2012 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE tow

209
Replacing components
Mobility
When working on electrical systems,
always begin by switching off the con-
sumer in question; otherwise, short-circuits
could result. To avoid possible injury or equip-
ment damage when replacing bulbs, observe
any instructions provided by the bulb manufac-
turer. <
For care of the headla mps, please follow the
instructions in the ch apter entitled 'Care'.
To replace lamps not described here,
please contact your BMW center. <
Light-emitting diodes LED
Light-emitting diodes installed behind translu-
cent lenses serve as the light source for many of
the controls, displays, and equipment in your
vehicle. These light-emitting diodes, which
operate using a concept similar to that applied
in conventional lasers, are officially designated
as Class 1 light-emitting diodes.
Do not remove the co vers or expose the
eyes directly to the unfiltered light source
for several hours; otherw ise, this could cause
irritation of the retina. <
Headlight lenses
In cool or humid weather, condensation may
form on the interior of outside lamps. The con-
densation will disappear after a short time when
driving with the headlamps switched on. The
headlamp glasses do not need to be changed.
If the headlamps do not defrost despite driving
with the headlamps switch ed on, and additional
moisture builds up, for example water droplets
in the lamps, have them checked by your BMW
center.
Xenon lamps
These bulbs have a very lo ng service life and are
highly unlikely to fail. If a xenon lamp fails never-
theless, switch on the fog lamps and continue
the journey with great ca re, provided that local
legislation does not prohibit this. Have all work on the xenon lamp system,
including bulb replacements, performed
only by your BMW center . Due to high voltage,
there is a risk of fatal injury if work on the xenon
lamps is carried out improperly. <
Access to the lamps
1.Switch off the lamps and take the remote
control out of the ignition lock.
2. Remove the upper co ver from the head-
lamp. To do so, use a screwdriver to press
the catches towards the rear, see arrows,
and pull the cover forward and out.
Follow the same steps in reverse order to reat-
tach the cover. Be careful when inst alling the cover; oth-
erwise, leaks could occur and cause dam-
age to the headlamp system.<
Parking lamps and roadside parking
lamps, daytime running lights
These lamps use LED technology for operation.
If they malfunction, please contact your BMW
center.
Corner-illuminating lamps
H3 bulb, 55 watts
1. Switch off the lamps and take the remote
control out of the ignition lock.
2. Remove the cover, re fer to Access to the
lamps.
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210
MobilityReplacing components
3.Push the wire bracket out of the anchor
towards the right and fold it up.
4. Disconnect the plug, change the bulb and
reconnect the plug.
5. Insert the bulb.
6. Fold the wire bracket down and engage it.
7. Reattach the cover.
Turn signals, front
These lamps use LED technology for operation.
If they malfunction, please contact your BMW
center.
Side turn signals
W5W bulb, 5 watts
1.Press the front edge of the lamp toward the
rear with your fingertip, arrow 1 and pivot it
out, arrow 2.
2. While simultaneously lifting the retaining
tab, rotate bulb hold er to the left and
remove.
3. Remove lamp and replace it.
To install, insert rear end of the lamp and press
into place at the front.
Tail lamps
Coupe: overview
The tail lamps are divided in two parts. One part
is in the trunk lid, the other is in the fender.
1 Backup lamp
2 Brake lamp
3 Parking/tail lamps
4 Turn signal
5 Brake Force Display lamp
6 Parking/tail lamps
Convertible: overview
The tail lamps are divided in two parts. One part
is in the trunk lid, the other is in the fender.
1 Backup lamp
2 Brake lamp
3 Parking/tail lamps
4 Turn signal
5 Brake Force Display lamp
6 Parking/tail lamps
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217
Giving and receiving assistance
Mobility
5.
Attach the second te rminal clamp of the
minus/– jumper cable to the negative termi-
nal of the battery or to the engine or body
ground of the vehicle to be started.
Starting the engine
1. Start the engine of the donor vehicle and
allow it to run for a fe w minutes at slightly
increased idle speed.
2. Start the engine on the other vehicle in the
usual way.
If the first start attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes be fore another attempt
in order to allow the discharged battery to
recharge.
3. Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4. Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing
the above connecting sequence.
If necessary, have th e battery checked and
recharged.
Never use spray fluids to start the
engine. <
Tow-starting, towing away
Observe the applicable laws and regula-
tions for tow-starting and towing vehi-
cles. <
Do not transport any passengers other
than the driver in a vehicle that is being
towed. <
Using a tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting must always be carried
in the car. It can be sc rewed in at the front or
rear of the BMW.
Coupe: it is stored in the onboard vehicle tool kit
underneath the cover on the right-hand side of
the cargo area, refer to page 208.
Convertible: it is stored in the onboard vehicle
tool kit underneath the ca rgo area floor, refer to
page 208. 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 page57; otherwise, the low-beam
headlamps, tail lamps, turn signal indicators and
windshield wipers may be unavailable.
Power steering assistance is not available when
the engine is not running. Thus, braking and
steering will require in creased effort. Active
steering is not active an d it will be necessary to
turn the steering wheel further. <
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MobilityGiving and receiving assistance
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Automatic transmission
Selector lever in position N.
