snow chains BMW M3 COUPE 2004 E46 Owner's Manual
Page 10 of 170
 
Contents
 
Operation, maintenance
 
Special operating instructions:
 
Break-in procedures110
General driving notes111
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)112
Brake system112
 
Wheels and tires:
 
Tire inflation pressure114
Tire condition114
Tire replacement115
Wheel and tire 
combinations117
Winter tires118
Snow chains*118
 
In the engine compartment:
 
Hood119
Engine compartment 
essentials120
Washer fluids122
Engine oil122
Coolant124
Brake fluid125
 
Maintenance:
 
The BMW Maintenance 
System126
 
Laws and regulations:
 
California Proposition 65 
warning128
OBD interface socket128
 Owner service procedures Replacement procedures: Onboard tool kit132
Windshield wiper blades132
Lamps and bulbs133
Repairing a flat tire136
Battery140
Fuses141 Giving and receiving 
assistance: Receiving assistance142
Jump-starting143
Towing the vehicle144 
Technical data
 
Engine data150
Dimensions151
Weights152
Capacities153 
Page 71 of 170
71
Indicator lamp
The gearbox indicator lamp in 
the instrument cluster goes out 
after the engine is started.
>If it does not go out, or if it lights up 
during driving, a malfunction has 
occurred. The available functions 
may be limited under certain circum-
stances.
Drive carefully and with the Dynamic 
Stability Control (DSC) activated. 
Have the system checked by the 
nearest BMW center
>If the indicator lamp flashes while 
driving, the system is overloaded. 
Avoid high loads until the indicator 
lamp goes out again permanently.
Shift lightsTo achieve the best possible vehicle 
acceleration with a sporty driving style 
in the sequential mode, shift lights in 
the instrument cluster indicate the opti-
mum shifting point shortly before the 
maximum engine speed is reached.
1. When the maximum engine speed is 
approached, yellow indicator fields – 
shift lights – in the tachometer light 
up consecutively to indicate the 
approaching upshift time
2. Shift at the latest when the last indi-
cator field lights up red.
Tire replacement, snow chainsFollowing a tire or wheel change and 
after mounting or removing snow 
chains, the slip recognition of the 
SMG Drivelogic must become familiar 
with the changed condition.
Reinitialize the system afterwards.
1. Move the selector lever into 
position N on a straight stretch of 
road at a speed of over 20 mph / 
30 km/h
2. Pull both shift paddles for approx. 
2 seconds.
If you do not carry out the initialization, 
the system automatically learns the 
changed condition gradually during 
driving. This can become apparent due 
to brief opening and closing of the 
clutch.
Sequential M gearbox with Drivelogic*
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 
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84
To deactivate DSCPress the button briefly; the indicator 
lamp comes on and stays on.
The vehicle does not execute the stabil-
ity-enhancement and traction-control 
functions when DSC is deactivated.
We recommend that you deactivate 
DSC for increased traction:
>When rocking the vehicle or starting 
off in deep snow or on loose surfaces
>When driving with snow chains
>When driving on snow-covered 
grades, in deep snow, or on a snow-
covered surface that has been 
packed down from being driven on.
To maintain vehicle stability, 
always drive with the DSC acti-
vated on whenever possible.<
To reactivate DSCPress the button again; the indicator 
lamp goes out.
Flat Tire MonitorThe conceptAs you drive, the Flat Tire Monitor 
keeps track of pressure levels in all four 
tires. The system alerts you whenever 
the inflation pressure of a tire falls sig-
nificantly below the pressure of another 
tire.
Controlling the tire pressure is based 
on monitoring the rpm that the tires 
have relative to each other. A flat tire is 
detected and reported because the rpm 
suddenly deviate drastically from one 
another.Functional requirementsIn order for the Flat Tire Monitor to learn 
the correct tire inflation pressure, 
please do the following:
1. Check the tire inflation pressures in 
all tires
2. Compare them with the tire inflation 
pressure table on page 25 and cor-
rect them, if necessary
3. Initialize the system.
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) 
Page 85 of 170
85
System limitations
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot pro-
vide you with advance warning of 
sudden and severe tire damage caused 
by external factors and does not detect 
the balanced and very gradual pressure 
loss that takes place in all four tires 
over an extended period of time.<
On the other hand, the following situa-
tions can lead to a delayed detection of 
pressure loss and even to the system 
not functioning:
>Driving on snow-covered or slippery 
roads 
>Performance-oriented driving: slip at 
the drive wheels, high levels of lateral 
acceleration
>When driving with snow chains, false 
warnings and undetected pressure 
losses may occur.
Initializing the system
Each time you correct the pres-
sure in a tire, or change a wheel or 
tire, reinitialize the system immediately 
afterwards. This requires a bit of driv-
ing.<
1. Before driving off, start the engine 
but do not start driving
2. Press the button as long as you need 
to until the yellow indicator lamp in 
the instrument cluster lights up for a 
few seconds
3. Drive off.
It takes a few minutes before the Flat 
Tire Monitor can detect a flat tire and 
issue a warning.
When driving with snow chains, 
do not initialize the system.<
Flat Tire Monitor
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 
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86
To activate/deactivate the systemThe system is automatically activated in 
ignition key position 2 and conse-
