2006 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE ignition

86
Dynamic Stability Control DSCThe conceptDSC supports vehicle stability, even in
critical driving situations.
DSC optimizes driving stability and
traction during acceleration and when
you are starting from a standstill. In
addition, it also recognizes unstable
vehicle conditions, such as understeer-
ing and oversteering. By reducing
engine power and applying brakes at
the wheels, DSC helps to keep the
vehicle on a steady course within phys-
ically feasible limits.
The system starts up automatically
each time you start the engine.
The laws of physics cannot be
repealed, even with DSC. The
driver remains responsible for the con-
sequences of any inadequate driving
style. Therefore, do not take any risks
because of the additional safety pro-
vided. Do not make any modifications
to the DSC system. Allow only autho-
rized technicians to perform service
procedures on the DSC.<
Indicator lamp for DSC
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster will go out shortly
after the ignition has been
switched on, refer to page 20.
>The indicator lamp flashes: DSC is
active and is controlling the drive
torque based on driving conditions
>The indicator lamp does not go out
after the engine is started or lights up
continuously while you are driving:
DSC has been deactivated via the
button or is defective.
Please consult your BMW center for
repairs.
You can continue to drive the vehicle
normally without DSC. In the event of a
malfunction, contact a BMW center or a
workshop that works according to
BMW requirements with appropriately
trained personnel.
To deactivate DSCPress the DSC button; the DSC indica-
tor lamp lights up continuously. DSC is
switched off.
When better traction is required, it is
beneficial to deactivate the system in
the following situations:
>When rocking the vehicle or starting
off in deep snow or on loose surfaces
>When driving with snow chains.
To maintain vehicle stability,
always drive with the system
switched on whenever possible. tor lamp goes out.

88
To activate/deactivate the systemThe system is automatically activated in
ignition key position 2 and conse-
quently is on whenever the vehicle is
operated.
To deactivate the system: tap the but-
ton; the indicator lamp will light up yel-
low.
To activate the system: tap the button
again; the indicator lamp goes out.
Deactivate the system when snow
chains are mounted, since false warn-
ings and undetected losses in pressure
are possible under these kinds of con-
ditions.
Flat tire
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up red. In
addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded.
1. Carefully reduce speed and come to
a stop. Avoid sudden braking and
steering maneuvers
2. Determine which wheel is damaged
If this cannot be determined, con-
tact your BMW center.<
3. Fix the flat tire using the M Mobility
system, refer to page 141
4. Press the button for approx.
4 seconds. The red indicator lamp
goes out.
After replacing the damaged tire, initial-
ize the system.
System malfunction
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up yellow.
The Flat Tire Monitor is malfunc-
tioning or out of order. Please contact
your BMW center.
Flat Tire Monitor

89
M Engine dynamics controlThe system – Sport mode – will cause
the engine to respond more spontane-
ously to any motion of the accelerator
pedal.Activating/deactivating Sport
modeActivating: with the ignition key in posi-
tion 2, press the SPORT button. The
indicator lamp will come on.
When the system is activated, the
vehicle may gain speed without
any additional pressure on the acceler-
ator pedal.<
Deactivating: press the SPORT button
again; the indicator lamp will go out.
The Sport mode is deactivated every
time the engine is started.
Brake force displayBrake force display indicates to the
road users behind you how hard you
are braking.
>Normal braking: the brake lamps
among the rear lamps and the center
brake lamp light up
>Hard braking or braking with ABS: in
addition, the illuminated rear lamp
surface is extended, refer to the pic-
ture.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

90Lamps
Parking lamps/Low beamsParking 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 light-
ing on one side for parking as an addi-
tional feature, refer to page 91.
Low beams
When you switch the ignition off
with the low-beam headlamps
on, only the parking lamps will
remain on.
Follow me home lampsWhen 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 warningWhenever 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 set-
tings for the daytime driving lamps
programmed on your vehicle.<
Automatic headlamp control*
When the switch is in this posi-
tion, the system automatically
responds to changes in ambient
light, for example in tunnels, at dusk
and when it is raining or snowing, by
switching the low beams on or off.
The low-beam headlamps remain
on, regardless of the ambient
light, when you switch on the fog
lamps.<
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 head-
lamp control adjusted.<

91
Instrument lightingTurn the rotary dial to control the light-
ing when the parking or low beam
lamps are on.
High beams/Standing lamps1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Standing lampsStanding lamps, left or rightAs an additional feature, you can illumi-
nate 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.
The standing lamps discharge the
battery. Avoid using them for
longer periods of time; otherwise, you
may not be able to start the engine.<
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

93
Rear reading lampsWith the hardtop reading lamps are also
located in the rear, refer to page 113.
Switch on and off with the button adja-
cent 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. OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

100
Beverage holders, coin boxA coin box and two beverage holders
are provided in the center console.
Do not place any glass containers
in the beverage holders, as this
increases the risk of injury in the event
of an accident.<
Microphone*Hands-free systemOn vehicles that are wired for a tele-
phone* or equipped with a voice com-
mand system*, the hands-free micro-
phone is located on the steering
column.
For additional information on using your
car phone, cellular phone or voice com-
mand system, refer to the respective
separate Owner's Manual.
Ashtray, front*To emptyPress on the edge of the open cover.
you can now pull the ashtray upward for
removal.Extinguishing cigarettesTap off the ash and gently press the tip
into the funnel.Cigarette lighter
Hold or touch the hot cigarette
lighter by the knob only. Holding
or touching it in other areas could result
in burns.
The cigarette lighter remains opera-
tional when the ignition key has been
removed. For this reason, children
should never be left in the vehicle unat-
tended.<
Storage compartments

143
Using the M Mobility systemTo repair a flat tire using the M Mobility
system, proceed as follows:
>Fill with sealant, refer to page 143
>Distribute the sealant, refer to
page 143
>Restore tire inflation pressure, refer
to page 143.
Filling with sealant1. Shake the bottle of sealant
2. Screw hose 9 onto the opening of
the sealant bottle
3. Twist the dust cap off of the valve on
the flat tire and screw filler hose 2
connected to the sealant bottle onto
the valve
4. Insert the sealant bottle into the con-
nector on the compressor so that it is
standing upright
5. Make sure that the system is
switched off, position 0
6. Insert connector 3 into the cigarette
lighter socket inside the vehicle, refer
to page 101
7. When using the version with the
manometer on the hose: make sure
that screw 8 on the manometer is
tightened down
8. With the ignition key in position 2:
Switch on the compressor and keep
it running for approx. 3 minutes to fill
in the sealant. It does not matter
afterward, what the tire's inflation
pressure is
9. Turn the system off and disconnect
the hose from the sealant bottle and
the wheel valve. Stow the M Mobility
system in the vehicle.Distributing the sealantRight afterward, drive at least about
2 miles / 3 km, so that the sealant is
distributed evenly in the tire.
Do not exceed a maximum speed
of 35 mph / 60 km/h. If possible,
keep the vehicle speed above 12 mph /
20 km/h. pull over at a suitable location
2. Screw hose 9 connected to the com-
pressor directly onto the tire valve
3. Insert connector 3 into the cigarette
lighter socket inside the vehicle
Tire repair with the M Mobility system
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex