
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
101n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures102
Driving notes103
Catalytic converter103
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)104
Disk brakes106
Brake system107
Winter operation108
Power steering110
Cellular phones110
Radio reception110
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure111
Tire condition111
Tire replacement112
Tire rotation113
Wheel and tire
combinations114
Winter tires115
Snow chains115
Approved wheel and tire
specifications116Under the hood:
Hood118
Engine compartment120
Washer fluids122
Washer nozzles122
Engine oil123
Coolant125
Brake fluid126
Vehicle Identification
Number126
Care and maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System127
Caring for your vehicle128
Airbags133
Vehicle storage133
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications134
California Proposition
65 Warning134
OBD connector135
Car care

110n
Power steering Cellular phone
* Radio reception
If the steering response changes, e.g.
high steering effort:
Consult a BMW center to have it
checked.
If the power steering fails,
increased effort will be required to
steer the vehicle.<
Only mobile communications systems
(cellular phone, radio, etc.) with an
output up to 10 watts are permitted.
Mobile communications devices not
specifically designed for use in your
vehicle may trigger malfunctions while
operating your vehicle. BMW can
neither test nor assume responsibility
for every individual product being
offered on the market. We recommend
that you consult your BMW center
before purchasing any device of this
kind.
To ensure that your BMW continues to
provide reliable and trouble-free opera-
tion, do not use a cellular phone or
other radio device with an antenna
located inside the passenger compart-
ment. The antenna should always be
mounted on the outside of the vehicle.
Before loading the vehicle on
a car-carrier train or driving it
through a car-wash, remove the
antenna.<
The reception and sound quality
obtained from mobile radios vary
according to a variety of factors,
including the broadcast range of the
transmitter and the directional orienta-
tion of the antenna. Interference factors
such as high-tension power lines,
structural or natural obstructions can all
lead to unavoidable reception interfer-
ence, regardless of how well the vehicle
sound system is operating.
Climatic factors such as intense solar
radiation, fog, rain and snow can also
interfere with reception.
Telephones without formal BMW
approval can also generate interfer-
ence. This phenomenon assumes the
form of a low-pitched hum emanating
from the speaker system.
Please refer to the separate Owner's
Manual that came with your vehicle for
information on setting and operating
your car radio.

157n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
Airbags158
Radio reception158
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)159
Safety belt tensioner159
M3 Engine concept160
Rain sensor160
Interior rearview mirror with
automatic dimming
feature161
Self-diagnostics162
Xenon lamps163
Technology
Owner service procedures

158n
Deceleration sensors continuously
monitor the physical forces acting upon
the vehicle. If there is a deceleration
because of a head-on collision in which
the protection normally afforded by the
safety belts is no longer sufficient by
itself, then the gas generators for the
front airbags will be simultaneously
ignited on both the driver and
passenger sides. However, the
passenger-side airbag is only triggered
if an additional sensor has recognized
that the passenger seat is occupied.
In the event of a side impact, the front
head and side airbags or rear side
airbags
* will deploy if necessary on the
side where the impact occurs.
The airbags located under the marked
covers inflate and unfold in a matter of
a few milliseconds. In this process, they
tear through the designed separation
points of the upholstered covers or
press them out.
The gas required to inflate the airbags
is not dangerous, and it dissipates
together with the associated smoke.
The gas required to inflate the airbags
is not dangerous, and the smoke asso-
ciated with it dissipates.
The entire process is completed within
fractions of a second. The AM frequency bands (medium-
wave, long-wave and short-wave) make
it possible to receive stations from a
great distance, because the broadcast
signals travel not only along the ground
as surface waves, but also as atmo-
spheric waves that are reflected from
the ionosphere.
Frequency-modulation (FM) provides
substantially better sound quality than
on the. However, because FM trans-
missions rely on line-of-sight broadcast
waves, their effective reception range is
limited.
Airbags Radio reception

159n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
The limitations inherent to radio recep-
tion in a moving vehicle have been
minimized by a number of innovative
system designs:
The "Radio Data System" (RDS) makes
sure that, for broadcast stations
sending on several frequencies, the
radio automatically tunes to the
frequency with the best reception
quality.
The Diversity Antenna system employs
several FM antennas integrated within
the rear window to provide three sepa-
rate sources for receiving broadcast
waves. An integral processor automati-
cally selects the antenna with the best
FM reception quality at any given time.
The selection of the antenna takes
place within milliseconds, and is there-
fore not noticed by the radio listener. The primary goal in developing the
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) for the
BMW M3 is to achieve the greatest
amount of safety while at the same time
getting the most pleasure out of perfor-
mance-oriented driving.
Using highly sensitive sensors, the DSC
monitors current operating conditions
for your vehicle as they relate to driving
stability and traction. In addition, wheel
speeds, steering angle, lateral acceler-
ation, brake pressure and vehicle
movement around its vertical axis are
also ascertained and evaluated.
If the DSC detects unstable conditions
on a curve, then the DSC will intervene
in engine management within millisec-
onds, reducing drive torque or, if the
need arises, will individually slow one or
more wheels down to keep the vehicle
on a steady course.
If differences in wheel speed should
occur, the system will recognize the
dangers associated with wheel spin
and will reduce the drive torque; if
necessary, it will do so using brake
intervention at the rear wheels as well.
DSC offers the highest degree of
driving stability and safety not only
when you first start your vehicle, are
driving on straightaways or when
braking, but also when driving through
curves.The safety belt tensioner makes sure
that the belt tightens during a head-on
collision to ensure that occupants
remain firmly positioned in their seats.
A gas-pressure system retracts the
buckle assembly to tension the
shoulder and lap belts within fractions
of a second. This reduces the tendency
to slide under the lap belt. Radio reception DSC Safety belt tensioner

Everything from A to Z
A
ABS (Antilock Brake System) 21, 104
Accessories 6
Activated-charcoal filter 88
Add brake fluid 121t, 126 t
Adding engine oil 123t
Adding washer fluid 122t
Adjusting the backrest 46
Adjusting the lumbar support 48
Adjusting the seat 47
Adjusting the steering wheel 52
Adjusting the temperature 86
Adjusting the thigh support 47
Adjusting the width of the backrests 48
Air conditioner 87
Air distribution, automatic 86
Air nozzles 84
Air outlets 84
Air pressure, tires 26, 111
Air supply 87
vents, recirculated air
mode 87
Airbags 56, 133 , 158
warning lamps 21Alarm system
40
Alcantara care 132
Antenna 110
Antenna, Diversity 159
Antifreeze 125
radiator 108
Antilock Brake System (ABS) 21, 104
Anti-theft alarm system 40
Anti-theft protection 31
Aquaplaning 103, 111
Armrest 91
Ashtray front 92
rear 93
Attach vacuum cleaner 93
AUC (Automatic recirculated air control) 87
Automatic car washes 128
Automatic climate control 84
Automatic cruise control 67
Automatic dimming, interior rearview mirror 50
Automatic recirculated air control (AUC) 87
Auxiliary terminal for jump- starting 121t
Average consumption 74
Average speed 74Avoiding unwanted
alarm 41
Axle loads 168
B
Backrest
adjusting 45
releasing 47
Backup lamps 64
bulb replacement 141t
Battery 148, 170
add distilled water 149t
capacity 170
charging 150t
current check lamp 20
removal and
installation 150
symbols 149
Belts 54
Beverage holder 91
BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil 124
BMW sports seat 46, 47
Bore 166
Bottle holder, refer to beverage holder 91
Brake hydraulic system 20
Brake lamps, bulb replacement 141t
Brake pads 107
indicator lamp for 21Brakes
driving notes 103
faults 107t
fluid change 71
fluid level 107
warning lamps 20
Break-in procedure 102
C
California Proposition
65 Warning 134
Can holder, refer to beverage holder 91
Capacities 169
Car Memory 52
Car phone 92
Car radio 110
reception 110, 158
refer also to the separate
Owner's Manual
Car vacuum cleaner, connecting 93
Car wash 128
Care exterior 129
interior 131
rubber seals and
components 108
upholstery 131
wool velour 131
Cargo loading 97

Everything from A to Z
175n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Caring for the vehicle
finish129
Cassette operation, refer to
the radio Owner's Manual
Catalytic converter103
starting problems103
CBC (Cornering Brake
Control)21, 104
CD operaton, refer to the
radio Owner's Manual
Cellular phone110
refer also to the separate
Owner's Manual
Center armrest91
Center (high-mount) brake
lamp143
Central locking system31
key36
Check Control72t
Checking air pressure26t
Checking engine oil
level123t
Child restraint
system55, 59
Child seat safety55, 60
Cigarette lighter93
Clean the headlamps67
Clean the windshield66
Clock73
Clothes hooks94
Cockpit16Code, refer to the radio
Owner's Manual
Coin box91
Combination switch65
Compression166
Computer72
Configuring the settings52
Consumption74
Consumption display70
Control elements16
Coolant108, 121t, 125
antifreeze108
Coolant temperature
gauge70
Cooling system169
Copyright4
Cornering Brake Control
(CBC)21, 104
Cruise control67
Cruising range74
Cup holder, refer to
beverage holder91
Curb weight168
DDashboard16
Data
dimensions167
engine166
technical166
weights168Daytime-driving lamp
switch81
Deep water103
Defrost position87t
Defrostable rear window88
Defrosting the
windows87t
Difficult steering110t
Digital clock73
Dimensions167
Dipstick123
Disk brakes106
Displacement166
Display lighting81
Displays18
Disposal
used batteries151
used engine oil124
Distance warning75
Diversity Antenna159
Door key30
Door locks, care108
Doors
emergency
actuation32t
operating manually32
remote control33
unlocking and
locking32, 33
DOT Quality Grades112
Draft-free ventilation88
Drive belts170Driving in winter108
Driving lamps81
Driving notes
aquaplaning103
brakes103
disk brakes106
sliding109
slippery roads108
DSC (Dynamic Stability
Control)22, 76, 159
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)22, 76, 159
EElectric power windows42
Electrical accessories,
failure151t
Electrical failure
fuel filler door152t
sliding/tilt sunroof153t
Electrical system170
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer31
Emergency actuation
doors32t
fuel filler door152t
sliding/tilt sunroof153t
Engine
compartment120
coolant125, 169
data166
displacement166

Everything from A to ZPark Distance Control
(PDC)75
Parking brake63
Parking help75
Parking lamp82
Parking, winter109
PDC (Park Distance
Control)75
Performance166
Phone hookup92
Phone, mobile110
Pollen88
Power seat47
Power windows42
Pressure specifications for
tires26
Pressure,
tires26, 26t, 111
Protective gloves141QQuality Grades112RRadiator169
Radio
please refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
reception110, 158
Radio Data System
(RDS)159
Rain sensor66, 160RDS (Radio Data
System)159
RDW (Tire Pressure
Warning)78
indicator lamp22
Reading lamps83
Rear backrest, folding95
Rear lamps141t
Rear window
defroster67, 88
Rear-entry assist47
Rearview mirror49
Recirculated air mode87
Reclining seat45
Refueling25
Remote control33
Removing condensation
from the windows87t
Repairing a flat tire145t
Replace windshield wiper
blades138t
Replacement key30t
Replacing bulbs138t
Reporting safety defects7
Restraint system55, 59
Return used
batteries151t
Reverse64
Roller blind, sun
protection89
Roof load capacity168Roof-mounted luggage
rack98
Rubber seals and
components108
SSafety belt tensioner159
Safety belts54
height adjustment55
three-point safety belt95
Safety buttons36
Safety defects, reporting7
Safety feature, electric
power windows42
Safety glasses141
Seat
mechanical45
power47
Seat adjusting45
Seat heating89
Seat memory51
Securing cargo97
Securing loads97
Self-defrosting mirrors49
Self-diagnostics162
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet127
Service Interval
Display71, 127
Service Manual127
Side airbags56Side impact Head Protection
System56
Side lamps81
Side marker lamp, bulb
replacement139t
Side turn signals, bulb
replacement140t
Ski bag96
Sliding/tilt sunroof43
closing after electrical
fault153t
convenience
operation32, 33
remote control33
Snow chains108, 115
Socket93
for flashlights93
for power supplies93
for vacuum cleaner93
Spare key30t
Spark plugs170
Speaker92
Speedometer18
Sport-mode,
identification80
Sports seat46, 47
Starting
problems63t, 103
Starting the engine62
Steel wheels116
Steering110
Steering lock62