tires BMW M3 COUPE 2006 E46 Owner's Manual

Contents

Operation, maintenance

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures108
General driving notes109
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)111

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressure112
Tire code114
Tire condition115
New wheels and tires116
Snow chains*118

In the engine compartment:

Hood119
Engine compartment
essentials120
Washer fluids122
Engine oil122
Coolant124
Brake fluid125

Maintenance:

BMW Maintenance System126
OBD interface socket128
Owner service procedures
Replacement procedures:

Onboard tool kit132
Windshield wiper blades132
Lamps and bulbs133
Tire repair with the M Mobility
system137
Battery140
Fuses141 Giving and receiving
assistance: Receiving assistance142
Jump-starting143
Towing and tow-starting the
vehicle145
Technical data

Engine data150
Dimensions151
Weights152
Capacities153

83
Activating M Track modeTap the button; the indicator lamp
comes on and stays on.Deactivating M Track modePress the button again; the indicator
lamp goes out.
To deactivate DSCPress the DSC button; the DSC indica-
tor lamp lights up continuously. DSC
and M Track mode are off.
When better traction is required, it is
beneficial to deactivate the system in
the following situations:
>When rocking the vehicle or starting
off in deep snow or on loose surfaces
>When driving with snow chains.
To maintain vehicle stability,
always drive with the system
switched on whenever possible. tor lamp goes out.
Flat Tire MonitorThe conceptAs you drive, the Flat Tire Monitor
keeps track of pressure levels in all four
tires. The system alerts you whenever
the inflation pressure of a tire falls sig-
nificantly below the pressure of another
tire.
In the event of tire pressure loss, the
rolling radius of the tire changes, and
thereby the rotational speed of the
wheel. This change is detected, and a
flat tire warning is issued to the driver.Functional requirementsTo ensure a reliable flat tire warning,
the system must be initialized with the
correct tire inflation pressures.
Initialize the system immediately
after you have corrected a tire
inflation pressure, or changed the tire
or wheel. The Flat Tire Monitor cannot pro-
vide you with advance warning of
sudden and severe tire damage caused
by external factors and does not detect
the balanced and very gradual pressure
loss that takes place in all four tires
over an extended period of time.<
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
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102
Cargo loading
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.<
Determining the maximum load1. Locate the following statement on
your vehicle's placard*:
The combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo should never
exceed XXX kg or YYY lbs., as this
could otherwise result in damage to the
vehicle or unstable driving conditions.<
2. Determine the combined weight of
the driver and passengers that will be
riding in your vehicle
3. Subtract the combined weight of the
driver and passengers from
XXX kilograms or YYY pounds
4. The resulting figure equals the avail-
able amount of cargo and luggage
load capacity.
For example, if the YYY amount
equals 1,000 lbs. and there will be
five 150 lbs. passengers in your vehi-
cle, the amount of available cargo
and luggage load capacity is 250
lbs.:
1,000 lbs. minus 750 lbs. = 250 lbs.
5. Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity calculated
in Step 4
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer,
load from your trailer will be trans-
fered to your vehicle. Consult the
manual for transporting a trailer to
determine how this may reduce the
available cargo and luggage load
capacity of your vehicle.

108Special operating instructions
Break-in proceduresTo ensure that your vehicle provides
maximum economy throughout a long
service life, we request that you
observe the following suggestions.
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 tips very closely.
Doing this, you will create the basis for
a long, optimum service life. Drive at varying engine and road
speeds, but do not exceed an engine
speed of 5,500 rpm or a road speed of
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 Drivelogic, refer to
page 69: do not use Drivelogic pro-
grams 5 or 6 or launch control during
the break-in period.
>Following the break-in inspection at
1,250 miles/2,000 km, you can grad-
ually increase engine or road speeds.
TransmissionThe transmission will begin to function
optimally after approx.
300 miles/500 km. Shift gears cau-
tiously during this period and do not
exceed an engine speed of 5,500 rpm.
Vehicles with SMG Drivelogic, refer to
page 69: do not use Drivelogic pro-
grams 5 or 6 or launch control during
the break-in period.TiresDue 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.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, e.g. at a
traffic signal, provided that traffic condi-
tions permit to do so.
To avoid corrosion, repeat this proce-
dure from time to time.
The brake lamps do not come on
when the parking brake is set.
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 – when tow-
ing, for example – substantially higher
levels of pedal force will be required to
brake the vehicle.<
ClutchThe clutch will also begin to function
optimally after about 300 miles/500 km.
Drive cautiously during this break-in
period and do not press the clutch or
shift at high engine speeds.After replacing partsFollow the same break-in procedures if
any of the components mentioned
above have to be replaced in the future.