Changing selector lever positions, refer to
page60.
Do not exceed a towing speed of 45 mph
or 70 km/h and a towing distance of
90 miles/150 km; otherwise, the automatic
transmission may be damaged. <
Sport automatic transmission with
double clutch
Make sure that the parking lock P is not
engaged; otherwise, the rear wheels are
immobilized.
When using the car wash function, refer to
page 205, note that the parking lock P is
engaged automatically after approx.
30 minutes, blocking the rear wheels.
In the event of an electrical malfunction or if the
vehicle must be towed for more than approx.
20 minutes, unlock the parking lock manually,
refer to page 65.<
When towing, do not exceed a maximum
speed of 30 mph or 50 km/h and a maxi-
mum distance traveled of 30 miles/50 km; oth-
erwise, the transmission may be damaged. <
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 la teral forces if it is
attached offset.
Attach the tow bar to the tow fittings only,
as attaching it to othe r 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: vehicle without xDrive
Manual and automatic transmission:
Sport automatic transmission with double
clutch:
Have the BMW transported with a tow truck
with a so-called lift bar, or on a flatbed.
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Giving and receiving assistance
Mobility
Do not tow the vehicle wi
th just the rear axle
raised as this may caus e the steering to turn.
With a tow truck: vehicle with xDrive
Do not tow a BMW with xDrive with just
the front or rear axle raised; otherwise, the
wheels could lock up and the transfer case
could be damaged. <
Have the BMW transported on a flatbed surface
only.
Tow-starting
Avoid tow-starting the vehicle whenever possi-
ble; instead, jump-start the engine, refer to
page 216Vehicles with a catalytic converter
should only be tow-star ted when the engine is
cold; vehicles with an automatic transmission or
Sport automatic transmission with double
clutch cannot be tow-started at all.
1. Switch on hazard warning flashers, comply
with local regulations.
2. Switch on the ignition, refer to page 57.
3. Shift into 3rd gear.
4. Have the vehicle tow-st arted 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.
With xDrive: do not activate Hill Descent
Control HDC when the vehicle is being
tow-started, page 92.<
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Everything from A to Z
Reference
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic 60
– interlock 60
– overriding selector lever lock 62
– shiftlock, refer to Changing selector lever position 60
– sport program 61
– towing 217
– tow-starting 217
AUTO program for automatic
climate control 113
AUTOSTORE 144
AUX-IN
– port 121
AUX-In connection 151
AUX-IN port 143
Average fuel consumption 80
– setting the units 83
Average speed 80,81
Avoiding unintentional alarms 33
Axle loads, refer to Weights 237
B
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support 44
Backrests, refer to Seat adjustment 43
Backrest width adjustment 44
Back seats
– refer to Rear seats 46
Bag holder 124
Band-aids, refer to First aid pouch 215
Bar, refer to Towing methods 218
Base plate for telephone or
mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter 165
– refer to Snap-in adapter in
the center armrest storage
compartment 120 Battery
212
– charging 212
– disposal 35,213
– jump-starting 216
– remote control 24
– replacing 212
– temporary power failure 212
Battery renewal
– remote control 35
– remote control for vehicle 35
Being towed 217
Belt hand-over 49
– pinch protection system 50
Belts, refer to Safety belts 49
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts 49
Beverage holders, refer to Cupholders 121
Black ice, refer to Outside
temperature warning 78
Blinds, refer to Roller sunblinds 120
Blower, refer to Air volume 110,113
Bluetooth, activating/
deactivating 157
BMW
– car shampoo 207
BMW Assist 167
– activating 168
BMW Homepage 4
BMW Maintenance System 202
BMW Professional radio
– recalling stations 144
– sampling stations 144
– satellite radio 146
– selecting waveband 144
– station search 144
– storing stations 144
– switching on/off 142
– t

one control 143
– volume 142
BMW Teleservices 168
– activating 168
BMW webpage 4 Bottle holders, refer to
Cupholders 121
Brake Assist, refer to Dynamic Brake Control DBC 90
Brake fluid, refer to Service
requirements 84
Brake Force Display 98
Brake lamps
– Brake Force Display 98
Brake pads 132
– breaking in 132
Brake pedal, refer to Braking safely 134
Brake rotors 135
– brakes 132
– breaking in 132
Brakes
– ABS 90
– BMW Maintenance
System 202
– Brake Force Display 98
– breaking in 132
– parking brake 59
– service requirements 84
Brakes, refer to Braking
safely 134
Brake system 132
– BMW Maintenance
System 202
– breaking in 132
– disc brakes 135
Breakdown services, refer to Roadside Assistance 215
Breaking in the clutch 132
Breaking in the differential, refer to Engine and
differential 132
Break-in period 132
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps and bulbs 208
Button for starting the engine, refer to Start/Stop button 57
Buttons on the steering
wheel 11
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ReferenceEverything from A to Z
C
California Proposition 65
warning 6
Call
– accepting 160
– ending 161
– rejecting 161
Calling, refer to Phone numbers, dialing 161
Calling, refer to Telephone
owner's manual
Can holders, refer to Cupholders 121
Capacities 239
Capacity of the cargo area 237
Car battery, refer to Vehicle battery 212
Car care, refer to Care 204
Care 204
– automatic car washes 204
– care products 204
– carpets 207
– CD/DVD drives 207
– chrome parts 206
– displays 207
– exterior 204
– fine wood parts 207
– headlamps 205
– high-pressure washer 205
– interior 206
– leather 206
– light-alloy wheels 206
– paintwork 205
– plastic parts 207
– retractable hardtop 205
– rubber seals 206
– safety belts 207
– sensors and cameras 207
– upholstery and cloth
trim 206
– washing the car manually 205
– windows 205
Cargo, securing 137 Cargo area
– capacity
237
– Comfort Access 34
– folding up the floor panel 125
– lamp, refer to Interior lamps 107
– opening from inside 31
– opening from outside 31
Cargo loading 135
– securing cargo 137
– stowing cargo 136
– vehicle 135
Car jack
– jacking points 212
Ca
r key, refer to Integrated
key/remote control 24
Car phone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest 120
– refer to separate Owner's Manual
Car phone, refer to Telephone 156
Car radio, refer to Radio 18
Car radio, refer to Radio BMW Professional 142
Car shampoo 207
Catalytic converter, refer to Hot exhaust system 134
CD changer 147
– controls 18
– fast forward/reverse 148
– installation location 148
– random sequence 148
– selecting a CD 147
– selecting a track 148
– volume 142
CD player 147
– changing the track 148
– controls 18
– fast forward/reverse 148
– playing a track 148
– random order 148
– volume 142
Center armrest 120 Center brake lamp
– replacing bulb
211
Center console, refer to Around the center
console 14
Central locking
– from inside 29
– from outside 25
Central locking system 25
– Comfort Access 33
– hotel function 31
– setting unlocking characteristics 26
Changes, technical, refer to
For your own safety 5
Changing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs 208
Changing gears 64
Changing wheels 211
Chassis number, refer to Engine compartment 197
Check Control 87
Child restraint fixing system LATCH 54
Child restraint systems 53
Child seats, refer to Transporting children
safely 53
Chrome parts 207
Chrome polish 207
Cigarette lighter, refer
to
Lighter 122
Cleaning headlamps 68
– washer fluid 69
Cleaning your BMW, refer to Care 204
Climate control
– automatic air distribution 113
Clock 78
– 12h/24h format 83
– setting time 86
Closing
– from inside 29
– from outside 25
Clothes hooks 121
Cockpit 10
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Everything from A to Z
Reference
Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing
away 217
– for tying down loads 137
F
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control 87
Failure of an electrical consumer 213
False alarm
– avoiding unintentional alarm 33
– switching off an alarm 32
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts 49
Fast forward
– CD 148
Fault messages, refer to Check Control 87
Filter
– refer to Microfilter/activated- charcoal filter for automatic
climate control 115
– refer to Microfilter for air conditioner 111
First aid pouch 215
Fixture for remote control, refer to Ignition lock 57
Flash when locking/
unlocking 27
Flat tire
– Run-flat tires 196
– Tire Pressure Monitor TPM 95
Flat Tire Monitor FTM 93
– indicating a flat tire 94
– indicator/warning lamp 94
– initialization 93
– snow chains 93,196
– system limits 93
Flat tires, refer to Tire
condition 194
Fluid reservoir, refer to Washer fluid reservoir 69
FM waveband 144 Fog lamps
107
– indicator lamp 107,220
Folding up the floor panel 125
Footwell lamps, refer to Interior lamps 107
For your own safety 5
Four-wheel drive, refer to xDrive 92
Front airbags 99
FTM, refer to Flat Tire Monitor 93
Fuel 175
– average consumption 80
– gauge 79
– high-quality brands 175
– quality 175
– specifications 175
– tank contents, refer to Capacities 239
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel gauge 79
Fuel consumption indicator
– av

erage fuel
consumption 80
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge 79
Fuel filler flap 174
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction 174
Fuses 213
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control 116
Gasoline
– refer to Average consumption 80
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel 175
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel gauge 79
Gear indicator, automatic transmission with
Steptronic 60 Gear indicator, refer to
Displays in the instrument
cluster 63
Gearshift lever 62
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic 60
– manual transmission 60
Gearshifts
– automatic transmission with Steptronic 60
– manual transmission 60
General driving notes 133
Glass roof, electric 37
– closing after electrical
malfunction 37
– convenient opening and
closing 26,29
– convenient opening and closing with Comfort
Access 34
– initializing 37
– opening, closing 37
– pinch protection system 37
– power failure 37
– remote control 26
– tilting 37
Glove compartment 120
Gong
– volume 142
Grills, refer to Air vents 110
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights 237H
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake 59
Hands-free system 14,163
Hazard warning flashers 14
HDC Hill Descent Control 92
HD Radio™ reception 145
Head airbags 99
Headlamp control,
automatic 103
Headlamp flasher 67
– indicator lamp 11,14, 220
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