2004 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE light

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

18

Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself

Indicator and warning lamps that are
identified by

●

are tested for proper
functioning whenever the ignition key is
turned. They each light up once for dif-
ferent periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these
systems, the corresponding lamp does
not go out after the engine is started, or
it lights up while the vehicle is moving.
You will see how to react to this below.

Red: stop immediately

Battery charge current

●

The battery is no longer being
charged. There is a malfunction
of the alternator drive belt or in the
charging circuit of the alternator. Please
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the drive belt is defective, stop
and switch off the engine immedi-
ately to prevent overheating and seri-
ous engine damage. If the drive belt is
defective, increased steering effort is
also required.

<

Engine oil pressure

●

An alarm sounds at the same
time. Stop vehicle immediately
and switch off engine. Check the
engine oil level and top up as required.
If the oil level is correct: please contact
the nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving, as the
engine could sustain serious dam-
age from inadequate lubrication.

<

Flat Tire Monitor

●

In addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded: there is a flat tire.
Reduce speed and carefully come to a
stop. Avoid sudden braking and steer-
ing maneuvers.
For additional information: refer to
page 87
Brake warning lamp

●

If the lamp comes on when the
parking brake is not engaged:
check the brake fluid level. Before driv-
ing further, be sure to comply with the
instructions on pages 114 and 129.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.

Red: an important reminder

Brake warning lamp

●

Comes on when the parking
brake is engaged – an additional
acoustic signal sounds when starting
off. For additional information: refer to
page 68
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Lock backrest/Please fasten
safety belts

●

Comes on together with an
acoustic signal until the safety belts are
fastened. Flashes when the backrest is
not locked.
For additional information on locking
the backrest, refer to page 49
For additional information on safety
belts: refer to page 50
Airbags

●

Please have the system
inspected at your BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 55

20
button or in response to a system mal-
function. In the event of a malfunction,
have the system checked by your near-
est BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 86
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)

●

Malfunction in DBC system.
Conventional braking efficiency
is available and unrestricted.
Have the system checked and repaired
at your BMW center as soon as possi-
ble.
For additional information: refer to
page 114
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Add washer fluid
The washer fluid is too low. Top
off the fluid at the earliest
opportunity.
For additional information: refer to
page 126
SERVICE ENGINE SOON

●

If the indicator lamp comes on
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems.

Although the vehicle remains opera-
tional, you should have the systems
checked by your BMW center at the
earliest possible opportunity.
For additional information: refer to
page 132
Service Engine Soon indicator
lamp for Canadian models.
Engine electronics

●

There is a fault in the electronic
engine-management system.
You can continue to drive with reduced
engine output or engine speed. Please
have the system inspected at your
BMW center.
Add coolant
Coolant level too low, top up as
soon as possible.
For additional information: refer to
page 128
CHECK GAS CAP*

●

This indicator lamp comes on
when the gas cap is loose or
missing.
Close the gas cap tightly: refer to
page 24

Rollover protection system

●

The rollover protection system is
deactivated due to a malfunc-
tion. Please have the system inspected
immediately at your BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 62

Green: for your information

Turn signal indicator
Flashes when turn signals are
on. Rapid flashing: indicates a
system malfunction.
For additional information: refer to
page 75
Cruise control
Lights up when the cruise con-
trol is activated. Ready for oper-
ation via the buttons in the steering
wheel.
For additional information: refer to
page 77
Front fog lamps
Lights up whenever the fog
lamps are on.
For additional information: refer to
page 93

Indicator and warning lamps

31
Opening and closing – via the remote controlThe conceptThe remote control also provides two
additional functions beyond the central
locking feature:
>Switch on the interior lamps, refer to
page 32.
With this function you can also
search for your vehicle – when
parked in an underground garage, for
instance
>Open the luggage compartment lid,
refer to page 32.
The luggage compartment lid will
open slightly, regardless of whether it
was locked or unlocked.
Whenever you unlock or lock the vehi-
cle, you simultaneously deactivate/acti-
vate the anti-theft system and switch
the interior lamps on/off.
You can have a signal set to con-
firm that the vehicle's locks have
engaged securely. Since passengers or animals
remaining in the vehicle might be
able to lock the doors from the inside,
always take the vehicle's keys with you
so that the vehicle can be opened again
from the outside at any time.<
If it is no longer possible to lock
the vehicle via the remote control,
the battery is discharged. Use this key
while driving for an extended period in
order to recharge the battery. To pre-
vent unauthorized use of the remote
control, surrender only the spare key
when leaving the vehicle for valet park-
ing, for example.
In the event of a system malfunction,
please contact your BMW center. You
can also obtain replacement keys
there.<
1Unlocking and convenience opening
2Locking and securing, turning on
interior lamps,
3Opening luggage compartment lidTo releasePress button to unlock the driver's door
only.
Press the button twice in order to
unlock the entire vehicle. and the fully-automatic convertible top
open.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

32
To lock and securePress button.To switch on the interior lampsAfter locking the vehicle, press button
again.To open the luggage
compartment lidPress button.
The lid will open slightly, no matter
whether it was locked or unlocked.
If the luggage compartment lid
was locked, it will be locked again
after it is reclosed.
Before and after a trip, be sure that the
luggage compartment lid has not been
opened unintentionally. may interfere with remote control func-
tions.
If this should occur, you can still open
and close the vehicle using the master
key in both the door and luggage com-
partment locks.For US owners onlyThe transmitter and receiver units com-
ply with part 15 of the FCC Federal
Communications Commission regula-
tions. Operation is governed by the fol-
lowing:
FCC ID:
>LX8EWS
>LX8FZVS
>LX8FZVE.
Compliance statement:
This device complies with part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
>This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
>this device must accept any interfer-
ence received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications to
these devices could void the
user's authority to operate the equip-
ment.<
Opening and closing – via the remote control

35
Luggage compartment lidThe lockOnly the master keys fit in the lock for
the luggage compartment lid, refer to
page 30.To secure separatelyLock the glove compartment using the
master key.
The luggage compartment lid is locked
and disconnected from the central lock-
ing system. This feature can be used to
prevent unauthorized access to the lug-
gage compartment when you surrender
the spare key only, refer to page 30.
This can be advantageous for valet
parking, for example.
To open from the outsidePress the button in the handle recess:
the luggage compartment lid opens
slightly.
The luggage compartment is lit when
the luggage compartment lid is opened.Manual operationIn the event of electrical malfunction
Turn the master key to the right as far
as it will go, the luggage compartment
lid will open slightly.
The luggage compartment lid is locked
again as soon as you close the lid.
To open from the insideIf the luggage compartment lid has not
been locked separately, you can open it
with this button in the footwell on the
driver's side when the vehicle is sta-
tionary.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

39
Operating all windows at onceWith the ignition key in position 1 or
higher
>Press the switch until you feel resis-
tance: all of the windows will con-
tinue to lower as long as you con-
tinue to press the switch
>Press the switch briefly past the pres-
sure point: all windows will move
automatically. Pressing the switch
again stops the opening cycle.
You can close the windows in the same
manner by pulling the switch. The win-
dows cannot be closed automatically
using this switch.
For the convenience mode via the
remote control or the door lock, refer to
page 31 or 33.
After the ignition has been
switched offAfter the ignition has been switched off:
you can still use the electric power win-
dows for up to 15 minutes, as long as
no one opens any of the doors.Protective functionIf the closing force of a front window
exceeds a certain value as the window
is being closed, the closing procedure
is immediately interrupted and the win-
dow opens again slightly.
Despite this protective function,
you must still make sure that there
are no obstacles within the closing
range of the windows. Otherwise, it
cannot be guaranteed that the closing
procedure will be interrupted in certain
cases, e.g. when very thin objects are
in the closing range.
This protective function is deactivated
when the switch is pulled past the
resistance point and held there. nected, the protective function must be
reinitialized. Please contact your BMW
center.
Convertible topThe completely automatically operated
convertible top combines assured pro-
tection against the elements with sim-
ple and easy handling.
To gain maximum satisfaction from your
convertible, please observe the follow-
ing:
>It is advisable to close the convertible
top when the vehicle is being parked.
The closed convertible top not only
protects the passenger compartment
from unforeseeable damage from the
weather, it also provides a certain
degree of theft protection. In addi-
tion, keep valuables only in the
locked luggage compartment, even
when the convertible top is closed
>Never mount a roof-mounted luggage
rack on the convertible top
>At temperatures below 147/–106
do not operate the convertible top to
prevent damage.
Never store the convertible top in
its compartment for more than
one day while it is wet to avoid perma-
nent damage from moisture.<
Do not lay objects on the convert-
ible top, as they could fall off
when it moves, causing vehicle damage
or personal injury.<
Electric power windows
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

40
Driving when the opening or clos-
ing process has not been com-
pleted can cause vehicle damage or
personal injuries.
Do not reach into the convertible top
mechanism during opening and closing.
Keep children away from the moving
parts of the convertible top during
operation.<
If possible, only operate the con-
vertible top with the vehicle
stopped, as otherwise the process may
be interrupted.
If you set the convertible top in motion
with the vehicle stationary and then
have to start suddenly – for instance, at
a traffic light – you can still complete
the operation by driving as slowly as
possible and again pressing and main-
taining pressure on the button.<
To close the electric power win-
dows while driving, always be
sure to first close either the rear win-
dows, or all 4 windows at the same
time, otherwise, at high speed, the win-
dows may not close tightly.<
At higher speeds, the ensuing
vacuum in the passenger com-
partment can cause the convertible top
to begin fluttering. Increase the air sup-
ply via the ventilation controls so that a
vacuum does not occur in the vehicle.<
Opening and closing1To close
2To open
To avoid placing unnecessary
loads on the battery, you should
avoid operating the top when the
engine is switched off.
Before closing the convertible top,
remove any objects from the windshield
frame that could keep the convertible
top from closing properly.<
With the ignition key in position 1 or
higher, and with the vehicle stationary
1. Read and comply with the preceding
safety precautions
Convertible top