2012 BMW M3 Owners Manual

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ControlsPractical interior accessories
Cupholders
Use lightweight and shatterproof contain-
ers and do not transp ort hot beverages;
otherwise, there is an incr eased risk of injury in
the event of the accident. Do not force contain-
ers that are too large into the cupholders; other-
wise, damage could result. <
Front
Opening
Briefly press the center of the cover.
Closing
Briefly press the cover in the center and push in
the cupholder.
Coupe: rear
There are two additional cupholders in the rear
center armrest.
Press the front of the armrest.
Convertible: rear
There are two additional cupholders in the rear
console.
Press the button to open.
Before folding down the rear seat back-
rest or using the transport bag, remove all
containers from the cupholder and close it. Do
not place objects into the cupholder and use
force to close it. Do not use the cupholder as a
grab handle. <
Ashtray
Opening
Push the ridge on the cover.
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Emptying
Lift out the insert.
Lighter
With the engine running or the ignition switched
on, press in the cigarette lighter.
The lighter can be pulled ou
t as soon as it pops
back out.
Hold or touch the hot cigarette lighter by
the knob only. Holding or touching it in
other areas could result in burns.
When leaving the car, always remove the
remote control so that children cannot operate
the cigarette lighter and burn themselves. <
Connecting electrical
appliances
In your BMW, when the engine is running or the
ignition is switched on, you can use electrical
devices such as a hand lamp, car vacuum
cleaner, etc. if at least one of the following sock-
ets is available.
The total load of all sockets should not exceed
140 watts at 12 volts.
Avoid damaging the sockets by attempting to
insert plugs of unsuitable shape or size.
Do not connect battery chargers to the
sockets built into the vehicle at the plant;
doing so may damage the vehicle. <
Cigarette lighter socket
To access the socket: take the cigarette lighter
out of the socket.
Socket in the front passenger footwell
A socket is located under the glove compart-
ment on the left.
Socket in the center armrest
External audio device, refer to page 127.
Coupe: socket in cargo area
Open the cap.
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Coupe:
Through-loading system
Opening
1.To release the rear seat backrest, pull the
corresponding lever in the cargo area.
2. The unlocked rear seat backrest moves for-
ward slightly. Fold th e backrest forward by
the head restraint.
Closing
Return the rear seat back rest to its upright posi-
tion and engage it.
When returning the backrest to its seating
position, make sure th at the seat's lock-
ing mechanism engages properly. Otherwise,
cargo could be thrown around in the event of
sharp braking or swervi ng and endanger the
occupants. <
The lashing eyes in the cargo area provide you
with a way to attach ca rgo area nets or draw
straps for securing suitcases and luggage, refer
to page 143.
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 ha rdtop, 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; re fer 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 hard top 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
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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 rear panel of the back-
rest. 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 th at 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 page 141.
Storage compartment behind the rear
seat backrest
A storage compartment is located behind the
rear seat backrest. To access the storage com-
partment: remove the insert or fold down the
rear seat backrest.
When the rear seat backrest is folded
down or the insert has been removed,
only transport small light objects in the storage
compartment; otherwise, braking maneuvers
and swerving, for example, may lead to a safety
hazard due to objects flying about the passen-
ger compartment. Only transport heavy lug-
gage in the cargo area if it has been appropri-
ately secured. <
Storage compartments inside
the cargo area
Coupe
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, the
following storage spaces can be found in the
cargo area:
>Left storage compartment, e.g. for storing a
box of cleaning tissues or up to 12 CD jack-
ets, depending on vehicle equipment ver-
sion
> Net for securing smaller objects, to be
attached to the mounts on the floor panel
> Hooks for hanging up, e.g., shopping bags
or tote bags
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>Rubber strap on the left trim panel for
securing small objects such as a folding
umbrella
> Net for small objects on the right trim panel
of the cargo area
Convertible
Depending on your vehi cle's equipment, the
following storage spaces can be found in the
cargo area:
> Storage compartment on the left side of the
cargo area. To open turn handle by 90°
> Net for securing smaller objects, to be
attached to the mounts on the floor panel
> Rubber strap for subdividing the cargo area;
can be hooked onto th e lateral lashing eyes
> Stowage compartmen t under the floor
panel
Folding up the floor panel
Do not exceed the maximum permissible
load of 55 lbs./25 kg for the storage com-
partment under the floor panel; otherwise, dam-
age may result. <
Coupe
Press the floor panel up and secure it with the
catch.
Convertible
To lift, grab hold of the floor panel at the open-
ing at the rear of the panel.
Lashing eyes
You will find lashing eyelets in the cargo area for
securing luggage items with nets or tensioning
straps, refer to page 143.
Coupe: 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 6.9 ft 10 in/2.10 m. When skis of 6.9 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.
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.
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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 comple tely 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, arrow 1.
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 de signed 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.
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
page 130.
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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 th e 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 loadin g in reverse order.
Removing the front cover
You can remove the fron t cover to use the full
height of the through-loading opening. With the
cover folded down, pull the handle, see arrow,
and remove the cover to ward the front. To
replace, insert the cover at an angle from above
and let it snap it into place.
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Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 333 - \251 08/11 BMW AG