BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE 2001 E46 Owners Manual

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Automatic climate control Air supply (fan)
By pressing the left or right half
of the button, you can vary the
air supply. By doing this, you switch off
the automatic control of the air supply.
Nevertheless, the automatic air distri-
bution remains unchanged.
When you set the lowest blower speed
by pressing the left half of the button,
all of the displays are canceled: the
blower, heating and air conditioner are
switched off, and the air supply is
stopped. You can reactivate the system
by pressing any button for the auto-
matic climate control.
Defrosting the windows and
removing condensation
This program quickly removes
ice and condensation from the
windshield and side windows.
Air conditioner
The air is cooled and dehumidi-
fied and – depending on the
temperature setting – rewarmed when
the air conditioner system is switched
on.
Depending on the weather, the wind-
shield may fog over briefly when the
engine is started.
Use the button to switch the air condi-
tioner off at outside temperatures
below approx. 41 7(+5 6). This will
help to prevent the windows from
fogging over.
If the windows fog over after switching
the air conditioner off, switch it back
on.
Condensation forms in the air
conditioner system during opera-
tion, that then exits under the vehicle.
Traces of condensed water of this kind
are thus normal.<
Automatic recirculated air control
(AUC)
If there are unpleasant odors or
pollutants in the outside air, you
can temporarily block the airflow from
the outside. The system then recircu-
lates the air already within the vehicle.
By repeated actuation of the button,
you can select one of three different
operation modes.
>Indicator lamps off: outside air always
flowing into the vehicle
>Left-hand indicator lamp on – Auto-
matic mode: the system detects
pollutants in the outside air and
responds by deactivating the outside
airflow as required. The system then
recirculates the air already within the
vehicle.
Depending on air quality require-
ments, the system automatically
switches between outside air supply
and recirculation of the air already
within the vehicle
>Right-hand indicator lamp on: the
flow of outside air is permanently
blocked. The system recirculates the
air already within the vehicle.

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Automatic climate control
If the windows fog over in the
recirculated air mode, switch the
recirculated air off and increase the air
supply as required.<
Rear window defroster
When the rear window defroster
is activated, the indicator lamp
comes on. The rear window defroster
switches off automatically. Refer to
page 71.
Draft-free ventilation You can adjust the vents for the upper
body area to select the optimum airflow
rates and directions for your personal
requirements:
1 Rotary dials for opening and closing
the vents at any setting desired
2 Lever for changing the direction of
the airflow.
Set the outlets so that the air flows
past you and is not directed straight
at you
3 Using the rotary dial, you can mix
more or less cool air with the air
coming out of the vents aimed at the
upper body
Microfilter/Activated-charcoal
filterThe built-in microfilter removes dust
and pollen from the incoming air. The
activated-charcoal filter provides addi-
tional protection by filtering gaseous
pollutants from the outside air. Your
BMW center will replace the combined
filter as a standard part of your sched-
uled maintenance. A substantial reduc-
tion in airflow indicates that the filter
needs to be replaced early.
For additional details on changing the
filter, refer to page 161.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Heated seats
*
The seat cushion and backrest can be
heated with the ignition key in
position 2.Heating levelsYou can select different heating levels
by repeatedly pressing the buttons.
When the three indicator lamps are illu-
minated, the highest heating mode is
activated. One lamp indicates the
lowest heating mode. The temperature
is thermostatically controlled in each
mode.To deactivatePress repeatedly or hold down until all
of the indicator lamps go out.

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Opening and closingTo open: pull the handle. The glove
compartment lamp will light up.
To close: fold the cover up.
To prevent injury in the event of
a crash, close the glove compart-
ment immediately after use.< To lockLock with one of the master keys. A
master key must also be used for
unlocking.
If, for example you turn over only
your door key for valet parking
(refer to page 32), access to the glove
compartment and luggage compart-
ment is not possible.<
Glove compartment

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Storage compartments Front center armrest
*
To open: press the button (arrow) and
lift upward.Other compartments and netsYou will find additional storage
compartments in the doors and in the
center console above the ashtray.
Storage nets are on the front seat back-
rests.
Beverage holder, coin boxA coin box and two beverage holders
are provided in the center console.

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Cellular phone
*
Ashtray, front
Hands-free systemOn vehicles with telephone prepara-
tion
* the trim piece for the hands-free
microphone is located above the inside
mirror on the driver's side.
For further information on the cellular
phone, refer to the separate Owner's
Manual.
To openPress briefly in the direction indicated
by the arrow.
To emptyPress on the edge of the open cover
(arrow): you can now pull the ashtray
upward for removal.Extinguishing cigarettesTap off the ash and gently press the tip
into the funnel.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Cigarette lighter Ashtray, rear Press the lighter in. Remove as soon as
the lighter jumps back out.
Hold or touch the hot cigarette
lighter by the knob only. Holding
or touching it in other areas could result
in burns.
The cigarette lighter remains opera-
tional when the ignition key has been
removed. For this reason, children
should never be left in the vehicle unat-
tended.<
Cigarette lighter socketIt can be used for attaching power
supplies for flashlights, car vacuum
cleaners and other similar appliances
up to a rating of approx. 200 watts at
12 volts. Avoid damaging the socket by
attempting to insert plugs of different
shapes or sizes.
To openPush the cover open.To emptyPress on the edge of the raised cover
in the opening direction (arrow). The
ashtray will pop up and can be
removed.

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Ski bag
*
The ski bag allows the safe and clean
transport of up to 3 pairs of standard
skis or up to two snowboards.
The length of the ski bag and the addi-
tional space provided in the luggage
compartment make it possible to carry
skis with a length of up to 6.8 feet
(2.1 0 meters). Because of the tapered
shape of the bag, the ski bag can only
accommodate two pairs of skis with a
length of 6.8 feet (2.1 0 meters).
Loading1 Remove the safety belts in the rear
from their holders
2 Press down the lever (arrow) and
remove the center piece toward the
front
3 Extend the ski bag between the front
seats. The zipper provides conve-
nient access to stored items. It may
be opened to allow the ski bag to dry.
4 Press the release button in the
luggage compartment (arrow)

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Ski bag
*
5 Secure the cover panel on the rear
panel with the magnetic retainers and
pull out the ski bag.
Securing the load
Secure the skis or other objects in
the bag by tightening the strap
with the buckle.<
Please be sure that your skis are clean
before loading them into the bag. Avoid
damage from sharp edges during
loading.
Stowing the ski bagWhen stowing the ski bag, proceed in
the reverse order of loading.
When remounting the center
piece, guide the two bars into the
strip and press back the center piece.
Secure the safety belts in their holders
again.<

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Cargo loading
Always position and secure the
load correctly. If you do not, it can
endanger the passengers during
braking or evasive maneuvers.
Do not exceed the permissible gross
weight and axle load (refer to
page 180), otherwise the vehicle's
operating safety is no longer assured
and you are in violation of the law.
Do not stow heavy or hard objects in
the passenger compartment without
first securing them. Otherwise they
would be thrown around during braking
and evasive maneuvers and endanger
the occupants.<
Stowing cargo If you are transporting a load in your
BMW:
>Load heavy cargo as far forward as
possible – directly behind the back-
rests or the luggage compartment
partition – and as low as possible.
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
With the convertible top closed
you can increase the size of the
luggage compartment, refer to page 41,
by folding up the convertible top
compartment base.
It is advisable to always fold down the
convertible top compartment base as
soon as you have removed your load
from the luggage compartment. This
way, you can be sure that you can
always operate the convertible top at
any time.
Conversely, when the convertible top is
closed, raise the convertible top
compartment base before stowing your
cargo in the luggage compartment to
avoid any damage to the convertible
top compartment or your load.<