2004 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE radio

5

Notes

Your individual vehicle

On purchasing your BMW, you have
decided in favor of a model with individ-
ualized equipment and features. This
Owner's Manual will describe all of the
equipment that the BMW M3 Convert-
ible has to offer you.
We hope you will understand that
equipment and features are included
that you might not have chosen for your
vehicle. You can easily identify any dif-
ferences with the aid of the asterisk
used to identify all optional equipment
and accessories.
If your BMW features equipment that is
not described in this Owner's Manual,
such as a car radio or telephone, we
have enclosed Supplementary Owner's
Manuals. We ask you to read these
manuals as well.

Status at time of printing

BMW pursues a policy of continuous,
ongoing development that is conceived
to ensure that our vehicles continue to
embody the highest quality and safety
standards combined with advanced,
state-of-the-art technology. For this
reason, the features described in this
Owner's Manual could differ from those
on your vehicle. Nor can errors and
omissions be entirely ruled out. You are
therefore asked to appreciate that no
claims can be recognized on the basis
of the data, illustrations or descriptions
in this Owner's Manual.

For your own safety
Fuels

Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels
containing up to and including
10 % ethanol or other oxygenates with
up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight – that is,
15 % MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an
equivalent amount of co-solvent – will
not void the applicable warranties
respecting defects in materials or work-
manship. Field experience has indi-
cated significant differences in fuel
quality – volatility, composition, addi-
tives, etc. – among gasolines offered for
sale in the United States and Canada.
The use of poor quality fuels may result
in driveability, starting and stalling
problems especially under certain envi-
ronmental conditions, such as high
ambient temperature and high altitude.
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems which you suspect could be
related to the fuel you are using, we
recommend that you respond by
switching to a recognized high-quality
brand.
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may result in unscheduled
maintenance.
Obey pertinent safety rules when you
are handling gasoline.

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6

Notes

Maintenance and repair

Advanced technology, e.g. the
use of modern materials and high-
performance electronics, requires spe-
cially adapted maintenance and repair
methods. Therefore, only have corre-
sponding work on your BMW carried
out by a BMW center or a workshop
that works according to BMW repair
procedures with correspondingly
trained personnel. If work is carried out
improperly there is a danger of conse-
quential damage and the related safety
risks.

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Parts and accessories

Important safety information!
For your own safety, use genuine
parts and accessories approved by
BMW.
When you purchase accessories tested
and approved by BMW and Original
BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire
the assurance that they have been thor-
oughly tested by BMW to ensure opti-
mum performance when installed on
your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free
from defects in material and workman-
ship.
BMW will not accept any liability for
damages resulting from installation of
parts and accessories not approved by
BMW.
BMW cannot test every product made
by other manufacturers to verify if it can
be used on a BMW safely and without
risk to either the vehicle, its operation,
or its occupants.
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories
and other products approved by BMW,
together with professional advice on
using these items, are available from all
BMW centers.
Installation and operation of non-BMW
approved accessories such as alarms,
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors,

wheels, suspension components, brake
dust shields, telephones – including
operation of any portable cellular phone
from within the vehicle without using an
externally mounted antenna – or trans-
ceiver equipment, such as CB, walkie-
talkie, ham radio or similar, may cause
extensive damage to the vehicle, com-
promise its safety, interfere with the
vehicle's electrical system or affect the
validity of the BMW Limited Warranty.
Contact your BMW center for additional
information.
Do not use key or remote control to
lock doors or luggage compartment
with anyone inside the car. Refer to the
Owner’s Manual for more details.

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Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of the emission control
devices and systems may be performed
by any automotive repair establishment
or individual using any certified auto-
motive part.

<

Symbol on vehicle parts

Indicates that you should consult
the relevant section of this
Owner's Manual for information on a
particular part or assembly.

22

Buttons in steering wheel

These buttons let you operate the fol-
lowing functions quickly and without
being distracted from traffic conditions:

>

Selected radio functions

>

The cruise control

>

Selected telephone functions.

*

The controls are active only when
the corresponding systems and
accessories are switched on.

<
Press briefly:
Accept incoming call, start dialing, ter-
minate call.
Switch between phone and radio, cas-
sette and CD.
Forward:
>Radio
Press briefly: next station in station
memory
Extended pressure: station search
>CD
Press briefly: jump to next track
Extended pressure: search function
in track
>Cassette
Press briefly: jump to next track or
stop fast forward
Extended pressure: fast forward
>Phone
Scan personal phone book.
Rewind: same functions as forward.
Volume.
Cruise control: select a stored setting.
Cruise control: store and accelerate +
or decelerate and store –.
Cruise control: activate/interrupt/deac-
tivate.

82
ClockIf you wish to have a permanent time
display, you can make this adjustment
in the car radio display, refer to the
Owner's Manual for Radio.
You can set the time of day, and the
display for the car radio, as follows.
Setting
Before the clock can be set, the
time must be showing in the
instrument cluster display.<
With the ignition key in position 1 or
higher
To set ahead: turn the right button to
the right.
To set back: turn the right button to the
left.
The adjustment speed will increase the
longer you continue to hold the right
button.
To change the display mode: press the
right button briefly.
Every time you press the button, the
clock display alternates between the
12-hour and 24-hour mode.
In ignition key position 0: the time is
displayed for a few seconds after you
press the left button, refer to Odometer
on page 79.

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 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 ZMD operation, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory 51
Memory, refer to Vehicle
Memory, Key Memory 64
Microfilter
automatic climate
control 100
Microphone, refer to Cellular
phone 102
Mini disc operation, refer to
the Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Mirrors 53
automatic curb monitor 52
heated 53
memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory 51
Mobile Service 146
Mobility system 140
Modifications, technical,
refer to For your own
safety 5
Multifunction steering
wheel 22
Multifunction switch
turn signal indicator/head-
lamp flasher 75
washer/wiper system 76N
Navigation system, refer to
the Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Neck restraints, refer to
Head restraints 48
Nets 101
Nozzles, refer to
Ventilation 96
Nylon rope, refer to Towing
the vehicle 149
O
OBD interface socket 132
Odometer 79
Oil
additives, refer to Adding
engine oil 127
alternative oils 127
capacity 157
dipstick 126
quality 127
specified engine oils 127
Oil change interval, refer
to Service interval
display 130
Oil change intervals, refer to
the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US
models / Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian modelsOil filter change 157
Oil level
checking 126
indicator lamp 18
Oil pressure
indicator lamp 18
OIL SERVICE 81
Oil temperature 79
Oil types 127
Old batteries, refer to Dis-
posal 144
Onboard computer 83
Onboard computer, refer
also to the Owner's Man-
ual for Onboard Computer
Onboard tool kit 136
Opening and closing
from inside 34
from outside 31
via door lock 33
via remote control 31
Outlets, ventilation 96
Outside temperature dis-
play 83
changing unit of
measure 83
P
Paintwork care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochurePark Distance Control
(PDC) 85
Parking aid, refer to Park
Distance Control (PDC) 85
Parking brake 68
indicator lamp 18
Parking lamps 91
bulb replacement 137
Parking lamps/Low
beams 91
Parts and accessories, refer
to Your individual vehicle 5
Passenger-side exterior mir-
ror tilt function 52
PDC Park Distance
Control 85
Plastic, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Please fasten safety belts
indicator lamp 18
Pollen, refer to Microfilter/
activated-charcoal
filter 100
Power output, refer to
Engine data 154
Power seat 47
Power socket, cigarette
lighter 103
Power windows
electric 38
Pressure monitoring, tires
Flat Tire Monitor 87

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