2004 BMW M3 COUPE air condition

113
Corrosion on brake rotors is signaled by
a running or pulsation during braking;
even extended subsequent braking will
not cure this phenomenon.
It is a good idea to periodically dry the
brakes with a gentle application when
driving in rain and on wet roads. Watch
traffic conditions to ensure that this
maneuver does not endanger other
road users. The heat generated in this
process helps dry the pads and rotors
to ensure that your brake system will
respond with undiminished efficiency
when you need it.
Extended or steep mountain descents
should be driven in the gear in which
only minimal periodic brake applica-
tions are required. This helps avoid
placing excessive loads on the brake
system. Stay within the allowable rpm
range. For additional information, refer
to page 76.
Do not coast with the clutch
depressed or with the gearshift
lever in idle. Do not coast with the
engine switched off. If you do so the
engine provides no braking effect and
there is no power assist for braking or
steering when the engine is not run-
ning.<
Brake pads
For your own safety: use only
brake pads which BMW has
approved for your specific vehicle
model. BMW cannot evaluate non-
approved brake pads to determine if
they are suitable for use, and therefore
cannot ensure the operating safety of
the vehicle if they are installed.<
Brake system
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115
Do not drive on a deflated – flat –
tire. A flat tire greatly impairs
steering and braking response, and can
lead to complete loss of control over
the vehicle.
Avoid overloading the vehicle so that
the permitted load on the tires is not
exceeded. Overloading can lead to
overheating and internal tire damage.
This can result in a sudden loss of tire
inflation pressure.
Unusual vibrations encountered during
normal vehicle operation can indicate
tire failure or some other vehicle defect.
This type of problem can be caused by
contact with curbs, etc. This is also true
for irregularities in the vehicle's han-
dling characteristics, such as a pro-
nounced tendency to pull to the left or
right. Should this occur, respond by
immediately reducing your speed. Pro-
ceed carefully to the nearest BMW cen-
ter or professional tire center, or have
the vehicle towed in to have it, its
wheels or its tires inspected.
Tire damage, up to and including blow-
outs, can endanger the lives of both the
vehicle occupants and other road
users.<
Tire replacementTo maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single
tread configuration from a single manu-
facturer.
Comply with the specified tire inflation
pressures – and be sure to have the
wheel and tire assembly balanced
every time you change a tire or wheel.DOT quality gradesTreadwear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must con-
form to Federal Safety Require-
ments in addition to these grades. rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified government test
course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would
wear one and one-half – 1
1/2 – times as
well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance
of tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due
to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road char-
acteristics and climate.TractionThe traction grades, from highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B and C.
Those grades represent the tire's ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on speci-
fied government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to
this tire is based on straight-
ahead braking traction tests, and does
not include acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction charac-
teristics. highest – B and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel.
Tire condition
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118
Winter tiresChoosing the right tireBMW recommends the use of winter
tires for operation under winter road
conditions. While all-season tires – with
M+S designation – provide better winter
traction than the corresponding sum-
mer tires, they generally do not achieve
the performance of winter tires.
In the interest of safe tracking and
steering response, install radial tires
made by the same manufacturer and
with the same tread configuration on all
four wheels if you elect to mount winter
tires.
When mounting winter wheels,
observe the different recesses of
the front and rear wheels, as otherwise
damage may result.<
Do not exceed specified
maximum speeds
Never exceed the maximum
speed for which the winter tires
are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and
accidents.
Have this work performed by skilled
professionals only. Your BMW center
will be glad to assist you with both their
expertise and the proper equipment for
your vehicle.<
Tire condition, tire pressureAt tread depths below approx. 3/16 in /
4 mm, tire performance under winter
driving conditions deteriorates notice-
ably. Worn tires should therefore be
replaced for safety considerations.
Comply with the specified tire inflation
pressures – and be sure to have the
wheel and tire assembly balanced
every time you change a tire or wheel.
Snow chains*Only certain snow chains have been
tested by BMW and determined and
approved as roadworthy. Consult your
BMW center for more information.
BMW recommends using only these
approved fine-link snow chains. Use
them in pairs on winter tires, but only on
both rear wheels.
Comply with all manufacturer's safety
precautions when mounting the chains.
Do not exceed a maximum speed of
30 mph / 50 km/h when using snow
chains.
After mounting or removing snow
chains, always reinitialize the sequential
M gearbox with Drivelogic, refer to
page 71.
It is not possible to mount snow
chains on tires with 18-inch and
19-inch wheels.
Deactivate the Flat Tire Monitor when
using snow chains. Malfunction warn-
ings and undetected losses in pressure
are a possibility when driving with snow
chains.
For additional information, refer to
page 84.<

126Maintenance
The BMW Maintenance SystemThe BMW Maintenance System has
been designed as a reliable means of
providing maximum driving and operat-
ing safety – and as cost-effectively for
you as possible.
Please keep in mind that regular main-
tenance is not only necessary for the
safety of your vehicle, but also plays a
significant role in maintaining the resale
value of the vehicle.Service interval displayWhile conventional systems rely on dis-
tance traveled alone to determine when
service is due, the BMW Maintenance
System has for years taken the actual
conditions under which the vehicle
operates into consideration, because
miles can be traveled in many different
ways:
For example, 62,000 miles/100,000 km
short-distance driving are not equal to
the same 62,000 miles/100,000 km of
long-distance travel.
The BMW Maintenance System
includes the Engine Oil Service and
Inspections I and II.
Have a break-in inspection per-
formed at approx. 1,250 miles/
2,000 km regardless of the service
interval indicated on the display.<
Determining the maintenance intervals
according to the actual loads on the
vehicle covers every kind of operating
situation. Minimaluse-drivers – those
who drive significantly fewer than
6,200 miles/10,000 km annually –
should have the engine oil changed at
least every 2 years regardless of what
the service interval display indicates,
since oil deteriorates over time, irre-
spective of use.
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models/Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian modelsFor additional information on required
maintenance intervals and procedures,
please refer to the Service and War-
ranty Information Booklet for US mod-
els, or the Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models.
As a precaution against corrosion, it is
advisable to have the body checked for
damage from rocks or gravel at the
same time, depending upon operating
conditions.
Have your BMW center perform
maintenance and repair.
Be sure that all maintenance work is
recorded in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US models, or
in the Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models. These
entries are your verification for the reg-
ular maintenance of your vehicle and
are required for the performance of
warranty repairs.<

140
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 85 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 143.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

Everything from A to ZA
ABS Antilock Brake
System 112
indicator lamp 19
Accessories, refer to For
your own safety 5
Accident, refer to Emer-
gency call 142
Activated-charcoal filter 96
Adding brake fluid 125
Adding liquid sealant
Mobility system 138
Additional sources of infor-
mation 4
Air conditioning mode
automatic climate
control 94
Air distribution
automatic climate
control 94
Air distribution, individual 94
Air outlets, refer to Ventila-
tion 92
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure 25, 114
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air mode 95
Air supply
automatic climate
control 94
Air, drying, refer to Air con-
ditioning mode 94Airbags 53
deactivating 53
indicator lamp 18, 55
sitting safely 43
Airing out, refer to Ventila-
tion 92
AKI, refer to Fuel specifica-
tions 25
Alarm system 38
avoiding unintentional
alarms 39
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires 118
Alternative oil types 123
Antifreeze 124
coolant 124
washer fluid 122
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 112
indicator lamp 19
Anti-theft system 30
Anti-theft warning system,
refer to Alarm system 38
Approved axle loads, refer
to Weights 152
Approved gross weight,
refer to Weights 152
Armrest
front 98
rear 99Artificial leather, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Ashtray
front 100
rear 100
Assistant systems, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 83
AUC Automatic recircu-
lated-air control 95
AUTO program, refer
to Automatic air distribu-
tion 94
Automatic
air distribution 94
air supply 94
cruise control 74
headlamp control 88
Automatic car wash, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Automatic climate control 92
Automatic curb monitor 50
Automatic dimming, interior
rearview mirror 52
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC) 95
Automatic windshield
washer, refer to Rain sen-
sor 73Average fuel
consumption 81
Average speed 81
Avoiding unintentional
alarms 39
Axle loads, refer to
Weights 152
B
Backrest
adjusting 44
unlocking 47
width adjustment 46
Backrest, refer to Seat
adjustment 45
Backup lamps 66
bulb replacement 135
Bandages, refer to First-aid
kit 23
Bar, towing 145
Battery 140
charge 140
disposal 140
indicator lamp 18
jump-starting 143
remote control 30, 31
Battery charge current 18
Belts, refer to Safety
belts 47
Beverage holders 98, 99

Everything from A to ZCoin box 98
Cold start, refer to Starting
the engine 63
Compact disc operation,
refer to the Owner's Man-
ual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Compartments 98
Compression ratio, refer to
Engine data 150
Computer 80
Condensation, refer to Air
conditioning mode 94
Configuring settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory 60
Connecting a vacuum
cleaner, refer to Cigarette
lighter 100
Consumption, refer to Aver-
age fuel consumption 81
Control elements, refer to
Cockpit 14
Convenience operation
from outside 33
glass sunroof 32
windows 32
Coolant 124
indicator lamp 19, 77
level 124
temperature gauge 77Coolant water, refer to Cool-
ant 124
Cooling, refer to Tempera-
ture 94
Copyright 4
Cornering Brake Control
(CBC) 112
warning lamp 19
Correct tires 117
Cruise control 74
indicator lamp 20
Cup holders, see Beverage
holders 98, 99
Curb weight, refer to
Weights 152
Cylinders, refer to Engine
data 150
D
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit 14
Data
capacities 153
dimensions 151
engine 150
weights 152
Daytime driving lamps 88
DBC Dynamic Brake
Control 112
warning lamp 19
Deep water, refer to Water
on roadways 111Defrost position, refer to
Defrosting windows 94
Defrosting and demisting
windows
automatic climate
control 94
Defrosting windows 94
Defrosting windshield, refer
to Defrosting windows 94
Demisting windows
automatic climate
control 94
Determining the maximum
load 104
Differential
breaking in 110
Digital clock 79
Dimensions 151
Dipstick, engine oil 122
Disc brakes 112
Displacement, refer to
Engine data 150
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting 89
Displays, refer to Instrument
cluster 16
Disposal
oil 123
vehicle battery 140
Distance warning, refer to
Park Distance Control
(PDC) 82Divided rear backrest 102
Door key 30
Door lock 33
Doors
emergency operation 33
Draft-free ventilation 95
Drivelogic 70
Driving light, refer to Parking
lamps/Low beams 88
Driving notes 111
Dry air, refer to Air condi-
tioning mode 94
DSC Dynamic Stability Con-
trol 83
indicator lamp 19, 83
DTC Dynamic Traction Con-
trol
indicator lamp 19
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC) 112
warning lamp 19
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 19, 83
Dynamic Traction Control
(DTC)
indicator lamp 19
E
Easy entry, refer to Entering
the rear 47
Electric glass sunroof 41
Electric power windows 40

Everything from A to Z
165
Tires
age 116
breaking in 110
condition 114, 118
damage 114
flat 136
inflation pressure 25, 114
replacing 115
size, refer to Wheel and
tire combinations 117
storing 117
tread 114
treadwear indicator,
refer to Tire tread – tire
damage 114
winter tires 118
Tools 132
Torque
engine 150
Tow sockets for towing eye-
let 145
Towing bar 145
Towing eyelet 145
Towing rope 145
Towing the vehicle 145
Track width, refer to Dimen-
sions 151
Transport securing devices,
refer to Securing
cargo 105
Transporting children
safely 56Trap protection
power windows 40
Tread depth, refer to Tire
tread 114
Treadwear indicator in the
tires, refer to Tire tread –
tire damage 114
Treadwear, tires 114
Trip distance recorder, refer
to Trip odometer 76
Trip meter, refer to Trip
odometer 76
Trip odometer 76
Trunk lid, refer to Luggage
compartment lid 35
Trunk lighting, refer to Lug-
gage compartment light-
ing 35
Turn signal indicator 72
bulb replacement 134
indicator lamp 20
Turn signal indicator, side
bulb replacement 134
Turning circle, refer to
Dimensions 151
TV function, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Onboard ComputerU
Underbody protection, refer
to the Caring for your vehi-
cle brochure
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading 116
Units
average fuel
consumption 81
temperature 80
Unlocking
from inside 34
from outside 31, 33
Upshift indicator, refer to
Shift Lights 71
V
Vehicle
battery 140
break-in procedures 110
dimensions 151
loading 104
starting 63
switching off 65
washing, refer to the Car-
ing for your vehicle bro-
chure 73
weight 152
Vehicle Memory 60
Vehicle weight 152
Ventilation 92
draft-free 95Viscosity 123
Voice Input System 22
Voice recognition, refer to
separate Owner's Manual
Volume
luggage compartment 152
W
Warning and indicator
lamps 18
Warning lamp 'Please fas-
ten safety belts' 18
Warning messages 78
Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet 126
Warranty, refer also to sepa-
rate booklet 7
Washer fluid
adding 122, 153
Washer fluid reservoir 122
volume 122
Washer jets, refer to Wind-
shield washer jets 74
Washer/wiper system 73, 74
washer fluid 122
Waste tray, refer to
Ashtray 100
Water on roadways, deep
water 111
Weights 152
Wheel and tire
combinations 117
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex