66
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 care-
fully pulling the lever up.
Excessive pressure can lead to over-
braking 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
from time to time when coasting to a
standstill – at a traffic light, for example
– provided that it is safe to do so.<
Manual transmission
When shifting gears in the 5th/6th
gear plane, be sure to press the
gearshift lever to the right in order to
prevent inadvertent selection of a gear
in the 3rd/4th gear plane. Do not hold
the vehicle in place on slopes by slip-
ping or 'riding' the clutch. Use the park-
ing brake instead. Riding the clutch
leads to severe and premature clutch
wear.<
ReverseSelect only when the vehicle is station-
ary. 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.
Parking brake
67
Sequential M gearbox with Drivelogic*The conceptThe sequential M gearbox with
Drivelogic is an automated manual
gearbox with which clutching and shift-
ing is assumed by an electro-hydraulic
system.
The SMG Drivelogic 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 70
>Upshift display and shift lights, refer
to page 71
>RPM matching on downshifts
>Driving dependent functions:
The respective driving situation, e.g.
cornering, mountain driving or brak-
ing, is detected by sensors and taken
into account for shifting, e.g. to
achieve optimum gear selection dur-
ing deceleration and subsequent
acceleration
>Slip recognition at the rear axle for
increasing driving stability, e.g. dur-
ing 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 auto-
mated shifting mode.
Selector lever positionsR: Reverse position
N: Neutral position
Forward position with one-touch mode:
>S: sequential mode
>D: automated mode
>+: upshifting in sequential mode
>–: downshifting in sequential mode.
The SMG Drivelogic is ready for opera-
tion from ignition key position two or
higher.
For your safety, it is only possible to
engage a driving position with the vehi-
cle stopped approx. two seconds after
engaging position 0 with the footbrake
depressed – shift-lock function.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
68
SMG display in instrument clusterThe selector lever position, currently
engaged gear and selected driving pro-
gram are displayed in the instrument
cluster.
1Engaged gear
2Selected driving program, corre-
sponds to the number of illuminated
fields, refer to page 70
3Tapping the selector lever to the right
switches over into the displayed shift
mode
4D indicates that an automated shift
mode is activated
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.
If the driving situation requires, e.g.
when downshifting on slippery roads,
the SMG Drivelogic automatically dis-
engages and reengages the clutch, i.e.
it is not necessary to manually engage
position 0.S – Sequential modeIn the sequential mode all forward
gears are to be shifted by the driver.
To switch 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 with Drivelogic*
71
Indicator lamp
The gearbox 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 malfunction has
occurred. The available functions
may be limited under certain circum-
stances.
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 lightsTo achieve the best possible vehicle
acceleration with a sporty driving style
in the sequential mode, shift lights in
the instrument cluster indicate the opti-
mum 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 indi-
cator field lights up red.
Tire replacement, snow chainsFollowing a tire or wheel change and
after mounting or removing snow
chains, the slip recognition of the
SMG Drivelogic must become familiar
with the changed condition.
Reinitialize the system afterwards.
1. Move the selector lever into
position N on a straight stretch of
road at a speed of over 20 mph /
30 km/h
2. Pull both shift paddles for approx.
2 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.
Sequential M gearbox with Drivelogic*
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
75
The speed stored in memory is deleted.To store and maintain speed or to
acceleratePress button + briefly:
The system stores and maintains the
current vehicle speed. Every time you
tap the button, the speed increases by
approx. 0.6 mph / 1 km/h.
Press and hold button +:
The vehicle accelerates without pres-
sure 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 suffi-
cient, the controlled speed can be
exceeded. Speed can drop on uphill
grades if the engine output is insuffi-
cient.
of the button reduces the speed by
approx. 0.6 mph / 1 km/h.
Press and hold button –:
With the cruise control active, the sys-
tem 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 controlWhen the system is activated, 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:
>When 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 accelera-
tor, for example
>Sequential M gearbox with
Drivelogic: when shifting in the
sequential mode – refer to page 67.
when shifting in the sequential mode,
refer to page:.
To recall the stored settingPress button:
The vehicle accelerates to and main-
tains the last speed stored.
Cruise control
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
110Special operating instructions
Break-in proceduresTo ensure that your vehicle provides
maximum economy throughout a long
service life, we request that you
observe the following suggestions.
Because of its engineering design,
the BMW M3 is an especially high-
quality vehicle. It is in your best interest
to follow the break-in tips very closely.
Doing this, you will create the basis for
a long, optimum service life.
varying engine and road speeds, but
do not exceed the following engine or
road speeds:
5,500 rpm or 105 mph / 170 km/h.
Obey your local and state maximum
speed limits.
Do not depress the accelerator pedal to
the full-throttle position.
Vehicles with SMG Drivelogic, refer to
page 67: refrain from using driving pro-
gram 6 in the sequential mode during
the break-in period.
>Following the break-in inspection at
1,250 miles/2,000 km, you can grad-
ually increase engine or road speeds.
Follow the same break-in procedure if
either the engine or the differential
should have to be replaced in the
future.TiresDue to technical factors associated
with their manufacture, tires do not
achieve their full traction potential until
an initial break-in period has elapsed.
Thus drive with extra care during the
initial 200 miles/300 km.
Obey your local and state maximum
speed limits.
When the vehicle is operated on
wet or slushy roads, a wedge of
water may form between the tire and
the road surface. This phenomenon is
referred to as hydroplaning, and can
lead to partial or complete loss of trac-
tion, as well as loss of vehicle control
and braking effectiveness. Reduce your
speed on wet roads.
achieve the optimal pad-surface and
wear patterns required for trouble-free
operation and long service life later on.
To break in the separate parking brake
drums, apply the parking brake lightly
when coasting to a standstill – at a traf-
fic signal, for instance – use caution to
avoid posing a danger to other road
users.
To avoid corrosion, repeat this proce-
dure from time to time.
The brake lamps do not come on
when the parking brake is set.
Vacuum for the brake system servo unit
on your BMW is available only when the
engine is running. When you move the
vehicle with the engine off – when tow-
ing, for example – substantially higher
levels of pedal force will be required to
brake the vehicle.
Drive cautiously during this break-in
period and do not press the clutch or
shift at high engine speeds.
113
Corrosion on brake rotors is signaled by
a running or pulsation during braking;
even extended subsequent braking will
not cure this phenomenon.
It is a good idea to periodically dry the
brakes with a gentle application when
driving in rain and on wet roads. Watch
traffic conditions to ensure that this
maneuver does not endanger other
road users. The heat generated in this
process helps dry the pads and rotors
to ensure that your brake system will
respond with undiminished efficiency
when you need it.
Extended or steep mountain descents
should be driven in the gear in which
only minimal periodic brake applica-
tions are required. This helps avoid
placing excessive loads on the brake
system. Stay within the allowable rpm
range. For additional information, refer
to page 76.
Do not coast with the clutch
depressed or with the gearshift
lever in idle. Do not coast with the
engine switched off. If you do so the
engine provides no braking effect and
there is no power assist for braking or
steering when the engine is not run-
ning.<
Brake pads
For your own safety: use only
brake pads which BMW has
approved for your specific vehicle
model. BMW cannot evaluate non-
approved brake pads to determine if
they are suitable for use, and therefore
cannot ensure the operating safety of
the vehicle if they are installed.<
Brake system
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Everything from A to Z
157
Blower
automatic climate
control 94
BMW Maintenance
System 126
BMW sports seat 45
Bore, refer to Engine
data 150
Bottle holders, see Bever-
age holders 98, 99
Brake fluid 125
indicator lamp 18, 125
level 125
Brake force display 87
Brake hydraulic system 112
Brake lamps
bulb replacement 135
indicator lamp, defective
lamp 78
Brake lights
brake force display 87
Brake pads 113
brake fluid level
18, 112, 125
breaking in 110
disc brakes 112
Brake rotors
brake system 112
breaking in 110
Brake system
brake pads, indicator
lamp 19Brake wear warning
indicator lamp 19
Brakes
ABS 112
brake fluid 125
breaking in 110
indicator/warning lamp
18, 19
parking brake 65
Break-in procedures 110
Bulb replacement 133
Bulb replacement, refer to
Lamps and bulbs 133
Buttons in steering wheel 22
C
California Proposition
65 warning 128
Can holders, see Beverage
holders 98, 99
Capacities 153
Car battery 140
Car care, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Car keys, refer to Keys 30
Car radio, refer to the
Owner's Manual for Radio
Car telephone
preparation 99
Car telephone, refer to the
separate Owner's ManualCar vacuum cleaner, con-
necting 100
Car wash, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Caring for headlamp cov-
ers, refer to the Caring for
your vehicle brochure 133
Carpet care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cassette operation, refer to
the Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
CBC Cornering Brake Con-
trol 112
warning lamp 19
CD changer, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
CD operation, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Cellular phone 99
Center high-mount brake
lamp
bulb replacement 136
Central locking system 30
button 34
passenger
compartment 34
Charge indicator lamp 18
Check Control 78Check Gas Cap
indicator lamp 19
Child seats, refer to Child-
restraint systems 56
Child-restraint systems 56
Cigarette lighter 100
Cigarette lighter socket 100
Cleaning chrome parts, refer
to the Caring for your vehi-
cle brochure
Cleaning light alloy wheels,
refer to the Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Cleaning the vehicle, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cleaning windshield 74
Clock 79
12-/24-hour mode 79
setting, refer also to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Closing
from inside 34
from outside 31
Clothes hooks 101, 111
Clutch
breaking in 110
Cockpit 14
Code, refer to the Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex