2008 BMW M3 SEDAN seats

Controls
91Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
The front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger are not activated.
Most child seats are detected by the
system, especially child seats
required by the NHTSA at the time of vehi-
cle production. After mounting a child seat,
ensure that the indicator lamp for the front
passenger airbag is lit. It indicates that the
child seat has been detected and that the
front passenger airbags are deactivated.<
>The indicator lamp does not come on as
long as a person of sufficient size and in a
correct sitting position is detected on the
seat.
The front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger are activated.
>The indicator lamp does not come on if the
seat is empty.
The front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger are not activated.
Operational readiness of airbag system
As of radio readiness, refer to page54, the
warning lamp comes on briefly to indicate that
the entire airbag system and the belt tensioners
are operational.
Airbag system malfunction
>Warning lamp does not light up at radio
readiness or beyond.
>Warning lamp remains permanently on.
In the event of a fault in the airbag system,
have it checked without delay, otherwise
there is the risk that the system will not function
as intended even if a sufficiently severe acci-
dent occurs.<

Practical interior accessories
106
Locking
To lock the glove compartment, use the inte-
grated key of the remote control, refer to
page28.
LED hand lamp
In a holder on the left side of the glove compart-
ment.
Insert the hand lamp into the holder with
the lens pointing toward the passenger
compartment to ensure that the lamp cannot be
switched on accidentally.<
Center armrest
Storage compartment
The center armrest between the front seats
contains either a compartment or the cover for
the snap-in adapter
*, depending on the equip-
ment version. For more information about this
mobile phone base plate refer to the separate
Owner's Manual.
Opening
Press the button, see arrow.
Ventilated storage compartment
The storage compartment in the center armrest
can be ventilated: slide the switch backwards.
The temperature is controlled via the knurled
wheel for adjusting the temperature of air venti-
lating the rear of the passenger compartment,
refer to page100.
Connection for external audio device
You can connect an external audio device such
as a CD or MP3 player and play audio tracks
over the car's loudspeaker system:
>AUX-In port, refer to page171
>USB-audio interface
*, refer to page172
Storage compartments inside
the vehicle
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, you
will find compartments beside the steering col-
umn
*, in the front doors and in the center con-
sole
*.
There are nets
* on the front-seat backrests.
Clothes hooks
There are clothes hooks on the grab handles in
the rear passenger compartment.
Items of clothing hung from the hooks
must not obstruct the driver's view. Do
not hang heavy objects from the hooks, other-
wise they could endanger the car's occupants,
e.g. in case of heavy braking or sudden swerv-
ing.<

Practical interior accessories
110 On uphill gradients, release the drawer with
caution, otherwise it could slide out on its own
and cause injury.
Do not exceed a maximum load of 11 lbs/5 kg
for the drawer, otherwise damage could
result.<
Removing the drawer
1.Push the drawer all the way in.
2.Turn the catches on the left and right all the
way out.
3.Remove the drawer by pulling it down and
backwards.
Reinserting the drawer
1.Hook the guides of the drawer into the front
of the yellow guide aids on the bottom of the
cargo bay.
2.Insert the catches into the mounts on the
bottom of the cargo bay.
3.Turn the catches on the left and right all the
way in.
Folding up the floor panel
Do not exceed the maximum permissible
load of 55 lbs/25 kg for the storage com-
partment under the floor panel, otherwise dam-
age could result.<
Press the floor panel against the ceiling of the
cargo bay; a locking device holds the floor panel
in place. To detach the floor panel, pull it out of
the locking device.
With drawer:Take the retaining strap on the right-hand side
of the drawer out of the bracket and use it to fix
the floor panel in place.
Lashing eyes
You will find lashing eyelets in the cargo bay for
securing luggage items with nets or tensioning
straps, refer to page117.
Ski bag*
The ski bag is designed for safe, clean transport
of up to 4 pairs of standard skis or up to
2snowboards.
With the ski bag you can stow skis with a length
of up to 6 ft 10 in/2.10 m. When skis of 6 ft 10 in/
2.10 m length are loaded, the overall capacity of
the ski bag is reduced due to its tapered design.
Loading
1.Fold down the center armrest.
2.Press the button, reach into the recess and
fold down the cover.
3.Open the Velcro fastener, spread the ski
bag between the front seats and insert the
skis or snowboards.
The zip fastener makes objects in the ski
bag easier to reach.

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

Reference 249
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Changes, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
Changing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs223
Changing the language on the
Control Display79
Changing the measurement
units on the Control
Display71
Changing wheels228
Chassis number, refer to
Engine compartment219
Check Control77
"Check Control
messages"78
Check Gas Cap204
Child-restraint fixing system
LATCH52
Child-restraint systems51
Child-safety lock53
Child seats, refer to
Transporting children
safely51
Chrome parts216
Chrome polish216
Cigarette lighter, refer to
Lighter107
Cleaning headlamps64
– washer fluid65
Cleaning your BMW, refer to
Care214
"Climate"97
Clock67
– 12h/24h format76
– setting time74
Closing
– from inside32
– from outside29
Clothes hooks106
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting the
engine55
Combined instrument, refer to
Instrument cluster12
Comfort access, refer to
Convenient access35
Comfort area, refer to Around
the center console14
"Comfort" with EDC84"Communication"184,194,1
95,196,197
Compact disc, refer to
– CD changer165
– CD player165
Compartment for remote
control, refer to Ignition
lock54
Compass
104
Computer68
– displays on Control
Display69
– hour signal75
Computer, refer to iDrive16
"Concert hall" for Tone
control154
"Concierge"197
Concierge service197
Condensation, refer to When
the vehicle is parked116
Condition Based Service
CBS212
Configuring settings, refer to
Personal Profile28
Confirmation signals for
locking/unlocking the
vehicle31
Connecting vacuum cleaner,
refer to Connecting
electrical appliances108
Consumption, refer to
Average consumption69
Consumption indicator, refer
to Average consumption69
"Continue guidance to
destination?"140
Control Center, refer to
iDrive16
Control Display
– brightness80
– changing the language79
– switching off/on21
Control Display, refer to
iDrive16
Controller, refer to iDrive16
Controls and displays10
Control unit, refer to iDrive16
Convenient access35
– replacing the battery36Convenient operation
– glass roof30
– glass roof with convenient
access36
– windows30
– windows with convenient
access36
Coolant222
– checking level222
Coolant temperature68
Cooling, maximum98
Cooling fluid, refer to
Coolant222
Cooling system, refer to
Coolant222
Copyright2
Corner-illuminating lamps,
refer to Adaptive Head
Light94
Cornering lamps, refer to
Adaptive Head Light94
Correct tires210
Courtesy lamps, refer to
Interior lamps95
Cross-hairs in navigation131
Cruise control65
Cruising range69
Cup holders107
Curb weight, refer to
Weights240
"Current position"147
Current position
– displaying147
– entering135
– storing135
"Customer
Relations"188,196
D
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit10
Dashboard, refer to
Instrument cluster12
Dashboard lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting94

Everything from A - Z
252 Filter
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic
climate control100
First aid pouch231
Fixture for remote control,
refer to Ignition lock54
Flashlight, refer to LED hand
lamp106
Flash when locking/
unlocking31
Flat tire
– Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM86
Flat tire, repairing226
Flat Tire Monitor FTM84
– indicating a flat tire86
– indicator/warning lamp86
– initializing the system85
– malfunction86
– snow chains85,211
– system limits85
Flat tires, refer to Tire
condition209
Fluid reservoir, refer to
Washer fluid reservoir65
"FM", waveband152,156
FM, waveband156
Folding in the mirrors, before
driving into a car wash45
Folding up the floor panel110
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely115
Footwell lamps, refer to
Interior lamps95
Forward position, engaging,
refer to Selector lever
positions57
For your own safety5
Frequency, selecting
manually157
Front airbags89
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor84Fuel204
– average consumption69
– gauge68
– high-quality brands204
– quality204
– specifications204
– tank contents, refer to
Capacities241
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge68
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge68
Fuel filler door204
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction
204
Fuses229
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control102
Gasoline
– refer to Average
consumption69
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel204
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge68
Gasoline engine, checking
engine oil level219
Gear
– neutral58
Gear change59
Gear display, refer to Displays
in the instrument cluster59
Gearshift lever
– manual transmission56
Gearshifts
– manual transmission56
General driving notes114Glass roof, electric38
– closing after electrical
malfunction39
– convenient operation30,31
– initializing39
– opening, closing38
– operation with convenient
access36
– pinch protection system38
– power failure39
– raising38
– remote control30
Glove compartment105
– LED hand lamp106
GPS navigation, refer to
Navigation system124
Grills96
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights240
H
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake56
Hand lamp, refer to LED hand
lamp106
Hands-free system14
Hazard warning flashers14
"HD radio"159
HD radio, refer to High
Definition Radio159
Head airbags89
Headlamp control,
automatic92
Headlamp flasher63
– indicator lamp11,13
Head restraints42
– front, removing42
– rear, removing42
– sitting safely40
Heated
– mirrors46
– rear window99
– seats43
Heating
– mirrors46
– rear window99
– residual heat99
– seats43

