2003 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE engine

Contents

9

Passenger safety systems:

Airbags57
Transporting children safely59
Rollover protection system63
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory65

Driving:

Ignition lock66
Starting engine and driving
off67
Switching off the engine69
Parking brake69
Manual transmission70
Sequential M gearbox
SMG II*71
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher76
Washer/wiper system/Rain
sensor*77
Cruise control78

Everything under control:

Odometer80
Tachometer80
Temperature gauge80
Fuel gauge81
Engine coolant temperature
gauge81
Service interval display82
Check Control82
Clock83
Computer84

Technology for safety and
driving convenience:

Park Distance Control (PDC)*86
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)87
Flat Tire Monitor88
M Engine dynamics control91

Lamps:

Parking lamps/Low beams92
Instrument lighting93
High beams/Standing lamps93
Fog lamps94
Interior lamps94
Reading lamps94

Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:

Automatic climate control96

Interior conveniences:

Glove compartment101
Storage compartments101
Cellular phone*102
Ashtray, front*102
Ashtray, rear*103

Loading and transporting:

Ski bag*104
Cargo loading106
Roof-mounted luggage rack for
the hardtop*107

Operation, maintenance

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures110
Driving notes111
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)111
Brake system112
Hardtop*113

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressure115
Tire condition115
Tire replacement116
Wheel and tire
combinations118
Winter tires118
Snow chains*119

In the engine compartment:

Hood120
Engine compartment
essentials122
Washer fluids124
Engine oil124
Coolant126
Brake fluid127

Maintenance:

The BMW Maintenance
System128

Laws and regulations:

California Proposition 65
warning130
OBD interface socket130

Controls and features

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Contents

Owner service procedures

Replacement procedures:

Onboard tool kit134
Windshield wiper blades134
Lamps and bulbs135
Repairing a flat tire139
Battery143
Fuses144

Giving and receiving
assistance:

Jump-starting145
Towing the vehicle146
Technical data
Engine data150
Dimensions151
Weights152
Capacities153
Index

Everything from A to Z156

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17
1Fuel gauge81
2Turn signal indicator20
3Speedometer
4Indicator and warning lamps18
to 21
5Tachometer and engine oil
temperature gauge80
6Engine coolant temperature
gauge81
7Indicator and warning lamps18
to 21
8Clock reset

>

Clock83

>

Unit of measure of outside
temperature display84
9Display for sequential M gearbox
SMG II72
10 Indicator lamp for Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC)87
11 Display for

>

Trip odometer80

>

Clock83

>

Service interval82

>

Computer84
12 Check Control82
13 Trip odometer, reset to zero80
14 Indicator and warning lamps18
to 21

Instrument cluster

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18

Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself

Indicator and warning lamps that are
identified by

●

are tested for proper
functioning whenever the ignition key is
turned. They each light up once for dif-
ferent periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these
systems, the corresponding lamp does
not go out after the engine is started or
it lights up while the vehicle is moving.
You will see how to react to this below.

Red: stop immediately

Battery charge current

●

The battery is no longer being
charged. There is a malfunction
of the alternator drive belt or in the
charging circuit of the alternator. please
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the drive belt is defective, stop
and switch off the engine immedi-
ately to prevent overheating and seri-
ous engine damage. If the drive belt is
defective, increased steering effort is
also required.

<

Engine oil pressure

●

An alarm sounds at the same
time. Stop vehicle immediately
and switch off engine. Check the
engine oil level and top up as required.
If the oil level is correct, please contact
the nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving, as the
engine could sustain serious dam-
age from inadequate lubrication.

<

Flat Tire Monitor

●

In addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded: a tire failure has
occurred. To come to an immediate
stop, reduce speed, while avoiding any
sudden, jerky braking or steering
maneuvers.
For additional information: refer to
page 88
Brake warning lamp

●

If the lamp comes on when the
parking brake is not engaged:
check the brake fluid level. Before driv-
ing further, be sure to comply with the
instructions on pages 112 and 127.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.

Red: an important reminder

Brake warning lamp
●
Comes on when the parking
brake is engaged – an additional
acoustic signal sounds when starting
off. For additional information: refer to
page 69
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Lock backrest/Please fasten
safety belts

●

comes on together with an
acoustic signal until the safety belts are
fastened. Flashes when the backrest is
not locked.
For additional information on locking
the backrest, refer to page 51
For additional information on safety
belts: refer to page 52
Airbags

●

Please have the system
inspected at your BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 57

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19

Red and yellow: continue driving
cautiously

The red brake warning lamp
lights up together with the yel-
low indicator lamps for ABS

●


and DSC:
The entire ABS, CBC and DSC
control system has failed. Con-
tinue to drive; drive cautiously
and defensively and avoid full
brake applications. Please have the
system checked by your BMW center
as soon as possible.
For additional information: refer to
pages 87, 111
Indicator and warning lamps
CBC, ABS and DSC for Cana-
dian models.

