air condition BMW M3 COUPE 2002 E46 User Guide

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Automatic climate control
*
1 Air onto the windshield and onto the
side windows
2 Airflow toward the upper body88
3 Front footwell ventilation
4 Recirculated-air mode/Automatic
recirculated air control (AUC)885 Air supply (blower)87
6 Temperature87
7 Automatic air distribution87
8 Individual air distribution87
9 Interior temperature sensor Ð please
keep clear and unobstructed10 Display for temperature and air
supply87
11 To defrost windshield and side
windows87
12 Air conditioner88
13 Rear window defroster88

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Automatic climate control
*
Tips for pleasant drivingUse the automatic system (switch on
AUTO button 7). Select the desired
interior temperature.
Detailed setting options are described
for you in the following sections.
You vehicle is set in such a
manner that, when you unlock the
vehicle with the remote control of your
personal key, your own personalized
setting for the automatic climate control
is initiated. The AUTO program assumes
the adjustment of the air distri-
bution and the air supply for you and Ð
in addition to that Ð adapts the temper-
ature to external influences (summer,
winter) to meet preferences you can
specify.
Individual air distribution
You can cancel the AUTO
program by selecting specific
distribution patterns to suit your
own individual requirements.
While the AUTO program is then deacti-
vated, the automatic air supply control
remains in operation. The system
directs air to the windows , the upper
body and into the footwells . You
can reactivate the automatic air supply
by pressing the AUTO button.
Temperature
The displayed temperatures are
reference values for the interior
temperature. We recommend 727
(+226) as a comfortable setting, even
if the air conditioner is on. When you
start the vehicle, the system ensures
that the selected temperature is
reached as quickly as possible. It then
maintains this temperature, regardless
of the season.
Air supply (blower)
By pressing the left or right side
of the button, you can vary the
air supply. This deactivates the auto-
matic air supply Ð the AUTO display
disappears from the panel. Neverthe-
less, the automatic air distribution
remains unchanged. You can reactivate
the automatic air supply by pressing the
AUTO button.
When you set the lowest blower speed
by pressing the left half of the button,
all of the displays are canceled: the
blower, heating and air conditioner are
switched off, and the air supply is
stopped. You can reactivate the system
by pressing any button for the auto-
matic climate control.
To defrost windows and remove
condensation
This program quickly removes
ice and condensation from the
windshield and side windows.

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Automatic climate control
*
Air conditioner
The air is cooled and dehumidi-
fied and Ð depending on the
temperature setting Ð rewarmed when
the air conditioner system is switched
on. Depending on the weather, the
windshield may fog over briefly when
the engine is started. Window mist will
be reduced by switching on the air
conditioner.
Condensation forms in the air
conditioning system during opera-
tion, which then exits under the vehicle.
Traces of condensed water of this kind
are thus normal.<
Automatic recirculated-air control
(AUC)
If there are unpleasant odors or
pollutants in the outside air, you
can temporarily block the air supply from
the outside. The system then recircu-
lates the air currently within the vehicle.
By repeatedly pressing the button, you
can select one of three different oper-
ating modes.
>Indicator lamps off: outside air always
flowing into the vehicle
>Left-hand indicator lamp on Ð auto-
matic mode: the system detects
pollutants in the outside air and
responds by deactivating the outside
air supply as required. The system
then recirculates the air currently
within the vehicle
Depending on air quality require-
ments, the system automatically
switches between outside air supply
and recirculation of the air already
within the vehicle
>Right-hand indicator lamp on: the air
supply of outside air is permanently
blocked. The system recirculates the
air already within the vehicle.
If the windows fog over in the
recirculated-air mode, switch the
recirculated-air mode off and increase
the air supply as required. When the rear window defroster
is activated, the indicator lamp
comes on. The rear window defroster
switches off automatically.
The rear window defroster auto-
matically assumes operation
within 5 minutes after the engine is
started at outside temperatures below
40 7 (4 6).<
Draft-free ventilation You can adjust the blower controls for
the upper body area to select the
optimum airflow rates and directions for
your personal requirements:
1 Rotary dials for infinitely-variable
opening and closing of the vents
2 Selector lever for airflow direction
3 With the rotary dial you can adjust the
temperature of the outgoing air:
>Turn toward blue Ð colder
>Turn toward red Ð warmer.

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Information for your safetyThe factory-approved radial tires are
matched to the vehicle and have been
selected to provide optimum safety and
driving comfort on your vehicle.
It is not merely the tire's service life, but
also driving comfort and Ð above all else
Ð driving safety that depend on the
condition of the tires and the mainte-
nance of the specified tire pressure.
Incorrect inflation pressures are a
frequent cause of tire problems
and tire damage. Tire pressure also has
a major effect on your BMW's handling
response. Check tire inflation pressures
on a regular basis (refer to page 25), at
least every two weeks and before
beginning a longer trip. Failure to
observe these precautions can result in
incorrect tire pressures, which cause
instable handling response as well as
tire damage, and can ultimately lead to
an accident.<
Tire tread Ð tire damageInspect your tires frequently for tread
wear, signs of damage and for foreign
objects lodged in the tread. Check the
tread pattern depth.
Tread depth should not be allowed to go
below 0.12 in (3 mm), even though the
legally specified minimum tread depth is
only 0.063 in (1.6 mm). Tread wear indi-
cators (arrow) are embedded in the base
of the tire's tread. Their locations are
indicated by the legend "TWI" Ð Tread
Wear Indicator Ð at various points on the
tire's shoulder. When the tread reaches a
depth of 0.063 in (1.6 mm), these indica-
tors appear to signal that the tires have
worn to the minimum legal level. Below
0.12 in (3 mm) tread depth, there is an
increased risk of aquaplaning, even at
relatively moderate speeds and with only
small amounts of water on the road.
Do not drive on a deflated (flat)
tire. A flat tire greatly impairs
steering and braking response, and can
lead to complete loss of control over
the vehicle.
Avoid overloading the vehicle so that
the permitted load on the tires is not
exceeded. Overloading leads to over-
heating and causes damage inside the
tires. You could have a blowout as a
result.
Unusual vibrations encountered during
normal vehicle operation can indicate
tire failure or some other vehicle defect.
The type of problem can be caused by
contact with curbs, etc. This is also true
for irregularities in the vehicle's
handling characteristics, such as a
pronounced tendency to pull to the left
or right. Should this occur, respond by
immediately reducing your speed.
Proceed carefully to the nearest BMW
center or professional tire center, or
have the vehicle towed in to have it and
its wheels and tires inspected.
Tire damage (up to and including blow-
outs) can endanger the lives of both the
vehicle occupants and other road
users.<
Tire inflation pressure Tire condition

