We are pleased you have decided on a BMW M3.
Thorough familiarity with your vehicle will provide you with enhanced control and
security when you drive it. We therefore have this request:
Please read the information summarized for you in this Owner's Manual, before
starting off in your new BMW M3. It contains important instructions for operating
your vehicle that will allow you to get the most out of your BMW M3's technologi-
cally advanced qualities. In addition, you will find information on maintenance and
care, there to ensure operating and driving safety, as well as to maintain the best
possible value of your vehicle.
BMW M also makes a decisive contribution toward greater safety in traffic through
its BMW driver training.
This Owner's Manual should be considered a permanent part of this vehicle. It
should stay with the vehicle when sold to provide the next owner with important
operating, safety and maintenance information.
This manual is supplemented by a Service and Warranty Information Booklet
(US models) or a Warranty and Service Guide Booklet (Canadian models).
We recommend that you read this publication thoroughly.
Your BMW M3 is covered by the following warranties:
Ð New Vehicle Limited Warranty
Ð Limited Warranty Rust Perforation
Ð Federal Emissions System Defect Warranty
Ð Federal Emissions Performance Warranty
Ð California Emission Control System Limited Warranty
Detailed information about these warranties is listed in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US models) or in the Warranty and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models).
We wish you an enjoyable driving experience.
BMW M
Preface
21n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Indicator and warning lamps
Red: an important reminder
Parking brake
Comes on when the parking
brake is applied Ð an additional
acoustic signal sounds when starting
off.
For additional information, refer to
page 63.
Parking brake lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Please fasten safety belts
l
A warning signal will sound at
the same time. Lights up for a
few seconds or until the safety belt is
fastened.
For additional information on safety
belts, refer to page 54.
Airbags
l
Please have the system
inspected by your authorized
BMW center.
For additional information,refer to
pages 56, 158.
Red and yellow: continue driving
cautiously
If the brake warning lamp
comes on together with the
yellow indicator lamps for ABS
and DSC:
The entire ABS, CBC and DSC
control system has failed.
Continue driving cautiously and
defensively. Avoid hard brake
applications. Please have the system
checked by your BMW center as soon
as possible.
For additional information, refer to
pages 76, 105.
ABS, CBC and DSC indicator
and warning lamps for Canadian
models.
Yellow: check as soon as possible
Antilock Brake System (ABS) l
ABS has been deactivated in
response to system malfunction.
Conventional braking efficiency is avail-
able and unrestricted. Please have the
system inspected by your BMW center.
For additional information, refer to
page 104.
ABS warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Engine oil level
Lights up while driving:
The oil level is at the absolute
minimum; therefore, add engine oil as
soon as possible. Do not drive more
than 30 miles (50 km) until you do.
For additional information, refer to
page 123.
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been shut off: add more engine
oil the next time you stop for gas.
For additional information, refer to
page 123.
Brake pads l
Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information, refer
to page 107.
32n
Opening and closing Ð via the door lockUsing the keyTurning the key once in the driver's
door will unlock only the driver's door.
Turning the key a second time will
unlock the passenger's door, the
luggage compartment lid and the fuel
filler door.
You can have a signal set as an
acknowledgment message that
the vehicle is closed correctly.<
Convenience operating modeYou can also open the electric windows
and the sliding/tilt sunroof via the door
lock.
With the door closed, turn the key to
the "Unlock" position and hold it.Manual operation (in the event of electrical malfunction)
Turn the key all the way to the extreme
left or right to unlock/lock the door.
34n
Opening and closing Ð via the remote controlTo unlock the vehiclePress button 1.
After unlocking the driver's door, press
button 1 again to unlock the entire
vehicle.Convenience opening modePress and hold button 1. The windows
and the sliding/tilt sunroof are opened.To lock and securePress button 2.
To switch on the interior lampsAfter locking the vehicle, press
button 2.To deactivate the alarm system tilt
sensor and interior motion sensor Press button 2 a second time immedi-
ately after locking.
For additional information, refer to
page 41.
To open the luggage
compartment lidPress button 3.
The lid will open slightly, no matter
whether it was locked or unlocked.
Before and after a trip, be sure
that the luggage compartment lid
was not opened unintentionally.<
35n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Opening and closing Ð via the remote controlPanic mode (trigger alarm) By pressing button 3 for more than two
seconds, the alarm can be sounded in
the event of danger, if it is armed.
Pressing on button 1 will turn the alarm
off.
External systemsThe proper functioning of the remote
control system may be affected by
other units or equipment operating in
the immediate vicinity of your vehicle.
If this should occur, you can still open
and close the vehicle using the master
key in both the door and luggage
compartment locks.
For US owners onlyThe transmitter and receiver units
comply with part 15 of the FCC (Federal
Communication Commission) regula-
tions. Operation is governed by the
following:
FCC ID: LX8EWS
LX8FZVS
LX8FZVE
Compliance statement:
This device complies with part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
>This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
>this device must accept any interfer-
ence received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications to
these devices could void the
user's authority to operate the equip-
ment.<
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Sliding/tilt sunroof
*
To prevent injuries, exercise care
when closing the sliding/tilt
sunroof and keep it in your field of
vision until it is shut.
Remove the key from the ignition and
close the doors when you leave the
vehicle so that children cannot operate
the sunroof and possibly injure them-
selves.<
A vacuum or a draft in the passenger
compartment can be avoided when the
roof is opened or raised by keeping the
vent outlets on the instrument panel
open and possibly increasing the air
supply. Refer to page 87.
If the sunroof is completely open, air
disturbances may be caused in the
vehicle when you are driving at higher
speeds. Close the roof as far as neces-
sary until this natural phenomenon
ceases.
Lifting Ð opening Ð closingFrom ignition key position 1.
After turning the ignition off, you can
operate the sunroof for up to
15 minutes, as long as no door is
opened during that time.
Lifting/opening/closing: press the
switch or slide it in the desired direction
until you feel resistance.
When the roof is open, tap the switch in
the "lifting" direction. The sunroof will
then move into the end position for
"lifting".
The headliner insert slides back some-
what when you raise the sunroof. When
the sunroof is opened the headliner
retracts with it.
Do not close the headliner insert
with force when the sunroof is
open, otherwise the mechanism will be
damaged.<
For the convenience operating mode
via the door lock or the remote control,
refer to page 32.
Automatic opening and closingPress the switch past the resistance
point: the sunroof moves to either the
fully-closed or fully-open position.
Tapping the switch again stops the
motion immediately.
62n
0 Steering locked
1 Steering unlocked
2 Ignition switched on
3 Starting the engine
Steering locked The key can be inserted or removed in
this position only.
To lock the steering column after you
have removed the key, turn the steering
wheel until you hear it lock.
If the key is not removed, an acoustic
signal sounds after the driver's door
has been opened.
Steering unlocked Individual electrical accessories are
ready for operation.
You 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. Ignition switched onAll electrical equipment and accesso-
ries are available for use. 1 Engage the parking brake
2 Put manual-shift gear lever in idling
position
3 Step on the clutch pedal
4 Turn the key to position 3 to start the
engine.
Do not actuate the starter for too short
a time. Do not turn it for more than
approx. 20 seconds. Release the igni-
tion key immediately when the engine
starts.
Do not allow the engine to run in
enclosed spaces. The exhaust
gases contain carbon monoxide, an
odorless and colorless, but highly toxic
gas. Breathing the exhaust gases poses
an extreme health risk, and can lead to
unconsciousness and death.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended
with the engine running. An unat-
tended vehicle with a running engine
represents a potential safety hazard.<
Do not allow the engine to warm
up by leaving it running while the
vehicle remains stationary. Instead,
begin driving immediately at a
moderate engine speed.<
Steering/Ignition lock Starting the engine
65n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp flasher Washer/Wiper system1 High beam (blue indicator lamp)
2 Headlamp flasher (blue indicator
lamp)
3 Turn signal indicator (green indicator
accompanied by periodic clicking
sound from the relay)To signal brieflyPress the lever up to but not beyond
the detent. It then returns to the center
position when released.
If the flashing indicator lamp and
the clicking from the relay are
both faster than normal, one of the turn
signal indicators has failed.<
0 Wipers retracted
1 Intermittent mode or rain sensor
2 Normal wiper speed
3 Fast wiper speed
4 Brief wipe
5 Rotary dial for control of the wipe
interval or the sensitivity of the rain
sensorIntermittent mode(not on vehicles with rain sensor)
You can set the wipe interval at four
stages with rotary dial 5. In addition, the
wipe interval is varied automatically
depending on road speed.