2003 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE Owner's Manual

145 Giving and receiving assistance
Jump-startingWhen 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 high-voltage wiring
and cables on a running engine.
Contact with components carrying high
voltage can be harmful or fatal.
Carefully observe the following instruc-
tions to avoid personal injury and/or
damage to one or both vehicles.<
1. The battery in the support vehicle
must be rated at 12 volts. This infor-
mation is provided on the battery
label
2. Stop the engine of the support vehi-
cle and switch off all electrical com-
ponents in both vehicles – except for
the hazard warning flashers of the
support vehicle
3. Make absolutely certain that there is
no contact between the bodywork of
the two vehicles – short circuit haz-
ard
4. The auxiliary jump-starting terminal
located in your BMW's engine com-
partment acts as the positive battery
terminal. The cover of this auxiliary
terminal is marked with a + sign.
Remove by pulling the tab, see
arrow 1. Start by connecting the
jumper cable from the positive termi-
nal of the discharged battery to the
positive terminal of the support bat-
tery
5. Then connect the negative terminals
with the other jumper cable. Attach
the cable to either the support vehi-
cle's negative battery terminal or to a
suitable ground on its engine or
bodywork. Then connect the other
end to the negative battery terminal
or a suitable ground on the vehicle
being started. Your BMW is
equipped with a special nut for this
purpose – see 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.<
6. Start the engine of the support vehi-
cle and let it run for several minutes
at a slightly elevated engine idle
speed
7. Start the engine of the other vehicle
as usual. 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.
Do not use spray starter fluids to
start the engine.<
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
handbook.book Page 145 Tuesday, July 30, 2002 9:28 AM

146
Towing the vehicleTowing eyeletThe towing eyelet, which can be
unscrewed, is in the luggage compart-
ment under the floor mat and must
remain in the vehicle. This eyelet is
designed for installation in the tow
sockets located at the front and rear of
the vehicle. It is intended for towing on
paved road surfaces only.
The towing eyelet should not be used
to pull a vehicle out of deep snow, mud,
sand, etc.
Comply with all applicable towing laws
and regulations at all times.
Access to tow socketsFront:
Press out the cover panel with a screw-
driver at the top of the recess.
Rear:
Press out the cover panel with a screw-
driver at the top of the recess.
Make sure the towing eyelet is
firmly screwed all the way in, oth-
erwise the thread could be damaged.
Only use the towing eyelet provided in
the vehicle to avoid damage.
Do not tow the vehicle by any compo-
nents of the running gear, or lash them
down in any way. If you do, the compo-
nents could be damaged, possibly
leading to accidents.<
Keep the vehicles in line and avoid
towing at an offset angle. Ensure
that the tow rope connecting the two
vehicles is tight, with no slack, before
starting off.<
handbook.book Page 146 Tuesday, July 30, 2002 9:28 AM

147
Use only a nylon towing strap to tow
the vehicle, since the inherent resil-
ience of this material helps protect both
vehicles from sudden jerking move-
ments.
The towed vehicle should always
be the lighter of the two vehicles.
If this is not the case, it will not be pos-
sible to control vehicle handling. to page 145.
Never attempt to use your vehicle to
push another vehicle, since damage to
the energy-absorbing bumpers could
result.Towing a vehicle1. Gearshift 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 sig-
nal indicators, horn and windshield
wipers remain operative, and to pre-
vent the steering lock detent from
engaging
5. Switch on the hazard-warning sys-
tem – observe applicable legal regu-
lations.
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 pre-
vent 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.<
Vehicle 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.<
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, possibly lead-
ing to accidents.<
Towing the vehicle
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
handbook.book Page 147 Tuesday, July 30, 2002 9:28 AM

148handbook.book Page 148 Tuesday, July 30, 2002 9:28 AM

149
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
handbook.book Page 149 Tuesday, July 30, 2002 9:28 AM

150
Engine dataDisplacement
Number of cylinderscu in/cm
3
198.1/3,246
6
Max. power output
at engine speedhp/kW
rpm333/248
7,900
Maximum torque
at engine speedlb ft/Nm
rpm262/355
4,900
Compression ratioε11.5
Stroke
Borein/mm
in/mm3.58/91
3.43/87
Fuel-injection system Digital electronic engine-management
system
handbook.book Page 150 Tuesday, July 30, 2002 9:28 AM

151
Dimensions
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
handbook.book Page 151 Tuesday, July 30, 2002 9:28 AM

152
WeightsCurb weight lbs/kg 3,782/1,715
Approved gross vehicle weight lbs/kg 4,630/2,100
Approved front axle load lbs/kg 2,183/990
Approved rear axle load lbs/kg 2,579/1,170
Permissible roof load for the hardtop lbs/kg 165/75
Luggage compartment capacity
with the convertible top compartment raisedcu ft/l 9.2/260
10.6/300
Approved axle loads and approved gross vehicle weight may not be exceeded.
handbook.book Page 152 Tuesday, July 30, 2002 9:28 AM