flat tire BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE 2002 E46 User Guide

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Information for your safetyThe factory-approved radial tires are
matched to the vehicle and have been
selected to provide optimum safety and
driving comfort on your vehicle.
It is not merely the tire's service life, but
also driving comfort and Ð above all else
Ð driving safety that depend on the
condition of the tires and the mainte-
nance of the specified tire pressure.
Incorrect inflation pressure is a frequent
cause of tire damage. It also signifi-
cantly influences the roadholding ability
of your BMW.
Check tire inflation pressures on a
regular basis (refer to page 24), at
least every two weeks and before every
long trip. If this is not done, incorrect
tire pressures can cause driving insta-
bility and tire damage, ultimately
resulting in accidents.<
Tire tread Ð tire damageInspect your tires frequently for tread
wear, signs of damage and for foreign
objects lodged in the tread. Check the
tread depth.
Tread depth should not be allowed to go
below 0.12 in (3 mm), even though the
legally specified minimum tread depth is
only 0.063 in (1.6 mm). Tread wear indi-
cators (arrow) are embedded in the base
of the tire's tread. Their locations are
indicated by the legend "TWI" Ð Tread
Wear Indicator Ð at various points on the
tire's shoulder. When the tread reaches a
depth of 0.063 in (1.6 mm), these indica-
tors appear to signal that the tires have
worn to the minimum legal level. Below
0.12 in (3 mm) tread depth, there is an
increased risk of aquaplaning, even at
relatively moderate speeds and with only
small amounts of water on the road.
Do not drive on a deflated (flat) tire.
A flat tire greatly impairs steering
and braking response, and can lead to
complete loss of control over the
vehicle.
Avoid overloading the vehicle so that the
permitted load on the tires is not
exceeded. Overloading can lead to
overheating and increases the rate at
which damage develops inside the tires.
You could have a blowout as a result.
Unusual vibrations encountered during
normal vehicle operation can indicate
tire failure or some other vehicle defect.
The type of problem can be caused by
contact with curbs, etc. This is also true
for irregularities in the vehicle's handling
characteristics, such as a pronounced
tendency to pull to the left or right.
Should this occur, respond by immedi-
ately reducing your speed. Proceed
carefully to the nearest BMW center or
professional tire center, or have the
vehicle towed in to have it and its wheels
and tires inspected.
Tire damage (up to and including blow-
outs) can endanger the lives of both the
vehicle occupants and other road
users.<
Tire inflation pressure Tire condition

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DOT Quality GradesTreadwear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger vehicle tires must
conform to Federal Safety
Requirements in addition to these
grades. rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified government test
course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would
wear one and one-half (1 g) times as
well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance
of tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due
to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road char-
acteristics and climate.
TractionThe traction grades, from highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire's ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on speci-
fied government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to
this tire is based on straight-
ahead braking traction tests, and does
not include acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction charac-
teristics.< TemperatureThe temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause
the material of the tire to degenerate
and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which all
passenger vehicle tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance
on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
The temperature grade for this tire
is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under-inflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or
in combination, can cause heat buildup
and possible tire failure.< Uniform Tire Quality Grading Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall between
tread shoulder and maximum section
width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
Tire replacement

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Tire replacement Wheel and tire combinations Tire ageBMW recommends the replacing of all
tires after 6 years at the latest, even if a
tire life of 10 years is possible.
The date on which the tire was manu-
factured is indicated by the code on the
sidewall:
DOT ... 3501 indicates that the tire was
manufactured in week 35 of the year
2001.Following wheel/tire changesFollowing wheel and/or tire changes
you will need to reinitialize both the Flat
Tire Monitor and the sequential M
gearbox
* SMG II, refer to pages 70, 83.
The right choice
Never mount wheels and tires that
have not been specifically
approved by BMW for use on your
particular model. Although other wheels
and tires may theoretically have the
same dimensions, variations in factors
such as manufacturing tolerances can
result in contact between tire and body-
work, ultimately leading to serious acci-
dents. If non-approved wheels and tires
are used, BMW cannot evaluate their
suitability, and therefore cannot be held
liable for driving safety.<
BMW tests certain tire brands for each
tire size, classifies them as road-safe
and approves them. Consult your BMW
center for more information. Observe
any country-specific regulations, e.g.
on making a corresponding entry in the
vehicle documents.
The correct wheel and tire combi-
nation affects different systems
such as ABS, DSC, Flat Tire Monitor.
The function of these systems is
impaired if improper wheel and tire
combinations are used.
Therefore, only use tires of the same
brand and same tread configuration on
the vehicle and, for example following a
tire failure, restore the approved wheel
and tire combination as soon as
possible.<
The use of rims and lug bolts that
do not meet the specifications of
the original factory-installed equipment
will affect the safe operation of your
vehicle and may cause an accident and
personal injury.
Never mix tires of different design, such
as steel-belted radials with radial bias-
belted or bias-ply tires, etc. Mixing tire
types will adversely affect roadholding
and can lead to loss of vehicle
control.< Storage Store wheels and tires in a cool, dry
place, protecting them against light
whenever possible. Protect the tires
against contact with oil, grease and
fuel.

112n
Winter tires Snow chains** * *Choosing the right tireBMW recommends winter tires (M+S
radial tires) for driving in adverse winter
road conditions. So-called all-season
tires with the M+S identification mark
do indeed possess better winter trac-
tion than summer tires that have the H,
V, W, Y and ZR speed ratings, they
generally fail to provide the same levels
of performance as snow tires.
In the interests 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 recess on
the front and rear wheels, as otherwise
damage may result.<
Do not exceed specified
maximum speeds
Never exceed the maximum
speed for which the 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 pressureOnce winter tires wear to a tread depth
of less than 0.16 inches (4 mm), their
performance under winter driving
conditions deteriorates noticeably.
Worn tires should therefore be replaced
for safety considerations.
Comply with the specified tire inflation
pressures Ð and be sure to have the
wheel and tire assemblies balanced
every time you change the tires.
The use of fine-link BMW snow chains
is only permitted in pairs with the winter
tires on the 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) with snow chains.
After mounting or removing snow
chains, always reinitialize the sequential
M gearbox
* SMG II, refer to page 83.
It is not possible to mount snow
chains on tires with 18- 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 further information, refer to
page 82.<

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Repairing a flat tire
Precautions in case of a flat tire:
Stop the vehicle as far as possible
from passing traffic; switch on the
hazard warning flashers.
Turn the steering wheel to the straight-
ahead position and engage the steering
lock. Shift into 1st or reverse and
engage the parking brake.
All passengers should be outside the
vehicle and well away from your imme-
diate working area (behind a guardrail,
for instance).
If necessary, set up your warning
triangle or portable hazard warning
lamp on the roadside at an appropriate
distance from the rear of the vehicle.
Comply with all safety guidelines and
regulations.<
M Mobility systemYou will find an M Mobility system in
your BMW M3 convertible for repairing
flat tires. With this system you can
apply a sealing liquid to the inside of
the tire that seals off the damaged point
and then continue driving.
The M Mobility system makes trans-
porting a spare wheel superfluous,
thereby reducing the amount of weight
you have to carry around. Using the M Mobility systemTo repair a flat tire using the M Mobility
system, proceed as follows:
>Prepare the M Mobility system for
use, refer to the next column
>This is part of the M Mobility system,
refer to page 133
>Filling with sealant, refer to page 133
>Distributing sealant, refer to
page 134
>Inflating tire to correct pressure, refer
to page 135.
Preparing the M Mobility system
for useThe M Mobility system is located in the
luggage compartment under the floor
panel:
1. Lift the floor panel (refer to page 35)
2. Loosen the M Mobility system from
its storage location.
Before you use the M Mobility
system, read the warnings and
danger notices on the device care-
fully.<
If possible, leave the foreign object in
the tire.
Pull off the sticker 5 (refer to the second
column on the right) for the speed limit
and apply it to the steering wheel.

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Repairing a flat tire
Please note that the system's
sealant container must be
replaced every three years by your
BMW center if the device is not used.<
This is part of the M Mobility
system1 On/Off switch
2 Connection hose with manometer for
connecting the compressor with the
sealant container or to connect the
compressor to the wheel
3 Manometer for indicating the tire
pressure
4 Connector hose from the sealant
container to the wheel
5 Sticker with speed limit
6 Plug and cable for the cigarette
lighter socket
7 Protective gloves (not shown)
Filling with sealant1. Take off the round cover and take out
hose 4. Unscrew the valve dust cap
from the defective wheel and screw
the hose to the valve. Keep the dust
cap in a safe place

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Repairing a flat tire2. Flip open the cover and pull out the
enclosed protective gloves. Take out
hose 2 with the manometer and
screw it to the terminal for the
sealant container as shown in the
illustration
3. Make sure that the system has been
switched off (position 0).
Take out plug 6 and plug it into the
cigarette lighter socket in the
passenger compartment (refer to
page 97)
4. Make sure that the screw on the rear
of the pressure gauge 3 is tightened
down. Turn on the M Mobility system
(position I, refer to illustration) and
allow minutes to elapse, to let the
sealant flow in. It does not matter
afterward, what the tire's inflation
pressure is
5. Turn the sealant off.
Disconnect the connector hose from
the sealant container and the wheel
valve. Stow the M Mobility system in
the luggage compartment.
Distributing the sealantRight afterward, drive at least 1.2 miles
(2 km), so that the liquid sealant distrib-
utes evenly throughout the inside of the
tire.
Do not exceed a maximum speed
of 40 mph (60 km/h). If possible,
keep the vehicle speed above 10 mph
(20 km/h).
Stop in a suitable spot.<

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Repairing a flat tire Inflating tire to correct pressure1. Take out the hose with the pressure
gauge and screw it onto the valve.
Take the plug out and plug it into the
cigarette lighter socket in the
passenger compartment
2. Reset the air pressure to 29 psi
(200 kilopascal), and:
>Increase tire pressure: turn on the
M Mobility system (position I). Turn
the unit off while you check the
current setting for the tire inflation
pressure
>Decrease tire pressure: turn the
screw on the back of the mano-
meter, a valve located there will
open
Even if the tire fails to hold the
pressure, you should still carry out
Step 3 before proceeding to drive the
vehicle again, refer to "Distributing
sealant" for more information. Then
repeat Steps 1 through 3.
The use of the M Mobility system may
be ineffective if the damaged area in
the tire is larger than approx. 0.16 in
(4 mm). Please consult the nearest
BMW center if the tire cannot be
temporarily repaired with the M Mobility
system.<
3. Unscrew the hose from the valve and
stow the M Mobility system in the
luggage compartment. Screw the
dust cap onto the valve again.
Do not exceed the maximum
speed limit described below,
otherwise it could lead to accidents.<
When you start driving again, do not
exceed the permissible maximum
speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
You will find corresponding
instructions for using the
M Mobility system on the device.
Replace the defective tire as soon as
possible and have the new wheel
balanced. Reinitialize the Flat Tire
Monitor, and refer to page 83 for further
information. Have the M Mobility
system refilled. Contact your BMW
center for this.<
Protect valve stems against dirt using
screw-on dust caps. Dirty valve stems
frequently lead to slow pressure loss.

Everything from A to ZE
Electric power windows39
Electrical accessories,
failure136t
Electrical malfunction
convertible top42t
doors29t
fuel filler door22t
luggage compartment
lid34t
Electrical outlet97
Emergency release of
luggage compartment lid
from luggage
compartment's interior35
Engine
coolant118
coolant, capacity147
data144
displacement144
output144
starting61t
torque144
Engine compartment114
Engine coolant,
adding118t Engine oil
add116t
capacity147
consumption116
for low ambient
temperatures117
oil dip stick116
pressure17
quality117
temperature75
types117
viscosity117
Engine oil level
checking114t
indicator lamp19
Engine speed144
Entering the rear of the
vehicle47
Entry toward rear47
Eyelets, towing139t
F
Failure messages77
Filling capacities147
Filling the washer
reservoir115t
First-aid kit22 Flat tire109
repairing132
Flat Tire Monitor82
indicator lamp17, 19
Fog lamps86
bulb replacement129t
Follow me home lamps85
Footbrake, refer to brake
system106
Front fog lamps86
Front head restraints46
Front seat adjusting44
Fuel24
consumption display76
gauge76
preparation144
Fuel consumption79
Fuel filler door22
electrical
malfunction22t
manual operation22t
Fuel gauge76
Fuel quality24
Fuel tank capacity147
Fuses, replacing136t G
Gas gauge76
Gasoline24
Gearshift lever63
Glove compartment95
Grilles88, 91
Gross vehicle weight146
H
Handbrake63
Hardtop106
Hazard warning flashers14
Hazard warning triangle22
Head restraints46
adjusting46
Headlamp cleaning
system114, 115
Headlamp covers,
care127t
Headlamp flasher86
Headlamp washer system,
capacities147
Heated mirror50
Heated seats49
Heater and
ventilation88, 91
Heavy loads100

Everything from A to Z
153n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Height145
High beams70, 86
indicator lamp20
Holder for beverages96
Hood release113t
Horn14
I
Ice warning78
Identification mark,
tires111
Ignition key28
Ignition key positions61
Ignition lock61
Imprint4
Independent ventilation
system, refer to the
"Onboard Computer
Owner's Manual"
Indicator lamps17
Individual settings, Vehicle
Memory, Key Memory60
Inflation pressure, tires109
Inside rearview mirror
automatic dimming51
INSPECTION76
Instrument cluster15
Instrument lighting86
Instrument panel14 Interface socket
for Onboard
Diagnostics122
Interior lamps31, 87
remote control31
Interior motion
sensor37, 38
deactivate38
Interior temperature,
adjusting89
J
Jump-starting137
K
Key28
with remote control28
Key Memory60 L
Lamp switch85
Lamps
daytime driving lamps85
fog lamps86
high beams86
interior lamps87
low beams85
parking lamps85
reading lamps87
standing lamps86
Lamps and bulbs126
Language selection, refer to
the separate Owner's
Manual
Lashing eyes101
LATCH child-restraint
system installation56
Leather care, refer to the
"Caring for your vehicle"
manual
Length145
License plate lamps, bulb
replacement131t
Lighting, refer to lamps
LIGHTS ON warning85
Load-securing devices101
Low ambient
temperatures117 Low beam headlamp
bulb replacement127t
Low beams85
Lower convertible top
compartment panel37
Luggage compartment34
bulb replacement130t
capacity146
increase volume37
lighting34
lower convertible top
compartment panel37
open from inside34
open from outside34
open via remote
control31
Luggage compartment
lid34
electrical
malfunction34t
emergency release from
luggage compartment's
interior35
manual operation34t
Luggage rack101
Lumbar support45
adjusting45