Starting the engine and driving off, Starting the engine and driving – BMW M3 Convertible 2004 User Manual

Page 66

Starting the engine and driving off

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 monox-
ide, an odorless and colorless, but
highly toxic gas. Do not leave the vehi-
cle 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 – if it is very hot or cold, for
instance:
> Press the accelerator pedal halfway

down while engaging the starter.

Cold starts at very low temperatures
below about 5

7/–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 or
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. 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 with
Drivelogic

1. Depress footbrake
2. Move selector lever into position N

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 Drivelogic

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

If neither the pedals, the shift paddles,
nor the selector lever are actuated, then
the gearbox is automatically taken out
of gear after approx. four seconds. It
will then be necessary to move the
selector lever back to position N before
engaging the desired driving position.
Driving off is not possible with the hood
open.