BMW M3 COUPE 2002 E46 Owners Manual

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Storage compartments Front center armrest
*
To release: press the button (arrow) and
lift upward.Other compartments and netsYou will find additional storage areas in
the doors and in the center console
above the ashtray. Storage nets are
located on the backrests of the front
seats.
Beverage holder, coin box Two beverage holders and a coin box
are provided in the center console.
Rear center armrest
*
You will find a beverage holder (for two
drink containers) in the rear center
armrest.
Opening the beverage holder: press
(arrow).

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Storage compartments Cellular phone
*
Ashtray, front
Storage package
*
For your convenience, there are:
>Two flip-out sockets on the rear
center console (arrows)
>An eyeglass storage compartment
* in
the front center console above the
ashtray.
Hands-free systemOn vehicles with telephone prepara-
tion
* or a communications package
*,
the trim piece for the hands-free micro-
phone is located in the headliner near
the interior lamp.
For further information on the cellular
phone, refer to the separate Owner's
Manual.
To emptyPress on the edge of the open cover
(arrow): the ashtray moves up and can
be removed.Extinguishing cigarettesTap off the ash and gently press the tip
into the funnel.

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Ashtray, front Ashtray, rear Clothes hooks Cigarette lighterPress the lighter 1 in. Remove as soon
as the lighter jumps back out.
Hold or touch the hot cigarette
lighter by the knob only. Holding
or touching it in other areas could result
in burns.
The cigarette lighter remains opera-
tional when the ignition key has been
removed. For this reason, children
should never be left in the vehicle unat-
tended.< Cigarette lighter socketIt can be used for attaching power
supplies for flashlights, car vacuum
cleaners and other similar appliances
up to a rating of approx. 200 watts at
12 volts. Avoid damaging the socket
due to inserting plugs of different
shapes or sizes.
To emptyPress on the edge of the raised cover in
the opening direction (arrow): the
ashtray moves up and can be removed.
Press on the upper edge to fold it up.
For additional information, refer to
page 101.
When suspending 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.<

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Through-loading system

Folding the rear backrest down1. To unlock, pull the lever corre-
sponding to the section (arrow)
2. The rear backrest section will move
forward slightly when it is unlocked.
Reach into the gap and pull the
backrest down.
When folding the backrest back
into its original position always
ensure that the detent engages
securely. A loose backrest might fail to
prevent cargo from entering the
passenger compartment during sudden
braking or evasive maneuvers, posing a
potential hazard to occupants.<
Center 3-point-safety belt in the
rear
*
You can retract the 3-point-safety belt
in the rear, before folding the through-
loading system back:
Retracting the 3-point-safety belt:
Loosen the safety belt and insert the
buckle latch into the support mount
provided on the rear window shelf
(arrow).
Always use the outside safety
belts to install child-restraint
systems. Use the middle safety belt
only if it is necessary to install three
child-restraint systems.
Do not modify the child-restraint
system in any way. If you do so, it will
not provide your child with maximum
protection.<

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Ski bag
*
The ski bag allows the safe and clean
transport of up to 4 pairs of standard
skis or up to two snowboards.
The length of the ski bag and the addi-
tional space provided in the luggage
compartment make it possible to carry
skis up to 6.8 ft long (2.1 0 m). Because
of the tapered shape of the ski bag, it
can only accommodate two pairs of
skis 6.8 ft long (2.1 0 m).
Loading1. Fold the center armrest outward.
Loosen the trim from the upper
Velcro¨ fastener and place it on the
armrest
2. Press button 1 downward and swing
the cover forward
3. Extend the ski bag between the front
seats. The zipper provides conve-
nient access to stored items. It may
be opened to allow the ski bag to dry
4. Press knob 2: the cover in the
luggage compartment is unlocked.
To store the ski bag, perform the above
steps in reverse sequence.
Securing the loadSecure the bag's contents by tightening
down the retaining strap at the buckle.
Please be sure that the skis are
clean before loading them into the
bag. Be careful to avoid damage from
sharp edges.<

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Cargo loading
Always position and secure the
load correctly. If you do not, it can
endanger the passengers during
braking or evasive maneuvers.
Do not exceed the approved gross
weight and the approved axle loads
(refer to page 138), otherwise the
vehicle's operating safety is no longer
assured and you are in violation of the
law.
Do not stow heavy or hard objects in
the passenger compartment without
first securing them. Otherwise they
would be thrown around during braking
and evasive maneuvers and endanger
the passengers.<
Stowing cargo If you are transporting a load in your
BMW:
>Load heavy cargo as far forward as
possible Ð directly behind the back-
rests or the luggage compartment
partition Ð and as low as possible
>Cover sharp edges and corners
>Do not pile objects higher than the
top edge of the backrest
>For very heavy loads when the rear
seat is not occupied, secure each
safety belt in the opposite buckle
(refer to illustration).

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Cargo loading Roof-mounted luggage rack
*
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 36
>For large, heavy pieces, see your
BMW center for load-securing
devices
*. Lashing eyes (arrow) are
provided at the inner corners of the
luggage compartment for attaching
these load-securing devices.
Read and comply with the information
enclosed with the load-securing
devices.
A special luggage system is available
as an option for your BMW. Please
observe the precautions included with
the installation instructions.AnchorsAccess to the anchors:
To fold up the covers (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,
the approved gross vehicle weight or
the axle loads. You will find the specifi-
cations under "Technical Data" on
page 138.
Make sure that the load is not too
heavy, and attempt to distribute it
evenly. Always load the heaviest pieces
first (on the bottom). Be sure that
adequate clearance is maintained for
raising the sliding/tilt sunroof, and that
objects do not project into the opening
path of the luggage compartment lid.
Secure the roof luggage correctly
and securely to prevent it from
shifting or being lost during driving
(danger for following traffic).<
Drive smoothly and avoid sudden
acceleration or braking. Do not corner
at high speeds.

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Index Technical data
Mainte-

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To ensure that your vehicle provides
maximum economy throughout a long
service life, we request that you
observe the following instructions.
Because of its engineering design,
the BMW M3 is an especially high-
quality vehicle. It is in your best interest
to follow the break-in instructions very
closely. Doing this, you will create the
basis for a long, optimum service life.<
Engine and differential>Until a km reading of 1,200 miles
(2,000 km): drive at varying engine
and road speeds, but do not exceed
the following rpms or road speeds:
5,500 rpm or 105 mph (170 km/h)
Obey your local and state maximum
speed limits.
Do not depress the accelerator pedal to
the full-throttle position.
Vehicles with SMG II
* (refer to
page 59): refrain from using driving
program 6 in the sequential mode
during the break-in period.
>After you have monitored the break-
in period for 1,200 miles (2,000 km),
you can begin to gradually increase
both engine and road speed.
Please remember to observe the same
break-in procedures if either the engine
or the differential is replaced later in the
course of the vehicle's service life.TiresOwing to technical factors associated
with their manufacture, tires do not
achieve their full traction potential until
an initial break-in period has elapsed.
Thus drive with extra care during the
initial 200 miles (300 km).
Obey your local and state maximum
speed limits.
When the vehicle is operated on
wet or slushy roads, a wedge of
water may form between the tire and
the road surface. This phenomenon is
referred to as aquaplaning, or hydro-
planing, and can lead to partial or
complete loss of traction, vehicle
control and braking effectiveness.
Reduce your speed on wet roads.<
Brake systemApprox. 300 miles (500 km) must
elapse before the brake pads and
rotors achieve the optimal pad-surface
and wear patterns required for trouble-
free operation and long service life later
on.
To break-in the separate parking brake
drums, apply the parking brake lightly
when coasting to a standstill (at a traffic
signal, for instance), provided that
traffic conditions allow you to do so. To
avoid corrosion, repeat this procedure
from time to time.
The brake lamps do not come on
when the parking brake is
engaged.
Vacuum for the brake system servo unit
on your BMW is available only when the
engine is running. When you move the
vehicle with the engine off Ð when
towing, for example Ð substantially
higher levels of pedal force will be
required to brake the vehicle. optimally after about 300 miles
(500 km). Drive cautiously during this
break-in period and do not shift at high
engine speeds.
Break-in procedures