.
11. Seat Belt Reminder
This symbol is simply reminding you or your passenger to buckle up! According to the CDC, seat belts decrease serious crash-related injuries by about 50%.
12. Airbag Indicator
The airbag indicator signals that something is wrong with one of your airbags or the system as a whole. Your car’s airbags keep you safe during accidents, so it’s important to address this issue immediately.
13. Security Light
If your vehicle has an anti-theft system, this image means that something could be malfunctioning. This symbol also briefly lights up when you turn your vehicle on, which isn’t an indicator that something is wrong.
14. Fog Lamp Indicator
This symbol is telling you that your fog lights are on. Fog lights should only be used if your visibility is less than 100 meters. If you turn them on unnecessarily, this can be detrimental to other drivers on the road.
15. Washer Fluid Indicator
Imitating the motion of your windshield wipers, this symbol means that you’re low on washer fluid. You’ll want to fill up the reservoir with fluid as soon as you can.
Keep in mind that every car is different, so the symbols on your dashboard may vary slightly from the 15 we’ve mentioned. If in doubt, consult your vehicle’s owners manual!
Car Trouble?
Whether you need a simple oil change or a more serious repair, bring your vehicle into Virginia Tire & Auto. Our expert technicians will diagnose and repair the issue so you can get back on the road safely. Schedule an appointment at one of our 17 locations today!