2012 BMW M6 CONVERTIBLE Owners Manual

▷When the ignition is switched off: press ON/
OFF button on the radio.▷When the engine is running: press the Start/
Stop button.
Some electronic systems/power consumers re‐
main ready for operation.
Radio ready state switches off automatically:
▷After approx. 8 minutes.▷When the vehicle is locked using the central
locking system.▷Shortly before the battery is discharged
completely, so that the engine can still be
started.
Starting the engine
Double-clutch transmission
Starting the engine
1.Depress the brake pedal.2.Press the Start/Stop button.
The ignition is activated automatically for a cer‐
tain time and is stopped as soon as the engine
starts.
Engine stop
General information Take the remote control with you
Take the remote control with you when
leaving the vehicle so that children, for example,
cannot start the engine.◀
Set the parking brake and further secure
the vehicle as required
Set the parking brake firmly when parking; oth‐
erwise, the vehicle could roll. On steep upward
and downward inclines, further secure the vehi‐
cle, for example, by turning the steering wheel in
the direction of the curb. ◀
Before driving into a car wash
In order for the vehicle to be able to roll into a car
wash, heed the information regarding Washing
in automatic car washes, refer to page 268.
Double-clutch transmission
Switching off the engine1.Apply the brakes until the vehicle comes to
a stop.2.Press the Start/Stop button.
The engine is switched off.
The radio ready state is switched on.3.Set the parking brake.
Auto Start/Stop function
The concept
The Auto Start/Stop function helps save fuel.
The system switches off the engine during a
stop, e.g., in a traffic congestion or at traffic
lights. The ignition remains switched on. The
engine starts again automatically for driving off.
Certain vehicle components may experience
additional wear as a result of this system.
Semi-automatic mode
After every start of the engine, the Auto Start
Stop function is in the last selected state, refer
to page 67. If the Auto Start Stop function is
activated, it will be available after a given speed
is exceeded:
▷Double-clutch transmission: from 5 mph,
approx. 9 km/h.
Engine stop
The engine is switched off automatically during
a stop under the following conditions:
Double-clutch transmission:
▷The selector lever is in transmission position
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▷Brake pedal remains depressed while the
vehicle is stopped.▷The driver's safety belt is buckled or the
driver's door is closed.
The air flow of the air conditioner is reduced
when the engine is switched off.
Displays in the instrument cluster The display indicates that the
Auto Start/Stop function is ready
for an automatic engine start.
Note
The engine is not switched off automatically in
the following situations:
▷External temperature below approx.
+37 ℉/+3 ℃.▷The external temperature is high and auto‐
matic climate control is running.▷The passenger compartment has not yet
been heated or cooled to the required level.▷The engine is not yet at operating tempera‐
ture.▷The wheels are at a sharp angle or the steer‐
ing wheel is being turned.▷After driving in reverse.▷Fogging of the windows when the automatic
climate control is switched on.▷The vehicle battery charge is very low.▷The engine compartment lid is unlocked.▷Stop-and-go traffic.
Starting the engine
The engine starts automatically under the fol‐
lowing conditions:
▷Double-clutch transmission:
By releasing the brake pedal.
After the engine starts, accelerate as usual.
Safety mode
After the engine switches off automatically, it
will not start again automatically if any one of the
following conditions are met.▷The driver's safety belt is unbuckled and the
driver's door is open.▷The hood was unlocked.
Some indicator lamps light up for varying
lengths of time.
The engine can only be started via the Start/
Stop button.
Note
Even if driving away was not intended, the de‐
activated engine starts up automatically in the
following situations:
▷Excessive warming of the passenger com‐
partment when the cooling function is
switched on.▷The steering wheel is turned.▷Double-clutch transmission: Change of the
transmission from D to N, R or D/S.▷Double-clutch transmission: Accelerating
while simultaneously applying the brake.▷Fogging of the windows when the automatic
climate control is switched on.▷The vehicle battery charge is very low.▷Excessive cooling of the passenger com‐
partment when the heating is switched on.
Preventing an automatic engine stop
with a double-clutch transmission
The concept
To make it possible to drive away very quickly,
such as at an intersection, the automatic engine
stop can be actively prevented.
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Preventing an engine stop using the
brake pedal
The engine stop can be actively prevented
within one second after the vehicle comes to a
standstill.▷Immediately after the vehicle comes to a
standstill, briefly press the brake pedal
forcefully.▷Then press the brake pedal with normal
braking force.
Activating/deactivating the system
manually
Using the button
Press the button.
▷LED comes on: Auto Start Stop function is
deactivated.
The engine is started during an automatic
engine stop.
The engine can only be stopped or started
via the Start/Stop button.▷LED goes out: Auto Start Stop function is
activated.
Switching off the vehicle during an
automatic engine stop
During an automatic engine stop, the vehicle
can be switched off permanently, e.g., when
leaving it.
1.Press the Start/Stop button. The ignition is
switched off. The Auto Start/Stop function
is deactivated.Double-clutch transmission: transmission
position P is engaged automatically.2.Set the parking brake.
Engine start as usual via Start/Stop button.
Automatic deactivation
In certain situations, the Automatic Engine Start/
Stop Function is deactivated automatically for
safety reasons, such as when the driver is de‐
tected to be absent.
Malfunction
The automatic engine start/stop function no lon‐
ger switches of the engine automatically. A
Check Control message is displayed. It is pos‐
sible to continue driving. Have the system
checked.
Parking brake
The concept
The parking brake is primarily intended to pre‐
vent the vehicle from rolling while parked; it
brakes the rear wheels.
Setting
Pull the switch.
The LED lights up.
The indicator lamp lights up red. The
parking brake is set.
Lower lamp: indicator lamp in Canadian
models
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Set the parking brake and further secure
the vehicle as required
Set the parking brake firmly when parking; oth‐
erwise, the vehicle could roll. On steep upward
and downward inclines, further secure the vehi‐
cle, for example, by turning the steering wheel in
the direction of the curb. ◀
While driving
Use while driving serves as an emergency brak‐
ing function:
Pull the switch and hold it. The vehicle brakes
hard while the button is being pulled.
The indicator lamp lights up red, a signal
sounds and the brake lamps light up.
Lower lamp: indicator lamp in Canadian
models.
If the vehicle is braked to a speed of approx.
2 mph/3 km/h, the parking brake remains set.
Releasing
With the ignition switched on:
Double-clutch transmission: Press the
switch while pressing on the brake pedal.
The LED and indicator lamp go out.
The parking brake is released.
Automatic Release
For automatic release, operate the accelerator
pedal.
The LED and indicator lamp go out.
Subject to the following requirements, the park‐
ing brake is automatically released by operation
of the accelerator pedal:▷Engine on.▷Drive position engaged.▷Driver buckled in and doors closed.Inadvertent operation of the accelerator
pedal
Make sure that the accelerator pedal is not op‐
erated unintentionally; otherwise, the vehicle is
set in motion and there is a risk of an accident. ◀
Malfunction
In the event of a failure or malfunction of the
parking brake, secure the vehicle against rolling
using a wheel chock, for example, when leaving
it.
M double-clutch
transmission with Drivelogic
The concept
The M double-clutch transmission with Drive‐
logic is an automatic shift transmission with two
clutches and partial transmissions in which the
gears can be changed without interrupting the
tractive force.
The operation is via the shift lever or two shift
paddles on the steering wheel.
Functions▷Sequential mode or drive mode.▷Various drive programs, Drivelogic.▷Upshifting display, Shift Lights.▷Automatic downshifting and protection
from misshifting even in sequential mode.▷Acceleration assistant, Launch Control.▷Automatic double clutching.▷Low Speed Assistant.Seite 68ControlsDriving68
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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
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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,
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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.
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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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