2009 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE steering

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.
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Mobility
225Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Attach the tow bar to the tow fittings only,
as attaching it to other parts of the vehicle
could result in damage.<
With a tow rope
When starting off in the towing vehicle, make
sure that the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated
stresses on vehicle components when
towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Attach the tow rope to the tow fittings only, as
attaching it to other parts of the vehicle could
result in damage.<
With a tow truck
Manual transmission:
Have the BMW transported with a tow truck
with a so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.
Do not tow the vehicle with just the rear axle
raised as this may cause the steering to turn.
M dual clutch transmission:
Have the BMW transported with a tow truck
with a so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.
Tow-starting
If possible, do not tow-start the vehicle but
jump-start the engine, refer to page222. Vehi-cles with a catalytic converter should only be
tow-started when the engine is cold.
Manual transmission
1.Switch on hazard warning flashers, comply
with local regulations.
2.Switch on the ignition, refer to page55.
3.Shift into 3rd gear.
4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch
depressed and slowly release the clutch.
After the engine starts, immediately
depress the clutch completely again.
5.Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow
bar or rope and switch off the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
6.Have the vehicle checked.
M dual clutch transmission with
Drivelogic
Vehicles with an M dual clutch transmission
cannot be tow-started. Jump-starting, refer to
page222.
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Reference 239
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
B
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support43
Backrests, refer to Seat
adjustment43
Backrest width adjustment44
Back seats
– refer to Rear seats45
Backup lamps
– replacing bulb215
Backup lamps, refer to Tail
lamps215
Bag holder109
Band-aids, refer to First-aid
pouch222
Bar, refer to Towing
methods224
Base plate for telephone or
mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter181
– refer to Snap-in adapter in
the center armrest storage
compartment105
Bass, tone setting146
Battery219
– charging219
– disposal35,219
– jump starting222
– remote control26
– temporary power failure220
Battery for mobile phone181
Battery renewal
– remote control35
– remote control for vehicle35
Being towed224
Belt hand-over48
Belts, refer to Safety belts47
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts47
Beverage holders, refer to
Cup holders106
Blinds, refer to Roller sun
blinds104
Blower, refer to Air flow
rate98
Bluetooth, activating/
deactivating174Bluetooth, refer to separate
Owner's Manual
BMW
– car shampoo211
BMW Assist, activating186
BMW Assist185
BMW center190
BMW Homepage4
BMW Maintenance
System207
BMW Search186
BMW webpage4
Bottle holders, refer to Cup
holders106
Brake assist82
Brake fluid, refer to Service
requirements72
Brake force display88
– bulb change216
Brake lamps
– replacing bulb215
Brake lights
– brake force display88
Brake pads116
– breaking in116
Brake rotors117
– brakes116
– breaking in116
Brakes
– ABS82
– BMW Maintenance
System207
– brake force display88
– breaking in116
– parking brake57
– service requirements72
Brakes, refer to Braking
safely117
Brake system116
– BMW Maintenance
System207
– breaking in116
– disc brakes117
Breakdown services, refer to
Roadside Assistance221
Breaking in the clutch116
Breaking in the differential,
refer to Engine and
differential116Break-in period116
Brightness of the Control
Display79
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps
and bulbs213
Button for starting the engine,
refer to Start/stop button55
Buttons on the steering
wheel11
C
California Proposition 65
warning6
Call
– accepting175
– ending176
– rejecting176
Calling, refer to Phone
numbers, dialing176
Can holders, refer to Cup
holders106
Capacities231
Capacity of the cargo bay231
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery219
Car care, refer to Care209
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Everything from A - Z
242 Displacement, refer to Engine
data228
Display, refer to iDrive
controls16
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting94
Displays
– on the Control Display16
Displays, refer to Instrument
cluster12
Displays and controls10
Disposal
– coolant206
– remote control battery35
– vehicle battery219
Distance remaining to service,
refer to Service
requirements72
Distance warning, refer to
Park Distance Control
PDC81
Door key, refer to Remote
control26
Door lock30
Doors, emergency
operation30
DOT Quality Grades198
Draft-free ventilation99
Drinks holders, refer to Cup
holders106
Drivelogic61
Drive mode59
Drive-off assistance, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC82
Drive-off assistant84
Drive position, engaging, refer
to Selector lever
positions58
Drive programs, refer to
Drivelogic61
Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams92
Driving notes116
Driving off on hills, refer to
Drive-off assistant84
Driving stability control
systems82
Driving through water117Driving tips, refer to Driving
notes116
Dry air, refer to Cooling
function99
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control82
DVD
– country codes156
– settings157
– video playback156
DVD menu157
DVD video156
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC
– indicator/warning lamp83
– M Dynamic Mode MDM82
E
EDC, refer to Electronic
Damper Control83
Eject button, refer to Buttons
on the CD player146
Electric
– seat adjustment43
Electrical malfunction
– door lock30
– driver's door30
– fuel filler door194
– glass roof37
– M dual clutch transmission
with Drivelogic60
Electric seat43
Electric seat adjustment43
Electric steering wheel lock
– with convenient access34
Electronic brake-force
distribution82
Electronic Damper Control
EDC83
Electronic oil level check203
Electronic Stability Program
ESP, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC82
Emergency operation
– fuel filler door, manual
release194Emergency operation, refer to
Closing manually
– glass roof37
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– door lock30
Emergency release
– luggage compartment lid
from inside32
Emergency Request221
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance221
Engine
– breaking in116
– data228
– overheated, refer to Coolant
temperature69
– speed228
– starting56
– starting, convenient
access34
– switching off56
Engine compartment203
Engine coolant, refer to
Coolant206
Engine oil
– adding205
– BMW Maintenance
System207
– checking level203
– intervals between changes,
refer to Service
requirements72
– possible displays204
Engine output, refer to Engine
data228
Engine speed, refer to Engine
data228
Engine starting, refer to
Starting the engine56
Entry lamps, refer to Interior
lamps94
Entry map for destination132
Equalizer, tone setting147
Error messages, refer to
Check Control76
Event data recorders208
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system116
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Everything from A - Z
244 Heated
– mirrors49
– rear window99
– seats46
Heating
– mirrors49
– rear window99
– residual heat98
– seats46
Heating and ventilation, refer
to Climate96
Heating while at a standstill,
refer to Using residual
heat98
Heavy loads, refer to Stowing
cargo119
Height, refer to
Dimensions229
Height adjustment
– seats43
– steering wheel50
High beams94
– headlamp flasher94
– indicator lamp13
High Definition Radio150
High-pressure
washer209,210
High water, refer to Driving
through water117
Highways, refer to Route
criteria137
Hills117
Holders for cups106
Homepage BMW4
Hood202
Hooks for shopping bags109
Horn10,11
Hotel function31
Hot exhaust system116
Hydraulic brake assist, refer to
Brake assist82
Hydroplaning117
I
IBOC, refer to High Definition
Radio150
Ice warning, refer to Outside
temperature warning68ID3 tag, refer to Information
about the track155
ID3 tags, refer to Album
information163
Identification marks, tire
coding198
iDrive16
– adjusting brightness79
– changing language79
– changing units of measure
and display format71
– controls16
– menu guidance17
– operating principle16
– overview16
– setting the date and time75
– start menu17
– status information19
iDrive operating principle16
Ignition55
– switched off56
– switched on55
Ignition key, refer to Remote
control26
Ignition key position 1, refer to
Radio readiness55
Ignition key position 2, refer to
Ignition on55
Ignition lock55
Imprint2
Indicator and warning
lamps13
– MDrive51
– M Dynamic Mode83
– Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM86
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure196
Inflation pressure monitoring,
refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor TPM85Initializing
– after power failure220
– compass, refer to Digital
compass, calibrating103
– Flat Tire Monitor FTM84
– glass roof37
– radio, refer to Station,
storing149
– refer to Setting the time and
date75
Installation location
– CD changer158
– navigation DVD drive126
– telephone105
Instructions for navigation
system, refer to Voice
instructions138
Instrument cluster12
Instrument lighting94
Instrument panel, refer to
Cockpit10
Integrated key26
Integrated universal remote
control101
Interior lamps94
– remote control28
Interior motion sensor33
Interior rearview mirror49
– automatic dimming
feature49
– compass103
Intermittent mode of the
wipers65
Intersection, entering,
navigation128
iPod, connecting, refer to
AUX-IN port165
iPod, connecting, refer to
USB-audio interface166
J
Jacking points219
Joystick, refer to iDrive16
Jumpering, refer to Jump
starting222
Jump starting222
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Everything from A - Z
246 Mirror dimming feature49
Mirrors48
– automatic curb monitor49
– exterior mirrors48
– heating49
– interior rearview mirror49
– memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory46
Mirrors, folding in before
entering a car wash49
M Mobility System217
Mobile phone
– adjusting volume175
– connecting, refer to Mobile
phone, pairing172
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest105
– operation via iDrive175
– pairing172
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Mobile phone, installation
location, refer to Center
armrest105
Mobile phone, refer to
Telephone172
Mobile phone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Modifications, technical, refer
to For your own safety5
Monitor, refer to iDrive
controls16
Monitoring system for tire
pressures, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor84
MP3 player, connecting, refer
to AUX-IN port165
MP3 player, connecting, refer
to USB-audio interface166
Multifunctional steering
wheel, refer to Buttons on
the steering wheel11
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signals/
headlamp flasher64
– refer to Wiper system65
Multimedia screen, refer to
iDrive16
Music, playing162Music collection161
– backup164
– importing164
Music player, connecting,
refer to AUX-IN port165
Music player, connecting,
refer to USB-audio
interface166
Music search162
N
Navigation announcements,
refer to Switching voice
instructions on/off138
Navigation data126
Navigation drive, location126
Navigation DVD126
Navigation system126
– address book129
– bypassing a route
section138
– continuing destination
guidance137
– destination entry127
– displaying current
position143
– entering a destination by
voice133
– entering a destination
manually127
– route list138
– selecting destination via
map132
– selecting route criteria137
– special destinations130
– starting destination
guidance137
– terminating destination
guidance137
– voice instructions138
– volume adjustment139
Neck support, refer to Head
restraints44
Nets, refer to Storage
compartments105
Neutral59
New tires199
North-facing map139Nozzles96
Number of cylinders, refer to
Engine data228
Nylon rope, refer to Tow
rope225
O
OBD socket, refer to Socket
for On-Board Diagnosis208
Octane ratings, refer to Fuel
specifications195
Odometer68
Oil, refer to Engine oil203
Oil consumption203
Oil level203
Old batteries, refer to
Disposal219
Onboard tool kit213
Opening and closing
– convenient access34
– from inside30
– from outside27
– using the door lock30
– via the remote control27
Options, selecting for
navigation137
Orientation menu, refer to
Start menu17
Outlets
– refer to Ventilation99
Output, refer to Engine
data228
Outside-air mode
– automatic climate control98
Outside temperature
display68
– changing units of
measure71
– in computer71
Outside temperature
warning68
Overheated engine, refer to
Coolant temperature69
Overview
– radio control146
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Reference 247
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
P
Paintwork care210
Park assistant, refer to Park
Distance Control81
Park Distance Control PDC81
Parked car ventilation99
– preselecting switch-on
times100
– switching on and off
directly100
Parking
– vehicle56
Parking aid, refer to Park
Distance Control PDC81
Parking brake57
– indicator lamp57
Parking lamps92
Parking lamps/low beams92
Passenger-side mirror tilt
function49
Pathway lighting93
Personal Profile26
Phone book175
Phone numbers
– dialing176
Pinch protection system
– glass roof, electric37
– windows36
Placing a call, refer to
telephone owner's manual
Polish211
Pollen
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic
climate control99
Position, refer to Current
position, displaying143
Postal code, entering for
navigation128
Power failure220
Power windows35
Power windows, refer to
Windows35
Pressure, tires196
Pressure monitoring, tires84
– Flat Tire Monitor84Pressure monitoring of tires,
refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor TPM85
Programmable buttons on the
steering wheel11
Protection function, refer to
Pinch protection system
– glass roof, electric37
– windows36
Providing medical assistance,
refer to First aid pouch222
Puncture
– Flat Tire Monitor84
R
Radio
– controls146
– High Definition Radio150
– satellite radio152
– selecting a waveband149
– storing stations149
– switching on/off146
– tone control146
– volume146
Radio-operated key, refer to
Remote control26
Radio position, refer to Radio
readiness55
Radio readiness55
– switched off56
– switched on55
Rain sensor65
Reading lamps95
Rear lamps, refer to Tail
lamps215
– replacing bulb215
Rear seats
– adjusting head restraints45
– folding down backrests108
Rear turn signals
– replacing bulb215
Rear ventilation99
Rearview mirror, refer to
Mirrors48
Rear window defroster99
Rear window roller blind, refer
to Roller sun blinds104Receiving level of mobile
phone, refer to Status
information19
Reception
– quality150
– radio station150
Recirculated-air mode98
Recirculation of air, refer to
Recirculated-air mode98
Reclining seat, refer to
Backrest43
Refueling194
Releasing
– hood202
Remaining distance, refer to
Cruising range70
Remote control26
– battery renewal35
– convenient access34
– garage door opener101
– luggage compartment lid28
– malfunction29,35
– removing from the ignition
lock55
– service data207
Replacement remote
control
26
Replacing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs213
Replacing tires199
Replacing tires, refer to New
wheels and tires199
Reporting safety defects6
Reserve warning, refer to Fuel
gauge69
Reset, refer to Resetting tone
settings148
Residual heat98
Restraint systems
– for children53
– refer to Safety belts47
Retractable hardtop38
– convenient operation28
– opening and closing39
– remote control28
Reverse
– CD changer156
– CD player156
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Everything from A - Z
248 Reverse gear59
– manual transmission58
Road map139
Roadside
Assistance185,221
Roadside parking lamps94
Roadworthiness test, refer to
Service requirements72
Roller sun blinds104
Rollover protection system,
convertible90
– resetting90
Roof load capacity231
Roof-mounted luggage
rack120
Rope, refer to Tow-starting,
towing away225
Rotary/pushbutton, refer to
iDrive16
Route137,138
– bypassing sections138
– changing137,138
– changing criteria137
– displaying streets or towns/
cities138
– map display139
– selecting137
Route instructions, refer to
Destination guidance
through voice
instructions138
Route map, refer to Map
display139
Route section, changing138
Route selection137
S
Safety-belt height
adjustment47
Safety belts47
– belt hand-over48
– damage48
– indicator/warning lamp48
– reminder48
– sitting safely42Safety systems
– airbags88
– Antilock Brake System
ABS82
– brake system82
– driving stability control
systems82
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC82
– rollover protection system,
convertible90
– safety belts47
Satellite radio152
– enabling channel152
– selecting channel153
– storing channel153
Screen, refer to iDrive
controls16
Screw thread for tow
fitting224
SDARS, refer to Satellite
radio152
Sealant, filling218
Seat adjustment
– electric43
– mechanical43
Seat and mirror memory46
Seat belt reminder, refer to
'Fasten safety belts'
reminder48
Seat heating46
Seats42
– adjusting electrically43
– adjusting the seats43
– heating46
– memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory46
– saving a setting, refer to Seat
and mirror memory46
– sitting safely42
Securing cargo110,112
Securing the vehicle
– from inside30
– from outside27
Selecting new scale for
navigation139
Selector lever positions58Sequential M Gearbox with
Drivelogic
– Drivelogic drive programs61
Sequential mode59
Service, refer to Roadside
Assistance221
Service car, refer to Roadside
Assistance221
Service data in the remote
control207
Service Interval Display, refer
to Condition Based Service
CBS207
Service Request189
Service requirement display,
refer to Condition Based
Service CBS207
Service requirements72
Services status190
Settings
– changing settings on the
Control Display79
– clock, 12h/24h format75
– configuring, refer to
MDrive50
– DVD157
– language79
Settings and information71
Setting times, refer to
Preselecting switch-on
times100
Shifting60
Shifting gears
– manual transmission57
Shift lever58
Shift Lights62
Shiftlock59
Shift paddles on steering
wheel60
Shift-up display, refer to Shift
Lights62
Shock absorber control, refer
to Electronic Damper
Control EDC83
Short commands for the voice
activation system232
Short route in navigation, refer
to Selecting route137
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