BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE 2012 Owners Manual

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MobilityIndicator and warning lamps
Indicator and warning lamps
Vehicle equipment
In this chapter, all pr oduction, country, and
optional equipment that is offered in the model
range is described. For this reason, descrip-
tions will be given of some equipment that may
not be available in a vehi cle, for example due to
the special options or national-market version
selected. This also app lies to safety related
functions and systems.
The concept
Indicator and warning lamps can light up in a
variety of combinations and colors. See the
table for information on causes and how to
react. Note whether a lamp lights up alone or in
combination with another. Some lamps can
light up in different co lors. Corresponding dis-
tinctions are made in the text.
12Cause What to do
Turn signals
High beams/headlamp flasher
switched on
Fog lamps switched on
Fasten safety belts Fasten your safety belt, also refer to
page 49.
Indication in US models
Parking brake applied while driving Release the parking brake.
Indication in Canadian models
Parking brake applied while driving Release the parking brake.
Outside temperature warning Drive cautiously, also refer to page78.
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Indicator and warning lamps
Mobility
Lights up briefly:
Approx. 2.1 US gal/8 liters of fuel
remain in the tank
Remains on:
Remaining operating range is no more
than 30 miles/50 km, refer to page
79
Engine refuses to start Depress th e brake or clutch in order to
start the engine , refer to page58.
Ignition switched on and driver's door
open Switch off the ignition, refer to page
57,
or close the driver's door.
The desired function cannot currently
be carried out
Parking lamps still on Switch off the parking lamps, refer to
page 103.
Roadside parking lamps still on Switch off the roadside parking lamps,
refer to page 105.
Door open
Engine compartment lid open
Lights up in red:
Backrest of driver's seat or front pas-
senger seat not locked Lock the backrest; otherwise, the safety
belt will not provide protection in the
event of an accident.
Lights up in yellow:
Seat backrest monitor malfunctioning Engage the seat backrest. Have it
checked by your nearest BMW center.
12Cause What to do
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MobilityIndicator and warning lamps
Lights up in red:
Roof activation system failure Roof cannot be moved. If the retract-
able hardtop does not lock, contact
your nearest BMW center.
Roof activation system malfunctioni ng Roof movement incomplete. Please
check if the roof is blocked, then press
or pull the switch again.
Lights up in yellow:
Roof drive overheated Roof activation temporarily limited to closing only.
Cargo area partition not in lowermost
position Press down the cargo area partition
until it engages on both sides.
Vehicle not level, ro of activation not
possible Move the vehicle to a level surface.
Rollover protection system malfunc-
tioning Have the rollover protection system
checked by the nearest BMW center.
Trunk lid open
Fuel cap is open Make sure that the fuel cap is correctly positioned and close it until it audibly
clicks. Do not jam the strap between the
fuel cap and the vehicle.
Windshield washer fluid level too low Add washer fluid as soon as possible, refer to page69.
Lights up in red:
Service due Arrange a service appointment. Check service requirements, refer to
page84.
Lights up in yellow:
The engine will start the next time the
Start/Stop button is briefly pressed,
possibly without the brake or clutch
being depressed
Remote control malfunctioning or, in
cars with Comfort Access, not
detected The engine cannot be started. Have the
remote control checked, if necessary.
Battery in remote co ntrol discharged Use the remote control for a longer jour-
ney or, in cars with Comfort Access,
replace the battery.
12Cause What to do
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Indicator and warning lamps
Mobility
Belt tensioners and/or airbag system
failed
Have the system checked immediately.
Active steering defective You can continue your journey.
Steering characteristics are modified
and steering wheel could be off-center.
Steer carefully.
Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
Steering assistance failed Markedl y different steering response.
You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution.
Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
Lights up:
Emergency Request system has failed
or is malfunctioning Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
Lights up in red:
Engine malfunction Stop the ca r and switch off the engine.
You cannot continue your journey. Con-
tact your BMW center.
Lights up in yellow:
Full engine power is no longer availabl e You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the engine checked as
soon as possible.
Indication in US models:
Warning lamp flashes:
Engine malfunction under high load.
High engine load will result in damage
to the catalytic converter You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the vehicle checked with-
out delay.
Warning lamp lights up:
Engine malfunction with adverse effect
on emissions Have the car checked as soon as possi-
ble.
12Cause What to do
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MobilityIndicator and warning lamps
Indication in Canadian models:
Warning lamp flashes:
Engine malfunction under high load.
High engine load w ill result in damage
to the catalytic converter You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the vehicle checked with-
out delay.
Warning lamp lights up:
Engine malfunction wi th adverse effect
on emissions Have the car checked as soon as possi-
ble.
Lights up in red:
Engine overheating Carefully br ing the car to a stop, switch
off the engine and allo w it to cool down.
Do not open the hood; otherwise, there
is a risk of injury from scalding. Contact
your BMW center.
Lights up in yellow:
Engine too hot Continue dr iving at more moderate
speed so that the engine can cool
down. Have the engine checked with-
out delay if the situation reoccurs.
Lights up in red:
Battery is no longer being charged.
Alternator malfunction Switch off all unnecessary electrical
consumers. Have the power supply
system checked without delay.
Lights up in yellow:
Battery charge level very low, battery
aged or not securely connected Have the battery ch
ecked as soon as
possible.
Indication in US models
Parking brake applied
Indication in Canadian models
Parking brake applied
Indication in US models
Lights up in red:
Brake fluid level too low Braking action is reduced, stop with
care. Contact your BMW center.
12Cause What to do
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Indicator and warning lamps
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Indication in Canadian models
Lights up in red:
Brake fluid level too low Braking action is reduced, stop with
care. Contact your BMW center.
Indication in US models
Brake pads worn Have the condition of the brake pads checked without delay.
Indication in Canadian models
Brake pads worn Have the condition of the brake pads checked without delay.
Lights up in red: Have the system in question checked without delay.
> Starter failed or The engine cannot be restarted.
> Ignition malfunctioning. Engine
restart only possible when brake is
depressed or
> Lighting system failed. Low beams/
tail lamps and brake lamps still
operational. All other lamps failed Depress the brake to restart the engine.
Lights up in yellow:
> Control of the brake lamps failed or
> Fuel supply malfunctioningDrive
unit malfunction You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the system in question
checked without delay.
Flashing:
Dynamic Stability Control DSC or
Dynamic Traction Control DTC is con-
trolling drive and braking forces, also
refer to page 91
Dynamic Traction Control DTC acti-
vated, also refer to page 91
Dynamic Stability Control DSC and
Dynamic Traction Control DTC deacti-
vated, also refer to page 91Driving stability limited during accelera-
tion and cornering.
Driving style must be readjusted.
Suspension control system failed, also
refer to page 90 Driving stability limited during accelera-
tion and cornering.
You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the system checked as
soon as possible.
12Cause What to do
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MobilityIndicator and warning lamps
xDrive has failed, also refer to page 92You can continue yo ur journey. Drive
cautiously and thin k well ahead. Avoid
driving on rough tracks, full-throttle
operation and use of the transmission's
kickdown mode. Have the system
checked immediately.
xDrive and DSC have failed, also refer
to page 92 You can continue yo
ur journey. Drive
cautiously and thin k well ahead. Avoid
driving on rough tracks, full-throttle
operation and use of the transmission's
kickdown mode. Have the system
checked immediately.
Indication in US models
The driving stability control systems,
including ABS and the Tire Pressure
Monitor, have failed, also refer to
page 90 You can continue your journey.
Reduced braking and driving stability.
Drive at moderate speeds, avoiding
abrupt braking maneuvers. Have the
system checked as soon as possible.
Indication in Canadian models
The driving stability control systems,
including ABS and the Flat Tire Moni-
tor, or Tire Pressure Monitor have
failed, also refer to page 90You can continue your journey.
Reduced braking and driving stability.
Drive at moderate speeds, avoiding
abrupt braking maneuvers. Have the
system checked as soon as possible.
Indication in Canadian models
The driving stability control systems,
including ABS and the Flat Tire Moni-
tor, or Tire Pressure Monitor have
failed, also refer to page 90You can continue your journey.
Reduced braking and driving stability.
Drive at moderate speeds, avoiding
abrupt braking maneuvers. Have the
system checked as soon as possible.
Indication in US models
The driving stability control systems,
including ABS, xDrive and the Flat Tire
Monitor, have failed You can continue your journey.
Reduced braking and driving stability.
Drive at moderate speeds, avoiding
abrupt braking maneuvers. Avoid driv-
ing on rough tracks, full-throttle opera-
tion and use of the transmission's kick-
down mode. Have the system checked
immediately.
12Cause What to do
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Indicator and warning lamps
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Indication in Canadian models
The driving stability control systems,
including ABS, xDrive and the Flat Tire
Monitor, have failed
You can continue your journey.
Reduced braking and driving stability.
Drive at moderate speeds, avoiding
abrupt braking maneuvers. Avoid driv-
ing on rough tracks, full-throttle opera-
tion and use of the transmission's kick-
down mode. Have the system checked
immediately.
Indication in Canadian models
The driving stability control systems,
including ABS, xDrive and the Flat Tire
Monitor, have failed You can continue your journey.
Reduced braking and driving stability.
Drive at moderate speeds, avoiding
abrupt braking maneuvers. Avoid driv-
ing on rough tracks, full-throttle opera-
tion and use of the transmission's kick-
down mode. Have the system checked
immediately.
Indication in US models
Vehicle electronics failed You cannot continue your journey. Con-
tact your BMW center.
Indication in Canadian models
Vehicle electronics failed You cannot continue your journey. Con-
tact your BMW center.
Indication in Canadian models
Vehicle electronics failed You cannot continue your journey. Con-
tact your BMW center.
12Cause What to do
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MobilityIndicator and warning lamps
Vehicles with Flat Tire Monitor
Light up in yellow and red:
>Tire is deflated Carefully bring the car to a stop. Comply
with the additional information starting
on page93.
> Flat Tire Monitor not initialized Initialize Flat Tire Monitor, refer to
page93.
Light up in yellow:
Flat Tire Monitor failed. Punctures are
not indicated Have the system checked.
Vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitor
Light up in yellow and red:
There is a flat tire or substantial loss of
tire pressure in the indicated wheel Carefully bring the car to a stop. Comply
with the additional information starting
on page
95.
Vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitor
Light up in yellow:
> Tire Pressure Monitor not initialized Ch eck the inflation pressure and reset
the system, refer to page 95
The small lamp flashes in yellow and
then lights up contin uously; the larger
lamp lights up in yellow:
> Tire Pressure Monitor has failed.
Punctures are not indicated Have the system checked.
> Interference from systems or
devices that use the same radio fre-
quency. The system automatically
reactivates once it is outside of the
field of interference
Vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitor:
The small lamp flashes in yellow and
then lights up contin uously; the larger
lamp lights up in yellow:
> Tire Pressure Monitor has failed.
Punctures are not indicated Have the system checked.
> A wheel without TPM electronics
has been mounted
12Cause What to do
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Indicator and warning lamps
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Lights up in red:
>
Transmission limp-home program
active with restricted range of
gears, possibly with reduced accel-
eration You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the system checked
without delay.
> Gears can be engaged without
depressing the brake Always depress the brake to engage a
gear.
Lights up in yellow:
> Transmission limp-home program
active with restricted range of gears You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the system checked
without delay.
> Automatic selector lever locked:
Selector lever locked in position P
with engine running or ignition
switched on and brake depressed Overriding selector lever lock, refer to
page
62.
> Selector lever position P malfunc-
tioning:
Selector lever locked in position P
with engine running or ignition
switched on and brake depressed Release parking lock, refer to page
65.
Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
> Brake signal malfunctioning: gear
can be engaged without depress-
ing the brake To engage a gear while the vehicle is at
a standstill, always step on the brake.
Before leaving the
vehicle, engage P
and switch off the engine.
Lights up in red:
Transmission overheating Bring the car to a stop and engage P.
Allow the transmission to cool down.
You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the system checked if the
situation reoccurs.
Lights up in yellow:
Transmission too hot Avoid high engine loads. You can con-
tinue your journey, but moderate your
speed and exercise due caution.
P is not engaged. Vehicle not pre-
vented from rolling
12Cause What to do
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