Things to remember when driving
114
Things to remember when driving
Break-in period
Moving parts need breaking-in time to adjust to 
each other. Please follow the instructions below 
in order to achieve the optimal service life and 
economy of operation for your vehicle.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive at varying engine and road speeds, but do 
not exceed an engine speed of 5,500 rpm or a 
road speed of 105 mph/170 km/h.
Do not depress the accelerator all the way.
From 1,200 miles/2,000 km to 
3,000 miles/5,000 km
Engine and road speeds can be increased grad-
ually up to a traveling speed of 135 mph/
220 km/h. Use the maximum speed only for 
brief intervals, e. g. when passing.
Transmission
The transmission begins functioning at an opti-
mal level only after a distance of approx. 
300 miles/500 km. Do not exceed engine 
speeds of 5,500 rpm during this period.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their 
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full trac-
tion potential until after an initial break-in 
period. Therefore, drive cautiously during the 
first 200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of 
approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized 
contact and wear patterns between brake pads 
and rotors. Drive cautiously during this break-in 
period.
Clutch
The function of the clutch reaches its optimal 
level only after a distance driven of approx. 
300 miles/500 km. During this break-in period, 
engage the clutch gently.
Following part replacement
The same break-in procedures should be 
observed if any of the components mentioned 
above have to be renewed in the course of the 
vehicle's operating life.
General driving notes
Clearance
Mind the limited clearance of the BMW 
M3, e. g. when driving into underground 
parking garages or over obstacles. If equipped 
with EDC
*, select the "Sport" program, refer to 
page84, when driving off curbs to keep clear-
ance as even as possible. Otherwise the vehicle 
may be damaged.<
Close the luggage compartment lid
Operate the vehicle only when the lug-
gage compartment lid is closed. Other-
wise, exhaust fumes could enter the interior of 
the vehicle.<
If the vehicle must be driven with the luggage 
compartment lid open:
1.Close all windows and the glass roof.
2.Greatly increase the air volume of the auto-
matic climate control system, refer to 
page98.
Hot exhaust system
In all vehicles, extremely high tempera-
tures are generated in the exhaust sys-
tem. Do not remove the heat shields installed 
adjacent to various sections of the exhaust sys-
tem, and never apply undercoating to them. 
When driving, standing at idle and while park- 
Reference 247
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Automatic climate control96
– automatic air distribution98
– settings via iDrive97
Automatic curb monitor46
"Automatic programs" with 
automatic climate control98
Automatic recirculated-air 
control AUC98
Automatic station search157
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic
– towing232
– tow-starting232
"Automatic ventilation"100
AUTO program for automatic 
climate control98
"Auto Request"195
"Autostore"
– on the radio158
"AUX"152,171,173
– AUX-In port171
– USB-audio interface172
AUX-In port171
Average fuel consumption69
– setting the units71
"Avoid ferries" in 
navigation137
"Avoid highways" in 
navigation137
Avoid highways in 
navigation137
Avoiding unintentional 
alarms35
"Avoid tollroads" in 
navigation137
Axle loads, refer to 
Weights240
"A - Z"185,186
B
Backrest contour, refer to 
Lumbar support41
Backrests, refer to Seat 
adjustment41
Backrest width adjustment42
Back seats
– refer to Rear seats42Backup lamps
– replacing bulb225,226
Backup lamps, refer to Tail 
lamps225
Balance, tone control153
Band-aids, refer to First-aid 
pouch231
Bar, refer to Towing 
methods233
Base plate for telephone or 
mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter in 
the center armrest storage 
compartment106
Bass, tone control153
Bass sounds, refer to Treble 
and bass153
Battery228
– charging228
– disposal37,228
– jump starting231
– remote control28
– temporary power failure228
Battery renewal
– remote control37
– remote control for vehicle36
Being towed232
Belts, refer to Safety belts44
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety 
belts44
Beverage holders, refer to 
Cup holders107
Blower, refer to Air flow 
rate98
Bluetooth, refer to separate 
Owner's Manual
BMW
– car shampoo216
"BMW 
Assist"194,195,196,197
BMW Assist
– activating198
– Concierge service197
– contacting BMW Customer 
Relations196
– Roadside Assistance194
– services offered193
– TeleServices195
"BMW Contact"188"BMW Contact 
Numbers"188
BMW Homepage4
BMW Maintenance 
System212
"BMW Service settings"199
BMW Teleservice Call
– automatic195
– manual195
BMW TeleServices195
– displaying196
– updating196
BMW webpage4
Bottle holders, refer to Cup 
holders107
Brake assist82
Brake fluid, refer to Service 
requirements72
Brake Force Display89
Brake lamps
– replacing bulb225,226
– two-stage89
Brake pads114
– breaking in114
Brake rotors115
– brakes114
– breaking in114
Brakes
– ABS82
– BMW Maintenance 
System212
– breaking in114
– parking brake56
– service requirements72
Brakes, refer to Braking 
safely115
Brake system114
– BMW Maintenance 
System212
– breaking in114
– disc brakes115
Breakdown services, refer to 
Roadside Assistance230
Breaking in the clutch114
Breaking in the differential, 
refer to Engine and 
differential114
Break-in period114