M Drive BMW M3 COUPE 2008 E92 Owner's Manual

M3Owner's Manual for Vehicle
Congratulations, and thank you for choosing a BMW M3.
Thorough familiarity with your vehicle will provide you with
enhanced control and security when you drive it. We therefore
have this request:
Please take the time to read this Owner's Manual and familiarize
yourself with the information that we have compiled for you
before starting off in your new vehicle. It contains important data
and instructions intended to assist you in gaining maximum use
and satisfaction from your BMW M3's unique range of technical
features. The manual also contains information on maintenance
designed to enhance operating safety and contribute to main-
taining the value of your BMW M3 throughout an extended ser-
vice life.
This manual is supplemented by a Service and Warranty Informa-
tion Booklet for US models or a Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models.
We wish you an enjoyable driving experience.
BMW AG

Cockpit
12
Instrument cluster
1Speedometer
2Indicator lamps for turn signals
3Indicator and warning lamps13
4Tachometer59
5Shift Lights
*52
6Engine oil temperature60
7Display for
>Clock59
>Outside temperature59
>Indicator and warning lamps65
>With dual clutch transmission:
Computer608Display for
>Gear display M dual clutch transmission
with Drivelogic
*49
>With manual transmission:
Computer60
>Date of next scheduled service, and
remaining distance to be driven63
>Odometer and trip odometer59
>Checking oil level117
>Settings and information61
> There is a Check Control
message65
9Fuel gauge60
10Resetting the trip odometer59

Opening and closing
18
Opening and closing
Remote control
Each remote control contains a rechargeable
battery that is automatically recharged when it
is in the ignition lock while the car is being
driven. Use each remote control at least twice a
year for longer road trips in order to maintain the
batteries' charge status. In cars with convenient
access
*, the remote control contains a replace-
able battery, refer to page28.
The settings called up and implemented when
the car is unlocked depend on which remote
control is used to unlock the car, refer to Per-
sonal Profile below.
In addition, information about service require-
ments is stored in the remote control, refer to
Service data in the remote control, page121.
Integrated key
Press button1 to release the key.
The integrated key fits the following locks:
>Glove compartment, refer to page87
>Driver's door, refer to page22
>Luggage compartment lid, refer to page24
New remote controls
Your BMW center can supply new remote con-
trols with integrated keys as additional units or
as replacements in the event of loss.
Personal Profile
The concept
You can set many of your BMW's functions to
suit your personal needs and preferences.
Without any action on your part, Personal Pro-
file ensures that most of these settings are
stored for the remote control currently in use.
When you unlock the car, the remote control
used for the purpose is recognized and the set-
tings stored for it are called up and imple-
mented.
This means that your personal settings will be
activated for you, even if in the meantime your
car was used by someone else with another
remote control and the corresponding settings.
The individual settings are stored for a maxi-
mum of four remote controls. They are stored
for two remote controls if convenient access
* is
in use.
Personal Profile settings
For more information on specific settings, refer
to the specified pages.
>Response of the central locking system
when the car is unlocked, refer to page19
>Automatic locking of the vehicle, refer to
page23
>Automatic call-up of the driver's seat posi-
tion after unlocking, refer to page39
> Shift Lights, refer to page52
>Triple turn signal activation, refer to
page55

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
19
>Settings for the display in the instrument
cluster:
>12h/24h format of the clock, refer to
page62
>Date format, refer to page62
>Units of measure for fuel consumption,
distance covered/remaining distances,
and temperature, refer to page62
>Light settings:
>Pathway lighting, refer to page76
>Daytime running lamps, refer to page77
>Automatic climate control: activating/deac-
tivating AUTO program, cooling function
and automatic recirculated-air control, set-
ting temperature, air flow rate and distribu-
tion, refer to page81 ff
>Entertainment:
>Audio volume, refer to separate Owner's
Manual
>Speed-dependent volume control, refer
to separate Owner's Manual
Central locking system
The concept
The central locking system functions when the
driver's door is closed.
The system simultaneously engages and
releases the locks on the following:
>Doors
>Luggage compartment lid
>Fuel filler door
>Convertible: center armrest and glove com-
partment
Operating from outside
>Via the remote control
>Via the door lock
>In cars with convenient access
*, via the
handles on the driver's and front passen-
ger's doorsThe anti-theft system is also operated at the
same time. It prevents the doors from being
unlocked using the lock buttons or door han-
dles. In addition, if the remote control is used,
the welcome lamps, interior lamps and the
door's courtesy lamps
* are switched on or off.
The alarm system
* is also armed or disarmed.
For further details of the alarm system,
refer to
page25.
Operating from inside
By means of the button for central locking, refer
to page23.
In the event of a sufficiently severe accident, the
central locking system unlocks automatically. In
addition, the hazard warning flashers and inte-
rior lamps come on.
Opening and closing:
Using the remote control
Persons or animals in a parked vehicle
could lock the doors from the inside. You
should therefore take the remote control with
you when you leave the vehicle so that the latter
can be opened from outside.<
Convertible: to operate the retractable
hardtop with the remote control, the
doors and luggage compartment lid must be
closed and the cargo bay partition must be
folded down and engaged on both sides. Refer
also to page32.<
Unlocking
Press the button.
The interior lamps, the courtesy lamps
* and the
welcome lamps come on.
Setting unlocking characteristics
You can set whether only the driver's door or
the entire vehicle is to be unlocked when the
button is pressed for the first time.
For operating principle, refer to page61.
1.Switch on the ignition, refer to page46.
2.Lightly push button1 in the turn indicator
lever up or down repeatedly until the sym-

Opening and closing
20 bol appears in the display accompanied by
the word "SET".
3.Press button 2.
4.Lightly push button1 in the turn indicator
lever down repeatedly until the symbol
appears in the display.
5.Press button 2.
6.Use button 1 to select:
>
Press the button once to unlock only
the driver's door and the fuel filler door.
Press the button twice to unlock the
entire vehicle.
>
Press the button once to unlock the
entire vehicle.
7.Press button 2.
The setting is stored for the remote control
currently in use.
Coupe: convenient opening
Hold the button down.
The windows and the glass roof
* are opened.
Convertible: convenient opening*
Within a range of approx. 13 ft/4 m from the
vehicle, you can open the retractable hardtop
using the remote control for convenient access.
Hold the button down.
The windows and the retractable hardtop are
opened if the doors are closed.
If you continue pressing the button, the win-
dows move up.
Watch during the opening process to
ensure that no one is injured. Releasing
the button interrupts the opening process.<
Locking
Press the button.
Do not lock the vehicle from the outside if
persons are inside the vehicle because it
cannot be unlocked from the inside without
special knowledge.<
Convertible: convenient closing*
Within a range of approx. 13 ft/4 m from the
vehicle, you can close the retractable hardtop
and the windows using the remote control for
convenient access.
Hold the button down.
The retractable hardtop and the windows are
closed.
Watch during the closing process to
ensure that no one is injured. Releasing
the button interrupts the closing process.<
Switching on interior lamps
While the car is locked:
Press the button.
You can also use this function to locate your
vehicle in parking garages etc.
Unlocking the luggage compartment
lid
Press the button for approx. 1 second.
The luggage compartment lid opens a short
distance, regardless of whether it was locked or
unlocked.

Opening and closing
22
Malfunctions
The remote control may malfunction due to
local radio waves. If this occurs, unlock and lock
the car at the door lock with the integrated key.
If the car can no longer be locked with a remote
control, the battery in the remote control is dis-
charged. Use the remote control on an
extended trip to recharge the battery, refer to
page18. The remote control for convenient
access
* contains a battery that may have to be
changed, refer to page28.
For US owners only
The transmitter and receiver units comply with
part 15 of the FCC/Federal Communications
Commission regulations. Operation is gov-
erned by the following:
FCC ID:
LX8766S
LX8766E
LX8CAS
Compliance statement:
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC
Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions:
>This device must not cause harmful inter-
ference, and
>This device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications or
changes to these devices could void the
user's authority to operate this equipment.<
Opening and closing:
Using the door lock
You can set the way in which the car is
unlocked, refer to page19.
Do not lock the vehicle from the outside if
persons are inside the vehicle because it
cannot be unlocked from the inside without
special knowledge.<
Convenient operation
You can use the door lock to operate the win-
dows and the coupe's glass roof
* or the con-
vertible's retractable hardtop.
Hold the key in the position for unlocking or
locking.
During each closing procedure, and when
opening the retractable hardtop, watch
the process and ensure that no one becomes
trapped. Releasing the key stops the opera-
tion.<
Manual operation
In the event of an electrical malfunction, you can
lock and unlock the driver's door by turning the
integrated key to the corresponding limit posi-
tions in the door lock.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
23
Opening and closing:
From inside
This button serves to unlock or lock doors and
the luggage compartment lid when the doors
are closed, but does not activate the anti-theft
system. The fuel filler door remains unlocked.
Automatic locking
You can also set the situations in which the car
locks:
For operating principle, refer to page61.
1.Switch on the ignition, refer to page46.
2.Lightly push button1 in the turn indicator
lever up or down repeatedly until the sym-
bol appears in the display accompanied by
the word "SET".
3.Press button 2.4.Lightly push button1 in the turn indicator
lever down repeatedly until the symbol
appears in the display.
5.Press button 2.
6.Use button 1 to select:
>
The central locking system automati-
cally locks the vehicle after some time if
no door has been opened.
>
The central locking system automati-
cally locks the vehicle as soon as you
drive off.
>
The central locking system automati-
cally locks the vehicle after some time if
no door has been opened, or as soon as
you drive off.
>
The central locking system remains
unlocked.
7.Press button 2.
The setting is stored for the remote control
currently in use.
Unlocking and opening doors
>Either unlock the doors together using the
button for the central locking system and
then pull the door handle above the armrest
or
>pull on the door handle of each door twice:
the first time unlocks the door, the second
time opens it.

Opening and closing
24
Locking
>Use the central locking button to lock all of
the doors simultaneously, or
>press down the safety lock button of a door.
To prevent you from being locked out, the
open driver's door cannot be locked using
the lock button.
Persons or animals in a parked vehicle
could lock the doors from the inside. You
should therefore take the remote control with
you when you leave the vehicle so that the latter
can be opened from outside.<
Luggage compartment lid
In order to avoid damage, make sure there
is sufficient clearance before opening the
luggage compartment lid.<
Opening from inside
Press the button: the luggage compartment lid
opens unless it has been locked.
Opening from outside
Press the button, see arrow, or the button on
the remote control for a longer period. The lug-gage compartment lid will open slightly. It can
now be swung upwards.
Opening manually
The integrated key of the remote control, refer
to page18, fits the luggage compartment lid
lock.
If you open the luggage compartment lid
using the key while the alarm system is
armed, the alarm will be triggered. Switching off
an alarm, refer to page26.<
Coupe
Turn the key all the way to the left: the luggage
compartment lid opens.
Convertible
Turn the key all the way to the left beyond the
two resistance points: the luggage compart-
ment lid opens.
It may be necessary to close the luggage com-
partment lid with more momentum since the
assisted closing of the luggage compartment
lid does not work if there is an electrical mal-
function.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
27
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and then
flashes continuously. The tilt alarm sensor and
the interior motion sensor are switched off until
the next time the vehicle is unlocked and subse-
quently locked again.
Convenient access*
Convenient access enables you to enter your
vehicle without needing to hold the remote con-
trol in your hand. All you need to do is wear the
remote control close to your body, e.g. in your
jacket pocket. The vehicle detects the corre-
sponding remote control within the immediate
vicinity or in the passenger compartment.
Convenient access supports the following
functions:
>Unlocking/locking the vehicle
>Unlocking the luggage compartment lid
separately
>Starting the engine
>Convenient closure
Functional requirement
>The vehicle or the luggage compartment lid
can only be locked when the vehicle detects
that the remote control currently in use is
outside of the vehicle.
>The vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked
again until after approx. 2 seconds.
>The engine can only be started when the
vehicle detects that the remote control cur-
rently in use is inside the vehicle.
Comparison to the standard remote
control
In general, there is no difference between using
convenient access or pressing the buttons on
the remote control to carry out the functions
mentioned above. You should therefore first
familiarize yourself with the instructions on
opening and closing starting on page18.
Special features regarding the use of conve-
nient access are described below.If you notice a brief delay while opening or
closing windows, the glass roof or retract-
able hardtop, the system is checking whether a
remote control is inside the vehicle. Please
repeat the opening or closing procedure, if nec-
essary.<
Unlocking
Grasp the handle on the driver's or front pas-
senger's door completely, arrow 1. This corre-
sponds to pressing the button.
Locking
Touch the surface, arrow 2, with your finger for
approx. 1 second. This corresponds to pressing
the button.
To preserve the battery, please make
sure that the ignition and all electrical
consumers are switched off before locking the
vehicle.<
Coupe: convenient closure
For convenient closure, keep your finger on the
surface, arrow 2.
Convertible: window and convertible
top operation
With the ignition at radio readiness or beyond,
you can open and close the windows and the
convertible top when a remote control is
located inside the vehicle.
Unlocking the luggage compartment
lid separately
Press the button on the outside of the luggage
compartment lid. This corresponds to pressing
the button.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
31
1.Unclip the front of the cover of the interior
lamps using the screwdriver from the
onboard tool kit, refer to page127.
2.Insert the screwdriver into the openings on
each side to press the clips.
3.Remove the control unit.
4.Unplug the motor. Considerably less effort
will be required for manual operation.
5.Insert the Allen wrench
* supplied with the
onboard tool kit, refer to page127, into the opening provided. Move the glass roof in
the desired direction.
6.Reinstall the control unit and reattach the
lamp cover.
Convertible: retractable
hardtop
The retractable hardtop 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 cargo
bay.
>Do not attach roof rack systems to the
retractable hardtop, and in particular do not
attach magnetic racks.
>Do not attach rack systems to the luggage
compartment lid, and in particular do not
attach magnetic racks.
>When the retractable hardtop is operated,
the luggage compartment lid swings back
and up. Before operating the retractable
hardtop, ensure that there is enough clear-
ance, 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 cargo bay. If necessary, remove items