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Special characteristics of winter tires Snow chainsChoosing the right tireBMW recommends winter tires (M+S
radial tires) for operation under adverse
winter driving conditions. So-called all-
season tires with the M+S identification
mark do indeed possess better winter
traction than summer tires that have the
H, V, W, Y and ZR speed ratings, they
generally fail to provide the same levels
of performance as snow tires.
In the interest of safe tracking and
steering response, install winter tires
made by the same manufacturer having
the same tread configuration on all four
wheels. Do not exceed specified
maximum speeds
Never exceed the maximum
speed for which winter tires are
rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and
accidents.
Have this work performed by skilled
professionals only. Any BMW center
has the required technical knowledge
and the proper equipment and will be
happy to assist you.<
Tire condition, tire pressureOnce winter tires wear to a tread depth
of less than 0.16 in (4 mm), their perfor-
mance under winter driving conditions
deteriorates noticeably. Worn tires
should therefore be replaced for safety
considerations.
Inflate tires to specified pressure and
have the wheels balanced every time
the tires or wheels have been replaced.Use narrow-link BMW snow chains
* on
winter tires in pairs only and only on the
rear wheels. Comply with all manufac-
turer's safety precautions when
mounting the chains. Do not exceed a
maximum speed of 30 mph (50 km/h)
with snow chains.
After mounting or removing snow
chains, always reinitialize the sequential
M gearbox
* SMG II, refer to page 65.
It is not possible to mount snow
chains on tires with 18- and
19-inch wheels.
Deactivate the Flat Tire Monitor when
using snow chains. Malfunction warn-
ings and undetected losses in pressure
are a possibility when driving with snow
chains.
For additional information, refer to
page 77.<

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The BMW Maintenance System has
been designed as a reliable means of
providing maximum driving and oper-
ating safety Ð and as cost-effectively as
possible for you. Due to technical inno-
vations, maintenance costs were again
able to be markedly reduced with
respect to the previous model.
Please keep in mind that regular main-
tenance is not only necessary for the
safety of your vehicle, but also plays a
significant role in maintaining the resale
value of the vehicle.
Service Interval DisplayWhile conventional systems rely on
distance traveled alone to determine
when service is due, the BMW Mainte-
nance System has for years considered
the actual conditions under which the
vehicle operates, 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.
Determining the maintenance intervals
according to the actual loads on the
vehicle covers every kind of operating
situation. Those who are outright
"Sunday drivers," driving fewer than
6,000 miles (10,000 km) per year Ð
should, nevertheless have their oil
changed every 2 years at the most, no
matter what the Service Interval Display
indicates, since engine oil breaks down
over time, regardless of use.
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models)/Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models)For additional information on required
maintenance intervals and procedures,
please refer to the Service and
Warranty Information Booklet (US
models), or the Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet (Canadian models).
As a precaution against corrosion, if
your vehicle is exposed to potential
damage from unimproved road
surfaces we suggest that you have the
body checked for damage from stone
chips and gravel at the same time.
Have your BMW center do the
maintenance and repair.
Be sure that all maintenance work is
confirmed in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US models), or in
the Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet (Canadian models). These
entries are your proof that the vehicle
has received regular maintenance. They
are also a requirement for warranty
claims.<
The BMW Maintenance System

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Battery Fuses
Battery posts, terminals, and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds. Wash hands after
handling.<
Battery careThe battery is completely maintenance-
free. That means that the original
battery acid will normally last for the
service life of the battery under
moderate climate conditions.
Please consult your BMW center
whenever you have any questions
concerning the battery. Since the
battery is absolutely maintenance-free,
the following statements are for your
information only.<
Never disconnect the battery
when the engine is running; the
ensuing voltage surge would seriously
damage the vehicle's onboard elec-
tronic systems.<
Charging the battery Charge the battery in the vehicle only
when the engine is not running. Use the
connections provided in the engine
compartment (for correct connections,
refer to "Jump-starting" on page 131.
Return used batteries to a recy-
cling point or your BMW center.
Maintain the battery in an upright posi-
tion for transport and storage. Secure
the battery against tilting in transit.<
Open the glove compartment and turn
the two white quick-release fasteners
outward.
Do not attempt to repair a burned
fuse or replace it with a fuse
having a different color or ampere
rating. To do this could cause a fire in
the vehicle resulting from a circuit over-
load.<