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EnglishOwner service procedures for your BMW 3 Series 1997-2006
Replacement procedures
134 Onboard tool kit
Windshield wiper blades
The onboard tool kit is located in the
luggage compartment lid.
1. Switch off the engine
2. Fold the wiper arm completely out
from the windshield
3. Position the wiper blade at an angle
and pull the release spring – see
arrow
To open, loosen the wing nut. For stor-
age place of towing eyelet, refer to
page 146.
4. Fold the wiper blade down and
unhook it toward the windshield
5. Pull the wiper blade past the wiper
arm toward the top
6. Insert a new wiper blade and apply
pressure until you hear it engage.
Lamps and bulbs
135
The lamps and bulbs make essential
contributions to the safety of your vehi-
cle. Therefore, comply fully with the fol-
lowing instructions during bulb replace-
ment. If you are not familiar with any of
the procedures, consult your BMW
center.
Because of the extremely high
Low beams and high beams
voltages involved, any work on the
xenon lighting system, including bulb-
changing, should be carried out by
technically-qualified personnel only.
Otherwise, there is a risk of fatal
injury.<
>Low beams: H7 bulb, 55 watts
>High beams: H7 bulb, 55 watts
The H7 bulb is pressurized. There-
fore, wear safety glasses and pro-
tective gloves. Failure to comply with
this precaution could lead to injury if the
bulb is damaged.<
Do not touch the glass portion of
a new bulb with your bare hands
since even small amounts of impurities
burn in to the surface and reduce the
service life of the bulb. Use a clean
cloth, paper napkin, or a similar mate-
rial, or hold the bulb by its metallic
base.<
Please contact a BMW center in case of
a malfunction.
Parking lamps
5 watt bulb
Please contact a BMW center in case of
a malfunction.
A replacement bulb set is available from
your BMW center.
When cleaning the headlamps, please
follow the instructions in the Caring for
your vehicle brochure.
Before working on the electrical
system, switch off the electrical
accessory you are working on or dis-
connect the cable from the negative
terminal of the battery. Failure to
observe this precaution could result in
short circuits.
To prevent injuries and damage when
changing a bulb, be sure to comply with
any instructions provided by the bulb
manufacturer.<
Xenon lamps*
The service life of these bulbs is very
long and the probability of a failure is
very low, provided that they are not
switched on and off an unusual number
of times. If one of these bulbs should
nevertheless fail, it is possible to con-
tinue driving with great caution using
the fog lamps, provided traffic laws in
your area do not prohibit this.
136 Lamps and bulbs
Front turn signal indicators
4. Insert the 2 pins on the lamp into the Side turn signal indicators
guides on the vehicle
21 watt bulb
5 watt bulb
5. Slide in the lamp and screw the bulb
1. Use finger pressure against the rear
in place through the upper opening.
1. Extend a screwdriver through the
upper opening loosen the screw and
remove it
end of the lamp – see arrow – to
press it forward for removal
2. Remove lamp by pulling it out toward
the front
2. Apply gentle pressure to the bulb
while turning it to the left to remove.
3. Applying light pressure, turn the bulb
to the left. Remove and exchange the
bulb
Lamps and bulbs
137
Tail lamps
The illustration shows the right-hand
luggage compartment opening.
2. Take out the bulb holder
3. Unplug the power supply receptacle.
Set the bulb holder aside, on the lug-
gage compartment floor, for example
4. Applying light pressure, turn the bulb
to the left. Remove and exchange the
bulb
5. Plug in the power supply receptacle
6. Reattach the bulb holder until you
hear it snap into place – see arrow.
1 Turn signal indicator
2 Backup lamp
Bulbs in the fender:
All of the bulbs are integrated in a cen-
tral bulb holder.
3 Tail lamp
4 Tail lamp/brake lamp
Tail lamp 4: 21/4 watt bulb
Remaining bulbs: 21 watt
1. Release the bulb holder – see arrow
138 Lamps and bulbs
Bulbs in the luggage compartment lid
1. Using a screwdriver, loosen the clip
2. Fold the trim panel down – see
arrow 1. Disengage the bulb holder –
see arrow 2 – and remove it
3. Applying light pressure, turn the bulb
to the left. Remove and exchange the
bulb
Center high-mount brake lamp
LED strip in luggage compartment lid.
Please contact a BMW center in case of
a malfunction.
4. Press the bulb holder into position
until you hear it engage
5. Reinstall the trim with the clip.
Lamps and bulbs
Repairing a flat tire
139
Precautions in case of a flat tire:
Stop the vehicle as far as possible
from passing traffic; switch on the haz-
ard warning flashers.
Turn the steering wheel to the straight-
ahead position and engage the steering
lock. Shift into 1st or reverse and
engage the parking brake.
Using the M Mobility system
To repair a flat tire using the M Mobility
system, proceed as follows:
>Preparing the M Mobility system for
use, refer to the next column
>This is part of the M Mobility system,
refer to page 140
>Filling with sealant, refer to page 141
>Distributing sealant, refer to
page 141
>Inflating tire to correct pressure, refer
to page 142.
All passengers should be outside the
vehicle and well away from your imme-
diate working area – behind a guardrail,
for instance.
If necessary, set up your warning trian-
gle or portable hazard warning lamp on
the roadside at an appropriate distance
from the rear of the vehicle. Comply
License plate lamps
5 watt bulb
1. Place a screwdriver in the slot and
press toward the left – see arrow – to with all safety guidelines and regula-
tions.<
release the lens
2. Replace the bulb.
M Mobility system
You will find an M Mobility system in
your BMW M3 convertible for repairing
flat tires. With this system you can
apply a sealing liquid to the inside of
the tire that seals off the damaged point
and then continue driving.
The M Mobility system makes trans-
porting a spare wheel superfluous,
thereby reducing the amount of weight
you have to carry around.
140 Repairing a flat tire
Please keep in mind that the fluids
bottle in the system's sealant con-
tainer has to be changed every 3 years
by your BMW center, if the unit has not
been used.<
Preparing the M Mobility system
for use
This is part of the M Mobility
system
The M Mobility system is located in the
luggage compartment under the floor
panel:
1 On/Off switch
2 Connection hose with manometer for
connecting the compressor with the
sealant container or to connect the
compressor to the wheel
1. Lift the floor panel
2. Loosen the M Mobility system from
its storage location.
3 Manometer for indicating the tire
pressure
Before you use the M Mobility sys-
tem, read the warnings and dan-
ger notices on the device carefully.<
4 Connector hose from the sealant
container to the wheel
5 Sticker with speed limit
If possible, leave the foreign object in
the tire.
6 Plug and cable for the cigarette
lighter socket
Pull off the sticker 5, refer to the second
column on the right, for the speed limit
and apply it to the steering wheel.
7 Protective gloves, not shown
Repairing a flat tire
141
Filling with sealant
2. Flip open the cover and pull out the
enclosed protective gloves. Take out
hose 2 with the manometer and
screw it to the terminal for the seal-
ant container as shown in the illustra-
tion
4. Make sure that the screw on the rear
of the pressure gauge 3 is tightened
down. Turn on the M Mobility sys-
tem, position I, refer to illustration,
and allow minutes to elapse, to let
the sealant flow in. It does not matter
afterward, what the tire's inflation
pressure is
1. Take off the round cover and take out
hose 4. Unscrew the valve dust cap
from the defective wheel and screw
the hose to the valve. Keep the dust
cap in a safe place
3. Make sure that the system has been
switched off, position 0.
Take out plug 6 and insert it into the 5. Turn the system off.
cigarette lighter socket in the pas-
senger compartment, refer to
page 103
Disconnect the connector hose from
the sealant container and the wheel
valve. Stow the M Mobility system in
the luggage compartment.
Distributing the sealant
Right afterward, drive at least
1 1/4 miles/2 km, so that the liquid
sealant distributes evenly throughout
the inside of the tire.
142 Repairing a flat tire
Do not exceed a maximum speed
Even if the tire fails to hold the
pressure, you should still carry out
Step 3 before proceeding to drive the
vehicle again, refer to Distributing the
sealant for more information. Then
repeat Steps 1 through 3.
of 40 mph / 60 km/h. If possible,
keep the vehicle speed above 10 mph /
20 km/h.
Stop in a suitable spot.<
The use of the M Mobility system may
be ineffective if the damaged area in
the tire is larger than approx. 3/16 in /
4 mm. Please consult the nearest BMW
center if the tire cannot be temporarily
repaired with the M Mobility system.<
Inflating tire to correct pressure
3. Unscrew the hose from the valve and
stow the M Mobility system in the
luggage compartment. Screw the
dust cap onto the valve again.
1. Take out the hose with the pressure
gauge and screw it onto the valve.
Take the plug out and plug it into the
cigarette lighter socket in the pas-
senger compartment
Do not exceed the maximum
speed limit described below, oth-
erwise it could lead to accidents.<
2. Reset the air pressure to
29 psi/200 kilopascal, and:
>Increase tire pressure: switch on
the M Mobility System, position I.
Switch off the unit briefly to check
the current tire pressure
When you start driving again, do not
exceed the permissible maximum
speed of 45 mph / 80 km/h.
>Decrease tire pressure: turn the
screw on the back of the manome-
ter, a valve located there will open
Repairing a flat tire
Battery
143
You will find corresponding
instructions for using the
Battery posts, terminals, and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds. Wash hands after Maintain the battery in an upright posi-
Return used batteries to a recy-
cling point or your BMW center.
M Mobility system on the device.
Replace the defective tire as soon as
possible and have the new wheel bal-
anced. Reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor,
and refer to page 89 for further informa-
tion. Have the M Mobility system
refilled. Contact your BMW center for
this.<
handling.<
tion for transport and storage. Secure
the battery against tilting in transit.<
Maintenance
The battery is completely maintenance-
free. That means that the original bat-
tery acid will normally last for the ser-
vice life of the battery under moderate
climate conditions.
Protect valve stems against dirt using
screw-on dust caps. Dirty valve stems
frequently lead to slow pressure loss.
Please consult your BMW center
whenever you have any questions
concerning the battery. Since the bat-
tery is absolutely maintenance-free, the
following statements are for your infor-
mation only.<
Never disconnect the battery
when the engine is running; the
ensuing voltage surge would seriously
damage the vehicle's onboard elec-
tronic systems.<
Charging the battery
Charge the battery in the vehicle only
when the engine is not running. Use the
connections provided in the engine
compartment. For information on the
connections, see Jump-starting,
page 145.
144 Fuses
You will find the fuses and information
on their respective allocation in the
glove compartment behind a panel with
two snap clips.
Do not attempt to repair a blown
fuse or replace it with a fuse
having a different color or amperage
rating. To do this could cause a fire in
the vehicle resulting from a circuit over-
load.<
Giving and receiving assistance
Jump-starting
145
When your battery is discharged, you
can use two jumper cables to start your
vehicle with power from the battery in a
second vehicle. You can also use the
same method to help start another
vehicle. Use only jumper cables with
fully insulated handles on the terminal
clamps.
or a suitable ground on the vehicle
being started. Your BMW is
equipped with a special nut for this
purpose – see arrow 2
Always adhere to this sequence
when connecting jumper cables;
failure to observe this procedure can
lead to sparks at the battery terminals
and pose an injury hazard.<
Do not touch high-voltage wiring
and cables on a running engine.
Contact with components carrying high
voltage can be harmful or fatal.
Carefully observe the following instruc-
tions to avoid personal injury and/or
damage to one or both vehicles.<
6. Start the engine of the support vehi-
cle and let it run for several minutes
at a slightly elevated engine idle
speed
7. Start the engine of the other vehicle
as usual. If the first start attempt is
not successful, wait a few minutes
before another attempt in order to
allow the discharged battery to
recharge
8. Allow the engines to run for several
minutes before disconnecting the
jumper cables
9. Then disconnect the jumper cables
in the opposite order.
