2004 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE battery

132Laws and regulations
California Proposition 65 warningCalifornia laws require us to state the
following warning:
Engine exhaust and a wide variety
of automobile components and
parts, including components found in
the interior furnishings in a vehicle, con-
tain or emit chemicals known to the
State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects and reproductive harm. In
addition, certain fluids contained in
vehicles and certain products of com-
ponent wear contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead com-
pounds. Wash your hands after hand-
ling.
Used engine oil contains chemicals that
have caused cancer in laboratory ani-
mals. Always protect your skin by
washing thoroughly with soap and
water.<
OBD interface socketThe Onboard Diagnostic (OBD) inter-
face socket is located on the left of the
driver's side at the bottom of the instru-
ment panel and under a cover. The
cover has the letters OBD on it.
The purpose of the OBD system is to
assure proper emission-control system
operation for the vehicle's lifetime by
monitoring emission-related compo-
nents and systems for deterioration and
malfunction.
An illuminated indicator informs
you of the need for service, not
that you need to stop the vehi-
cle. However, the systems should be
checked by your BMW center at the
earliest possible opportunity.

137
Lamps and bulbsThe lamps and bulbs make essential
contributions to the safety of your vehi-
cle. Therefore, proceed carefully when
handling bulbs. BMW recommends that
you have such work performed by your
BMW center if you are not familiar with
the procedures.
Do not touch the glass portion of
a new bulb with your bare hands
since even small amounts of impurities
burn in to the surface and reduce the
service life of the bulb. Use a clean
cloth, paper napkin, or a similar mate-
rial, or hold the bulb by its metallic
base.<
A replacement bulb set is available from
your BMW center.
Before working on the electrical
system, switch off the electrical
accessory you are working on or dis-
connect the cable from the negative
terminal of the battery. Failure to
observe this precaution could result in
short circuits.
To prevent injuries and damage when
changing a bulb, be sure to comply with
any instructions provided by the bulb
manufacturer.<
Low beams and high beams>Low beams: H7 bulb, 55 watts
>High beams: H7 bulb, 55 watts
The H7 bulb is pressurized. There-
fore, wear safety glasses and pro-
tective gloves. Failure to comply with
this precaution could lead to injury if the
bulb is damaged.<
Please contact a BMW center in case of
a malfunction.Parking lamps5 watt bulb
Please contact a BMW center in case of
a malfunction.
When cleaning the headlamps, please
follow the instructions in the Caring for
your vehicle brochure.Xenon lamps*The service life of these bulbs is very
long and the probability of a failure is
very low, provided that they are not
switched on and off an unusual number
of times. If one of these bulbs should
nevertheless fail, it is possible to con-
tinue driving with great caution using
the fog lamps, provided traffic laws in
your area do not prohibit this.
Because of the extremely high
voltages involved, any work on the
xenon lighting system, including bulb-
changing, should be carried out by
technically qualified personnel only.
Otherwise, there is a risk of fatal
injury.<
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

144
Even if the tire fails to hold the
pressure, you should still carry out
Step 3 before proceeding to drive the
vehicle again, refer to Distributing the
sealant for more information. Then
repeat Steps 1 through 3.
The use of the M Mobility system may
be ineffective if the damaged area in
the tire is larger than approx. 1/8 in /
4 mm. Please consult the nearest BMW
center if the tire cannot be temporarily
repaired with the M Mobility system.<
3. Unscrew the hose from the valve and
stow the M Mobility system in the
luggage compartment. Screw the
dust cap onto the valve again.
Do not exceed the maximum
speed limit described below, oth-
erwise it could lead to accidents.<
When you start driving again, do not
exceed the permissible maximum
speed of 45 mph / 80 km/h.
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 88 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. when the engine is not running. Use the
connections provided in the engine
compartment. For information on the
connections, see Jump-starting,
page 147.Disposal
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

147
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. support vehicle has 12 volts and
approximately the same capacity –
measured in Ah. This information is
provided on the battery
2. Stop the engine of the support vehi-
cle
3. Switch off all electrical components
in both vehicles.
Make absolutely certain that there
is no contact between the body-
work of the two vehicles, otherwise
there is a short circuit hazard.<
Connecting the jumper cables
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.<
The auxiliary jump-starting terminal
located in your BMW's engine compart-
ment acts as the positive battery termi-
nal. Refer to the engine compartment
overview on page 124. The cover of this
auxiliary terminal is marked with a +.
1. Open the cover of the BMW auxiliary
jump-starting terminal. Do so by pull-
ing the tab – see arrow 1
2. Connect one terminal clamp of the
plus/+ jumper cable to the positive
terminal of the battery or to an auxil-
iary jump-starting terminal of the
support vehicle
3. Connect the second terminal clamp
of the plus/+ jumper cable to the
positive terminal of the battery or to
an auxiliary jump-starting terminal of
the vehicle to be started
4. Your BMW is equipped with a special
nut – see arrow 2 – to serve as the
ground or negative terminal.
Attach a terminal clamp of the
minus/– jumper cable to the negative
terminal of the support vehicle's bat-
tery or to a suitable ground on its
engine or bodywork
5. Attach the second terminal clamp of
the minus/– jumper cable to the neg-
ative terminal of the battery or to a
suitable ground on the engine or
bodywork of the vehicle to be
started.Starting the engine1. Start the engine of the support vehi-
cle and let it run for several minutes
at a slightly elevated engine idle
speed
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

148
2. Start the engine of the other vehicle
as usual.
If the first start attempt is not suc-
cessful, wait a few minutes before
another attempt in order to allow the
discharged battery to recharge
3. Allow the engines to run for several
minutes
4. Disconnect the jumper cables in
reverse sequence.
Have the battery recharged at your
BMW center as required.
Do not use spray starter fluids to
start the engine.<
Towing the vehicle
Always observe all applicable
towing laws and regulations.<
Towing with a commercial tow
truck>Use wheel lift or flat bed carrier
>Do not tow with sling-type equip-
ment.
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.<
Jump-starting

Everything from A to ZA
ABS Antilock Brake
System 114
indicator lamp 19
Accessories, refer to For
your own safety 5
Accident, refer to Emer-
gency call 146
Activated-charcoal filter 100
Adding brake fluid 129
Adding liquid sealant
Mobility system 142
Additional sources of infor-
mation 4
Air conditioning mode
automatic climate
control 98
Air distribution
automatic climate
control 98
Air distribution, individual 98
Air outlets, refer to Ventila-
tion 96
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure 25, 118
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air mode 99
Air supply
automatic climate
control 98
Air, drying, refer to Air con-
ditioning mode 98Airbags 55
deactivating 55
indicator lamp 18, 57
sitting safely 46
Airing out, refer to Ventila-
tion 96
AKI, refer to Fuel specifica-
tions 25
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires 122
Alternative oils 127
Antifreeze
coolant 128
washer fluid 126
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 114
indicator lamp 19
Anti-theft system 30
Approved axle loads, refer
to Weights 156
Approved gross weight,
refer to Weights 156
Armrest 101
Artificial leather, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Ashtray
front 103
rear 103
Assistant systems, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 86AUC Automatic recircu-
lated-air control 99
AUTO program, refer
to Automatic air distribu-
tion 98
Automatic
air distribution 98
air supply 98
cruise control 77
headlamp control 91
Automatic car wash, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Automatic climate control 96
Automatic curb monitor 52
Automatic dimming, interior
rearview mirror 54
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC) 99
Automatic windshield
washer, refer to Rain sen-
sor 76
Average fuel
consumption 84
Average speed 84
Axle loads, refer to
Weights 156
B
Backrest
unlocking 49Backrest, refer to Seat
adjustment 47
Backup lamps 69
bulb replacement 139
Bandages, refer to First-aid
kit 23
Bar, towing 149
Battery 144
charge 144
disposal 144
indicator lamp 18
jump-starting 147
remote control 30, 31
Battery charge current 18
Battery charge indicator
lamp 18
Belts, refer to Safety
belts 50
Beverage holders 102
Blower
automatic climate
control 98
BMW Maintenance
System 130
BMW sports seat 47
Bore, refer to Engine
data 154
Bottle holders, see Bever-
age holders 102
Brake fluid 129
indicator lamp 18, 129
level 129

Everything from A to Z
161
Brake force display 90
Brake hydraulics 114
Brake lamps
bulb replacement 139
indicator lamp, defective
lamp 81
Brake lights
brake force display 90
Brake pads 115
brake fluid level
18, 114, 129
breaking in 112
disc brakes 114
Brake rotors
brake system 114
breaking in 112
Brake system
brake pads, indicator
lamp 19
Brake wear warning
indicator lamp 19
Brakes
ABS 114
brake fluid 129
breaking in 112
indicator/warning lamp
18, 19
parking brake 68
Break-in procedures 112
Bulb replacement 137
Bulb replacement, refer to
Lamps and bulbs 137Buttons in steering wheel 22
C
California Proposition
65 warning 132
Can holders, see Beverage
holders 102
Capacities 157
Car battery 144
Car care, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Car keys, refer to Keys 30
Car radio, refer to the
Owner's Manual for Radio
Car telephone
preparation 102
Car telephone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Car vacuum cleaner, con-
necting 103
Car wash, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Carpet care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cassette operation, refer to
the Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
CBC Cornering Brake Con-
trol 114
warning lamp 19CD changer, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
CD operation, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Cellular phone 102
Center armrest
front 101
Center high-mount brake
lamp
bulb replacement 140
Central locking system 30
button 34
passenger
compartment 34
Check Control 81
Check Gas Cap
indicator lamp 19
Child seats, refer to Child-
restraint systems 58
Child-restraint mounting
system LATCH 60
Child-restraint systems 58
Cigarette lighter 103
Cigarette lighter socket 103
Cleaning chrome parts, refer
to the Caring for your vehi-
cle brochure
Cleaning light alloy wheels,
refer to the Caring for your
vehicle brochureCleaning position, convert-
ible top 44
Cleaning the vehicle, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cleaning windshield 77
Clock 82
12-/24-hour mode 82
setting, refer also to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Closing
from inside 34
from outside 31
Clothes hooks 113
Clutch
breaking in 113
Cockpit 14
Code, refer to the Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Coin box 102
Cold start, refer to Starting
the engine 66
Compact disc operation,
refer to the Owner's Man-
ual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Compression ratio, refer to
Engine data 154
Computer 83
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to ZCondensation, refer to Air
conditioning mode 98
Configuring settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory 64
Connecting a vacuum
cleaner, refer to Cigarette
lighter 103
Consumption, refer to Aver-
age fuel consumption 84
Control elements, refer to
Cockpit 14
Convenience operation
from outside 33
glass sunroof 31
windows 31
Convertible top 39
cleaning position 44
convenience operation
31, 33
electrical malfunction 42
emergency operation 42
indicator lamps 41
opening and closing 40
remote control 31
Coolant 128
indicator lamp 19, 80
level 128
temperature gauge 80
Coolant water, refer to Cool-
ant 128Cooling, refer to Tempera-
ture 98
Copyright 4
Cornering Brake Control
(CBC) 114
warning lamp 19
Correct tires 121
Cruise control 77
indicator lamp 20
Cup holders, see Beverage
holders 102
Curb weight, refer to
Weights 156
Cylinders, refer to Engine
data 154
D
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit 14
Data
capacities 157
dimensions 155
engine 154
technical 154
weights 156
Daytime driving lamps 91
DBC Dynamic Brake Control
19, 114
Deep water, refer to Water
on roadways 113
Defrost position, refer to
Defrosting windows 98Defrosting and demisting
windows
automatic climate
control 98
Defrosting windows 98
Defrosting windshield, refer
to Defrosting windows 98
Demisting windows
automatic climate
control 98
Determining the maximum
load 106
Differential
breaking in 112
Digital clock 82
Dimensions 155
Dipstick, engine oil 126
Disc brakes 114
Displacement, refer to
Engine data 154
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting 92
Displays, refer to Instrument
cluster 16
Disposal
oil 127
vehicle battery 144
Distance warning, refer to
Park Distance Control
(PDC) 85
Door key 30
Door lock 33Doors
emergency operation 33
Draft-free ventilation 99
Drivelogic 73
Driving light, refer to Parking
lamps/Low beams 91
Driving notes 113
Dry air, refer to Air condi-
tioning mode 98
DSC Dynamic Stability Con-
trol 86
indicator lamp 19, 86
DTC Dynamic Traction Con-
trol
indicator lamp 19
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC) 19, 114
indicator lamp 19
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 19, 86
Dynamic Traction Control
(DTC)
indicator lamp 19, 86
E
Easy entry, refer to Entering
the rear 49
Electric power windows 38
Electrical accessories, fail-
ure 145