2012 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE Owners Manual

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ControlsTechnology for driving comfort and safety
The trip can be interrupted at any time. When
driving resumes, resetting continues automati-
cally.
Message for low tire inflation pressure
The warning lamps light up in yellow
and red. In addition, a signal sounds.
> There is a flat tire or substantial loss of tire
pressure in the indicated wheel.
> The system was not reset after a wheel
change and thus issues a warning based on
the inflation pressure s initialized last.
Reduce speed and stop the vehicle with cau-
tion. Avoid sudden braking and steering
maneuvers. If the vehicle is not equipped with run-flat
tires, do not continue driving; continuing
to drive can result in serious accidents. <
When a low tire pressure is reported, the
Dynamic Stability Control DSC is activated.
Actions in the event of a flat tire
Run-flat tires
You can continue driving with a damaged tire at
speeds up to 50 mph/80 km/h.
When driving with a damaged tire:
1. Avoid sudden braking and steering maneu-
vers.
2. Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph/80 km/h.
3. At the next opportunity, check the inflation
pressure in all four tires.
If the inflation pressure is correct in all four
tires, then the Tire Pressure Monitor may
not have been reset. The system must then
be reset.
Possible driving distance with complete loss of
tire inflation pressure:
The distance it is possible to drive with a flat tire
depends on the load and the stress on the vehi-
cle while driving. With an average load, it may be possible to drive
for approx. 50 miles/80 km.
When driving with damaged tires, the handling
characteristics ch
ange, e.g. the vehicle will skid
sooner when braking, braking distances will be
longer, or self-steerin g response will change.
Adapt your driving style accordingly. Avoid
turning abruptly and driving over obstacles
such as curbs, potholes, etc.
Since the possible driving distance depends to
a considerable degree on the strain exerted on
the vehicle while driving, it can be shorter or,
with a gentle driving style, can also be longer,
depending on the speed, road condition, out-
side temperature, vehicle load, etc.
Drive cautiously an d do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h.
When there is a tire pressure loss, the handling
characteristics change , e.g. there will be
reduced directional stability during braking,
braking distances will be longer, and self-steer-
ing response will change. <
Vibrations or loud noises while driving can
indicate complete fa ilure of the tire.
Reduce your speed and bring the vehicle to a
stop; otherwise, tire components may become
detached, which could result in an accident. Do
not continue driving; instead, contact your
BMW center. <
Malfunction
The small warning lamp flashes in
yellow and then lights up continu-
ously; the large warning lamp lights
up in yellow. No punctures can be
detected.
Display in the follo wing situations:
> A wheel without TPM electronics has been
installed:
Have it checked by your BMW center.
> Malfunction
Have the system checked.
> Tire Pressure Monitor was unable to com-
plete the resetting process. Reset the sys-
tem again.
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Technology for driving comfort and safety
Controls
The small warning lamp flashes in
yellow and then lights up continu-
ously; the large warning lamp lights
up in yellow. No punctures can be
detected.
Display in the following situations:
> Interference from systems or devices that
use the same radio frequency:
The system automatica lly becomes active
again when the vehicle moves out of the
interference zone.
Declaration according to
NHTSA/FMVSS 138
Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems
Each tire should be checked monthly when cold
and inflated to the inflation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the
vehicle placard or tire infl ation pressure label. If
your vehicle has tires of a different size than the
size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire infla-
tion pressure label, you should determine the
proper tire inflation pres sure for those tires. As
an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring sys-
tem, TPMS, that illuminates a low tire pressure
t e l l t a l e w h e n o n e o r m o r e o f y o u r t i r e s a r e s i g n i f -
icantly underinflated. Accordingly, when the
low tire pressure telltal e illuminates, you should
stop and check your tires as soon as possible,
and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving
on a significantly underi nflated tire causes the
tire to overheat and ca n lead to tire failure.
Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency and
tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s han-
dling and stopping ability. Please note that the
TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire mainte-
nance, and it is the driver’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pr essure, even if underin-
flation has not reached the level at which the
TPMS low tire pressure telltale illuminates.
