engine BMW M3 COUPE 2006 E46 Owner's Guide

75 Everything under control
Odometer1Odometer
2Trip odometerOdometerYou can activate the displays shown in
the illustration with the ignition key in
position 0 by pressing the left button in
the instrument cluster.Trip odometerTo reset the trip odometer to zero,
press the left button with the ignition
key in position 1 or higher.
TachometerVariable pre-warning zoneThe yellow pre-warning zone displays
current permissible engine speeds,
depending on the engine temperature.
As the engine temperature climbs,
some of the sectors for this pre-warning
zones will go out one after the other.
Avoid engine speeds in the early warn-
ing zone if possible.
Never allow the engine to operate with
the needle in the red overspeed zone of
the gauge.
To protect the engine, the fuel supply is
interrupted when you approach this
sector.
Engine oil temperatureThe general operating temperature lies
between 1757/806 and 2507/
1206. During high-performance driv-
ing, do not exceed a maximum value of
3007/1506.
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76
Fuel gaugeOnce the indicator lamp stays on con-
tinuously, there are still approx.
2 gallons/8 liters of fuel in the fuel tank.
Fuel tank capacity approx. 16.6 gal./
63 liters.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies – when
you are driving in mountainous areas,
for example – the needle may fluctuate
slightly.
Fill the fuel tank before it is com-
pletely empty. Driving to the last
drop of fuel can prevent the engine
from operating properly and result in
damage.<
When you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp lights up briefly as an
operation check.
Engine coolant temperature gaugeBlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at moder-
ate engine and vehicle speeds.Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. The needle
may rise as far as the edge of the red
sector during normal operation.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the
warning lamp comes on briefly as an
operation check.
If the lamp comes on while operating
the vehicle: the engine has overheated.
Switch off the engine immediately and
allow it to cool down.
To check the coolant level, refer to
page 124.

77
Service interval displayRemaining distance to next
serviceThe displays shown in the illustration
appear for a few seconds when the
ignition key is in position 1 or higher or
after the engine is started.
The next service due appears with the
message OIL SERVICE or
INSPECTION, together with the dis-
tance remaining in miles – in kilometers
in Canada – before the next scheduled
service.
The computer bases its calculations of
the remaining distance on the preced-
ing driving style.
A flashing message and a '–' in front of
the number mean that the service inter-
val has already been exceeded by the
distance shown on the display. Please
contact your BMW center for an
appointment.
Check ControlDisplayWhen the ignition key is in position 2,
the following information and/or condi-
tions are indicated using symbols until
the conditions have been corrected.
1Inspect the low-beam and high-beam
headlamps, as well as the parking
lamps
2Door open
3Luggage compartment lid open
4Check tail or brake lamps
When you open the driver's door, after
having turned the ignition key to posi-
tion 0, you will hear an acoustic signal
for a few seconds to remind you that
the lamps have not been switched off.
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80
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.<
Average fuel consumptionIf you press the onboard computer but-
ton BC in the turn signal lever for longer
while the average fuel consumption is
being displayed, a new consumption
value is calculated from that point in
time.
If you wish, you can have the aver-
age fuel consumption displayed in
a different unit of measure. based on the available fuel. The amount
of fuel remaining in the tank is mea-
sured, the estimated range is calcu-
lated taking into account the operating
conditions over the last 20 miles/30 km.
It is important that you refuel when
the cruising range falls below
approx. 35 miles/50 kilometers. Other-
wise, the engine cannot be guaranteed
to operate properly and damage may
result.<
Average speedAny time spent when the vehicle is sta-
tionary and the engine is shut off is
ignored for the calculation.
To reset the average speed: press the
onboard computer button BC in the
turn signal lever for approx. 2 seconds.
Computer

82
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)The conceptDSC supports vehicle stability, even in
critical driving situations.
DSC optimizes driving stability and
traction during acceleration and when
you are starting from a standstill. In
addition, it also recognizes unstable
vehicle conditions, such as understeer-
ing and oversteering. By reducing
engine power and applying brakes at
the wheels, DSC helps to keep the
vehicle on a steady course within phys-
ically feasible limits.
DSC starts up automatically each time
you start the engine.
The laws of physics cannot be
repealed, even with DSC. The
driver remains responsible for the con-
sequences of any inadequate driving
style. Therefore, do not take any risks
because of the additional safety pro-
vided. Do not make any modifications
to the DSC system. Allow only autho-
rized technicians to perform service
procedures on the DSC.<
Indicator lamp for DSC
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster will go out shortly
after the ignition has been
switched on, refer to page 20.
>The indicator lamp flashes: DSC is
active and is controlling the drive
torque based on driving conditions
>The indicator lamp does not go out
after the engine is started or lights up
continuously while you are driving:
DSC has been deactivated via the
button or is defective.
You can continue to drive the vehicle
normally without DSC. In the event of a
malfunction, contact a BMW center or a
workshop that works according to
BMW requirements with appropriately
trained personnel.
M Track mode*M track mode is a feature of the
Dynamic Stability Control DSC,
designed for driving on dry roads. It
allows you to drive with higher longitu-
dinal and lateral acceleration, whereas
driving stability is somewhat reduced.
Only in its absolute limit range will the
system try to stabilize the vehicle by
reducing engine power and applying
brakes to the wheels. Under these driv-
ing conditions the driver must be pre-
pared to perform corrective steering
movements if necessary.
By default, M Track mode is off after
each engine start.
While M Track mode is active, sta-
bilising interventions are per-
formed to a reduced extent only.<
To maintain vehicle stability,
always drive with DSC switched
on and M Track mode switched off
whenever possible. The indicator lamp goes out
shortly after the ignition is
switched on.
>Indicator lamp stays on: M Track
mode ist on
>Indicator lamp stays on and DSC
indicator lamp flashes:
M Track mode is actively regulating
drive torque and braking forces.

84
The system could issue a false warning
or function in a delayed manner in the
following situations:
>System was not initialized
>You are driving on a snow-covered or
slippery road surface
>Performance-oriented driving: slip at
the drive wheels, high levels of lateral
acceleration
>You are driving with snow chainsInitializing the system
The initialization is completed
while you are driving, and can be
interrupted at any time. Initialization is
automatically continued when you con-
tinue driving. When driving with snow
chains, do not initialize the system.<
1. Before driving off, start the engine
but do not start driving
2. Press the button as long as you need
to, but no more than 8 seconds, until
the indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up in yellow for several
seconds
3. Drive off. Initialization is completed
during the drive without any feed-
back issued.
When driving with snow chains,
do not initialize the system.<
To activate/deactivate the systemThe system is automatically activated in
ignition key position 2 and conse-
quently is on whenever the vehicle is
operated.
To deactivate the system: tap the but-
ton, the indicator lamp will light up yel-
low.
To activate the system: tap the button
again; the indicator lamp goes out.
Deactivate the system when snow
chains are mounted, since false warn-
ings and undetected losses in pressure
are possible under these kinds of con-
ditions.
Flat Tire Monitor

85
Flat tire
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up red. In
addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded.
1. Carefully reduce speed and come to
a stop. Avoid sudden braking and
steering maneuvers
2. Determine which wheel is damaged
If this cannot be determined, con-
tact your BMW center.<
3. Fix the flat tire using the M Mobility
system, refer to page 137
4. Press the button for approx.
4 seconds. The red indicator lamp
goes out.
After replacing the damaged tire, initial-
ize the system.
System malfunction
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up yellow.
The Flat Tire Monitor is malfunc-
tioning or out of order. Please contact
your BMW center for additional infor-
mation.
M Engine dynamics controlThe system – Sport mode – will cause
the engine to respond more spontane-
ously to any motion of the accelerator
pedal.Activating/deactivating Sport
modeActivating: with the ignition key in posi-
tion 2, press the SPORT button. The
indicator lamp will come on.
Each time you activate the sys-
tem, the vehicle may gain speed
without any additional pressure on the
accelerator pedal.<
Deactivating: press the SPORT button
again; the indicator lamp will go out.
The Sport mode is deactivated every
time the engine is started.
Flat Tire Monitor
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88
Instrument lightingTurn the rotary dial with the parking/low
beam lamps on to adjust the illumina-
tion intensity.
High beams/Standing lamps1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Standing lampsStanding lamps, left or rightAs an additional feature, you can illumi-
nate your vehicle on either side for
parking, if you wish to do so:
With the ignition key in position 0, push
the lever in the appropriate direction.
The lever engages in the turn signal
position.
The standing lamps discharge the
battery. Avoid using them for
longer periods of time; otherwise, you
may not be able to start the engine.<

92
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 supply and the air distribu-
tion to the windshield and the side win-
dows, towards the upper body and to
the footwells, and in addition adapts
the temperature to external influences:
summer, winter.
The cooling function is automatically
switched on when you are using the
AUTO program.
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 7/6 of
the display, refer to page 79.
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.
The cooling function is automatically
switched on when you are using the
AUTO program.
Automatic climate control

93
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.<
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. When the rear window defroster
is activated, the indicator lamp
comes on. The rear window defroster
switches off automatically after a short
while.
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 add
more or less cool air to the air coming
from the outlets for the upper body
area:
>Turn toward blue – colder
>Turn toward red – warmer.
Automatic climate control
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