engine oil BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE 2004 E46 User Guide

130Maintenance
The BMW Maintenance SystemThe BMW Maintenance System has
been designed as a reliable means of
providing maximum driving and operat-
ing safety – and as cost-effectively for
you as possible. Please keep in mind
that regular maintenance is not only
necessary for the safety of your vehicle,
but also plays a significant role in main-
taining the resale value of the vehicle.Service interval displayWhile conventional systems rely on dis-
tance traveled alone to determine when
service is due, the BMW Maintenance
System has for years taken the actual
conditions under which the vehicle
operates into consideration, because
miles can be traveled in many different
ways:
For example, 62,000 miles/100,000 km
short-distance driving are not equal to
the same 62,000 miles/100,000 km of
long-distance travel.
The BMW Maintenance System
includes the Engine Oil Service and
Inspections I and II.
Have a break-in inspection per-
formed at 1,250 miles/2,000 km
regardless of the service interval indi-
cated on the display.<
Determining the maintenance intervals
according to the actual loads on the
vehicle covers every kind of operating
situation. Minimal-use drivers – those
who drive significantly fewer than
6,200 miles/10,000 km annually –
should have the engine oil changed at
least every 2 years since oil deterio-
rates over time, regardless of use.
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models/Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian modelsFor additional information on required
maintenance intervals and procedures,
please refer to the Service and War-
ranty Information Booklet for US mod-
els, or the Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models.
As a precaution against corrosion, it is
advisable to have the body checked for
damage from rocks or gravel at the
same time, depending upon operating
conditions.
Have your BMW center perform
maintenance and repair.
Be sure that all maintenance work is
recorded in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US models, or
in the Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models. These
entries are your verification for the reg-
ular maintenance of your vehicle and
are required for the performance of
warranty repairs.<

132Laws and regulations
California Proposition 65 warningCalifornia laws require us to state the
following warning:
Engine exhaust and a wide variety
of automobile components and
parts, including components found in
the interior furnishings in a vehicle, con-
tain or emit chemicals known to the
State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects and reproductive harm. In
addition, certain fluids contained in
vehicles and certain products of com-
ponent wear contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead com-
pounds. Wash your hands after hand-
ling.
Used engine oil contains chemicals that
have caused cancer in laboratory ani-
mals. Always protect your skin by
washing thoroughly with soap and
water.<
OBD interface socketThe Onboard Diagnostic (OBD) inter-
face socket is located on the left of the
driver's side at the bottom of the instru-
ment panel and under a cover. The
cover has the letters OBD on it.
The purpose of the OBD system is to
assure proper emission-control system
operation for the vehicle's lifetime by
monitoring emission-related compo-
nents and systems for deterioration and
malfunction.
An illuminated indicator informs
you of the need for service, not
that you need to stop the vehi-
cle. However, the systems should be
checked by your BMW center at the
earliest possible opportunity.

157
Capacities
Notes
Fuel tank
Reservegal./liters
gal./litersapprox. 16.6/63
approx. 2.1/8Fuel specification, refer to page 25
Windshield washer system/
Headlamp cleaning system quarts/liters approx. 5.6/5.3Specifications, refer to page 126
Engine with oil filter change quarts/liters approx. 5.8/5.5 Specifications, refer to page 127
Manual transmission quarts/liters approx. 1.9/1.8 Oil change during running-in check
and during each inspection II
Differential quarts/liters approx. 1.2/1.1 Oil change during running-in check
and during each inspection II
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to ZA
ABS Antilock Brake
System 114
indicator lamp 19
Accessories, refer to For
your own safety 5
Accident, refer to Emer-
gency call 146
Activated-charcoal filter 100
Adding brake fluid 129
Adding liquid sealant
Mobility system 142
Additional sources of infor-
mation 4
Air conditioning mode
automatic climate
control 98
Air distribution
automatic climate
control 98
Air distribution, individual 98
Air outlets, refer to Ventila-
tion 96
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure 25, 118
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air mode 99
Air supply
automatic climate
control 98
Air, drying, refer to Air con-
ditioning mode 98Airbags 55
deactivating 55
indicator lamp 18, 57
sitting safely 46
Airing out, refer to Ventila-
tion 96
AKI, refer to Fuel specifica-
tions 25
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires 122
Alternative oils 127
Antifreeze
coolant 128
washer fluid 126
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 114
indicator lamp 19
Anti-theft system 30
Approved axle loads, refer
to Weights 156
Approved gross weight,
refer to Weights 156
Armrest 101
Artificial leather, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Ashtray
front 103
rear 103
Assistant systems, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 86AUC Automatic recircu-
lated-air control 99
AUTO program, refer
to Automatic air distribu-
tion 98
Automatic
air distribution 98
air supply 98
cruise control 77
headlamp control 91
Automatic car wash, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Automatic climate control 96
Automatic curb monitor 52
Automatic dimming, interior
rearview mirror 54
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC) 99
Automatic windshield
washer, refer to Rain sen-
sor 76
Average fuel
consumption 84
Average speed 84
Axle loads, refer to
Weights 156
B
Backrest
unlocking 49Backrest, refer to Seat
adjustment 47
Backup lamps 69
bulb replacement 139
Bandages, refer to First-aid
kit 23
Bar, towing 149
Battery 144
charge 144
disposal 144
indicator lamp 18
jump-starting 147
remote control 30, 31
Battery charge current 18
Battery charge indicator
lamp 18
Belts, refer to Safety
belts 50
Beverage holders 102
Blower
automatic climate
control 98
BMW Maintenance
System 130
BMW sports seat 47
Bore, refer to Engine
data 154
Bottle holders, see Bever-
age holders 102
Brake fluid 129
indicator lamp 18, 129
level 129

Everything from A to ZCondensation, refer to Air
conditioning mode 98
Configuring settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory 64
Connecting a vacuum
cleaner, refer to Cigarette
lighter 103
Consumption, refer to Aver-
age fuel consumption 84
Control elements, refer to
Cockpit 14
Convenience operation
from outside 33
glass sunroof 31
windows 31
Convertible top 39
cleaning position 44
convenience operation
31, 33
electrical malfunction 42
emergency operation 42
indicator lamps 41
opening and closing 40
remote control 31
Coolant 128
indicator lamp 19, 80
level 128
temperature gauge 80
Coolant water, refer to Cool-
ant 128Cooling, refer to Tempera-
ture 98
Copyright 4
Cornering Brake Control
(CBC) 114
warning lamp 19
Correct tires 121
Cruise control 77
indicator lamp 20
Cup holders, see Beverage
holders 102
Curb weight, refer to
Weights 156
Cylinders, refer to Engine
data 154
D
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit 14
Data
capacities 157
dimensions 155
engine 154
technical 154
weights 156
Daytime driving lamps 91
DBC Dynamic Brake Control
19, 114
Deep water, refer to Water
on roadways 113
Defrost position, refer to
Defrosting windows 98Defrosting and demisting
windows
automatic climate
control 98
Defrosting windows 98
Defrosting windshield, refer
to Defrosting windows 98
Demisting windows
automatic climate
control 98
Determining the maximum
load 106
Differential
breaking in 112
Digital clock 82
Dimensions 155
Dipstick, engine oil 126
Disc brakes 114
Displacement, refer to
Engine data 154
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting 92
Displays, refer to Instrument
cluster 16
Disposal
oil 127
vehicle battery 144
Distance warning, refer to
Park Distance Control
(PDC) 85
Door key 30
Door lock 33Doors
emergency operation 33
Draft-free ventilation 99
Drivelogic 73
Driving light, refer to Parking
lamps/Low beams 91
Driving notes 113
Dry air, refer to Air condi-
tioning mode 98
DSC Dynamic Stability Con-
trol 86
indicator lamp 19, 86
DTC Dynamic Traction Con-
trol
indicator lamp 19
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC) 19, 114
indicator lamp 19
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 19, 86
Dynamic Traction Control
(DTC)
indicator lamp 19, 86
E
Easy entry, refer to Entering
the rear 49
Electric power windows 38
Electrical accessories, fail-
ure 145

Everything from A to Z
163
Electrical malfunction
door lock 33
driver's door 33
fuel filler door 24
luggage compartment
lid 35
Electronic Stability Program
(ESP), refer to Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC) 86
Emergency call 146
Emergency operation
doors 33
driver's door 33
fuel filler door 24
luggage compartment
lid 35
Emergency release
luggage compartment
lid 36
Engine
breaking in 112
data 154
electronics 19
indicator lamp 19
speed 79, 154
starting 66
switching off 68
Engine compartment 124
Engine coolant 128
refilling 128Engine oil
adding 127
additives, refer to Adding
engine oil 127
alternative oils 127
capacity 157
consumption 126
dipstick 126
indicator/warning lamp 19
quality 127
specified oils 127
temperature gauge 79
types 127
Engine oil level 19
check 126
indicator/warning lamp 18
Engine oil pressure
indicator/warning lamp 18
Engine oil temperature 79
Engine output, refer to
Engine data 154
Engine speed 79, 154
Entering the rear 49
Equipment range, refer to
the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US
models / Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
ESP Electronic Stability Pro-
gram, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC) 86Exterior mirrors 53
Eyeglasses
compartment 102
Eyelet, towing 149
F
Fastening the safety belts 50
Fault displays 81
Filling the windshield washer
reservoir 157
First aid, refer to First-aid
kit 23
First-aid kit 23
Flat tire 140
Flat Tire Monitor 87
Mobility system 140
repairing 140
Flat Tire Monitor 87
activating/deactivating 89
indicator lamp 18, 19, 89
Flat tire, refer to Tire condi-
tion 118
Fluid reservoir for washer
systems 126
Fog lamps 93
indicator/warning lamp 20
Folding down convertible
top compartment panel 37
Follow me home lamps 91
Footbrake, refer to General
driving notes 113
Front airbags 55Front fog lamps 93
indicator/warning lamp 20
Front seat adjustment 47
Fuel
display 80
specifications 25
volume 157
Fuel consumption
display 84
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge 80
Fuel filler door 24
release following an elec-
trical malfunction 24
Fuel level indicator, refer to
Fuel gauge 80
Fuel mixture preparation 154
Fuel reserve indicator, refer
to Fuel gauge 80
Fuel tank capacity 157
Fuses 145
G
Gasoline consumption, refer
to Average fuel consump-
tion 84
Gasoline, refer to Fuel spec-
ifications 25
Gear indicator 71
Gearbox
manual transmission 69
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to ZMD operation, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory 51
Memory, refer to Vehicle
Memory, Key Memory 64
Microfilter
automatic climate
control 100
Microphone, refer to Cellular
phone 102
Mini disc operation, refer to
the Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Mirrors 53
automatic curb monitor 52
heated 53
memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory 51
Mobile Service 146
Mobility system 140
Modifications, technical,
refer to For your own
safety 5
Multifunction steering
wheel 22
Multifunction switch
turn signal indicator/head-
lamp flasher 75
washer/wiper system 76N
Navigation system, refer to
the Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Neck restraints, refer to
Head restraints 48
Nets 101
Nozzles, refer to
Ventilation 96
Nylon rope, refer to Towing
the vehicle 149
O
OBD interface socket 132
Odometer 79
Oil
additives, refer to Adding
engine oil 127
alternative oils 127
capacity 157
dipstick 126
quality 127
specified engine oils 127
Oil change interval, refer
to Service interval
display 130
Oil change intervals, refer to
the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US
models / Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian modelsOil filter change 157
Oil level
checking 126
indicator lamp 18
Oil pressure
indicator lamp 18
OIL SERVICE 81
Oil temperature 79
Oil types 127
Old batteries, refer to Dis-
posal 144
Onboard computer 83
Onboard computer, refer
also to the Owner's Man-
ual for Onboard Computer
Onboard tool kit 136
Opening and closing
from inside 34
from outside 31
via door lock 33
via remote control 31
Outlets, ventilation 96
Outside temperature dis-
play 83
changing unit of
measure 83
P
Paintwork care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochurePark Distance Control
(PDC) 85
Parking aid, refer to Park
Distance Control (PDC) 85
Parking brake 68
indicator lamp 18
Parking lamps 91
bulb replacement 137
Parking lamps/Low
beams 91
Parts and accessories, refer
to Your individual vehicle 5
Passenger-side exterior mir-
ror tilt function 52
PDC Park Distance
Control 85
Plastic, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Please fasten safety belts
indicator lamp 18
Pollen, refer to Microfilter/
activated-charcoal
filter 100
Power output, refer to
Engine data 154
Power seat 47
Power socket, cigarette
lighter 103
Power windows
electric 38
Pressure monitoring, tires
Flat Tire Monitor 87

Everything from A to ZSMG Drivelogic 70
Smokers' package, refer to
Ashtray 103
Snow chains 122
SOS, refer to Emergency
call 146
Spare key 30
Special oils 127
Special oils, refer to Speci-
fied engine oils 127
Specified engine oils 127
Specified oils 127
Speed
winter tires 122
Speed gauge, refer to
Speedometer 16
Speedometer 16
Sport mode 90
Sports seat 47
Stability control, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 86
Standing lamps 92
bulb replacement 137
Starting difficulties
jump-starting 147
temperature 66
Starting help DSC 86
Starting the engine 66
Starting, refer to Starting the
engine 66Status of the Owner's Man-
ual 5
Steering wheel lock 65
Steering wheel, adjusting 53
Storage compartments 101
Storage nets 101
Storing seat positions,
refer to Seat and mirror
memory 51
Storing tires 121
Stroke, refer to Engine
data 154
Surface ice, refer to Ice
warning 83
Switches, refer to
Cockpit 14
Switching off
engine 68
vehicle 68
Symbols 4
T
Tachometer 79
Tail lamps
bulb replacement 139
Tail lamps, refer to Rear
lamps 139
Tank capacity, refer to Fuel
tank capacity 157
Tank indicator, refer to Fuel
gauge 80
Technical data 154Technical modifications 5
Technical modifications,
refer to For your own
safety 5
Telephone hookup 102
Telephone, refer to the sep-
arate Owner's Manual
Television, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Onboard Computer
Temperature
automatic climate
control 98
Temperature adjustment 98
Temperature display
engine coolant 80
ice warning 83
outside temperature 83
setting units 83
Temperature layering 99
Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control 77
Thigh support area, adjust-
ing 47
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center high-mount brake
lamp 140
Three-point safety belt 50
Tilting passenger-side exte-
rior mirror 52
Time 82Tire pressure monitoring,
refer to Flat Tire
Monitor 87
Tire replacement 119
Tires
age 120
breaking in 112
condition 118, 122
damage 118
flat 140
inflation pressure 25, 118
replacing 119
size, refer to Wheel and
tire combinations 121
storing 121
tread 118
treadwear indicator,
refer to Tire tread – tire
damage 118
winter tires 122
Tools, refer to Onboard tool
kit 136
Torque
engine 154
Tow sockets for towing eye-
let 149
Towing bar 149
Towing eyelet 149
Towing rope 149
Towing the vehicle 149
Track width, refer to Dimen-
sions 155

Refueling
To ensure that you always have conve-
nient access to all essential information
when you stop for fuel, we recommend
that you take the time to fill out the
adjoining chart by entering the data that
apply to your vehicle. Consult the index
for individual specifications.
FuelPlease enter your preferred fuel here.Engine oilThe oil quantity between the two marks
on the dipstick is approx.
1.4 US quarts/1.3 liters.Tire inflation pressureDesignation
Quality
Summer tires Winter tires
front rear front rear
Up to 2 persons
4 persons plus luggage