2006 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE Convertible top

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2. Ensure that the convertible top com-
partment panel in the luggage com-
partment is folded down, refer to
page 35; otherwise, it will not be
possible to open the convertible top
3. Make sure that the luggage compart-
ment lid is closed
4. Press and hold the corresponding
button for convertible top operation.
It can take a few seconds until the
opening or closing procedure starts.
The luggage compartment lid can-
not be opened while the convert-
ible top is in motion.<
During convertible top operation
the rear window moves toward the
passenger compartment. To prevent
injuries, make sure that the closing path
of the convertible top is unobstructed.<
After having been stored for an
extended period of time in the
convertible top compartment, e.g. dur-
ing the winter months because the
hardtop was being used, you may have
to support the convertible top by hand
when closing it for the first time.
If the convertible top should halt right
before the closing phase is completed,
press against the front part of the con-
vertible top frame from the outside to
help the closing process along. Keep
pressing the button while doing so until
the top starts up again on its own.<
Indicator lamps>The red indicator lamp is lit whenever
the convertible top is in motion. It
goes out as soon as the opening or
closing operation has been com-
pleted
>If the red indicator lamp flashes after
the button is released, the convertible
top has not yet been opened or
closed completely. You can resume
operation in the desired direction by
pressing the button again
>If the yellow indicator lamp lights up
continuously with the button pressed,
the convertible top compartment
panel has been raised and the top
cannot be moved.
The side windows move down slightly
whenever the button for operating the
convertible top is pressed.
They will go back up if you keep holding
the button down for more than
2 seconds after the opening or closing
process has been completed and the
indicator lamp has gone out.InterruptionThe convertible top stops moving
immediately when the button is
released. You can resume operation in
the desired direction by pressing the
button again.
Do not close the side windows
using the power window switches
if the convertible top has not been
closed completely. Otherwise, the side
windows may not seal properly with the
rubber seals of the convertible top.<
If the opening or closing operation is
interrupted by releasing the buttons,
the convertible top remains in the
respective position for 15 minutes
before it slowly moves into a stable
position. The operation can be contin-
ued by pressing the buttons.
Convertible top
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42
Do not repeatedly interrupt and
resume the closing operation, as
otherwise the fully-automatic convert-
ible top mechanism could be dam-
aged.<
In certain cases, the luggage compart-
ment lid cannot be opened if the open-
ing or closing operation has been inter-
rupted.
Operate the convertible top manu-
ally in emergency situations only
to avoid causing damage due to incor-
rect operation.<
Convenience operation via
remote control and driver's door
lockRefer to pages 29 and 31.
Closing manually in the event of
an electrical malfunction1Emergency operation
2Allen wrench
3Recess
Only operate the convertible top
manually to close it. Never open it
manually since the convertible top
compartment lid cannot be locked and
would open during driving.<
Manual closing is best carried out
by two persons from outside with
the driver's door open and the driver's
seat folded forward. No one is to be in
the rear seat while you are doing this.<
1. Remove the center piece between
the rear seats. Take the trim off of the
guide rod and flip it forward
2. Press down hard on the emergency
lock 1 – see previous illustration.
After a brief pause, the mechanisms
for the convertible top compartment
lid will be released
If the mechanism for the convert-
ible top compartment lid does not
unlock, then insert the Allen wrench 2
into the recess 3 and turn clockwise to
release it.<
3. If the luggage compartment lid is
closed, open the convertible top
compartment lid up as far as the stop
will allow
Convertible top

43
4. Grasp the convertible top by the lat-
eral guide section – see arrow 1 –
and the front convertible top frame –
see arrow 2. Lift out the top and
swing forward until you encounter a
perceptible resistance at a stop.
Position the rear convertible top
frame vertically and close the con-
vertible top compartment lid. Fold
down the rear convertible top frame
To avoid damaging the side trim,
always fold the convertible top
forward before folding the rear frame
brace up into its vertical position.<
5. Use a screwdriver to lift out the cover
panel that is in the center of the front
convertible top frame
6. Insert the Allen wrench 2 – refer to
page 42 – into the recess – see arrow
7. Pull down on the front convertible
top frame as far as possible. Close
the convertible top further by turning
the wrench in a clockwise direction;
continue turning until the front con-
vertible top frame is locked to the
windshield frame. The rear convert-
ible top frame will automatically be
pressed down onto the convertible
top compartment lid and, because of
the tension, will close completely.
The closing operation must be
completed, as otherwise damage
and/or injuries may result.<
Please consult your BMW center
to have the defect corrected.<
Convertible top
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Position for cleaningTo be able to access the convertible
top compartment, lean the rear frame of
the convertible top against the cover of
the convertible top compartment.
First, use the button for activating
the convertible top to unlock the
locks of the convertible top compart-
ment. Refer to page 40.<
For additional information on vehi-
cle care, refer to the Caring for
your vehicle brochure.<
Wind deflector*With the convertible top open, the wind
deflector keeps air movement in the
passenger compartment to a minimum,
thus providing you with a pleasant
drive, even at higher speeds. The wind
deflector comes in a protective sleeve,
and because of its slim dimensions, can
be easily stored in the luggage com-
partment.Installation1. Remove wind deflector from the pro-
tective sleeve
2. Flip out both sides and lock into
place. It is essential for the two com-
ponents marked in the illustration to
mesh at this point
Convertible top

45
3. Hold the wind deflector so that the
smaller half points toward the front
and guide the mounting pin for the
side piece into the proper opening
4. Pull back on the mounting pin for the
other side piece by using a slide, so
that the mounting pin can be guided
into the opening provided
5. Unlock the convertible top compart-
ment lid via the convertible top con-
trol button, refer to page 40, and
open the convertible top compart-
ment lid
6. Flip the back half of the wind deflec-
tor backward, so that the mounts are
lying on the vehicle
7. Close the convertible top compart-
ment lid via the convertible top con-
trol button. The wind deflector is now
attached so that it is theft-proof.
Operate the convertible top com-
partment lid from above only in
order to avoid any pinching.
With the wind deflector in place: to
avoid damaging the wind deflector
never push the front seats all the way
back. installing, just reverse the steps.
Wind deflector*
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Transporting children safely
Leave the rear safety belts in the
holders if they are not needed to
avoid unwanted movement from the
safety belts at high speeds.<
Commercially available child seats
complying with the legal standard are
designed to be secured with a seat belt
or with the seat belt portion of a combi-
nation lap/shoulder belt. Improperly or
inadequately installed restraint sys-
tems can increase the risk of injury to
children. Always read and follow the
instructions that come with the system.
Correct location for installingIn your BMW, all seats equipped with a
three-point safety belt – except for the
driver's seat – are suitable for installing
universal child-restraint systems of all
age classes and which have been
approved for the age group in question.
Child-restraint system with tether
strapIf you use a child-restraint system with
a tether strap, two additional tether
anchorage points have been provided.
Depending on the location selected for
seating in the rear passenger area,
attach the tether strap to the corre-
sponding anchorage point to secure the
child-restraint system, as shown in the
illustration.
1. Open the convertible top compart-
ment lid, refer to page 39
2. Lift the headrest and pass the tether
strap between the headrest and the
seat back. It is recommended that
you return the head restraint back to
its lowest possible position
3. Adjust the tether strap according to
the child-restraint manufacturer's
instructions
4. Close the convertible top compart-
ment panel.

63
3. Keep pressing down on the protec-
tive bar from on top – see arrow 1 –
until you hear it click into place
4. Put the cover panel back in place
and press down firmly
5. Push the back panel of the head
restraint closed – see arrow 2.
Do the same for the second protective
bar. If you are not familiar with any of
the procedures, consult your BMW
center.
Have the rollover protection system
checked out by your BMW center after
it has been inadvertently triggered.
Do not move the convertible top
under any circumstances if the
rollover protection system has
extended.
Do not use the rear head restraints as
storage shelves.
Absolutely no modifications are to be
made to any of the rollover protection
system's individual components or any
of its wiring.
Only your BMW center is to carry out
any work on the rollover protection sys-
tem.
Work done on the system that is carried
out improperly could lead to failure in
an emergency or accidental activation.
Regarding having the system checked
to ensure long-term operation: be scru-
pulous in adhering to the Service Inter-
val Display for maintenance intervals.
Every two years at the latest, the roll-
over protection system must be
inspected by a BMW center.<
Rollover protection system
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97
Condensation forms during opera-
tion of the air conditioning system,
which then exits under the vehicle.
Traces of condensed water of this kind
are thus normal.<
Outside air/Automatic
recirculated-air control (AUC)/
Recirculated air
You can respond to unpleasant
external odors or pollutants by
temporarily stopping the flow of outside
air. The system then recirculates the air
currently within the vehicle.
By repeatedly pressing the button, you
can select one of three different operat-
ing modes.
>Indicator lamps off: outside air always
flowing into the vehicle
>Left-hand indicator lamp on – auto-
matic mode: the system detects pol-
lutants in the outside air and
responds by deactivating the outside
airflow as required. The system then
recirculates the air currently within
the vehicle.
Depending on air quality require-
ments, the system automatically
switches between outside air supply
and recirculation of the air already
within the vehicle
>Right-hand indicator lamp on: the
flow of outside air is permanently
blocked. The system recirculates the
air already within the vehicle.
If the windows fog over in the
recirculated-air mode, switch the
recirculated-air mode off and increase
the air supply as required. With the convertible top closed
or with the hardtop* mounted,
press the button. The indicator lamp
remains on. The rear window defroster
switches off automatically after a short
while.
You can have your vehicle pro-
grammed in such a way that the
rear window defroster switches on
automatically. This occurs within 5 min-
utes after starting the engine when out-
side temperatures are below approx.
397/+46.<
Draft-free ventilationYou can adjust the blower controls for
the upper body area to obtain the opti-
mum airflow rates and directions for
your personal requirements:
1Rotary dials for opening and closing
the vents at any setting desired
2Lever for adjusting airflow direction
3With the rotary dial, you can add
more or less cool air to the air coming
from the outlets for the upper body
area:
>Turn toward blue – colder
>Turn toward red – warmer.
Automatic climate control
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