The TPMS malfunction in dicator is combined
with the low tire pressure telltale. When the sys-
tem detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash
for approximately one minute and then remain
continuously lit. This sequence will continue upon subsequent vehicle startups as long as
the malfunction exists. When the malfunction
indicator is illuminated, the system may not be
able to detect or signal low tire pressure as
intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a
variety of reasons, includ
ing the installation of
replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the
vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning
properly. Always check the TPMS malfunction
telltale after replacing one or more tires or
wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the
replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow
the TPMS to continue to function properly.Active steering
The concept
Active steering varies the turning angle of the
front wheels in relation to steering wheel move-
ments. It also varies the steering force required
to turn the wheels depe nding on the speed at
which you are driving.
When you are driving in the low speed range,
e.g. in a town or when parking, the steering
angle is increased, i.e. steering becomes very
direct and less effort is required to turn the
wheels. In the higher speed range, on the other
hand, the steering angle is reduced as the
speed increases. This im proves the handling of
your BMW over the entire speed range.
In critical situations, the system can make tar-
geted corrections to the steering angle pro-
vided by the driver and thus stabilize the vehicle
before the driver intervenes. This stabilizing
intervention is simult aneously deactivated
when DSC is switched off, refer to page 91.
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ControlsTechnology for driving comfort and safety
Malfunction
The warning lamps light up. Active
steering is malfunctioning or is tem-
porarily deactivate d. At low speeds,
greater steering wheel movements
are required, whereas at higher speeds the
vehicle reacts more sensitively to steering
wheel movements. Th e stability-enhancing
feature may also be deactivated. Drive cau-
tiously and think well ahead.
Deactivation
Active steering is deacti vated to perform an ini-
tialization. A message indicates that the feature
is deactivated. Initializ ation may take several
minutes.
If the message does not disappear during the
current trip, have the system checked.
Defect
If there is a defect, a corresponding message
appears. Have the system checked.
Servotronic
The concept
The Servotronic varies the steering force
required to turn the whee ls relative to the vehi-
cle speed.
At low speeds, the steering force is strongly
assisted, i.e. less force is needed for steering.
As the vehicle speed increases, the steering
assisting power is reduced.
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up. Ser-
votronic is malfunctioning or has
failed. Steering response will be dif-
ferent. You can continue your journey, but mod-
erate your speed and exercise due caution.
Have the system checked as soon as possible.
Brake Force Display
On the left: normal braking.
On the right: sharp braking.
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Technology for driving comfort and safety
Controls
Airbags
The following airbags are located under the
marked covers:
1
Front airbags
2 Coupe: head airbags
3 Side airbags in the seat backrests
4 Convertible: knee airbags
Protective action
Observe the adjustment instructions on
page 42 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 restrain t. 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 si tuation, 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 coveri ngs, and do not attach
holders such as for navi gation instruments or
mobile phones. Do not attach seat cove
rs, 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 individu al 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 faults, immobilization, or after the
airbag system has been triggered, have the
testing, repair, or disassembly and scrapping of
gas generators performe d only by your BMW
center or a workshop 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 resu lt in personal injury.<
Warning notices and information about the air-
bags can also be found on the sun visors.
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ControlsTechnology for driving comfort and safety
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 pass enger 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
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 inst ructions under Trans-
porting children safely, refer to page 53.
The front and side airbags can also be deacti-
vated by adolescents and adults sitting in cer-
tain positions; the indi cator lamp for the front
passenger airbags lights up. In such cases, the
passenger should change his or her sitting
position so that the fr ont 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 light s up when a child in
a specially designated child restraint sys-
tem is detected, as in tended, on the seat.
The front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger are not activated.
Most child seats are detected by the
system, This partic ularly applies to
child seats that were required by NHTSA at
the time of manufacture of the vehicle. After
mounting a child seat, ensure that the indi-
cator lamp for the fron t passenger airbag is
lit. It indicates that th e child seat has been
detected and that the front passenger air-
bags are deactivated. <
> The indicator lamp does not light up 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 light up if the
seat is empty.
The front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger are not activated.
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Technology for driving comfort and safety
Controls
Operational readine
ss of airbag system
As of radio readiness, refer to page 57, the
warning lamp lights up br iefly 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 su fficiently severe acci-
dent occurs. <
Convertible: rollover
protection system
The rollover protection system is activated
automatically in the event of an accident, a crit-
ical driving situation, an extreme tilt in the car's
longitudinal axis or upon loss of ground contact.
The protection bars behind the rear head
restraints deploy within fractions of a second.
As a supplementary system to the reinforced
windshield frame, the rollover protection sys-
tem ensures that the necessary headroom is
maintained for all vehicle occupants. Always keep the area of movement of the
rollover protection system clear.
In minor accidents, yo u are protected by the
fastened safety belt and, depending on acci-
dent severity, by the sa fety belt tensioner and
multi-phase airbag retention system. <
Resetting
If the rollover protection system was not
impacted after being automatically activated, it
can be reset by lowering the protection bars to
their original positions. This does not require
tools.
1. Push the locking lever to one side and hold
it there.
2. Push the protection bar halfway down from
above.
3. Release the locking lever.
4. Push the protection bar down until it snaps
into place.
5. Repeat the procedure for the other protec-
tion bar.
Have the rollover protection system checked
after an unexpected activation.
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ControlsTechnology for driving comfort and safety
Never move the retrac table hardtop when
the rollover protection system is in the
activated position.
Do not make any modifica tions to the individual
components of the rollover protection system
or its cabling.
Work on the rollover protection system should
be performed only by your BMW center.
Incorrectly performed work on the system may
lead to system failure or incorrect operation.
To check the system and ensure flawless long-
term operation, always observe the service
intervals, refer to page 84.<
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103
Lamps
Controls
Lamps
Vehicle equipment
In this chapter, all production, country, and
optional equipment that is offered in the model
range is described. For this reason, descrip-
tions will be given of some equipment that may
not be available in a vehi
cle, for example due to
the special options or national-market version
selected. This also app lies to safety related
functions and systems.
At a glance
0 Lamps off,
daytime running lights
1 Parking lamps and daytime running lights
2 Low beams,
welcome lamps
3 Automatic headlamp co ntrol, daytime run-
ning lights, welcome lamps, High-beam
Assistant, and Adaptive Light Control
Parking lamps/low beams,
automatic headlamp control
General information
When the driver's door is opened with ignition
switched off, then the ex terior lighting is auto-
matically switched off if the light switch is in
position 0, 2 , or 3.
Parking lamps
In switch position 1, the front, rear and side
vehicle lighting is switch ed on. You can use the
parking lamps for parking.
The parking lamps will discharge the bat-
tery. Therefore, do not leave them on for
unduly long periods of time; otherwise, the bat-
tery might not have enou gh power to start the
engine. It is preferable to switch on the left-
hand or right-hand roadside parking lamps,
refer to page 105.<
Low beams
The low beams light up when the light switch is
in position 2 and the ignition is on.
Automatic headlamp control
When the switch is in position 3, the low beams
are switched on and o ff automatically depend-
ing on ambient lighting conditions, e.g. in a tun-
nel, in twilight, or if there is precipitation. The
Adaptive Light Control is active. The LED next
to the symbol is illuminated when the low
beams are on. You can also activate the daytime
running lights, refer to page 104. In the situa-
tions described above, the lamps then automat-
ically switch fr om daytime running lights to low
beams.
The headlamps may also come on when the
sun is sitting low on a blue sky.
The low beams remain switched on inde-
pendent of the ambient lighting condi-
tions when you switch on the fog lamps. <
The automatic headlamp control cannot
serve as a substitute for your personal
judgment in determin ing when the lamps
should be switched on in response to ambient
lighting conditions. For example, the system
cannot detect fog or ha zy weather. To avoid
safety risks, you should always switch on the
low-beam headlamps ma nually under these
conditions. <
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 312 - \251 08/11 BMW AG