2011 BMW M3 COUPE seats

Technology for driving comfort and safety
98
Airbags
The following airbags are located under the
marked covers:
1Front airbags
2Coupe: head airbags
3Side airbags in the seat backrests
4Convertible: knee airbags
Protective action
Observe the adjustment instructions on
page42 to ensure the best possible per-
sonal protection.<
The front airbags help protect the driver and
front passenger by responding to frontal
impacts in which safety belts alone cannot pro-
vide adequate restraint. When needed, the
head and side airbags help provide protection in
the event of side impact. The relevant side air-
bag supports the side upper body area. The
head air bag supports the head.
The airbags have been designed to not be trig-
gered in every collision situation, e.g. not in
minor accidents or rear-end collisions.
Do not apply adhesive materials to the
cover panels of the airbags, cover them or
modify them in any other way.
Keep the dashboard and windows on the front
passenger side clear, i.e. do not cover with
adhesive labels or coverings, and do not attach
holders such as for navigation instruments or
mobile phones.
Do not attach seat covers, cushions or other
objects not specifically approved for seats with
integral side airbags to the front seats. Do not
hang items of clothing such as coats or jackets over the backrests. Do not attempt to remove
the airbag retention system from the vehicle.
Do not modify the individual components of the
system or its wiring in any way. This includes
the upholstered covers on the steering wheel,
instrument panel, seats and roof posts, as well
as the sides of the roof lining. Do not attempt
to remove or dismantle the steering wheel.
Do not touch the individual components imme-
diately after the system has been triggered,
because there is a danger of burns.
In the event of malfunctions, deactivation or
triggering of the airbag restraint system, have
the testing, repair, removal and disposal of air-
bag generators executed only by a BMW center
or a workshop that works according to repair
procedures of BMW with correspondingly
trained personnel and that has the required
explosives licenses. Unprofessional attempts
to work on the system could lead to failure in an
emergency or to undesired airbag activation,
either of which could result in personal injury.<
Warning notices and information about the air-
bags can also be found on the sun visors.
Automatic deactivation of the front
passenger airbags
An analysis of the impression in the front pas-
senger seat cushion determines whether and
how the seat is occupied. The front and side air-
bags for the front passenger are activated or
deactivated by the system accordingly.
The indicator lamp above the interior
rearview mirror shows the current status
of the front passenger airbags, deactivated or

Controls
99Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
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Mobility
activated, refer to Status of front passenger air-
bags below.<
Before transporting a child on the front
passenger seat, read the safety precau-
tions and handling instructions under Trans-
porting children safely, refer to page52.
The front and side airbags can also be deacti-
vated by adolescents and adults sitting in cer-
tain positions; the indicator lamp for the front
passenger airbags comes on. In such cases, the
passenger should change his or her sitting
position so that the front passenger airbags are
activated and the indicator lamp goes out. If the
desired airbag status cannot be achieved by
changing the sitting position, transport the rele-
vant passenger on a rear seat. Do not attach
seat covers, seat cushion padding, ball mats or
other items to the front passenger seat unless
they are specifically recommended by BMW.
Do not place any items under the seat which
could press against the seat from below. Other-
wise, a correct analysis of the seat cushion is
not ensured.<
Status of front passenger airbags
The indicator lamp for the front passenger air-
bags shows the functional status of the front
passenger front and side airbags in accordance
with whether and how the front passenger seat
is occupied. The indicator lamp shows whether
the front passenger airbags are activated or
deactivated.
>The indicator lamp lights up when a child in
a specially designated child restraint sys-
tem is detected, as intended, on the seat.
The front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger are not activated.Most child seats are detected by the
system, especially child seats
required by the NHTSA at the time of vehi-
cle production. After mounting a child seat,
ensure that the indicator lamp for the front
passenger airbag is lit. It indicates that the
child seat has been detected and that the
front passenger airbags are deactivated.<
>The indicator lamp does not come on as
long as a person of sufficient size and in a
correct sitting position is detected on the
seat.
The front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger are activated.
>The indicator lamp does not come on if the
seat is empty.
The front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger are not activated.
Operational readiness of airbag system
As of radio readiness, refer to page55, the
warning lamp comes on briefly to indicate that
the entire airbag system and the belt tensioners
are operational.
Airbag system malfunction
>Warning lamp does not light up at radio
readiness or beyond.
>Warning lamp remains permanently on.
In the event of a fault in the airbag system,
have it checked without delay; otherwise,
there is the risk that the system will not function
as intended even if a sufficiently severe acci-
dent occurs.<

