charging BMW 3 SERIES 2004 E46 Service and warranty information

If your car is driven only for short distances of
less than 10 miles over a prolonged period of
time, without an occasional drive at highway
speeds, the engine’s charging system will not
maintain the battery. Insufficient use of the
vehicle could result in short term starting
problems and in the long term could damage
the battery.
In case the car is not operated for more than
four weeks it is advisable to:
a) consider using a proper trickle charger,
following the charger manufacturer’s
instructions, to maintain the battery’s state of
charge; or
b) consult your BMW center regarding battery
removal. Once removed, the battery must be
charged and stored in a cool, dry place
where it can be protected from freezing. If
the battery will be stored for over 3 months, it
must be recharged every 3 months, or else it
will become damaged and useless.
Please consult with your BMW center for
further guidance and information.
Corrosion Protection
Extensive corrosion protection measures
implemented by BMW now make it possible to
offer a six-year limited anti-corrosion warranty
against rust perforation on your vehicle
provided that the vehicle is maintained in
accordance with the provisions of the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty as outlined in the
Warranty Section of this Statement (page 29).
The major degree of corrosion protection is
due to the electrophoretic dip painting process
which cathodically deposits paint particles on
all body parts, attracting paint particles into the
minutest cavities or seams. Body parts are
designed to provide optimum corrosion
protection.During manufacture, exterior body parts
receive an additional corrosion protection coat.
Hood, trunk, doors and other body parts with
metal folds are coated with PVC and sealed
from the outside.
All floor panels receive a resilient coating of
PVC for maximum protection against damage
due to stones, etc.
Corrosion protection materials tested over
many years are applied to the surfaces of
cavities and to the entire underside of the
vehicle during and after assembly.
Requirements for maintaining the six-year
limited anti-corrosion warranty are outlined in
the Warranty Section of this Statement (page
31).
Restoring corrosion protection
Please take care that anti-corrosion material is
replaced when your car is repaired after body
or chassis damage.
BMW will not accept any liability for any
parts and accessories not approved by
BMW.
Underbody maintenance
The underbody has to be cleaned at least
once a year, in spring, with plain water in order
to remove mud, chemical sediments and other
deposits. If those materials are not removed,
corrosion (rust) will occur.
Your BMW center will do this anti-corrosion
service for you.
WARNING
Do not apply additional undercoating or rust-
proofing on or near the exhaust manifold,
exhaust pipes, catalytic converter or heat
shields. During driving, the substance used
for undercoating could overheat and cause
a fire.
Battery Care
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