BMW M3 2003 User Manual

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Owner's Manual

Contents

A-Z

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for Vehicle

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M3 convertible

Thank you for deciding on a BMW M3 convertible.

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Thorough familiarity with your vehicle will provide you with enhanced control and security when you drive it. Therefore, we have one request:

Read the information contained in this Owner's Manual before driving your new BMW M3 convertible for the first time. It contains important information on vehicle operation that will enable you to make full use of the advanced technical equipment of your BMW M3 convertible. In addition, you will receive information on vehicle maintenance to help ensure operating and traffic safety as well as the best possible value retention of your BMW.

For more detailed information refer to the Supplemental Manuals.

BMW M also makes decisive contributions toward greater safety in traffic through its BMW driver training.

This Owner's Manual should be considered a permanent part of this vehicle. It should stay with the vehicle when sold to provide the next owner with important operating, safety and maintenance information.

We wish you an enjoyable driving experience.

BMW M

Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 156 854 - © 09/02 BMW AG

Notes

About this Owner's Manual

We have made every effort to ensure that you are able to find what you need in this Owner's Manual as quickly as possible. The fastest way to find certain topics is by using the detailed index at the end. If you wish to gain an initial overview of your vehicle, you will find this in the first chapter.

Should you wish to sell your BMW at some time in the future, please remember to hand over this Owner's Manual to the new owner; it is an important part of the vehicle.

Should you have any further questions, your BMW center will be glad to assist at any time.

© 2002 BMW M GmbH Munich, Germany Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the written consent of BMW M GmbH, Munich. Order No. 01 41 0 156 854 US English VIII/02 Printed in Germany Printed on environmentally friendly paper – bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling.

Symbols used

Indicates precautions that must

be followed precisely in order to avoid the possibility of personal injury and serious damage to the vehicle.

Contains information that will

assist you in gaining the optimum benefit from your vehicle and enable you to care more effectively for your vehicle.

Refers to measures that can be

taken to help protect the environment.

Marks the end of a specific item of

information.

Indicates special equipment, country-specific equipment and optional extras.

Identifies systems or components

which can be activated or adapted to suit an individual driver's requirements – Vehicle Memory, Key Memory. Refer to page 65. Activation and adjustments on some of these systems can be performed at your BMW center.

Your individual vehicle

On purchasing your BMW, you have decided in favor of a model with individualized equipment and features. This Owner's Manual will describe all of the equipment that the BMW M3 convertible has to offer you.

We hope you will understand that equipment and features are included that you might not have chosen for your vehicle. You can easily identify any differences with the aid of the asterisk used to identify all optional equipment and accessories.

If your BMW features equipment that is not described in this Owner's Manual, such as a car radio or telephone, we have enclosed Supplementary Owner's Manuals. We ask you to read these manuals as well.

Notes

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Status at time of printing

BMW pursues a policy of continuous, ongoing development that is conceived to ensure that our vehicles continue to embody the highest quality and safety standards combined with advanced, state-of-the-art technology. For this reason, the features described in this Owner's Manual could differ from those on your vehicle. Nor can errors and omissions be entirely ruled out. You are therefore asked to appreciate that no claims can be recognized on the basis of the data, illustrations or descriptions in this Owner's Manual.

For your own safety

Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels

containing up to and including 10% ethanol or other oxygenates with up to 2.8% oxygen by weight – that is, 15% MTBE or 3% methanol plus an equivalent amount of co-solvent – will not void the applicable warranties respecting defects in materials or workmanship. Field experience has indicated significant differences in fuel quality – volatility, composition, additives, etc. – among gasolines offered for sale in the United States and Canada. The use of poor quality fuels may result in driveability, starting and stalling problems especially under certain environmental conditions, such as high ambient temperature and high altitude. Should you encounter driveability problems which you suspect could be related to the fuel you are using, we recommend that you respond by switching to a recognized high-quality brand. Failure to comply with these recommendations may result in unscheduled maintenance. Obey pertinent safety rules when you are handling gasoline.

Important safety information!

For your own safety, use genuine parts and accessories approved by BMW. When you purchase accessories tested and approved by BMW and Original BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire the assurance that they have been thoroughly tested by BMW to ensure optimum performance when installed on your vehicle. BMW warrants these parts to be free from defects in material and workmanship. BMW will not accept any liability for damages resulting from installation of parts and accessories not approved by BMW. BMW cannot test every product made by other manufacturers to verify if it can be used on a BMW safely and without risk to either the vehicle, its operation, or its occupants. Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories and other products approved by BMW, together with professional advice on using these items, are available from all BMW centers. Installation and operation of non-BMW approved accessories such as alarms, radios, amplifiers, radar detectors, wheels, suspension components, brake

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Notes

dust shields, telephones – including operation of any portable cellular phone from within the vehicle without using an externally mounted antenna – or transceiver equipment, such as CB, walkietalkie, ham radio or similar, may cause extensive damage to the vehicle, compromise its safety, interfere with the vehicle's electrical system or affect the validity of the BMW Limited Warranty. Contact your BMW center for additional information. Do not use key or remote control to lock doors or luggage compartment with anyone inside the vehicle. Refer to the Owner's Manual for more details.

Maintenance, replacement, or

repair of the emission control devices and systems may be performed by any automotive repair establishment or individual using any certified automotive part.

Symbol on vehicle parts

Indicates that you should consult

the relevant section of this Owner's Manual for information on a particular part or assembly.

Service and warranty

This manual is supplemented by a Service and Warranty Information Booklet for US models or a Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models.

We recommend that you read this publication thoroughly.

Your BMW is covered by the following warranties:

New Vehicle Limited Warranty

Rust Perforation Limited Warranty

Federal Emissions System Defect Warranty

Federal Emissions Performance Warranty

California Emission Control System Limited Warranty.

Detailed information about these warranties is listed in the Service and Warranty Information Booklet for US models or in the Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models.

Reporting safety defects

The following only applies to vehicles owned and operated in the US.

If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA in addition to notifying BMW of North America, LLC, P.O. Box 1227, Westwood, New Jersey 07675-1227, Telephone toll-free 1-800-831-1117.

If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an investigation, and if it finds that a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in individual problems between you, your dealer, or BMW of North America, LLC.

To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-9393 or 366-0123 in the Washington, D.C. area, or write to: NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, D.C. 20590. You can also obtain other information about motor vehicle safety from the Hotline.

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About this Owner's Manual 4 Symbols used 4 Your individual vehicle 4

Notes

Status at time of printing 5 For your own safety 5 Symbol on vehicle parts 6 Service and warranty 6 Reporting safety defects 6

Cockpit 14 Instrument cluster 16 Indicator and warning lamps 18 Steering wheel with multifunction

Overview

buttons 22 Hazard warning triangle* 23 First-aid kit* 23 Refueling 24 Fuel specifications 25 Tire inflation pressure 25

Opening and closing:

Keys 30 Central locking system 30 Opening and closing – via the

remote control 31

Opening and closing – via the

door lock 33

Opening and closing – from the

inside 34

Luggage compartment lid 35

Controls and features

Luggage compartment 37 Alarm system* 38 Electric power windows 40 Convertible top 41 Wind deflector* 46

To adjust:

Safe seating position 48 Seats 49 Power seat adjustment 49 Head restraints 50 Entering the rear 51 Safety belts 52 Seat and mirror memory 53 Seat heating* 54 Steering wheel 55 Mirrors 55

Contents

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Passenger safety systems:

Airbags 57 Transporting children safely 59 Rollover protection system 63 Vehicle Memory, Key

Memory 65

Driving:

Ignition lock 66 Starting engine and driving

off 67

Controls and features

Switching off the engine 69 Parking brake 69 Manual transmission 70 Sequential M gearbox

SMG II* 71

Turn signal indicator/Headlamp

flasher 76

Washer/wiper system/Rain

sensor* 77

Cruise control 78

Everything under control:

Odometer 80 Tachometer 80 Temperature gauge 80 Fuel gauge 81 Engine coolant temperature

gauge 81 Service interval display 82 Check Control 82 Clock 83 Computer 84

Technology for safety and driving convenience:

Park Distance Control (PDC)* 86 Dynamic Stability Control

(DSC) 87 Flat Tire Monitor 88 M Engine dynamics control 91

Lamps:

Parking lamps/Low beams 92 Instrument lighting 93 High beams/Standing lamps 93 Fog lamps 94 Interior lamps 94 Reading lamps 94

Controlling the climate for pleasant driving:

Automatic climate control 96

Interior conveniences:

Glove compartment 101 Storage compartments 101 Cellular phone* 102 Ashtray, front* 102 Ashtray, rear* 103

Loading and transporting:

Ski bag* 104 Cargo loading 106 Roof-mounted luggage rack for

the hardtop* 107

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures 110 Driving notes 111 Antilock Brake System

(ABS) 111 Brake system 112 Hardtop* 113

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressure 115 Tire condition 115 Tire replacement 116

Operation, maintenance

Wheel and tire

combinations 118 Winter tires 118 Snow chains* 119

In the engine compartment:

Hood 120 Engine compartment

essentials 122 Washer fluids 124 Engine oil 124 Coolant 126 Brake fluid 127

Maintenance:

The BMW Maintenance

System 128

Laws and regulations:

California Proposition 65

warning 130 OBD interface socket 130

Contents

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Replacement procedures:

Onboard tool kit 134 Windshield wiper blades 134 Lamps and bulbs 135 Repairing a flat tire 139 Battery 143 Fuses 144

Giving and receiving assistance:

Jump-starting 145 Towing the vehicle 146

Owner service procedures

Engine data 150 Dimensions 151 Weights 152 Capacities 153

Technical data

Everything from A to Z 156

Index

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Overview

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Controls and features

Operation, maintenance

Owner service procedures

Technical data

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Index

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Cockpit

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1 Parking lamps/Low beams 92

Turn signal indicators 76

Standing lamps 93

High beams 93

Headlamp flasher 76

Computer 84

3 Washer/wiper system/Rain

sensor 77

4 Hazard warning flashers

5 Rear window defroster 99

6 Central locking system 30

7 Horn: the entire surface

8 Steering wheel 55

9 Fog lamps 94

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Instrument cluster

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1 Fuel gauge 81

2 Turn signal indicator 20

3 Speedometer

4 Indicator and warning lamps 18

to 21

5 Tachometer and engine oil

temperature gauge 80

6 Engine coolant temperature

gauge 81

7 Indicator and warning lamps 18

to 21

8 Clock reset

Clock 83

Unit of measure of outside temperature display 84

9 Display for sequential M gearbox

SMG II 72

10 Indicator lamp for Dynamic Stability

Control (DSC) 87

11 Display for

Trip odometer 80

Clock 83

Service interval 82

Computer 84

12 Check Control 82

13 Trip odometer, reset to zero 80

14 Indicator and warning lamps 18

to 21

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Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself

Indicator and warning lamps that are

●

identified by functioning whenever the ignition key is turned. They each light up once for different 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.

are tested for proper

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 immediately to prevent overheating and serious engine damage. If the drive belt is defective, increased steering effort is also required.

●

Engine oil pressure An alarm sounds at the same

time. Stop vehicle immediately and switch off engine. Check the engine oil level and top up as required. If the oil level is correct, 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: a tire failure has occurred. To come to an immediate stop, reduce speed, while avoiding any sudden, jerky braking or steering 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. Before driving further, be sure to comply with the instructions on pages 112 and 127.

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 69

Brake warning lamp for Cana-

dian models.

Lock backrest/Please fasten

safety belts

comes on together with an acoustic signal until the safety belts are fastened. Flashes when the backrest is not locked. For additional information on locking the backrest, refer to page 51 For additional information on safety belts: refer to page 52

Airbags

Please have the system

inspected at your BMW center. For additional information: refer to page 57

●

Indicator and warning lamps

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Red and yellow: continue driving cautiously

The red brake warning lamp lights up together with the yellow indicator lamps for ABS and DSC: The entire ABS, CBC and DSC control system has failed. Continue to drive; drive cautiously

and defensively and avoid full brake applications. Please have the system checked by your BMW center as soon as possible. For additional information: refer to pages 87, 111

Indicator and warning lamps

CBC, ABS and DSC for Cana-

dian models.

●

Orange: consult the nearest BMW center

Sequential M gearbox SMG II If the indicator lamp fails to go

started, or if it comes on during normal driving: this indicates a malfunction in the system. Please consult the nearest BMW center. Indicator lamp flashes: a system overload has occurred. For additional information: refer to page 75

out after the engine has been

Yellow: check as soon as possible

Engine oil level Comes on while driving and is

accompanied by an alarm: the engine oil level has fallen to the absolute minimum; refill as soon as possible. Do not drive more than 30 miles/50 km before refilling. For additional information: refer to page 124

Engine oil level Comes on after the engine has

been shut off and is accompanied by an alarm: add engine oil at your earliest opportunity such as when you stop to refuel For additional information: refer to page 124

Brake pads

Have the brake pads checked.

For additional information: refer to page 112

Flat Tire Monitor

The Flat Tire Monitor has been

deactivated, either at the button or in response to a system malfunction. In the event of a malfunction, have the system checked by your BMW center. For additional information: refer to pages 25, 88

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

●

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Indicator and warning lamps

button or in response to a system malfunction. In the event of a malfunction, have the system checked by your nearest BMW center. For additional information: refer to page 87

Dynamic Brake Control (DBC) Malfunction in DBC system.

Conventional braking efficiency is available and unrestricted. Have the system checked and repaired at your BMW center as soon as possible. For additional information: refer to page 88

Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)

warning lamp for Canadian

models.

Add washer fluid

The washer fluid is too low. Top

off the fluid at the earliest opportunity. For additional information: refer to page 124

SERVICE ENGINE SOON

If the indicator lamp comes on

either continuously or intermittently, this indicates a fault in the emissions-related electronic systems.

●

Although the vehicle remains operational, you should have the systems checked by your BMW center at the earliest possible opportunity. For additional information: refer to page 130

●

You can continue to drive with reduced engine output or engine speed. Please have the system inspected at your BMW center.

For additional information: refer to page 126

or missing. Close the filler cap tightly: refer to page 24

Service Engine Soon warning lamp for Canadian models.

Engine electronics There is a fault in the electronic engine-management system.

Add coolant Coolant level too low, top up as soon as possible.

CHECK FILLER CAP This indicator lamp comes on when the fuel filler cap is loose

●

Rollover protection system The rollover protection system is

deactivated due to a malfunction. Please have the system inspected immediately at your BMW center. For additional information: refer to page 63

●

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 76

Cruise control

Lights up when the cruise con-

trol is activated. Ready for operation via the steering wheel with multifunction buttons. For additional information: refer to page 78

Front fog lamps

Lights up whenever the fog

lamps are on. For additional information: refer to page 94

Indicator and warning lamps

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Blue: for your information

High beams Comes on when the high beams

are on or the headlamp flasher is actuated. For additional information: refer to pages 76, 93

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Steering wheel with multifunction buttons

These buttons let you operate the following functions quickly and without being distracted from traffic conditions:

Selected radio functions

The cruise control

Several telephone* functions.

The controls are active only when the corresponding systems and

accessories are switched on.

Press briefly:

Accept incoming call, start dialing, terminate call.

Switch between phone and radio, cassette, CD and MD.

Forward: > Radio

Press briefly: station scan in FM band Extended pressure: station search

> CD/MD

Press briefly: jump to next track Extended pressure: search function in track

> Cassette

Press briefly: jump to next track or stop fast forward Extended pressure: fast forward

> Phone

Scan personal phone book.

Rewind: same functions as forward.

Volume.

Cruise control: select a stored setting.

Cruise control: store and accelerate + or decelerate and store –.

Cruise control: activate/interrupt/deactivate.

Hazard warning triangle*

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First-aid kit*

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The hazard warning triangle is stored ready to use in the luggage compartment lid inside the toolbox for the onboard tool kit.

To open the container, loosen the wing nut.

Always observe all legal regulations requiring a warning triangle

to be carried in the vehicle.<

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 kit have a limited service life. For this reason, check the expiration dates of each of the items regularly, and replace any with passed dates. You can acquire replacements 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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Refueling

When handling fuels, comply with

all of the applicable safety precautions posted at the service station. Never carry spare fuel containers in your vehicle. Whether empty or full, these containers can leak, cause an explosion, or lead to fire in the event of a collision.<

Fuel filler door

Always switch off the engine

before refueling, as it is not possible to add fuel with the engine running, and attempts may also trigger the SERVICE ENGINE SOON lamp.<

Press on the rear edge of the fuel filler door to open and close it.

If an electrical malfunction occurs, you can unlock the fuel filler door manually:

Pull the knob with the fuel pump symbol on the right trim panel of the luggage compartment.

Simple and environmentally friendly

Open the filler cap carefully to prevent fuel from spraying out.

Fuel spray may cause injury.<

Keep the filler cap in the bracket attached to the fuel filler door – see arrow.

When refueling, insert the filler nozzle completely into the filler pipe. Pulling the nozzle out of the pipe during refueling

> results in premature pump shutoff > and will reduce the effect of the vapor

recovery system on the pump.

The fuel tank is full when the filler nozzle shuts off the first time.

Refueling

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Fuel specifications

Tire inflation pressure

Close the fuel filler cap carefully

after refueling until a click is heard. While closing, be sure not to squeeze the strap which is fastened to the cap. A loose or missing cap will activate the CHECK FILLER CAP lamp.<

Fuel tank capacity

> Approx. 16.6 gal./63 liters, of which > approx. 2.1 gal./8 liters are reserve

capacity.

Do not drive to the last drop of

fuel. This can prevent the engine from operating properly and result in damage.<

The engine uses lead-free gasoline only.

Required fuel: > Premium Unleaded Gasoline,

min. 91 AKI. AKI = Anti Knock Index

Never use leaded fuel, as it would cause permanent and irreversible

damage to the oxygen sensor and the catalytic converter.<

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

The specified inflation pressures are provided on a sticker attached to the B-pillar and are visible with the driver's door open.

Checking tire pressures

All pressures are specified in the units usually used in your country – psi/kilopascal – for tires at ambient temperatures, also refer to the following tire inflation pressure table.

After correcting the tire inflation pressure, reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor so that it can monitor the tire inflation pressure, refer to page 88.

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Tire inflation pressure

Check the tire pressures on a reg-

ular basis – at least twice a month – and before every extended journey. Incorrect tire pressure can otherwise lead to driving instability, tire damage and accidents.<

Comply with tire approval specifications

The inflation pressures in the table apply to BMW-approved tire sizes and tire manufacturers. Your BMW center will be glad to supply this information. Higher pressures may be required for tires made by other manufacturers.

Your vehicle is equipped with tires which not only meet US standards, but also European standards. We recommend the exclusive use of BMWapproved tires.

Tire inflation pressure

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BMW Tires

All pressure specifications in the table are indicated in psi/ kilopascal with cold tires – cold = ambient temperature

225/45 ZR 18 33/230 - 41/280 -

255/40 ZR 18 - 35/240 - 48/330

M3 convertible

225/40 ZR 19 33/230 - 41/280 -

255/35 ZR 19 - 35/240 - 48/330

225/45 R 17 91 H M+S 33/230 38/260 36/250 46/320

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Overview

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Controls and features

Operation, maintenance

Owner service procedures

Technical data

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Index

Opening and closing

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Keys

Central locking system

The key set

1 Master keys with remote control unit

– determine the functions of the Key Memory, refer to page 65. You can mark the individual keys for subsequent identification by applying the colored decals that you received when accepting delivery of your vehicle

There is an extended-life battery

in every master key with remote control that is charged automatically in the ignition lock as you drive. For this reason, if you have a master key with remote control that is otherwise not used, use that key at least once every year while driving for an extended period to charge the battery.<

2 Spare master key – for storage in a

safe place, such as in your wallet. This key is not intended for constant use

3 Door and ignition key – the locks for

the luggage compartment lid and the glove compartment cannot be operated with this key. This is useful for valet parking, for example

The concept

The central locking system engages and releases the locks on the

> doors > luggage compartment lid > fuel filler door and > glove compartment.

The central locking system is ready for operation whenever the driver's door is closed.

The central locking system can be operated

> from outside via the door lock and

using the remote control

> from inside via the central locking

system button.

If it is operated from inside, the fuel filler door will not be locked, refer to page 34.

Operating it from outside simultaneously activates the anti-theft system, which prevents the doors from being unlocked via the door lock buttons or the door release handles. The alarm system is also armed or disarmed.

The central locking system unlocks automatically in the event of an accident. In addition, the hazard warning flashers and interior lamps come on.

Opening and closing – via the remote control

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The concept

The remote control gives you an exceptionally convenient method for unlocking and locking your vehicle. Furthermore, it provides two additional functions:

> Switch on the interior lamps, refer to

page 32. With this function you can also search for your vehicle – when parked in an underground garage, for instance

> Open the luggage compartment lid,

refer to page 32. The luggage compartment lid will open slightly, regardless of whether it was locked or unlocked.

The anti-theft system is also deactivated/activated simultaneously with the unlocking or locking of the vehicle, and the alarm system is disarmed/armed, and the interior lamps are switched on/off.

You can have a signal set to confirm that the vehicle's locks have

engaged securely.<

Master keys with remote control

Since passengers or animals

remaining in the vehicle might be able to lock the doors from the inside, always take the vehicle's keys with you so that the vehicle can be opened again from the outside at any time.<

If it is no longer possible to lock

the vehicle via the remote control, the battery is discharged. Use this key while driving for an extended period in order to recharge the battery. Guard the remote control against unauthorized use by only surrendering the spare key or the door and ignition key, e.g. for valet parking. In the event of a system malfunction, please contact your BMW center. You can also obtain replacement keys there.<

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1 Unlock, disarm the alarm system

2 Lock and secure, arm alarm system,

activate interior lamps, disarm tilt alarm sensor and interior motion sensor

3 Open luggage compartment, Panic

mode – trigger alarm

To release

Press button to unlock the driver's door only.

Press the button twice in order to unlock the entire vehicle.<

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Opening and closing – via the remote control

To lock and secure

Press button.

To switch on the interior lamps

After locking the vehicle, press button again.

To deactivate the tilt alarm* and interior motion sensors*

Press button a second time immediately after locking.

For additional information: page 39.

To open the luggage compartment

Press button.

The lid will open slightly, no matter whether it was locked or unlocked.

Before and after a trip, be sure that the luggage compartment lid

has not been opened unintentionally.<

Panic mode – trigger alarm

By pressing button for more than two seconds, the alarm can be sounded in the event of danger, if it is armed.

To switch off the alarm:

Press button.

External systems

Local systems or devices in the area may interference with remote control function.

If this should occur, you can still open and close the vehicle using the master key in both the door and luggage compartment locks.

For US owners only

The transmitter and receiver units comply with part 15 of the FCC Federal Communications Commission regulations. Operation is governed by the following:

FCC ID:

> LX8EWS > LX8FZVS

> LX8FZVE.

Compliance statement:

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

> This device may not cause harmful

interference, and

> this device must accept any interfer-

ence received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Any unauthorized modifications to these devices could void the

user's authority to operate the equipment.<

Opening and closing – via the door lock

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> To fasten: with the door closed, hold

the key in the Lock position.

Whenever closing the windows or

sliding/tilt sunroof you should always monitor their path and progress to ensure that no one is injured occur. Releasing the key stops the operation.<

Manual operation

Turning the key in the door lock once unlocks the driver's door, the fuel filler door and the glove compartment.

Turning the key a second time unlocks the passenger's door and the luggage compartment lid.

You can have a signal set to confirm that the vehicle's locks have

engaged securely.<

Convenience operation

With the door closed you can also operate the power windows and the convertible top with the door lock.

> To open: with the door closed after

turning the key for the second time, hold the key in the Unlock position

In the event of electrical malfunction

Turn the key all the way to the left or right to unlock/lock the driver's door.

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Opening and closing – from the inside

If you desire, the central locking

system can be activated automatically as soon as you begin to drive. You may also have this adjusted so that it is specific to keys.<

To unlock and open the doors

> Either unlock the doors together with

the button for the central locking system and then pull each of the release handles above the armrests or

> pull the release handle for each door

With this button you operate the central locking system whenever the doors are closed. The doors and luggage compartment lid are unlocked or locked only. The anti-theft alarm system is not activated.

If only the driver's door was

unlocked from the outside and you press the button, then, with the driver's door still open, the passenger's door, the luggage compartment lid, the fuel filler door and the glove compartment will unlock, too. If the driver's door is closed, it will be locked.<

twice: the first pull unlocks the door, and the second one opens it.

To lock

> Either use the central locking button

to lock all doors at once or

> press the individual door lock buttons

down. As an added design feature to prevent the driver from being inadvertently locked out of the vehicle, the driver's door lock button will not engage as long as the door is open.

Since passengers or animals

remaining in the vehicle might be able to lock the doors from the inside, always take the vehicle's keys with you so that the vehicle can be opened again from the outside at any time.<

Luggage compartment lid

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The lock

Only the master keys fit in the lock for the luggage compartment lid, refer to page 30.

To secure separately

Lock the glove compartment using the master key.

The luggage compartment lid is locked and disconnected from the central locking system. If you surrender only the door and ignition key – refer to page 30 – this will prevent unauthorized access via the luggage compartment lid, which is an advantage for valet parking, for instance.

To open from the outside

Press the button in the handle recess – see arrow: the luggage compartment lid opens slightly.

The luggage compartment is lighted when the luggage compartment lid is opened.

Manual operation

In the event of electrical malfunction

Turn the master key to the right as far as it will go, the luggage compartment lid will open slightly.

The luggage compartment lid is locked again as soon as you close the lid.

To open from the inside

If the luggage compartment lid has not been locked separately, you can open it with this button in the footwell on the driver's side when the vehicle is stationary.

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Luggage compartment lid

Nevertheless, should it be absolutely necessary to operate the vehicle with the luggage compartment lid open, with closed convertible top:

1. Close all windows

2. Greatly increase the quantity of air

from the automatic climate control system, refer to page 98.

To close

The handle recesses – see arrows – in the interior trim panel of the luggage compartment lid make it easier to pull the lid down.

To avoid injuries, be sure that the

travel path of the luggage compartment lid is clear when it is closed, following the same precautions as with all closing procedures.<

Operate the vehicle only when the

luggage compartment lid is completely closed. Otherwise, exhaust fumes could penetrate the interior of the vehicle.<

Emergency release

This lever releases the luggage compartment lid from the luggage compartment's interior.

Luggage compartment

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To fold up and secure the floor panel

1. Pull up at the handle and fold the panel up

2. Press the button – see arrow – to release the hanger from the handle

3. Hook the handle into the rubber seal of the drip rail – see arrow.

Carefully replace the hanger in its holder when lowering the floor

panel back down.<

The fittings at the corners of the luggage compartment provide you with a convenient means of attaching luggage nets* and flexible straps for securing luggage.

Refer also to Cargo loading on page 106.

Enlarging luggage compartment

With the convertible top closed, you can enlarge the luggage compartment. To do this, flip the handle outward and press it down and toward the front of the vehicle – see arrow. The convertible top compartment panel is now raised and secured.

To fold down the convertible top compartment panel

To open the convertible top, the convertible top compartment panel must be lowered. To do this, fold out the handle and pull opposite the direction of travel.

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Luggage compartment

Alarm system*

When opening the convertible top,

refer to page 41, make sure that the luggage compartment is set up for this, otherwise you may damage something.<

The concept

The vehicle alarm system responds: > When a door, the hood or the lug-

gage compartment lid are opened

> To movement inside the vehicle –

interior motion sensor

> Altering the vehicle tilt, e.g. as would

occur while attempting to steal the wheels or tow the vehicle – tilt alarm sensor system

> To interruption of battery voltage.

The system responds to unauthorized vehicle entry and attempted theft by simultaneously activating the following:

> Sounding an acoustic alarm for

30 seconds

> Activating the hazard warning flash-

ers for approx. five minutes

> Flashing the high beams on and off in

rhythm with the hazard warning flashers.

To arm and disarm the alarm system

When the vehicle is locked or unlocked by using a key or with the remote control, the alarm system is also simultaneously armed or disarmed.

You can have a signal set as acknowledgment for both arming

and disarming the alarm.<

You can also open the luggage compartment lid when the system is armed by pressing the button of the remote control, refer to page 32. When it is closed, the lid is once again secured.

Alarm system*

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Indicator lamp displays

> The indicator lamp below the interior

rearview mirror flashes continuously: the system is armed

> The indicator lamp flashes when it is

armed: the door(s), the hood or luggage compartment lid are not completely closed. Even if you do not close the alerted area, the remaining areas are deadlocked, and the indicator lamp flashes continuously after ten seconds. However, the interior motion sensor is not activated

> If the indicator lamp goes out when

the system is disarmed: no manipulation or attempted intrusions have been detected in the period since the system was armed

> If the indicator lamp flashes for

ten seconds when the system is dis-

armed: 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.

Avoiding unintentional alarms

The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion sensor may be deactivated at the same time. You can do this to prevent a false alarm from being triggered in garages with elevator ramps, for instance, or when the vehicle is transported by train:

Lock the vehicle twice to arm the system. Press button on the remote control twice in succession or lock the vehicle twice with the key.

The indicator lamp lights up briefly and then flashes continuously. The tilt alarm sensor and the interior motion sensor are deactivated as long as the system is armed.

Interior motion sensor*

Deactivate the interior motion sensor – see Avoiding unintentional alarms – if persons or animals are left in the vehicle.

The tilt and interior motion sen-

sors are inadvertently switched off when convenience closing of the windows is interrupted within the first 10 seconds and then started again. If this happens, they must be disarmed and reactivated.<

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Electric power windows

You can close the windows in the same manner by pulling the switch. The window on the passenger side and the rear windows to not close automatically.

The window on the passenger side closes automatically in igni-

tion key position 2 only.<

For convenience closing via the door lock, refer to page 33.

To open and close windows

When leaving the vehicle, always

remove the ignition key from the lock and remember to close the doors to prevent children from operating the power windows and injuring themselves, etc.<

With the ignition key in position 1 or higher

> Press the switch until you feel resis-

tance: the window continues to move as long as you continue to press the switch

> Press the switch briefly past the pres-

sure point: the window moves automatically. Touching the switch again stops the opening cycle.

Operating all windows at once

With the ignition key in position 1 or higher

> Press the switch until you feel resis-

tance: all of the windows will continue to lower as long as you continue to press the switch

> Press the switch briefly past the pres-

sure point: all windows will move automatically. Pressing the switch again stops the opening cycle.

You can close the windows in the same manner by pulling the switch. The windows cannot be closed automatically using this switch.

For convenience closing via the door lock, refer to page 33.

Electric power windows

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Convertible top

After the ignition has been switched off

After the ignition has been switched off: You can still use the electric power windows for up to 15 minutes, as long as no one opens any of the doors.

The completely automatically operated convertible top combines assured protection against the elements together with simple and easy handling.

So that you will get the most out of enjoying your convertible, here are a few tips:

> It is advisable to close the convertible

top when the vehicle is being parked. The closed convertible top not only protects the passenger compartment from unforeseeable damage from the weather, it also provides a certain degree of theft protection. In addition, keep valuables only in the locked luggage compartment, even with the convertible top closed

> Never mount a roof-mounted luggage

rack on the convertible top

> At temperatures below 14 7/–106

do not operate the convertible top to prevent damage.

Never store the convertible top while it is wet to avoid permanent

damage from moisture.<

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Convertible top

Driving with the opening or clos-

ing operation not completely ended can lead to damage and/or injuries. Traffic laws applicable in your area take precedence when you operate the convertible top, otherwise you may be breaking the law. Do not lay objects on the convertible top, since they would fall off when the convertible top is operated and cause damage or injuries. Do not reach into the convertible top mechanism during opening and closing. Keep children away from the moving parts of the convertible top during operation.<

If possible, only operate the con-

vertible top with the vehicle stopped, as otherwise the process may be interrupted. If you set the convertible top in motion with the vehicle stationary and then have to start suddenly – for instance, at a traffic light – you can still complete the operation by driving as slowly as possible and again pressing and maintaining pressure on the button. Before closing the convertible top, remove any objects from the windshield frame that could keep the convertible top from closing properly.<

To close the electric power win-

dows while driving, always be sure to first close either the rear windows, or all 4 windows at the same time, otherwise, at high speed, the windows may not close tightly.<

At higher speeds, the ensuing

vacuum in the passenger compartment can cause the convertible top to begin fluttering. Increase the air supply via the ventilation controls so that a vacuum does not occur in the vehicle.<

1 To close

2 To open

Locks and security systems

From ignition key position 1 or higher, with the vehicle stationary

If at all possible, only operate the convertible top if the engine is running. This saves unnecessary battery wear.

1. Read and comply with the preceding safety precautions

2. Before opening the convertible top, make sure that the convertible top compartment panel in the luggage compartment is lowered, refer to page 37

3. Make sure that the luggage compartment lid is closed

Convertible top

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4. Press and hold the corresponding button for convertible top operation. The red indicator lamp will light up while the convertible top is in motion. It goes out as soon as the opening or closing operation has been completed. If the red indicator lamp flashes after the button is released, then the opening or closing operation is not yet completed. The sequence can be continued in the desired direction by pressing this button. If the yellow indicator lamp lights up continuously with the button pressed, then the convertible top compartment panel is raised and the convertible top cannot be moved, refer to step 2.

The automatic sequence will be

interrupted immediately if you release the button that operates the top. The sequence can be continued in the desired direction by pressing this button.<

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.<

When operating the convertible top, the windows will lower slightly when you press the button, and after the opening or closing operation has finished, they will go back up, if you keep holding the button down for more than 2 seconds after the indicator lamp has gone out.

The luggage compartment lid cannot be opened while the convertible top is in motion.

Do not close the side power windows using the buttons if the con-

vertible top operation has been interrupted.<

If the convertible top has been

stored in the convertible top compartment for longer periods, e.g. during the winter months while the hardtop is being used, it may be necessary to manually support the first automatic closing operation: if the convertible top should halt right before the closing phase is completed, press against the front part of the convertible 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.<

Operate the convertible top manually in emergency situations only

to avoid causing damage due to incorrect operation.<

If the opening or closing operation

is interrupted, the convertible top remains in the respective position for 15 minutes, and the sequence can be continued in the desired direction with the button. After that, the convertible top can be moved again and, if it is an emergency situation, you may have to help the top along manually. This can also be done in ignition key position 0. In certain cases, the luggage compartment lid cannot be opened if the opening or closing operation has been interrupted.<

Convenience operation from the driver's door lock

Refer to page 33.

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Convertible top

Closing manually in the event of an electrical malfunction

1 Emergency operation

2 Allen wrench

3 Recess

Only actuate the convertible top

manually to close it, however never to open it, as the convertible top compartment lid cannot be locked and would open during driving.<

Manual closing is best carried out

with 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. Press down hard on the emergency lock 1 – see arrow. After a brief pause, the mechanisms for the convertible top compartment lid will be unlocked

If the mechanisms for the convert-

ible top compartment lid do not unlock, then insert the Allen wrench 2 into the recess 3 and turn clockwise until the mechanisms unlock.<

2. If the luggage compartment lid is

closed, open the convertible top compartment lid up as far as the stop will allow

3. Grasp the convertible top by the lateral 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 convertible top compartment lid. Flip the rear convertible top frame downward

To avoid damaging the side trim, always fold the convertible top

forward before folding the rear frame brace up into its vertical position.<

Convertible top

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The closing operation must be completed, as otherwise damage

and/or injuries may result.<

4. Lift out the cover panel that is in the center of the front convertible top frame

5. Put the Allen wrench 2 – refer to page 44 – into the hex slot – see arrow

6. 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 convertible top frame is locked to the windshield frame. The rear convertible top frame will automatically be pressed down onto the convertible top compartment lid and, because of the tension, will close completely.

Please consult your BMW center to have the defect corrected.<

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Position for cleaning

To 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 compartment. Refer to page 42.<

For additional information on vehicle care, refer to the Caring for

your vehicle brochure.<

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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 compartment.

Installation

1. Remove wind deflector from the protective sleeve

2. Flip out both sides and lock into place. It is essential for the two components marked in the illustration – see arrows – to mesh at this point

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 compartment lid via the convertible top control button, refer to page 42, and open the convertible top compartment lid

6. Flip the back half of the wind deflector backward, so that the mounts are lying on the vehicle

Wind deflector*

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7. Close the convertible top compartment lid via the convertible top control 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: never push the front seats all the way back to avoid damaging the wind deflector.<

Removal

Follow the same procedure as when installing, just reverse the steps.

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To adjust

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Safe seating position

For relaxed and fatigue-free driving you should select a sitting position that reflects your personal requirements. In combination with the safety belts and airbags, the correct seating position 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 59.

Sitting safely with 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 minimum 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 57.

Sitting safely with safety belts

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 52.

Seats

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When 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 accident. Never ride with the backrest reclined to an extreme horizontal angle – important for front passengers to remember. Keep the backrest relatively upright to minimize the risk of sliding under the safety belt and sustaining injury in an accident. With the wind deflector in place: never push the front seats all the way back to avoid damaging the wind deflector.<

Adjusting the seats

> Power seat adjustment, refer to

page 49

> Head restraint, refer to page 50 > Entering the rear, refer to page 51.

Power seat adjustment

Seat adjustment

1 Tilt angle

2 Forward/backward adjustment

3 Height

4 Backrest angle

You can manually adjust the thigh support.

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Thigh support

Pull the lever and adjust the position of the cushion for thigh support as desired.

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Power seat adjustment

Head restraints

Adjusting the lumbar support*

You can adjust the backrest's contour for additional support in the curvature of your spine's lumbar region.

The upper hips and spinal column receive supplementary support to help you maintain a relaxed, upright position.

> Press the front/rear of switch:

increase/decrease curvature

> Press the upper/lower end of the

switch: increase the upper/lower curvature.

Front head restraints

1 Height

Head restraints reduce the risk of

spinal injury in the event of an accident. Adjust the head restraint. When moving the head restraints up or down, do not grab on between the head restraint and the upper edge of the backrest to avoid the possibility of injury.<

Tilt angle: position the head restraints manually in the preferred position.

Head restraints

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Do not remove the rear head restraints as this would damage

them.<

Entering the rear

Rear head restraints

The rear head restraints may only

be lowered if there are no passengers in the rear seats. If you do so, you are in violation of the law. Raise the rear head restraints before taking on any passengers in the back.<

To completely lower the rear head restraints:

1. Press the button – see arrow – and

hold it down

2. Push the head restraint down from

above.

Raising the rear head restraints

Raise the head restraints until you hear them click into place.

For further information, please consult your BMW center.

Do not use the rear head

restraints as storage shelves. Always keep the travel path for the rollover protection system free and clear. Under no circumstances should you put any kind of cover such as an antimacassar on the head restraints, refer also to the labeling on the head restraints.<

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The Seat-integrated safety belt system (SGS) allows for easy access to the rear.

1. Lift the lever 1 up and tilt the backrest forward

2. Press and hold button 2 in driving direction until the seat moves to the desired position

3. After entering the rear, fold back and lock the backrest

4. Press button 2 opposite the direction of travel and hold. The seat moves back into its previous position. If the button 2 is released beforehand, the seat stops in the respective position.

The seat can be locked into posi-

tion when it is tilted forward. This is particularly convenient when entering the vehicle on an incline, for example.

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Entering the rear

Safety belts

Press against the backrest until you hear it snap into place. Lever 1 does not have to be released to fold the seat back.<

Lock both backrests while driving, otherwise there is a danger of an

unexpected movement causing an accident.<

The indicator lamp in the instrument cluster flashes, when the backrest is not locked, refer to page 18.

Always wear your safety belt

Always fasten your safety belt before starting off. As supplemental restraint devices, the airbags are designed to enhance the effectiveness of the safety belts, and not to replace them.

Before putting your safety belts on in the rear, take them out of the

holder.<

Leave the rear safety belts in the holders if they are not needed, in

order to avoid unwanted movement from the safety belts at high speeds.<

To release

1. Press the red button in the belt buckle

2. Hold the belt

3. Guide the belt back into its reel.

Adjusting safety belt height

The front safety belt automatically adjusts your body size via the setting of the head restraint height, refer to page 50.

If the safety belt system has been

subjected to the stresses involved in an accident or otherwise damaged: have the entire safety belt mechanism replaced by your BMW center, including the safety belt tensioner. In addition, have your BMW center inspect the safety belt anchors. If a child-restraint system was in the vehicle during an accident, consult the manufacturer's instructions regarding replacement.<

To close

Make sure you hear the lock engage in the belt buckle.

Seat and mirror memory

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You can store and recall three different driver's seat and outside mirror positions.

The setting for the lumbar support is not stored in memory.<

To store

1. Ignition key in position 1 or 2

2. Adjust your seat and outside mirrors to the desired position

3. Press the MEMORY button: the indicator lamp in the button lights up

4. Press memory button 1, 2 or 3, as desired. The indicator lamp goes out.

To select a stored setting

Do not select a memory position while the vehicle is moving. If you

do so, there is a risk of accident from unexpected seat movement.<

Driver's door open after unlocking or ignition key in position 1:

> Briefly press memory button 1, 2 or 3,

as desired. Movement stops immediately when one of the seat-adjustment or memory buttons is operated during the adjustment process.

With the driver's door closed and the ignition key either removed or in position 0 or 2:

> Press and hold the desired memory

button – 1, 2 or 3 – until the adjustment process is completed.

If you press the MEMORY button accidentally: press the button

again; the indicator lamp goes out.<

Your BMW center can adjust your

vehicle's systems in such a manner that your personalized settings are automatically set for the seat and exterior mirror positions when you unlock the vehicle with your personal remote control.<

Before activating the programmed

adjustment feature, ensure that the footwell behind the driver's seat is empty and unobstructed. If you fail to do so, any persons, animals or objects behind the seat could be injured or damaged by a rearward movement of the seat.<

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Seat and mirror memory

Seat heating*

You can deactivate this automatic feature by setting the mirror selection switch to the passenger side position.

Passenger-side exterior mirror tilt function

Automatic curb monitor*

1. Move mirror selector switch 1 to the driver's mirror position

2. When shifting into Reverse, or placing the selector lever in position R, the passenger-side mirror tilts downward. This brings the lower area adjacent to the vehicle – curbs, etc. – into the driver's field of vision while parking.

How far the passenger mirror tilts can be set individually for each

ignition key.<

The seat cushion and backrest can be heated with the ignition key in position 2.

You can call up different heating modes by repeatedly pressing the buttons.

You can also switch the higher heating modes off directly:

Press the button and hold it slightly longer.

Steering wheel

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Mirrors

than they appear. This means that estimations of the distance to following traffic should not be regarded as precise.<

Electric defrosting

Both mirrors are heated automatically in ignition key position 2.

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To adjust

Never attempt to adjust the steer-

ing wheel while driving the vehicle – it could respond with unexpected movement, posing a potential accident hazard.<

1. Push the locking lever downward

2. Adjusting steering column reach and

rake for your selected seating position

3. Pull the lever back up.

To adjust exterior mirrors

1 Switch for 4-way adjustment

2 Selection switch for changing

between mirrors

To adjust manually

The mirrors can also be adjusted manually:

Press the edges of the lens.

To store the mirror setting, refer to Seat and mirror memory on page 53.

The passenger-side mirror fea-

tures a convex lens. When estimating the distance between yourself and other traffic, bear in mind that the objects reflected in the mirror are closer

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Mirrors

Interior rearview mirror with automatic dimming feature

This mirror automatically dims through an infinitely variable range and switches automatically to its clear, undimmed mode whenever you engage reverse gear.

There are two photocells for automatic dimming. One photocell – see arrow – is positioned in the mirror's frame, while the other is slightly offset on the opposite side of the mirror.

For the mirror to function perfectly, keep the photocells clean and the area between the inside rearview mirror and the windshield free of any obstruction like stickers, etc.

Passenger safety systems

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Airbags

1 Front airbags on the driver and pas-

senger sides

2 Side airbags on the driver and pas-

senger sides – front and rear*

Protective effect

The front airbags protect the driver and passenger in the event of a head-on collision where the protection provided by the safety belt alone would not be adequate. The side airbags help provide protection in the event of a collision from the side. Each of the side airbags is designed to help support the seat occupant's upper body.

For information on the correct sitting position, refer to page 48.

The side airbags in the rear pas-

senger area* of your vehicle may already have been deactivated either at the time of manufacture or by a BMW center. You may have them activated if you desire to do so. Please contact your BMW center for additional information.<

The airbags will not be triggered in

the event of a minor accident, certain vehicle rollover situations or collisions from the rear.<

Do not apply adhesive materials to

the cover panels of the airbags, cover them or modify them in any other way. Do not attempt to remove the airbag restraint system from the vehicle. In the event of a malfunction, deactivation or triggered activation – as a response to an accident – of the airbag restraint system, consult your BMW center for inspection, repair or disassembly. Modifications may not be made on either the wiring or the individual components in the airbag system. This includes the upholstered covers on the steering wheel, the instrument panel, the side trim panels of the doors and front roof pillars and on the sides of the front headliner. Do not attempt to remove or

dismantle the steering wheel. Unprofessional attempts to service the system could lead to failure in an emergency or undesired airbag activation, either of which could result in personal injury. Do not touch the individual components directly after the system has been triggered, as otherwise there is a danger of burns.<

At all times, occupants should sit

upright and be properly restrained – infants and small children in appropriate child-restraint systems; larger children and adults using the safety belts. Never let an occupant's head rest near or on a side airbag because the inflating airbag could cause a serious or fatal injury. Please note that the word Airbag imprinted on the door trim panel indicates the airbag's location. Accident research shows that the safest place for children in an automobile is in the rear seat. However, a child sitting in the rear seat and not properly restrained may place his or her head on or near the side airbag, if so equipped. For example, a child – even though belted – may fall asleep with his or her head against the side airbag. It may be difficult for a driver to ensure that children in the rear seat will remain prop-

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Airbags

erly positioned at all times and not place their heads on or near the side airbag. Therefore, we recommend that the rear seat side airbags, if provided, be deactivated if you plan to transport children in the rear seat. The rear seat side airbags may already have been deactivated, either at the time of manufacture or by a BMW center. Labels in the door opening should indicate the status of your rear-seat side airbags. If you are uncertain of their status, or wish to have the airbags activated or deactivated, please contact your BMW center.<

Even when all these guidelines are observed, there is still a small residual risk of injuries to the face, hands and arms occurring from airbag deployment in isolated instances.

The ignition and inflation noise may provoke a mild temporary hearing loss in extremely sensitive individuals.

Airbag warning information is also provided on the sun visors.

This is the right way a child should sit in a child-restraint when rear side airbags, see arrow, are provided.

This is the right way a larger child should sit wearing the seat belt when rear side airbags, see arrow, are provided.

Indicator lamp

The indicator lamp indicates the

operational status of the airbag

system when the ignition key is

in position 1 or higher.

System operational: > The indicator lamp comes on briefly

when the ignition key is turned to position 1 or higher.

System malfunction:

> Indicator lamp does not come on or > indicator lamp lights up continuously.

Airbags

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Transporting children safely

If there is a system malfunction, there is a risk that the airbags will not be triggered within their normal response range, even if the level of impact would normally have triggered them.

Have your BMW center inspect the system immediately.

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 combination lap/shoulder belt. Improperly or inadequately installed restraint systems can increase the risk of injury to children. Always read and follow the instructions that come with the system.

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Child-restraint system with tether strap

If you use a child-restraint system with a tether strap, two additional tether anchorage points have been provided – refer to the arrows in the illustration.

Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 156 854 - © 09/02 BMW AG

Transporting children safely

Depending on the location selected for seating in the rear passenger area, attach the tether strap to the corresponding anchorage point to secure the child-restraint system, as shown in the illustration.

1. Open the convertible top compartment lid, refer to page 41

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 compartment panel.

It is recommended to cover the childrestraint attaching clip with a soft material to prevent damage to the stored soft top.

Should a hard top be installed, the

fitting of child harness tether strap/s – if child seat is required – is necessary before installation of the hard top.<

Before installing any child-

restraint device or child seat, please read the following: Never install a rearward-facing childrestraint system in the front passenger seat of this vehicle. Your vehicle is equipped with an airbag supplemental restraint system for the front passenger. Because the backrest on any rear-facing child-restraint system – of the kind designed for infants under 1 year and 20 lbs/9 kg – would be within the airbag's deployment range, you should never mount such a

device in the front passenger seat, as the impact of the airbag against the child-restraint's backrest could lead to serious or fatal injuries. If it is necessary for a child – not an infant – to ride in the front seat, certain precautions should be taken. First, move the passenger seat as far away from the instrument panel as possible. This important precaution is intended to maximize the distance between the airbag and the child. Older children

Transporting children safely

Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 156 854 - © 09/02 BMW AG

should be tightly secured with the safety belt after they have outgrown a booster seat that is appropriate for their age, height, and weight. Younger children should be secured in an appropriate forward-facing childrestraint system that has first been properly secured with a safety belt. Never install a rearward-facing childrestraint system in the front passenger seat. We strongly urge you to carefully read and comply with the instructions for installation and use provided by the child-restraint's manufacturer whenever you use such a device. Do not attempt to modify child-restraint systems. If you do this, the protection provided by these systems could be impaired. Be sure that all occupants – of all ages – remain properly and securely restrained at all times.<

All rear seating positions in your vehicle meet the recommendations of SAE J1819, an industry-recommended practice for securing child-restraint systems in motor vehicles.

Securing child-restraint system

All of the rear belt retractors and the front passenger's safety belt can be locked for mounting and securing childrestraint systems.

A label with the appropriate instructions for this is located in the immediate vicinity of the buckle latch of each safety belt.

To lock the safety belt

Extract the entire length of the belt from the inertia reel mechanism. Allow the reel to retract the belt somewhat and engage the buckle, then tighten the belt against the child-restraint system. The retraction mechanism is now locked.

The belt cannot be extracted further. Always observe the installation instructions provided by the manufacturer of the child-restraint system.

To unlock the safety belt

Release the safety belt, remove the child seat and retract the safety belt to its end position on the belt retractor.

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Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 156 854 - © 09/02 BMW AG

Transporting children safely

LATCH child-restraint mounting system

LATCH: Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren

Canadian models only:

The LATCH anchorage points are identified by buttons.

The left and right rear seats are both equipped with a LATCH child-restraint mounting system.

The anchorage points for the LATCH child-restraint system installation are located behind the upholstery at the positions indicated by the arrows.

Carefully slide the brackets through the gaps in the upholstery at the indicated locations.

Always follow all manufacturer's

instructions and observe all safety precautions when installing the LATCH child-restraint mounting system. Leave the rear safety belts in the holders if they are not needed to avoid unwanted movement from the safety belts at high speeds.<

To prevent damage to the upholstery, you can purchase an insertion aid* from your BMW center.

Firmly press the insertion aid into the gap between the seat cushion and backrest, continuing until the two guides snap into place on the LATCH brackets in the seat.

The illustration is an example showing the anchorages for a LATCH childrestraint system on the right rear seat.

Rollover protection system

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In the event of an accident or some other critical driving situation – extreme tilting in the longitudinal or transverse axis, loss of contact with the ground – the rollover protection system will be automatically activated. The protective bars located in the rear head restraints extend within fractions of a second.

In addition to the integrated rollover bar in the windshield frame, the rollover protection system affords all the vehicle occupants necessary headroom.

Always keep the travel path for the

rollover protection system free and clear. Under no circumstances should you cover the head restraints. In the event of less serious accidents, the safety belt will protect you and, depending on the severity of the accident, so will the safety belt tensioner and the multi-stage airbag restraint system as well.<

If, after being automatically triggered, the protective function is not needed, then the rollover protection system can be lowered back into place. No special tool is needed for this.

1. Using a screwdriver from the onboard tool kit, remove the cover panel; to do this, position the screwdriver under the notch – see arrow

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2. Pull up on the lever toward the front of the vehicle – see arrow – and keep it in this position

Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 156 854 - © 09/02 BMW AG

Rollover protection system

3. Keep pressing down on the protective 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 system. Work done on the system that is carried out improperly could lead to failure in an emergency or accidental airbag activation. Regarding having the system checked to ensure long-term operation: be scrupulous in adhering to the Service Interval Display for maintenance intervals. Every two years at the latest, the rollover protection system must be inspected by a BMW center.<

Vehicle Memory, Key Memory

Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 156 854 - © 09/02 BMW AG

How the system functions

You have probably frequently wished that you could configure individual functions of your vehicles to reflect your own personal requirements. In engineering your vehicle, BMW has provided for a number of options for personal adjustment that can be programmed into your vehicle at your BMW center.

The available configuration data fall into two categories, according to whether their primary orientation is the vehicle – Vehicle Memory – or the individual – Key Memory. You can have up to four different basic settings adjusted for four different persons. The only requirement is that each person uses his or her own remote control key.

When your vehicle is unlocked with the remote control, the vehicle recognizes the individual user by means of a data exchange with the key, and makes adjustments accordingly.

In order for you to distinguish between different keys, colored decals are supplied together with the keys.

What the system can do

Your BMW center can provide you with details on the possibilities that the Vehicle and Key Memory systems offer.

Examples for Vehicle Memory: > Various signals that can serve as

acknowledgment for locking and unlocking the vehicle, refer to page 31

> Activates/deactivates the Follow me

home lamps function, refer to page 92

> Activates/deactivates daytime driv-

ing lamps, refer to page 92

> Sets the units of measure for display-

ing time, outside temperature, distance traveled and fuel consumption in the instrument cluster.

> Indicates via an acoustic tone that

PDC has been activated, refer to page 86

> Switches on rear window defroster

automatically, refer to page 99

> After giving an ice warning, the dis-

play returns to the previous setting, refer to page 84.

Examples for Key Memory: > Locks the vehicle automatically after

you start off, refer to page 34

> Automatically moves the seat and

outside mirror into position for the programmed driver when unlocking the vehicle, refer to page 53

> Automatic tilting of the passenger-

side mirror, refer to page 54

> After the engine is started, calls up

the last selected driving program for each shifting mode, refer to page 74.

You will see this symbol throughout the Owner's Manual. It is to

remind you at appropriate places of the settings that are available to you.<

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Driving

Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 156 854 - © 09/02 BMW AG

Ignition lock

Ignition key positions

0 Steering locked

1 Steering unlocked

2 Ignition switched on

3 Starting engine

Steering locked

The key can be inserted or removed in this position only.

After removing the key, turn the steering wheel slightly to the left or right until the lock engages.

If the key is not removed, an acoustic signal is sounded after the driver's door has been opened.

Once the ignition has been switched off, ignition key in position 0 or removed, the radio functions are still available for approx. 20 minutes. Turn the radio back on to use it.

Steering unlocked

You will find that it is often easier to turn the ignition key from position 0 to position 1 when you move the steering wheel slightly to help disengage the lock.

Individual electrical accessories are ready for operation.

Starting engine and driving off

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Do not allow the engine to warm

up by leaving it running while the vehicle remains stationary. Instead, drive off immediately at a moderate engine speed.<

Do not allow the engine to run in

enclosed spaces. Otherwise, breathing the exhaust fumes can lead to unconsciousness and death. The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, an odorless and colorless, but highly toxic gas. Do not leave the vehicle unattended with the engine running. An unattended vehicle with a running engine represents a safety hazard.<

If the engine does not start on the first attempt, such as when it is very hot or cold:

> Press the accelerator pedal halfway

down while engaging the starter.

Cold starts at very low temperatures below about 57/–156 and at high altitudes above 3,300 ft/1,000 m:

> On the first start attempt, it may be

necessary to engage the starter for a longer period, but no longer than 20 seconds.

Extended starting attempts, char-

acterized by excessively frequent or long periods with the starter engaged, can damage the catalytic converter.<

When driving, standing at idle,

and parking the vehicle, take care to avoid contact between the hot exhaust system and flammable materials – grass, hay, leaves, etc. Such contact could lead to a fire, resulting in serious personal injury and property damage.<

Manual transmission

1. Engage the parking brake

2. Gearshift lever in idling position

3. Press the clutch pedal at low tem-

peratures

4. Start the engine. Do not press the

accelerator pedal. Do not actuate the starter for too short a time. Do not turn it for more than approx. 20 seconds. Release the ignition key immediately when the engine starts.

Sequential M gearbox SMG II

1. Depress footbrake

2. Move selector lever into position 0

3. Start the engine. Do not actuate the starter for too short a time. Do not turn it for more than approx. 20 seconds. Release the ignition key immediately when the engine starts

4. Engage a driving position

5. Release footbrake and slowly depress accelerator pedal.

With the engine running, the gear

indicator in the SMG display flashes to indicate that a driving position is engaged with the driver's door open or if the hood is not closed properly, refer to page 72. If none of the pedals is actuated, then the gearbox is automatically taken out of gear after approx. 4 seconds. Then the desired direction of travel must be selected again with the selector lever in position 0. Driving off is not possible with the hood open.<

Before exiting the vehicle with the

engine running, move the selector lever into position 0 and apply the parking brake. Never leave the vehicle unattended with the engine running. An unattended vehicle with a running engine represents a safety hazard.<

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Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 156 854 - © 09/02 BMW AG

Starting engine and driving off

Engine idle speed is controlled by the engine computer system. Increased speeds at start-up are normal and should decrease as the engine warms up. If engine speed does not decrease, service is required.

To prevent the battery from discharging, always deactivate electrical devices that are not in use. Switch the ignition off when the vehicle is not being driven.

Switching off the engine

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Parking brake

You should never remove the igni-

tion key when the vehicle is in motion, as the steering lock could engage. When you leave the vehicle, always remove the ignition key and engage the steering lock.<

Always engage the parking brake

when parking on downhill roads. Engaging a gear may not sufficiently secure the vehicle against rolling.<

Manual transmission

Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.

Sequential M gearbox SMG II

If you turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0 with the selector lever in the forward or reverse position, a gear automatically remains engaged.

If you turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0 with the selector lever in position 0, a warning tone and the flashing gear indicator in the SMG display remind you that the vehicle is not secured against rolling.

The warning stops after approx. ten seconds. If you move the selector lever into a forward or reverse position during this time, a gear is automatically engaged.

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The parking brake is designed primarily to prevent the vehicle from rolling when it is parked. It operates against the rear wheels.

To engage

The detent engages automatically, and the indicator lamp in the instrument cluster comes on when the ignition key is in position 2, refer to page 18.

To release

Pull up slightly on the lever, press the button – see arrow – and lower the lever.

Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 156 854 - © 09/02 BMW AG

Parking brake

If exceptional circumstances

make it necessary to engage the parking brake while the vehicle is in motion, do not pull it with excessive pressure. Keep your thumb pressed against the release button while carefully pulling the lever up. Excessive pressure can lead to overbraking and loss of traction – fishtailing – at the rear axle. The brake lamps do not come on when the parking brake is engaged. Always engage the parking brake when parking on downhill roads. Engaging a gear may not sufficiently secure the vehicle against rolling.<

To avoid corrosion and one-sided

braking, apply the parking brake lightly from time to time when coasting to a standstill – at a traffic signal, for example – provided that it is safe to do so.<

Manual transmission

When shifting gears in the

fifth/sixth gear plane, be sure to press the gearshift lever to the right in order to prevent inadvertent selection of a gear in the third/fourth gear plane. Do not hold the vehicle in place on slopes by slipping or "riding" the clutch. Use the parking brake instead. Riding the clutch causes the clutch assembly to wear out sooner.<

Reverse

Select only when the vehicle is stationary. Press the shift lever to the left to overcome the resistance.

As you do this, the backup lamps will light up automatically when the ignition key is in position 2.

Sequential M gearbox SMG II*

Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 156 854 - © 09/02 BMW AG

The concept

The sequential M gearbox SMG II is an automated manual gearbox with which clutching and shifting is assumed by an electro-hydraulic system.

The SMG II is operated via two shift paddles on the steering wheel and the selector lever in the center console.

It offers the following functions: > Sequential and automated shifting

mode

> Ability to choose between different

driving programs, Drivelogic

> Gradient assistance, refer to page 74 > Upshift display and shift lights, refer

to page 75

> RPM matching on downshifts > Driving dependent functions:

The respective driving situation, e.g. cornering, mountain driving or braking, is detected by sensors and taken into account for shifting, e.g. to achieve optimum gear selection during deceleration and subsequent acceleration

> Slip recognition at the rear axle for

increasing driving stability, e.g. during downshifting on slippery road surfaces

> Operating safety through protection

against misshifting.

Under normal operating conditions, fuel consumption is lowest when driving in the first driving program of the automated shifting mode.

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Selector lever position

R: Reverse position

0: Position 0 (Neutral)

Forward position with one-touch mode:

> S: sequential mode > A: automated mode > +: upshifting in sequential mode > –: downshifting in sequential mode.

The SMG II is ready for operation from ignition key position two or higher.

For your safety, it is only possible to engage a driving position with the vehicle stopped approx. 2 seconds after engaging position 0 with the footbrake depressed – Shiftlock function.

Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 156 854 - © 09/02 BMW AG

Sequential M gearbox SMG II*

Display in instrument cluster

The selector lever position, currently engaged gear and selected driving program are displayed in the instrument cluster.

1 Engaged gear

2 Selected driving program, corre-

sponds to the number of illuminated fields, refer to page 74

3 Tapping the selector lever to the right

switches over into the displayed shift mode

4 "A" indicates an activated automated

shift mode

R – Reverse position

Only engage with the vehicle stopped or at low speed, e.g. for rocking free in deep snow.

An intermittent signal tone indi-

cates that the reverse position has been engaged.<

0 – Position 0 (Neutral)

Always engage before starting the engine.

If the driving situation requires, e.g. when downshifting on slippery roads, the SMG II automatically disengages and reengages the clutch, i.e. it is not necessary to manually engage position 0.

S – Sequential mode

In the sequential mode all forward gears are to be shifted by the driver.

Changeover from automated to sequential mode:

> Tap the selector lever to the right

toward S or

> Change gears with the selector lever

or the shift paddles on the steering wheel.

You do not need to reduce the throttle for shifting.

Sequential M gearbox SMG II*

Shifting gears with shift paddles on steering wheel:

> To upshift, briefly pull the right pad-

dle +

> To downshift, briefly pull the left pad-

dle –.

Shift paddles with various widths matched to the shape of your

hand are available from your BMW center.<

Shifting gears with selector lever: > To upshift, pull the selector lever

backward +

> To downshift, push the selector lever

forward toward –.

No automatic upshifting is carried out in the sequential mode.

You accelerate from higher gears, e.g. during passing, by manually downshifting.

In the following situations the SMG II helps you think in the sequential mode:

> Upshifts and downshifts are only exe-

cuted when the new gear will provide a suitable combination of vehicle and engine speed, i.e., downshifts that would cause the engine to overrev will not be executed

> During a stop the gearbox is auto-

matically downshifted into the first gear so that, e.g. before a traffic light, it is only necessary to accelerate to continue driving

> When the speed is reduced, the

gearbox is automatically downshifted shortly before a gear-dependent minimum speed is reached without you taking any action.

A – Automated mode

Each time the engine is started, the automated mode is activated as soon as you move the selector lever into the forward driving position.

In the automated mode all forward gears are automatically shifted.

Changeover from sequential to automated mode: tap the selector lever to the right toward A. Watch the display in the instrument cluster, refer to page 72.

For rapid acceleration, e.g. during passing, depress the accelerator pedal completely – kickdown. The gearbox now downshifts in dependence on the selected driving program.

Even in the automated mode, you can help specify the shifting point: if a geardependent minimum speed is exceeded, you can upshift by slowly reducing pressure on the accelerator pedal. In the process, the respective driving situation is detected by sensors and taken into account.

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Sequential M gearbox SMG II*

Drivelogic

Drivelogic makes various driving programs available to you.

Press the Drivelogic repeatedly until the desired driving program is shown in the SMG display of the instrument cluster, refer to page 72.

In the automated mode you can select from five driving programs ranging from convenience mode/winter operation to sporty and highly dynamic.

In the first automated driving program, starting off takes place in second gear, which is advisable under winter road conditions with ice and snow.

In the sequential mode you can choose from six driving programs ranging from balanced, dynamic driving – 1 – to sporty, puristic driving – 6. The sporty, puristic driving program can only be activated with the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) deactivated, refer to page 87.

To maintain vehicle stability,

always drive with the DSC activated on whenever possible.<

Following each change between the sequential and the automated mode, the last driving program selected in the respective mode is active. Exception: instead of the last selected sequential driving program 6, program 5 is activated only after the engine has been started again.

Your vehicle is set so that when

the engine is started, the last selected driving program saved in your key is activated for each shifting mode.<

Gradient assistance

The gradient assistance enables starting off on grades with virtually no rollback. It can be activated in the sequential and automated mode with the vehicle stopped and can be used for both forward and reverse driving.

The vehicle may roll slightly before

it is held by the gradient assistance after releasing the footbrake. Two seconds after the footbrake is released, the vehicle begins to roll, as it is no longer held with the gradient assistance.<

1. Depress footbrake with vehicle

stopped

2. Activate the gradient assistance by

pulling the left paddle for at least

0.5 seconds. An increase in the engine speed indicates that the gradient assistance is activated

Briefly pulling the left paddle again

deactivates the gradient assistance again.<

3. Release the footbrake and start off

within two seconds.

The gradient assistance must be reactivated before each use.

Sequential M gearbox SMG II*

Indicator lamp

The transmission indicator lamp in the instrument cluster goes out after the engine is started.

> If it does not go out, or if it lights up

during driving, a fault has occurred. The available functions may be limited under certain circumstances. Drive carefully and with the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) activated. Have the system checked by the nearest BMW center

> If the indicator lamp flashes while

driving, the system is overloaded. Avoid high loads until the indicator lamp goes out again permanently.

Shift lights

To achieve the best possible vehicle acceleration with a sporty driving style in the sequential mode, shift lights in the instrument cluster indicate the optimum shifting point shortly before the maximum engine speed is reached.

1. When the maximum engine speed is approached, yellow indicator fields, shift lights, in the tachometer light up consecutively to indicate the approaching upshift time

2. Shift at the latest when the last indicator field lights up red.

Tire replacement, snow chains

Following a tire or wheel change and after mounting or removing snow chains, the slip recognition of the SMG II must become familiar with the changed condition.

Reinitialize the system afterwards:

1. Move the selector lever into position 0 on a straight stretch of road at a speed of over 20 mph / 30 km/h

2. Pull both shift paddles for approx. two seconds.

If you do not carry out the initialization, the system automatically learns the changed condition gradually during driving. This can become apparent due to brief opening and closing of the clutch.

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Turn signal indicator/Headlamp flasher

1 High beams – blue indicator lamp

2 Headlamp flasher – blue indicator

lamp

3 Turn signal indicator – green indicator

accompanied by periodic clicking sound from the relay

To signal briefly

Press the lever up to but not beyond the resistance point. It then returns to the center position when released.

If the flashing indicator lamp and the clicking from the relay are

both faster than normal, one of the turn signal indicators has failed.<

Washer/wiper system/Rain sensor*

0 Wipers retracted

1 Intermittent operation or rain sensor

2 Normal wiper speed

3 Fast wiper speed

4 Brief wipe

5 Rotary dial for control of the wipe

interval or the sensitivity of the rain sensor

Intermittent mode

Not on vehicles with rain sensor.

You can set the wipe interval at four stages with rotary dial 5. In addition, the wipe interval is varied automatically depending on road speed.

Rain sensor

The rain sensor is positioned on the windshield, directly behind the interior rearview mirror.

To activate the rain sensor: > With the ignition key in position 1 or

higher, move the lever to position 1. The wipers travel once across the windshield, regardless of the weather

> You can leave the lever permanently

in position 1. It is then only necessary to activate the rain sensor when the ignition key is in position 1 or higher. Activate by briefly turning rotary dial

To adjust the sensitivity of the rain sensor: turn rotary dial 5.

To deactivate the rain sensor: put lever in position 0.

Turn the rain sensor off in automatic car washes. Failure to do so

could result in damage caused by undesired wiper activation.<

Normal wiper speed

When the vehicle is stationary, the wipers switch automatically to intermittent wipe – not on vehicles with rain sensor.

Fast wiper speed

When the vehicle is stationary, the wipers operate at normal speed – not on vehicles with rain sensor.

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Washer/wiper system/Rain sensor*

Cruise control

0 Wipers retracted

1 Clean windshield and headlamps

Clean windshield and headlamps*

Do not use the washers if there is

any danger that the fluid will freeze on the windshield, as your vision could be obscured. Always use a windshield washer antifreeze in cold weather. Refer to page 124. Do not use the washers when the reservoir is empty. This could cause damage to the washer pump.<

The system sprays washer fluid against the windshield and activates the wipers for a brief period.

When the vehicle's lighting system is switched on, the headlamps will also be cleaned at reasonable intervals.

Windshield washer nozzles

The windshield washer jets are warmed automatically when the ignition key is in position 2.

Starting at about 20 mph / 30 km/h, you can maintain and store any vehicle speed that you specify.

The cruise control is operational whenever the engine is running and the system has been activated.

To activate the system

With the ignition key in position 2 or higher:

Press the button. The indicator lamp in the instrument cluster comes on, refer to page 20. You can now use the cruise control.

Do not use cruise control on twist-

ing roads, when high traffic density prevents driving at a constant speed, or when the road surface is slick – snow, rain, ice – or loose – rocks or gravel, sand.<

To deactivate the system

Press button as often as you need to until the indicator lamp in the instrument cluster goes out.

Cruise control

Cruise control is also deactivated when the ignition key is in position 0.

The speed stored in memory is deleted.

To store and maintain speed or to accelerate

Press button "+" briefly:

The system stores and maintains the current vehicle speed. Every time you tap the button, the speed increases by

0.6 mph / 1 km/h.

Press and hold button "+":

The vehicle accelerates without pressure on the accelerator pedal. When you release the button, the system stores and maintains the current speed.

If on a downhill gradient the

engine braking effect is not sufficient, the controlled speed can be exceeded. Speed can drop on uphill grades if the engine output is insufficient.<

To decelerate

Press button "–" briefly:

When cruise control is active, every tap of the button reduces the speed by approx. 0.6 mph / 1 km/h.

Press and hold button "–":

With the cruise control active, the system automatically reduces the throttle opening to slow the vehicle. When you release the button, the system stores and maintains the current speed.

To interrupt the cruise control

Each time zou activate the system, press the button. The indicator lamp stays on. You can use the cruise control again whenever you want by calling up the speed that was stored last.

In addition, cruise control is interrupted automatically:

> If the brakes are applied > When pressing down the clutch pedal > If you exceed or fall below the pro-

grammed speed for an extended period – by depressing the accelerator, for example

> Sequential M gearbox SMG II, refer

to page 71: when shifting in the sequential mode.

To recall the stored setting

Press button:

The vehicle accelerates to and maintains the last speed stored.

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Everything under control

Odometer

Tachometer

Temperature gauge

1 Odometer

2 Trip odometer

Odometer

You can activate the displays shown in the illustration with the ignition key in position 0 by pressing the left button, see arrow, in the instrument cluster.

Trip odometer

To reset the trip odometer to zero, press the left button – see arrow – with the ignition key in position 1 or higher.

Variable pre-warning zone

The yellow pre-warning zone displays current permissible engine speeds, depending on the engine temperature. As the engine temperature climbs, some of the sectors for this pre-warning zones will go out one after the other.

Avoid engine speeds in the early warning zone if possible.

Never allow the engine to operate with the needle in the red overspeed zone of the gauge.

To protect the engine, the fuel supply is interrupted when you approach this sector.

The general operating temperature lies between 1757/806 and 2507/

1206. During high-performance driving, do not exceed a maximum value of 3007/1506.

Fuel gauge

Engine coolant temperature gauge

Between the blue and red zones

Normal operating range. The needle may rise as far as the edge of the red sector during normal operation.

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Once the indicator lamp stays on continuously, 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.

Blue

The engine is still cold. Drive at moderate engine and vehicle speeds.

Red

When 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 126.

Service interval display

Check Control

A flashing message and a "–" in front of the number mean that the service interval has already been exceeded by the distance shown on the display. Please contact your BMW center for an appointment.

Remaining distance to next service

The displays shown in the illustration appear for a few seconds when the ignition key is in position 1 or higher or after the engine is started.

The next service due appears with the message OIL SERVICE or INSPECTION, together with the distance remaining in miles – in kilometers in Canada – before the next scheduled service.

The computer bases its calculations of the remaining distance on the preceding driving style.

Display

When the ignition key is in position 2 or higher, the following information or conditions are displayed until the cause has been corrected:

1 Inspect the low-beam and high-beam

headlamps, as well as the parking lamps

2 Door open

3 Luggage compartment lid open

4 Check brake and tail lamps

When you open the driver's door after completing a journey, an acoustic warning signal will sound if you have forgotten to turn off the headlamps.

Clock

If you wish to have a permanent time display, you can make this adjustment in the car radio* display, refer to the Owner's Manual for Radio.

You can set the time of day, and the display for the car radio, as follows.

In ignition key position 0: the time is displayed for a few seconds after you press the left button, refer to Odometer on page 80.

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To adjust

When the ignition key is in position 1 or higher, the time of day appears in the display.

To set ahead: turn the right button to the right.

To set back: turn the right button to the left.

The adjustment speed will increase the longer you continue to hold the right button.

To change the display mode: press the right button briefly.

Every time you press the knob, the clock display alternates between the 12-hour and 24-hour mode.

Computer

After giving an ice warning, the display returns to the previous

setting.<

The ice warning does not alter the fact that surface ice can form at

temperatures above 37.57/+36, on bridges or shaded road surfaces, for instance.<

Mode selection

With the ignition key in position 1 and higher, you can use the button in the turn signal lever to retrieve information from the computer for display in the instrument cluster. Each time you press the button briefly in the direction of the steering column, a new function is called up in the display.

The displays appear in the following order:

Time of day, outside temperature, average fuel consumption, cruising range, average vehicle speed.

When the ignition key is in position 1 or higher, the last active setting is displayed.

Outside temperature

You can change the units of measure – 6/7 – for the outside temperature display by pressing the right-hand reset button in the instrument cluster while the temperature display is active. The units of measure – 6/7 – in the temperature display of the automatic climate control change automatically, refer to page 96.

Ice warning

If the outside temperature drops to about 37.57/+36, then the computer will automatically switch to a display of the outside temperature. In addition, a signal sounds as a warning and the display flashes for a brief period.

Computer

Average fuel consumption

If you continue to press and hold the button on the turn signal lever, the average fuel consumption being displayed is recalculated from that point.

If you wish, you can have the aver-

age fuel consumption displayed in a different unit of measure.<

Range

The computer bases its calculations of the cruising range on the preceding driving style and on the remaining fuel in the tank.

It is important that you refuel when

the cruising range falls below approx. 35 miles/50 kilometers. Otherwise, the engine cannot be guaranteed to operate properly and damage may result.<

Average speed

If you continue to hold the button on the turn signal lever, the average fuel consumption being displayed for that speed is recalculated from that point in time.

Any time spent when the vehicle is stationary and the engine is shut off is ignored for the calculation.

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Technology for safety and driving convenience

Park Distance Control (PDC)*

The concept

PDC assists you when you back into a parking space. Acoustic signals alert you to the momentary distance to an object behind your vehicle. To do this, four ultrasonic sensors in the rear bumper measure the distance to the nearest object. The range for the sensors located at both rear corners ends approx. 2 ft/60 cm behind the bumpers. The range for the two middle sensors is slightly less than 5 ft/1.50 m.

PDC is a parking aid that can

identify objects if they are approached slowly, as is generally the case when parking. Avoid driving towards objects rapidly; due to underlying physical principles, the system may otherwise alert you too late for you to take evasive steps.<

The system is activated automatically about one second after you engage reverse with the ignition key in position 2.

Let this short period elapse before

driving backwards.<

PDC is deactivated when you shift back out of Reverse.

You can have a signal set to confirm that the PDC has been acti-

vated.<

Acoustic signals

The distance to the nearest object is indicated by a tone sounding at various intervals. As the distance between vehicle and object decreases, the intervals between the tones become shorter. A continuous tone indicates the presence of an object less than 1 ft/30 cm away.

The warning signal is canceled after approx. three seconds if the distance to the object remains constant during this time – if you are moving parallel to a wall, for instance.

System malfunctions will be indicated by a continuous high-pitched tone when the system is activated the first time. Please have your BMW center resolve the problem.

PDC does not remove the driver's

personal responsibility for evaluating the distance between the vehicle and any objects. Even when sensors are involved, there is a blind spot in which objects cannot be detected. This applies especially in those cases where

the system approaches the physical limits of ultrasonic measurement, as occurs with tow bars and trailer couplings, and in the vicinity of thin or wedge-shaped objects. Moreover, low objects that have already been detected – such as a curb edge – can disappear out of the detection range of the sensors before a continuous tone sounds. Loud sources of sound from outside or inside the vehicle could drown out the PDC signal tone.<

Keep the sensors clean and free

of ice or snow in order to ensure that they will continue to operate effectively. Do not apply high pressure spray to the sensors for a prolonged period of time. Always maintain a distance of more than 4 in/10 cm.<

Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)

The concept

DSC maintains vehicle stability, even in critical driving situations.

The system optimizes vehicle stability during acceleration and when starting from a full stop, as well as optimizing traction. In addition, it recognizes unstable vehicle conditions, such as understeering or oversteering, and, within physically feasible limits, helps keeping the vehicle on a steady course by reducing the engine speed and brake applications to the individual wheels.

The system starts up automatically each time you start the engine.

The laws of physics cannot be

repealed, even with DSC. The results of driving irresponsibly rest with the driver. We therefore urge you to avoid using the additional safety margin of the system as an excuse for taking

risks. Do not make any modifications to the DSC system. Allow only authorized technicians to perform service procedures on the DSC. At first, you may need some time to become accustomed to this system's intervention. However, it guarantees optimum drive force and at the same time, the best possible vehicle stability.<

Indicator lamp

The indicator lamp in the instrument cluster will go out shortly after the ignition has been

switched on, refer to page 19. > Indicator lamp flashes: the system is

active and is controlling the drive torque based on driving conditions

> 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: the system has been deactivated via the button or is defective. You can continue to drive the vehicle normally, but without DSC. Please consult your BMW center for repairs.

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To deactivate the system

Press the button; the indicator lamp comes on and stays on.

The vehicle does not execute the stability-enhancement and traction-control functions when DSC is deactivated.

We recommend that you deactivate the system for increased traction:

> When rocking the vehicle or starting

off in deep snow or on loose surfaces

> When driving with snow chains > When driving on snow-covered

grades, in deep snow, or on a snowcovered surface that has been packed down from being driven on.

To maintain vehicle stability, always drive with the system

switched on whenever possible.<

Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)

Flat Tire Monitor

To reactivate the system

Press the button again; the indicator lamp goes out.

Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)

DBC is an integral component of the DSC system.

If you apply the brakes rapidly, this system automatically generates maximum braking force boost and thus helps to achieve the shortest possible braking distance in panic braking situations. All of the benefits of the ABS system are exploited under these circumstances.

Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal for the duration of the brake application. When the brake pedal is released, the DBC is deactivated.

The concept

As you drive, the Flat Tire Monitor keeps track of pressure levels in all four tires. The system detects whenever the inflation pressure in a tire drops off significantly.

Controlling the tire pressure is based on monitoring the rpm that the tires have relative to each other. A flat tire is detected and reported because the rpm suddenly deviate drastically from one another.

Flat Tire Monitor

4. After a few minutes, the Flat Tire Monitor will accept the current inflation pressure as the value to be measured against, and from that point on can detect and report a flat tire.

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Initializing the system

Initializing is necessary to familiarize the system with the correct inflation pressures.

Repeat this process after any changes in tire inflation pressure, tire rotation or replacement.

1. Check the tire inflation pressures in all the tires, comparing them with the inflation pressure table, refer to page 25, and adjust them if necessary

2. Turn the ignition key to position 2

3. Press button as long as you need to until the indicator lamp in the instrument cluster lights up. After a little while, the indicator lamp will go out by itself

To activate/deactivate the system

The system is automatically activated in ignition key position 2 and consequently is on whenever the vehicle is operated.

To deactivate the system: tap the button, the indicator lamp will light up yellow.

To activate the system: tap the button again; the indicator lamp goes out.

Deactivate the system when snow chains are mounted, since false warnings and undetected losses in pressure are possible under these kinds of conditions.

Flat Tire Monitor

Flat tire

The red warning lamp in the instrument cluster lights up to

warn of pressure loss and tire failure. In addition, an acoustic signal is sounded. To come to an immediate stop, reduce speed, while avoiding any sudden, jerky braking or steering maneuvers.

Fix the flat tire using the M Mobility system, refer to page 139.

To reset the indicator lamp: the red indicator lamp has to be switched off manually after putting on a new wheel. At this point, hold the Flat Tire Monitor button down until the indicator lamp goes out. Reinitialize the system afterward.

The Flat Tire Monitor cannot pro-

vide you with advance warning of sudden and severe tire damage caused by external factors. Another factor which the Flat Tire Monitor does not recognize is the balanced and very gradual pressure loss that takes place in all tires over an extended period of time.<

Check tire inflation pressures on a

regular basis, correcting them as necessary, refer to page 25. Under certain circumstances, there may be false warnings or a delayed detection of losses in pressure when driving on snow-covered or slippery road surfaces. Performance-oriented driving – slip at the drive wheels and high levels of lateral acceleration – can also delay the appearance of status reports in the Flat Tire Monitor's display panel.<

System malfunctions

As long as there is still a malfunction, the indicator lamp in the instrument cluster will stay lit up yellow.

Please contact your BMW center for additional information.

M Engine dynamics control

The system – Sport mode – will cause the engine to respond more spontaneously to any motion of the accelerator pedal.

Activating/deactivating Sport mode

Activating: with the ignition key in position 2, press the SPORT button. The indicator lamp will come on.

Each time you activate the system, the vehicle may gain speed

without any additional pressure on the accelerator pedal.<

The Sport mode is deactivated every time the engine is started.

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Deactivating: press the SPORT button again; the indicator lamp will go out.

Lamps

Parking lamps/Low beams

Parking lamps

The front, rear and side vehicle lighting is switched on. You can

use this to signal the position of the vehicle when it is parked. For lighting on one side for parking as an additional feature, refer to page 93.

Low beams

When you switch the ignition off

with the low-beam headlamps

on, only the parking lamps will remain on.

Follow me home lamps

When you activate the headlamp flasher after parking the vehicle and switching off the lights, the low beams will come on for a brief period.

You can also have this function deactivated.<

LIGHTS ON warning

Whenever you open the driver's door after having turned the ignition key to position 0, you will hear an acoustic signal for a few seconds to remind you that the lamps have not been switched off.

Daytime driving lamps*

If you desire, the light switch can be left in the low-beam position: when the ignition is switched off, the external lighting is also switched off.

Observe the legal regulations regarding the use of daytime driving lamps.

When required, switch on the parking lamps as usual as described under Parking lamps.

You can have the activation settings for the daytime driving lamps

programmed on your vehicle.<

Automatic headlamp control*

When the switch is in this position, the system automatically

responds to changes in ambient light – in tunnels, at dusk, etc. – and to rain and snow by switching the low beams on or off.

The vehicle's external lamps

remain on constantly when you switch on the front fog lamps after the headlamps have come on automatically.<

Automatic headlamp control can-

not serve as a substitute for your personal judgement in determining when the lamps should be switched on. For example, the sensors are not able to detect fog. In such situations switch on the lamp manually, as otherwise a safety hazard will result.<

You can have the sensitivity of

your vehicle's automatic headlamp control adjusted.<

Instrument lighting

High beams/Standing lamps

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Turn the rotary dial to control the lighting when the parking or low beam lamps are on.

1 High beams – blue indicator lamp

2 Headlamp flasher – blue indicator

lamp

3 Standing lamps

Standing lamps, left or right

As an additional feature, you can illuminate your vehicle on either side for parking, if you wish to do so:

With the ignition key in position 0, push the lever in the appropriate direction. The lever engages in the turn signal position.

Fog lamps

Interior lamps

Reading lamps

Front fog lamps

The green indicator lamp in the instrument cluster lights up to indicate that the front fog lamps

are on.

If the automatic headlamp control is on, the low beams will come on

automatically whenever you activate the front fog lamps.<

The interior lamps operate automatically.

To switch the interior lamps on and off manually

Press the button briefly.

If you want the interior lamps to remain off all the time, press and hold the button for approx. three seconds.

Press the button briefly to revert to normal operation.

Front reading lamps

Switch on and off with the button adjacent to each lamp.

Reading lamps

Rear reading lamps

With the hardtop reading lamps are also located in the rear, refer to page 113. Switch on and off with the button adjacent to each lamp.

In order to prevent battery dis-

charge, all of the lamps in the vehicle are automatically switched off approx. 15 minutes after you turn the ignition key to position 0.<

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Controlling the climate for pleasant driving

Automatic climate control

1 Air onto the windshield and the side

windows

2 Air for the upper body area 99

3 Air to the footwell

4 Outside air/Automatic recirculated-

air control (AUC)/Recirculated air 99

5 Air supply/Blower 98

6 Temperature 98

7 Automatic air distribution and

supply 98

8 Individual air distribution 98

9 Interior temperature sensor – please

keep clear and unobstructed

10 Display for temperature and air

supply 98

11 To defrost windows and remove

condensation 98

12 Air conditioning 98

13 Rear window defroster 99

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Automatic climate control

Tips for pleasant driving

Use the automatic mode – switch on with AUTO button 7. Select the desired interior temperature.

Detailed setting options are described for you in the following sections.

You can make the settings of your

vehicle in such a manner that, when you unlock the vehicle with the remote control of your personal key, your own personalized setting for the automatic climate control is initiated.<

Automatic air distribution and supply

The AUTO program adjusts the

air distribution and the air supply for you and in addition adapts the temperature to external influences – summer, winter – to meet preferences you can specify.

Individual air distribution

You can cancel the AUTO pro-

gram by selecting specific dis-

tribution patterns to suit your

own individual requirements. While the AUTO program is then deactivated, the automatic airflow control remains in operation. Air flows onto

the windows , toward the upper body , and into the footwell . You can reactivate the automatic air supply by pressing the AUTO button.

Temperature

The interior temperature that appears in the display panel is a

general figure intended for reference purposes. We recommend 727/+226 as a comfortable setting, even if the air conditioning is on. When you start the vehicle, the system ensures that the selected temperature is reached as quickly as possible. It then maintains this temperature, regardless of the season.

To select the units of measure 6/7 of the display, refer to page 84.

Air supply/Blower

By pressing the left or right half

of the button, you can vary the air supply. This deactivates the automatic air supply – the AUTO display disappears from the panel. Nevertheless, the automatic air distribution remains unchanged. You can reactivate the automatic air supply by pressing the AUTO button.

When the lowest blower speed is set and you press the left half of the button, all of the displays are canceled: the blower, heating and air conditioner are switched off, and the air supply is stopped. You can reactivate the system by pressing any button for the automatic climate control.

To defrost windows and remove condensation

This program quickly removes ice and condensation from the

windshield and the side windows.

Air conditioning

The air is cooled and dehumidified and – depending on the

temperature setting – rewarmed.

Depending on the weather, the windshield may fog over briefly when the engine is started. Air conditioning helps prevent the windows from fogging up.

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.<

Automatic climate control

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 operating modes.

> Indicator lamps off: outside air always

flowing into the vehicle

> Left-hand indicator lamp on – auto-

matic mode: the system detects pollutants 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 requirements, 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.<

Rear window defroster

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.

You can have your vehicle pro-

grammed in such a way that the rear window defroster switches on automatically. This occurs within 5 minutes after starting the engine when outside temperatures are below approx. 397/+46.<

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Draft-free ventilation

You can adjust the blower controls for the upper body area to obtain the optimum airflow rates and directions for your personal requirements:

1 Rotary dials for opening and closing

the vents at any setting desired

2 Lever for adjusting airflow direction

3 With the rotary dial you can adjust the

temperature of the outgoing air:

> Turn toward blue – colder > Turn toward red – warmer

100

Automatic climate control

Microfilter, activated-charcoal filter

The built-in microfilter removes dust and pollen from the incoming air. The activated-charcoal filter provides additional protection by filtering gaseous pollutants from the outside air. Your BMW center will replace the combined filter as a standard part of your scheduled maintenance. A substantial reduction in airflow indicates that the filter needs to be replaced early.

BMW M3 2003 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Notes

Symbols used

Your individual vehicle

Status at time of printing

For your own safety

Service and warranty

Reporting safety defects

Contents

Cockpit

Instrument cluster

Indicator and warning lamps

Steering wheel with multifunction buttons

Refueling

Fuel specifications

Tire inflation pressure

Opening and closing

Keys

Central locking system

Opening and closing – via the remote control

Opening and closing – via the door lock

Opening and closing – from the inside

Luggage compartment lid

Luggage compartment

Electric power windows

Convertible top

Safe seating position

Seats

Power seat adjustment

Head restraints

Entering the rear

Safety belts

Seat and mirror memory

Steering wheel

Mirrors

Passenger safety systems

Airbags

Transporting children safely

Rollover protection system

Vehicle Memory, Key Memory

Driving

Ignition lock

Starting engine and driving off

Switching off the engine

Parking brake

Manual transmission

Turn signal indicator/Headlamp flasher

Cruise control

Everything under control

Odometer

Tachometer

Temperature gauge

Fuel gauge

Engine coolant temperature gauge

Service interval display

Check Control

Clock

Computer

Technology for safety and driving convenience

Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)

Flat Tire Monitor

M Engine dynamics control

Lamps

Parking lamps/Low beams

Instrument lighting

High beams/Standing lamps

Fog lamps

Interior lamps

Reading lamps

Controlling the climate for pleasant driving

Automatic climate control