steering wheel BMW M3 COUPE 2004 E46 Owner's Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: BMW, Model Year: 2004, Model line: M3 COUPE, Model: BMW M3 COUPE 2004 E46Pages: 170, PDF Size: 2.62 MB
Page 8 of 170

 
Contents
 
Notes
 
About this Owner's Manual4
Additional sources of 
information4
Symbols used4
Your individual vehicle5
Status at time of printing5
For your own safety5
Symbol on vehicle parts6
Service and warranty7
Reporting safety defects7
 
Overview
 
Cockpit14
Instrument cluster16
Indicator and warning lamps18
Buttons in steering wheel22
Hazard warning triangle*23
First-aid kit*23
Refueling24
Fuel specifications25
Tire inflation pressure25
 
Controls and features
 
Opening and closing:
 
Keys30
Central locking system30
Opening and closing – via the 
remote control31
Opening and closing – via the 
door lock33
Opening and closing – from the 
inside34
Luggage compartment lid35
Luggage compartment37
Alarm system*38
Electric power windows40
Glass sunroof, electric*41
 
To adjust:
 
Safe seating position43
Seats44
Manual seat adjustment44
Power seat adjustment*45
Head restraints46
Entering the rear47
Safety belts47
Seat and mirror memory*49
Seat heating*50
Steering wheel51
Mirrors51
 
Passenger safety systems:
 
Airbags53
Transporting children safely56
Vehicle Memory, Key 
Memory60 
Page 15 of 170

 
15
1Parking lamps/Low beams88
2
 
>
 
Turn signal indicators72
 
>
 
Standing lamps89
 
>
 
High beams89
 
>
 
Headlamp flasher72
 
>
 
Computer80
3Washer/wiper system/Rain 
sensor73
4Hazard warning flashers
5Rear window defroster95
6
 
>
 
Initiating an emergency call142
 
>
 
Mobile Service142
7Central locking system30
8Adjusting the steering wheel51
9Horn: the entire surface
10 Fog lamps90
 
Cockpit
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 
Page 20 of 170

 
20
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)
 
●
 
The indicator lamp flashes and 
an acoustic signal sounds: the system 
is active and governs drive and braking 
force.
If the indicator lamp fails to go out after 
the engine has been started, or if it 
comes on during normal driving and 
stays on:
DSC has been deactivated, either at the 
button or in response to a system mal-
function.
In the event of a malfunction, have the 
system checked by your nearest BMW 
center.
For additional information: refer to 
page 83
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
 
●
 
Malfunction in DBC system. 
Conventional braking efficiency 
is available and unrestricted.
Have the system checked and repaired 
at your BMW center as soon as possi-
ble.
For additional information: refer to 
page 112
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC) 
warning lamp for Canadian 
models.
 
Add washer fluid
The washer fluid is too low. Top 
off the fluid at the earliest 
opportunity.
For additional information: refer to 
page 122
SERVICE ENGINE SOON
 
●
 
If the indicator lamp comes on 
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems. 
Although the vehicle remains opera-
tional, you should have the systems 
checked by your BMW center at the 
earliest possible opportunity.
For additional information: refer to 
page 128
Service Engine Soon indicator 
lamp for Canadian models.
Engine electronics
 
●
 
There is a fault in the electronic 
engine-management system. 
You can continue to drive with reduced 
engine output or engine speed. Please 
have the system inspected at your 
BMW center.
 
Add coolant
Coolant level too low, top up as 
soon as possible.
For additional information: refer to 
page 124
CHECK GAS CAP*
 
●
 
This indicator lamp comes on 
when the gas cap is loose or 
missing.
Close the gas cap tightly: refer to 
page 24
 
Green: for your information
 
Turn signal indicator
Flashes when turn signals are 
on. Rapid flashing: indicates a 
system malfunction.
For additional information: refer to 
page 72
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 74
Front fog lamps
Lights up whenever the fog 
lamps are on.
For additional information: refer to 
page 90
 
Indicator and warning lamps 
Page 22 of 170

 
22
 
Buttons in steering wheel
 
These buttons let you operate the fol-
lowing functions quickly and without 
being distracted from traffic conditions: 
 
>
 
Selected radio functions
 
>
 
The cruise control
 
>
 
Selected telephone functions
 
*
 
>
 
The voice recognition system
 
*.
The controls are active only when 
the corresponding systems and 
accessories are switched on.<
Press briefly:
Accept incoming call, start dialing, ter-
minate call.
Extended pressure:
Activate and deactivate voice entry.
Switch between phone, radio, cassette 
and CD.
Forward
>Radio
Press briefly: next station in station 
memory
Extended pressure: station search
>CD
Press briefly: jump to next track
Extended pressure: search function 
in track
>Cassette
Press briefly: jump to next track or
stop fast forward
Extended pressure: fast forward
>Phone
Scan personal phone book.
Rewind: same functions as forward.
Volume.
Cruise control: select a stored setting.
Cruise control: store and accelerate + 
or decelerate and store –.
Cruise control: activate/interrupt/deac-
tivate. 
Page 43 of 170

43 To adjust
Safe seating positionFor driving that is relaxed and less likely 
to cause fatigue, you should select a 
sitting position that reflects your per-
sonal requirements. In combination 
with the safety belts and airbags, the 
correct seating position also plays an 
important role in enhancing occupant 
safety in the event of an accident. To 
ensure that the vehicle's safety systems 
provide you with optimal protection, we 
request that you direct your careful 
attention to the following section.
For supplementary information on 
transporting children, refer to page 56.Sitting safely with airbags
Always maintain an adequate dis-
tance between yourself and the 
airbags. Always hold the steering wheel 
by the rim to keep any chance of injury 
to hands or arms to an absolute mini-
mum should the airbag be deployed. 
Never allow any objects, individuals or 
animals to obstruct the areas between 
passengers and airbags. Never use the 
front airbag's cover as a storage tray or 
support for objects of any kind. Never 
allow front passengers to rest their feet 
or legs on the airbag cover.<
For airbag locations and additional 
information on airbags, refer to 
page 53.Sitting safely with safety beltsYour vehicle offers five sitting positions, 
each of which is provided with a safety 
belt.Never allow more than one person 
to wear a single safety belt. Never 
allow infants or small children to ride in 
a passenger's lap. Avoid twisting the 
belt while routing it firmly across the 
pelvis and shoulder, wear it as snugly 
against your body as possible. Do not 
allow the belt to rest against hard or 
fragile objects in your pockets. Do not 
route the belt across your neck, or run it 
across sharp edges. Be sure that the 
belt does not become caught or 
jammed. Avoid wearing bulky clothing 
and pull on the lap belt periodically to 
retension it over your shoulders. In the 
event of a frontal impact, a loose lap 
belt could slide over the hips, leading to 
abdominal injury. In addition, the safety 
belt's restraint effectiveness is reduced 
if the belt is worn loosely. Expectant 
mothers should always wear their 
safety belts, taking care to position the 
lap belt against the lower hips, where it 
will not exert pressure against the 
abdominal area. Leave the rear safety 
belts in the holders, if they are not 
needed, to avoid unwanted movement 
from the safety belts at high speeds.<
For information on using the safety 
belts, refer to page 47.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 
Page 51 of 170

51
Steering wheelTo adjust
Never attempt to adjust the steer-
ing wheel while driving the vehicle 
– it could respond with unexpected 
movement, posing a potential accident 
hazard.<
1. Push the locking lever downward
2. Adjust steering column reach and 
height for your selected seating posi-
tion
3. Pull the lever back up.
MirrorsTo adjust exterior mirrors1Switch for 4-way adjustment
2Selection switch for changing 
between mirrorsTo adjust manuallyThe mirrors can also be adjusted manu-
ally:
Press the edges of the lens.
To store the mirror settings, refer to 
Seat and mirror memory on page 49.
The mirror on the passenger's 
side is convex. When estimating 
the distance between yourself and 
other traffic, bear in mind that the 
objects reflected in the mirror are closer 
than they appear. This means that esti-
mations of the distance to following 
traffic should not be regarded as pre-
cise.<
Electric defrostingBoth mirrors are heated automatically in 
ignition key position 2.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 
Page 53 of 170