109
General driving notesHot exhaust system
High temperatures occur with
every vehicle equipped with a cat-
alytic converter. Heat shields are
installed adjacent to some sections of
the exhaust system. Never remove
these shields; do not apply undercoat-
ing to their surfaces. When driving,
standing at idle and parking the vehicle,
take care to avoid contact between the
hot exhaust system and flammable
materials, e.g. hay, leaves, grass, etc.
Such contact could lead to a fire,
resulting in serious personal injury and
property damage.<
When the vehicle is parkedCondensation forms in the automatic
climate control system during opera-
tion, which then exits under the vehicle.
Traces of condensed water of this kind
are thus normal.Before driving through a car washFold in the exterior mirrors manually
because they could otherwise be dam-
aged due to the width of the vehicle.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy
roads, reduce road speed. If you
do not, a wedge of water can form
between tire and road surface. This
phenomenon is referred to as hydro-
planing, and can lead to partial or com-
plete loss of traction, vehicle control
and braking effectiveness.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases as
the tread depth of the tires decreases,
refer also to Tire tread on page 116.
Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the
road if it is deeper than 1 ft/30 cm,
and then only at walking speed. Other-
wise, the vehicle's engine, the electrical
systems and the transmission may be
damaged.<
Braking safelyYour BMW is equipped with ABS as a
standard feature. If you are in a situa-
tion which requires full braking, it is
best to brake using maximum brake
pressure: panic stop. Since the vehicle
maintains steering responsiveness, you
can avoid possible obstacles with a
minimum of steering effort.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combines
with sounds from the hydraulic circuits
to indicate to the driver that ABS is in
its active mode.
Do not rest your foot on the brake
pedal while driving. Otherwise,
even light but consistent pedal pres-
sure can lead to high temperatures,
brake wear and possibly even brake
failure.<
Wet roads:
If the roads are wet or if there is heavy
rain, it is advisable to gently press the
brakes for a brief moment every few
miles/kilometers. Watch traffic condi-
tions to ensure that this maneuver does
not endanger other road users. The
heat generated in this process helps
dry the pads and rotors. Immediate
braking force is then available if neces-
sary.
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112Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressureInformation for your safetyIt is not merely the tire's service life, but
also driving comfort and, above all else,
driving safety that depend on the condi-
tion of the tires and the maintenance of
the specified tire pressure.Checking tire pressuresOnly check the tire inflation pressures
of cold tires. This means after driving a
maximum of 1.25 miles/2 km or after
the vehicle has been parked for at least
2 hours. Warm tires have higher infla-
tion pressures.
Check tire inflation pressures reg-
ularly and correct them if neces-
sary: at least twice a month and before
beginning a longer trip. Otherwise,
incorrect tire pressures can cause driv-
ing instability or tire damage, ultimately
resulting in accidents. Do not drive on a
deflated, i.e. flat, tire. A flat tire greatly
impairs steering and braking response,
and can lead to complete loss of con-
trol over the vehicle.<
After correcting the tire inflation pres-
sure, reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor,
refer to page 84.
Inflation pressures for original
tiresTire pressures for the standard tires of
your vehicle are shown on the driver's
door post, visible when the door is
open.
The inflation pressures apply to BMW-
approved tire sizes and recommended
tire brands. Your BMW center will be
glad to supply this information.Inflation pressures for other tire
sizesThe following tire pressure table shows
all tire pressures for the given tire sizes
at ambient temperature.

