2006 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE coolant

Contents

9

Passenger safety systems:

Airbags55
Transporting children safely58
Rollover protection system62
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory64

Driving:

Ignition lock65
Starting the engine and driving
off66
Switching off the engine68
Parking brake68
Manual transmission69
Sequential M gearbox with
Drivelogic*70
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher75
Washer/wiper system/Rain
sensor*76
Cruise control77

Everything under control:

Odometer79
Tachometer79
Engine oil temperature79
Fuel gauge80
Engine coolant temperature
gauge80
Service interval display81
Check Control81
Clock82
Computer83

Technology for safety and
driving convenience:

Park Distance Control (PDC)*85
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC86
Flat Tire Monitor87
M Engine dynamics control89
Brake force display89

Lamps:

Parking lamps/Low beams90
Instrument lighting91
High beams/Standing lamps91
Front fog lamps92
Interior lamps92
Reading lamps92

Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:

Automatic climate control94

Interior conveniences:

Glove compartment99
Storage compartments99
Microphone*100
Ashtray, front*100
Ashtray, rear*101

Loading and transporting:

Ski bag*102
Cargo loading104
Roof-mounted luggage rack for
the hardtop*107

Operation, maintenance

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures110
General driving notes111
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)113
Hardtop*113

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressure116
Tire code118
Tire condition119
New wheels and tires120
Snow chains*122

In the engine compartment:

Hood123
Engine compartment
essentials124
Washer fluids126
Engine oil126
Coolant128
Brake fluid129

Maintenance:

BMW Maintenance System130
OBD interface socket132

Controls and features

17
1Fuel gauge80
2Turn signal indicator20
3Speedometer
4Indicator and warning lamps18
to 21
5Tachometer and engine oil
temperature gauge79
6Engine coolant temperature
gauge80
7Indicator and warning lamps18
to 21
8Control button for

>

Clock82

>

Unit of measure of outside
temperature display83
9Display for sequential M gearbox
with Drivelogic71
10 Indicator lamp for Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC)86
11 Display for

>

Trip odometer79

>

Clock82

>

Service interval81

>

Computer83
12 Check Control81
13 Trip odometer, reset to zero79
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 is 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.
If there is a malfunction, have the sys-
tem checked as soon as possible.
For additional information, refer to
page 86.
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)

●

Malfunction in DBC system.
Conventional braking efficiency
is available and unrestricted.
Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
For additional information, refer to
page 113.
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
warning lamp for Canadian
models.

Add washer fluid
The washer fluid level is too low,
top it up at the earliest opportu-
nity.
For additional information, refer to
page 126.
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 132.
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 128.
CHECK GAS CAP*

●

This indicator lamp comes on
when the gas cap is loose or
missing.
Close the gas cap tightly: refer to
page 25.
Rollover protection system

●

The rollover protection system is
deactivated due to a malfunc-
tion. Please have the system inspected
immediately at your BMW center.
For additional information, refer to
page 62.

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 75.

Indicator and warning lamps

80
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 128.

125
1Filler neck for windshield and head-
lamp washer cleaning system126
2Coolant expansion tank128
3Auxiliary terminal for jump-starting –
positive terminal147
4Engine oil filler neck127
5Expansion tank for SMG Drivelogic
hydraulic unit – checking and possi-
ble refilling by your BMW center70
6Engine oil dipstick126
7Filler neck for brake fluid129Engine compartment essentials
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

128
Low ambient temperaturesThe oils used by BMW at the factory for
your vehicle model can be used at virtu-
ally any ambient temperature.
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 open the cooling system
when the engine is hot. If you do,
escaping coolant can cause burns.<
Coolant consists of water and coolant
additives. Not all commercially available
additives are suitable for your BMW.
Your BMW center knows which addi-
tives are appropriate.
Only use approved additives, as
the engine could otherwise be
damaged. The additives are hazardous
to health.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating
the disposal of coolant additives.<
Checking the coolant level1. The engine must be at ambient tem-
perature
2. Open the cap for the expansion tank
by turning it slightly counterclock-
wise to allow accumulated pressure
to escape. Then open
3. The coolant level is correct when the
upper end of the red float is even
with the upper edge of the filler neck,
refer to the arrow in the illustration or
to the schematic diagram next to the
filler neck
4. If necessary, slowly add coolant until
the correct level is reached; do not
overfill
5. Close the cap by turning until it is
well tight
6. Have the cause for the coolant loss
removed as soon as possible.
Engine oil

Everything from A to ZA
ABS Antilock Brake
System 113
indicator lamp 19
Accessories, refer to For
your own safety 6
Accident, refer to Emer-
gency call 146
Activated-charcoal filter 98
Adaptive brake lamp, refer
to Brake force display 89
Adding brake fluid 129
Additional sources of infor-
mation 4
Air conditioning mode
automatic climate
control 96
Air distribution
automatic climate
control 96
individual 96
Air outlets, refer to Ventila-
tion 94
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure 116
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air mode 97
Air supply
automatic climate
control 96
Air, drying, refer to Air con-
ditioning mode 96Airbags 55
deactivating 55
indicator lamp 18, 57
safe seating position 46
Airing out, refer to Ventila-
tion 94
AKI, refer to Fuel specifica-
tions 25
Alarm system 36
avoiding unintentional
alarms 37
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires 120
Alternative oils 127
Antifreeze
coolant 128
washer fluid 126
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 113
indicator lamp 19
Anti-theft system 28
Anti-theft warning system,
refer to Alarm system 36
Approved axle loads, refer
to Weights 156
Approved gross weight,
refer to Weights 156
Armrest 99
Artificial leather, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochureAshtray
front 100
rear 101
Assistant systems, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 86
AUC Automatic recircu-
lated-air control 97
AUTO program 96
Automatic
cruise control 77
headlamp control 90
Automatic air distribution,
refer to AUTO program 96
Automatic air supply, refer
to AUTO program 96
Automatic car wash, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Automatic climate control 94
Automatic curb monitor 52
Automatic dimming, interior
rearview mirror 53
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC) 97
Automatic windshield
washer, refer to Rain sen-
sor 76
Average fuel
consumption 84
Average speed 84Avoiding unintentional
alarms 37
Axle loads, refer to
Weights 156
B
Backrest
unlocking 49
Backrest, refer to Seat
adjustment 47
Backup lamps 69
bulb replacement 139
Bandages, refer to First-aid
kit 23
Bar, for towing 149
Battery 144
charge 144
disposal 145
indicator lamp 18
jump-starting 147
remote control 28, 29
Battery charge current 18
Battery charge indicator
lamp 18
Belts, refer to Safety
belts 50
Beverage holders 100
Blower
automatic climate
control 96
BMW Maintenance
System 130

Everything from A to ZCode, refer to the Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Coin box 100
Cold start, refer to Starting
the engine 66
Compact disc operation,
refer to the Owner's Man-
ual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Compression ratio, refer to
Engine data 154
Computer 83
Condensation, refer to Air
conditioning mode 96
Configuring settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory 64
Connecting a vacuum
cleaner, refer to Power
socket 101
Consumption, refer to Aver-
age fuel consumption 84
Control elements, refer to
Cockpit 14
Convenience operation
from outside 31
windows 29Convertible top 39
cleaning position 44
convenience operation
29, 31
electrical malfunction 42
emergency operation 42
indicator lamps 41
opening and closing 40
remote control 29
Coolant 128
indicator lamp 19, 80
level 128
temperature gauge 80
Coolant water, refer to Cool-
ant 128
Cooling, refer to Tempera-
ture 96
Copyright 4
Cornering Brake Control
(CBC) 113
warning lamp 19
Cruise control 77
indicator lamp 20
Cup holders, see Beverage
holders 100
Curb weight, refer to
Weights 156
Cylinders, refer to Engine
data 154D
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit 14
Data
capacities 157
dimensions 155
engine 154
technical 154
weights 156
Daytime driving lamps 90
DBC Dynamic Brake Control
19, 113
Deep water, refer to Driving
through water 111
Defrost position, refer to
Defrosting windows 96
Defrosting and demisting
windows
automatic climate
control 96
Defrosting windows 96
Defrosting windshield, refer
to Defrosting windows 96
Demisting windows
automatic climate
control 96
Differential
breaking in 110
Digital clock 82
Dimensions 155
Dipstick, engine oil 126Displacement, refer to
Engine data 154
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting 91
Displays, refer to Instrument
cluster 16
Disposal
oil 127
vehicle battery 145
Distance warning, refer to
Park Distance Control
(PDC) 85
Door key 28
Door lock 31
Doors
emergency operation 31
Draft-free ventilation 97
Drivelogic 73
Driving light, refer to Parking
lamps/Low beams 90
Driving notes 111
Driving through water, deep
water 111
Dry air, refer to Air condi-
tioning mode 96
DSC Dynamic Stability Con-
trol 86
indicator lamp 19, 86
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC) 19, 113
indicator lamp 19