light BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE 2006 E46 Owner's Manual

Contents

9

Passenger safety systems:

Airbags55
Transporting children safely58
Rollover protection system62
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory64

Driving:

Ignition lock65
Starting the engine and driving
off66
Switching off the engine68
Parking brake68
Manual transmission69
Sequential M gearbox with
Drivelogic*70
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher75
Washer/wiper system/Rain
sensor*76
Cruise control77

Everything under control:

Odometer79
Tachometer79
Engine oil temperature79
Fuel gauge80
Engine coolant temperature
gauge80
Service interval display81
Check Control81
Clock82
Computer83

Technology for safety and
driving convenience:

Park Distance Control (PDC)*85
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC86
Flat Tire Monitor87
M Engine dynamics control89
Brake force display89

Lamps:

Parking lamps/Low beams90
Instrument lighting91
High beams/Standing lamps91
Front fog lamps92
Interior lamps92
Reading lamps92

Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:

Automatic climate control94

Interior conveniences:

Glove compartment99
Storage compartments99
Microphone*100
Ashtray, front*100
Ashtray, rear*101

Loading and transporting:

Ski bag*102
Cargo loading104
Roof-mounted luggage rack for
the hardtop*107

Operation, maintenance

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures110
General driving notes111
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)113
Hardtop*113

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressure116
Tire code118
Tire condition119
New wheels and tires120
Snow chains*122

In the engine compartment:

Hood123
Engine compartment
essentials124
Washer fluids126
Engine oil126
Coolant128
Brake fluid129

Maintenance:

BMW Maintenance System130
OBD interface socket132

Controls and features

18

Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself

Indicator and warning lamps that are
identified by

●

are tested for proper
functioning whenever the ignition key is
turned. They each light up once for dif-
ferent periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these
systems, the corresponding lamp does
not go out after the engine is started, or
it lights up while the vehicle is moving.
You will see how to react to this below.

Red: stop immediately

Battery charge current

●

The battery is no longer being
charged. There is a malfunction
of the alternator drive belt or in the
charging circuit of the alternator. Please
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the drive belt is defective, stop
and switch off the engine immedi-
ately to prevent overheating and seri-
ous engine damage. If the drive belt is
defective, increased steering effort is
also required.

<

Engine oil pressure

●

An alarm sounds at the same
time. The engine oil pressure is
too low. Stop the vehicle immediately
and switch off the engine. It is not pos-
sible to continue driving. Please contact
the nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving, as the
engine could sustain serious dam-
age from inadequate lubrication.

<

Flat Tire Monitor

●

In addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded: there is a flat tire.
Reduce speed and carefully come to a
stop. Avoid sudden braking and steer-
ing maneuvers.
For additional information, refer to
page 88.
Brake warning lamp

●

If the lamp comes on when the
parking brake is not engaged:
check the brake fluid level. It is very
important that you follow the instruc-
tions on page 129 before driving on.
Have the system checked immediately.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.

Red: an important reminder

Brake warning lamp

●

Comes on when the parking
brake is engaged – an additional
acoustic signal sounds when starting
off.
For additional information, refer to
page 68.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Lock seat backrest/Please fas-
ten safety belt

●

Comes on together with an
acoustic signal until driver fastens
safety belt. Flashes when the backrest
is not locked.
For additional information on locking
the seat backrests, refer to page 49.
For additional information on safety
belts, refer to page 50.
Airbags

●

Have the system checked as
soon as possible.
For additional information, refer to
page 57.

21
Cruise control
Lights up when the cruise con-
trol is activated. Ready for oper-
ation via the buttons in the steering
wheel.
For additional information, refer to
page 77.
Front fog lamps
Lights up whenever the fog
lamps are on.
For additional information, refer to
page 92.

Blue: for your information

High beams
Comes on when the high beams
are on or the headlamp flasher
is actuated.
For additional information, refer to
pages 75, 91.

Indicator and warning lamps

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

25
Closing the gas capPlace the cap in position and turn it
until a clearly audible click is heard.
Close the gas cap carefully after
refueling until a click is heard.
While closing, be sure not to squeeze
the strap which is fastened to the cap.
A loose or missing cap will activate the
CHECK GAS CAP* lamp.<
Warning lamp* lights up. The
gas cap is not properly closed
or is missing. Check if the gas
cap is properly closed.Fuel tank capacity>Approx. 16.6 gal./63 liters, of which
>approx. 2.1 gal./8 liters are reserve
capacity.
Do not drive to the last drop of
fuel. This can prevent the engine
from operating properly and result in
damage.<
Fuel specificationsThe engine uses lead-free gasoline
only.Required fuelPremium Unleaded Gasoline,
Minimum Octane Rating: AKI 91.
Minimum Octane Rating corresponds to
the Anti Knock Index AKI and is deter-
mined according to the so-called
(R+M)/2 method.
Do not use leaded gasoline, as
otherwise the lambda probe and
catalytic converter will be permanently
damaged. cant differences in fuel quality: volatility,
composition, additives, etc., among
gasolines offered for sale in the United
States and Canada. Fuels containing up
to and including 10 % ethanol or other
oxygenates with up to 2.8 % oxygen by
weight, that is, 15 % MTBE or 3 % meth-
anol plus an equivalent amount of co-
solvent, will not void the applicable
warranties with respect to defects in
materials or workmanship.
The use of poor-quality fuels may
result in drivability, starting and
stalling problems especially under cer-
tain environmental conditions such as
high ambient temperature and high alti-
tude.
Should you encounter drivability prob-
lems which you suspect could be
related to the fuel you are using, we
recommend that you respond by
switching to a recognized high-quality
brand.
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may also result in unsched-
uled maintenance.<
Refueling
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

29
Opening and closing – via the remote controlThe conceptThe remote control also provides two
additional functions beyond the central
locking feature:
>Switch on the interior lamps, refer to
page 30.
With this function you can also
search for your vehicle – when
parked in an underground garage, for
instance
>Open the luggage compartment lid,
refer to page 30.
The luggage compartment lid will
open slightly, regardless of whether it
was locked or unlocked.
Whenever you unlock or lock the vehi-
cle, you simultaneously deactivate/acti-
vate the anti-theft system and switch
the interior lamps on/off.
You can have the signal confirm-
ing that the vehicle's locks have
engaged securely deactivated. Since passengers or animals
remaining in the vehicle might be
able to lock the doors from the inside,
always take the vehicle's keys with you
so that the vehicle can be opened again
from the outside at any time.<
If it is no longer possible to lock
the vehicle via the remote control,
the battery is discharged. Use this key
while driving for an extended period in
order to recharge the battery. To pre-
vent unauthorized use of the remote
control, surrender only the spare key
when leaving the vehicle for valet park-
ing, for example.
In the event of a system malfunction,
please contact your BMW center. You
can also obtain replacement keys
there.<
1Unlocking and convenience opening
2Locking and securing, turning on
interior lamps,
3Opening luggage compartment lidTo releasePress button to unlock the driver's door
only.
Press the button twice in order to
unlock the entire vehicle. pressed. The windows and the fully-
automatic convertible top open.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

30
To lock and securePress button.
As a confirmation that the vehi-
cle's locks have engaged
securely, the hazard warning flashers
light up once.<
You can have this confirmation
signal deactivated. again.
With this function, you can also search
for your vehicle when parked in an
underground garage, for instance.To open the luggage
compartment lidPress button briefly.
The lid will open slightly, no matter
whether it was locked or unlocked.
If the vehicle was previously
locked, the luggage compartment
is also locked again after it is closed.
Before and after a trip, be sure that the
luggage compartment lid has not been
opened unintentionally.<
Panic mode* – trigger alarmBy pressing the button for more than
2 seconds, the alarm system* can be
triggered in the event of danger, if the
system is armed.To switch off the alarmPress button.External systemsMalfunctions:
Local radio waves can impede the func-
tioning of the remote control.
If this occurs, open and close the vehi-
cle using a master key in the door lock.
For US owners onlyThe transmitter and receiver units com-
ply with part 15 of the FCC Federal
Communications Commission regula-
tions. Operation is governed by the fol-
lowing:
FCC ID:
>LX8EWS
>LX8FZVS
>LX8FZVE.
Compliance statement:
This device complies with part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
>This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
>this device must accept any interfer-
ence received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications to
these devices could void the
user's authority to operate the equip-
ment.<
Opening and closing – via the remote control

31
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.
As a confirmation that the vehi-
cle's locks have engaged
securely, the hazard warning flashers
light up once.<
You can have this confirmation
signal deactivated.<
Convenience operationWith the door closed you can also
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. Releas-
ing the key stops the operation. can unlock or lock the driver's door by
turning the key in the lock all the way to
the left or right.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

