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EnglishControls and features -> Convertible top for your BMW 3 Series 1997-2006
Electric power windows
Convertible top
41
The completely automatically operated
convertible top combines assured pro-
tection against the elements together
with simple and easy handling.
After the ignition has been
switched off
After the ignition has been switched off:
You can still use the electric power win-
dows for up to 15 minutes, as long as
no one opens any of the doors.
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 addi-
tion, 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 147/–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.<
42 Convertible top
Driving with the opening or clos-
ing operation not completely
If possible, only operate the con-
vertible top with the vehicle
ended can lead to damage and/or inju- stopped, as otherwise the process may
ries. be interrupted.
Traffic laws applicable in your area take If you set the convertible top in motion
precedence when you operate the con- with the vehicle stationary and then
vertible top, otherwise you may be
breaking the law.
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 main-
taining pressure on the button.
Do not lay objects on the convertible
top, since they would fall off when the
convertible top is operated and cause
damage or injuries.
Before closing the convertible top,
remove any objects from the windshield
mechanism during opening and closing. frame that could keep the convertible
Do not reach into the convertible top
1 To close
2 To open
Keep children away from the moving
parts of the convertible top during
operation.<
top from closing properly.<
Locks and security systems
To close the electric power win-
dows while driving, always be
sure to first close either the rear win-
dows, or all 4 windows at the same
time, otherwise, at high speed, the win-
dows may not close tightly.<
From ignition key position 1 or higher,
with the vehicle stationary
If at all possible, only operate the con-
vertible top if the engine is running. This
saves unnecessary battery wear.
1. Read and comply with the preceding
safety precautions
At higher speeds, the ensuing
vacuum in the passenger com-
2. Before opening the convertible top,
make sure that the convertible top
compartment panel in the luggage
compartment is lowered, refer to
page 37
partment can cause the convertible top
to begin fluttering. Increase the air sup-
ply via the ventilation controls so that a
vacuum does not occur in the vehicle.<
3. Make sure that the luggage compart-
ment lid is closed
Convertible top
43
4. Press and hold the corresponding
When operating the convertible top, the
Operate the convertible top manu-
ally in emergency situations only
press the button, and after the opening to avoid causing damage due to incor-
button for convertible top operation. windows will lower slightly when you
The red indicator lamp will light up
while the convertible top is in motion. or closing operation has finished, they
It goes out as soon as the opening or will go back up, if you keep holding the
rect operation.<
closing operation has been com-
pleted.
button down for more than 2 seconds
after the indicator lamp has gone out.
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 compart-
ment lid cannot be opened if the open-
ing or closing operation has been inter-
rupted.<
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 luggage compartment lid cannot be
opened while the convertible top is in
motion.
Do not close the side power win-
dows using the buttons if the con-
vertible top operation has been inter-
rupted.<
If the convertible top has been
stored in the convertible top com-
partment 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 but-
ton while doing so until the top starts
up again on its own.<
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.<
Convenience operation from the
driver's door lock
Refer to page 33.
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.<
44 Convertible top
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.<
Closing manually in the event of
an electrical malfunction
3. Grasp the convertible top by the lat-
eral 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 con-
vertible top compartment lid. Flip the
rear convertible top frame downward
2. If the luggage compartment lid is
closed, open the convertible top
compartment lid up as far as the stop
will allow
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.<
To avoid damaging the side trim,
always fold the convertible top
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.<
forward before folding the rear frame
brace up into its vertical position.<
Convertible top
45
The closing operation must be
completed, as otherwise damage
and/or injuries may result.<
Please consult your BMW center
to have the defect corrected.<
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
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.
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 con-
vertible top frame is locked to the
windshield frame. The rear convert-
ible top frame will automatically be
pressed down onto the convertible
top compartment lid and, because of
the tension, will close completely.
First, use the button for activating
the convertible top to unlock the
locks of the convertible top compart-
ment. Refer to page 42.<
For additional information on vehi-
cle care, refer to the Caring for
your vehicle brochure.<
