2004 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE automatic transmission

Contents

9

Driving:

Ignition lock65
Starting the engine and driving
off66
Switching off the engine68
Parking brake68
Manual transmission69
Sequential M gearbox with
Drivelogic*70
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher75
Washer/wiper system/Rain
sensor*76
Cruise control77

Everything under control:

Odometer79
Tachometer79
Engine oil temperature79
Fuel gauge80
Engine coolant temperature
gauge80
Service interval display81
Check Control81
Clock82
Computer83

Technology for safety and
driving convenience:

Park Distance Control (PDC)*85
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC86
Flat Tire Monitor87
M Engine dynamics control90
Brake force display90

Lamps:

Parking lamps/Low beams91
Instrument lighting92
High beams/Standing lamps92
Fog lamps93
Interior lamps93
Reading lamps93

Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:

Automatic climate control96

Interior conveniences:

Glove compartment101
Storage compartments101
Cellular phone*102
Ashtray, front*103
Ashtray, rear*103

Loading and transporting:

Ski bag*104
Cargo loading106
Roof-mounted luggage rack for
the hardtop*108

Operation, maintenance

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures112
General driving notes113
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)114
Brake system114
Hardtop*115

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressure118
Tire condition118
Tire replacement119
Wheel and tire
combinations121
Winter tires122
Snow chains*122

In the engine compartment:

Hood123
Engine compartment
essentials124
Washer fluids126
Engine oil126
Coolant128
Brake fluid129

Maintenance:

The BMW Maintenance
System130

Laws and regulations:

California Proposition 65
warning132
OBD interface socket132

Controls and features

66
Starting the engine and driving off
Do not allow the engine to warm
up by leaving it running while the
vehicle remains stationary. Instead,
drive off immediately at a moderate
engine speed.<
Do not allow the engine to run in
enclosed spaces. Otherwise,
breathing the exhaust fumes can lead
to unconsciousness and death. The
exhaust gases contain carbon monox-
ide, an odorless and colorless, but
highly toxic gas. Do not leave the vehi-
cle unattended with the engine running.
An unattended vehicle with a running
engine represents a safety hazard.<
If the engine does not start on the first
attempt – if it is very hot or cold, for
instance:
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Cold starts at very low temperatures
below about 57/–156 and at high
altitudes above 3,300 ft/1,000 m:
>On the first start attempt, it may be
necessary to engage the starter for a
longer period, but no longer than
20 seconds.
Extended starting attempts, char-
acterized by excessively frequent
or long periods with the starter
engaged, can damage the catalytic
converter.<
When driving, standing at idle or
parking the vehicle, take care to
avoid contact between the hot exhaust
system and flammable materials –
grass, hay, leaves, etc. Such contact
could lead to a fire, resulting in serious
personal injury and property damage.<
Manual transmission1. Engage the parking brake
2. Gearshift lever in idling position
3. Start the engine. Do not press the
accelerator pedal. Do not actuate the
starter for too short a time. Do not
turn it for more than approx.
20 seconds. Release the ignition key
immediately when the engine starts.Sequential M gearbox with
Drivelogic1. Depress footbrake
2. Move selector lever into position N
3. Start the engine. Do not actuate the
starter for too short a time. Do not
turn it for more than approx.
20 seconds. Release the ignition key
immediately when the engine starts
4. Engage a driving position
5. Release footbrake and slowly
depress accelerator pedal.
With the engine running, the gear
indicator in the SMG Drivelogic
display flashes to indicate that a driving
position is engaged with the driver's
door open or if the hood is not closed
properly, refer to page 71.
If neither the pedals, the shift paddles,
nor the selector lever are actuated, then
the gearbox is automatically taken out
of gear after approx. four seconds. It
will then be necessary to move the
selector lever back to position N before
engaging the desired driving position.
Driving off is not possible with the hood
open.<

68
Switching off the engine
You should never remove the igni-
tion key when the vehicle is in
motion, as the steering lock could
engage.
When you leave the vehicle, always
remove the ignition key and engage the
steering lock.<
Always engage the parking brake
when parking on downhill roads.
Engaging a gear may not provide ade-
quate resistance to rolling.<
Manual transmissionTurn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.Sequential M gearbox with
DrivelogicIf you turn the ignition key to position 1
or 0 with the selector lever in the for-
ward or reverse position, a gear auto-
matically remains engaged.
If you turn the ignition key to position 1
or 0 with the selector lever in
position N, a warning tone and the
flashing gear indicator in the SMG
Drivelogic display remind you that no
gear is engaged to secure the vehicle
against rolling.
The warning stops after approx. ten
seconds. If you move the selector lever
into a forward or reverse position dur-
ing this time, a gear is automatically
engaged.
Parking brakeThe parking brake is primarily designed
to prevent the vehicle from rolling while
parked. It operates on the rear wheels.To engageThe detent engages automatically, and
the indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster comes on when the ignition key
is in position 2, refer to page 18.To releasePull up slightly on the lever, press the
button and lower the lever.

69
If exceptional circumstances
make it necessary to engage the
parking brake while the vehicle is in
motion, do not pull it with excessive
pressure. Keep your thumb pressed
against the release button while care-
fully pulling the lever up.
Excessive pressure can lead to over-
braking and loss of traction – fishtailing
– at the rear axle.
The brake lamps do not come on when
the parking brake is engaged.
Always engage the parking brake when
parking on slopes and inclined sur-
faces. Engaging a gear may not provide
adequate resistance to rolling, not even
in first or reverse gear.<
To avoid corrosion and one-sided
braking, apply the parking brake
lightly from time to time when coasting
to a standstill – at a traffic light, for
example – provided that it is safe to do
so.<
Manual transmission
When shifting gears in the
fifth/sixth gear plane, be sure to
press the gearshift lever to the right in
order to prevent inadvertent selection
of a gear in the third/fourth gear plane.
Do not hold the vehicle in place on
slopes by slipping or 'riding' the clutch.
Use the parking brake instead. Riding
the clutch leads to severe and prema-
ture clutch wear.<
ReverseSelect only when the vehicle is station-
ary. Press the gearshift lever to the left
to overcome the slight resistance.
When you select reverse the backup
lamps will light up automatically when
the ignition key is in position 2.
Parking brake
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to ZGearbox malfunction
sequential M gearbox with
Drivelogic 74
Gearbox, sequential 70
Gearshift lever
manual transmission 69
sequential M gearbox with
Drivelogic 70
General driving notes 113
Glove compartment 101
Gradient assistance 73
Grills, refer to Ventilation 96
Gross weight, refer to
Weights 156
H
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake 68
Hands-free system 102
Hardtop 115
Hardtop preparation 115
Hardtop, refer to the sepa-
rate Owner's Manual 115
Hazard warning flashers 14
Hazard warning triangle 23
Head restraints 48
Headlamp cleaning system
cleaning headlamps 77
washer fluid 126, 157
Headlamp control, auto-
matic 91Headlamp flasher 92
indicator lamp 21
Headlamps
bulb replacement 137
care, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Heated mirrors 53
Heated rear window
automatic climate
control 99
Heated seats 52
Heating
exterior mirrors 53
rear window 99
seats 52
Heating and ventilation 96
Heavy loads, refer to Cargo
loading 107
Height adjustment
seats 47
steering wheel 53
Height, refer to
Dimensions 155
High beams 75, 92
bulb replacement 137
headlamp flasher 92
indicator lamp 21
Holder for beverages 102
Hood release 123
Horn 14
Hydraulic brake assistant,
refer to DBC 114Hydraulic system
brakes 114
Hydroplaning 113
I
Ice warning 83
Ignition 65
Ignition key 30
positions 65
Ignition lock 65
Imprint 4
Indicator lamps 18
Indicator/warning lamp
airbags 18
brakes 18, 19
Check Gas Cap 19
convertible top 41
coolant 19, 80
DSC 19
Flat Tire Monitor
18, 19, 89
fog lamps 20
Please fasten safety
belts 18
reserve 80
rollover protection
system 19
Service Engine Soon 19
Individual air distribution 98
Individual settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory 64Inflation pressure monitor-
ing, refer to Flat Tire Moni-
tor 87
Inflation pressure, tires
25, 118
INSPECTION 81
Instrument cluster 16
Instrument lighting 92
Instrument panel 14
Interface socket for onboard
diagnostics (OBD) 132
Interior lamps 93
remote control 32
Interior rearview mirror
automatic dimming
feature 54
Interior temperature
adjusting 98
Intermittent
mode, wipers 76
Interval
display, service 81
J
Jump-starting 147
K
Key Memory 64
Keys 30
with remote control 30

Everything from A to Z
165
L
Lamp defect 137
Lamps
reading lamps 93
Lamps and bulbs 137
Lashing down loads, refer to
Cargo loading 106
Lashing eyelets, refer to
Securing cargo 107
Lashing fittings, refer to
Securing cargo 107
LATCH child-restraint
mounting system 60
Leather care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
LEDs light-emitting
diodes 94
Length, refer to
Dimensions 155
License plate lamp
bulb replacement 140
Light switch 91
Light-emitting diodes
(LEDs) 94
Lighter 103
LIGHTS ON warning 91
Lights, refer to Parking
lamps/Low beams 91
Load, refer to Cargo
loading 106Loading
vehicle 106
Load-securing devices 107
Lock buttons on doors, refer
to Locking 34
Lock, steering wheel 65
Locking
from inside 34
from outside 31, 33
Locking and unlocking
doors
from inside 34
from outside 31, 33
Low beams 91
automatic 91
bulb replacement 137
indicator lamp, defective
lamp 81Luggage compartment 37
capacity 156
emergency operation,
refer to Manual
operation 35
floor panel 37
increase volume 37
lid 35
lighting 35
opening from outside 35
opening, remote
control 32
opening/closing, refer
to Luggage compartment
lid 35
remote control 32
securing separately 35
volume 156
Luggage compartment lid 35
emergency operation 35
emergency release 36
indicator lamp 81
opening from inside the
vehicle 35
opening from outside 35
remote control 32
unlocking manually 35
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack 108
Lumbar support 48M
M Engine dynamics
control 90
M Mobility system 140
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires 122
Maintenance 81, 130
Maintenance system 130
Making telephone calls,
refer to the telephone
Owner's Manual
Malfunction
convertible top 42
door lock 33
fuel filler door 24
Malfunction displays 81
Manual operation
convertible top 42
door lock 33
driver's door 33
fuel filler door 24
luggage compartment
lid 35
power convertible top 42
Manual transmission 69
Master keys
with remote control 30
Maximum speed
with winter tires 122
MC operation, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to Z
167
Pressure, tires 25, 118
inflating with Mobility sys-
tem 143
Protective function
electric power windows 39
R
Radio remote control key,
refer to Master key with
remote control 30
Radio, refer to the Owner's
Manual for Radio
Rain sensor 76
Raising the floor panel 37
Range 84
Reading lamps
rear 94
Rear lamps
bulb replacement 139
indicator lamp, defective
lamp 81
Rear window heating
automatic climate
control 99
Rear-entry assist 49
Rearview mirror 53
Receiving assistance 146
Recirculated-air mode
automatic climate
control 99
Recirculating the air, refer to
Recirculated-air mode 99Reclining seat, refer to Seat
adjustment 47
Refueling 24
fuel filler door 24
Releasing
hood 123
Remaining distance to ser-
vice 81
Remaining distance, refer to
Range 84
Remote control 31
luggage compartment
lid 32
malfunction 32
Replacement key 31
Replacing lamps, refer to
Lamps and bulbs 137
Replacing tires 119
Reporting safety defects 7
Restraint systems
for children 58
Restraint systems, refer to
Safety belts 50
Reverse gear
manual transmission 69
Rollover protection
system 62
indicator lamp 19
lowering 62
Roof load capacity 156
Roof-mounted luggage
rack 108Rope, refer to Towing the
vehicle 149
S
Safe seating position 46
Safety belt height adjust-
ment 50
Safety belts 50
height adjustment 50
seat-integrated safety belt
system 49
sitting safely 46
warning lamp 18
Safety systems, refer to
Antilock Brake
System 114
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 86
Screwdriver, refer to
Onboard tool kit 136
Seat adjustment 47
BMW sports seat 47
lumbar support 47, 48
power seats 47
Seat belt tensioner, refer to
Safety belts 50
Seat heating 52
Seat memory, refer to Seat
and mirror memory 51
Seat positions, storing 51
Seats 47
Securing cargo 107Securing child-restraint sys-
tem 60
Securing the vehicle
from inside 34
from outside 31, 33
Selector lever
sequential M gearbox with
Drivelogic 70
Selector lever positions
sequential M gearbox with
Drivelogic 70
Sequential M gearbox with
Drivelogic 70
indicator lamp 19, 74
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet 130
SERVICE ENGINE SOON
warning lamp 19
Service interval display
81, 130
Shift lights 74
Shift paddles 71
Side airbags 55
Side turn signal indicators
bulb replacement 138
Sitting safely
with airbags 46
with safety belts 46
Size 155
Ski bag 104
Slipstream deflector, refer to
Wind deflector 44
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex