2009 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE automatic transmission

BMW Assist
186
Starting Roadside Assistance
Vehicle not equipped with BMW Assist
or BMW TeleService
1."BMW Assist"
2."TeleService Diagnosis"
The Roadside Assistance number is displayed.
3.Select the number. If a mobile phone
* is
paired, a connection is established to BMW
Roadside Assistance.
Vehicle equipped with BMW Assist or
BMW TeleService
1."BMW Assist"
2."TeleService Diagnosis"
3."Start service"
TeleService Diagnosis*
TeleService Diagnosis enables the wireless
transmission of detailed vehicle data that are
important for vehicle diagnosis. These data are
transmitted automatically if the vehicle is
equipped with BMW TeleService.
TeleService Help*
TeleService Help enables an in-depth diagno-
sis of the vehicle by Roadside Assistance via wireless transmission. TeleService Help can be
started after a prompt by Roadside Assistance
and termination of the voice connection.
Starting TeleService Help
1.Park the vehicle in a safe place.
2.Leave the ignition switched on.
3.Set the parking brake.
4."TeleService Help"
After completion of TeleService Help, a voice
connection is established to Roadside Assis-
tance.
Activating BMW Assist
If the services included in a valid BMW Assist
subscription are not displayed, they may need
to be activated.
1.Make sure that the vehicle can determine its
current position. Reception is usually best
when you have an unobstructed view to the
sky.
2.Switch on the ignition.
3."Activate BMW Assist"
Activation may take several minutes. If another
menu is opened, activation continues running in
the background.
BMW Search*
A business search can be opened via BMW
Search.
Requirements
>Subscription to the optional Convenience
Plan.
>The vehicle is located within wireless net-
work coverage.
>The date setting on the Control Display is
current.
ba8_E9293M3_cic.book Seite 186 Dienstag, 19. August 2008 12:01 12

Under the hood
204 Press button 4 in the turn indicator lever repeat-
edly until the oil level display appears in the
instrument cluster.
M dual clutch transmission
*: the oil level
appears in the top display.<
The oil level must be between the two mark-
ings.
A new measurement is taken automatically
each time the engine is started.
Possible displays
1Oil level OK.
2Oil level is being checked.
This can take about 1 minute if the car is at
a standstill on a level surface, or about
5 minutes while the car is moving.
If engine oil was added, it can take up to
30 minutes to get an oil level reading.
3Oil level down to minimum:
Add engine oil at the next opportunity, but
no more than 1 US quart/1 liter, refer also to
Adding engine oil on page205. Add at least
0.5 US quart/0.5 liters, otherwise the oil-
level monitor will be unable to display the
new value reliably.
If the oil level is below the minimum value, add engine oil immediately to avoid engine
damage.
4Oil level is too high.
Have the vehicle checked immedi-
ately, otherwise the excess oil may
lead to engine damage.<
5A value cannot be read at this time. The
engine is not yet warm.
Quick measurement
In addition to the automatic measurement, you
can also determine the current oil level manu-
ally, e. g. after adding engine oil, but such mea-
surements are less accurate.
1.Park the vehicle with a warm engine, i.e.
after an uninterrupted drive of at least
6 miles/10 km, on a horizontal surface.
2.Let the engine idle.
3.Press the computer button in the turn indi-
cator lever repeatedly until the oil level dis-
play appears in the instrument cluster.
4.Press the computer button for at least
2seconds.
The oil level is determined. A clock symbol
appears during measurement.
5.After approx. 1 minute, the current oil level
is displayed.
Display via iDrive
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1."Vehicle Info"
2."Vehicle status"
ba8_E9293M3_cic.book Seite 204 Dienstag, 19. August 2008 12:01 12

Mobility
209Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Care
Care products
Regular cleaning and care contributes signifi-
cantly to the value retention of your BMW.
BMW recommends cleaning and caring for your
vehicle with products that are approved by
BMW for this purpose.
Your BMW center will be happy to advise you on
the products and services available for cleaning
and caring for your BMW.
Original BMW CareProducts have been
material tested, laboratory checked and
proven in the field, and offer optimal care and
protection for your vehicle.<
Do not use cleaners that contain alcohol
or solvents as these may result in dam-
age.<
Cleaning agents can contain substances
that are dangerous or hazardous to your
health. Therefore, follow the warning and safety
instructions on the packaging. When cleaning
inside the vehicle, always open the doors or
windows of the vehicle. In enclosed areas, pro-
vide for sufficient ventilation. Only use products
designed for cleaning vehicles.<
Exterior care
Washing the vehicle
Especially during the winter months,
ensure that the vehicle is washed more
frequently. Heavy soiling and road salt can lead
to vehicle damage.<
After washing the vehicle, apply the
brakes briefly to dry them, otherwise
water can reduce braking efficiency over the
short term and the brake discs can corrode.<
Automatic car washes
Preference should be given to cloth car washes.Do not use high-pressure car washes,
otherwise water may drip into the vehicle
around the windows.<
Before driving into a car wash, ensure that it is
suitable for your BMW. Check the following:
>Dimensions of your vehicle, refer to
page229
>If necessary: fold in the exterior mirrors,
refer to page49
>Maximum permissible tire width
Preparations before driving into an automatic
car wash:
>Deactivate the rain sensor
* to prevent unin-
tentional wiping.
>Remove additional attachments, e.g.
spoiler or telephone antennas, if there is a
possibility that they could be damaged.
M dual clutch transmission
Before driving into an automatic car wash, per-
form the following steps to ensure that the vehi-
cle can roll:
1.Insert the remote control, even with conve-
nient access, into the ignition lock.
2.Engage transmission position N.
3.Release the parking brake.
4.Switch off the engine.
5.Leave the remote control in the ignition lock
so that the vehicle can roll.
Steam jets / high-pressure washers
When using steam jets or high-pressure
washers, ensure that you maintain suffi-
cient clearance to the vehicle and do not exceed
a temperature of 1407/606.
Insufficient clearance or excessive pressure or
temperature can lead to component damage or
water penetration. Follow the operating instruc-
tions of the high-pressure washer.<
When using high-pressure washers, do
not spray against the sensors and cam-
ba8_E9293M3_cic.book Seite 209 Dienstag, 19. August 2008 12:01 12

Giving and receiving assistance
224
Using a tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting must always be carried
in the car. It can be screwed in at the front or
rear of the BMW.
Coupe: it is stored in the onboard tool kit under-
neath the cover on the right-hand side of the
cargo bay, refer to page213.
Convertible: it is stored in the onboard tool kit
underneath the cargo bay floor, refer to
page213.
Use only the tow fitting provided with the
vehicle and screw it all the way in. Use the
tow fitting for towing on paved roads only. Avoid
lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift
the vehicle by the tow fitting. Otherwise the tow
fitting and the vehicle could be damaged.<
Access to screw thread
Release the cover panel in the bumper:
Press on the upper part of the cover panel.
Front
Rear
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on,
refer to page55, otherwise the low-beam headlamps, tail lamps, turn s i g n a l i n d i c a t o r s a n d
windshield wipers may be unavailable.
Power steering assistance is not available when
the engine is not running. Thus, braking and
steering will require increased effort.<
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
M dual clutch transmission with
Drivelogic
Ensure that the parking lock P is not
engaged as the rear wheels will otherwise
be blocked.
When using the car wash function, refer to
page57, note that the parking lock P is
engaged automatically after approx. 30 min-
utes, blocking the rear wheels.
If an electrical malfunction occurs or if towing
takes longer than approx. 20 minutes, manually
release the parking lock, refer to page60.<
When towing, do not exceed a maximum
speed of 30 mph/50 km/h and a maxi-
mum distance of 30 miles/50 km, otherwise the
transmission can be damaged.<
BMW recommends transporting the vehicle on
a tow truck with a flat bed.
Towing methods
Do not lift the vehicle by a tow fitting or
body and chassis parts, otherwise dam-
age may result.<
With a tow bar
The towing vehicle must not be lighter
than the towed vehicle, otherwise it may
be impossible to maintain control.<
The tow fittings used should be on the same
side on both vehicles. Should it prove impossi-
ble to avoid mounting the tow bar at an angle,
please observe the following:
>Clearance and maneuvering capability will
be sharply limited during cornering.
>The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it is
attached offset.
ba8_E9293M3_cic.book Seite 224 Dienstag, 19. August 2008 12:01 12

Everything from A - Z
238
Everything from A - Z
Index
"..." Identifies Control Display
texts used to select
individual functions and
refers you to the page where
these texts can be found.
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System82
Acceleration assistant, refer to
Launch Control63
Accident, refer to Sending an
Emergency Request221
Activated-charcoal filter for
automatic climate control99
Adaptive brake light
– brake force display88
Adaptive Head Light93
Additives
– coolant206
Address, entering127,133
Address for navigation
– entering127,133
Adjusting temperature inside
the car, refer to Automatic
climate control97
Adjusting the thigh support43
Adjusting the tone during
audio operation, refer to
Tone control146
Airbags88
– indicator/warning lamp90
– sitting safely42
Air conditioning mode
– automatic climate control97
– ventilation99
Air distribution
– automatic97
Air flow rate98
Airing, refer to Ventilation99
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure196Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air mode98
Air supply
– automatic climate control97
– ventilation99
Air vents96
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications195
Alarm system32
– avoiding unintentional
alarms33
– interior motion sensor33
– switching off an alarm33
– tilt alarm sensor33
Album information for
music163
Albums of music
collection163
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires200
AM, waveband149
Ambient air, refer to
Recirculated-air mode98
Antenna for mobile phone172
Antifreeze
– coolant206
– washer fluid66
Antilock Brake System
ABS
82
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system32
Anti-theft system27
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights231
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights231
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest105
Arrival time, refer to
Computer70
Ashtray
– front106
– rear107Assistance systems, refer to
Driving stability control
systems82
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control98
Audio146
– controls146
– switching on/off146
– tone control146
– volume146
Audio device, external105
Automatic
– air distribution97
– air flow rate97
– cruise control66
– headlamp control92
Automatic car washes209
Automatic climate control96
– automatic air distribution97
Automatic curb monitor49
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC98
Automatic Service
Request189
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic
– towing223
– tow-starting223
AUTO program for automatic
climate control97
AUX-IN port165
Average fuel consumption70
– setting the units71
Avoid highways in
navigation137
Avoiding unintentional
alarms33
Axle loads, refer to
Weights231
ba8_E9293M3_cic.book Seite 238 Dienstag, 19. August 2008 12:01 12

Reference 243
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Exterior mirrors48
– adjusting48
– automatic dimming
feature49
– automatic heating49
– folding in and out49
External audio device105
Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing
away224
– for tying down loads119
F
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control76
Failure of an electrical
consumer220
False alarm
– avoiding unintentional
alarm33
– switching off an alarm33
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts47
Fastest route for
navigation137
Fast forward
– CD changer156
– CD player156
Filter
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic
climate control99
First aid pouch222
Fixture for remote control,
refer to Ignition lock55
Flash when locking/
unlocking29
Flat tire
– Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM85
Flat tire, repairing217
Flat Tire Monitor FTM84
– indicating a flat tire85
– indicator/warning lamp85
– initializing the system84
– malfunction85
– snow chains84,201
– system limits84Flat tires, refer to Tire
condition199
Fluid reservoir, refer to
Washer fluid reservoir66
FM, waveband149
Folding up the floor panel110
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely117
Footwell lamps, refer to
Interior lamps94
Forward position, engaging,
refer to Selector lever
positions58
For your own safety5
Free memory capacity, music
collection164
Front airbags88
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor84
Fuel195
– average consumption70
– gauge69
– high-quality brands195
– quality195
– specifications195
– tank contents, refer to
Capacities231
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge69
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge69
Fuel filler door194
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction194
Fuses220
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control101
Gasoline
– refer to Average
consumption70
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel195
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge69Gasoline engine, checking
engine oil level203
Gear
– neutral59
Gear display, refer to Displays
in the instrument cluster60
Gearshift lever
– manual transmission57
Gearshifts
– manual transmission57
General driving notes116
Glass roof, electric37
– closing after electrical
malfunction37
– convenient operation28,30
– initializing37
– opening, closing37
– operation with convenient
access34
– pinch protection system37
– power failure37
– raising37
– remote control28
Glove compartment104
GPS navigation, refer to
Navigation system126
Grills96
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights231
H
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake57
Hands-free system14
Hazard warning flashers14
HD radio, refer to High
Definition Radio150
Head airbags88
Headlamp control,
automatic92
Headlamp flasher64
– indicator lamp11,13
Head restraints44
– rear, removing45
– sitting safely42
ba8_E9293M3_cic.book Seite 243 Dienstag, 19. August 2008 12:01 12

Reference 245
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
K
Key, refer to Remote
control26
Keyless go, refer to
Convenient access34
Keyless opening and closing,
refer to Convenient
access34
Key Memory, refer to Personal
Profile26
Knock control195
L
Lamps
– automatic headlamp
control92
– parking lamps/low beams92
Lamps and bulbs, replacing
bulbs213
Lap-and-shoulder belt, refer
to Safety belts47
Lashing eyes, refer to
Securing cargo119
Last destinations130
LATCH child-restraint fixing
system54
Launch Control63
Leather care211
LED light-emitting diodes214
Length, refer to
Dimensions229
License plate lamp, replacing
bulb217
Light-alloy wheels211
Light-emitting diodes
LED214
Lighter107
– connecting electrical
appliances107
Lighting
– instruments94
– lamps and bulbs213
– vehicle, refer to Lamps92
Light switch92
Limit, refer to Speed limit78
Load securing equipment,
refer to Securing cargo119Lock buttons, doors, refer to
Locking31
Locking
– adjusting confirmation
signal29
– from inside31
– from outside28
– without remote control, refer
to Convenient access34
Locking and unlocking doors
– confirmation signals29
– from inside30
– from outside27
Low-beam headlamps92
– automatic92
Lower back support, refer to
Lumbar support43
Luggage compartment lid31
– convenient access34
– emergency release32
– locking or unlocking
separately31
– opening from inside31
– opening from outside31
– remote control28
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack120
Lumbar support43
LW, waveband149
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires200
Maintenance, refer to Service
Booklet
Maintenance system207
Malfunction
– tires85
Malfunction warnings, refer to
Check Control76
Managing music163
Manual car wash210
Manual operation
– door lock30
– driver's door30
– fuel filler door194
– glass roof37
– transmission lock60Manual transmission57
– tow-starting225
Map display139
Map for navigation
– changing scale139
– entering destination132
Master key, refer to Remote
control26
Maximum cooling97
Maximum speed
– with winter tires200
MDM, refer to M Dynamic
Mode82
"MDrive"50
MDrive50
M dual clutch transmission
with Drivelogic58
– kick-down59
– Launch Control63
– neutral59
– reverse gear59
– sequential mode59
– Shift Lights62
– shiftlock59
– tow-starting225
– unlocking transmission lock
manually60
M Dynamic Mode MDM82
– indicator lamp83
Measurements, refer to
Dimensions229
Memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory46
M Engine Dynamics
Control64
MENU button16
Menus, refer to iDrive16
Microfilter
– BMW Maintenance
System207
– for automatic climate
control99
Microfilter/activated-charcoal
filter
– BMW Maintenance
System207
Microphone
– telephone14
– voice commands14
ba8_E9293M3_cic.book Seite 245 Dienstag, 19. August 2008 12:01 12

Everything from A - Z
250 Temperature
– automatic climate control97
– changing unit of measure71
– coolant, refer to Coolant
temperature69
Temperature display
– outside temperature68
– outside temperature
warning68
– setting the units71
Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control66
Tensioning straps, refer to
Securing cargo119
The individual vehicle5
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center brake lamp217
Through-loading opening with
integrated transport
bag111
Through-loading system108
Tilt alarm sensor33
Tilt function, passenger-side
mirror49
Timer, refer to Preselecting
switch-on times100
Tire inflation pressure196
– loss85,86
Tire pressure monitoring,
refer to Flat Tire Monitor84
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM85
– resetting the system86
– system limitations85
– warning lamp86
Tire puncture, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor85
Tire Quality Grading198Tires
– age198
– air loss86
– breaking in116
– changing, refer to Changing
wheels219
– condition199
– damage199
– inflation pressure196
– labels198
– minimum tread depth199
– new wheels and tires199
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Flat Tire Monitor84
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM85
– puncture85
– replacing199
– size198
– storage
200
– tread depth199
– wear indicators, refer to
Minimum tread depth199
– wheel/tire combination, refer
to Correct wheels and
tires200
– winter tires200
TMC station, refer to
Traffic bulletins140
Tone
– control146
– middle setting148
Tools, refer to Onboard tool
kit213
Top, refer to Retractable
hardtop38
Top 50 of music
collection163
Torque, refer to Engine
data228
Tow bar224
Tow fitting224
– screw thread224
Tow fittings for tow-starting
and towing away224Towing223
– with manual
transmission224
– with M dual clutch
transmission224
Towing and tow-starting223
Towing methods224
Town/city, for navigation127
Tow rope225
Tow-starting223,225
TPM, refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor85
Track
– selecting on CD154
Traction control, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC82
Traffic bulletins
– categories141
Traffic bulletins, filtering141
Traffic bulletins for
navigation140
– during destination
guidance141
– in map display141
Traffic jam
– displaying traffic
bulletins140
Transmission
– Drivelogic61
– Launch Control63
– manual transmission57
– reverse gear59
– Shift Lights62
– unlocking transmission lock
manually60
Transmission lock, unlocking
manually60
Transporting children
safely53
Transport securing devices,
refer to Securing cargo119
Travel instructions,
refer to Voice
instructions138
Tread depth, refer to Minimum
tire tread199
Trip-distance counter, refer to
Trip odometer68
ba8_E9293M3_cic.book Seite 250 Dienstag, 19. August 2008 12:01 12