maintenance BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE 2002 E46 Owner's Guide

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Electric power windowsTo open and close windowsFrom ignition key position 1:
To open:
>Press the switch until you feel resis-
tance: the window continues to move
as long as you continue to hold the
switch
>Press the switch briefly past the pres-
sure point: the window moves auto-
matically. Touching the switch again
stops the opening cycle.
To close: you can close the windows in
the same manner by pulling the switch.
After the ignition has been switched off:
You can still operate the electric power
windows for up to 15 minutes, provided
that no door has been opened.
When leaving the vehicle, always
remove the ignition key from the
lock and remember to close the doors
to prevent children from operating the
power windows and injuring them-
selves, etc.<
For convenience closing via the door
lock, refer to page 29.
To operate all the side windowsFrom ignition key position 1:
To open:
>Press the switch until you feel resis-
tance:
All of the windows will continue to
lower as long as you continue to
press the switch
>Press the switch briefly past the pres-
sure point:
All windows will move automatically.
Pressing the switch again stops the
opening cycle.
To close: you can close the windows in
the same manner by pulling the switch.

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Convertible top1To
close
2 To open
To open and to closeFrom ignition key position 1, with the
vehicle stationary.
If at all possible, only operate the
convertible top if the engine is running.
This saves unnecessary battery wear.
1. Read and comply with the preceding
safety precautions
2. Before opening the convertible top,
make sure that the convertible top
compartment panel in the luggage
compartment is lowered, refer to
page 37
3. Make sure that the luggage compart-
ment lid is closed
4. Press and hold the corresponding
button for convertible top operation.
The red indicator lamp will light up
while the convertible top is in motion.
It goes out as soon as the opening or
closing operation has been
completed.
If the red indicator lamp flashes after
the button is released, then the
opening or closing operation is not
yet completed. The sequence can be
continued in the desired direction by
pressing this button.
If the yellow indicator lamp lights up
continuously with the button
pressed, then the convertible top
compartment panel is raised and the
convertible top cannot be moved,
refer to step 2.
The automatic sequence will be
interrupted immediately if release
the button that operates the top. The
sequence can be continued in the
desired direction by pressing this
button.<
During convertible top operation
the rear window moves toward the
passenger compartment. To prevent
injuries, make sure that the closing path
of the convertible top is unobstructed.<
When operating the convertible top, the
windows will lower slightly when you
press the button, and after the opening
or closing operation has finished, they
will go back up, if you keep holding the
button down for more than 2 seconds
after the indicator lamp has gone out.
The luggage compartment lid cannot be
opened while the convertible top is in
motion.
Do not close the side power
windows using the buttons if the
convertible top operation has been
interrupted.<
If the convertible top has been
stored in the convertible top
compartment for longer periods, e.g.
during the winter months while the
hardtop is being used, it may be neces-
sary to manually support the first auto-
matic closing operation: if the
convertible top should halt right before
the closing phase is completed, press
against the front part of the convertible
top frame from the outside to help the
closing process along. Keep pressing
the button while doing so until the top
starts up again on its own.<

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Convertible top3. Lift out the convertible top by holding
on to the lateral guide section 1 and
the front convertible top frame 2.
Position the rear convertible top
frame vertically and flip the convert-
ible top compartment lid downward
and lay it down. Flip the rear convert-
ible top frame downward
4. Lift out the cover panel that is in the
center of the front convertible top
frame
5. Put the Allen wrench 2 (refer to
page 42) into the hex slot (arrow)
6. Pull down on the front convertible
top frame as far as possible.
Complete the closing process by
continuing to turn the wrench clock-
wise. Do this until the front convert-
ible top frame has locked onto the
windshield frame. The rear convert-
ible top frame will automatically be
pressed down onto the convertible
top compartment lid and because of
the tension, will close completely.
The closing operation must be
completed, as otherwise damage
and/or injuries may result.<
Please consult your BMW center
to have the defect corrected.<

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Seats1 Tilt angle
2 Forward/backward adjustment
3 Cushion height
4 Backrest angle
Thigh support Pull the lever and adjust the position of
the cushion for thigh support as
desired.
Adjusting the lumbar support
*
You can adjust the backrest's contour
for additional support in the curvature
of your spine's lumbar region.
The upper hips and spinal column
receive supplementary support to help
you maintain a relaxed, upright position.
>Press the front/rear of switch:
increase/decrease curvature
>Press the upper/lower end of the
switch: increase the upper/lower
curvature.

