2003 BMW M5 SEDAN maintenance

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
The conceptThe BMW Universal Transmitter
replaces up to 3 hand-held transmitters,
e.g. for garage-door openers, alarm
systems or a door-locking system. The
BMW Universal Transmitter recognizes
and "learns" the signal transmitted from
each of the original hand-held transmit-
ters.
The signal of an original hand-held
transmitter can be programmed to one
of the three channel keys. Following
that, each of the devices can be actu-
ated with the appropriately-pro-
grammed channel key. The indicator
lamp flashes to confirm transmission of
the signal.
Before you sell your vehicle, the pro-
gram data in the channel keys should
be deleted. Refer to page 95 for the
description of this process.
To prevent potential injuries or
damage: during the programming
operation and before every remote trig-
gering of a programmed device using
the BMW Universal Transmitter, be sure
that there are no persons, animals or
objects within the range of movement of
the respective device. Read and comply
with the safety instructions for the orig-
inal hand-held transmitter also.<
To Canadian residents
During programming, your hand-
held transmitter may automatically stop
transmitting after two seconds. This
may not be long enough to program the
BMW Universal Transmitter. If you are
programming from one of these hand-
held transmitters, the BMW Universal
Transmitter's light may begin to flash in
a series of double-blinks. If this occurs,
continue to hold the key on the BMW
Universal Transmitter while you reacti-
vate your hand-held transmitter. You
may have to repeat this function several
times while programming.<
Before programming, read the
"User's information" section on
page 95.< The original hand-held transmitter
If this symbol is depicted on
the packaging or in the user's
instructions for the original
hand-held transmitter, it may be
assumed that this original hand-held
transmitter is compatible with the BMW
Universal Transmitter.
Checking for the conversion codeIn order to determine whether the orig-
inal hand-held transmitter is equipped
with a conversion code system, you
may either refer to the instructions for
the original hand-held transmitter or
program a channel key as described in
the left-hand column on page 94 under
"Programming."
Following that, press and hold the pro-
grammed channel key on the BMW Uni-
versal Transmitter. If the indicator lamp
on the BMW Universal Transmitter
flashes rapidly for two seconds and
then stays on continuously, the original
hand-held transmitter is equipped with
a conversion code system. If the con-
version code system is available, pro-
gram the channel keys as described on
page 94 in the right-hand column under
"Programming a hand-held transmitter
with conversion code."
If you have additional questions,
please consult your BMW center
or call 1-800-355-3515.<
BMW Universal Transmitter
*

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BMW Universal Transmitter
*
1. Program the BMW Universal Trans-
mitter as described on the previous
page under "Programming"
2. Press and hold the programming key
on the receiver of the device for
about two seconds or until the pro-
gramming lamp on the device comes
on
3. Press the desired channel key on the
BMW Universal Transmitter three
times.
If you have additional questions,
please consult your BMW center
or call 1-800-355-3515.<
Deleting the channel keys
Read and comply with the safety
precautions on page 93.<
Individual channel keys cannot be
deleted. However, the three channel
keys can be deleted together in the fol-
lowing manner:
>Press and hold the two outside
channel keys on the BMW Universal
Transmitter until the indicator lamp
flashes, then release the keys.
All channel keys are deleted.
User's informationDo not use this BMW Universal Trans-
mitter with any garage-door opener that
lacks safety "stop" and "reverse" fea-
tures as required by federal safety stan-
dards, (this includes any garage- door
opener model manufactured before
April 1st, 1982).
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) This device
may not cause harmful interference,
and (2) This device must accept any
interference received, including inter-
ference that may cause undesired
operation.

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Cellular phone
*
Beverage holder
* Ashtray, front
*
Hands-free system
*
For vehicles with a telephone prepara-
tion
*, the trim cover for the hands-free
speaker is located in the headliner in
the area the interior lamp.
For further information on the cellular
phone: refer to the Supplementary
Owner's Manual.
39mde090
Two holders for canned drinks have
been provided in the front center con-
sole (illustration).
Press to open; fold back inward to
close.39mde140
To emptyPress the edge of the lid (arrow): you
can now pull the ashtray upward for
removal.
On vehicles equipped with a non-
smoker's package, the insert is
removed in the same way.390de742

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Fold the rear backrests downReach into the recess and pull forward
(arrow 1).
When you close the backrest, be sure
that the catch engages securely.
The red slide (arrow 2) must retract
completely.394de745
The central belt has an additional small
buckle.
>If you connect the two belt sections,
you can use the central belt as any
normal 3-point belt
>It is easier to fold the rear-seat back-
rest up and down if you disconnect
the belt (arrow).394de746
With a master key you can lock each
backrest in the rear seat.
This also prevents access to the lug-
gage compartment from the interior of
the vehicle if you turn over only your
door and ignition key 3 (refer to
page 26). This is convenient for valet
parking, for instance.394de747
Through-loading system
*

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Ski bag
*
Loading1. Press the release button (arrow 1):
the cover panel in the luggage com-
partment is unlocked
2. Press the detent levers (arrows 2)
inward and fold the cover to the front
3. Extend the ski bag between the front
seats. The zipper provides conve-
nient access to stored items. It may
be opened to allow the ski bag to dry394de749
4. Use the magnetic retainers to attach
the cover panel to the upper surface
(metal surface below rear tray) of the
luggage compartment.
To store the ski bag, perform the above
steps in reverse sequence.
An unsecured ski bag could lead
to loss of vehicle control and in
case of an accident to personal injury.< 394de750
Securing the load
Secure the bag's contents by
tightening down the retaining
strap at the buckle.<
Please be sure that the skis are clean
before loading them into the bag. Be
careful to avoid damage from sharp
edges.
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Cargo loading Roof-mounted luggage rack
*
Always position and secure the
load correctly. If you do not, it can
endanger the passengers during
braking or evasive maneuvers.
Never exceed either the approved
gross vehicle weight or the approved
loads for either of the axles (refer to
page 142), as overloading the vehicle
beyond the legally approved levels can
severely compromise its operating
safety.
Do not carry hard or heavy objects
unsecured in the passenger compart-
ment. If you do so, they may be pro-
jected through the air during braking
and evasive maneuvers, thus endan-
gering vehicle occupants.<
A special roof-rack system is available
as an optional extra for your BMW.
Please observe the precautions
included with the installation instruc-
tions.AnchoragesAccess to the anchorages:
To fold up the cover (arrow), please use
the tool provided with the roof-rack
system.Loading and driving notesRoof-mounted luggage racks raise the
center of gravity of the vehicle when
they are loaded. For this reason, they
have a major effect on the vehicle's
handling and steering response.394de757
You should therefore always remember
not to exceed the approved roof load
capacity, the approved gross vehicle
weight or the axle weights when
loading the rack. These weights are
listed under "Technical Data" ,
page 142.
Make sure that the load is not too bulky,
and attempt to distribute it evenly.
Always load the heaviest pieces first (on
the bottom). Be sure that adequate
clearance is maintained for raising the
sliding/tilt sunroof.
Secure the roof luggage correctly
and securely to prevent it from
shifting or being lost during driving
(danger to following traffic).<
Drive smoothly and avoid sudden
acceleration and braking. Do not corner
at high speeds.

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

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Driving notes Antilock Brake System
Brakes:
Do not rest your foot on the brake
pedal while driving. Even light but con-
sistent pedal pressure can lead to high
temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure.
Hydroplaning:
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce vehicle speed. If you do not,
a wedge of water may form between
the tires and the road surface. This phe-
nomenon is referred to as aquaplaning,
or hydroplaning, and can lead to partial
or complete loss of traction, vehicle
control and braking effectiveness.
Driving through water:
When there is water on the roads, do
not drive in it if it is deeper than 1 ft
(30 cm). If the water is at that depth,
drive only at walking speed, otherwise
the vehicle can sustain damage to the
engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission.
Rear parcel tray:
Do not place heavy or hard objects on
the rear parcel tray. If you do so, they
could pose a danger to vehicle occu-
pants during a braking or evasive
maneuver.
Clothes hooks:
When suspending clothing from the
hooks, ensure that they will not obstruct
the driver's vision. Do not hang any
heavy objects on the hooks, otherwise,
passengers could be injured e.g. during
any hard braking or evasive maneuvers,
or during an accident.<
The conceptThe Antilock Brake System (ABS) keeps
the wheels from locking during braking,
thereby enhancing active driving safety.
With ABS, the shortest possible braking
distances are achieved under most
conditions (on straight-aways and in
curves, on asphalt, ice, wet road sur-
faces, etc.).Braking with ABSIf you are in a situation that requires
full braking, you will exploit the full ben-
efits of the ABS system if you apply
maximum pedal pressure ("panic stop").
Pulsation at the brake pedal combined
with sounds from the hydraulic circuits
indicates to the driver that ABS is in its
active mode.