2004 BMW M3 COUPE engine coolant

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

Contents

Operation, maintenance

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures110
General driving notes111
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)112
Brake system112

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressure114
Tire condition114
Tire replacement115
Wheel and tire
combinations117
Winter tires118
Snow chains*118

In the engine compartment:

Hood119
Engine compartment
essentials120
Washer fluids122
Engine oil122
Coolant124
Brake fluid125

Maintenance:

The BMW Maintenance
System126

Laws and regulations:

California Proposition 65
warning128
OBD interface socket128
Owner service procedures Replacement procedures: Onboard tool kit132
Windshield wiper blades132
Lamps and bulbs133
Repairing a flat tire136
Battery140
Fuses141 Giving and receiving
assistance: Receiving assistance142
Jump-starting143
Towing the vehicle144
Technical data

Engine data150
Dimensions151
Weights152
Capacities153

17
1Fuel gauge77
2Turn signal indicators20
3Speedometer
4Indicator and warning
lamps18 to 21
5Tachometer and engine oil temper-
ature gauge76
6Engine coolant temperature
gauge77
7Indicator and warning
lamps18 to 21
8Control button for

>

Clock79

>

Unit of measure of outside tem-
perature display80
9Display for sequential M gearbox
with Drivelogic68
10 Indicator lamp for Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC)83
11 Display for

>

Trip odometer/Odometer76

>

Clock79

>

Service interval78

>

Computer80
12 Check Control78
13 Trip odometer, reset to zero76
14 Indicator and warning
lamps18 to 21

Instrument cluster

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

20
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)

●

The indicator lamp flashes and
an acoustic signal sounds: the system
is active and governs drive and braking
force.
If the indicator lamp fails to go out after
the engine has been started, or if it
comes on during normal driving and
stays on:
DSC has been deactivated, either at the
button or in response to a system mal-
function.
In the event of a malfunction, have the
system checked by your nearest BMW
center.
For additional information: refer to
page 83
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 112
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 122
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 128
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 124
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

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 72
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 74
Front fog lamps
Lights up whenever the fog
lamps are on.
For additional information: refer to
page 90

Indicator and warning lamps

77
Fuel gaugeOnce the indicator lamp stays on con-
tinuously, there are still approx.
2 gallons/8 liters of fuel in the fuel tank.
Fuel tank capacity approx. 16.6 gal./
63 liters.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies – when
you are driving in mountainous areas,
for example – the needle may fluctuate
slightly.
Fill the fuel tank before it is com-
pletely empty. Driving to the last
drop of fuel can prevent the engine
from operating properly and result in
damage.<
When you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp lights up briefly as an
operation check.
Engine coolant temperature gaugeBlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at moder-
ate engine and vehicle speeds.Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. The needle
may rise as far as the edge of the red
sector during normal operation.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the
warning lamp comes on briefly as an
operation check.
If the lamp comes on while operating
the vehicle: the engine has overheated.
Switch off the engine immediately and
allow it to cool down.
To check the coolant level, refer to
page 124.
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121
1Filler neck for headlamp and wind-
shield washer cleaning system122
2Coolant expansion tank124
3Auxiliary terminal for jump-starting –
positive terminal143
4Engine oil filler neck123
5Expansion tank for SMG Drivelogic
hydraulic unit, checking and possible
refilling by your BMW center67
6Engine oil dipstick122
7Filler neck for brake fluid125Engine compartment essentials
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124
However, if the vehicle is exposed to
temperatures below –47/–206 for
extended periods, please have your
BMW center recommend a suitable oil.
Coolant
Do not add coolant to the cooling
system when the engine is hot. If
you attempt to do so, escaping coolant
can cause burns.
Antifreeze and anti-corrosion agents
are hazardous to health. You should
always store them in their closed origi-
nal containers and in a location inac-
cessible to children. Antifreeze and
anti-corrosion agents are inflammable.
For this reason, do not spill them on hot
engine parts. They could ignite and
cause burns. Comply with the instruc-
tions on the containers.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the dis-
posal of antifreeze agents with corro-
sion inhibitor.<
Checking the coolant level and
adding coolantCheck the coolant level when the
engine is cold, approx. 687/+206.
1. Open the cap for the expansion tank
by turning it slightly counterclock-
wise to allow accumulated pressure
to escape. Then open
2. The coolant level is correct when the
upper end of the red float is at least
even with the upper edge of the filler
neck – refer to the arrow in the illus-
tration. The end of the float may stick
out by a maximum of 3/4 in / 2 cm –
that is, up to the second mark on the
float. Refer also to the schematic dia-
gram next to the filler neck
Engine oil

125
3. If necessary, add coolant. If the cool-
ant is low, slowly add coolant until
the correct level is reached — do not
overfill.
Brake fluidIndicator lamp
The brake warning lamp comes
on when the parking brake is
not engaged: brake fluid level
too low, refer to page18.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Adding brake fluidFor adding brake fluid or for determin-
ing and correcting the cause of brake
fluid loss, consult your BMW center.
Your BMW center is familiar with the
specifications for factory-approved
brake fluids – DOT 4.
Due to loss in brake fluid, pedal travel
can lengthen and braking efficiency
may be reduced. Refer to the informa-
tion on page 112.
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that is,
it absorbs moisture from the air
over time.
In order to ensure the safety and reli-
ability of the brake system, have the
brake fluid changed every two years by
a BMW center. Refer also to the Service
and Warranty Information Booklet for
US models or the Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet for Canadian models.
Brake fluid is toxic and damages the
vehicle's paint. You should always store
it in its closed original container and in
a location inaccessible to children.
Do not spill the brake fluid and do not
fill the brake fluid reservoir beyond the
MAX mark. The brake fluid could ignite
upon contact with hot engine parts and
cause serious burns.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating
the disposal of brake fluid.<
Coolant
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex