2004 BMW M3 COUPE automatic transmission

Contents

9

Driving:

Ignition lock62
Starting the engine and driving
off63
Switching off the engine65
Parking brake65
Manual transmission66
Sequential M gearbox with
Drivelogic*67
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher72
Washer/wiper system/Rain
sensor*73
Cruise control74

Everything under control:

Odometer76
Tachometer76
Engine oil temperature76
Fuel gauge77
Engine coolant temperature
gauge77
Service interval display78
Check Control78
Clock79
Computer80

Technology for safety and
driving convenience:

Park Distance Control (PDC)*82
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)83
Flat Tire Monitor84
M Engine dynamics control87
Brake force display87

Lamps:

Parking lamps/Low beams88
Instrument lighting89
High beams/Standing lamps89
Fog lamps90
Interior lamps90

Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:

Automatic climate control92
Roller sun blind*96

Interior conveniences:

Premium sound system*97
Glove compartment97
Storage compartments98
Cellular phone*99
Ashtray, front*100
Ashtray, rear*100
Clothes hooks101

Loading and transporting:

Through-loading system102
Ski bag*103
Cargo loading104
Roof-mounted luggage
rack*106

Controls and features

63
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, such as when it is very hot or
cold:
>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 con-
verter.<
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 startsSequential 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 that the hood is not
closed properly, refer to page 68.
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.<
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

65
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 sufficiently
secure the vehicle against 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.
10 seconds. If you move the selector
lever into a forward or reverse position
during this time, a gear is automatically
engaged.
Parking brakeThe parking brake is designed primarily
to prevent the vehicle from rolling when
it is parked. It operates against 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.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

66
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 downhill roads. Engaging a
gear may not sufficiently secure the
vehicle against rolling.<
To avoid corrosion and one-sided
braking, apply the parking brake
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 5th/6th
gear plane, be sure to press the
gearshift lever to the right in order to
prevent inadvertent selection of a gear
in the 3rd/4th gear plane. Do not hold
the vehicle in place on slopes by slip-
ping or 'riding' the clutch. Use the park-
ing brake instead. Riding the clutch
leads to severe and premature clutch
wear.<
ReverseSelect only when the vehicle is station-
ary. Press the shift lever to the left to
overcome the resistance.
As you do this, the backup lamps will
light up automatically when the ignition
key is in position 2.
Parking brake

Everything from A to ZGearbox malfunction
sequential M gearbox with
Drivelogic 71
Gearbox, sequential 67
Gearshift lever
manual transmission 66
sequential M gearbox with
Drivelogic 67
General driving notes 111
Glass sunroof
convenience operation 32
Glass sunroof, electric 41
closing following an elec-
trical malfunction 42
convenience operation 33
remote control 31, 32
Glove compartment 97
Gradient assistance 70
Grills, refer to Ventilation 92
Gross weight, refer to
Weights 152
H
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake 65
Hands-free system 99
Harman Kardon premium
sound system 97
Hazard warning flashers 14
Hazard warning triangle 23
Head airbags 53
Head restraints 46Headlamp cleaning system
cleaning headlamps 74
washer fluid 122, 153
Headlamp control 88
Headlamp flasher 89
indicator lamp 21
Headlamps
bulb replacement 133
care, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Heated mirror 51
Heated rear window
automatic climate
control 95
Heated seats 50
Heating
exterior mirrors 51
rear window 95
seats 50
Heating and ventilation 92
Heavy loads, refer to Cargo
loading 105
Height adjustment
seats 45
steering wheel 51
Height, refer to
Dimensions 151
High beams 72, 89
bulb replacement 133
headlamp flasher 89
indicator lamp 21Holder for
beverages 98, 99
litter bag 99
Hood release 119
Horn 14
Hydraulic brake assistant,
refer to DBC 112
Hydraulic system
brakes 112
Hydroplaning 111
I
Ice warning 80
Ignition 62
Ignition key 30
positions 62
Ignition lock 62
Imprint 4
Indicator lamps 18Indicator/warning lamp
airbags 18
alarm system 39
brakes 18, 19
Check Gas Cap 19
coolant 19, 77
DSC 19
Flat Tire Monitor
18, 19, 86
fog lamps 20
Please fasten safety
belts 18
reserve 77
Service Engine Soon 19
Individual air distribution 94
Individual settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory 60
Inflation pressure monitor-
ing, refer to Flat Tire Moni-
tor 84
Inflation pressure, tires
25, 114
INSPECTION 78
Instrument cluster 16
Instrument lighting 89
Instrument panel 14
Interface socket for onboard
diagnostics (OBD) 128
Interior lamps 90
remote control 32

Everything from A to Z
161
Interior motion sensor 38
switching off 32, 39
Interior rearview mirror
automatic dimming
feature 52
Interior temperature
adjusting 94
Intermittent
mode, wipers 73
Interval
display, service 78
J
Jump-starting 143
K
Key Memory 60
Keys 30
with remote control 30
L
Lamp defect 133
Lamps and bulbs 133
Lashing down loads, refer to
Cargo loading 104
Lashing eyelets, refer to
Securing cargo 105
Lashing fittings, refer to
Securing cargo 105
LATCH child-restraint
mounting system 58Leather care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
LEDs light-emitting
diodes 90
Length, refer to
Dimensions 151
License plate lamp
bulb replacement 136
Light switch 88
Light-emitting diodes
(LEDs) 90
Lighter 100
LIGHTS ON warning 88
Lights, refer to Parking
lamps/Low beams 88
Litter bag holders 99
Load, refer to Cargo
loading 104
Loading
vehicle 104
Load-securing devices 105
Lock buttons on doors, refer
to Locking 34
Lock, steering wheel 62
Locking
from inside 34
from outside 31, 33
Locking and unlocking
doors
from inside 34
from outside 31, 33Low beams 88
automatic 88
bulb replacement 133
indicator lamp, defective
lamp 78
Luggage compartment
capacity 152
emergency operation,
refer to Manual
operation 35
floor mat 38
floor panel 37
lid 35
opening from outside 35
opening, remote
control 32
opening/closing, refer to
Luggage compartment
lid 35
remote control 32
volume 152
Luggage compartment lid 35
emergency operation 35
emergency release 37
indicator lamp 78
opening from inside the
vehicle 35, 36
opening from outside 35
remote control 32
securing separately 35
unlocking manually 35Luggage compartment light-
ing 35
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack 106
Lumbar support 45
M
M Engine dynamics
control 87
M Mobility system 136
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires 118
Maintenance 78, 126
Maintenance system 126
Making telephone calls,
refer to the telephone
Owner's Manual
Malfunction
door lock 33
fuel filler door 24
Malfunction displays 78
Manual operation
door lock 33
driver's door 33
fuel filler door 24
glass sunroof 42
luggage compartment
lid 35
Manual transmission 66
Master keys
with remote control 30
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to Z
163
Please fasten safety belts
indicator lamp 18
Pollen, refer to Microfil-
ter/activated-charcoal fil-
ter 96
Power output, refer to
Engine data 150
Power seat 45
Power socket, cigarette
lighter 100
Pressure monitoring, tires
Flat Tire Monitor 84
Pressure, tires 25, 114
inflating with Mobility sys-
tem 139
R
Radio remote control key,
refer to Master key with
remote control 30
Radio, refer to the Owner's
Manual for Radio
Rain sensor 73
Raising the floor panel 37
Range 81
Reading lamps
front 90
rear 90
Rear armrest, refer to Rear
center armrest 99
Rear backrest, folding 102Rear center 3-point safety
belt 102
Rear lamps
bulb replacement 135
indicator lamp, defective
lamp 78
Rear window heating
automatic climate
control 95
Rear-entry assist 47
Rearview mirror 51
Receiving assistance 142
Recirculated-air mode
automatic climate
control 95
Recirculating the air, refer to
Recirculated-air mode 95
Reclining seat, refer to Seat
adjustment 45
Refueling 24
fuel filler door 24
Releasing
hood 119
Remaining distance to ser-
vice 78
Remaining distance, refer to
Range 81
Remote control 31
luggage compartment
lid 32
malfunction 32Replacing lamps, refer to
Lamps and bulbs 133
Replacing tires 115
Reporting safety defects 7
Restraint systems
for children 56
Restraint systems, refer to
Safety belts 47
Reverse gear
manual transmission 66
Roof load capacity 152
Roof-mounted luggage
rack 106
Rope, refer to Towing the
vehicle 145
S
Safe seating position 43
Safety belt height adjust-
ment 48
Safety belts 47
height adjustment 48
sitting safely 43
warning lamp 18
Safety feature
glass sunroof 41
power windows 40
Safety systems, refer to
Antilock Brake
System 112
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 83Screwdriver, refer to
Onboard tool kit 132
Seat adjustment
adjusting the lumbar sup-
port 45
backrest width adjust-
ment 46
BMW sports seat 45
lumbar support 45
manual 44
power 45
Seat belt tensioner, refer to
Safety belts 47
Seat heating 50
Seat height adjustment 44
Seat memory, refer to Seat
and mirror memory 49
Seat positions, storing 49
Seats 44
Securing cargo 105
Securing child-restraint sys-
tem 57
Securing the vehicle
from inside 34
from outside 31, 33
Selector lever
sequential M gearbox with
Drivelogic 67
Selector lever positions
sequential M gearbox with
Drivelogic 67
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex