climate control 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 9 of 170

 
Contents
 
9
 
Driving:
 
Ignition lock62
Starting the engine and driving 
off63
Switching off the engine65
Parking brake65
Manual transmission66
Sequential M gearbox with 
Drivelogic*67
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp 
flasher72
Washer/wiper system/Rain 
sensor*73
Cruise control74
 
Everything under control:
 
Odometer76
Tachometer76
Engine oil temperature76
Fuel gauge77
Engine coolant temperature 
gauge77
Service interval display78
Check Control78
Clock79
Computer80
 
Technology for safety and 
driving convenience:
 
Park Distance Control (PDC)*82
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)83
Flat Tire Monitor84
M Engine dynamics control87
Brake force display87
 
Lamps:
 
Parking lamps/Low beams88
Instrument lighting89
High beams/Standing lamps89
Fog lamps90
Interior lamps90
 
Controlling the climate for 
pleasant driving:
 
Automatic climate control92
Roller sun blind*96
 
Interior conveniences:
 
Premium sound system*97
Glove compartment97
Storage compartments98
Cellular phone*99
Ashtray, front*100
Ashtray, rear*100
Clothes hooks101
 
Loading and transporting:
 
Through-loading system102
Ski bag*103
Cargo loading104
Roof-mounted luggage 
rack*106
 
Controls and features 
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36
To open from the insideIf 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.
To closeThe handle recesses in the interior trim 
panel of the luggage compartment lid 
make it easier to pull the lid down.
To avoid injuries, be sure that the 
travel path of the luggage com-
partment lid is clear when it is closed, 
following the same precautions as with 
all closing procedures.<
Operate the vehicle only when the 
luggage compartment lid is com-
pletely closed. Otherwise, exhaust 
fumes could penetrate the interior of 
the vehicle.<
Nevertheless, should it be absolutely 
necessary to operate the vehicle with 
the luggage compartment lid open:
1. Close all windows and the glass sun-
roof 
2. Greatly increase the quantity of air 
from the automatic climate control 
system, refer to page 94.
Luggage compartment lid 
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80
ComputerMode selectionWith the ignition key in position 1 and 
higher, you can use the button in the 
turn signal lever to retrieve information 
from the computer for display in the 
instrument cluster. Each time you press 
the button briefly in the direction of the 
steering column, a new function is 
called up in the display.
The displays appear in the following 
order:
Time of day, outside temperature, aver-
age fuel consumption, cruising range, 
average vehicle speed.
When the ignition key is in position 1 or 
higher, the last active setting is dis-
played.
Outside temperatureYou can change the units of measure 
6/7 for the outside temperature dis-
play by pressing the right-hand reset 
button in the instrument cluster while 
the temperature display is active. The 
units of measure 6/7 in the tempera-
ture display of the automatic climate 
control change automatically, refer to 
page 92.Ice warningIf the outside temperature drops to 
about 37.57/+36, then the computer 
will automatically switch to a display of 
the outside temperature. In addition, a 
signal sounds as a warning and the dis-
play flashes for a brief period.
After giving an ice warning, the 
display returns to the previous 
setting.<
The ice warning does not alter the 
fact that surface ice can form at 
temperatures above 37.57/+36, on 
bridges or shaded road surfaces, for 
instance.< 
Page 92 of 170

92Controlling the climate for pleasant driving
Automatic climate control 
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93
1Air onto the windshield and the side 
windows
2Air for the upper body area95
3Air to the footwell
4Interior temperature sensor – please 
keep clear and unobstructed
5Outside air/Automatic recirculated-
air control (AUC)/Recirculated 
air95
6Automatic air distribution and 
supply94
7Individual air distribution94
8Temperature94
9Display for temperature and air 
supply94
10 Air supply/Blower94
11 To defrost windows and remove 
condensation94
12 Air conditioning94
13 Rear window defroster95Automatic climate control
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 
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94
Tips for pleasant drivingUse the automatic mode – switch on 
with AUTO button 6. Select the desired 
interior temperature.
Detailed setting options are described 
for you in the following sections.
You can make the settings of your 
vehicle 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 adjusts the 
air distribution and the air sup-
ply for you and in addition adapts the 
temperature to external influences – 
summer, winter – to meet preferences 
you can specify.
Individual air distribution
You can cancel the AUTO pro-
gram by selecting specific dis-
tribution patterns to suit your 
own individual requirements. 
While the AUTO program is then deacti-
vated, the automatic airflow control 
remains in operation. Air flows onto 
the windows  , toward the upper 
body  , and into the footwell  . You 
can reactivate the automatic air supply 
by pressing the AUTO button.Temperature
The interior temperature that 
appears in the display panel is a 
general figure intended for refer-
ence purposes. We recommend 727/ 
+226 as a comfortable setting, even if 
the air conditioning 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.
To select the units of measure 6/7 of 
the display, refer to page 80.
Air supply/Blower
By pressing the upper or lower 
button, you can vary the air sup-
ply. This deactivates the auto-
matic air supply – the AUTO display dis-
appears from the panel. Nevertheless, 
the automatic air distribution remains 
unchanged. You can reactivate the 
automatic air supply by pressing the 
AUTO button.
When the lowest blower speed is set 
and you press the lower 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 the side windows.
Air conditioning
The air is cooled and dehumidi-
fied and – depending on the 
temperature setting – rewarmed.
Depending on the weather, the wind-
shield may fog over briefly when the 
engine is started. Air conditioning helps 
prevent the windows from fogging up.
Condensation forms during opera-
tion of the air conditioning system, 
which then exits under the vehicle. 
Traces of condensed water of this kind 
are thus normal.<
Automatic climate control 
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95
Outside air/Automatic 
recirculated-air control (AUC)/ 
Recirculated air
You can respond to unpleasant 
external odors or pollutants by 
temporarily stopping the flow of outside 
air. The system then recirculates the air 
currently within the vehicle.
By repeatedly pressing the button, you 
can select one of three different operat-
ing modes.
>Indicator lamps off: outside air always 
flowing into the vehicle
>Left-hand indicator lamp on – auto-
matic mode: the system detects pol-
lutants in the outside air and 
responds by deactivating the outside 
airflow 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 
flow 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.<
Rear window defroster
When the rear window defroster 
is activated, the indicator lamp 
comes on. The rear window defroster 
switches off automatically.
You can have your vehicle pro-
grammed in such a way that the 
rear window defroster switches on 
automatically. This occurs within 5 min-
utes after starting the engine when out-
side temperatures are below approx. 
397/+46.<
Draft-free ventilationYou can adjust the blower controls for 
the upper body area to obtain the opti-
mum airflow rates and directions for 
your personal requirements:
1Rotary dials for infinitely variable 
opening and closing of the vents
2Lever for adjusting airflow direction
3With the rotary dial you can adjust the 
temperature of the outgoing air:
>Turn toward blue – colder
>Turn toward red – warmer
Automatic climate control
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 
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96
Microfilter/Activated-charcoal 
filterThe built-in microfilter removes dust 
and pollen from the incoming air. The 
activated-charcoal filter provides addi-
tional protection by filtering gaseous 
pollutants from the outside air. Your 
BMW center will replace the combined 
filter as a standard part of your sched-
uled maintenance. A substantial reduc-
tion in airflow indicates that the filter 
needs to be replaced early.
Roller sun blind*To activate, press the button briefly 
with ignition key in position 1 or higher.
Automatic climate control 
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115
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 can lead to 
overheating and internal tire damage.
This can result in a sudden loss of tire 
inflation pressure.
Unusual vibrations encountered during 
normal vehicle operation can indicate 
tire failure or some other vehicle defect. 
This type of problem can be caused by 
contact with curbs, etc. This is also true 
for irregularities in the vehicle's han-
dling characteristics, such as a pro-
nounced tendency to pull to the left or 
right. Should this occur, respond by 
immediately reducing your speed. Pro-
ceed carefully to the nearest BMW cen-
ter or professional tire center, or have 
the vehicle towed in to have it, its 
wheels or its tires inspected.
Tire damage, up to and including blow-
outs, can endanger the lives of both the 
vehicle occupants and other road 
users.<
Tire replacementTo maintain good handling and vehicle 
response, use only tires of a single 
tread configuration from a single manu-
facturer.
Comply with the specified tire inflation 
pressures – and be sure to have the 
wheel and tire assembly balanced 
every time you change a tire or wheel.DOT quality gradesTreadwear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must con-
form to Federal Safety Require-
ments in addition to these grades.
when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified government test 
course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would 
wear one and one-half – 1 
1/2 – times as 
well on the government course as a tire 
graded 100. The relative performance 
of tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may 
depart significantly from the norm due 
to variations in driving habits, service 
practices and differences in road char-
acteristics and climate.TractionThe traction grades, from highest to 
lowest, are AA, A, B and C.
Those grades represent the tire's ability 
to stop on wet pavement as measured 
under controlled conditions on speci-
fied government test surfaces of 
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C 
may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to 
this tire is based on straight-
ahead braking traction tests, and does 
not include acceleration, cornering, 
hydroplaning, or peak traction charac-
teristics.
tire's resistance to the generation of 
heat and its ability to dissipate heat 
when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified indoor laboratory 
test wheel.
Tire condition
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 
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Everything from A to ZA
ABS Antilock Brake 
System 112
indicator lamp 19
Accessories, refer to For 
your own safety 5
Accident, refer to Emer-
gency call 142
Activated-charcoal filter 96
Adding brake fluid 125
Adding liquid sealant
Mobility system 138
Additional sources of infor-
mation 4
Air conditioning mode
automatic climate 
control 94
Air distribution
automatic climate 
control 94
Air distribution, individual 94
Air outlets, refer to Ventila-
tion 92
Air pressure, refer to Tire 
inflation pressure 25, 114
Air recirculation, refer to 
Recirculated-air mode 95
Air supply
automatic climate 
control 94
Air, drying, refer to Air con-
ditioning mode 94Airbags 53
deactivating 53
indicator lamp 18, 55
sitting safely 43
Airing out, refer to Ventila-
tion 92
AKI, refer to Fuel specifica-
tions 25
Alarm system 38
avoiding unintentional 
alarms 39
All-season tires, refer to 
Winter tires 118
Alternative oil types 123
Antifreeze 124
coolant 124
washer fluid 122
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS) 112
indicator lamp 19
Anti-theft system 30
Anti-theft warning system, 
refer to Alarm system 38
Approved axle loads, refer 
to Weights 152
Approved gross weight, 
refer to Weights 152
Armrest
front 98
rear 99Artificial leather, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Ashtray
front 100
rear 100
Assistant systems, refer to 
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC) 83
AUC Automatic recircu-
lated-air control 95
AUTO program, refer 
to Automatic air distribu-
tion 94
Automatic
air distribution 94
air supply 94
cruise control 74
headlamp control 88
Automatic car wash, refer to 
the Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Automatic climate control 92
Automatic curb monitor 50
Automatic dimming, interior 
rearview mirror 52
Automatic recirculated-air 
control (AUC) 95
Automatic windshield 
washer, refer to Rain sen-
sor 73Average fuel 
consumption 81
Average speed 81
Avoiding unintentional 
alarms 39
Axle loads, refer to 
Weights 152
B
Backrest
adjusting 44
unlocking 47
width adjustment 46
Backrest, refer to Seat 
adjustment 45
Backup lamps 66
bulb replacement 135
Bandages, refer to First-aid 
kit 23
Bar, towing 145
Battery 140
charge 140
disposal 140
indicator lamp 18
jump-starting 143
remote control 30, 31
Battery charge current 18
Belts, refer to Safety 
belts 47
Beverage holders 98, 99