53 Passenger safety systems
Airbags1Front airbags on the driver and pas-
senger sides
2Head airbags for driver and front pas-
senger
3Side airbags on the driver and pas-
senger sides – front and rear*Protective effectThe front airbags protect the driver and 
passenger in the event of a head-on 
collision where the protection provided 
by the safety belt alone would not be 
adequate. The head and side airbags 
help provide protection in the event of a 
collision from the side. The respective 
side airbag helps support the seat 
occupant's upper body.
For information on the correct sitting 
position, refer to page 43.
The side airbags in the rear pas-
senger area* of your vehicle may 
already have been deactivated by a 
BMW center. You may have them acti-
vated if you desire to do so. Please 
contact your BMW center for additional 
information.<
The airbags do not deploy in 
response to minor collisions, rear 
impacts and certain kinds of vehicle 
rollover.<
Do not apply adhesive materials to 
the cover panels of the airbags, 
cover them or modify them in any other 
way. Do not attempt to remove the air-
bag restraint system from the vehicle. In 
the event of a malfunction, deactivation 
or triggered activation – as a response 
to an accident – of the airbag restraint 
system, consult your BMW center for 
inspection, repair or disassembly. Mod-
ifications may not be made on either 
the wiring or the individual components 
in the airbag system. These include the 
upholstered covers on the steering 
wheel, instrument panel, side trim pan-
els of the doors and front roof pillars, 
and on the sides of the headliner. Do 
not attempt to remove or dismantle the 
steering wheel. Unprofessional 
attempts to service the system could 
lead to failure in an emergency or 
undesired airbag activation, either of 
which could result in personal injury. Do 
not touch the individual components 
directly after the system has been trig-
gered, as otherwise there is a danger of 
burns.<
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 
Page 62 of 170

62Driving
Ignition lockIgnition key positions0Steering locked
1Steering unlocked
2Ignition switched on
3Starting engineSteering lockedThe key can only be inserted and 
removed in this position.
After removing the key, turn the steer-
ing wheel slightly to the left or right until 
the lock engages.
If the key is not removed, an acoustic 
signal is sounded after the driver's door 
has been opened.
Steering unlockedYou will find that it is often easier to turn 
the ignition key from position 0 to posi-
tion 1 when you move the steering 
wheel slightly to help disengage the 
lock.
Individual electrical accessories are 
ready for operation. 
Page 65 of 170

65
Switching off the engine
You should never remove the igni-
tion key when the vehicle is in 
motion, as the steering lock could 
engage.
When you leave the vehicle, always 
remove the ignition key and engage the 
steering lock.<
Always engage the parking brake 
when parking on downhill roads. 
Engaging a gear may not sufficiently 
secure the vehicle against rolling.<
Manual transmissionTurn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.Sequential M gearbox with 
DrivelogicIf you turn the ignition key to position 1 
or 0 with the selector lever in the for-
ward or reverse position, a gear auto-
matically remains engaged.
If you turn the ignition key to position 1 
or 0 with the selector lever in position 
N, a warning tone and the flashing gear 
indicator in the SMG Drivelogic display 
remind you that no gear is engaged to 
secure the vehicle against rolling.
The warning stops after approx. 
10 seconds. If you move the selector 
lever into a forward or reverse position 
during this time, a gear is automatically 
engaged.
Parking brakeThe parking brake is designed primarily 
to prevent the vehicle from rolling when 
it is parked. It operates against the rear 
wheels.To engageThe detent engages automatically, and 
the indicator lamp in the instrument 
cluster comes on when the ignition key 
is in position 2, refer to page 18.To releasePull up slightly on the lever, press the 
button and lower the lever.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 
Page 67 of 170

67
Sequential M gearbox with Drivelogic*The conceptThe sequential M gearbox with 
Drivelogic is an automated manual 
gearbox with which clutching and shift-
ing is assumed by an electro-hydraulic 
system.
The SMG  Drivelogic is operated via two 
shift paddles on the steering wheel and 
the selector lever in the center console.
It offers the following functions:
>Sequential and automated shifting 
mode
>Ability to choose between different 
driving programs – Drivelogic
>Gradient assistance, refer to page 70
>Upshift display and shift lights, refer 
to page 71
>RPM matching on downshifts
>Driving dependent functions:
The respective driving situation, e.g. 
cornering, mountain driving or brak-
ing, is detected by sensors and taken 
into account for shifting, e.g. to 
achieve optimum gear selection dur-
ing deceleration and subsequent 
acceleration
>Slip recognition at the rear axle for 
increasing driving stability, e.g. dur-
ing downshifting on slippery road 
surfaces>Operating safety through protection 
against misshifting.
Under normal operating conditions, fuel 
consumption is lowest when driving in 
the first driving program of the auto-
mated shifting mode.
Selector lever positionsR: Reverse position
N: Neutral position
Forward position with one-touch mode:
>S: sequential mode
>D: automated mode
>+: upshifting in sequential mode
>–: downshifting in sequential mode.
The SMG Drivelogic is ready for opera-
tion from ignition key position two or 
higher.
For your safety, it is only possible to 
engage a driving position with the vehi-
cle stopped approx. two seconds after 
engaging position 0 with the footbrake 
depressed – shift-lock function.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex