2006 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE Owner's Manual

105
LoadThe permissible load is the sum of the
occupants' weights and the weight of
the cargo. The greater the weight of the
occupants, the less cargo can be trans-
ported.
Stowing cargo>Load heavy cargo as far forward as
possible – directly behind the lug-
gage compartment partition – and as
low as possible
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
You can enlarge the luggage com-
partment when the convertible top
is closed, refer to page 35. To do this
you have to fold the convertible top
compartment panel up.
We recommend that you always fold
the convertible top compartment panel
down as soon as you have removed
your cargo from the luggage compart-
ment. This way, you can be sure that
you can always operate you convertible
top at any time.
At the same time, when the top is
raised you should fold the convertible
top compartment panel back up before
stowing large objects in the luggage
compartment; this precaution will help
reduce the likelihood of damage to
either the convertible top compartment
or your luggage.<
Cargo loading
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106
Securing the cargo in the luggage
compartment>For small, light items, use the rubber-
lined, non-skid side of the floor mat
or secure using the luggage compart-
ment net* or elastic straps, refer to
page 35
>For large, heavy pieces, see your
BMW center for load-securing
devices*. Four anchorages located in
the luggage compartment can be
used for fastening these load-secur-
ing devices.
Comply with the information enclosed
with the load-securing devices.
Always position and secure the
load correctly. If you do not, it can
endanger the passengers during brak-
ing or evasive maneuvers.
Do not exceed the approved gross
vehicle weight or the approved axle
loads, refer to page 156, otherwise the
vehicle's operating safety is no longer
assured and the vehicle will not be in
compliance with the certification regu-
lations.
Do not stow heavy or hard objects in
the passenger compartment without
first securing them. Otherwise they
would be thrown around during braking
and evasive maneuvers and endanger
the occupants.<
Cargo loading

107
Roof-mounted luggage rack for the hardtop*A special roof-rack system is available
as an optional extra for your BMW.
Please observe the precautions
included with the installation instruc-
tions.AnchoragesAccess to the mounting points:
To fold up the covers, please use the
tool provided with the roof-rack system.Loading and driving notesBecause roof racks raise the center of
gravity of the vehicle when loaded, they
exercise a major effect on its handling
and steering response.
When loading, be sure to remember not
to exceed the approved roof weight or
the approved gross vehicle weight or
the axle loads. You will find the specifi-
cations under Technical data on
page 156.
Make sure that the load is not too bulky,
and attempt to distribute it evenly.
Always load the heaviest pieces first so
that they are at the bottom. Make sure
that no objects get in the way when the
luggage compartment lid is opening or
closing.
Secure the roof-mounted luggage cor-
rectly and safely to prevent it from shift-
ing or being lost during driving.
Drive smoothly and avoid sudden
acceleration or braking. Do not corner
at high speeds.
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108

109
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

110Special operating instructions
Break-in proceduresTo ensure that your vehicle continues to
provide maximum economy throughout
an extended service life, we request
that you devote careful attention to the
following instructions.
Because of its engineering design,
the BMW M3 Convertible is an
especially high-quality vehicle. It is in
your best interest to follow the break-in
tips very closely. Doing this, you will
create the basis for a long, optimum
service life. Drive at varying engine and road
speeds, but do not exceed an engine
speed of 5,500 rpm or a road speed of
105 mph / 170 km/h.
Obey your local and state maximum
speed limits.
Do not depress the accelerator pedal to
the full-throttle position.
Vehicles with SMG Drivelogic, refer to
page 73: do not use Drivelogic pro-
grams 5 or 6 or launch control during
the break-in period.
>Following the break-in inspection at
1,250 miles/2,000 km, you can grad-
ually increase engine or road speeds.
TransmissionThe transmission will begin to function
optimally after approx.
300 miles/500 km. Shift gears cau-
tiously during this period and do not
exceed an engine speed of 5,500 rpm.
Vehicles with SMG Drivelogic, refer to
page 73: do not use Drivelogic pro-
grams 5 or 6 or launch control during
the break-in period.TiresOwing to technical factors associated
with their manufacture, tires do not
achieve their full traction potential until
an initial break-in period has elapsed.
We thus ask you to drive with extra care
during the first 200 miles/300 km.
Obey your local and state maximum
speed limits.Brake systemApprox. 300 miles/500 km must elapse
before the brake pads and rotors
achieve the optimal pad-surface and
wear patterns required for trouble-free
operation and an extended service life
later on.To break in the separate parking brake
drums, apply the parking brake lightly
when coasting to a standstill, e.g. at a
traffic signal, provided that traffic condi-
tions permit to do so.
To avoid corrosion repeate this proce-
dure from time to time.
The brake lamps do not come on
when the parking brake is set.
Vacuum for the brake system servo unit
on your BMW is available only when the
engine is running. When you move the
vehicle with the engine off – when tow-
ing, for example – substantially higher
levels of pedal force will be required to
brake the vehicle.<
ClutchThe clutch will also begin to function
optimally after about 300 miles/500 km.
Drive cautiously during this break-in
period and do not press the clutch or
shift at high engine speeds.After replacing partsFollow the same break-in procedures if
any of the components mentioned
above have to be replaced in the future.

111
General driving notesHot exhaust system
High temperatures occur with
every vehicle equipped with a cat-
alytic converter. Heat shields are
installed adjacent to some sections of
the exhaust system. Never remove
these shields; do not apply undercoat-
ing to their surfaces. When driving,
standing at idle and parking the vehicle,
take care to avoid contact between the
hot exhaust system and flammable
materials, e.g. hay, leaves, grass, etc.
Such contact could lead to a fire,
resulting in serious personal injury and
property damage.<
When the vehicle is parkedCondensation forms in the automatic
climate control system during opera-
tion, which then exits under the vehicle.
Traces of condensed water of this kind
are thus normal.Before driving through a car washFold in the exterior mirrors manually
because they could otherwise be dam-
aged due to the width of the vehicle.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy
roads, reduce vehicle speed. If
you do not, a wedge of water may form
between the tires and the road surface.
This phenomenon is referred to as
hydroplaning, and can lead to partial or
complete loss of traction, vehicle con-
trol and braking effectiveness.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases as
the tread depth of the tires decreases,
refer also to Tire tread on page 120.
Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the
road if it is deeper than 1 ft/30 cm,
and then only at walking speed. Other-
wise, the vehicle's engine, the electrical
systems and the transmission may be
damaged.<
Braking safelyYour BMW is equipped with ABS as a
standard feature. If you are in a situa-
tion which requires full braking, it is
best to brake using maximum brake
pressure: panic stop. Since the vehicle
maintains steering responsiveness, you
can avoid possible obstacles with a
minimum of steering effort, despite the
full brake application.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combined
with sounds from the hydraulic circuits
indicates to the driver that ABS is in its
active mode.
Do not drive with your foot resting
on the brake pedal. Otherwise,
even light but consistent pedal pres-
sure can lead to high temperatures,
brake wear and possibly even brake
failure.<
Wet roads:
if the roads are wet or if there is heavy
rain, it is advisable to gently press the
brakes for a brief moment every few
miles/kilometers. Monitor traffic condi-
tions to ensure that this maneuver does
not pose a hazard to you or to other
road users. The heat generated in this
process helps dry the pads and rotors.
Immediate braking force is then avail-
able if necessary.
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112
Inclines:
To prevent overheating and, as a
result, diminished braking effec-
tiveness, drive down long or steep
downhill grades in a gear which
requires the least braking. Otherwise,
even light but consistent pedal pres-
sure can lead to high temperatures,
brake wear and possibly even brake
failure.<
The braking power of the engine can be
further enhanced by downshifting the
automatic transmission in manual
mode, if necessary, into first gear. This
helps avoid placing excessive loads on
the brake system.
Do not coast with the clutch
depressed or with the transmis-
sion or selector lever in Neutral. Do not
coast with the engine switched off. Oth-
erwise, the engine provides no braking
effect while the transmission is in idling
position, and there is no power-assist
for braking or steering when the engine
is off.
Floor mats, floor carpets or other
objects must not be in the area near the
brake or accelerator pedal, as this
could impair the movement of the ped-
als.<
Corrosion on the brake rotorsLimited vehicle use, extended periods
with the vehicle parked or in storage,
and operating conditions in which brak-
ing is restricted to gentle, low-pressure
applications will all increase the ten-
dency for corrosion to form on the
rotors and contamination to accumulate
on the brake pads. This occurs because
the minimal pressure which must be
exerted by the pads to clean the rotors
by brake applications is not reached.
If the brake rotors are corroded, they
will tend to respond to braking with a
pulsating effect that even extended
brake applications will fail to cure.
Brake pads
For your own safety: use only
brake pads that BMW has
released for your particular 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.<
Portable phone in the vehicle
BMW advises against using
mobile equipment, e.g. cellular
phones, inside the vehicle without con-
necting them directly to an outside
antenna. Otherwise, it cannot be ruled
out that vehicle electronics and the
mobile equipment interfere with one
another. In addition, it is not ensured
that the radio waves emitted during
transmission are directed outside of the
vehicle interior.<
General driving notes