2013 BMW 3 SERIES CONVERTIBLE Storage

7
Notes
If the vehicle is not maintained according to
these specifications, this
could result in serious
damage to the vehicle. Such damage is not
covered by the BMW New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
Data memory
A variety of electronic components in your vehi-
cle include data storag e devices, which store
technical information on the condition of your
vehicle, events and errors, either temporarily or
permanently. In general, this technical informa-
tion documents the condition of a component, a
module, a system or the surroundings:
> Operating conditions of system
components, e.g., fill levels.
> Status messages regarding the vehicle and
of its individual components, such as wheel
rpm/vehicle speed, resp onse delay, lateral
acceleration.
> Malfunctions and de fects in the major
system components, such as the lights and
brakes.
> Responses of the vehicle in special driving
situations, such as the deployment of an
airbag, the utilization of stability control
systems.
> Environmental conditions, such as
temperature.
These data are exclusively of a technical nature
and are used for the detection and correction of
errors, as well as the optimization of vehicle
functions. Motion profiles of traveled routes can
not be deduced from these data. If services are
required, such as repair services, service pro-
cesses, warranty claims and quality assurance,
then this technical information can be read out
by employees of service departments, includ-
ing the manufacturer, from the event and error
data storage devices by using special diagnos-
tic equipment. There, if necessary, you will receive further informatio
n. After remedying an
error, the information in the error memory is
deleted or progressively overwritten.
When using the vehicle, situations are conceiv-
able in which this techni cal data, in conjunction
with other information, such as accident
reports, vehicle damage, witness statements,
etc. - possibly with the assistance of an expert -
could be traced to pa rticular individuals.
Additional functions that are agreed upon con-
tractually with the cust omer, such as vehicle
tracking in case of emergency, permit the trans-
mission of certain vehicle data from the vehicle.
Reporting safety defects
For US customers
The following only app lies to vehicles owned
and operated in the US.
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect
which could cause a crash or could cause injury
or death, you should immediately inform the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
NHTSA, in addition to notifying BMW of North
America, LLC, P.O. Box 1227, Westwood, New
Jersey 07675-1227, Telephone 1-800-831-
1117.
If NHTSA receives sim ilar complaints, it may
open an investigation, and if it finds that a safety
defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may order
a recall and remedy campaign. However,
NHTSA cannot become involved in individual
problems between you, yo ur center, or BMW of
North America, LLC.
To contact NHTSA, you may call the Vehicle
Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-888-327-4236
(TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go to
http://www.safercar.gov; or write to: Adminis-
trator, NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20590. You can also obtain
other information about motor vehicle safety
from http://www.safercar.gov

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44
ControlsOpening and closing
Following interruptions in electrical
power supply
After a power failure, there is a possibility that
the glass roof can only be tilted. The system
must be initialized. BMW recommends having
this work performed by your BMW center.
Convertible: retractable
hardtop
The retractable hardto p combines reliable
weather protection with simple and convenient
operation.
The following tips will enhance your driving
pleasure in your Convertible:
> It is advisable that you close the retractable
hardtop when you park the vehicle. Not only
does the closed hardtop protect the vehicle
interior against unanticipated weather dam-
age, it also offers theft protection. However,
even when the hardtop is closed, valuables
should only be stored in the locked trunk.
> Do not attach roof rack systems to the
retractable hardtop, and in particular do not
attach magnetic racks.
> Do not attach rack sy stems to the trunk lid,
and in particular do not attach magnetic
racks.
> When the retractable hardtop is operated,
the trunk lid swings back and up. Before
operating the retracta ble hardtop, ensure
that there is enough clearance, e.g. when
parked in front of a wall.
> If you open the hardtop while it is wet, e.g.
after driving in the rain, water may drip into
the trunk. If necessary, remove items from
the trunk beforehand to avoid water stains
or soiling. Do not place any objects on the retract-
able hardtop or on
the trunk lid; other-
wise, they could fall du ring movements of the
retractable hardtop and cause damage or injury.
Never move the retractable hardtop when the
rollover protection system is in the activated
position.
Driving when the hardtop is not fully opened or
closed may result in damage or injury.
Do not reach into the mechanism during the
opening or closing procedure. Keep children
away from the swiveling area of the retractable
hardtop. <
The retractabl e hardtop cannot be moved
at temperatures below + 14 7/–10 6.
A message appears on the Control Display. <
The retractable hard top can only be
opened and closed when the vehicle is
stationary. To avoid causing damage, do not
drive off until the hardtop has stopped
moving. <
Before opening and closing
>Comply with the safety precautions
described above.
> Ensure that the trunk partition is folded
down and engaged on both sides, refer to
page 128; otherwise, it will not be possible
to open the retractable hardtop.
> Do not place any objects near or on the
trunk partition, refer to page 128.
> Close the storage compartment on the left
side of the trunk.
> Observe the maximum loading height under
the trunk partition.
> Ensure that the trunk lid is closed.
> The vehicle should be pa rked on fairly level
ground. Excessive angle is indicated by a
lamp.

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45
Opening and closing
Controls
Before moving the ha
rdtop, make sure
that there are no objects on or next to the
trunk partition, the storage compartment on the
left side of the trunk is closed, and the maximum
loading height in th e trunk has not been
exceeded; otherwise, damage may occur. <
Opening and closing
When the vehicle is stationary and at radio
readiness or beyond, refer to page62:
If possible, conserve the battery by only
operating the retractable hardtop when
the engine is running.
Before closing the retractable hardtop, remove
all foreign objects from the windshield frame as
these could prevent the hardtop from closing
properly. <
1 Push button: open th e retractable hardtop.
Pull button: close the retractable hardtop.
2 LEDs
The side windows move down when the
switch for hardtop operation is pulled or
pushed. <
LEDs
In the following situations, a message appears
on the Control Display or an acoustic signal
sounds in addition to the LED lighting up:
>While the hardtop is be ing operated, the left
LED lights up green. It goes out as soon as
the top is fully op ened or closed. >
If the right-hand LED flashes red when you
release the switch, the opening or closing
action has not yet finished.
> If the right LED lights up red when the
switch is pressed, the trunk partition is
folded up, the trunk lid is not closed, the
vehicle is standing on a strong incline or
there is a malfunction. The retractable hard-
top cannot be moved.
Interruption
The automatic sequence of movements is
interrupted if the switch for hardtop operation is
released. The sequence can be continued in
the desired direction by pushing or pulling the
switch.
A hardtop that is not fully opened or
closed is a safety hazard.
Do not interrupt and resume the closing proce-
dure several times in close succession as this
could damage the mechanism. <
If the hardtop is not fully opened or
closed, the trunk lid cannot be opened
and the windows cannot be moved. <
Convenient opening and closing using
the remote control
Refer to pages34.
Wind deflector
The wind deflector keeps air movements in the
passenger compartment to a minimum when
the hardtop is open and provides an even more
comfortable ride, particularly at high speeds.

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48
ControlsAdjustments
Adjustments
Vehicle equipment
In this chapter, all pr oduction, country, and
optional equipment that is offered in the model
range is described. As a result, some equip-
ment described may not be available in a partic-
ular vehicle, for example due to the options or
national-market version selected. This also
applies to safety related functions and systems.
Sitting safely
The ideal sitting position can make a vital
contribution to relaxed, fatigue-free driving. In
conjunction with the safety belts, the head
restraints and the airbags, the seated position
has a major influence on your safety in the event
of an accident. To ensure that the safety sys-
tems operate with optimal efficiency, we
strongly urge you to observe the instructions
contained in the following section.
For additional information on transporting
children safely, refer to page 58.
Airbags
Always maintain an adequate distance
between yourself and the airbags. Always
grip the steering wheel on the rim, with your
hands in the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions,
to minimize the risk of injury to the hands or
arms in the event of the airbag being triggered
off.
No one and nothing shou ld come between the
airbags and the seat occupant.
Do not use the cover of the front airbag on the
front passenger side as a storage area. Make
sure that the front passeng er is sitting correctly,
e.g. not resting feet or legs on the dashboard;
otherwise, leg injuries can occur if the front
airbag deploys.
Make sure that passengers keep their heads
away from the side airbag and do not lean against the cover of the head airbag; otherwise,
serious injuries can result if the airbag
deploys.
<
Even if you follow all the instructions, injuries
resulting from contact with airbags cannot be
fully excluded, depending on the circum-
stances. The ignition and inflation noise may
provoke a mild hearing loss in extremely sensi-
tive individuals. This effect is usually only
temporary.
For airbag locations and additional information
on airbags, refer to page 107.
Head restraint
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the
risk of neck injury in the event of an accident.
Adjust the head restraint in such a way
that its center is at approx. ear level.
Otherwise, there is an increased risk of injury in
the event of an accident. <
Head restraints, refer to page 51.
Safety belt
Before every drive, make sure that all occupants
wear their safety belts. Airbags complement the
safety belt as an additi onal safety device, but
they do not repres ent a substitute.
Your vehicle has four seats, each of which is
equipped with a safety belt.
Never allow more than one person to
wear a single safety belt. Never allow
infants or small children to ride in a passenger's
lap. Make sure that the be lt in the lap area sits
low across the hips and does not press against
the abdomen.
The safety belt must not rest against the throat,
run across sharp edges, pass over hard or frag-
ile objects or be pinched. Fasten the safety belt
so that it sits as snugly as possible against the
lap and shoulder without being twisted. Other-
wise, the belt could slide over your hips and

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124
ControlsPractical interior accessories
Coupe:
Roller sunblinds
Briefly press the button in the center console to
raise or lower the roller sunblind.
Glove compartment
Opening
Pull the handle.
The light in the glove compartment comes on.
To prevent injury in the event of an
accident while the vehicle is being driven,
close the glove compartment immediately after
use. <
Closing
Fold the cover up.
Locking
To lock the glove compartment, use the
integrated key of the re mote control, refer to
page 32.
Convertible: when you lock the vehicle from the
outside, the glove comp artment is locked as
well.
USB interface for data transmission
Port for importing and exporting data on USB
devices, e.g. music collections, refer to
page 185.
Observe the following when connecting:
> Do not use force when plugging the
connector into the USB audio interface.
> Do not connect devices such as fans or
lamps to the USB audio interface.
> Do not connect USB hard discs.
> Do not use the USB in terface to recharge
external devices.
Center armrest
Storage compartment
The center armrest between the front seats
contains either a compartment or the cover
for the snap-in adapter, depending on the
equipment version.
Opening
Press the button, see arrow.

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125
Practical interior accessories
Controls
Adjustments
Slide the center armrest on the driver's side into
the desired position.
Connection for external audio device
You can connect an external audio device such
as a CD or MP3 player and play audio tracks
over the vehicle speakers:
>
AUX-IN port, refer to page 189.
> USB audio interface/extended connectivity
of the music player in the mobile phone,
refer to page 190.
Storage compartments inside
the vehicle
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, you
will find compartments beside the steering
column, in the front doors and in the center
console.
Nets are provided on the front-seat backrests.
Do not place unsecured objects in them;
otherwise, they could endanger the car's
occupants, e.g. in the event of braking or eva-
sive maneuvers. <
Do not place non-slip pads, e.g. anti-slip
mats, on the dashboard; the materials of
these pads may damage it. <
Storage compartments in the rear
console
Depending on your vehicle's equipment ver-
sion, the following storage compartments can
be found in the rear console:
> Storage tray
> Storage compartment with cover
> Cupholders
Coupe: clothes hooks
Press the upper edge to flip open.
Items of clothing hung from the hooks
must not obstruct the driver's view. Do
not hang heavy objects from the hooks; other-
wise, they could endanger the car's occupants,
e.g. in case of heav y braking or sudden
swerving.<
Cupholders
Use lightweight and sh atterproof contain-
ers and do not transport 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 in to the cupholders; other-
wise, damage could result. <

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129
Practical interior accessories
Controls
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 trunk wall:
1.Fold open the holder by pressing the
button.
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 around the passenger compart-
ment. Only transport heav y luggage in the trunk
if it has been appropriately secured. <
For more information on loading the vehicle,
refer to page 139.
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 inse rt 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 around the passen-
ger compartment. Only transport heavy lug-
gage in the trunk if it has been appropriately
secured. <
Storage compartments inside
the trunk
Coupe
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, the
following storage spaces can be found in the
trunk:
>Left storage compartment, e.g. for storing a
box of cleaning tissues or up to 12 CD
jackets, depending on vehicle equipment
version
> 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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130
ControlsPractical interior accessories
>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 trunk
Convertible
Depending on your vehi cle's equipment, the
following storage spaces can be found in the
trunk:
> Storage compartment on the left side of the
trunk. 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 trunk; can
be hooked onto the 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
compartment under the fl oor panel; otherwise,
damage 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 trunk for
securing luggage items with nets or tensioning
straps, refer to page 140.
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/2.10 m. When skis of 6.9 ft/
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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