113
BMW Tires
All pressure specifications in
the table are indicated in psi/
kilopascal with cold tires –
cold = ambient temperature
M3 225/45 ZR 18 33/230 – 41/280 –
255/40 ZR 18 – 35/240 – 48/330
225/45 ZR 18
225/40 ZR 1933/230 – 41/280 –
255/35 ZR 19 – 35/240 – 48/330
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S 33/230 38/260 36/250 46/320
225/40 R 18 92 V M+S 36/250 38/260 39/270 51/350Tire inflation pressure
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114
Tire codeKnowing the tire code on the tire side-
wall makes it easier to correctly choose
and identify your tires.Tire sizeE.g. 205/60 R 15 91 W
205 = Nominal width in mm
60 = Cross-sectional ratio in %
R = Radial belt construction
15 = Rim diameter in inches
91 = Load index, not on ZR tires
W = Speed rating, in front of the R on
ZR tiresSpeed ratingQ = up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
T = up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
H = up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
V = up to 150 mph (240 km/h)
W = up to 167 mph (270 km/h)
Y = up to 186 mph (300 km/h)Tire Identification NumberTires with DOT codes comply with the
guidelines of the U.S. Department of
Transportation.DOT code:
E.g. DOT xxxx xxx 3204
xxxx = Manufacturer's code for tire
brand
xxx = Tire size and tire version
3204 = Tire age
Tire ageThe date on which the tire was manu-
factured is indicated by the code on the
sidewall:
DOT … 3204 indicates that the tire was
manufactured in week 32 of the year
2004.
BMW recommends the replacement of
all tires when they are no more than
6 years old, even if a tire life of 10 years
is possible.Uniform Tire Quality GradingQuality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall between
tread shoulder and maximum section
width. For example:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA
Temperature ADOT quality gradesTread wearTraction 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.<
Tread wearThe tread wear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the tire
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.

115
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. highest, B, and C, representing the
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.
Sustained high temperature can cause
the material of the tire to degenerate
and reduce tire life, and excessive tem-
perature can lead to sudden tire failure.
The grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109.
Grades B and A represent higher levels
of performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required by
law.
The temperature grade for this tire
is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under-inflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or
in combination, can cause heat buildup
and possible tire failure. better winter driving properties than
summer tires.
Tire conditionWheel/tire damageInspect your tires frequently for signs of
damage, foreign objects and tread
wear, and check tread depth.
Due to low-profile tires, please
note that wheels, tires and sus-
pension parts are more susceptible to
road hazard and consequential dam-
ages.
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 immedi-
ately reducing your speed. Proceed
carefully to the nearest BMW center or
professional tire center, or have the
vehicle towed there. Tire damage, up to
and including blowouts, can endanger
the lives of both the vehicle occupants
and other road users.<
Tire code
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116
Tire treadTread depth should not be allowed to
go below 1/8 in / 3 mm, even though
European legislation, for example,
requires a mimimum tread depth of only
1/16 in / 1.6 mm. Below 1/8 in / 3 mm
tread depth, there is a great risk of
hydroplaning, even at relatively moder-
ate speeds and with only small amounts
of water on the road.
At tread depths below approx.
3/16 in / 4 mm, tire performance under
winter driving conditions deteriorates
noticeably. Worn tires should therefore
be replaced for safety considerations.
Tread wear indicators in the tread-
groove base, see arrow, are distributed
around the wheel circumference and
are labeled on the tire sidewall with
TWI, Tread Wear Indicator. At a tread
depth of 1/16 in / 1.6 mm, the indica-
tors signal that the legally permissible
wear limit has been reached.
New wheels and tires
Have new wheels and tires
mounted only by a BMW center or
specialized tire shop that works
according to BMW requirements with
appropriately trained personnel. Work
that is improperly carried out could
result in consequential damage and
pose safety hazards.<
Ask your BMW center for details con-
cerning the correct wheel and tire com-
bination. Have the wheels balanced
each time a wheel or tire has been
replaced.
The correct wheel and tire combination
also affects different systems such as
ABS or DSC. The function of these sys-
tems is impaired if improper wheel and
tire combinations are used.
BMW advises against using
retreaded tires, as driving safety
could otherwise be impaired. The rea-
son for this are the possibly different
tire casing structures involved, some of
which may be greatly aged, factors
which can lead to a decrease in durabil-
ity.<
Tire condition