2013 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE trans

65
Driving
Controls
To prevent corrosion and one-sided brak-
ing action, occasionally apply the parking
brake lightly when the vehicle is slowly coming
to a stop if the traffic conditions are suitable.
The brake lamps do not light up when the park-
ing brake is applied. <
Manual transmission
When shifting into 5th or 6th gear, press
the gearshift lever to the right. Otherwise,
the engine could be da maged if you inadvert-
ently shift into 3rd or 4th gear. <
Reverse gear
Select this only when the vehicle is stationary.
When the gearshift lever is pressed to the left, a
slight resistance has to be overcome.
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic
In addition to fully auto matic operation, you can
also manually shift with the Steptronic, refer to
page 66.
Vehicle parking
To prevent the vehicle from rolling,
always select position P and apply the
parking brake before leaving the vehicle with
the engine running. <
Disengaging the remote control
In order to remove the remote control from the
ignition lock, you must first move the selector
lever to position P and switch off the engine:
interlock. Removing the remote control from
the ignition lock, refer to page 62.
Selector lever positions
P R N D M/S + –
Displays in the instrument cluster
The selector lever position is displayed and, in
manual mode, the engaged gear, e.g. M4.
Changing selector lever positions
> With the ignition switched on or the engine
running, the selector lever can be moved
out of position P.
> Before moving the lever away from P or N
with the vehicle stationary, first depress the
brake; otherwise, th e selector lever will
refuse to move: shiftlock.
To prevent the vehicle from creeping
after you select a driving position,
depress the brake until you are ready to
start. <

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67
Driving
Controls
>
When you use the shift paddles on the
steering wheel to shift gears in automatic
mode, the transmission switches to manual
mode.
> If you do not accelerate or shift gears using
the shift paddles for a certain amount of
time, the transmission switches back to
automatic mode.
If the selector lever is in the M/S gear
plane, manual mode remains active. <
> To upshift, briefly pull the right shift
paddle +.
> To downshift, briefly pull the left shift
paddle –.
Upshifts and downshifts are executed only
when they will result in a plausible combination
of engine and vehicle speed; thus, for example,
a downshift that would cause the engine to
overrev will not be executed by the system.
The gear selected is br iefly displayed in the
instrument cluster, follo wed again by the gear
actually in use.
Overriding selector lever lock
If the selector lever will not move out of
position P even though th e ignition is switched
on, the brake is depressed, and the button on
the selector lever is pre ssed, the selector lever
lock can be overridden:
1. Switch off ignition.
2. Unclip the sleeve of the selector lever.
3. Pull the sleeve up over the selector lever
until the sleeve is inside out. 4.
Using the screwdriver from the onboard
vehicle tool kit, refer to page 266, press the
red lever and with the button pressed,
simultaneously move the selector lever to
the desired position.
7-gear Sport automatic
transmission with double
clutch
The concept
The 7-gear Sport automatic transmission with
double clutch is an automated manual trans-
mission with two clutches and secondary gear
sets in which the clut ching and shifting is
handled by an electr ohydraulic system.
With the 7-gear Sport automatic transmission
with double clutch, the gears are shifted without
an interruption in driving power.
You operate the 7-gear Sport automatic trans-
mission with double clutch using the selector
lever and two shift paddles on the steering
wheel.
It offers you the following functions:
> Either manual or au tomatic mode: sequen-
tial mode or drive mode
> Automatic downshifting and protection
against incorrect gear selection, even in
sequential mode
> Acceleration assistan t, Launch Control,
refer to page 71
> Automatic intermediate throttle application

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68
ControlsDriving
System limitations
The 7-gear Sport automa tic transmission with
double clutch has an overheating protection
that protects the clutch from extreme loads.
The indicator lamp lights up in yellow if
the transmission becomes too warm.
Avoid high engine loads and frequent
accelerations from zero. If the transmission is
overheated, the indicator lamp lights up in red
and the power flow to the motor is interrupted. It
is only possible to continue driving once the
transmission has cooled down.
Avoid frequent powerful accelerations from
zero and do not hold the vehicle on inclines by
pressing lightly on the accelerator while letting
the clutch slip, as this may cause the transmis-
sion to overheat.
Selector lever positions
P R N D M/S + –
Displays in the instrument cluster
The selector lever posi tion and the engaged
gear are displayed, e.g. M4.
Engaging selector lever positions
> The selector lever can be moved out of
position P only with the engine running:
interlock.
> Before moving the lever away from P or N
with the vehicle stationary, first depress the
brake; otherwise, the desired shift will not
be executed: shiftlock.
Shifting into N, D, R
Briefly push the selector lever in the desired
direction, overcoming a resistance point if
necessary. When shifting out of P or into R,
simultaneously press the button 1.
The engaged selector le ver position is also
displayed on the selector lever.
When you release the sele ctor lever, it returns
to its center position.
Shifting into P
Press the button P.
P Park
Select this only when th e vehicle is stationary.
The rear wheels are locked.
The transmission is shifted into P if, with
the engine running, you open the driver's
door, do not have your safety belt fastened, and
subsequently actuate neither the brake pedal
nor the accelerator. Befo re leaving the vehicle,
make sure that the automatic transmission
selector lever is in the park position. Otherwise,
the vehicle may begin to move. <

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Driving
Controls
The transmission is shifted into P as soon
as you switch off the engine, unless the
transmission is in N and the remote control is in
the ignition lock, refer to page 263. As soon as
you remove the remote co ntrol from the ignition
lock, then the transmissi on is shifted into P.<
R Reverse
Select this only when th e vehicle is stationary.
N Neutral
You can select this in a car wash, for example.
The vehicle can roll.
After the engine is switched off, the trans-
mission remains in N if you leave the
remote control in the ignition lock. You can use
this function at a car wash, for example, refer to
page 263.<
D Drive mode
In Drive mode, all forw ard gears are shifted
automatically.
Kickdown
For sudden acceleration maneuvers such as
passing, depress the accelerator past the
resistance point. This provides maximum
acceleration.
Sport program and manual operation
M/S
Push selector lever toward the left from the
selector lever position D, the Sport program is
activated. This position is recommended for a
performance-oriented driving style. The engaged gear, e.g. S1, is displayed in the
instrument cluster.
When you press the selector lever forwards or
backwards, the manual
mode is activated and
Steptronic changes gear.
The engaged gear, e.g. M1 is displayed in the
instrument cluster.
In the following situations, the 7-gear Sport
automatic transmission with double clutch
does the thinking for you:
> Upshifts and downshifts are executed only
when they will result in a plausible combina-
tion of engine and vehicle speed; thus, for
example, a downshift that could cause the
engine to overrev will not be executed by
the system.
> At a stop, the transmission is automatically
shifted down to the first gear.
> Shortly before the spee d falls below a gear-
dependent minimum speed, the transmis-
sion automatically down shifts without your
intervention.
Quick downshifting: even in sequential mode,
you can skip over several gears in order to
achieve an optimum acceleration. To do so,
depress the accelerator past the resistance
point.
To return to automatic mode, push the selector
lever to the right.
Gear shifting
Upshift or downshift using the selector lever or
the shift paddles. You do not need to lift your
foot off the accelerator when doing so.
Using the selector lever
> To upshift, pull the selector lever toward the
rear.
> To downshift, push it toward the front.

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ControlsDriving
Using the shift paddl es on the steering
wheel
You can also shift manually using two shift pad-
dles on the steering wheel. The shift paddles
allow you to shift gear s quickly since both
hands can remain on the steering wheel.
> When you use the shift paddles on the
steering wheel to shift gears in automatic
mode, the transmission switches to manual
mode.
> If you do not accelerate or shift gears using
the shift paddles for a certain amount of
time, the transmission switches back to
automatic mode if the selector lever is in
position D.
> To upshift, briefly pull the right shift
paddle +.
> To downshift, briefly pull the left shift
paddle –.
Driving dynamics control
The driving dynamics control permits you, at
the push of a button, to have your BMW react in
an even more sporty fashion when driving:
> Optimal use is made of the engine's speed
range.
> Gear changes occur more quickly.
> The engine reacts mo re spontaneously to
accelerator pedal movements.
Activating the system
Press the SPORT button.
The LED in the button lights up and SPORT
appears in the info display.
Deactivating the system
> Press the SPORT button again.
> Switch off the engine.
The LED in the button goes out and SPORT
disappears from the info display.
Manually unlocking parking lock
In the event of a power supply interrup-
tion such as a discharged or discon-
nected battery or an elec trical malfunction, the
parking lock must be ma nually unlocked; other-
wise, the rear wheels are immobilized and the
vehicle cannot be towed. <
Only unlock the parking lock manually for tow-
ing and make sure to set the parking brake
forcefully beforehand so that the vehicle cannot
roll. Lock the parking lock again after the vehicle
is parked.

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ControlsDriving
Windshield washer nozzles
Both windshield washer nozzles are automati-
cally heated with the engine running or the
ignition switched on.
Washer fluid
Washer fluid antifreeze is flammable.
Therefore, keep it away from ignition
sources and only store it in the closed original
container that is kept out of reach of children;
otherwise, there is a risk of personal injury.
Comply with the instructions on the
container. <
United States: the washer fluid mixture ratio is
regulated by the U.S. EPA and many individual
states; do not exceed the allowable washer fluid
dilution ratio limits that apply. Follow the usage
instructions on the washer fluid container. Use
BMW's Windshield Washer Concentrate or the
equivalent.
Washer fluid filler neck
Only add washer fluid after allowing the
engine to cool and close the cover com-
pletely in order to prevent the washer fluid from
contacting hot engine parts. Otherwise, fluid
spills or leaks constitute a fire hazard and a risk
to personal safety. <
All washer nozzles are supplied with washer
fluid by the same reservoir.
The recommended minimu m filling quantity is
0.2 US gal/1 liter. Fill with a mixture of window cleaner concen-
trate, tap water and, if required, with a washer
antifreeze, according to
manufacturer's recom-
mendations.
Do not fill with undiluted window cleaner
concentrate or with pure water since these can
result in damage to the wiper system.
Do not mix window cleaner concentrates from
different manufacturers since this may clog the
washer nozzles.
Cruise control
The concept
Cruise control is availa ble for use at speeds of
approx. 20 mph or 30 km/h. The car then stores
and maintains the speed that you specify using
the lever on the steering column. In order to
maintain the specified speed, the system
brakes the vehicle when the engine braking
effect is insufficient on downhill gradients.
Do not use cruise control when driving at
constant speed is prevented by adverse
conditions, e.g. winding roads, dense traffic or
poor road conditions due to, e.g., snow, rain, ice
or loose surfaces. Otherwise, you could lose
control of the vehicle and cause an accident as a
result.<
Manual transmission
You can shift gears while cruise control is
activated. The system is deactivated when you
drive at very low engine speeds for an extended
period.

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Driving
Controls
One lever for all functions
1
Storing and maintaining speed or
accelerating
2 Storing and maintaining speed or
decelerating
3 Deactivating cruise control
4 Resuming a previously stored speed
Maintaining current speed
Briefly press the lever, arrow 1, or pull it briefly,
arrow 2 .
The car's current speed is stored and main-
tained. It is displayed on the speedometer and
briefly in the instrument cluster.
On uphill gradients, it may prove impossible to
maintain the set speed if current engine power
output is insufficient. If the engine braking
effect is insufficient on downhill slopes, the
system will brake the vehicle slightly.
Increasing desired speed
Repeatedly press the lever to the resistance
point or beyond, arrow 1, until the desired
speed is reached.
> Each time the lever is pressed to the resis-
tance point, the desired speed is increased
by approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
> Each time the lever is pressed beyond the
resistance point, the desired speed is
increased by up to 5 mph or 10 km/h.
The system stores and maintains the speed.
Accelerating using the lever
Accelerating slightly:
Press the lever to the resistance point, arrow 1,
until the desired speed is reached.
Accelerating significantly:
Press the lever beyond the resistance point,
arrow 1 , until the desired speed is reached.
The vehicle accelerates without pressure on
the accelerator pedal. The system stores and
maintains the speed.
Decreasing speed
Repeatedly pull the lever to the resistance point
or beyond, arrow 2, until the desired speed is
displayed.
> Each time the lever is pulled to the resis-
tance point, the desired speed is decreased
by approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
> Each time the lever is pulled beyond the
resistance point, the desired speed is
re duced by up to 5 m ph o r 10 km /h until the
minimum speed of 20 mph or 30 km/h is
achieved.
The system stores and maintains the speed.
Deactivating cruise control
Briefly press the lever upwards or downwards,
arrow 3.
The displays on the speedometer disappear.
In addition, the system is automatically
deactivated:
> When the brakes are applied.
> When the manual transmission is shifted
very slowly or shifted into neutral.
> When the automatic transmission selector
lever is moved into the neutral position.
> When the selector lever of the sport auto-
matic transmission with double clutch is
moved into the neutral position.
> When DTC is activated or DSC is
deactivated.
> When DSC or ABS is intervening.

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ControlsDriving
Cruise control is not deactivated by depressing
the accelerator pedal. Once the accelerator
pedal is released, the stored speed is achieved
again and maintained.
Warning lamp
The warning lamp lights up when
cruise control is deactivated due to
control intervention by the DSC, for
example. A message appears on the Control
Display.
Resuming a previously stored speed
Press the button, arrow 4.
The last stored speed is resumed and
maintained.
In the following instance s, the stored speed is
deleted and can no longer be resumed:
> When driving stability control systems are
intervening.
> In cars with manual transmission: when you
shift gears very slowly or shift to neutral.
> In cars with automati c transmission: when
you engage selector lever position N.
> In cars with Sport automatic transmission
with double clutch: when you engage
selector lever position N.
> When the ignition is switched off
Displays in the instrument cluster
1Stored speed
2 Selected speed is displayed briefly If --- mph or --- km/h temporarily appears
in the instrument cluster display, it is pos-
sible that the system prerequisites for operation
are currently not met.
Calling up Check Contro l messages, refer to
page 93.<
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up. A mes-
sage appears on the Control Dis-
play.The cruise control is malfunc-
tioning. You can continue your journey. Have
the system checked.
Active Cruise Control
The concept
With Active Cruise Cont rol, you can select a
desired speed which is not only automatically
maintained when driving on open roadways, but
also varied to maintain a select ed distance set-
ting as slower traffic is encountered.
Active Cruise Control is a technological
advance over the familiar cruise control and is a
welcome relief from the constant adjustment of
speed that can accompany driving in traffic on
highways or other high-speed thoroughfares.
Especially on longer trips, the system can
reduce fatigue and tens ion, while increasing
your enjoyment of driving. Please use it safely
and responsibly.
Within the limits of its capability, the system
automatically adapts the ca r's speed to that of a
slower vehicle in front of you. You can specify
the distance to be main tained from the vehicle
in front in four stages. For safety reasons, the
distance is speed-depe ndent. Based on your
selected distance setting, the system automat-
ically decreases the thro ttle setting and lightly
applies the brakes if necessary. The vehicle
brake lamps will automati cally illuminate to sig-
nal a following driver to take action. In addition,
it may be necessary for the vehicle or the driver
to downshift, depending on the kind of trans-

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