roof BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE 2003 E46 Owner's Manual

Contents

9

Passenger safety systems:

Airbags57
Transporting children safely59
Rollover protection system63
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory65

Driving:

Ignition lock66
Starting engine and driving
off67
Switching off the engine69
Parking brake69
Manual transmission70
Sequential M gearbox
SMG II*71
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher76
Washer/wiper system/Rain
sensor*77
Cruise control78

Everything under control:

Odometer80
Tachometer80
Temperature gauge80
Fuel gauge81
Engine coolant temperature
gauge81
Service interval display82
Check Control82
Clock83
Computer84

Technology for safety and
driving convenience:

Park Distance Control (PDC)*86
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)87
Flat Tire Monitor88
M Engine dynamics control91

Lamps:

Parking lamps/Low beams92
Instrument lighting93
High beams/Standing lamps93
Fog lamps94
Interior lamps94
Reading lamps94

Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:

Automatic climate control96

Interior conveniences:

Glove compartment101
Storage compartments101
Cellular phone*102
Ashtray, front*102
Ashtray, rear*103

Loading and transporting:

Ski bag*104
Cargo loading106
Roof-mounted luggage rack for
the hardtop*107

Operation, maintenance

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures110
Driving notes111
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)111
Brake system112
Hardtop*113

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressure115
Tire condition115
Tire replacement116
Wheel and tire
combinations118
Winter tires118
Snow chains*119

In the engine compartment:

Hood120
Engine compartment
essentials122
Washer fluids124
Engine oil124
Coolant126
Brake fluid127

Maintenance:

The BMW Maintenance
System128

Laws and regulations:

California Proposition 65
warning130
OBD interface socket130

Controls and features

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33
Opening and closing – via the door lockTurning the key in the door lock once
unlocks the driver's door, the fuel filler
door and the glove compartment.
Turning the key a second time unlocks
the passenger's door and the luggage
compartment lid.
You can have a signal set to con-
firm that the vehicle's locks have
engaged securely. operate the power windows and the
convertible top with the door lock.
>To open: with the door closed after
turning the key for the second time,
hold the key in the Unlock position
>To fasten: with the door closed, hold
the key in the Lock position.
Whenever closing the windows or
sliding/tilt sunroof you should
always monitor their path and progress
to ensure that no one is injured occur.
Releasing the key stops the opera-
tion. Turn the key all the way to the left or
right to unlock/lock the driver's door.
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41
After the ignition has been
switched offAfter the ignition has been switched off:
You can still use the electric power win-
dows for up to 15 minutes, as long as
no one opens any of the doors.
Convertible topThe completely automatically operated
convertible top combines assured pro-
tection against the elements together
with simple and easy handling.
So that you will get the most out of
enjoying your convertible, here are a
few tips:
>It is advisable to close the convertible
top when the vehicle is being parked.
The closed convertible top not only
protects the passenger compartment
from unforeseeable damage from the
weather, it also provides a certain
degree of theft protection. In addi-
tion, keep valuables only in the
locked luggage compartment, even
with the convertible top closed
>Never mount a roof-mounted luggage
rack on the convertible top
>At temperatures below 147/–106
do not operate the convertible top to
prevent damage.
Never store the convertible top
while it is wet to avoid permanent
damage from moisture.<
Electric power windows
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47
7. Close the convertible top compart-
ment lid via the convertible top con-
trol button. The wind deflector is now
attached so that it is theft-proof.
Operate the convertible top com-
partment lid from above only in
order to avoid any pinching.
With the wind deflector in place: never
push the front seats all the way back to
avoid damaging the wind deflector. installing, just reverse the steps.Wind deflector*
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57 Passenger safety systems
Airbags1Front airbags on the driver and pas-
senger sides
2Side airbags on the driver and pas-
senger sides – front and rear*Protective effectThe front airbags protect the driver and
passenger in the event of a head-on
collision where the protection provided
by the safety belt alone would not be
adequate. The side airbags help pro-
vide protection in the event of a colli-
sion from the side. Each of the side air-
bags is designed to help support the
seat occupant's upper body.
For information on the correct sitting
position, refer to page 48.
The side airbags in the rear pas-
senger area* of your vehicle may
already have been deactivated either at
the time of manufacture or by a BMW
center. You may have them activated if
you desire to do so. Please contact
your BMW center for additional infor-
mation.<
The airbags will not be triggered in
the event of a minor accident, cer-
tain vehicle rollover situations or colli-
sions from the rear.<
Do not apply adhesive materials to
the cover panels of the airbags,
cover them or modify them in any other
way. Do not attempt to remove the air-
bag restraint system from the vehicle. In
the event of a malfunction, deactivation
or triggered activation – as a response
to an accident – of the airbag restraint
system, consult your BMW center for
inspection, repair or disassembly. Mod-
ifications may not be made on either
the wiring or the individual components
in the airbag system. This includes the
upholstered covers on the steering
wheel, the instrument panel, the side
trim panels of the doors and front roof
pillars and on the sides of the front
headliner. Do not attempt to remove or
dismantle the steering wheel. Unpro-
fessional attempts to service the sys-
tem could lead to failure in an emer-
gency or undesired airbag activation,
either of which could result in personal
injury. Do not touch the individual com-
ponents directly after the system has
been triggered, as otherwise there is a
danger of burns.<
At all times, occupants should sit
upright and be properly restrained
– infants and small children in appropri-
ate child-restraint systems; larger chil-
dren 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 indi-
cates the airbag's location.
Accident research shows that the saf-
est place for children in an automobile
is in the rear seat. However, a child sit-
ting 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 – even though
belted – may fall asleep with his or her
head against the side airbag. It may be
difficult for a driver to ensure that chil-
dren in the rear seat will remain prop-
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107
Securing the cargo in the luggage
compartment >For small, light items, use the rubber-
lined non-skid side of the floor mat or
secure with a luggage compartment
net* or elastic straps, refer to page 37
>For large, heavy pieces, see your
BMW center for load-securing
devices*. Lashing fittings located in
the luggage compartment can be
used for fastening the load-securing
devices.
Comply with the information enclosed
with the load-securing devices.
Roof-mounted luggage rack for the hardtop*A special roof-rack system is available
as an optional extra for your BMW.
Please observe the precautions
included with the installation instruc-
tions.AnchoragesAccess to the mounting points:
To fold up the cover – see arrow –
please use the tool which is provided
with the luggage system.Loading and driving notesBecause roof racks raise the center of
gravity of the vehicle when loaded, they
exercise a major effect on its handling
and steering response.
When loading, be sure to remember not
to exceed the approved roof weight or
the approved gross vehicle weight or
the axle loads. You will find the specifi-
cations under Technical data on
page 152.
Make sure that the load is not too bulky,
and attempt to distribute it evenly.
Always load the heaviest pieces first so
that they are at the bottom. Make sure
that no objects get in the way when the
luggage compartment lid is opening or
closing.
Secure the roof-mounted luggage cor-
rectly and safely to prevent it from shift-
ing or being lost during driving.
Drive smoothly and avoid sudden
acceleration or braking. Do not corner
at high speeds.
Cargo loading
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113
Hardtop*It is not necessary to remove the fabric
top even in the winter, when the hard-
top is generally in constant use. But you
can also remove it at any time with no
problem. Before the fabric top is stored
in the convertible top compartment, it
must be absolutely dry in order to avoid
water spot and mildew from forming.
The hardtop offers reading lamps and
clothing hooks that can be used just by
pressing. In addition, a roof-rack
assembly is possible. In this regard,
please contact your BMW center.
When suspending articles of
clothing from the hooks, be sure
that they will not obstruct the driver's
vision. Do not hang heavy objects on
the hooks. If you do so, they could
cause personal injury during braking or
evasive maneuvers.<
Two people are required for installation
or removal. Work with extreme caution
in order to avoid paint damage and
damage to the body or hardtop.
To facilitate hardtop installation or
removal, you can obtain a specially
designed hardtop lift* or hardtop rack*
at your BMW center.
Storage
Storing the hardtop on the floor:
slide the styrofoam block that
came with the hardtop forward to its
center. The arrow on top of the styro-
foam block has to be pointing upward
when you are doing this.<
Installation1. Lower the side windows completely
and flip the sun visors down. If nec-
essary, remove the antenna rod to
avoid any damage
2. Open the convertible top compart-
ment lid slightly by pressing the but-
ton for the convertible top operation,
refer to page 42
3. Remove the trim pieces on both
sides by pulling them off toward the
back – see arrow – and reclose the
convertible top compartment lid
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152
WeightsCurb weight lbs/kg 3,782/1,715
Approved gross vehicle weight lbs/kg 4,630/2,100
Approved front axle load lbs/kg 2,183/990
Approved rear axle load lbs/kg 2,579/1,170
Permissible roof load for the hardtop lbs/kg 165/75
Luggage compartment capacity
with the convertible top compartment raisedcu ft/l 9.2/260
10.6/300
Approved axle loads and approved gross vehicle weight may not be exceeded.
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Everything from A to Z
159
LATCH child-restraint
mounting system 62
Leather care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Length 151
License plate lamp
replacing bulb 139
Light switch 92
Lighter 102
Lighting, see lamps
LIGHTS ON warning 92
Load-securing devices 106
Lock, steering wheel 66
Low beams 92
bulb replacement 135
Luggage compartment
35, 37
capacity 152
floor panel 37
increase volume 37
Luggage compartment lid 35
emergency release 36
manual operation 35
opening from the inside 35
remote control 32
securing separately 35
Luggage compartment light-
ing 35
Luggage rack 107
Lumbar support 50M
M Engine dynamics
control 91
M Mobility system 139
M+S tires 118
Maintenance 82, 128
Malfunction displays 82
Manual operation
convertible top 44
Manual transmission 70
Master keys 30
with remote control 30
Memory 53, 65
Microfilter 100
Microphone 102
Mirror defrosting 55
Mirror memory 53
Mirrors 55
automatic curb monitor 54
inside rearview 56
outside 55
Mobility system 139
Modifications, technical 5
Mounting the roof rack 113
Multifunction switch 76
N
Navigation system, refer to
Owner's Manual for
Onboard Computer
Neckrest 50O
OBD interface socket 130
Odometer 80
Oil
additives 125
capacity 153
quality 125
viscosity 125
Oil change interval, see Ser-
vice and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US
models / Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
Oil filter change 153
Oil level
checking 124
indicator lamp 19
warning lamp 18
Oil pressure
warning lamp 18
OIL SERVICE 82
Oil types 125
Onboard computer, refer to
the Owner's Manual for
Onboard Computer
Onboard tool kit 134
Opening and closing
from inside 34
via remote control 31
via the door lock 33
Operating elements 14Outlets, ventilation 96
Outside temperature dis-
play 84
P
Paintwork care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Panic mode, trigger
alarm 32
Park Distance Control
(PDC) 86
Parking aid 86
Parking brake 69
Parking lamps 92
PDC Park Distance
Control 86
Pollen 100
Power output 150
Power seat 49
Pressure, tires 25, 115
R
Radiator 153
Radio navigation, refer to
Owner's Manual for
Radio 85
Radio, refer to the Owner's
Manual for Radio
Rain sensor 77
Range 85
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Everything from A to ZReading lamps
front 94
rear 95
Rear lamps 137
Rear window defroster 99
Rear-entry assist 51
Rearview mirror 55
Recirculated-air mode 99
Refueling 24
Remote control 31
Remote key 30
Replacement key 30, 31
Reporting safety defects 6
Reserve indicator lamp 81
Restraint system 59
Reverse 70
Rims 118
Rollover protection
system 63
indicator lamp 19
lowering 63
Roof load capacity 152
Roof-mounted luggage
rack 107
S
Safe seating position 48
Safety belts 52
seat-integrated belt sys-
tem (SGS) 51
Seat
rear-entry assist 51Seat adjustment 48, 49
lumbar support 49, 50
power seats 49
Seat heating 54
Seat memory 53
Securing cargo 106
Securing child-restraint sys-
tem 61
Securing devices 107
Sequential M gearbox
SMG II 71
indicator lamp 19, 75
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet 128
SERVICE ENGINE SOON
warning lamp 19
Service interval display
82, 128
Set clock 83
Side airbags 57
Side turn signals
bulb replacement 136
Size 151
Ski bag 104
SMG gearbox 71
Snow chains 119
Socket 103
Spare key 30
Speedometer 16
Sport mode 91
Standing lamps 93
bulb replacement 135Starting problems 67
Starting the engine 67
Steering wheel lock 66
Steering wheel with multi-
function buttons 22
Steering wheel, adjusting 55
Storage compartments 101
Stroke 150
Summer tires 118
Surface ice warning 84
Switching off the engine 69
Symbols used 4
T
Tachometer 16, 80
Tail lamp assembly
replacing bulb 137
Tail lamps 137
replacing bulb 137
Tank capacity 153
Technical data 150
Technical modifications 5
Telephone hookup 102
Telephone, refer to the sep-
arate Owner's Manual
Temperature adjustment 98
Temperature display
engine coolant 81
ice warning 84
interior temperature 98
outside temperature 84
Temperature gauge 80Temperature layering 99
Thigh support area, adjust-
ing 49
Third brake lamp 138
Tilt alarm
deactivate 32, 39
Tilt alarm sensor
remote control 32
Time 83
Tire code 118
Tire damage 115
Tire inflation pressure
25, 115
checking 25
Tire pressure monitor
(TPM) 88
Tire replacement 116
Tire tread 115
Tools 134
Torque 150
Towing eyelet 146
Towing the vehicle 146
Track 151
Transmission 70
Transporting children
safely 59
Tread depth, tires 115
Tread wear indicator 115
Trip odometer 80
Trunk, see Luggage com-
partment 35, 152
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