Cellular BMW M3 COUPE 2004 E46 Owner's Manual
Page 6 of 170
 
6
 
Notes
 
Maintenance and repair
 
Advanced technology, e.g. the 
use of modern materials and high-
performance electronics, requires spe-
cially adapted maintenance and repair 
methods. Therefore, only have corre-
sponding work on your BMW carried 
out by a BMW center or a workshop 
that works according to BMW repair 
procedures with correspondingly 
trained personnel. If work is carried out 
improperly there is a danger of conse-
quential damage and the related safety 
risks.
 
<
 
Parts and accessories
 
Important safety information!
For your own safety, use genuine 
parts and accessories approved by 
BMW.
When you purchase accessories tested 
and approved by BMW and Original 
BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire 
the assurance that they have been thor-
oughly tested by BMW to ensure opti-
mum performance when installed on 
your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free 
from defects in material and workman-
ship.
BMW will not accept any liability for 
damages resulting from installation of 
parts and accessories not approved by 
BMW.
BMW cannot test every product made 
by other manufacturers to verify if it can 
be used on a BMW safely and without 
risk to either the vehicle, its operation, 
or its occupants.
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories 
and other products approved by BMW, 
together with professional advice on 
using these items, are available from all 
BMW centers.
Installation and operation of non-BMW 
approved accessories such as alarms, 
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors, 
 
wheels, suspension components, brake 
dust shields, telephones – including 
operation of any portable cellular phone 
from within the vehicle without using an 
externally mounted antenna – or trans-
ceiver equipment, such as a CB, 
walkie-talkie, ham radio or similar 
accessories, may cause extensive dam-
age to the vehicle, compromise its 
safety, interfere with the vehicle's elec-
trical system or affect the validity of the 
BMW Limited Warranty. Contact your 
BMW center for additional information.
Do not use key or remote control to 
lock doors or luggage compartment 
with anyone inside the vehicle. Refer to 
the Owner's Manual for more details.
 
<
 
Maintenance, replacement, or 
repair of the emission control 
devices and systems may be performed 
by any automotive repair establishment 
or individual using any certified auto-
motive part.
 
<
 
Symbol on vehicle parts
 
Indicates that you should consult 
the relevant section of this 
Owner's Manual for information on a 
particular part or assembly. 
Page 9 of 170
 
Contents
 
9
 
Driving:
 
Ignition lock62
Starting the engine and driving 
off63
Switching off the engine65
Parking brake65
Manual transmission66
Sequential M gearbox with 
Drivelogic*67
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp 
flasher72
Washer/wiper system/Rain 
sensor*73
Cruise control74
 
Everything under control:
 
Odometer76
Tachometer76
Engine oil temperature76
Fuel gauge77
Engine coolant temperature 
gauge77
Service interval display78
Check Control78
Clock79
Computer80
 
Technology for safety and 
driving convenience:
 
Park Distance Control (PDC)*82
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)83
Flat Tire Monitor84
M Engine dynamics control87
Brake force display87
 
Lamps:
 
Parking lamps/Low beams88
Instrument lighting89
High beams/Standing lamps89
Fog lamps90
Interior lamps90
 
Controlling the climate for 
pleasant driving:
 
Automatic climate control92
Roller sun blind*96
 
Interior conveniences:
 
Premium sound system*97
Glove compartment97
Storage compartments98
Cellular phone*99
Ashtray, front*100
Ashtray, rear*100
Clothes hooks101
 
Loading and transporting:
 
Through-loading system102
Ski bag*103
Cargo loading104
Roof-mounted luggage 
rack*106
 
Controls and features 
Page 99 of 170
99
Rear center armrestYou will find a beverage holder in the 
rear center armrest.
Opening the beverage holder: press.
Storage package*For your convenience, there are:
>Two flip-out sockets on the rear cen-
ter console – see 
arrows
>An eyeglasses storage compartment* 
in the front center console above the 
ashtray.
Cellular phone*Hands-free systemOn vehicles that are wired for a tele-
phone* or equipped with a communica-
tions package*, the cover for the 
hands-free microphone is located in the 
headliner near the interior lamp.
For further information on using your 
cellular phone, refer to the separate 
Owner's Manual for the telephone.
Storage compartments
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 
Page 157 of 170
Everything from A to Z
157
Blower
automatic climate 
control 94
BMW Maintenance 
System 126
BMW sports seat 45
Bore, refer to Engine 
data 150
Bottle holders, see Bever-
age holders 98, 99
Brake fluid 125
indicator lamp 18, 125
level 125
Brake force display 87
Brake hydraulic system 112
Brake lamps
bulb replacement 135
indicator lamp, defective 
lamp 78
Brake lights
brake force display 87
Brake pads 113
brake fluid level 
18, 112, 125
breaking in 110
disc brakes 112
Brake rotors
brake system 112
breaking in 110
Brake system
brake pads, indicator
lamp 19Brake wear warning
indicator lamp 19
Brakes
ABS 112
brake fluid 125
breaking in 110
indicator/warning lamp 
18, 19
parking brake 65
Break-in procedures 110
Bulb replacement 133
Bulb replacement, refer to 
Lamps and bulbs 133
Buttons in steering wheel 22
C
California Proposition
65 warning 128
Can holders, see Beverage 
holders 98, 99
Capacities 153
Car battery 140
Car care, refer to the Caring 
for your vehicle brochure
Car keys, refer to Keys 30
Car radio, refer to the 
Owner's Manual for Radio
Car telephone 
preparation 99
Car telephone, refer to the 
separate Owner's ManualCar vacuum cleaner, con-
necting 100
Car wash, refer to the Caring 
for your vehicle brochure
Caring for headlamp cov-
ers, refer to the Caring for 
your vehicle brochure 133
Carpet care, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Cassette operation, refer to 
the Owner's Manual for 
Radio/Onboard Computer
CBC Cornering Brake Con-
trol 112
warning lamp 19
CD changer, refer to the 
Owner's Manual for 
Radio/Onboard Computer
CD operation, refer to the 
Owner's Manual for 
Radio/Onboard Computer
Cellular phone 99
Center high-mount brake 
lamp
bulb replacement 136
Central locking system 30
button 34
passenger 
compartment 34
Charge indicator lamp 18
Check Control 78Check Gas Cap
indicator lamp 19
Child seats, refer to Child-
restraint systems 56
Child-restraint systems 56
Cigarette lighter 100
Cigarette lighter socket 100
Cleaning chrome parts, refer 
to the Caring for your vehi-
cle brochure
Cleaning light alloy wheels, 
refer to the Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Cleaning the vehicle, refer to 
the Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Cleaning windshield 74
Clock 79
12-/24-hour mode 79
setting, refer also to the 
Owner's Manual for 
Radio/Onboard Computer
Closing
from inside 34
from outside 31
Clothes hooks 101, 111
Clutch
breaking in 110
Cockpit 14
Code, refer to the Owner's 
Manual for Radio/Onboard 
Computer
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 
Page 162 of 170
Everything from A to ZMaximum speed
with winter tires 118
MC operation, refer to the 
Owner's Manual for 
Radio/Onboard Computer
MD operation, refer to the 
Owner's Manual for 
Radio/Onboard Computer
Mechanical seats 44
Memory, refer to Seat and 
mirror memory 49
Memory, refer to Vehicle 
Memory, Key Memory 60
Microfilter
automatic climate 
control 96
Microphone, refer to Cellular 
phone 99
Mini disc operation, refer to 
the Owner's Manual for 
Radio/Onboard Computer
Mirrors 51
automatic curb monitor 50
heated 51
memory, refer to Seat and 
mirror memory 49
Mobile Service 142
Mobility system 136
Modifications, technical, 
refer to For your own 
safety 5Multifunction steering 
wheel 22
Multifunction switch
turn signal indicator/head-
lamp flasher 72
washer/wiper system 73
N
Navigation system, refer to 
the Owner's Manual for 
Radio/Onboard Computer
Neck restraints, refer to 
Head restraints 46
Nets 98
Nozzles, refer to 
Ventilation 92
Nylon rope, refer to Towing 
the vehicle 145
O
OBD interface socket 128
Odometer 76
Oil
additives, refer to Adding 
engine oil 123
alternative oils 123
capacity 153
dipstick 122
quality 123
specified engine oils 123Oil change interval, refer 
to Service interval 
display 126
Oil change intervals, refer to 
the Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet for US 
models / Warranty and 
Service Guide Booklet for 
Canadian models
Oil filter change 153
Oil level
checking 122
indicator lamp 18
Oil pressure
indicator lamp 18
OIL SERVICE 78
Oil types 123
Old batteries, refer to Dis-
posal 140
Onboard computer 80
Onboard computer, refer to 
the Owner's Manual for 
Onboard Computer
Onboard tool kit 132
Opening and closing
from inside 34
from outside 31
via remote control 31
via the door lock 33
Outlets, ventilation 92Outside temperature dis-
play 80
changing unit of 
measure 80
P
Paintwork care, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Panic mode, trigger 
alarm 32
Park Distance Control
(PDC) 82
Parking aid, refer to Park 
Distance Control (PDC) 82
Parking brake 65
indicator lamp 18
Parking lamps 88
bulb replacement 133
Parking lamps/Low 
beams 88
Parts and accessories, refer 
to Your individual vehicle 5
Passenger-side exterior mir-
ror tilt function 50
PDC Park Distance 
Control 82
Pinch protection
glass sunroof 41
Plastic, refer to the Caring 
for your vehicle brochure