sensor BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE 2002 E46 Owner's Manual
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Contents
 
© 2001 BMW M GmbH
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the 
written consent of BMW M GmbH, Munich. 
Order No. 01 41 0 156 249
US English VIII/01
Printed in Germany
Printed on environmentally friendly paper 
(bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling). 
Overview
Controls and features
 
Cockpit14
Instrument cluster15
Indicator and warning lamps17
Steering wheel with multifunction 
buttons21
Warning triangle22
First-aid kit22
Refueling22
Fuel specifications24
Tire inflation pressure24
 
Opening and closing:
 
Keys28
Central locking system28
Opening and closing Ð via the 
door lock29
lOpening and closing Ð via the 
remote control30
Opening and closing Ð from the 
inside33
Luggage compartment lid34
Luggage compartment36
Alarm system37
Electric power windows39
Convertible top40
 
Adjustments:
 
Correct sitting position44
Seats44
Head restraints46
Entering the rear47
Safety belts48
Seat and mirror memory48
Seat heating49
Steering wheel50
Mirrors50
 
Passenger safety systems:
 
Airbags52
Transporting children safely54
Rollover protection system58
Vehicle Memory, Key 
Memory60
 
Driving:
 
Steering/Ignition lock61
Starting the engine61
Switching off the engine62
Parking brake63
Manual transmission63
Sequential M gearbox SMG II64
Indicator/Headlamp flasher70
Washer/Wiper system/Rain 
sensor71
Cruise control73
 
Everything under control:
 
Odometer75
Tachometer75
Engine oil temperature gauge75
Fuel gauge76
Temperature gauge76
Service Interval Display76
Check Control77
Clock77
Computer78
 
Technology for driving comfort 
and safety:
 
Park Distance Control (PDC)80
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)81
Flat Tire Monitor82
M Engine dynamics control84
 
Contents 
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14n
1 Parking lamps/Low beams85
2
 
>
 
Turn signal indicators70
 
>
 
Standing lamps86
 
>
 
High beams86
 
>
 
Headlamp flasher70
 
>
 
Computer783 Washer/Wiper system/Rain 
sensor71
4 Hazard warning flashers
5 Shift lever63
6 Rear window defroster89, 937 Central locking system28
8 Steering wheel50
9 Horn: the entire surface
10 Fog lamps86
 
Cockpit 
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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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Opening and closing Ð via the remote control The conceptThe remote control gives you an excep-
tionally convenient method for 
unlocking and locking your vehicle. 
Furthermore, it provides two additional 
functions which you can only execute 
via the remote control:
>Switch on the interior lamp, refer to 
page 31.
With this function, you can also 
"search for" your vehicle Ð when 
parked in an underground garage, for 
instance
>Open the luggage compartment lid, 
refer to page 31.
The luggage compartment lid will 
open slightly, regardless of whether it 
was locked or unlocked.
The anti-theft system is also deacti-
vated/activated simultaneously with the 
unlocking or locking of the vehicle, and 
the alarm system
* is disarmed/armed, 
and the interior lamps are switched on/
off.
You can have a signal set as an 
acknowledgment message that 
the vehicle is closed correctly.< 
1 Unlock and alarm system
2 Lock and secure, interior lamp activa-
tion, deactivating tilt alarm sensor 
and interior motion sensor
3 Open the luggage compartment, 
panic mode (trigger alarm)
Master key with remote control
Since passengers or animals 
remaining in the vehicle might be 
able to lock the doors from the inside, 
take the vehicle's keys with you so that 
the vehicle can be opened again from 
the outside at any time.< 
Master keys with remote control 
that are used repeatedly are 
always ready for operation, since the 
battery in the key is charged automati-
cally in the ignition lock as you drive.
If it is no longer possible to unlock the 
vehicle via the remote control, the 
battery is discharged. Use this key 
while driving for an extended period in 
order to recharge the battery. Refer 
also to page 28.
Guard the remote control against unau-
thorized use by only surrendering the 
spare key or the door key (refer to 
page 28).
In the event of a system malfunction, 
please contact your BMW center. You 
can also obtain replacement keys 
there.<  
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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Opening and closing Ð via the remote controlTo releasePress button to unlock the driver's door 
only.
Press the button twice in order to 
unlock the entire vehicle.
If you want, you can have this 
special feature set as key-depen-
dent.<To lock and securePress button.
To switch on the interior lampsAfter locking the vehicle, press button 
again.To deactivate the tilt alarm 
sensor
* and interior motion 
sensor* 
Press button a second time immedi-
ately after locking. 
For additional information: refer to 
page 38.
To open the luggage 
compartment lidPress button.
The lid will open slightly, no matter 
whether it was locked or unlocked.
Before and after a trip, be sure 
that the luggage compartment lid 
has not been opened unintentionally.< Panic mode (trigger alarm)By pressing button for more than 
2 seconds, the alarm can be sounded 
in the event of danger, if it is armed. 
To switch off the alarm:
Press button.  
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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Luggage compartment  Alarm system
* 
Enlarging luggage compartmentWith the convertible top closed, you 
can enlarge the luggage compartment. 
To do this, flip the handle outward and 
press it down and toward the front of 
the vehicle (arrow). The convertible top 
compartment panel is now raised and 
secured.Fold down convertible top 
compartment panelTo open the convertible top, the convert-
ible top compartment panel must be 
lowered. To do this, fold out the handle 
and pull opposite the direction of travel.
When opening the convertible top, 
refer to page 40, make sure that the 
luggage compartment is set up for this, 
otherwise you may damage something.<
The conceptThe vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the 
luggage compartment lid are opened
>To movement inside the vehicle (inte-
rior motion sensor)
>Altering the vehicle tilt, e. g. as would 
occur while attempting to steal the 
wheels or tow the vehicle (Tilt alarm 
sensor system)
>To interruption of battery voltage.
The system responds to unauthorized 
vehicle entry and attempted theft by 
simultaneously activating the following:
>Sounding an acoustical alarm for 
30 seconds
>Activating the hazard warning 
flashers for approx. five minutes
>Flashing the high beams on and off in 
rhythm with the hazard warning 
flashers.
To arm and disarm the 
alarm systemWhen the vehicle is locked or unlocked 
by using a key or with the remote 
control, the alarm system is also simul-
taneously armed or disarmed.
You can have a signal set as 
acknowledgment for both arming 
and disarming the alarm.<
You can also open the luggage 
compartment lid when the system is 
armed by pressing the button of the 
remote control (refer to page 31). When 
it is closed, the lid is once again 
secured. 
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Alarm system
*
Indicator lamp displays>The indicator lamp below the interior 
rearview mirror flashes continuously: 
The system is armed
>The indicator lamp flashes when it is 
armed: the door(s), the hood or 
luggage compartment lid are not 
completely closed. Even if you do not 
close the alerted area, the remaining 
areas are deadlocked, and the indi-
cator lamp flashes continuously after 
10 seconds. However, the interior 
motion sensor is not activated
>If the indicator lamp goes out when 
the system is disarmed: no manipula-
tion or attempted intrusions have 
been detected in the period since the 
system was armed
>If the indicator lamp flashes for 
10 seconds when the system is 
disarmed: an attempted entry has 
been detected in the period since the 
system was armed.
Following triggering of an alarm, the 
indicator lamp will flash continuously.Avoiding unintentional alarms The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion 
sensor may be deactivated at the same 
time. Doing this you can prevent any 
unwanted alarm, e. g. in parking 
garages or when it is being transported 
on car trains:
Locking the vehicle twice (= setting the 
alarm). Press button 2 on the remote 
control twice in succession or lock the 
vehicle twice with the key, refer to 
page 31.
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and 
then flashes continuously. The tilt alarm 
sensor and the interior motion sensor 
are deactivated as long as the system is 
armed. Reset the alarm to reactivate 
the tilt alarm sensor and the interior 
motion sensor.
Interior motion sensorDeactivate the interior motion sensor 
(see previous column) if children or 
animals are to remain in the vehicle.For US owners onlyThe transmitter and receiver units 
comply with part 15 of the FCC (Federal 
Communication Commission) regula-
tions. Operation is governed by the 
following:
FCC ID: LTQSDR2G5
Compliance statement: 
This device complies with part 15 of the 
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the 
following two conditions:
>This device may not cause harmful 
interference, and
>this device must accept any interfer-
ence received, including interference 
that may cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications to 
these devices could void the 
user's authority to operate the equip-
ment.< 
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Manual transmission Sequential M gearbox
* SMG II 
Reverse Select only when the vehicle is 
stationary. Press the shift lever to the 
left to overcome the resistance. 
As you do this, the backup lamps will 
turn on automatically when the ignition 
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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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. 
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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Washer/Wiper system/Rain sensor
* 
0 Wipers retracted
1 Intermittent operation or rain sensor
2 Normal wiper speed
3 Fast wiper speed
4 Brief wipe
5 Rotary dial for control of the wipe 
interval or the sensitivity of the rain 
sensor
*
Intermittent operation(not on vehicles with rain sensor)
You can set the wipe interval at four 
stages with rotary dial 5. In addition, the 
wipe interval is varied automatically 
depending on road speed.
Rain sensor
 
The rain sensor is positioned on the 
windshield, directly ahead of the inte-
rior rearview mirror.
To activate the rain sensor: 
>From ignition key position 1 and up, 
move the lever to position 1. The 
wipers travel once across the wind-
shield, regardless of the weather
>You can leave the lever permanently 
in position 1. It is then only necessary 
to activate the rain sensor from igni-
tion key position 1 and up. Activate 
by briefly turning rotary dial 5.
To adjust the sensitivity of the rain 
sensor: turn rotary dial 5.
To deactivate the rain sensor: put lever 
in position 0.
Deactivate the rain sensor when 
passing through an automatic car 
wash. Failure to do so could result in 
damage caused by undesired wiper 
activation.< 
Normal wiper speedWhen the vehicle is stationary, the 
wipers switch automatically to intermit-
tent wipe (not on vehicles with rain 
sensor).Fast wiper speedWhen the vehicle is stationary, the 
wipers operate at normal speed (not on 
vehicles with rain sensor).