2006 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE engine overheat

18

Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself

Indicator and warning lamps that are
identified by

●

are tested for proper
functioning whenever the ignition key is
turned. They each light up once for dif-
ferent periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these
systems, the corresponding lamp does
not go out after the engine is started, or
it lights up while the vehicle is moving.
You will see how to react to this below.

Red: stop immediately

Battery charge current

●

The battery is no longer being
charged. There is a malfunction
of the alternator drive belt or in the
charging circuit of the alternator. Please
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the drive belt is defective, stop
and switch off the engine immedi-
ately to prevent overheating and seri-
ous engine damage. If the drive belt is
defective, increased steering effort is
also required.

<

Engine oil pressure

●

An alarm sounds at the same
time. The engine oil pressure is
too low. Stop the vehicle immediately
and switch off the engine. It is not pos-
sible to continue driving. Please contact
the nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving, as the
engine could sustain serious dam-
age from inadequate lubrication.

<

Flat Tire Monitor

●

In addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded: there is a flat tire.
Reduce speed and carefully come to a
stop. Avoid sudden braking and steer-
ing maneuvers.
For additional information, refer to
page 88.
Brake warning lamp

●

If the lamp comes on when the
parking brake is not engaged:
check the brake fluid level. It is very
important that you follow the instruc-
tions on page 129 before driving on.
Have the system checked immediately.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.

Red: an important reminder

Brake warning lamp

●

Comes on when the parking
brake is engaged – an additional
acoustic signal sounds when starting
off.
For additional information, refer to
page 68.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Lock seat backrest/Please fas-
ten safety belt

●

Comes on together with an
acoustic signal until driver fastens
safety belt. Flashes when the backrest
is not locked.
For additional information on locking
the seat backrests, refer to page 49.
For additional information on safety
belts, refer to page 50.
Airbags

●

Have the system checked as
soon as possible.
For additional information, refer to
page 57.

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.

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

144
4. Adjust the tire inflation pressure to
29 psi / 200 kilopascal. For this pur-
pose, with the ignition key in
position 2:
>Increase the tire pressure: switch
on the compressor, position I. To
check the current inflation pres-
sure, turn off the device briefly
>Reduce the tire pressure: press
button 8, or turn screw 8 on the
manometer.
Do not run the compressor for
longer than 10 minutes, otherwise
the unit may overheat and be dam-
aged.<
If the tire fails to hold the pres-
sure, drive the vehicle again, see
Distributing the sealant. Then repeat
Steps 1 through 4.
The use of the M Mobility system may
be ineffective if the damaged area in
the tire is larger than approx. 1/8 in /
4 mm. If the tire cannot be temporarily
repaired with the M Mobility system,
please consult the nearest BMW cen-
ter, or a workshop that has appropri-
ately trained personnel working in
accordance with BMW specifications,<
The tire pressure must be at least
29 psi / 200 kilopascal. Otherwise,
do not continue driving.<
Driving on
Do not exceed the maximum
speed limit of 45 mph / 80 km/h;
otherwise, accidents may occur.<
Have the damaged tire replaced
as soon as possible. Reinitialize
the Flat Tire Monitor, and refer to
page 87 for further information.
Have the sealant bottle of the M Mobil-
ity system replaced.<
Battery
Battery posts, terminals, and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds. Wash hands after
handling.<
MaintenanceThe battery is completely maintenance-
free. This means that the original bat-
tery acid will normally last for the ser-
vice life of the battery under moderate
climate conditions. Your BMW center
will be glad to advise you if you have
any questions concerning the battery.
Please consult your BMW center
whenever you have any questions
concerning the battery. when the engine is not running. Use the
connections provided in the engine
compartment. For information on the
connections, see Jump-starting,
page 147.
Tire repair with the M Mobility system