2009 BMW M3 SEDAN load capacity

Practical interior accessories
102 Press the floor panel up and secure it with the
catch.
Lashing eyes
You will find lashing eyelets in the cargo bay for
securing luggage items with nets or tensioning
straps, refer to page109.
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.4.Insert the latch plate of the ski bag's retain-
ing strap in the center belt buckle.
Only place clean skis in the ski bag. Wrap sharp
edges to prevent damage.
Securing cargo
After loading, secure the ski bag and its con-
tents. Tighten the retaining strap on the ten-
sioning buckle for this purpose.
Secure the ski bag in the manner
described, otherwise it could endanger
the car's occupants, e.g. in case of heavy brak-
ing or sudden swerving.<
To store the ski bag, perform the steps
described for loading in reverse order.
Removing the ski bag
The ski bag can be completely removed, e.g. for
faste r drying or to allow you to use other inserts.
1.Fold down the center panel in the rear seat
backrest.
2.Pull the handle, arrow1.
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Things to remember when driving
108 during brake applications to clean the rotors is
not reached.
This can also lead to a permanent loss in ride
comfort and to squealing noises during braking.
A loss in comfort can also be caused by
extended braking with little pressure on the
pedal.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail to
cure.
For information on brake system technology,
refer to Compound brake on page111.
When the vehicle is parked
Condensation forms while the automatic cli-
mate control is in operation, and then exits
under the vehicle. Traces of condensed water
under the vehicle are therefore normal.
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their
approved carrying capacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage
develops inside the tires. This can ultimately
result in a sudden blow-out.<
Make sure that no liquids are spilled or
leak from their containers in the cargo
bay, as this could result in damage to the vehi-
cle.<
Determining loading limit
1.Locate the following statement on your
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or YYY lbs. Otherwise, overloading
can result in damage to the vehicle and
unstable driving conditions.<
2.Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be riding in
your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kilograms or YYY
pounds.
4.The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the YYY amount equals
1,400 lbs. and there will be five 150-lb. pas-
sengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs:
1,400 lbs. minus 750 lbs. = 650 lbs.
5.Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated
in step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, part of
the load from your trailer will be transferred
to your vehicle. Consult the manual for
transporting a trailer to determine how this
may reduce the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
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Things to remember when driving
110
Mounting points
The mounting points are located in the roof.
Loading roof-mounted luggage rack
Because roof racks raise the vehicle's center of
gravity when loaded, they have a major effect on
vehicle handling and steering response.
You should therefore always remember not to
exceed the approved roof load capacity, the
approved gross vehicle weight or the axle loads
when loading the rack.
You can find the applicable data under Weights
on page220.
The roof load must be distributed uniformly and
should not be too large in area. Heavy items
should always be placed at the bottom. Be sure
that adequate clearance is maintained for rais-
ing the glass roof, and that objects do not
project into the opening path of the luggage
compartment lid.
Fasten roof-mounted cargo correctly and
securely to prevent it from shifting or falling off
during the trip.
Drive smoothly. Avoid taking corners rapidly
and sudden acceleration and braking maneu-
vers.
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Wheels and tires
190 work is not carried out properly, there is a dan-
ger of subsequent damage and related safety
hazards. Make sure that the new wheels are bal-
anced.<
Retreaded tires
BMW recommends that you do not use
retreaded tires, since driving safety may
be impaired. The causes for this include poten-
tially different tire casing structures and often
wide variations in tire age, which can result in a
limited service life.<
Correct wheels and tires
BMW recommends that you use only
wheel and tire combinations that BMW
has tested and approved for your particular
vehicle. Variations in factors such as manufac-
turing tolerances mean that even wheels and
tires with identical official size ratings could
actually have different dimensions, which could
lead to body contact and thus to severe acci-
dents. When selecting tires, also take their load
capacity into account. If non-approved wheels
and tires are used, BMW cannot evaluate their
suitability, and therefore cannot guarantee their
driving safety.<
You can inquire about the right wheel/tire com-
bination at your BMW center.
The correct combination of wheels and tires is
also necessary to ensure reliable operation of
various vehicle systems such as ABS or DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single brand and
tread configuration. After a tire has been dam-
aged, mount the previous wheel and tire combi-
nation again as soon as possible.
Wheels with Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM electronics
When mounting new tires or changing over
from summer to winter tires, or vice versa, only
use wheels with TPM electronics; otherwise the
Tire Pressure Monitor may not be able to detect
a puncture, refer to page79. Your BMW center
will be glad to advise you.
Recommended tire brands
Certain makes of tire are recommended by
BMW for each tire size. They are marked with a
clearly visible BMW designation on the sidewall
of the tire.
When properly used, these tires meet the high-
est standards in terms of safety and handling
characteristics.
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW recommends winter tires for winter roads
or at temperatures below +457/+76.
Although all-season M+S tires provide better
winter traction than summer tires, they gener-
ally fail to provide the same levels of cold-
weather performance as winter tires.
Pay attention to speed
Always comply with the speed limit for the
winter tires mounted on your car; failure
to do so could result in tire damage and acci-
dents.<
Storage
Store wheels and tires in a cool, dry place with
as little exposure to light as possible. Always
protect tires against all contact with oil, grease
and fuels. Do not exceed the maximum tire
inflation pressure indicated on the sidewall of
the tire.
Swapping wheels between axles
BMW advises against swapping wheels
between the front and rear axles, even if all tires
have the same size, as this could impair driving
characteristics. With standard-equipment tires
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Technical data
220
Weights
Never exceed either the approved axle loads or
the gross vehicle weight.
Capacities
M3
Approved gross weight lbs/kg 4,740/2,150
Load lbs/kg 1,014/460
Approved front axle load lbs/kg 2,249/1,020
Approved rear axle load lbs/kg 2,624/1,190
Approved roof load capacity lbs/kg 165/75
Cargo bay capacity cu ft/liters 15.9/450
Notes
Fuel tank US gal/liters approx. 16.6/63 Fuel grade: page185
including reserve of US gal/liters approx. 3.3/12.5
Window washer system For more details: page60
including headlamp washers US qt/liters approx. 4.8/4.5
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Everything from A - Z
230 Cargo bay
– capacity220
– convenient access33
– folding up the floor
panel101
– lamp, refer to Interior
lamps87
– opening from inside30
– opening from outside30
Cargo loading
– securing cargo109
– stowing cargo109
– vehicle108
Car jack
– jacking points208
Car key, refer to Remote
control26
Car phone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest98
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Car phone, refer to
Telephone162
Car radio, refer to Radio139
Car shampoo201
Car wash
– before entering51
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system106
CBS Condition Based
Service197
CD, audio playback144
CD changer144
– controls136
– fast forward/reverse146
– installation location148
– random play sequence145
– selecting a track144
– switching on/off136
– tone control136
– volume136CD player144
– controls136
– fast forward/reverse146
– random play sequence145
– selecting a track144
– switching on/off136
– tone control136
– volume136
Center armrest98
Center brake lamp, replacing
bulb206
Center console, refer to
Around the center
console14
Central locking
– from inside29
– from outside27
Central locking system27
– convenient access32
– hotel function31
Changes, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
Changing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs203
Changing gears54
Changing the language on the
Control Display73
Changing the measurement
units on the Control
Display65
Changing wheels208
Chassis number, refer to
Engine compartment193
Check Control70
Check Gas Cap184
Child-restraint fixing system
LATCH47
Child-restraint systems46
Child-safety lock48
Child seats, refer to
Transporting children
safely46
Chrome parts201
Chrome polish201
Cigarette lighter, refer to
Lighter99
Cleaning headlamps59
– washer fluid60Cleaning your BMW, refer to
Care199
Clock62
– 12h/24h mode69
– setting the time and date69
– setting time68
Closing
– from inside29
– from outside27
Clothes hooks98
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting the
engine50
Combined instrument, refer to
Instrument cluster12
Comfort access, refer to
Convenient access32
Comfort area, refer to Around
the center console14
Compartment for remote
control, refer to Ignition
lock49
Compass96
Computer63
– displays on Control
Display64
Computer, refer to iDrive16
Concierge service175
Condensation, refer to When
the vehicle is parked108
Condition Based Service
CBS197
Configuring settings, refer to
Personal Profile
26
Confirmation signals for
locking/unlocking the
vehicle28
Congestion
– refer to Route, bypassing
sections128
Connecting vacuum cleaner,
refer to Connecting
electrical appliances100
Consumption, refer to
Average consumption64
Consumption indicator, refer
to Average consumption64
Control Center, refer to
iDrive16
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Reference 233
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Flat Tire Monitor FTM78
– indicating a flat tire79
– indicator/warning lamp79
– initializing the system78
– malfunction79
– snow chains78,191
– system limits78
Flat tires, refer to Tire
condition189
Fluid reservoir, refer to
Washer fluid reservoir60
FM, waveband139
Folding up the floor panel101
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely107
Footwell lamps, refer to
Interior lamps87
Forward position, engaging,
refer to Selector lever
positions52
For your own safety5
Free memory capacity, music
collection154
Front airbags82
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor78
Fuel184
– average consumption64
– gauge63
– high-quality brands184
– quality184
– specifications184
– tank contents, refer to
Capacities220
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge63
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge63
Fuel filler door184
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction184
Fuses209
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control94Gasoline
– refer to Average
consumption64
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel184
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge63
Gasoline engine, checking
engine oil level193
Gear
– neutral53
Gear display, refer to Displays
in the instrument cluster54
Gearshift lever
– manual transmission51
Gearshifts
– manual transmission51
General driving notes106
Glass roof, electric35
– closing after electrical
malfunction36
– convenient operation28,29
– initializing36
– opening, closing35
– operation with convenient
access33
– pinch protection system36
– power failure36
– raising35
– remote control28
Glove compartment97
GPS navigation, refer to
Navigation system116
Grills89
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights220
H
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake51
Hands-free system14
Hazard warning flashers14
HD radio, refer to High
Definition Radio140
Head airbags82
Headlamp control,
automatic85Headlamp flasher58
– indicator lamp11,13
Head restraints39
– rear, removing39
– sitting safely37
Heated
– mirrors43
– rear window92
– seats40
Heating
– mirrors43
– rear window92
– residual heat91
– seats40
Heating and ventilation, refer
to Climate89
Heating while at a standstill,
refer to Using residual
heat91
Heavy loads, refer to Stowing
cargo109
Height, refer to
Dimensions219
Height adjustment
– seats38
– steering wheel43
High beams87
– headlamp flasher87
– indicator lamp13
High Definition Radio140
High-pressure
washer199,200
High water, refer to Driving
through water107
Highways, refer to Route
criteria127
Hills107
Holders for cups99
Homepage BMW4
Hood192
Hooks for shopping bags101
Horn10,11
Hotel function31
Hot exhaust system106
Hydraulic brake assist, refer to
Brake assist76
Hydroplaning107
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Reference 237
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Pressure monitoring of tires,
refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor TPM79
Programmable buttons on the
steering wheel11
Protection function, refer to
Pinch protection system
– glass roof, electric36
– windows35
Providing medical assistance,
refer to First aid pouch211
Puncture
– Flat Tire Monitor78
R
Radio
– controls136
– High Definition Radio140
– satellite radio142
– selecting a waveband139
– storing stations139
– switching on/off136
– tone control136
– volume136
Radio-operated key, refer to
Remote control26
Radio position, refer to Radio
readiness49
Radio readiness49
– switched off50
– switched on49
Rain sensor59
Reading lamps88
Rear lamps, refer to Tail
lamps205
Rear seats
– adjusting head restraints39
– folding down backrests100
– folding head restraint down
and up40
Rear ventilation92
Rearview mirror, refer to
Mirrors42
Rear window blind, refer to
Roller sun blinds97
Rear window defroster92
Rear window safety switch35Receiving level of mobile
phone, refer to Status
information19
Reception
– quality140
– radio station140
Recirculated-air mode91
Recirculation of air, refer to
Recirculated-air mode91
Reclining seat, refer to
Backrest38
Refueling184
Releasing
– hood192
Remaining distance, refer to
Cruising range64
Remote control26
– battery renewal34
– convenient access32
– garage door opener94
– luggage compartment lid28
– malfunction28,33
– removing from the ignition
lock49
– service data197
Replacement remote
control
26
Replacing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs203
Replacing tires189
Replacing tires, refer to New
wheels and tires189
Reporting safety defects6
Reserve warning, refer to Fuel
gauge63
Reset, refer to Resetting tone
settings138
Residual heat91
Restraint systems
– for children46
– refer to Safety belts41
Reverse
– CD changer146
– CD player146
Reverse gear53
– manual transmission52
Road map129
Roadside
Assistance175,210Roadside parking lamps87
Roadworthiness test, refer to
Service requirements66
Roller blind
– sun blinds97
Roof load capacity220
Roof-mounted luggage
rack109
Rope, refer to Tow-starting,
towing away213
Rotary/pushbutton, refer to
iDrive16
Route127,128
– bypassing sections128
– changing127,128
– changing criteria127
– displaying streets or towns/
cities128
– map display129
– selecting127
Route instructions, refer to
Destination guidance
through voice
instructions128
Route map, refer to Map
display129
Route section, changing128
Route selection127
S
Safety-belt height
adjustment41
Safety belts41
– damage42
– indicator/warning lamp42
– reminder42
– sitting safely37
Safety systems
– airbags82
– Antilock Brake System
ABS76
– brake system76
– driving stability control
systems76
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC76
– safety belts41
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