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Head restraints Entering the rear
Do not remove the rear head
restraints as this would damage
them.<
For further information, please consult
your BMW center.
Do not use the rear head
restraints as storage shelves.
Always keep the travel path for the roll-
over protection system free and clear.
Under no circumstances should you put
any kind of cover (antimacassar) on the
head restraints (refer also to the
labeling on the head restraints).<
The Seat-integrated safety belt system
(SGS) allows for easy access to the
rear.
1. Lift the lever 1 up and tilt the back-
rest forward
2. Press and hold button 2 in driving
direction until the seat moves to the
desired position
3. After entering the rear, fold back and
lock the backrest
4. Press button 2 opposite the direction
of travel and hold. The seat moves
back into its previous position. If the
button 2 is released beforehand, the
seat stops in the respective position.
You can lock a backrest that has
been tilted forward. This is prac-
tical, for example, when entering the
rear seat while the vehicle is parked on
a hill. To do this, press against the
backrest until you hear it click into
place. It does not need to be released
with the lever 1 to tip it back into place
again.<
Lock both backrests while driving,
otherwise there is a danger of an
unexpected movement causing an
accident.<
The indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster flashes, when the backrest is
not locked, refer to page 18.

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Seat and mirror memory Seat heating
*
To recall a stored settingDriver's door open after unlocking or
ignition key in position 1:
>Briefly press memory button 1, 2 or 3,
as desired.
Movement stops immediately when
one of the seat-adjustment or
memory buttons is operated during
the adjustment process.
With the driver's door closed and the
ignition key either removed or in posi-
tion 0 or 2.
>Press and hold the desired memory
button (1, 2 or 3) until the adjustment
process is completed.
If you press the
M
EMORY button
accidentally: press the button
again; the indicator lamp goes out.<
Do not recall a memory position
while the vehicle is moving. If you
do so, there is a risk of accident from
unexpected seat movement.<
Your BMW center can adjust your
vehicle's systems in such a
manner that your personalized settings
are automatically set for the seat and
outside mirror positions when you
unlock the vehicle with your personal
remote control.<
If you make use of this method of
adjustment, be sure that the foot-
well behind the driver's seat is unob-
structed before unlocking the vehicle. If
you fail to do so, any persons or objects
behind the seat could be injured or
damaged by a rearward movement of
the seat.<
The seat cushion and backrest can
be heated with the ignition key in posi-
tion 2.
You can call up different heating levels
by repeatedly pressing the buttons.
You can also switch the higher heating
modes off directly:
Press the button and hold it slightly
longer.

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MirrorsPassenger-side exterior mirror tilt
function(automatic curb monitor)
>Move the mirror selector switch 1 to
the "driver's mirror" position
>When the selector lever is placed in
"Reverse," the passenger-side mirror
tilts downward. This brings e. g. the
lower area adjacent to the vehicle
(curbs, etc.) into the driver's field of
vision while parking.
You can deactivate this automatic
feature by setting the mirror selector
switch to the "passenger side" position.
Interior rearview mirror with
automatic dimming featureThis mirror automatically dims through
an infinitely variable range and switches
automatically to its clear, undimmed
mode whenever you engage reverse
gear.
There are two photocells for automatic
dimming. One photocell (arrow) is posi-
tioned in the mirror's frame, while the
other is slightly offset on the opposite
side of the mirror.
For the mirror to function perfectly,
keep the photocells clean and the area
between the inside rearview mirror and
the windshield free of any obstruction,
like stickers, etc.

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Airbags
At all times, occupants should sit
upright and be properly restrained
(infants and small children in appro-
priate child-restraint systems; larger
children and adults using the safety
belts). Never let an occupant's head
rest near or on a side airbag because
the inflating airbag could cause a
serious or fatal injury. Please note that
the word "Airbag" imprinted on the door
trim panel indicates the airbag's loca-
tion.
Accident research shows that the
safest place for children in an
automobile is in the rear seat. However,
a child sitting in the rear seat and not
properly restrained may place his or her
head on or near the side airbag, if so
equipped. For example, a child Ð even
though belted Ð may fall asleep with his
or her head against the side airbag. It
may be difficult for a driver to ensure
that children in the rear seat will remain
properly positioned at all times and not
place their heads on or near the side
airbag. Therefore, we recommend that
the rear seat side airbags, if provided,
be deactivated if you plan to transport
children in the rear seat.
The rear seat side airbags may already
have been deactivated, either at the
time of manufacture or by a BMW
center. Labels in the rear door opening
should indicate the status of your rear
seat side airbags. If you are uncertain of
their status, or wish to have the airbags
activated or deactivated, please
contact your BMW center.<
Even when all these guidelines are
observed, there is still a small residual
risk of injuries to the face, hands and
arms occurring from airbag deployment
in isolated instances. The ignition and
inflation noise may provoke a mild
temporary hearing loss in extremely
sensitive individuals.
Airbag warning information is also
provided on the sun visors. This is the right way a child should sit in
a child-restraint device when rear side
airbags (arrow) are provided.

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Transporting children safelyIf you use a child-restraint system with
a tether strap, two additional tether
anchorage points (refer to the arrows in
the illustration) have been provided.
They are located under the convertible
top compartment lid. Depending on the
location selected for seating in the rear
passenger area, attach the tether strap
to the corresponding anchorage point
to secure the child-restraint system.
Lift the respective head restraint and
pass the tether strap between the head
restraint and the seat back.
Adjust the tether strap according to the
child restraint manufacturer's instruc-
tions.
Before installing any child-
restraint device or child seat,
please read the following:
Never install a rearward-facing child-
restraint system in the front passenger
seat of this vehicle.
Your vehicle is equipped with an airbag
supplemental restraint system for the
front passenger. Because the backrest
on any rearward-facing child-restraint
system (of the kind designed for infants
under 1 year and 20-30 lbs/9-14 kg)
would be within the airbag's deploy-
ment range, you should never mount
such a device in the front passenger
seat, as the impact of the airbag against
the child restraint's backrest could lead
to serious or fatal injuries. If it is neces-
sary for a child (not an infant) to ride in
the front seat, certain precautions
should be taken. First, move the
passenger seat as far away from the
instrument panel as possible. This
important precaution is intended to
maximize the distance between the
airbag and the child. Older children
should be tightly secured with the
safety belt.
Younger children should be secured in
an appropriate forward-facing child-
restraint system that has first been
properly secured with a safety belt.
Never install a rearward-facing child-
restraint system in the front passenger
seat. We strongly urge you to carefully
read and comply with the instructions
for installation and use provided by the
child restraint's manufacturer when-
ever you use such a device.
Always ensure that all occupants (of all
ages) remain properly and securely
restrained at all times.c
All rear seating positions in your vehicle
meet the recommendations of SAE
J1819, an industry recommended prac-
tice for securing child-restraint systems
in motor vehicles.

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Transporting children safelyChild seat securityAll of the rear belt retractors and the
front passenger's safety belt can be
locked for mounting and securing child-
restraint systems.
A label with the appropriate instructions
for this is located in the immediate
vicinity of the buckle latch of each
safety belt.
Lock the safety beltExtract the entire length of the belt from
the inertia reel mechanism. Allow the
reel to retract the belt somewhat and
engage the buckle, then tighten the belt
against the child-restraint system. The
retraction mechanism is now locked.
The belt cannot be extracted further.
Always observe the installation instruc-
tions provided by the manufacturer of
the child-restraint system.Unlock the safety beltRelease the safety belt, remove the
child's seat and retract the safety belt
to its end position on the belt retractor.