2002 BMW M3 COUPE maintenance

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Lamps and bulbsCenter (high-mount) brake lamp

LED light bar on the rear window.
Please contact a BMW center in case of
malfunction.
License plate lamps 5 watt bulb
1. Place a screwdriver in the slot and
press toward the left (arrow) to
release the lens
2. Replace the bulb.

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Repairing a flat tire
Please keep in mind that the fluids
bottle in the system's sealant
container has to be changed every
3 years by your BMW center, if the unit
has not been used.<
This is part of the M Mobility
system1 On/Off switch
2 Connection hose with manometer for
connecting the compressor with the
sealant container or to connect the
compressor to the wheel
3 Manometer for indicating the tire
pressure
4 Connector hose from the sealant
container to the wheel
5 Sticker for maximum speed
6 Plug and cable for the cigarette
lighter socket
7 Protective gloves (not shown).
Filling with sealant1. Take the round cover off and hose 4
out. Unscrew the valve stem dust
cap from the defective wheel and
screw the hose to the valve. Keep
the dust cap in a safe place.

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Repairing a flat tire Inflating tire to correct pressure1. Take the hose with the manometer
out and screw it onto the valve.
Take the plug out and plug it into the
cigarette lighter socket in the
passenger compartment
2. Reset the air pressure to 29 psi
(200 kilopascal), and:
>Increase tire pressure: turn on the
M Mobility system (Position I). Turn
the unit off while you check the
current setting for the tire pressure
>Decrease tire pressure: turn the
screw on the back of the mano-
meter, a valve located there will
open
Even if the tire fails to hold the
pressure, you should still carry out
Step 3 before proceeding to drive the
vehicle again, refer to "Distributing
sealant" for more information. Then
repeat Steps 1 through 3.
The use of the M Mobility system may
be ineffective if the damaged area in
the tire is larger than approx. 0.16 in
(4 mm). Please consult the nearest
BMW center if the tire cannot be
temporarily repaired with the M Mobility
system.<
3. Unscrew the hose from the valve
and stow the M Mobility system in
the luggage compartment. Screw
the dust cap onto the valve again.
Do not exceed the maximum
speed limit described below,
otherwise it could lead to accidents.<
After the flat tire has been fixed and you
start driving again, do not exceed a
maximum speed of 45 mph (80 km/h).
You will find corresponding
instructions for using the
M Mobility system on the device.
Replace the defective tire as soon as
possible and have the new wheel
balanced. Reinitialize the Flat Tire
Monitor, and refer to page 78 for further
information. Have the M Mobility
system refilled. Contact your BMW
center for this.<
Protect valve stems against dirt using
screw-on dust caps. Dirty valve stems
frequently lead to slow pressure loss.

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Battery Fuses
Battery posts, terminals, and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds. Wash hands after
handling.<
Battery careThe battery is completely maintenance-
free. That means that the original
battery acid will normally last for the
service life of the battery under
moderate climate conditions.
Please consult your BMW center
whenever you have any questions
concerning the battery. Since the
battery is absolutely maintenance-free,
the following statements are for your
information only.<
Never disconnect the battery
when the engine is running; the
ensuing voltage surge would seriously
damage the vehicle's onboard elec-
tronic systems.<
Charging the battery Charge the battery in the vehicle only
when the engine is not running. Use the
connections provided in the engine
compartment (for correct connections,
refer to "Jump-starting" on page 131.
Return used batteries to a recy-
cling point or your BMW center.
Maintain the battery in an upright posi-
tion for transport and storage. Secure
the battery against tilting in transit.<
Open the glove compartment and turn
the two white quick-release fasteners
outward.
Do not attempt to repair a burned
fuse or replace it with a fuse
having a different color or ampere
rating. To do this could cause a fire in
the vehicle resulting from a circuit over-
load.<

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Do not use spray starter fluids to start
the engine.
When your battery is discharged you
can use two jumper cables to start your
vehicle with power from the battery in a
second vehicle. You can also use the
same method to help start another
vehicle. Use only jumper cables with
fully insulated handles on the terminal
clamps.
Do not touch the parts conducting
current while the engine is
running. Failure to comply with this
creates a risk of fatal injury.
Carefully observe the following instruc-
tions to avoid personal injury and/or
damage to one or both vehicles.<
1. Ensure that the battery in the support
vehicle is also rated at 12 volts. This
information is provided on the top of
the battery casing
2. Do not disconnect your battery from
your vehicle's electrical system.
Switch off all electrical accessories in
both vehicles
3. Make absolutely certain that there is
no contact between the bodywork of
the two vehicles Ð short circuit
hazard
4. Start the engine on the support
vehicle and allow it to run
5. Use one jumper cable (+) to connect
the positive terminal of the battery in
the support vehicle with the auxiliary
positive terminal provided in the
engine compartment of your BMW
specifically for jump-starting. The
cover of the positive terminal
connector is marked with a "+" sign.
Refer to the illustration. Remove by
pulling the tab (arrow 1)
6. Next, connect one end of the other
jumper cable (-) to either the support
vehicle's negative battery terminal or
a suitable ground on its engine or
bodywork. Connect the other end to
the negative battery terminal or a
suitable ground on the vehicle being
started. There is a special nut
provided for this on the BMW
(arrow 2)
Always adhere to this sequence
when connecting jumper cables;
failure to observe this procedure can
lead to sparks at the battery terminals
and pose an injury hazard.<
7. Allow the engine of the support
vehicle to run at a fast idle for several
minutes, then start the engine on the
vehicle with the discharged battery in
the usual manner. If the first start
attempt is not successful, wait a few
minutes before another attempt in
order to allow the discharged battery
to recharge
8. Allow the engines to run for several
minutes before disconnecting the
jumper cables
9. Then disconnect the jumper cables
in the opposite order.
Have the battery recharged at your
BMW center as required.
Jump-starting

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Towing the vehicleTowing a vehicle1. Shift lever in Neutral
2. Towing speed:
Max. 45 mph (70 km/h)
3. Towing distance:
Max. 95 miles (150 km)
4. Leave the ignition key at position 1 to
ensure that the brake lamps, turn
signal indicators, horn and wind-
shield wipers remain operative, and
to prevent the steering lock detent
from engaging
5. Switch on the hazard-warning
system (observe applicable legal
regulations).
Find some means of identifying the
vehicle in tow, for instance, place a sign
or warning triangle in the rear window.
Make sure that the ignition key
remains in position 1 even when
the electrical system has failed to
prevent the steering lock from
engaging.
The steering and brakes are without
power assist when the engine is off.
This means that increased effort is
required for steering and braking.c
Vehicles with sequential M gearbox
*
SMG II:
To push or tow, engage selector lever
in position 0.
Never work on the vehicle with a
driving position engaged.c
Towing with a commercial tow
truck>Do not tow with sling-type equipment
>Use wheel lift or flatbed equipment
>Please comply with applicable state
towing laws.
Never allow passengers to ride in
a towed vehicle for any reason.
Never attach tie-down hooks, chains,
straps, or tow hooks to tie rods, control
arms, or any other part of the vehicle
suspension, as severe damage to these
components will occur, leading to
possible accidents.c

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Index Technical data

Index

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Smallest turning radius dia.: 36.1 ft (11.0 m).
Dimensions