2008 BMW M6 CONVERTIBLE service

Everything under control
74 7.Select "State inspection" and press the
controller.
8.Select "Set service date" and press the
controller. The month is selected.
9.Turn the controller to make the adjustment.
10.Press the controller to apply the setting.
The year is selected.
11.Turn the controller to make the adjustment.
12.Press the controller to apply the setting.
The date entry is stored.
To exit from the menu:
Select the arrow and press the controller.
Check Control
The concept
The Check Control monitors functions in the
vehicle and issues a message if there is a mal-
function in the monitored systems. A Check
Control message of this kind includes indicator
or warning lamps in the instrument cluster, pos-
sibly an acoustic signal, and text messages at
the bottom of the Control Display.
Indicator and warning lamps
The indicator and warning lamps can light up in
different combinations and colors.
This symbol means that a Check Control
message has been generated. The symbol
remains visible even if the Check Control mes-
sage has been hidden after a short time. The
combinations of warning lamps and text mes-
sages are stored and can be viewed later, also
refer to page75.
Explanatory text messages
Text messages at the bottom edge of the Con-
trol Display explain the meaning of the indicator
and warning lamps displayed.

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You can display supplementary information
regarding most Check Control messages, e.g.
as to the cause of a malfunction and corre-
sponding actions to be taken, see below.
In urgent cases, this information will be shown
as soon as the corresponding lamp lights up.
To exit the displayed information:
Select the arrow and press the controller.
Hiding Check Control messages
Press the CHECK button in the turn signal lever.
Some Check Control messages are displayed
until the malfunctions have been rectified. They
cannot be hidden. If a number of these malfunc-
tions occur simultaneously, they are displayed
in succession.
Other messages are automatically hidden after
approx. 20 seconds, but remain stored.
Displaying stored Check Control
messages
1.Press the button longer:
The first stored message is displayed.
2.Press the button:
A new message appears each time you
press the button.
Displaying supplementary information
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.
3.Turn the controller until "Info sources" is
selected and press the controller.
4.Turn the controller until "Service" is
selected and press the controller.
5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the
controller until "Check Control messages"
is selected and press the controller.

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In the event of malfunctions, deactivation, or
triggering of the airbag restraint system, have
the testing, repair, removal, and disposal of air-
bag generators carried out only by a BMW cen-
ter or a workshop that works according to BMW
repair procedures with appropriately trained
personnel and has the required explosives
licenses. Otherwise unprofessional attempts to
service the system could lead to failure in an
emergency or undesired airbag triggering,
either of which could result in personal injury.<
Warnings and information on the airbags is also
provided on the sun visors.
Automatic deactivation of front
passenger airbags
The occupation of the seat is detected by eval-
uating the impression on the occupied seat sur-
face of the front passenger seat. The system
correspondingly activates or deactivates the
front, knee and side airbags on the front pas-
senger side.
The current status of the front passenger
airbags, i.e. deactivated or activated, is
indicated by the indicator lamp over the interior
rearview mirror, refer to Operating state of front
passenger airbags below.<
Before transporting a child in the front
passenger seat, read the safety informa-
tion and follow the instructions under Trans-
porting children safely, refer to page56.
The front, knee and side airbags on the front
passenger side can be deactivated for teenag-
ers and adults in certain sitting positions; the
indicator lamp for the front passenger airbags
lights up when this occurs. In these cases,
change the sitting position so that the front pas-
senger airbags are activated and the indicator
lamp goes out. If the desired status cannot be
produced by changing the sitting position,
transport the corresponding person in the rear
seat.
Do not fit seat covers, seat cushion padding,
beaded mats or other items onto the front pas-
senger seat unless they are specifically recom-
mended by BMW. Do not place objects under
the seat which could press against the seat from below. Otherwise, a correct evaluation of
the occupied seat surface cannot be ensured.<
Operating state of front passenger
airbags
The illustration here shows a possible arrange-
ment in the Coupe. With some vehicle equip-
ment packages or in the Convertible, the
arrangement of the switches and indicator
lamps may differ somewhat.
The indicator lamp for the front passenger air-
bags indicates the operating status of the front,
knee and side airbags on the front passenger
side depending on whether the seat is occu-
pied. The indicator lamp shows whether the
front passenger airbags are activated or deacti-
vated.
>The indicator lamp lights up when a child in
a child restraint system intended for the
purpose is properly detected on the seat.
The front, knee and side airbags on the front
passenger side are deactivated.
Most child seats are detected by the sys-
tem. Especially the child seats required
by the NHTSA at the time the vehicle is manu-
factured. After installing a child seat, make sure
that the indicator lamp for the front passenger
airbags lights up. This indicates that the child
seat has been detected and the front passenger
airbags are not activated.<
>The indicator lamp does not light up when,
for example, a correctly seated person of
sufficient height is detected on the seat.
The front, knee and side airbags on the front
passenger side are activated.
>The indicator lamp does not light up when
the seat is empty.

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
92 But the front, knee and side airbags on the
front passenger side are still deactivated.
Operational readiness of airbag system
From radio readiness, refer to page59, the
warning lamp lights up briefly, indicating the
operational readiness of the entire airbag sys-
tem and the safety belt tensioners.
Airbag system malfunction
>Warning lamp does not light up as of radio
readiness.
>Warning lamp lights up continuously.
Have the airbag system checked immedi-
ately in case of a malfunction; otherwise,
there is a danger that the airbag system may not
respond in the expected manner in an accident
despite an impact of corresponding intensity.<
Convertible: rollover
protection system
The rollover protection system is automatically
activated in the event of an accident or a critical
driving situation, extreme inclination on the lon-
gitudinal axis, or loss of ground contact. The
rollover bars located behind the rear head
restraints are deployed within fractions of a sec-
ond.
As a supplement to the rollover bar integrated
into the windshield frame, the rollover protec-
tion system ensures that all vehicle occupants
have the necessary headroom.
Always keep the path of movement of the
rollover protection system clear.
In less severe accidents, you are protected by
the fastened safety belt and, depending on the severity of the accident, the belt tensioner and
the multistage airbag restraint system.<
Lowering
If the rollover protection system experienced no
impact after automatic activation, then it can be
lowered again. No tools are necessary for this
purpose.
1.Press the release backward and hold in that
position.
2.Press the rollover protection unit halfway
down from above.
3.Let go of the release.
4.Press the rollover protection unit down until
it snaps into place.
5.Use the same procedure for the second roll-
over protection unit.
Have the rollover protection system checked
after unexpected triggering.
Never move the convertible top when the
rollover protection system is raised.
No changes of any nature may be made to the
individual components of the rollover protec-
tion system and wiring.
Work on the rollover protection system may
only be performed at a BMW center.
Unprofessional attempts to service the system

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can lead to failure or malfunction.
For a system check and to ensure long-term
functioning, you must comply with the mainte-
nance intervals of the service requirements,
refer to page72.<
Head-Up Display*
The concept
With the Head-Up Display, important informa-
tion is projected into the driver's field of view,
e.g. navigation instructions. This enables you to
absorb this information without looking away
from the road.
Switching on/off
Press the button.
Selecting displays
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.
3.Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4.Select "Display settings" and press the
controller.5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the
controller until "Head-Up Display" is
selected and press the controller.
6.Change into the second field from the top.
Turn the controller until "Head-Up Display"
is selected and press the controller.
7.Select desired information of Head-Up Dis-
play.
8.Press the controller.
The information is shown on the Head-
Up Display.
"M View": the M view appears in the
Head-Up Display.
Information unavailable in the M view
appears on the Control Display in gray and
cannot be selected.
"M View": the default view is displayed.
The M view for the Head-Up Display can also be
selected with the button on the steering
wheel, refer to MDrive on page53.
The settings are stored for the remote key cur-
rently in use.
Default view
1Navigation instructions
2Stored desired speed of cruise control
3Speed

Things to remember when driving
116
Things to remember when driving
Breaking-in
Moving parts need time to adjust to one
another. To ensure that your vehicle continues
to provide optimized economy of operation
throughout an extended service life, we request
that you devote careful attention to the follow-
ing section.
Do not use the driving programs 5 and 6, refer
to Drivelogic on page63, during break-in.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive at changing engine and driving speeds,
however do not exceed 5,500 rpm or 105 mph/
170 km/h.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the
transmission's kick-down mode during these
initial miles.
From 1,200 miles/2,000 km to
3,000 miles/5,000 km
The engine and driving speeds can gradually be
increased up to a continuous vehicle speed of
135 mph/220 km/h. Only drive at top speed
briefly, e.g. when passing.
Transmission
The function of the transmission is only at its
optimized level after driving a distance of
approx. 300 miles/500 km. Do not exceed
engine speeds of 5,500 rpm during this time.
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 reservedly 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 in a reserved manner during
this break-in period.
Clutch
The function of the clutch is only at its opti-
mized level after a distance driven of approx.
300 miles/500 km. With manual transmission:
During this break-in period, engage the clutch
gently.
Following part replacement
Observe the break-in instructions again if com-
ponents mentioned above must be replaced
after subsequent driving operation.
General driving notes
Ground clearance
Ensure that sufficient ground clearance
is available. To drive down curbs, select
the "Sport" program of the EDC Electronic
Damping Control, refer to page85, to keep the
ground clearance as uniform as possible. Oth-
erwise, the vehicle may be damaged.<
Closing luggage compartment lid
Only drive with the luggage compartment
lid completely closed, otherwise exhaust
can penetrate into the passenger compart-
ment.<
If it is absolutely necessary to drive with the lug-
gage compartment lid open:
1.Coupe: close both windows.
Convertible: with closed top, close all win-
dows.
2.Increase the air volume of the automatic cli-
mate control to a high level, refer to
page103.

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BMW M6 Engineering
V10 High Output Engine
With a 305 cu in/5 liter displacement, the high-
speed V10 engine generates a maximum out-
put of 373 kW and a maximum torque of
384 lb ft/520 Nm. Its spontaneous response
characteristics yield a very broad usable engine
speed range. At the maximum engine speed of
8250 rpm, the flow of fuel is interrupted in order
to protect the engine. Due to the powerful
engine dynamics, when the vehicle is at rest,
the maximum engine speed is limited to
7000 rpm.
Warming up
The emissions control system causes the
V10 high-output engine to have slightly
rougher running characteristics during its
warm-up phase.
When the engine is cold, the exhaust system
has a slightly metallic undertone due to the sys-
tem design.
For additional information on warming up, refer
to Tachometer on page69 and Engine oil tem-
perature on page70.
Compound brake
Your BMW M6 has a high-performance brake
s y s t em wi t h p e rf o ra t e d c o m p o u n d b r a k e r o t o r s .
Due to the special structural features of these
brake rotors, function noises occur during brak-
ing, but this has no effect on the performance,
operating safety, and stability of the brakes.
Braking correctly
In order to keep the brake system in optimum
condition, it is useful to put them under load at
regular intervals in accordance with the nature
of the vehicle.
Also refer to Corrosion on brake rotors on
page118.
Drive train
In your BMW M6, particular importance was
attached to the direct connection of the engine
to the drive system. Due to the torsionally rigid
design of the drive train, the transmission of the
torque is also audible, as is customary in a
sports car. As a result, load shifts can be dis-
tinctly audible. This does not in any way impair
the function or the service life of the compo-
nents.

Radio
158 The most frequently used stations are
shown at the beginning.
Weather news flashes*
Weather Radio is a service of the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
of the US Department of Trade. Weather news
flashes are repeated every 4 to 6 minutes and
are routinely updated at intervals of 1 to 3 hours,
and more often when necessary. Most stations
operate 24 hours a day. In case of a storm, the
National Weather Service interrupts the routine
weather news and transmits special warning
messages instead. If you have a question about
NOAA Weather Radio, please contact the near-
est office of the National Weather Service.
Details are also provided on the Internet at
www.nws.noaa.gov.
Calling up weather news flashes
1.Select "WB" and press the controller.
2.Select a station.
The station for weather news flashes may be
unavailable in some regions.
High Definition Radio*
Many stations transmit both analog and digital
signals. You can receive these stations digitally
and with improved sound quality.
A digital radio network must be available in
order to receive digital stations.
Activating/deactivating digital radio
reception
1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.
3.Turn the controller until "Settings" is
selected and press the controller.
4.Select "Audio" and press the controller.
5.Change to upper field. Turn the controller
until "HD radio" is selected and press the
controller.
6.Select "Off" and press the controller.
The reception of digital stations is activated.
This symbol is displayed when a station is
being received digitally.
With some stations the digital signals are not
transmitted simultaneously with the analog sig-
nals. If you are in an area in which the selected
station is not continuously received digitally,