2006 BMW M3 COUPE coolant

Contents

9

Driving:

Ignition lock61
Starting the engine and driving
off62
Switching off the engine64
Parking brake64
Manual transmission65
Sequential M gearbox with
Drivelogic*66
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher71
Washer/wiper system/Rain
sensor*72
Cruise control*73

Everything under control:

Odometer75
Tachometer75
Engine oil temperature75
Fuel gauge76
Engine coolant temperature
gauge76
Service interval display77
Check Control77
Clock78
Computer79

Technology for safety and
driving convenience:

Park Distance Control (PDC)*81
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)82
Flat Tire Monitor83
M Engine dynamics control85
Brake force display86

Lamps:

Parking lamps/Low beams87
Instrument lighting88
High beams/Standing lamps88
Front fog lamps89
Interior lamps89

Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:

Automatic climate control90
Roller sun blind*94

Interior conveniences:

Premium sound system*95
Glove compartment95
Storage compartments96
Microphone*97
Ashtray, front*98
Ashtray, rear*98
Clothes hooks99

Loading and transporting:

Through-loading system100
Ski bag*101
Cargo loading102
Roof-mounted luggage
rack*105

Controls and features

Contents

Operation, maintenance

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures108
General driving notes109
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)111

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressure112
Tire code114
Tire condition115
New wheels and tires116
Snow chains*118

In the engine compartment:

Hood119
Engine compartment
essentials120
Washer fluids122
Engine oil122
Coolant124
Brake fluid125

Maintenance:

BMW Maintenance System126
OBD interface socket128
Owner service procedures
Replacement procedures:

Onboard tool kit132
Windshield wiper blades132
Lamps and bulbs133
Tire repair with the M Mobility
system137
Battery140
Fuses141 Giving and receiving
assistance: Receiving assistance142
Jump-starting143
Towing and tow-starting the
vehicle145
Technical data

Engine data150
Dimensions151
Weights152
Capacities153

17
1Fuel gauge76
2Turn signal indicators20
3Speedometer
4Indicator and warning
lamps18 to 21
5Tachometer and engine oil temper-
ature gauge75
6Engine coolant temperature
gauge76
7Indicator and warning
lamps18 to 21
8Control button for

>

Clock78

>

Unit of measure of outside tem-
perature display79
9Display for sequential M gearbox
with Drivelogic67
10 Indicator lamp for Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC)82
11 Display for

>

Trip odometer/Odometer75

>

Clock78

>

Service interval77

>

Computer79
12 Check Control77
13 Trip odometer, reset to zero75
14 M Track mode* indicator lamp8215 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 has been 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 82.
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 111.
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 122.
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 128.
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 124.
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.

Yellow: for your information

M Track mode
Lights up when M Track mode is
activated.
For additional information, refer to
page 83.

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 71.

Indicator and warning lamps

76
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 124.

121
1Filler neck for headlamp and wind-
shield washer cleaning system122
2Coolant expansion tank124
3Auxiliary terminal for jump-starting –
positive terminal143
4Engine oil filler neck123
5Expansion tank for SMG Drivelogic
hydraulic unit, checking and possible
refilling by your BMW center66
6Engine oil dipstick122
7Filler neck for brake fluid125Engine compartment essentials
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

124
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 111
indicator lamp 19
Accessories, refer to For
your own safety 6
Accident, refer to Emer-
gency call 142
Activated-charcoal filter 94
Adaptive brake lamp, refer
to Brake force display 86
Adding brake fluid 125
Additional sources of infor-
mation 4
Air conditioning mode
automatic climate
control 92
Air distribution
automatic climate
control 92
individual 92
Air outlets, refer to Ventila-
tion 90
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure 112
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air mode 93
Air supply
automatic climate
control 92
Air, drying, refer to Air con-
ditioning mode 92Airbags 52
deactivating 52
indicator lamp 18, 54
safe seating position 42
Airing out, refer to Ventila-
tion 90
AKI, refer to Fuel specifica-
tions 25
Alarm system 37
avoiding unintentional
alarms 38
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires 116
Alternative oil types 123
Antifreeze 124
coolant 124
washer fluid 122
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 111
indicator lamp 19
Anti-theft system 28
Anti-theft warning system,
refer to Alarm system 37
Approved axle loads, refer
to Weights 152
Approved gross weight,
refer to Weights 152
Armrest
front 96
rear 97Artificial leather, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Ashtray
front 98
rear 98
Assistant systems, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 82
AUC Automatic recircu-
lated-air control 93
AUTO program 92
Automatic
cruise control 73
headlamp control 87
Automatic air distribution,
refer to AUTO program 92
Automatic air supply, refer
to AUTO program 92
Automatic car wash, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Automatic climate control 90
Automatic curb monitor 49
Automatic dimming, interior
rearview mirror 50
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC) 93
Automatic windshield
washer, refer to Rain sen-
sor 72Average fuel
consumption 80
Average speed 80
Avoiding unintentional
alarms 38
Axle loads, refer to
Weights 152
B
Backrest
adjusting 43
unlocking 46
width adjustment 45
Backrest, refer to Seat
adjustment 44
Backup lamps 65
bulb replacement 135
Bandages, refer to First-aid
kit 23
Bar, for towing 145
Battery 140
charge 140
disposal 141
indicator lamp 18
jump-starting 143
remote control 28, 29
Battery charge current 18
Belts, refer to Safety
belts 46
Beverage holders 96, 97