Reference 253
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Heating and ventilation, refer
to Climate96
Heating while at a standstill,
refer to Using residual
heat99
Heavy loads, refer to Stowing
cargo117
Height, refer to
Dimensions239
Height adjustment
– seats41
– steering wheel46
High beams94
– headlamp flasher94
– indicator lamp13
High Definition Radio159
High-pressure
washer214,215
High water, refer to Driving
through water115
Highways, refer to Route
criteria137
Hills115
Holders for cups107
Home address136
"Home address" in
navigation137
Homepage BMW4
Hood218
Hooks for shopping bags109
Horn10,11
Hotel function33
Hot exhaust system114
"Hour memo"76
"House number" in
destination entry129
Hydraulic brake assist, refer to
Brake assist82
Hydroplaning115
I
IBOC, refer to High Definition
Radio159
Ice warning, refer to Outside
temperature warning67
ID3 tag, refer to Information
about the track167Identification marks, tire
coding208
iDrive16
– adjusting brightness80
– assistance window20
– automatic climate control97
– changing language79
– changing units of measure
and display format71
– confirming selection or
entry19
– controls16
– displays, menus17
– menu guidance17
– operating principle16
– overview16
– selecting a menu item19
– setting the date and time74
– start menu17
– status information20
– switching menu pages19
– symbols18
iDrive operating principle16
Ignition54
– switched off55
– switched on54
Ignition key, refer to Remote
control28
Ignition key position 1, refer to
Radio readiness54
Ignition key position 2, refer to
Ignition on54
Ignition lock54
i menu18
Imprint2
Indicator and warning
lamps13
– MDrive49
– M Dynamic Mode83
– Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM88
Individual air distribution97
Individually programmable
buttons on steering
wheel47
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure206Inflation pressure monitoring,
refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor TPM86
Information
– on another location132
– on country132
– on current position132
– on destination location132
Information menu, refer to
i menu18
"Information on
destination"134
"Info sources"73
Initializing
– after power failure228
– compass, refer to Digital
compass, calibrating104
– Flat Tire Monitor FTM85
– glass roof39
"Input map"131
Installation location
– CD changer169
– navigation DVD drive124
– telephone106
Instructions for navigation
system, refer to Voice
instructions142
Instrument cluster12
Instrument lighting94
Instrument panel, refer to
Cockpit10
Integrated key28
Integrated universal remote
control102
Interesting destination for
navigation132
"Interim time"79
Interior lamps95
– remote control30
Interior motion sensor35
Interior rearview mirror46
– automatic dimming
feature46
– compass104
Intermittent mode of the
wipers64

Reference 257
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Pressure monitoring of tires,
refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor TPM86
Programmable buttons on the
steering wheel11
Programmable memory
keys21
Protection function, refer to
Pinch protection system
– glass roof, electric38
– windows37
Providing medical assistance,
refer to First aid pouch231
Puncture
– Flat Tire Monitor84
R
Radio
– autostore157
– controls152
– High Definition Radio159
– listening to stations156
– sampling stations157
– satellite radio162
– selecting a
waveband152,156
– selecting the frequency
manually157
– station search157
– stations with best
reception157
– storing stations158
– switching on/off152
– tone control153
– volume153
Radio-operated key, refer to
Remote control28
Radio position, refer to Radio
readiness54
Radio readiness54
– switched off55
– switched on54
Rain sensor64
"Random", refer to Random
play168
"Random all" for audio
mode169"Random directory" for audio
mode169
Random play168
"RDS" Radio Data
System159
Reading lamps95
Rear lamps, refer to Tail
lamps225
– replacing bulb225,226
Rear seats
– adjusting head restraints42
– folding down backrests108
– folding head restraint down
and up43
Rear turn signals
– replacing bulb225
Rear ventilation100
Rearview mirror, refer to
Mirrors45
Rear window blind, refer to
Roller sun blinds105
Rear window defroster99
Rear window safety switch38
"Received calls"186
Receiving level of mobile
phone, refer to Status
information20
Recirculated-air mode98
Recirculation of air, refer to
Recirculated-air mode98
Reclining seat, refer to
Backrest41
Recording times, refer to
Stopwatch79
"Redial" on the mobile
phone186
Refueling204
Releasing
– hood218
Remaining distance, refer to
Cruising range69Remote control28
– battery renewal36
– convenient access35
– garage door opener102
– luggage compartment lid30
– malfunction31,36
– removing from the ignition
lock54
– service data212
"Repeat directory" for audio
mode168
"Repeat" for audio mode168
"Repeat track" for audio
mode168
Replacement remote
control28
Replacing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs223
Replacing tires209
Replacing tires, refer to New
wheels and tires209
Reporting safety defects6
Reserve warning, refer to Fuel
gauge68
"Reset"85,87
– tone settings155
Reset, refer to Resetting tone
settings155
"Reset" for stopwatch79
"Reset to default" for
MDrive48
Residual heat99
Restraint systems
– for children51
– refer to Safety belts44
Reverse
– CD changer169
– CD player169
Reverse gear58
– manual transmission57
Road map141
"Roadside Assistance"194
Roadside
Assistance194,230
Roadside parking lamps94
Roadworthiness test, refer to
Service requirements72
Roller blind
– sun blinds105