Orange: consult the nearest BMW
center

Sequential M gearbox SMG II
If the indicator lamp fails to go
out after the engine has been
started, or if it comes on during normal
driving: this indicates a malfunction in
the system. Please consult the nearest
BMW center.
Indicator lamp flashes: a system over-
load has occurred.
For additional information: refer to
page 75

Yellow: check as soon as possible

Engine oil level
Comes on while driving and is
accompanied by an alarm: the
engine oil level has fallen to the abso-
lute minimum; refill as soon as possible.
Do not drive more than 30 miles/50 km
before refilling.
For additional information: refer to
page 124

Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been shut off and is accompa-
nied by an alarm: add engine oil at your
earliest opportunity such as when you
stop to refuel
For additional information: refer to
page 124
Brake pads

●

Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information: refer
to page 112
Flat Tire Monitor

●

The Flat Tire Monitor has been
deactivated, either at the button
or in response to a system malfunction.
In the event of a malfunction, have the
system checked by your BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
pages 25, 88
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)

●

The indicator lamp flashes and
an acoustic signal sounds: the system
is active and governs drive and braking
force.
If the indicator lamp fails to go out after
the engine is started, or if it comes on
during normal driving and stays on:
DSC has been deactivated, either at the

Indicator and warning lamps
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20
button or in response to a system mal-
function. In the event of a malfunction,
have the system checked by your near-
est BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 87
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)

●

Malfunction in DBC system.
Conventional braking efficiency
is available and unrestricted.
Have the system checked and repaired
at your BMW center as soon as possi-
ble.
For additional information: refer to
page 88
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Add washer fluid
The washer fluid is too low. Top
off the fluid at the earliest
opportunity.
For additional information: refer to
page 124
SERVICE ENGINE SOON

●

If the indicator lamp comes on
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems.

Although the vehicle remains opera-
tional, you should have the systems
checked by your BMW center at the
earliest possible opportunity.
For additional information: refer to
page 130
Service Engine Soon warning
lamp for Canadian models.
Engine electronics

●

There is a fault in the electronic
engine-management system.
You can continue to drive with reduced
engine output or engine speed. Please
have the system inspected at your
BMW center.
Add coolant
Coolant level too low, top up as
soon as possible.
For additional information: refer to
page 126
CHECK FILLER CAP

●

This indicator lamp comes on
when the fuel filler cap is loose
or missing.
Close the filler cap tightly: refer to
page 24

Rollover protection system

●

The rollover protection system is
deactivated due to a malfunc-
tion. Please have the system inspected
immediately at your BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 63

Green: for your information

Turn signal indicator
Flashes when turn signals are
on. Rapid flashing: indicates a
system malfunction.
For additional information: refer to
page 76
Cruise control
Lights up when the cruise con-
trol is activated. Ready for oper-
ation via the steering wheel with multi-
function buttons.
For additional information: refer to
page 78
Front fog lamps
Lights up whenever the fog
lamps are on.
For additional information: refer to
page 94

Indicator and warning lamps

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24
RefuelingFuel filler door
Always switch off the engine
before refueling, as it is not possi-
ble to add fuel with the engine running,
and attempts may also trigger the
SERVICE ENGINE SOON lamp.<
Press on the rear edge of the fuel filler
door to open and close it.
If an electrical malfunction occurs, you
can unlock the fuel filler door manually:
Pull the knob with the fuel pump symbol
on the right trim panel of the luggage
compartment.
When handling fuels, comply with
all of the applicable safety precau-
tions posted at the service station.
Never carry spare fuel containers in
your vehicle. Whether empty or full,
these containers can leak, cause an
explosion, or lead to fire in the event of
a collision.<
Simple and environmentally
friendly
Open the filler cap carefully to
prevent fuel from spraying out.
Fuel spray may cause injury.<
Keep the filler cap in the bracket
attached to the fuel filler door – see
arrow.
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle
completely into the filler pipe. Pulling
the nozzle out of the pipe during refuel-
ing
>results in premature pump shutoff
>and will reduce the effect of the vapor
recovery system on the pump.
The fuel tank is full when the filler noz-
zle shuts off the first time.
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25
Close the fuel filler cap carefully
after refueling until a click is
heard. While closing, be sure not to
squeeze the strap which is fastened to
the cap. A loose or missing cap will
activate the CHECK FILLER CAP
lamp.<
Fuel tank capacity>Approx. 16.6 gal./63 liters, of which
>approx. 2.1 gal./8 liters are reserve
capacity.
Do not drive to the last drop of
fuel. This can prevent the engine
from operating properly and result in
damage.<
Fuel specificationsThe engine uses lead-free gasoline
only.
Required fuel:
>Premium Unleaded Gasoline,
min. 91 AKI.
AKI = Anti Knock Index
Never use leaded fuel, as it would
cause permanent and irreversible
damage to the oxygen sensor and the
catalytic converter.<
Tire inflation pressureThe specified inflation pressures are
provided on a sticker attached to the
B-pillar and are visible with the driver's
door open.Checking tire pressuresAll pressures are specified in the units
usually used in your country – psi/kilo-
pascal – for tires at ambient tempera-
tures, also refer to the following tire
inflation pressure table.
After correcting the tire inflation pres-
sure, reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor so
that it can monitor the tire inflation
pressure, refer to page 88.
Refueling
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