engine BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE 2002 E46 User Guide

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Fuel specifications Tire inflation pressureThe engine uses lead-free gasoline
only.
Required fuel:
>Premium Unleaded Gasoline,
min. 91 AKI.
AKI = Anti Knock Index
Never use leaded fuel, as it would
cause permanent and irreversible
damage to the oxygen sensor and the
catalytic converter.<
Proper inflation pressures are on a
sticker attached to the B-pillar and
visible with the driver's door open.Check tire pressuresAll pressures are specified in the usual
units of the respective country (psi; kilo-
pascal) for tires at ambient temperature
(also refer to the following tire inflation
pressure table).
After correcting the tire inflation pres-
sure, reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor so
that it can monitor the tire inflation
pressure, refer to page 82.
Check your tire pressures on a
regular basis Ð at least twice a
month Ð and before every extended
journey. Incorrect tire pressure can
otherwise lead to driving instability, tire
damage and accidents.<
Comply with tire approval
specifications The inflation pressures in the table apply
to BMW approved tire sizes and tire
manufacturers. Your BMW center is
familiar with these pressures. Higher
pressures may be specified for tires
made by other manufacturers.
Your vehicle is equipped with tires
which not only meet US standards, but
also European standards. We recom-
mend the exclusive use of BMW
approved tires.

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Convertible top1To
close
2 To open
To open and to closeFrom ignition key position 1, with the
vehicle stationary.
If at all possible, only operate the
convertible top if the engine is running.
This saves unnecessary battery wear.
1. Read and comply with the preceding
safety precautions
2. Before opening the convertible top,
make sure that the convertible top
compartment panel in the luggage
compartment is lowered, refer to
page 37
3. Make sure that the luggage compart-
ment lid is closed
4. Press and hold the corresponding
button for convertible top operation.
The red indicator lamp will light up
while the convertible top is in motion.
It goes out as soon as the opening or
closing operation has been
completed.
If the red indicator lamp flashes after
the button is released, then the
opening or closing operation is not
yet completed. The sequence can be
continued in the desired direction by
pressing this button.
If the yellow indicator lamp lights up
continuously with the button
pressed, then the convertible top
compartment panel is raised and the
convertible top cannot be moved,
refer to step 2.
The automatic sequence will be
interrupted immediately if release
the button that operates the top. The
sequence can be continued in the
desired direction by pressing this
button.<
During convertible top operation
the rear window moves toward the
passenger compartment. To prevent
injuries, make sure that the closing path
of the convertible top is unobstructed.<
When operating the convertible top, the
windows will lower slightly when you
press the button, and after the opening
or closing operation has finished, they
will go back up, if you keep holding the
button down for more than 2 seconds
after the indicator lamp has gone out.
The luggage compartment lid cannot be
opened while the convertible top is in
motion.
Do not close the side power
windows using the buttons if the
convertible top operation has been
interrupted.<
If the convertible top has been
stored in the convertible top
compartment for longer periods, e.g.
during the winter months while the
hardtop is being used, it may be neces-
sary to manually support the first auto-
matic closing operation: if the
convertible top should halt right before
the closing phase is completed, press
against the front part of the convertible
top frame from the outside to help the
closing process along. Keep pressing
the button while doing so until the top
starts up again on its own.<

54n
Airbags
Transporting children safely
This is the right way a larger child
should sit wearing the safety belt when
rear side airbags (arrow) are provided.
Operational status
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster shows the airbag
system status starting in ignition
key position 1.
System operational:
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly,
when the ignition key is turned into
position 1 or 2
System malfunction:
>The indicator lamp fails to come on,
when the ignition key is turned
>The indicator lamp fails to go out
after the engine has been started, or
it comes on during normal driving.
Please respond to any malfunctions in
the system by immediately having it
inspected at your BMW center; other-
wise the airbag could fail to respond to
an accident in which both the angle and
the severity of the impact would
normally trigger airbag deployment.
Commercially available child seats
complying with the legal standard are
designed to be secured with a lap belt
or with the lap belt portion of a combi-
nation lap/shoulder belt. Improperly or
inadequately installed restraint systems
can increase the risk of injury to chil-
dren. Always read and follow the
instructions that come with the system.

60n
Vehicle Memory, Key Memory How the system functionsYou have probably frequently wished
that you could configure individual
functions of your vehicles to reflect your
own personal requirements. In engi-
neering your vehicle, BMW has
included several user-defined func-
tions in the vehicle's design. Your BMW
center can make these settings for you
in accordance with your wishes.
There are settings related to the vehicle
("Vehicle Memory") and settings related
to individuals ("Key Memory"). You can
have up to four different basic settings
adjusted for four different persons. The
only requirement is that each person
uses his or her own remote control key.
When your vehicle is unlocked with the
remote control, the vehicle recognizes
the individual user by means of a data
exchange with the key, and makes
adjustments accordingly.
In order for you to distinguish between
different keys, colored decals are
supplied together with the keys.What the system can doYour BMW center can provide you with
details on the possibilities that the
Vehicle and Key Memory systems offer.
Examples for Vehicle Memory:
>Various signals that can serve as
acknowledgment for locking and
unlocking the vehicle, refer to
pages 29, 30
>Activating/deactivating operation of
"Follow me home," refer to page 85.Examples for Key Memory:
>Locking the vehicle after driving off,
refer to page 33
>Automatically moving the seat and
outside mirror into position for that
particular person when unlocking the
vehicle, refer to page 49
>Calling up customized settings for the
automatic climate control when
unlocking using the remote control,
refer to page 92
>After the engine is started, calling up
of the last selected driving program
for each shifting mode, refer to
page 68.
You will see this symbol
throughout the Owner's Manual. It
is to remind you at appropriate places
of the settings that are available to
you.<

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
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 the lock engages.
If the key is not removed, an acoustic
signal is sounded after the driver's door
has been opened.
Once the ignition has been switched off
(ignition key in position 0 or removed),
the radio functions are still available for
approx. 20 minutes. Turn the radio back
on to use it.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. Depress the clutch pedal
4. Turn the key to position 3 to start the
engine. 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, drive off
immediately at a moderate engine
speed.
Vehicle with sequential M gearbox
*
SMG II: refer to the instructions on
page 64.
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.<
Steering/Ignition lock Starting the engine

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Starting the engine Switching off the engine If the engine does not start on the first
attempt (the engine is very hot or cold,
for instance):
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Cold starts at very low temperatures,
starting at about 5 7 (Ð15 6) and at
high altitudes above 3,300 feet
(1,000 m):
>For the initial start attempt, allow the
starter to remain engaged somewhat
longer (approx. 10 seconds).
Extended starting attempts, char-
acterized by excessively frequent
or long periods with the starter
engaged, can lead to damage to the
catalytic converter.<
When driving, standing at idle or
when parking, take precautions to
avoid contact between the hot exhaust
system and easily flammable materials
(grass, hay or leaves, for example).
Such contact could lead to a fire,
resulting in serious personal injury and
property damage.<
Engine idle speed is controlled by the
engine computer system. Increased
speeds at start-up are normal and
should decrease as the engine warms
up. If engine speed does not decrease,
service is required.
To prevent the battery from
discharging, always deactivate elec-
trical devices that are not in use. Switch
the ignition off when the vehicle is not
being driven.Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Do not remove the ignition key
while the vehicle is still moving. If
you do so, the steering will lock, making
it impossible to steer the vehicle.
When you leave the vehicle, always
remove the ignition key and engage the
steering lock.
While parking on a downhill road, set
the parking brake, as engaging even
the first or reverse gear may not be
sufficient to prevent the vehicle from
rolling away.<
Vehicle with sequential M gearbox
*
SMG II: refer to the instructions on
page 64.

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Sequential M gearbox
* SMG II
Selector lever positionR: Reverse position
0: Position 0
Forward position with one-touch mode:
>S: sequential mode
>A: automated mode
>+: upshifting in sequential mode
>-: downshifting in sequential mode.
The SMG II is ready for operation from
ignition key position 2.
For your safety, it is only possible to
engage a driving position with the
vehicle stopped approx. 2 seconds
after engaging position 0 with the foot-
brake depressed (shift-lock function).
It is not necessary to hold the footbrake
depressed until starting off, as the
vehicle does not move forward with the
driving position engaged.Starting engine and driving offTo start the engine:
1. Depress footbrake
2. Move selector lever into position 0
3. Turn the ignition key to position 3,
refer to page 61.
To drive off:
1. Depress footbrake
2. Engage a driving position
3. Release footbrake and slowly
depress accelerator pedal.
With the engine running, the gear
indicator in the instrument cluster
flashes to indicate that a driving posi-
tion is engaged with the driver's door
open or if the hood is not closed prop-
erly, refer to page 66.
If none of the pedals is actuated, then
the gearbox is automatically taken out
of gear after approx. 4 seconds.
Then the desired direction of travel
must be selected again with the
selector lever in position 0.<
Starting off is not possible with the
hood open.<
Before exiting the vehicle with the
engine running, move the selector
lever into position 0 and apply the
parking brake.
Never leave the vehicle unattended
with the engine running. An unat-
tended vehicle with a running engine
represents a potential safety hazard.<Switching off engineIf you turn the ignition key to position 1
or 0 with the selector lever in the
forward or reverse position, a gear
automatically remains engaged.
If you turn the ignition key to position 1
or 0 with the selector lever in position 0,
a gong and the flashing gear indicator
in the SMG display remind you that the
vehicle is not secured against rolling.

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Sequential M gearbox
* SMG II
The warning stops after approx. 10
seconds. If you move the selector lever
into a forward or reverse position
during this time, a gear is automatically
engaged.
The SMG II has no park position
for securing the vehicle against
rolling.
The ignition key can be removed in any
selector lever position.<
Always engage the parking brake
when parking on downhill roads.
Engaging a gear may not sufficiently
secure the vehicle against rolling.<
Display in instrument clusterThe selector lever position, currently
engaged gear and selected driving
program are displayed in the instrument
cluster.
1 Engaged gear
2 Selected driving program
(corresponds to the number of illumi-
nated fields), refer to page 68
3 Tapping the selector lever to the right
switches over into the displayed shift
mode
4 "A" indicates an activated automated
mode.
R - Reverse positionOnly engage with the vehicle stopped
or at low speed, e.g. for "rocking free"
in deep snow.0 - Position 0Always engage before starting the
engine.
If the driving situation requires, e.g.
when downshifting on slippery roads,
the SMG II automatically disengages
and reengages the clutch, i.e. it is not
necessary to manually engage
position 0. S - Sequential modeIn the sequential mode all forward
gears are to be shifted by the driver.
Changeover from automated to
sequential mode:
>Tap the selector lever to the right
toward "S" or
>Change gears with the selector lever
or the shift paddles on the steering
wheel.
You do not need to reduce the throttle
for shifting.

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Sequential M gearbox
* SMG II
Shifting gears with shift paddles on
steering wheel:
>To upshift, briefly pull the right
paddle "+"
>To downshift, briefly pull the left
paddle "Ð".
Shift paddles with various widths
matched to the shape of your
hand are available from your BMW
center.<
Shifting gears with selector lever:
>To upshift, pull the selector lever
backward "+"
>To downshift, push the selector lever
forward "Ð".
No automatic upshifting is carried out in
the sequential mode.
You accelerate from higher gears, e.g.
during passing, by manually down-
shifting.
In the following situations the SMG II
helps you "think" in the sequential
mode:
>Upshifts and downshifts are only
executed when the new gear will
provide a suitable combination of
vehicle and engine speed, i.e., down-
shifts that would cause the engine to
overrev will not be executed
>During a stop the gearbox is auto-
matically downshifted into the first
gear so that, e.g. before a traffic light,
it is only necessary to accelerate to
continue driving
>When the speed is reduced, the
gearbox is automatically down-
shifted shortly before a gear-depen-
dent minimum speed is reached
without you taking any action.
A - Automated modeEach time the engine is started, the
automated mode is activated as soon
as you move the selector lever into the
forward driving position.
In the automated mode all forward
gears are automatically shifted.
Changeover from sequential to auto-
mated mode: tap the selector lever to
the right toward "A". Watch the display
in the instrument cluster, refer to
page 66.
For rapid acceleration, e.g. during
passing, depress the accelerator pedal
completely (kick-down). The gearbox
now downshifts in dependence on the
selected driving program.
Even in the automated mode, you can
help specify the shifting point: if a gear-
dependent minimum speed is
exceeded, you can upshift by slowly
reducing pressure on the accelerator
pedal. In the process, the respective
driving situation is detected by sensors
and taken into account.

68n
Sequential M gearbox
* SMG II
DrivelogicDrivelogic makes various driving
programs available to you.
Press the Drivelogic repeatedly until the
desired driving program is shown in the
SMG display of the instrument cluster,
refer to page 66.
In the automated mode you can select
from five driving programs ranging from
convenience mode/winter operation to
sporty and highly dynamic.
In the first automatic driving program,
starting off takes place in second gear,
which is advisable under winter road
conditions with ice and snow.
In the sequential mode you can choose
from six driving programs ranging from
balanced, dynamic to sporty, puristic
driving. The sporty, puristic driving
program can only be activated with the
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) deacti-
vated, refer to page 82.
To maintain vehicle stability,
always drive with the DSC
switched on whenever possible.<
Following each change between the
sequential and the automated mode,
the last driving program selected in the
respective mode is active.
Exception: instead of the last selected
sequential driving program 6,
program 5 is activated only after the
engine has been started again.
Your vehicle is set so that when
the engine is started, the last
selected driving program saved in your
key is activated for each shifting
mode.<
Gradient assistanceThe gradient assistance enables
starting off on grades with virtually no
roll-back. It can be activated in the
sequential and automated mode with
the vehicle stopped and can be used
for both forward and reverse driving.
1. Depress footbrake with vehicle
stopped
2. Activate the gradient assistance by
pulling the left paddle for at least
0.5 seconds. An increase in the
engine speed indicates that the
gradient assistance is activated
Pulling the left paddle again briefly
deactivates the gradient assis-
tance again.<
3. Release the footbrake and start off
within 2 seconds.