2003 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE tow

Thank you for deciding on a BMW M3 convertible.
Thorough familiarity with your vehicle will provide you with enhanced control and
security when you drive it. Therefore, we have one request:
Read the information contained in this Owner's Manual before driving your new
BMW M3 convertible for the first time. It contains important information on vehicle
operation that will enable you to make full use of the advanced technical equipment
of your BMW M3 convertible. In addition, you will receive information on vehicle
maintenance to help ensure operating and traffic safety as well as the best possible
value retention of your BMW.
For more detailed information refer to the Supplemental Manuals.
BMW M also makes decisive contributions 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.
We wish you an enjoyable driving experience.
BMW M

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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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37
Luggage compartmentTo fold up and secure the floor
panel1. Pull up at the handle and fold the
panel up
2. Press the button – see arrow – to
release the hanger from the handle
3. Hook the handle into the rubber seal
of the drip rail – see arrow.
Carefully replace the hanger in its
holder when lowering the floor
panel back down.<
The fittings at the corners of the lug-
gage compartment provide you with a
convenient means of attaching luggage
nets* and flexible straps for securing
luggage.
Refer also to Cargo loading on
page 106.
Enlarging luggage compartmentWith the convertible top closed, you
can enlarge the luggage compartment.
To do this, flip the handle outward and
press it down and toward the front of
the vehicle – see arrow. The convertible
top compartment panel is now raised
and secured.To fold down the convertible top
compartment panelTo open the convertible top, the con-
vertible top compartment panel must
be lowered. To do this, fold out the
handle and pull opposite the direction
of travel.
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38
When opening the convertible top,
refer to page 41, make sure that
the luggage compartment is set up for
this, otherwise you may damage some-
thing.<
Alarm system*The conceptThe vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the lug-
gage compartment lid are opened
>To movement inside the vehicle –
interior motion sensor
>Altering the vehicle tilt, e.g. as would
occur while attempting to steal the
wheels or tow the vehicle – tilt alarm
sensor system
>To interruption of battery voltage.
The system responds to unauthorized
vehicle entry and attempted theft by
simultaneously activating the following:
>Sounding an acoustic alarm for
30 seconds
>Activating the hazard warning flash-
ers for approx. five minutes
>Flashing the high beams on and off in
rhythm with the hazard warning flash-
ers.To arm and disarm the alarm
systemWhen the vehicle is locked or unlocked
by using a key or with the remote con-
trol, the alarm system is also simulta-
neously armed or disarmed.You can have a signal set as
acknowledgment for both arming
and disarming the alarm.<
You can also open the luggage com-
partment lid when the system is armed
by pressing the button of the remote
control, refer to page 32. When it is
closed, the lid is once again secured.
Luggage compartment
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43
4. Press and hold the corresponding
button for convertible top operation.
The red indicator lamp will light up
while the convertible top is in motion.
It goes out as soon as the opening or
closing operation has been com-
pleted.
If the red indicator lamp flashes after
the button is released, then the
opening or closing operation is not
yet completed. The sequence can be
continued in the desired direction by
pressing this button.
If the yellow indicator lamp lights up
continuously with the button
pressed, then the convertible top
compartment panel is raised and the
convertible top cannot be moved,
refer to step 2.
The automatic sequence will be
interrupted immediately if you
release the button that operates the
top. The sequence can be continued in
the desired direction by pressing this
button.<
During convertible top operation
the rear window moves toward the
passenger compartment. To prevent
injuries, make sure that the closing path
of the convertible top is unobstructed.<
When operating the convertible top, the
windows will lower slightly when you
press the button, and after the opening
or closing operation has finished, they
will go back up, if you keep holding the
button down for more than 2 seconds
after the indicator lamp has gone out.
The luggage compartment lid cannot be
opened while the convertible top is in
motion.
Do not close the side power win-
dows using the buttons if the con-
vertible top operation has been inter-
rupted.<
If the convertible top has been
stored in the convertible top com-
partment for longer periods, e.g. during
the winter months while the hardtop is
being used, it may be necessary to
manually support the first automatic
closing operation: if the convertible top
should halt right before the closing
phase is completed, press against the
front part of the convertible top frame
from the outside to help the closing
process along. Keep pressing the but-
ton while doing so until the top starts
up again on its own.<
Operate the convertible top manu-
ally in emergency situations only
to avoid causing damage due to incor-
rect operation.<
If the opening or closing operation
is interrupted, the convertible top
remains in the respective position for
15 minutes, and the sequence can be
continued in the desired direction with
the button. After that, the convertible
top can be moved again and, if it is an
emergency situation, you may have to
help the top along manually. This can
also be done in ignition key position 0.
In certain cases, the luggage compart-
ment lid cannot be opened if the open-
ing or closing operation has been inter-
rupted.<
Convenience operation from the
driver's door lockRefer to page 33.
Convertible top
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46
Wind deflector*With the convertible top open, the wind
deflector keeps air movement in the
passenger compartment to a minimum,
thus providing you with a pleasant
drive, even at higher speeds. The wind
deflector comes in a protective sleeve,
and because of its slim dimensions, can
be easily stored in the luggage com-
partment.Installation1. Remove wind deflector from the pro-
tective sleeve
2. Flip out both sides and lock into
place. It is essential for the two com-
ponents marked in the illustration –
see arrows – to mesh at this point
3. Hold the wind deflector so that the
smaller half points toward the front
and guide the mounting pin for the
side piece into the proper opening
4. Pull back on the mounting pin for the
other side piece by using a slide, so
that the mounting pin can be guided
into the opening provided
5. Unlock the convertible top compart-
ment lid via the convertible top con-
trol button, refer to page 42, and
open the convertible top compart-
ment lid
6. Flip the back half of the wind deflec-
tor backward, so that the mounts are
lying on the vehicle
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63
Rollover protection system In the event of an accident or some
other critical driving situation – extreme
tilting in the longitudinal or transverse
axis, loss of contact with the ground –
the rollover protection system will be
automatically activated. The protective
bars located in the rear head restraints
extend within fractions of a second.
In addition to the integrated rollover bar
in the windshield frame, the rollover
protection system affords all the vehicle
occupants necessary headroom.
Always keep the travel path for the
rollover protection system free
and clear. Under no circumstances
should you cover the head restraints.
In the event of less serious accidents,
the safety belt will protect you and,
depending on the severity of the acci-
dent, so will the safety belt tensioner
and the multi-stage airbag restraint sys-
tem as well.<
If, after being automatically triggered,
the protective function is not needed,
then the rollover protection system can
be lowered back into place. No special
tool is needed for this.
1. Using a screwdriver from the on-
board tool kit, remove the cover
panel; to do this, position the screw-
driver under the notch – see arrow
2. Pull up on the lever toward the front
of the vehicle – see arrow – and keep
it in this position
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72
Display in instrument clusterThe selector lever position, currently
engaged gear and selected driving pro-
gram are displayed in the instrument
cluster.
1Engaged gear
2Selected driving program, corre-
sponds to the number of illuminated
fields, refer to page 74
3Tapping the selector lever to the right
switches over into the displayed shift
mode
4"A" indicates an activated automated
shift mode
R – Reverse positionOnly engage with the vehicle stopped
or at low speed, e.g. for rocking free in
deep snow.
An intermittent signal tone indi-
cates that the reverse position has
been engaged.<0 – Position 0 (Neutral)Always engage before starting the
engine.
If the driving situation requires, e.g.
when downshifting on slippery roads,
the SMG II automatically disengages
and reengages the clutch, i.e. it is not
necessary to manually engage
position 0.S – Sequential modeIn the sequential mode all forward
gears are to be shifted by the driver.
Changeover from automated to
sequential mode:
>Tap the selector lever to the right
toward S or
>Change gears with the selector lever
or the shift paddles on the steering
wheel.
You do not need to reduce the throttle
for shifting.
Sequential M gearbox SMG II*
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