2012 BMW M6 CONVERTIBLE Owners Manual

Center console
To open: press on the cover.
Storage compartments in the
cargo area
Net
Small objects can be stowed in the net on the
rear cargo area trim.
Lashing eyes
To secure the cargo, refer to page 146, there
are lashing eyes in the cargo area.
Storage compartment under the cargo
floor cover
Raise the cargo floor cover using the strap.
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Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 900 735 - 03 12 490

Driving tips
This chapter provides you with information useful in dealing with specific driving and operating modes.Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 900 735 - 03 12 490

BMW M6 technologyVehicle equipment
All standard, country-specific and optional
equipment that is offered in the model series is
described in this chapter. Therefore, equipment
is also described that is not available in a vehicle,
e. g., because of the selected optional equip‐
ment or country variant. This also applies for
safety-related functions and systems.
V8 high performance engine
The high-speed-V8 engine gets maximum
power of 412 kW and maximum torque of
680 Nm from a displacement of 4.4 liters. With
its spontaneous response behavior, a speed
range of wide utility results. The maximum en‐
gine speed is at 7,200 rpm and is electronically
controlled. Because of the high engine dynam‐
ics, the maximum engine speed with the vehicle
stationary is progressively deactivated after a
short time.
Warmup
During the engine warmup phase, the V8 high-
performance engine has a somewhat rougher
running behavior because of the emission con‐
trols.
When the engine is cold, the exhaust system has
a slightly metallic undertone due to the nature of
the system.
For more information about the warmup proce‐
dure: Engine speed, refer to page 81, and engine
oil temperature, refer to page 81.
Compound brake
The vehicle has a high-performance brake sys‐
tem with perforated compound brake disks.
Because of particular structural characteristics,
there may be operation-related noises during
braking. However, this has no effect on perform‐
ance, operational reliability and reliability of the
brake.
Correct braking
To keep the brake system in optimum condition,
it is expedient to apply them at regular intervals
corresponding to the vehicle character.
Corrosion on brake disks, refer to page 144.
Drive train
With this vehicle, particular value was placed on
the direct connection from engine to the drive
train. Due to the torsionally rigid design of the
drive train, as is typical in a sports car, the trans‐
mission of the torque also gives acoustic feed‐
back.
When there are load changes, this may result in
clacker noises. The do not cause any impair‐
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ment of the operation or the service life of the
components.
Driving on racetracks
Requirements
Before driving on a racetrack:▷Participation in the BMW Driver Training.▷Have vehicle checked at a service center.
Notes
Racetrack operation leads to increased wear.
The vehicle is not designed for motorsports
competitive use. This wear is not covered by the
warranty.
The standard brake linings and the wear indica‐
tors are not designed for racetrack operation.
For more information and advice, contact your
service center.
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Things to remember when drivingVehicle equipment
All standard, country-specific and optional
equipment that is offered in the model series is
described in this chapter. Therefore, equipment
is also described that is not available in a vehicle,
e. g., because of the selected optional equip‐
ment or country variant. This also applies for
safety-related functions and systems.
Breaking-in period
General information
Moving parts need to be broken in to adjust to
each other.
The following instructions will help achieve a
long vehicle life and good economy.
During the break-in, do not use the Launch Con‐
trol, refer to page 71.
Engine and differential
Always obey the official speed limit.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive at varying engine and road speeds, but do
not exceed 5,500 rpm and 106 mph/170 km/h.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the
transmission's kickdown mode for the initial
miles.
At 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Have drive-in checkup maintenance performed.
From 1,200 miles/2,000 km to
3,100 miles/5,000 km
The engine and road speed can gradually be in‐
creased to a constant speed of
137 mph/220 km/h.
Use the maximum speed of 155 mph/250 km/h
only briefly, e.g. when passing.Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full trac‐
tion potential until after an initial breaking-in pe‐
riod.
Drive conservatively for the first
200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of ap‐
prox. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized
contact and wear patterns between brake pads
and discs. Drive moderately during this break-in
period.
Following part replacement
The same breaking in procedures should be ob‐
served if any of the components mentioned
above have to be renewed in the course of the
vehicle's operating life.
General driving notes
Closing the trunk lid Drive with the trunk lid closed
Only drive with the tailgate closed; other‐
wise, in the event of an accident or braking or
evasive maneuvers, passengers or other road
users may be injured or the vehicle may be dam‐
aged. In addition, exhaust fumes may enter the
passenger compartment.◀
If driving with the tailgate open cannot be
avoided:▷If the convertible top is closed, close all win‐
dows.▷Greatly increase the blower speed.▷Drive moderately.Seite 142Driving tipsThings to remember when driving142
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Hot exhaust systemHot exhaust system
High temperatures are generated in the
exhaust system.
Do not remove the heat shields installed and
never apply undercoating to them. When driv‐
ing, standing at idle and while parking, take care
to avoid possible contact between the hot ex‐
haust system and any highly flammable materi‐
als such as hay, leaves, grass, etc. Such contact
could lead to a fire, and with it the risk of serious
personal injury as well as property damage.
Do not touch hot exhaust pipes; otherwise, there
is the danger of getting burned.◀
Climate control windshield
The marked area is not covered with heat re‐
flective coating.
Use this area for garage door openers, devices
for electronic toll collection, etc.
Mobile communication devices in the
vehicle
Mobile communication devices in the ve‐
hicle
It is advised that you do not use mobile commu‐
nication devices, e.g., mobile phones, inside the
vehicle without connecting them directly to the
external antenna. Otherwise, the vehicle elec‐
tronics and mobile communication devices can
interfere with each other. In addition, there is no
assurance that the radiation generated during
transmission will be discharged from the vehicle
interior.◀
Hydroplaning
On wet or slushy roads, a wedge of water can
form between the tires and road surface.
This phenomenon is referred to as hydroplan‐
ing. It is characterized by a partial or complete
loss of contact between the tires and the road
surface, ultimately undermining your ability to
steer and brake the vehicle.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads, re‐
duce your speed to prevent hydroplaning.◀
Driving through water
Drive though calm water only if it is not deeper
than 9.8 inches/25 cm and at this height, no
faster than walking speed, up to 6 mph/10 km/h.
Adhere to water depth and speed limita‐
tions
Do not exceed this water depth and walking
speed; otherwise, the vehicle's engine, the elec‐
trical systems and the transmission may be
damaged.◀
Braking safely
Your vehicle is equipped with ABS as a standard
feature.
Applying the brakes fully is the most effective
way of braking in situations when this is neces‐
sary.
The vehicle maintains steering responsiveness.
You can still avoid any obstacles with a minimum
of steering effort.
The pulsing of the brake pedal indicates that
ABS is in its active mode.
In certain braking situations, the perforated
brake discs can cause functional problems.
However, this has no effect on the performance
and operational reliability of the brake.Seite 143Things to remember when drivingDriving tips143
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Objects in the area around the pedalsNo objects in the area around the pedals
Keep floor mats, carpets, and any other
objects out of the area of motion of the pedals;
otherwise, the function of the pedals could be
impeded while driving
Do not place additional floor mats over existing
mats or other objects.
Only use floor mats that have been approved for
the vehicle and can be properly fixed in place.
Ensure that the floor mats are securely fastened
again after they were removed for cleaning, for
example.◀
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or there is heavy rain, briefly
exert gentle pressure on the brake pedal every
few miles.
Ensure that this action does not endanger other
road users.
The heat generated in this process helps dry the
brake discs and pads.
In this way braking efficiency will be available
when you need it.
Hills
Drive long or steep downhill gradients in the gear
in which the least braking is required. Otherwise,
the brake system may overheat, resulting in a
reduction in the brake system efficiency.
Double-clutch transmission:
You can increase the engine's braking effect by
shifting down in sequential mode, refer to
page 69.
Avoid load on the brakes
Avoid placing excessive load on the brake
system. Light but consistent brake pressure can
lead to high temperatures, brake wear and pos‐
sibly even brake failure.◀Do not drive in neutral
Do not drive in neutral or with the engine
stopped, as doing so disables engine braking. In
addition, steering and brake assist is unavailable
with the engine stopped.◀
Brake disc corrosion
Corrosion on the brake discs and contamination
on the brake pads are furthered by:▷Low mileage.▷Extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all.▷Infrequent use of the brakes.
Corrosion occurs when the minimum pressure
that must be exerted by the pads during brake
applications to clean the discs is not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake discs, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating ef‐
fect that generally cannot be corrected.
Condensation under the parked vehicle
When using the automatic climate control, con‐
densation water develops that exits underneath
the vehicle.
Therefore, traces of condensed water under the
vehicle are normal.
Ground clearance Limited ground clearance
Observe the limited ground clearance of
the vehicle, e. g. while entering underground
parking garages or when driving over obstacles.
Otherwise, damages to the vehicle may result. ◀
To drive down from curbs with the Electronic
Damper Control, refer to page 108, select the
following program, to keep the ground clear‐
ance as even as possible: "Sport Plus"
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