33
Luggage compartment lidThe lockOnly the master keys fit in the lock for
the luggage compartment lid, refer to
page 28.To secure separatelyLock the glove compartment using the
master key.
The luggage compartment lid is locked
and disconnected from the central lock-
ing system. This feature can be used to
prevent unauthorized access to the lug-
gage compartment when you surrender
the spare key only, refer to page 28.
This can be advantageous for valet
parking, for example.
To open from the outsidePress the button in the handle recess:
the luggage compartment lid opens
slightly.
The luggage compartment is lit when
the luggage compartment lid is opened.
When the glove compartment is locked,
refer to page 99, the luggage compart-
ment lid cannot be opened using the
button in the strip handle.Manual operationIn the event of electrical malfunction
Turn the master key to the right as far
as it will go, the luggage compartment
lid will open slightly.
The luggage compartment lid is locked
again as soon as you close the lid.
To open from inside the vehicleIf the luggage compartment lid has not
been locked separately, you can open it
with this button in the footwell on the
driver's side when the vehicle is sta-
tionary.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

37
Indicator lamp displays>The indicator lamp below the interior
rearview mirror flashes continuously:
the system is armed
>The indicator lamp flashes immedi-
ately after the vehicle is locked: doors
or luggage compartment lid are not
completely closed. Even if you do not
close the alerted area(s), the remain-
ing areas are secured, and the indi-
cator lamp will flash continuously
after 10 seconds. However, the inte-
rior motion sensor is not activated
>The indicator lamp goes out immedi-
ately after the vehicle is unlocked: no
manipulation or attempted intrusions
have been detected in the period
since the system was armed
>The indicator lamp flashes for
10 seconds immediately after the
vehicle is unlocked: an attempted
entry has been detected in the period
since the system was armed.
Following triggering of an alarm, the
indicator lamp will flash continuously.Tilt alarm sensor and interior
motion sensorTilt alarm sensor:
The tilt of the vehicle is monitored. The
alarm system reacts, for example, to
attempts to steal the wheels or tow the
vehicle.
Interior motion sensor:
The vehicle interior is monitored up to
the height of the seat cushions. Even
when the convertible top is open, the
alarm system including the interior
motion sensor is armed. Objects falling
into the vehicle, e.g. leaves, can trigger
unintentional alarms, refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms.Avoiding unintentional alarmsThe tilt alarm sensor and interior motion
sensor may be switched off at the same
time. You can do this to prevent a false
alarm, e.g. in the following situations:
>In garages with elevator ramps>When the vehicle is being trans-
ported by train
>When animals are to remain in the
vehicle.
Deactivating the tilt alarm and
interior motion sensors>Press the button on the remote con-
trol twice.
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and
then flashes continuously. The tilt alarm
sensor and the interior motion sensor
are deactivated until the vehicle is
unlocked and locked again.
You can have the tilt alarm sensor
and the interior motion sensor
permanently deactivated.<
The system deactivates the tilt
alarm sensor and the interior
motion sensor if the convenience clos-
ing of windows and glass sunroof is
interrupted within the first 10 seconds
and then restarted. The vehicle must
then be unlocked and relocked before
the sensors will resume operation.<
Alarm system*
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

38
Electric power windowsTo open and close windowsWith the ignition key in position 1 or
higher
>Press the switch until you feel resis-
tance: the window continues to move
as long as you continue to press the
switch
>Press the switch briefly past the pres-
sure point: the window moves auto-
matically. Touching the switch again
stops the opening cycle.
You can close the window in the same
manner by pulling the switch. The rear
windows do not close automatically.
Operating all windows at onceWith the ignition key in position 1 or
higher
>Press the switch until you feel resis-
tance: all of the windows will con-
tinue to lower as long as you con-
tinue 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.
You can close the windows in the same
manner by pulling the switch. The win-
dows cannot be closed automatically
using this switch.
After the ignition has been
switched offYou can still use the electric power win-
dows for up to 15 minutes, as long as
no one opens one of the doors.
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 the convenience mode via the
remote control or the door lock, refer to
page 29 or 31.Trap protectionIf the closing force of a front window
exceeds a certain value as the window
is being closed, the closing procedure
is immediately interrupted and the win-
dow opens again slightly.