2006 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE seat

Contents

Notes

About this Owner's Manual4
Additional sources of
information4
Symbols used4
Your individual vehicle5
Status at time of printing5
For your own safety6
Service and warranty7
Reporting safety defects7

Overview

Cockpit14
Instrument cluster16
Indicator and warning lamps18
Buttons in steering wheel22
Hazard warning triangle*23
First-aid kit*23
Refueling24
Fuel specifications25

Controls and features

Opening and closing:

Keys28
Central locking system28
Opening and closing – via the
remote control29
Opening and closing – via the
door lock31
Opening and closing – from the
inside32
Luggage compartment lid33
Luggage compartment35
Alarm system*36
Electric power windows38
Convertible top39
Wind deflector*44

To adjust:

Safe seating position46
Seats47
Power seat adjustment47
Head restraints48
Entering the rear49
Safety belts50
Seat and mirror memory51
Seat heating*52
Mirrors53
Steering wheel54

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.

23
Hazard warning triangle*The hazard warning triangle is stored
ready to use in the luggage compart-
ment lid inside the toolbox for the
onboard tool kit.
To open the container, loosen the wing
nut.
Always observe all legal regula-
tions requiring a warning triangle
to be carried in the vehicle.<
First-aid kit*The first-aid kit is located under the
front passenger's seat.
To open: pull the handle and fold the
cover down.
To fasten: fold the cover up and press it
until the tab engages.
Several of the items contained in
the first-aid pouch have a limited
service life. For this reason, check the
expiration dates of each of the items
regularly, and replace any with passed
dates. These items can be purchased in
any drugstore or pharmacy.
Always observe all legal regulations
requiring a first-aid kit to be carried in
the vehicle.<
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37
Indicator lamp displays>The indicator lamp below the interior
rearview mirror flashes continuously:
the system is armed
>The indicator lamp flashes immedi-
ately after the vehicle is locked: doors
or luggage compartment lid are not
completely closed. Even if you do not
close the alerted area(s), the remain-
ing areas are secured, and the indi-
cator lamp will flash continuously
after 10 seconds. However, the inte-
rior motion sensor is not activated
>The indicator lamp goes out immedi-
ately after the vehicle is unlocked: no
manipulation or attempted intrusions
have been detected in the period
since the system was armed
>The indicator lamp flashes for
10 seconds immediately after the
vehicle is unlocked: an attempted
entry has been detected in the period
since the system was armed.
Following triggering of an alarm, the
indicator lamp will flash continuously.Tilt alarm sensor and interior
motion sensorTilt alarm sensor:
The tilt of the vehicle is monitored. The
alarm system reacts, for example, to
attempts to steal the wheels or tow the
vehicle.
Interior motion sensor:
The vehicle interior is monitored up to
the height of the seat cushions. Even
when the convertible top is open, the
alarm system including the interior
motion sensor is armed. Objects falling
into the vehicle, e.g. leaves, can trigger
unintentional alarms, refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms.Avoiding unintentional alarmsThe tilt alarm sensor and interior motion
sensor may be switched off at the same
time. You can do this to prevent a false
alarm, e.g. in the following situations:
>In garages with elevator ramps>When the vehicle is being trans-
ported by train
>When animals are to remain in the
vehicle.
Deactivating the tilt alarm and
interior motion sensors>Press the button on the remote con-
trol twice.
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and
then flashes continuously. The tilt alarm
sensor and the interior motion sensor
are deactivated until the vehicle is
unlocked and locked again.
You can have the tilt alarm sensor
and the interior motion sensor
permanently deactivated.<
The system deactivates the tilt
alarm sensor and the interior
motion sensor if the convenience clos-
ing of windows and glass sunroof is
interrupted within the first 10 seconds
and then restarted. The vehicle must
then be unlocked and relocked before
the sensors will resume operation.<
Alarm system*
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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

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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46To adjust
Safe seating positionFor driving that is relaxed and less likely
to cause fatigue, you should select a
sitting position that reflects your per-
sonal requirements. In combination
with the safety belts and airbags, the
correct seating position also plays an
important role in enhancing occupant
safety in the event of an accident. To
ensure that the vehicle's safety systems
provide you with optimal protection, we
request that you direct your careful
attention to the following section.
For supplementary information on
transporting children, refer to page 58.Airbags
Always maintain an adequate dis-
tance between yourself and the
airbags. Always hold the steering wheel
by the rim to keep any chance of injury
to hands or arms to an absolute mini-
mum should the airbag be deployed.
Never allow any objects, individuals or
animals to obstruct the areas between
passengers and airbags. Never use the
front airbag's cover as a storage tray or
support for objects of any kind. Never
allow front passengers to rest their feet
or legs on the airbag cover.<
For airbag locations and additional
information on airbags, refer to
page 55.Safety beltYour vehicle is equipped with four
seats, each of which is provided with a
safety belt.Never allow more than one person
to wear a single safety belt. Never
allow infants or small children to ride in
a passenger's lap. Avoid twisting the
belt while routing it firmly across the
pelvis and shoulder, wear it as snugly
against your body as possible. Do not
allow the belt to rest against hard or
fragile objects in your pockets. Do not
route the belt across your neck, or run it
across sharp edges. Be sure that the
belt does not become caught or
jammed. Avoid wearing bulky clothing
and pull on the lap belt periodically to
retension it over your shoulders. In the
event of a frontal impact, a loose lap
belt could slide over the hips, leading to
abdominal injury. In addition, the safety
belt's restraint effectiveness is reduced
if the belt is worn loosely. Expectant
mothers should always wear their
safety belts, taking care to position the
lap belt against the lower hips, where it
will not exert pressure against the
abdominal area.<
For information on using the safety
belts, refer to page 50.

47
SeatsWhen adjusting your seat, always
observe the following precautions
Never try to adjust your seat while
operating the vehicle. The seat
could respond with an unexpected
movement, and the ensuing loss of
vehicle control could lead to an acci-
dent. Never ride with the backrest
reclined to an extreme horizontal angle
– important for front passengers to
remember. If you do, there is a risk that
you will slide under the safety belt in an
accident, thus reducing the protection
provided by the safety belt.
With the wind deflector in place:
Do not push the front seats all the way
back, otherwise the wind deflector will
be damaged.<
Adjusting the seats>Power seat adjustment, refer to
page 47
>Head restraint, refer to page 48
>Entering the rear, refer to page 49
Power seat adjustmentSeat adjustment1Tilt angle
2Forward/backward adjustment
3Height
4Backrest angle
You can manually adjust the thigh sup-
port.
Thigh supportPull the lever and adjust the position of
the cushion for thigh support as
desired.
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