quently is on whenever the vehicle is 
operated.
To deactivate the system: tap the but-
ton, the indicator lamp will light up yel-
low.
To activate the system: tap the button 
again; the indicator lamp goes out.
Deactivate the system when snow 
chains are mounted, since false warn-
ings and undetected losses in pressure 
are possible under these kinds of con-
ditions.
Flat tire
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up red. In 
addition, an acoustic signal is 
sounded.
1. Carefully reduce speed and come to 
a stop. Avoid sudden braking and 
steering maneuvers
2. Determine which wheel is damaged
If this cannot be determined, con-
tact your BMW center.<
3. Fix the flat tire using the M Mobility 
system, refer to page 136.
After replacing the damaged tire, initial-
ize the system.
System malfunction
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up yellow. 
The Flat Tire Monitor is malfunc-
tioning or out of order. Please contact 
your BMW center for additional infor-
mation.
Flat Tire Monitor 
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118
Winter tiresChoosing the right tireBMW recommends the use of winter 
tires for operation under winter road 
conditions. While all-season tires – with 
M+S designation – provide better winter 
traction than the corresponding sum-
mer tires, they generally do not achieve 
the performance of winter tires.
In the interest of safe tracking and 
steering response, install radial tires 
made by the same manufacturer and 
with the same tread configuration on all 
four wheels if you elect to mount winter 
tires.
When mounting winter wheels, 
observe the different recesses of 
the front and rear wheels, as otherwise 
damage may result.<
Do not exceed specified 
maximum speeds
Never exceed the maximum 
speed for which the winter tires 
are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to 
service tires can lead to damage and 
accidents.
Have this work performed by skilled 
professionals only. Your BMW center 
will be glad to assist you with both their 
expertise and the proper equipment for 
your vehicle.<
Tire condition, tire pressureAt tread depths below approx. 3/16  in / 
4 mm, tire performance under winter 
driving conditions deteriorates notice-
ably. Worn tires should therefore be 
replaced for safety considerations.
Comply with the specified tire inflation 
pressures – and be sure to have the 
wheel and tire assembly balanced 
every time you change a tire or wheel.
Snow chains*Only certain snow chains have been 
tested by BMW and determined and 
approved as roadworthy. Consult your 
BMW center for more information. 
BMW recommends using only these 
approved fine-link snow chains. Use 
them in pairs on winter tires, but only on 
both rear wheels.
Comply with all manufacturer's safety 
precautions when mounting the chains. 
Do not exceed a maximum speed of 
30 mph / 50 km/h when using snow 
chains.
After mounting or removing snow 
chains, always reinitialize the sequential 
M gearbox with Drivelogic, refer to 
page 71.
It is not possible to mount snow 
chains on tires with 18-inch and 
19-inch wheels.
Deactivate the Flat Tire Monitor when 
using snow chains. Malfunction warn-
ings and undetected losses in pressure 
are a possibility when driving with snow 
chains.
For additional information, refer to 
page 84.< 
Page 164 of 170
Everything from A to ZSequential M gearbox with 
Drivelogic 67
indicator lamp 19, 71
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet 126
SERVICE ENGINE SOON
warning lamp 19
Service interval display
78, 126
Shift lights 71
Shift paddles 68
Side airbags 53
Side turn signal indicators
bulb replacement 134
Sitting safely
with airbags 43
with safety belts 43
Size 151
Ski bag 103
Sliding/tilt sunroof, refer to 
Electric glass sunroof 41
SMG Drivelogic 67
Smokers' package, refer to 
Ashtray 100
Snow chains 118
SOS, refer to Emergency 
call 142
Spare key 30, 31
Special oils 123
Special oils, refer to Speci-
fied engine oils 123
Specified engine oils 123Speed
winter tires 118
Speed gauge, refer to 
Speedometer 16
Speedometer 16
Sport mode 87
Sports seat 45
Stability control, refer to 
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC) 83
Standing lamps 89
bulb replacement 133
Starting difficulties
jump-starting 143
temperature 63
Starting help DSC 83
Starting the engine 63
Starting, refer to Starting the 
engine 63
Status of the Owner's Man-
ual 5
Steering wheel lock 62
Steering wheel, adjusting 51
Storage compartments 98
Storage nets 98
Storing seat positions, 
refer to Seat and mirror 
memory 49
Storing tires 117
Stroke, refer to Engine 
data 150
Sun blind 96Sun blind, refer to Roller sun 
blind 96
Surface ice, refer to Ice 
warning 80
Switches, refer to 
Cockpit 14
Switching off
engine 65
vehicle 65
Symbols 4
T
Tachometer 76
Tail lamps
bulb replacement 135
Tail lamps, refer to Rear 
lamps 135
Tank capacity, refer to Fuel 
tank capacity 153
Tank indicator, refer to Fuel 
gauge 77
Technical data 150
Technical modifications 5
Technical modifications, 
refer to For your own 
safety 5
Telephone hookup 99
Telephone, refer to the sep-
arate Owner's Manual
Television, refer to the 
Owner's Manual for 
Onboard ComputerTemperature
automatic climate 
control 94
Temperature adjustment 94
Temperature display
engine coolant 77
outside temperature 80
setting units 80
Temperature layering 95
Tempomat, refer to Cruise 
control 74
Thigh support area, adjust-
ing 45
Third brake lamp, refer to 
Center high-mount brake 
lamp 136
Three-point safety belt 47
Through-loading system 102
Tilt alarm sensor 32
remote control 32
switching off 32, 39
Tilting passenger-side exte-
rior mirror 50
Time 79
Tire pressure monitoring, 
refer to Flat Tire 
Monitor 84
Tire replacement 115