2012 BMW M6 CONVERTIBLE engine

Selector lever, transmission positions
At a glance▷R: reverse gear.▷N: neutral.▷ Center position, forward position.▷+: manual upshifting.▷-: manual downshifting.▷D/S: switch between drive mode and se‐
quential mode.
Engaging the transmission position
Pull or push lever in the corresponding direction.
As soon as the selector lever is released, it re‐
verts to the center position. In position R, the
selector lever locks.
The engaged transmission position is displayed
in the instrument cluster and on the selector
lever.
Shift lock
To shift out of neutral, apply the brake while the
vehicle is stationary.
R is Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
Also possible to rock the vehicle up to
7 mph/12 km/h. To do this, switch between for‐
ward and reverse gear.
N is Neutral
Use in automatic car washes, for example. The
vehicle can then roll.
S Sequential mode
Use the shift paddles or the shift lever to upshift
or downshift without letting off the gas.
Automatic Functions:▷Upshifting or downshifting is done only if the
rpm and vehicle speed are appropriate.
For example, there is no downshifting if the
engine speed is too high.▷Shortly before falling below a gear-depend‐
ent minimum speed, the transmission is au‐
tomatically downshifted.
It is also possible to start out in 2nd gear, e. g. on
icy roads.
Kickdown: for maximum acceleration, e. g. when
passing. To do this, depress the accelerator
pedal past the resistance point, and pull the left
shift paddle once or push the shift lever forward
once.
Switch to Drive mode: push selector lever in D/
S direction.
D Drive-mode
In Drive mode, all forward gears are automati‐
cally changed.
Kickdown: for maximum acceleration, e. g. when
passing. To do this, depress the accelerator
pedal past the resistance point.
Switch to Sequential mode: shift using the shift
paddles or the selector lever, or push the selec‐
tor lever in the D/S direction.
P Park
The drive wheels are blocked.
P is engaged automatically:
▷After the engine is switched off in ignition
off, refer to page 64, if position R or D is en‐
gaged.▷If the ignition is switched off and position N
is engaged.▷If the safety belt is unbuckled, the driver's
door is opened, and the brake pedal is notSeite 69DrivingControls69
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pressed while the vehicle is stationary and
transmission position R or D is engaged.
Displays in the instrument cluster
Sequential mode
▷Engaged gear, arrow 1.▷Selected driving program,
Drivelogic, refer to
page 70, arrow 2.
Drive mode
▷Engaged gear together with a
D, arrow 1.▷Selected driving program,
Drivelogic, refer to
page 70, arrow 2.
Note
When the external temperature is very low, the
display may not work. Current driving direction
is recognizable at the engaged selector lever
position.
Gear change
Shifting in Sequential mode possible.
A shift in Drive mode causes a switch to Se‐
quential mode.
Using the selector lever
▷To shift up: pull the selector lever rearwards.▷To shift down: press the selector lever for‐
ward.Using the shift paddles on the steering
wheel▷Shift up: pull right shift paddle.▷Shift down: pull left shift paddle.
Drivelogic
Various driving programs are available.
After each switch between Sequential mode
and Drive mode, the last program selected is an
active.
Exception: after each engine start, driving pro‐
gram 1 is active in Drive mode.
In Drive mode
Choice of three driving programs:
▷1: ffficient driving.▷2: relaxed driving.▷3: sporty driving.
In Sequential mode
Choice of three driving programs:
▷1: comparable, smooth shifting operations.▷2: sporty, fast shifting operations.▷3: maximum shifting speed, Launch Control,
refer to page 71.Seite 70ControlsDriving70
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Selecting driving program using rocker
switch in center console
Press button repeatedly until the de‐
sired driving program is displayed in the
instrument cluster.
Selecting driving program using
M Drive
1.Switch on the ignition.2."Settings"3."M Drive 1" or"M Drive 2"4. Select the symbol.5."Mode"6.Turn the controller until the desired setting
is reached and press the controller.▷"D": drive mode▷"S": sequential mode.7."Shift position"8.Turn the controller until the desired setting
is reached and press the controller.9.Selecting another driving program.
When M Drive is active, setting is immedi‐
ately applied.
To activate M Drive with the selected settings,
press the corresponding button on the steering
wheel:
▷▷Risk of an accident
Use the settings for DSC in M Drive; oth‐
erwise, driving stability may be impaired, and
there is risk of an accident.◀
Display in the instrument cluster Selected driving program corre‐
sponds to the number of illumi‐
nated fields.
Launch Control
The concept
Launch Control enables optimum acceleration
on surfaces with good traction.
Component wear
Do not use Launch Control too often; oth‐
erwise, this may result in premature wear of
components due to the high stress placed on
the vehicle.◀
Activate Launch Control
Launch Control is available when the engine is
warmed up, that is, after uninterrupted driving of
at least 6 miles/10 km.1.Deactivate Dynamic Stability Control, refer
to page 107.2.Select Sequential mode with driving pro‐
gram 3.3.With the engine running, lightly apply the
brakes with the left foot.4.While the vehicle is stationary, press the se‐
lector lever forward and hold it.
A flag symbol appears in the instrument
cluster.5.Fully depress the accelerator pedal.
The starting engine speed adjusts.Seite 71DrivingControls71
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6.If necessary, change the starting engine
speed by 500 rpm via cruise control.7.Release brake. When the selector lever is
released, the vehicle accelerates. Keep the
accelerator pedal depressed.
Upshifting occurs automatically as long as
the accelerator pedal is fully depressed.
Notes
Launch Control is available only after a certain
distance has been driven.
Did not use Launch Control during the break-in,
refer to page 142, period.
To maintain driving stability, always activate
DSC if possible.
Shift Lights
The concept
Shift Lights in the Head-Up Display indicate the
optimum shifting point in Sequential mode, refer
to page 69. Thus, with a sporty driving style, the
best possible vehicle acceleration is achieved.
Display in the Head-up Display
▷Current engine speed is lightly highlighted
in the display.▷Arrow 1: successive yellow illuminated
fields indicate the upcoming upshift mo‐
ment.▷Arrow 2: fields are illuminated in red. Do not
wait any further to shift.
When the maximum possible speed is reached,
the entire speed display flashes.
When the maximum speed is exceeded, the
supply of fuel is interrupted in order to protect
the engine. Speeds in this range must be
avoided.
Displaying Shift Lights
Shift Lights can only be displayed in M view, re‐
fer to page 123.1.Switch on Head-Up Display, refer to
page 122.2."Settings"3."Head-up display"4."Displayed information"5."M View"
Low Speed Assistant
The Low Speed Assistant gives assistance at
very low speeds. The vehicle travels at walking
speed and automatically controls the speed of
the engine.
This can also be used for rocking the vehicle in
the snow. To do this, switch between reverse
gear and forward gear without stepping on the
brakes in the process.
Activating
1.Engage a driving position.2.Briefly tap the accelerator petal.
The vehicle rolls at minimum speed.
This is possible in 1st and 2nd gear and in re‐
verse gear.
Overheating
Do not ride the brake; otherwise, the trans‐
mission may overheat.◀
Deactivating
Apply the brakes until the vehicle comes to a
stop.
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System limits
This transmission has an overheating protection
mechanism, which protects the clutch from ex‐
treme stress.▷Indicator lamp lights up yellow:
transmission too hot.
Avoid high engine stress and fre‐
quent starts.▷Indicator lamp lights up red: transmission is
overheating.
Further driving at a moderate pace is possi‐
ble. At the next opportunity, stop the car,
shut off the engine and allow the transmis‐
sion to cool down.
Avoid fast starts, and on inclines did not accel‐
erate lightly while letting the clutch slip; other‐
wise, the transmission may overheat.
During traffic jams or at very low speeds, use the
Low Speed Assistant, refer to page 72.
M Driving Dynamics Control
The concept
The M Driving Dynamics Control affects the re‐
sponse of the vehicle to accelerator pedal move‐
ments.
Programs
Response behavior options:
▷"Efficient": comfortable. Minimal fuel con‐
sumption.
Ideal e. g. in city traffic or on snow.▷"Sport": sporty, dynamic.▷"Sport Plus": spontaneous, direct. Maxi‐
mum dynamics.Selecting a channel
Via M Drive1."Settings"2."M Drive 1" or"M Drive 2"3. Select the symbol.4.Select the desired channel.
When M Drive is active, setting is immedi‐
ately applied.
To activate M Drive with the selected settings,
press the corresponding button on the steering
wheel:
▷▷
Using the button
Press button repeatedly until the desired
program is displayed in the instrument
cluster.
Display in the instrument cluster Engine Dynamics Control with selected
program with activated Display of the
system states of the driving dynamics,
refer to page 83.
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The system sprays washer fluid on the wind‐
shield and activates the wipers briefly.
In addition, the headlamps are cleaned at regular
intervals when the vehicle lights are switched
on.
Do not use the washer system at freezing
temperatures
Do not use the washers if there is any danger
that the fluid will freeze on the windshield; oth‐
erwise, your vision could be obscured. For this
reason, use antifreeze.
Avoid using the washer when the reservoir is
empty; otherwise, you could damage the
pump.◀
Windshield washer nozzles
The washer jets are automatically heated when‐
ever the ignition is switched on.
Fold-out position of the wipers
Required when changing the wiper blades or
under frosty conditions, for example.1.Switch off the ignition.2.Under frosty conditions, ensure that the
wiper blades are not frozen onto the wind‐
shield.3.Press the wiper lever up beyond the point of
resistance and hold it for approx. 3 seconds,
until the wiper remains in a nearly vertical
position.
After the wipers are folded back down, the wiper
system must be reactivated.
Fold the wipers back down
Before switching the ignition on, fold the
wipers back down to the windshield; otherwise,
the wipers may become damaged when they are
switched on.◀
1.Switch on the ignition.2.Press the wiper levers down. The wipers
move to their resting position and are ready
for operation.Washer fluid
General information Antifreeze for washer fluid
Antifreeze is flammable. Therefore, keep
it away from sources of ignition.
Only keep it in the closed original container and
inaccessible to children.
Follow the instructions on the container.◀
Washer fluid reservoir Adding washer fluid
Only add washer fluid when the engine is
cool, and then close the cover completely to
avoid contact between the washer fluid and hot
engine parts.
Otherwise, there is the danger of fire and a risk
to personal safety if the fluid is spilled.◀
All washer nozzles are supplied from one reser‐
voir.
Fill with water and – if required – with a washer
antifreeze, according to the manufacturer's rec‐
ommendations.
Mix the washer fluid before adding to maintain
the correct mixing ratio.
For the capacity, refer to technical data.
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Indicator/warning lamps
The 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.
Overview: indicator/warning lamps
SymbolFunction or systemTurn signalParking brakeParking brake in Canadian modelsHigh beamsHigh-beam AssistantParking lamps, headlamp controlCruise controlLane departure warningSymbolFunction or systemDSC Dynamic Stability ControlDSC Dynamic Stability ControlTire Pressure Monitor
Flat Tire MonitorSafety beltsAirbag systemSteering systemEmissionsEmissions in Canadian modelsBrake systemBrake system in Canadian modelsABS Antilock Brake SystemABS Antilock Brake System in Cana‐
dian modelsAt least one Check Control message
is displayed or is storedM Drive 1Seite 79DisplaysControls79
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Fuel gaugeThe vehicle inclination may
cause the display to vary.
Notes on refueling, refer to
page 238.
Tachometer Always avoid engine speeds in
the red warning field. In this
range, the fuel supply is inter‐
rupted to protect the engine.
Engine oil temperature▷Cold engine: the pointer is at
the low temperature end.
Drive at moderate engine and
vehicle speeds.▷Normal operating tempera‐
ture: the pointer is in the mid‐
dle or in the left half of the
temperature display.▷Hot engine: the pointer is at the high tem‐
perature end. A Check Control message is
displayed in addition.
Coolant temperature
Should the coolant, and with it the engine, be‐
come too hot, a Check Control message is dis‐
played.
Check the coolant level, refer to page 254.
Odometer and trip odometer▷Odometer, arrow 1.▷Trip odometer, arrow 2.
Display/reset miles
Press the knob.
▷When the ignition is switched
off, the time, external temper‐
ature and odometer are dis‐
played.▷When the ignition is switched on, the trip
odometer is reset.
External temperature
External temperature warning If the display drops to
+37 ℉/+3 ℃, a signal sounds.
A Check Control message is dis‐
played.
There is the increased danger of
ice.
Ice on roads
Even at temperatures above +37 ℉/+3 ℃,
there can be a risk of ice on roads.
Therefore, drive carefully on bridges and shady
roads, for example, to avoid the increased dan‐
ger of an accident.◀
Time The time is displayed at the bot‐
tom of the instrument cluster.
Setting the time and time format,
refer to page 87.
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