lock BMW M3 2010 Owner's Guide

Technology for driving comfort and safety
70
Driving stability control
systems
Your BMW has a number of systems that help
to maintain the vehicle's stability even in
adverse driving conditions.
Antilock Brake System ABS
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during
braking. Safe steering response is maintained
even during full braking. Active safety is thus
increased.
The ABS is operational every time you start the
engine. Braking safely, refer to page108.
Electronic brake-force distribution
EBV
The system controls the brake pressure in the
rear wheels to ensure stable braking behavior.
Dynamic Brake Control DBC
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system
automatically produces the maximum braking
force boost and thus helps to achieve the short-
est possible braking distance during full brak-
ing. This system exploits all of the benefits pro-
vided by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake for the
duration of the full braking application.
Dynamic Stability Control DSC
DSC prevents the driving wheels from losing
traction when you pull away from rest or accel-
erate. The system also recognizes unstable
driving conditions, for example if the rear of the
car is about to swerve or if momentum is acting
at an angle past the front wheels. In these
cases, DSC helps the vehicle maintain a safe
course within physical limits by reducing engine
output and through braking actions at the indi-
vidual wheels.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed,
even with DSC. An appropriate driving
style always remains the responsibility of the
driver. Therefore, do not reduce the additional
safety margin again by taking risks, as this could
result in an accident.<
Deactivating DSC
Press the button for at least 3 seconds; the indi-
cator lamps for DSC in the instrument cluster
light up. Dynamic Traction Control DTC and
DSC have been simultaneously deactivated.
Stabilizing and drive-output promoting actions
are no longer executed.
In the same way as with a differential interlock
*,
even if DSC is deactivated, brake actions are
still performed to enhance drive output if the
drive wheels experience a significant loss of
traction.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC again
as soon as possible.
Activating DSC
Press the button again; the indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster go out.
For better control
If the indicator lamp flashes:
DSC is regulating the drive and brak-
ing forces.
If the indicator lamps are on:
DSC is deactivated.
Dynamic Traction Control DTC
DTC is a version of DSC in which the drive out-
put is optimized for particular road conditions,
e.g. unplowed snow-covered roads. The sys-
tem assures the maximal drive output, but with
reduced driving stability. It is therefore neces-
sary to drive with appropriate caution.
You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC
under the following special circumstances:

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
79
Lamps
Parking lamps/low beams
0Lamps off,
daytime running lights
1Parking lamps and daytime running lights
2Low-beam headlamps and welcome lamps
3Automatic headlamp control
*, daytime run-
ning lights, welcome lamps, high-beam
assistant
* and adaptive light control*
When you open the driver's door with the igni-
tion switched off, the exterior lighting is auto-
matically switched off if the light switch is in
position 0, 2 or 3.
Switch on the parking lamps if necessary,
switch position 1.
Parking lamps
In switch position1, the front, rear and side
vehicle lighting is switched on. You can use the
parking lamps for parking.
When the ignition is switched off and the switch
is in position 1, only the outside sections of the
rear lamps are illuminated, refer to page150.
The parking lamps will discharge the bat-
tery. Therefore, do not leave them on for
unduly long periods of time; otherwise, the bat-
tery might not have enough power to start the
engine. It is preferable to switch on the left-
hand or right-hand roadside parking lamps,
refer to page81.<
Low beams
The low beams light up when the light switch is
in position 2 and the ignition is on.
Automatic headlamp control*
When the switch is in position3, the low beams
are switched on and off automatically depend-
ing on ambient light conditions, e.g. in a tunnel,
in twilight, or if there is precipitation. The adap-
tive light control
* is active. The LED next to the
symbol is illuminated when the low beams are
on. You can also activate the daytime running
lights, refer to page80. In the situations
described above, the lamps then automatically
switch from daytime running lights to low
beams.
The headlamps may also come on when the
sun is sitting low on a blue sky.
The low beams remain switched on
regardless of the ambient lighting condi-
tions when you switch on the fog lamps.<
The automatic headlamp control cannot
serve as a substitute for your personal
judgment in determining when the lamps
should be switched on in response to ambient
lighting conditions. For example, the system
cannot detect fog or hazy weather. To avoid
safety risks, you should always switch on the
low-beam headlamps manually under these
conditions.<
Welcome lamps
If you leave the light switch in position 2 or 3
when you park the car, the parking lamps and
the interior lamps light up briefly when you
unlock the vehicle.
Pathway lighting
If you activate the headlamp flasher after
switching off the ignition with the lamps
switched off, the low beams come on and
remain on for a certain time.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
85
Air conditioner
1Air distribution
2Recirculated-air mode
3Air volume4Cooling function
5Temperature
6Rear window defroster
Air distribution
Direct the flow of air to the win-
dows , to the upper body area
or to the footwell . Intermedi-
ate settings are possible.
Recirculated-air mode
If the air outside the car has an
unpleasant odor or contains pollut-
ants, shut off the supply to the
interior of the car temporarily. The
system then recirculates the air currently within
the vehicle.
You can also activate/deactivate the recircu-
lated-air mode by means of a button
* on the
steering wheel, refer to page11.
If condensation starts to form on the
inside window surfaces during operation
in the recirculated-air mode, you should switch
it off while also increasing the air volume as
required.
The recirculated-air mode should not be used
continuously for lengthy periods; otherwise, the
quality of the air inside the car will gradually
deteriorate.<
Air volume
Turn to adjust the air volume. The
higher the volume, the more effec-
tive the heating or cooling will be.The air volume may be reduced or the blower
may be switched off entirely to save on battery
power.
Switching the system on/off
Set any desired air volume to switch on the air
conditioner.
Turn the air volume rotary switch to 0. The
blower and air conditioner are completely
switched off and the air supply is cut off.
The outside air supply is blocked when
the air conditioner is switched off. If the air
quality deteriorates or the window fogs over,
switch the system back on and increase the air
volume.<
Switching cooling function on/off
The cooling function cools and
dehumidifies the incoming air
before reheating it according to the
temperature setting. This function
is only available while the engine is running.
The cooling function helps prevent condensa-
tion on the windows or removes it quickly.
Depending on the weather, the windshield may
fog over briefly when the engine is started.

Climate
86
Rear window defroster
The defroster is switched off auto-
matically after a certain time.
Depending on your vehicle's
equipment, the upper wires serve
as an antenna and are not part of the rear win-
dow defroster.
Temperature
To increase the temperature, turn
the rotary switch clockwise
towards red.
For a lower temperature, turn the
rotary switch counterclockwise towards blue.
Defrosting windows and removing
condensation
1.Air distribution1 in position .
2.Deactivate recirculated-air mode 2.
3.Air volume control3 all the way to the right.
4.Switch on cooling function 4.
5.Temperature5 to the right, red.
6.Switch on rear window defroster 6 to
defrost the rear window .
Ventilation
1Use the thumbwheels to smoothly open
and close the air vents
2Use the lever to change the direction of the
airflow
Ventilation for cooling
Adjust the vent outlets to direct the flow of cool
air in your direction, for instance if it has become
too hot in the car.
Draft-free ventilation
Adjust the vents to let the air flow past you.
Microfilter
The microfilter removes dust and pollen from
the incoming air. The microfilter is changed by
your BMW center during routine maintenance
work.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
89
Defrosting windows and removing
condensation
Press the button.
Quickly removes ice and conden-
sation from the windshield and
front side windows.
For this purpose, also switch on the cooling
function.
Switching cooling function on/off
The passenger compartment can only be
cooled while the engine is running.
Press the button.
The air is cooled and dehumidified
and – depending on the tempera-
ture setting – warmed again.
Depending on the weather, the windshield may
fog up briefly when the engine is started.
Pressing the AUTO button automatically
switches on the cooling function.
Rear window defroster
Press the button.
The defroster is switched off auto-
matically after a certain time.
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, the
upper wires serve as an antenna and are not
part of the rear window defroster.
Switching the system on/off
Switching off
With the blower at its lowest set-
ting, press the left side of the but-
ton to switch off the automatic cli-
mate control.
All displays are cleared except for the rear win-
dow defroster if it is switched on.
The outside air supply is blocked when
the automatic climate control is switched
off. If the air quality deteriorates or the window
fogs over, switch the system back on and
increase the air volume.<
Switching on
Press any button except the ALL or the rear
window defroster button to reactivate the auto-
matic climate control.
Ventilation
1Use the thumbwheels to smoothly open
and close the air vents
2Use the lever to change the direction of the
airflow
3Thumbwheel for more or less cool air from
the vents for the upper body area
Ventilation for cooling
Adjust the vent outlets to direct the flow of cool
air in your direction, for instance if it has become
too hot in the car.
Draft-free ventilation
Set the vent outlets so that the air flows past
you and not straight at you.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
95
Locking
To lock the glove compartment, use the inte-
grated key of the remote control, refer to
page18.
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 equip-
ment version.
Opening
Press the button, see arrow.
Settings*
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 car's loudspeaker system. You can set
the volume and tone by means of the car radio,
refer to the separate Owner's Manual for Radio.
Connecting
Lift up the center armrest.
AUX-IN port for audio playback:
TRS connector 1/8 in/3.5 mm
To play audio tracks over the car's loudspeaker
system, connect the headset or line-out port of
the external device to the connector.
Storage compartments inside
the vehicle
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, you
will find compartments beside the steering col-
umn
*, in the front doors and in the center con-
sole
*.
There are nets
* on the front-seat backrests.
Clothes hooks
There are clothes hooks on the grab handles in
the rear passenger compartment.
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 heavy braking or sudden swerv-
ing.<
Cupholders
Use lightweight and shatterproof contain-
ers and do not transport hot beverages;
otherwise, there is an increased risk of injury in
the event of the accident. Do not force contain-
ers that are too large into the cupholders; other-
wise, damage could result.<

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
97
Cigarette lighter socket*
To access the socket: take the cigarette lighter
out of the socket.
Socket* in the front passenger footwell
A socket is located under the glove compart-
ment on the left.
Socket in the center armrest
External audio device, refer to page95.
Sockets in the rear center console*
Remove corresponding cover.
Socket in the cargo area*
Sedan
Sports Wagon
Open the cap.
Sedan:
Through-loading system*
Opening
1.Open the belt lock of the rear center safety
belt. To do so, press the red button in the
belt lock2 using the latch plate1.

Practical interior accessories
98 2.Insert the latch plate at the end of the belt
into the specially designated fixture on the
rear window shelf.
3.Push the corresponding head restraint
down as far as it will go, refer to page36.
4.To release the rear seat backrest, pull the
corresponding lever in the cargo area.
5.The unlocked rear seat backrest moves for-
ward slightly. Fold the backrest forward by
the head restraint.
Closing
1.Return the rear seat backrest to its upright
position and engage it.
When returning the backrest to its
seating position, make sure that the
seat's locking mechanism engages prop-
erly. Otherwise, cargo could be thrown around in the event of sharp braking or
swerving and endanger the occupants.<
2.Release the latch plate from the fixture on
the rear window shelf and insert it into the
belt lock of the center safety belt. Make sure
you hear the latch plate engage in the belt
buckle.
The lashing eyes in the cargo area provide you
with a way to attach cargo area nets
* or draw
straps for securing suitcases and luggage, refer
to page110.
Sports Wagon:
Cargo area
Roller cover
Pull out the cover and hook it into the retaining
fixtures.
Do not place objects on the cover; other-
wise, they could endanger the car's occu-
pants, e.g. in the case of braking or sudden
swerving.
Do not let the cover retract; otherwise, it could
be damaged.<

Practical interior accessories
100 3.Pull the casing out backwards, arrow 2,
without tilting it.
4.Slide the casing into the guides on the
backs of the seat backrests.
5.Carefully pull out the partition net and insert
it into the front retaining fixtures, refer to
Partition net above. This can best be done
from the front seat.
Follow the same steps in reverse order to return
the partition net and seats to their original posi-
tions. Finally, slide the casing into both retaining
fixtures on the sides until it engages. Tug on the
casing to check if it is properly locked in place.
Storage compartments inside
the cargo area
Sedan
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, the
following storage spaces can be found in the
cargo area:
>Left storage compartment, e.g. for storing a
box of cleaning tissues or up to 12 CD jack-
ets, depending on vehicle equipment ver-
sion
>Net
* for securing smaller objects, to be
attached to the fixtures on the floor panel
>Hooks for hanging up, e.g., shopping bags
or tote bags
>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 cargo area>Folding, removable box
* under the floor
panel, e.g. for wet or dirty items
>Stowage compartment under the floor
panel
>Insertable dividers
* and removable storage
tray for the storage compartment under the
floor panel
Sports Wagon
The following storage spaces can be found in
the cargo area:
>Umbrella holder
* on the bottom of the par-
tition net casing
>Rubber strap on the left
* and right trim
panel for securing small objects such as a
folding umbrella
>Hooks for hanging up shopping bags or tote
bags, for example, on the left and right sides
of the cargo area
>Net for small objects on the right trim panel
of the cargo area
>Stowage compartment under the floor
panel
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, other
storage spaces can be found in the cargo area:
>Net
* for securing smaller objects, to be
attached to the fixtures on the floor panel
>Net
* on the left side trim of the cargo area
instead of the rubber strap
>Reversible floor panel with integrated plas-
tic cover
* for cargo area or bumper
>Folding, removable box
* under the floor
panel, e.g. for wet or dirty items

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
101
>Insertable dividers* and removable storage
tray for the storage compartment under the
floor panel
Folding up the floor panel
Do not exceed the maximum permissible
load of 55 lbs/25 kg for the storage com-
partment under the floor panel; otherwise, dam-
age could result.<
Sedan
Press the floor panel against the ceiling of the
cargo area; a locking device holds the floor
panel in place. To detach the floor panel, pull it
out of the locking device.
Sports Wagon
Fold up the floor panel and take it out or lean it
forward.
Lashing eyes
You will find lashing eyelets in the cargo area for
securing luggage items with nets or tensioning
straps, refer to page110.
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 6ft 10in/2.10m. When skis of 6ft 10in/
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.
The zip fastener makes objects in the ski
bag easier to reach.
4.Insert the latch plate of the ski bag's retain-
ing strap in the center belt buckle.
Only place clean skis in the ski bag. Wrap sharp
edges to prevent damage.
Securing cargo
After loading, secure the ski bag and its con-
tents. Tighten the retaining strap on the ten-
sioning buckle for this purpose.