133
License plate lamps5 watt bulb
1. Place a screwdriver in the slot and
press toward the left – see arrows –
to release the lens
2. Replace the bulb.
Repairing a flat tire
Precautions in case of a flat tire:
Stop the vehicle as far as possible
from passing traffic; switch on the haz-
ard warning flashers.
Turn the steering wheel to the straight-
ahead position and engage the steering
lock. Shift into 1st or Reverse and
engage the parking brake.
All passengers should be outside the
vehicle and well away from your imme-
diate working area – behind a guardrail,
for instance.
If necessary, set up your warning trian-
gle or portable hazard warning lamp on
the roadside at an appropriate distance
from the rear of the vehicle.
Comply with all safety guidelines and
regulations.<
M Mobility systemYou will find an M Mobility system in the
BMW M3 for repairing flat tires. With
this system you can apply a sealing liq-
uid to the inside of the tire that seals off
the damaged point and then continue
driving.
The M Mobility system makes trans-
porting a spare wheel superfluous,
thereby reducing the amount of weight
you have to carry around.
Using the M Mobility systemTo repair a flat tire using the M Mobility
system, proceed as follows:
>Preparing the M Mobility system for
use, refer to the next column
>This is part of the M Mobility system,
refer to page 134
>Filling with sealant, refer to page 135
>Distributing sealant, refer to
page 135
>Inflating tire to correct pressure, refer
to page 136.
Lamps and bulbs
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134
Preparing the M Mobility system
for useThe M Mobility system is located in the
luggage compartment under the floor
panel:
1. Lift the floor panel
2. Loosen the M Mobility system from
its storage location.
Before you use the M Mobility sys-
tem, read the warnings and dan-
ger notices on the device carefully.<
If possible, leave the foreign object in
the tire.
Pull off the sticker 5, refer to the second
column on the right, for the speed limit
and apply it to the steering wheel.
Please keep in mind that the fluids
bottle in the system's sealant con-
tainer 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
system1On/Off switch
2Connection hose with manometer for
connecting the compressor with the
sealant container or to connect the
compressor to the wheel
3Manometer for indicating the tire
pressure
4Connector hose from the sealant
container to the wheel
5Sticker showing maximum speed
6Plug and cable for the cigarette
lighter socket
7Protective gloves, not shown
Repairing a flat tire
handbook.book Page 134 Saturday, July 27, 2002 1:12 PM
135
Filling with sealant1. Take off the round cover and take out
hose 4. Unscrew the valve dust cap
from the defective wheel and screw
the hose to the valve. Keep the dust
cap in a safe place
2. Flip open the cover and pull out the
enclosed protective gloves. Take out
hose 2 with the manometer and
screw it to the terminal for the seal-
ant container as shown in the illustra-
tion
3. Make sure that the system has been
switched off, position 0.
Take out plug 6 and insert it into the
cigarette lighter socket in the pas-
senger compartment – refer to
page 98
4. Make sure that the screw on the rear
of the pressure gauge 3 is tightened
down. Turn on the M Mobility sys-
tem, position I, refer to illustration,
and allow minutes to elapse, to let
the sealant flow in. It does not matter
afterward, what the tire's inflation
pressure is
5. Turn the system off.
Disconnect the connector hose from
the sealant container and the wheel
valve. Stow the M Mobility system in
the luggage compartment.Distributing the sealantRight afterward, drive at least
1 1/4 miles/2 km, so that the liquid
sealant distributes evenly throughout
the inside of the tire.
Repairing a flat tire
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
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137
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 bal-
anced. Reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor,
and refer to page 83 for further informa-
tion. 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.
Battery
Battery posts, terminals, and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds. Wash hands after
handling.<
MaintenanceThe battery is completely maintenance-
free. That means that the original bat-
tery acid will normally last for the ser-
vice life of the battery under moderate
climate conditions.
Please consult your BMW center
whenever you have any questions
concerning the battery. Since the bat-
tery is absolutely maintenance-free, the
following statements are for your infor-
mation only.<
Never disconnect the battery
when the engine is running; the
ensuing voltage surge would seriously
damage the vehicle's onboard elec-
tronic systems.
connections provided in the engine
compartment. For information on the
connections, see Jump-Starting,
page 139.
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.<
Repairing a flat tire
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
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141
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.
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 system
– observe applicable legal regula-
tions.
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
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Everything from A to Z
153
Leather care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Length 145
License plate lamp
replacing bulb 133
Light switch 86
Lighter 98
Lighting, see Lamps
LIGHTS ON warning 86
Load-securing devices 102
Lock, steering wheel 60
Low beams 86
bulb replacement 129
Luggage compartment 35
capacity 146
floor mat 38
floor panel 37
manual operation 35
Luggage compartment lid 35
emergency release 37
manual operation 35
opening from the inside 36
remote control 32
securing separately 35
Luggage compartment light-
ing 35
Luggage rack 103
Lumbar support 45M
M Engine dynamics
control 85
M Mobility system 133
M+S tires 112
Maintenance 76, 122
Malfunction displays 76
Manual transmission 64
Master keys 30
with remote control 30
Memory 49, 59
Microfilter 94
Microphone 97
Mirror defrosting 51
Mirror memory 49
Mirrors 51
automatic curb monitor 50
inside rearview 52
outside 51
Mobility system 133
Modifications, technical 5
Multifunction switch 70
N
Navigation system, refer to
the separate Owner's
Manual
Neckrest 46
O
OBD interface socket 124Obstruction protection
power windows 40
sliding/tilt sunroof 41
Odometer 74
Oil
capacity 147
dipstick 118
quality 119
viscosity 119
Oil additives 119
Oil change interval, refer to
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US
models / Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
Oil filter change 147
Oil level
checking 118
indicator lamp 19
warning lamp 18
Oil pressure
warning lamp 18
OIL SERVICE 76
Oil types 119
Onboard computer, refer to
Owner's Manual for
Onboard Computer
Onboard tool kit 128Opening and closing
from inside 34
via remote control 31
via the door lock 33
Operating elements 14
Outlets, ventilation 90
Outside temperature dis-
play 78
P
Paintwork care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Panic mode, trigger
alarm 32
Park Distance Control
(PDC) 80
Parking aid 80
Parking brake 63
Parking lamps 86
PDC Park Distance
Control 80
Pollen 94
Power output 144
Power seat 45
Pressure, tires 25, 109
R
Radiator 147
Radio navigation, refer to
the Owner's Manual for
Radio 79
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Everything from A to ZRadio, refer to the Owner's
Manual for Radio
Rain sensor 71
Range 79
Reading lamps
front 88
rear 88
Rear backrest, folding 100
Rear lamps 131
Rear window defroster 93
Rear-entry assist 47
Rearview mirror 51
Recirculated-air mode 93
Refueling 24
Remote control 31
Remote key 30
Replacement key 30, 31
Reporting safety defects 6
Reserve indicator lamp 75
Restraint system 55
Reverse 64
Rims 112
Roof load capacity 146
Roof-mounted luggage
rack 103
S
Safe seating position 43
Safety belts 47
3-point safety belt 100
height adjustment 48Safety feature
power windows 40
sliding/tilt sunroof 41
Seat adjustment 43, 44
adjusting the lumbar sup-
port 45
backrest width adjust-
ment 46
lumbar support 45
manual 44
power 45
Seat heating 50
Seat height adjustment 44
Seat memory 49
Securing cargo 102
Securing child-restraint sys-
tem 57
Securing devices 103
Sequential M gearbox
SMG II 65
indicator lamp 19, 69
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet 122
SERVICE ENGINE SOON
warning lamp 19
Service interval display
76, 122
Set clock 77
Shift lights 69
Side airbags 53
Side turn signals
bulb replacement 130Size 145
Ski bag 101
Sliding/tilt sunroof 40
closing following an elec-
trical malfunction 42
convenience operation
31, 33
manual operation 42
remote control 31
SMG gearbox 65
Snow chains 113
Socket 98
Spare key 30
Speedometer 16
Sport mode 85
Standing lamps 87
bulb replacement 129
Starting 61
Starting problems 61
Steering wheel lock 60
Steering wheel with multi-
function buttons 22
Steering wheel, adjusting 51
Storage compartments 96
Stroke 144
Summer tires 112
Sun blind 94
Surface ice warning 78
Switching off the engine 63
Symbols used 4T
Tachometer 16, 74
Tail lamps 131
replacing bulb 131
Tank capacity 147
Technical data 144
Technical modifications 5
Telephone hookup 97
Telephone, refer to the sep-
arate Owner's Manual
Temperature adjustment 92
Temperature display
engine coolant 75
ice warning 78
interior temperature 92
outside temperature 78
Temperature gauge 74
Temperature layering 93
Thigh support area, adjust-
ing 45
Third brake lamp 132
Through-loading system 100
Tilt alarm sensor
remote control 32
switching off 32, 39
Time 77
Tire code 112
Tire damage 109
Tire inflation pressure
25, 109
checking 25
Tire replacement 110
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Everything from A to Z
155
Tire tread 109
Tools 128
Torque 144
Towing eyelet 140
Towing the vehicle 140
Track 145
Transmission 64
Transporting children
safely 55
Tread depth, tires 109
Tread wear indicator 109
Trip odometer 74
Trunk, see Luggage com-
partment 35
capacity 146
Trunk lid, see Luggage com-
partment lid 35
Turn signal indicator 70
indicator lamps 20
replacing bulb 130
Turning circle 145
U
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading 111
Upholstery care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Used batteries 137V
Vacuum cleaner, connect-
ing 98
Variable pre-warning
zone 74
Vehicle
break-in procedures 106
starting 61
switching off 63
Vehicle battery 137
Vehicle Memory 59
Vehicle weight 146
Ventilation 90
draft-free 93
Viscosity 119
Voice Control System, refer
to the separate Owner's
Manual
Voice recognition 22
W
Warning lamp "Please fasten
safety belts" 18
Warning lamps 18
Warning messages 76
Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet 122
Warranty, refer also to sepa-
rate booklet 6
Washer fluid
adding 118, 147
Washer/wiper system 71Washing fluid
indicator lamp 19
Washing vehicle, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Water on roadways
deep water 107
Wear indicator for tires 109
Weights 146
Wheelbase 145
Wheels and tires 112
Wheelslip control, see
DSC 81
Width 145
Window condensation,
removing 92
Windows
convenience operation
31, 33
defrosting 92
remote control 31
Windshield washer reservoir
filling 118, 147
Windshield wiper blades,
replacing 128
Windshield wipers 71
Winter tires 112
Wiper blades, replacing 128
Work in the engine compart-
ment 114X
Xenon lamps 129
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