towing BMW M3 COUPE 2002 E46 Owner's Manual

Contents

Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index

Replacement procedures:

Onboard tool kit120
Windshield wiper blades120
Lamps and bulbs120
Repairing a flat tire126
Battery130
Fuses130

Giving and receiving
assistance:

Jump-starting131
Towing the vehicle132Engine data136
Dimensions137
Weights138
Capacities139Everything from A to Z142

96n
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).

100n
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

132n
Towing the vehicleTow fittingThe tow fitting, which can be
unscrewed, is in the luggage compart-
ment under the floor panel and must
remain in the vehicle. This fitting
is designed for installation in the tow
sockets located at the front and rear of
the vehicle. It is intended for towing on
paved road surfaces only.
It should not be used to pull a vehicle
out of deep snow, mud, sand, etc.
Comply with all applicable towing laws
and regulations at all times.Access to tow socketsFront:
Press out the cover panel with a screw-
driver above on the recess.
Rear:
Press out the cover panel with a screw-
driver above on the recess.
Screw the tow fittings in until they
are tight. If you do not, the threads
could be damaged.
Do not tow the vehicle by any compo-
nents of the running gear, or lash them
down in any way. If you do, the compo-
nents could be damaged, leading to
possible accidents.<
Keep the vehicles in line and avoid
towing at an offset angle. Ensure
that the tow rope connecting the two
vehicles is tight, with no slack, before
starting off.<
Use only a nylon towing strap to tow
the vehicle, since the inherent resil-
ience of this material helps protect both
vehicles from sudden jerking move-
ments.
The towed vehicle should always
be the lighter of the two vehicles.
If this is not the case, it will not be
possible to control vehicle handling. to page 131.
Never attempt to use your vehicle to
push another vehicle, since damage to
the energy-absorbing bumpers could
result.

133n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Towing the vehicleTowing a vehicle1. Shift lever in Neutral
2. Towing speed:
Max. 45 mph (70 km/h)
3. Towing distance:
Max. 95 miles (150 km)
4. Leave the ignition key at position 1 to
ensure that the brake lamps, turn
signal indicators, horn and wind-
shield wipers remain operative, and
to prevent the steering lock detent
from engaging
5. Switch on the hazard-warning
system (observe applicable legal
regulations).
Find some means of identifying the
vehicle in tow, for instance, place a sign
or warning triangle in the rear window.
Make sure that the ignition key
remains in position 1 even when
the electrical system has failed to
prevent the steering lock from
engaging.
The steering and brakes are without
power assist when the engine is off.
This means that increased effort is
required for steering and braking.c
Vehicles with sequential M gearbox
*
SMG II:
To push or tow, engage selector lever
in position 0.
Never work on the vehicle with a
driving position engaged.c
Towing with a commercial tow
truck>Do not tow with sling-type equipment
>Use wheel lift or flatbed equipment
>Please comply with applicable state
towing laws.
Never allow passengers to ride in
a towed vehicle for any reason.
Never attach tie-down hooks, chains,
straps, or tow hooks to tie rods, control
arms, or any other part of the vehicle
suspension, as severe damage to these
components will occur, leading to
possible accidents.c

Everything from A to Z
147n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Sliding/tilt sunroof40
closing after electrical
fault41t
convenience operation
mode29
electrical
malfunction41t
manual operation41t
remote control30
Snow chains106
Sockets for towing132t
Sound system90
Spare key28t
Speaker92
Speedometer15
Sport-mode
identification79
Standing lamps81
bulb replacement121t
Starting problems57t
Starting the engine57
Steering lock56
Steering wheel,
adjusting47
Stopping the vehicle57
Storage areas91
Stroke136
Summer tires105 Sun blind cover89
Surface ice warning73
Switching off the engine57
Switching off the interior
motion sensor38
Switching off the tilt alarm
sensor38
Symbols, used8
T
Tail lamp assembly
bulb replacement123t
Tail lamps123
bulb replacement123t
Tank capacity139
Technical data136
Technical
modifications10, 115
Telephone hookup92
Temperature display
outside temperature73
Temperature gauge
engine coolant71
Temperature
layering85, 88
Temperature,
adjusting84, 87 Thigh support, adjusting43
Third brake lamp125
Through-loading system94
Tilt alarm sensor38
avoiding unintentional
alarms38
deactivate31
operating via remote
control31
Tire codes105
Tire damage103t
Tire inflation
pressures24, 25, 103
Tire Quality Grading104
Tire replacement104
Tire tread103
Tool kit120
Torque136
Tow sockets132t
Towing the vehicle132t
Track137
Transmission58
Transporting children
safely52
Tread depth, tires103
Tread wear indicator103 Trip odometer70
Trunk lid, refer to luggage
compartment lid34
Turn signal indicator65
bulb replacement122t
indicator lamps20
Turning radius137
U
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading104
Upholstery material, refer to
the "Caring for your
vehicle" manual
Used batteries130t V
Vehicle battery130
Vehicle Memory55
Vehicle weight138
Ventilation83, 86
draft-free85, 88
Viscosity rate, oil111