2012 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE tow bar

90
ControlsTechnology for driving comfort and safety
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up. PDC is
malfunctioning. Have the system
checked.
To avoid this problem, keep the sensors clean
and free of ice or snow in order to ensure that
they will continue to op erate effectively. When
using a high-pressure cleaner, do not spray the
sensors for extended periods of time and only
from a distance of at least 1 ft/30 cm.
Manual operation
The LED above the button also flashes.
System limitations
Even with PDC, final responsibility for
estimating the distance between the
vehicle and any obstructions always remains
with the driver. Even when sensors are pro-
vided, there is a blind sp ot in which objects can
no longer be detected. The system is also sub-
ject to the physical limits that apply to all forms
of ultrasonic measurement, such as those
encountered with traile r towbars and hitches,
thin or wedge-shaped objects, etc. Low objects
that have already been displayed, e.g. curbs,
can disappear again from the detection area of
the sensors before or af ter a continuous tone
sounds. Higher, protruding objects, e.g. ledges,
cannot be detected. Therefore, always drive
cautiously; otherwise, there is a risk of personal
injury or property damage.
Loud sound sources outside or inside the car
can drown out the PDC signal. Therefore,
always drive cautiously; otherwise, there is a
risk of personal injury or property damage. <
Driving stability control
systems
Your BMW has a number of systems that help
to maintain the vehicle's stability even in
adverse driving conditions.
ABS Antilock Brake System
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during
braking. Safe steering response is maintained
even during full braking. Active safety is thus
increased.
The ABS is operational every time you start the
engine. Braking safely, refer to page 134.
Electronic brake-force distribution
EBV
The system controls the brake pressure in the
rear wheels to ensure stable braking behavior.
Dynamic Brake Control DBC
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system
automatically produces the maximum braking
force boost and thus helps to achieve the short-
est possible braking distance during full brak-
ing. This system exploits all of the benefits pro-
vided by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressu re on the brake for the
duration of the full braking application.
Dynamic Stability Control DSC
DSC prevents the driving wheels from losing
traction when you pull away from rest or accel-
erate. The system also recognizes unstable
driving conditions, for example if the rear of the
car is about to swerve or if momentum is acting
at an angle past the front wheels. In these
cases, DSC helps the vehicle maintain a safe
course within physical lim its by reducing engine
output and through braking actions at the indi-
vidual wheels.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed,
even with DSC. An appropriate driving
style always remains th e responsibility of the
driver. Therefore, do not reduce the additional
safety margin again by taki ng risks, as this could
result in an accident. <
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MobilityReplacing components
Replacing components
Vehicle equipment
In this chapter, all pr oduction, 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.
Onboard vehicle tool kit
Coupe
The onboard vehicle tool kit is stored in a com-
partment on the right-hand side of the cargo
area. Remove the cover.
Convertible
The onboard vehicle tool kit is stored in a pouch
under the cargo area floor panel.
Wiper blades
1. Fold out the wiper arm and hold it.
2. Press together the locking spring, arrows 1,
and fold out the wiper blade, arrow 2.
3. Take the wiper blade ou t of the catch mech-
anism, pulling the blade toward the front.
To avoid damage, make sure that the
wiper arms are against the windshield
before you open the hood. <
Lamps and bulbs
Lamps and bulbs make an essential contribu-
tion to vehicle safety. They should, therefore,
be handled carefully. BMW recommends hav-
ing your BMW center perform any work that you
do not feel competent to perform yourself or
that is not described here.
Never touch the glass of new bulbs with
your bare fingers, as even minute
amounts of contamination will burn into the
bulb's surface and reduce its service life. Use a
clean tissue, cloth or something similar, or hold
the bulb by its base. <
Replacement bulb sets are available at your
BMW center. Only change bulbs while they are cool to
the touch; otherwise, you could suffer
burns. <
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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
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM 95
– resetting the system 95
– system limitations 95
– warning lamp 96
Tire puncture, refer to Flat Tire Monitor 94
Tire Quality Grading 193
Tires
– age 193,195
– air loss 96
– breaking in 132
– changing, refer to Changing wheels 211
– condition 194
– damage 194
– inflation pressure 177
– labels 193
– minimum tread depth 194
– new wheels and tires 195
– pressure monitoring, refer to Flat Tire Monitor 93
– pressure monitoring, refer to Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM 95
– puncture 94
– replacing 195
– Run-flat tires 196
– size 193
– storage 196
– tread depth 194
– wear indicators, refer to Minimum tread depth 194
– wheel/tire combination, refer
to Correct wheels and
tires 195
– winter tires 196
Tone
– control 143
– middle setting 144
Tools, refer to Onboard vehicle tool kit 208
Top, refer to Retractable
hardtop 38
Torque, refer to Engine data 234 Tow bar
218
Tow fitting 217
– screw thread 217
Tow fittings for tow-starting and towing away 217
Towing 217
– car with automatic transmission 217
– methods 218
– with 7-gear Sport automatic transmission with double
clutch 218
Towing and tow-starting 217
Tow rope 218
Tow-s
tarting 217,219
TPM, refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor 95
Traction control, refer to Dynamic Stability Control
DSC 90
Transmission
– 7-gear Sport automatic
transmission with double
clutch 62
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic 60
– idle position 63
– Launch Control 66
– manually unlocking parking lock 65
– manual transmission 60
– overriding selector lever lock for automatic transmission
with Steptronic 62
– reverse gear 63
Transmission interlock
– refer to Changing selector
lever position 60
– refer to P Park 60
Transporting children
safely 53
Transport securing devices, refer to Securing cargo 137
Tread depth, refer to Minimum tire tread 194 Trip-distance coun
ter, refer to
Trip odometer 78
Triple turn signal activation 67
Trip odometer 78
Trunk lid 31
– Comfort Access 34
– emergency release 31
– locking or unlocking
separately 31
– opening from inside 31
– opening from outside 31
– remote control 27
Turning circle, refer to Dimensions 235
Turn signal 67
Turn signal indicators
– indicator/warning lamp 12
Turn signals
– triple turn signal 67
Tying down loads, refer to Cargo loading 137
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading/
UTQR 193
Units
– average fuel
consumption 83
Units of measure
– temperature 83
Universal garage door opener, refer to Integrated universal
remote control 116
Unlatching, refer to Unlocking 33
Unlocking
– from inside 30
– from outside 25
– setting unlocking
characteristics 26
– trunk lid 34
– without remote control, refer
to Comfort Access 33
USB audio interface 151
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 312 - \251 08/11 BMW AG