2008 BMW M6 ignition

At a glance
11Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
8Shift paddles63
9Buttons on steering wheel
10Instrument cluster12
13Ignition lock59
14Horn, entire surface17Releasing hood208
Mobile phone
*176
>Press: accepting and ending
call, starting dialing
* for
selected phone number and
redialing if no phone number is
selected
>Press and hold: redialing
Volume
Activating/deactivating voice
command system
* 23
Changing radio station154
Selecting music track165
Scrolling in phone book and in
lists with stored phone numbers
MDrive, call up individual
settings53
Individually programmable53
11
Windshield wipers66
Rain sensor66
12Starting/stopping engine and
switching ignition on/off 59
15
Steering wheel heater
*52
Steering wheel adjustment52
16
Cruise control67
18Opening luggage compartment
lid34
19
Head-Up Display
*93
20
Parking lamps96
Low beams96
Welcome lamps96
Automatic headlamp control*96
Daytime running lamps
*97
Welcome lamps96
Adaptive Head Light
*98
High-beam assistant
*98
21
Instrument lighting100

At a glance
13Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Indicator and warning lamps
The concept
The indicator and warning lamps can light up in
different combinations and colors.
When the engine is started or the ignition is
switched on, some lamps are checked for
proper operation and light up briefly in the pro-
cess.
Explanatory text messages
Text messages at the bottom edge of the
Control Display explain the meaning of the
displayed indicator and warning lamps.
You can consult Check Control for additional
information, e.g. regarding the cause of a mal-
function or the appropriate actions to take, refer
to page74.In urgent cases, this information will be shown
as soon as the corresponding lamp lights up.
Indicator lamps without text messages
The following indicator lamps signal particular
functions:
Parking lamps/low beams96
High beams/headlamp flasher98
Handbrake applied61
Handbrake applied for Canadian
models
Lamp flashes:
DSC controls the drive and braking
forces for maintaining vehicle
stability83
MDrive53
M Dynamic Mode83
Engine malfunction with deteriorating
emissions levels215
Engine malfunction with deteriorating
emissions levels for Canadian
models215

Opening and closing
28
Opening and closing
Keys/remote control
1Remote control with integrated key
2Spare key
3Adapter for spare key, in glove compart-
ment
Remote control with integrated key
Each remote control contains a battery which is
charged in the ignition lock while driving. Drive a
longer distance with each remote control at
least twice a year to keep the battery charged.
For comfort access
*, the remote control con-
tains a replaceable battery, refer to page38.
Depending on which remote control is detected
by the vehicle during unlocking, different set-
tings are activated and executed in the vehicle,
refer to Personal Profile, page29.
Information on the required maintenance is also
stored in the remote control, refer to Service
data in remote control, page214.
Integrated key
Press button1 to unlock the key.The integrated key fits the following locks:
>Hotel function, refer to page33
>Driver's door, refer to page32
>Luggage compartment lid, refer to page34
New remote controls
To obtain additional or replace lost keys, new
remote controls with an integrated key are
available at your BMW center.
Spare key
Store the spare key in a safe place such as your
wallet. This key is not intended for regular use.
The spare key and integrated key of the remote
control fit the same locks.
Adapter for spare key
The adapter is required so that the vehicle can
be started with the spare key or radio readiness
can be switched on.
Remove the adapter from the holder in the
glove compartment and slide the spare key into
the adapter before use.

Controls
35Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Emergency release
Pull the lever in the luggage compartment.
The luggage compartment lid is unlocked.
Luggage compartment
There are four lashing eyes on the inner corners
of the luggage compartment for securing lug-
gage nets
* or securing straps to fix luggage in
position.
Also refer to Securing cargo, page119.
Convertible: increasing luggage
compartment capacity
With the convertible top closed, you can
increase the luggage compartment capacity:
To do so, unfold the handle and press it down-
ward in the direction of travel, refer to arrow.
This moves the convertible top compartment
floor into the raised position.
Before opening the convertible top, carry out
this procedure in reverse order.
The convertible top cannot be opened if
the convertible top compartment floor is
in the raised position.<
Alarm system
The concept
The vehicle alarm system responds:
>To the opening of a door, the hood, or the
luggage compartment lid
>To movements in the vehicle interior:
interior motion sensor, refer to page36
>To changes in the vehicle's tilt if someone
attempts to steal the wheels or tow the
vehicle
>To interruptions in battery voltage
Unauthorized operations are briefly signaled by
the alarm system:
>by triggering an acoustic alarm
>by switching on
the hazard warning flashers
>by flashing the high beams
Arming and disarming alarm system
When you lock or unlock the vehicle, either with
the remote control or at the door lock, the alarm
system is armed or disarmed at the same time.
You can open the luggage compartment lid,
even with the system armed, by using the
button of the remote control, refer to page31.
When the luggage compartment lid is closed,
it is once again locked and monitored.
Switching off alarm
>Unlock the vehicle using the remote control,
refer to page30, or
>insert the remote control all the way into the
ignition lock.

Opening and closing
36
Indicator lamp displays
>The indicator lamp below the interior rear-
view mirror flashes continuously: the sys-
tem is armed.
>The indicator lamp flashes after locking: the
doors, hood or luggage compartment lid are
not properly closed. Even if you do not close
the alerted area, the system begins to mon-
itor the remaining areas, and the indicator
lamp flashes continuously after approx.
10 seconds. However, the interior motion
sensor is not activated.
>After the vehicle is unlocked, the indicator
lamp goes out: no manipulation or
attempted intrusions have been detected in
the period since the system was armed.
>The indicator lamp flashes after unlocking
until the remote control is inserted into the
ignition lock, however for a maximum of
approx. 5 minutes: an attempted entry has
been detected in the period since the sys-
tem was armed.
Tilt alarm sensor
Monitors the inclination of the vehicle. The
alarm system reacts, for example, if someone
attempts to steal the wheels or tow the vehicle.
Interior motion sensor
Coupe:
The condition for proper operation of the inte-
rior motion sensor is closed windows.
Convertible:
Monitors the interior up to the height of the seat
cushions. This means that the alarm system,
including the interior motion sensor, is armed
even if the convertible top is open. Falling objects, e.g. leaves, can trigger false alarms,
refer to Avoiding unintentional alarms.
Avoiding unintentional alarms
The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion sensor
may be switched off at the same time.
This prevents unintentional alarms, e.g. in the
following situations:
>In two-level garages
>When transporting on car-carrying trains,
by sea or on a trailer
>When animals are to remain in the vehicle
Switching off tilt alarm sensor and
interior motion sensor
Press the button on the remote control
again as soon as the vehicle is locked.
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and then
flashes continuously. The tilt alarm sensor and
the interior motion sensor are switched off until
the vehicle is unlocked and locked again.
Comfort access*
Comfort access allows you to access your vehi-
cle without having to hold the remote control in
your hand. It is sufficient to carry the remote
control with you, e.g. in your jacket pocket. The
vehicle automatically detects the associated
remote control in the immediate vicinity or in
the interior.
Comfort access supports the following func-
tions:
>Unlocking/locking vehicle
>Comfort closing with Coupe
>Opening luggage compartment lid sepa-
rately
>Starting engine
Functional requirement
>The vehicle or the luggage compartment lid
can only be locked if the vehicle detects that
the remote control you are carrying is out-
side the vehicle.

Controls
37Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
>The next unlocking and locking cycle is not
possible until after approx. 2 seconds.
>The engine can only be started if the vehicle
detects that the remote control is located in
the vehicle.
Comparison with ordinary remote
control
You can control the functions mentioned previ-
ously with the comfort access or by pressing
the buttons on the remote control. Before doing
so, please familiarize yourself with the informa-
tion on opening and closing, starting on
page28.
The special features when using comfort
access are described below.
Should a short delay occur when opening
or closing the windows or the convertible
top, the system is checking whether a remote
control is located in the vehicle. Please repeat
opening or closing if necessary.<
Unlocking
Grasp a door handle fully, refer to arrow1, but
do not touch the surfaces, arrow2 or 3 when
doing so. This corresponds to pressing the
button.
Locking
>On the driver's door, touch the highlighted
surface, arrow2, with a finger for approx.
1 second, but do not grasp the door handle.
>On the front passenger door, touch the
highlighted surface, arrow3, with the back
of your hand for approx. 1 second, but do
not grasp the door handle.This corresponds to pressing the but-
ton.
Please make sure that the ignition and all
electronic systems/consumers are
switched off before locking to save the bat-
tery.<
Coupe: comfort closing
Hold a finger or the back of your hand against
the surface, arrow2 or 3, but do not grasp the
door handle while doing so.
The windows are closed.
Watch during the closing process to be
sure that no one is injured. Removing the
hand from the door handle stops the closing
process immediately.<
Convertible: window and convertible
top operation
From radio readiness switched on, the windows
can be opened and closed, and with the vehicle
stopped the convertible top, when a remote
control is located in the interior of the vehicle.
Opening luggage compartment lid
separately
Press the upper half of the BMW emblem.
This corresponds to pressing the button.
If a remote control accidentally left in the
luggage compartment is detected inside
the locked vehicle after the luggage compart-
ment lid has been closed, then the luggage
compartment lid opens again. The hazard warn-
ing flashers flash and a signal
* sounds.<
Switching on radio readiness
By pressing the Start/Stop button, you switch
on the radio readiness, refer to page59.
When doing so, do not depress the brake
or clutch pedal, otherwise the engine will
start immediately.<

Opening and closing
38
Starting engine
You can start the engine or switch on the igni-
tion if a remote control is located in the interior
of the vehicle. It need not be inserted in the igni-
tion lock, refer to page59.
If you take the remote control with you when
leaving the vehicle with the engine running, a
warning lamp lights up. In addition, a message
appears on the Control Display. As long as no
remote control is detected, it is only possible to
restart the engine within approx. 10 seconds
after it is switched off.
Malfunction
The comfort access function may malfunction
due to local radio waves. If this occurs, then
open or close the vehicle with the buttons on
the remote control or with a key. To start the
engine after this, insert the remote control in the
ignition lock.
When unlocking or locking/comfort closing do
not simultaneously grasp the door handle and
touch the surfaces, arrow2 or 3. Otherwise, you
may limit the function.
Replacing battery
If the battery of the remote control is dead, a
message will appear in the Control Display.
1.Remove integrated key from remote con-
trol, refer to page28.
2.Remove cover.
3.Insert new battery with positive side facing
upward.
4.Press cover closed.
Return used battery to a recycling collec-
tion point or to your BMW center.<
Windows
To prevent injuries, exercise care when
closing the windows and keep them in
your field of vision until they are shut.
Always take along the remote control when you
leave the vehicle; otherwise, children could, for
example, operate the windows and injure them-
selves.<
Coupe: opening, closing
>Press switch to resistance point:
The window continues to open for as long
as you hold down the switch.
>Press the switch beyond the resistance
point:
The window opens automatically. Pressing
the switch again stops the opening move-
ment.
You can close the windows in the same manner
by pulling the switch.
Convertible: opening, closing
For information on window operation with com-
fort access, also refer to page37.
To close the side windows while the vehi-
cle is being driven, always close the rear
windows first or all four windows simulta-
neously; otherwise, the windows cannot close
tightly at higher speeds.<

Opening and closing
40
After switching off ignition
You can still operate the windows with the
remote control removed or the ignition
switched off for approx. 1 minute, as long as
neither of the doors has been opened.
Pinch protection system
If the closing force exceeds a specific value as a
window closes, the closing action is interrupted
and the window reopens slightly.
Despite the pinch protection system,
inspect the window's travel path prior to
closing it, as the safety system might fail to
detect certain kinds of obstructions, such as
thin objects, and the window would continue
closing.
Do not install any accessories in the range of
movement of the windows, otherwise the pinch
protection system will be impaired.
Convertible: the rear side windows and rear
window are not equipped with a pinch protec-
tion system. Therefore, watch the rear side win-
dows and the rear window during closing, oth-
erwise injuries can occur.<
Closing without pinch protection
system
In case of danger from outside or if, for example,
ice on the window prevents normal closing, pro-
ceed as follows:
1.Pull the switch beyond the resistance point
and hold. The pinch protection system is
limited and the window opens slightly if the
closing force exceeds a certain value.
2.Pull the switch beyond the resistance point
and hold again within approx. 4 seconds.
The window closes without the pinch pro-
tection system.
Convertible: top
The fully automatic convertible top combines
secure weather protection with simple and con-
venient operation.Here are a few tips for getting the maximum
pleasure from your Convertible:
>It is advisable to close the convertible top
when the vehicle is parked. The closed con-
vertible top not only protects the passenger
compartment from unforeseen weather
damage, it also provides a certain amount of
protection from theft. Nonetheless, even if
the convertible top is closed, only keep
valuables in the locked luggage compart-
ment.
>Do not attach luggage rack systems to the
convertible top.
In order to avoid damage, do not move the
convertible top at temperatures below
+147/–106.
Do not leave the convertible top in its storage
compartment for longer than one day when wet;
otherwise, damage from moisture can occur.
Do not place any objects on the convertible top;
otherwise, if the top were to be operated, these
objects could fall off and lead to damage or
injury.
Never move the convertible top when the roll-
over protection system is raised.
Driving without having completed the opening
or closing action can lead to damage or injury.
Do not place hands in the top mechanism dur-
ing the opening and closing action. Keep chil-
dren away from the travel path of the convert-
ible top.
For safety reasons, do not move the convertible
top unless the vehicle is stationary.<
If you have initiated top movement with
the vehicle at a stop and then start to
drive, e.g. at a traffic light, you can continue the
initiated operation up to a speed of 20 mph/
30 km/h:
To do so, press and hold the corresponding
button.<
Partial vacuums that occur at higher
speeds in the passenger compartment
can make the convertible top flap. Use the auto-
matic climate control to increase the air volume
so that a partial vacuum in the vehicle does not
occur.<