4. The auxiliary jump-starting terminal
located in your BMW's engine com-
partment acts as the positive battery
terminal. The cover of this auxiliary
terminal is marked with a + sign.
Remove by pulling the tab, see
arrow 1. Start by connecting the
jumper cable from the positive termi-
nal of the discharged battery to the
positive terminal of the support bat-
tery
5. Then connect the negative terminals
with the other jumper cable. Attach
the cable to either the support vehi-
cle's negative battery terminal or to a
suitable ground on its engine or
bodywork. Then connect the other
end to the negative battery terminal
1. The battery in the support vehicle
must be rated at 12 volts. This infor-
mation is provided on the battery
label
2. Stop the engine of the support vehi-
cle and switch off all electrical com-
ponents in both vehicles – except for
the hazard warning flashers of the
support vehicle
3. Make absolutely certain that there is
no contact between the bodywork of
the two vehicles – short circuit haz-
ard
Have the battery recharged at your
BMW center as required.
Do not use spray starter fluids to
start the engine.<
146 Towing the vehicle
Towing eyelet
The towing eyelet, which can be
unscrewed, is in the luggage compart-
ment under the floor mat and must
remain in the vehicle. This eyelet is
designed for installation in the tow
sockets located at the front and rear of
the vehicle. It is intended for towing on
paved road surfaces only.
The towing eyelet should not be used
to pull a vehicle out of deep snow, mud,
sand, etc.
Access to tow sockets
Rear:
Comply with all applicable towing laws
and regulations at all times.
Press out the cover panel with a screw-
driver at the top of the recess.
Front:
Press out the cover panel with a screw-
driver at the top of the recess.
Make sure the towing eyelet is
firmly screwed all the way in, oth-
erwise the thread could be damaged.
Only use the towing eyelet provided in
the vehicle to avoid damage.
Do not tow the vehicle by any compo-
nents of the running gear, or lash them
down in any way. If you do, the compo-
nents could be damaged, possibly
leading to accidents.<
Keep the vehicles in line and avoid
towing at an offset angle. Ensure
that the tow rope connecting the two
vehicles is tight, with no slack, before
starting off.<
Towing the vehicle
147
Use only a nylon towing strap to tow
the vehicle, since the inherent resil-
ience of this material helps protect both
vehicles from sudden jerking move-
ments.
5. Switch on the hazard-warning sys-
tem – observe applicable legal regu-
lations.
Find some means of identifying the
vehicle in tow, for instance, place a sign
or warning triangle in the rear window.
The towed vehicle should always
be the lighter of the two vehicles.
If this is not the case, it will not be pos-
sible to control vehicle handling.<
Make sure that the ignition key
remains in position 1 even when
the electrical system has failed to pre-
vent the steering lock from engaging.
The steering and brakes are without
power-assist when the engine is off.
This means that increased effort is
required for steering and braking.<
Tow-starting
For instructions on jump-starting, refer
to page 145.
Towing with a commercial tow
truck
Never attempt to use your vehicle to
push another vehicle, since damage to
the energy-absorbing bumpers could
result.
>Do not tow with sling-type equipment
>Use wheel lift or flatbed equipment
>Please comply with applicable state
towing laws.
Vehicle with sequential M gearbox
SMG II:
To push or tow, engage selector lever
in position 0.
Towing a vehicle
Never allow passengers to ride in
a towed vehicle for any reason.
1. Gearshift lever in Neutral
2. Towing speed:
Max. 45 mph / 70 km/h
3. Towing distance:
Max. 95 miles/150 km
4. Leave the ignition key at position 1 to
ensure that the brake lamps, turn sig-
nal indicators, horn and windshield
wipers remain operative, and to pre-
vent the steering lock detent from
engaging
Never work on the vehicle with a
driving position engaged.<
Never attach tie-down hooks, chains,
straps, or tow hooks to tie rods, control
arms, or any other part of the vehicle
suspension, as severe damage to these
components will occur, possibly lead-
ing to accidents.<