Controls
115Reference
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Driving tips
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Mobility
USB interface for data transmission
Port for importing and exporting data on USB
devices, e.g. music collections, refer to
page176.
Observe the following when connecting:
>Do not use force when plugging the con-
nector into the USB audio interface.
>Do not connect devices such as fans or
lamps to the USB audio interface.
>Do not connect USB hard drives.
>Do not use the USB interface to recharge
external devices.
Center armrest
Storage compartment
The center armrest between the front seats
contains either a compartment or the cover for
the snap-in adapter
*, depending on the equip-
ment version.
Opening
Press the button, see arrow.
Settings*
Slide the center armrest on the driver's side into
the desired position.
Connection for external audio device
You can connect an external audio device such
as a CD or MP3 player and play audio tracks
over the car's loudspeaker system:
>AUX-IN port, refer to page177
>USB audio interface
*/additional connection
of the music player in the mobile phone
*,
refer to page178

Controls
119Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Convertible:
Cargo loading
Enlarging the cargo area
When the hardtop is closed you can enlarge the
cargo area:
To do so, push the cargo area partition upward.
Before opening the hardtop, push the cargo
area partition down until it engages on both
sides.
Before moving the hardtop, ensure that
there are no objects on or next to the
cargo area partition; otherwise, parts of the
hardtop may be damaged. Do not exceed the
maximum loading height; refer to the sticker in
the cargo area showing a line indicating the
maximum height. Do not use force to push
down the cargo area partition.<
The retractable hardtop can only be
opened if the cargo area partition is in its
lowermost position and engaged on both
sides.<
Folding down the rear seat backrest
Opening
You can fold down the rear seat backrest to
transport light objects in the rear without dam-aging the seats. Depending on the vehicle
equipment, the mounting points for the cargo
area net
* are found on the back of the seat
backrest. To unlock the rear seat backrest:
press the button on the driver's or the opposite
side.
Closing
Return the rear seat backrest to the upright
seating position and engage it.
When returning the backrest to its seating
position, make sure that the seat's lock-
ing mechanism engages properly. Otherwise,
cargo could be thrown around in the event of
sharp braking or swerving and endanger the
occupants.<
Bag holder*
W h e n t h e r e a r s e a t b a c k r e s t i s f o l d e d d o w n , y o u
will find two bag holders on the cargo area wall:
1.Fold open the holder by pressing the but-
ton.
2.Press the handles of the bag onto the
holder from above.
Only hang light shopping bags or other
suitable objects from the holders; other-
wise, braking maneuvers and swerving, for
example, may lead to a safety hazard due to
objects flying about the passenger compart-
ment. Only transport heavy luggage in the
cargo area if it has been appropriately
secured.<
For more information on loading the vehicle,
refer to page129.

Controls
121Reference
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Mobility
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.Clip the hooks of the ski bag retaining strap
into the eyelet.
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
faster 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.
3.Pull out the insert, arrow 2.
For more information on the various
inserts available, contact your BMW cen-
ter.<
Convertible: through-loading
opening with integrated
transport bag*
The transport bag is designed for safe, clean
transport of up to 4 pairs of standard skis or up
to 2 snowboards.
When the rear seat backrest is folded up, you
can remove the insert and use the transport bag
with the regular through-loading opening. To
transport larger objects, you can fold down the
rear seat backrest to create an expanded
through-loading opening.
With the transport bag you can stow skis with a
length of up to 6.2 ft/1.90 m. When skis of 6.2 ft/
1.90 m length are loaded, the overall capacity of
the transport bag is reduced due to its tapered
design.

Practical interior accessories
122
Loading
1.For loading using the regular through-load-
ing opening:
Press the button down and remove the
insert from the front.
For loading with the through-loading open-
ing expanded:
Fold down the rear seat backrest, refer to
page119.
2.Front cover: press the two recesses
together and fold the cover down until it
engages.
3.In the cargo area: press the two recesses
together and fold down the cover.
4.Undo the Velcro fastener and spread out
the transport bag between the front seats.5.Insert the latch plate of the retaining strap
into the belt buckle under the transport bag.
6.Load the transport bag. The zipper eases
access to the stored items.
Only place clean skis in the transport bag. Wrap
sharp edges to prevent damage.
You can use the snaps to shorten the transport
bag if you do not need its full length.
Securing cargo
After loading, secure the transport bag and its
contents. Tighten the retaining strap on the
tensioning buckle for this purpose.
Secure the transport 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 transport bag, perform the steps
described for loading in reverse order.

Reference 259
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
AUX-IN
– port115
AUX-IN port177
Available services202
Average fuel consumption77
– setting the units80
Average speed77
Avoid highways in
navigation144
Avoiding unintentional
alarms33
Axle loads, refer to
Weights249
B
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support44
Backrests, refer to Seat
adjustment43
Backrest width adjustment44
Back seats
– refer to Rear seats46
Bag holder119
Band-aids, refer to First aid
pouch239
Bar, refer to Towing
methods242
Base plate for telephone or
mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter195
– refer to Snap-in adapter in
the center armrest storage
compartment115
Bass, tone setting154
Battery237
– charging237
– disposal35,237
– jump-starting239
– remote control26
– replacing237
– temporary power failure237
Battery for mobile phone195
Battery renewal
– remote control35
– remote control for vehicle35
Being towed241
Belt hand-over49
– pinch protection system50Belts, refer to Safety belts49
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts49
Beverage holders, refer to
Cupholders116
Black ice, refer to Outside
temperature warning75
Blinds, refer to Roller sun
blinds114
Blower, refer to Air
volume108
Bluetooth, activating/
deactivating187
BMW
– car shampoo232
BMW Assist198
BMW Assist,
activating200,202
BMW Homepage4
BMW Maintenance
System227
BMW Search200
BMW webpage4
Bottle holders, refer to
Cupholders116
Brake Assist, refer to Dynamic
Brake Control DBC89
Brake fluid, refer to Service
requirements80
Brake Force Display97
Brake lamps
– Brake Force Display97
Brake pads126
– breaking in126
Brake rotors128
– brakes126
– breaking in126
Brakes
– ABS89
– BMW Maintenance
System227
– Brake Force Display97
– breaking in126
– parking brake57
– service requirements80
Brakes, refer to Braking
safely128Brake system126
– BMW Maintenance
System227
– breaking in126
– disc brakes128
Breakdown services, refer to
Roadside Assistance238
Breaking in the clutch126
Breaking in the differential,
refer to Engine and
differential126
Break-in period126
Brightness of the Control
Display87
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps
and bulbs233
Button for starting the engine,
refer to Start/stop button55
Buttons on the steering
wheel11
C
California Proposition 65
warning6
Call
– accepting188
– ending188
– rejecting188
Calling, refer to Phone
numbers, dialing188
Calling, refer to Telephone
owner's manual
Can holders, refer to
Cupholders116
Capacities250
Capacity of the cargo area249
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery237
Car care, refer to Care229

Everything from A to Z
260 Care229
– automatic car washes229
– care products229
– carpets232
– CD/DVD drives232
– chrome parts231
– displays232
– exterior229
– fine wood parts232
– headlamps230
– high-pressure washer230
– interior231
– leather231
– light-alloy wheels231
– paintwork230
– plastic parts232
– retractable hardtop230
– rubber seals231
– safety belts232
– sensors and cameras232
– upholstery and cloth
trim231
– washing the car
manually230
– windows230
Cargo, securing130
Cargo area
– capacity249
– Comfort Access34
– folding up the floor
panel120
– lamp, refer to Interior
lamps105
– opening from inside31
– opening from outside31
Cargo loading129
– securing cargo130
– stowing cargo130
– vehicle129
Car jack
– jacking points236
Car key, refer to Integrated
key/remote control26
Car phone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest115
– refer to separate Owner's
ManualCar phone, refer to
Telephone184
Car radio, refer to Radio157
Car shampoo232
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system127
CD, audio playback165
CD changer165,169
– controls154
– fast forward/reverse167
– filling or emptying the
magazine170
– random play sequence166
– selecting a track165
– switching on/off154
– tone control154
– volume154
CD player165
– controls154
– fast forward/reverse167
– random play sequence166
– selecting a track165
– switching on/off154
– tone control154
– volume154
Center armrest115
Center brake lamp
– replacing bulb235
Center console, refer to
Around the center
console14
Central locking
– from inside30
– from outside27
Central locking system27
– Comfort Access33
– hotel function31
– setting unlocking
characteristics28
Changes, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
Changing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs233
Changing gears62
Changing the language on the
Control Display87
Changing the measurement
units on the Control
Display80Changing wheels236
Chassis number, refer to
Engine compartment223
Check Control84
Child restraint fixing system
LATCH53
Child restraint systems52
Child seats, refer to
Transporting children
safely52
Chrome parts232
Chrome polish232
Cigarette lighter, refer to
Lighter117
Cleaning headlamps66
– washer fluid66
Cleaning your BMW, refer to
Care229
Climate control
– automatic air
distribution
107
Clock75
– 12h/24h mode83
– setting the time and date83
– setting time83
Closing
– from inside30
– from outside27
Clothes hooks116
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting the
engine56
Comfort Access33
– replacing the battery35
Comfort access, refer to
Comfort Access33
Comfort area, refer to Around
the center console14
Compartment for remote
control, refer to Ignition
lock55
Compass113
Computer76
– displays on Control
Display77
Computer, refer to iDrive16
Concierge service199
Condensation, refer to When
the vehicle is parked128