2012 BMW M3 dashboard

Contents
The quickest way to find special topics is to
consult the index, refer to page298.
4 Notes
7 Reporting safety defects
At a glance
10Dashboard
18 iDrive
25 Voice activation system
Controls
30Opening and closing
47 Adjustments
57 Transporting children safely
61 Driving
82 Controls overview
96 Technology for driving comfort and
safety
110 Lamps
116 Climate
122 Practical interior accessories
Driving tips
138Things to remember when driving
Navigation
148Navigation system
150 Destination entry
159 Destination guidance
167 What to do if …
Entertainment
170On/off and tone
173 Radio
176 Satellite radio
181 CD/DVD player and CD changer
188 Music collection
194 External devices
Communications
204Telephone
217 Office
226 Contacts
228 ConnectedDrive
Mobility
236Refueling
239 Wheels and tires
259 Engine compartment
264 Maintenance
266 Care
270 Replacing components
276 Giving and receiving assistance
Reference
284Technical data
290 Short commands for the voice activation
system
298 Everything from A to Z
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 333 - \251 08/11 BMW AG

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At a glanceDashboard
Dashboard
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.
Around the steering wheel : controls and displays
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 333 - \251 08/11 BMW AG

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Dashboard
At a glance
4
Exterior mirrors folding in and out 55
5 Adjusting exterior mirrors, automatic curb
monitor 55
9 Instrument cluster 12 12
Ignition lock 61
13 Buttons on the steering wheel
15 Horn, entire surface
16 Adjusting the steering wheel 56
18 Releasing the hood 260
19 OBD socket 265
20 Opening the trunk lid 35
1
Convertible: opening and closing
windows jointly
40
2 Convertible: opening and closing
rear windows
40
3 Opening and closing front
windows
40
6 Parking lamps 110
Low beams 110
Automatic head lamp control110
Adaptive Light Control 112
High-beam Assistant 113
7 Fog lamps 114
8 Turn signals 71
High beams, headlamp
flasher 112
High-beam Assistant 113
Roadside parking lamps 112
Computer 84
Settings and information about the
vehicle 86
10 Windshield wipers 71
Rain sensor 72
11Switching the ignition on/off and
starting/stopping the engine
61
Telephone: accepting and ending
a call; dialing the selected phone
number; redialing if no phone
number is selected
Convertible: microphone on steer-
ing column
Volume
Activating/deactivating the voice
activation system 25
Convertible: microphone on steer-
ing column
Changing the radio station
Interrupting a traffic bulletin
Selecting a music track
Scrolling through the redial list
Next entertainment source
Recirculated air mode 118
14 Steering wheel heating 56
17 Cruise control 75
Active Cruise Control 75
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 333 - \251 08/11 BMW AG

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At a glanceDashboard
Instrument cluster
1Speedometer
2 Indicator lamps for turn signals
3 Indicator and warning lamps 13
4 Displays for Active Cruise Control 75
5 Tachometer 83
6 Engine oil temperature 83
7 Display for
>Clock 82
> Outside temperature 82
> Indicator and warning lamps 928
Display for
>Position of automatic transmission 64
> Gear indicator of 7-gear Sport automatic
transmission with double clutch 66
> Computer 84
> Date of next scheduled service, and
remaining distance to be driven 87
> Odometer and trip odometer 82
> High-beam Assistant 113
> Checking the oil level 260
> Settings and information 86
> There is a Check Control
message 92
9 Fuel gauge 83
10 Resetting the trip odometer 82
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 333 - \251 08/11 BMW AG

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Dashboard
At a glance
Indicator and warning lamps
The concept
Indicator and warning lamps can light up in a
variety of combinations and colors.
Several of the lamps are checked for proper
functioning and light up temporarily when the
engine is started or the ignition is switched on.
Text messages
Text messages at the to
p edge of the Control
Display describe the mean ings of the indicator
and warning lamps.
Supplementary text messages
You can call up more information on the Control
Display, e.g. on the cause of a malfunction and
on how to respond, via Check Control, refer to
page 92.
In urgent cases, this information will be shown
as soon as the corresponding lamp comes on.
Indicator lamps without text messages
The following indicator lamps notify you that
certain functions are active:
High beams/headlamp flasher 112
Fog lamps 114
Lamp flashes:
DSC or DTC is regulating the propul-
sive forces in order to maintain driving
stability 98
Parking brake applied 63
Canada: parking brake applied 63
Engine malfunction with adverse
effect on emissions 265
Canada: engine malfunction with
adverse effect on emissions 265
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 333 - \251 08/11 BMW AG

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At a glanceDashboard
Around the center consol e: controls and displays
1Control Display 18
2 Hazard warning flashers
3 Driving stability control systems
>Dynamic Stability Control DSC 97
> Dynamic Traction Control DTC 98
4 Central locking system 355
Automatic climate control
Air distribution to the
windshield 117
Air distribution to the upper body
area 117
Air distribution to the footwell 117
Automatic air distribution and flow
rate 118
Cooling function 119
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 333 - \251 08/11 BMW AG

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Dashboard
At a glance
6
CD/DVD drive 181
7 Changing
>Radio station 173
> Track 182
9 Controller 18
Can be turned, pressed, or moved in four
directions
10 Buttons on the controller 18
Selecting menus directly
12 Programmable memory keys 23
13 Switching entertainment audio sources on/
off and adjusting volume 170
14 Ejecting a CD/DVD 181
Automatic recirculated air control
AUC and recirculated air
mode
118
Maximum cooling 117
ALL program 119
Air volume 118
Defrosting windows 119
Rear window defroster 119
Seat heating 53
8 Park Distance Control PDC 96
Coupe:
Roller sunblinds 126
Coupe:
Hill Descent Control HDC 99
11 Convertible:
Opening and closing retractable
hardtop
43
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 333 - \251 08/11 BMW AG

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At a glanceDashboard
Around the roofliner
Coupe
1Microphone for voice activation system and
for telephone in hands-free mode
2 SOS: sending an Emergency
Request
276
3 Reading lamps 115
4 Glass sunroof 41
5 Interior lamps 114
6 Passenger airbag status lamp 108
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 333 - \251 08/11 BMW AG