automatic transmission BMW M3 2012 Owners Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: BMW, Model Year: 2012, Model line: M3, Model: BMW M3 2012Pages: 314, PDF Size: 7.72 MB
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At a glanceDashboard
Instrument cluster
1Speedometer
2 Indicator lamps for turn signals
3 Indicator and warning lamps 13
4 Displays for Active Cruise Control 75
5 Tachometer 83
6 Engine oil temperature 83
7 Display for
>Clock 82
> Outside temperature 82
> Indicator and warning lamps 928
Display for
>Position of automatic transmission 64
> Gear indicator of 7-gear Sport automatic
transmission with double clutch 66
> Computer 84
> Date of next scheduled service, and
remaining distance to be driven 87
> Odometer and trip odometer 82
> High-beam Assistant 113
> Checking the oil level 260
> Settings and information 86
> There is a Check Control
message 92
9 Fuel gauge 83
10 Resetting the trip odometer 82
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Opening and closing
Controls
Unlocking
Grasp the handle on the driver's or front pas-
senger door completely, arrow 1
.
This corresponds to pressing the button.
Locking
Touch the surface on the door handle, arrow 2,
with your finger for approx. 1 second.
This corresponds to pressing the but-
ton.
To preserve the battery, please make
sure that the ignition and all electrical
consumers are switched off before locking the
vehicle. <
Coupe: convenient closing
Keep pressing the surface, arrow 2, with your
finger.
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 trunk lid separately
Press the button on the ou tside of the trunk lid.
This corresponds to pressing the button.
If the vehicle detects that a remote con-
trol has been accident ally left inside the
locked vehicle's cargo area after the trunk lid is
closed, the lid will reopen. The hazard warning
flashers flash and a signal sounds. <
Switching on radio readiness
Pressing the Start/Stop button switches on
radio readiness.
Do not depress the brake or the clutch; other-
wise, the engine will start immediately.
Starting the engine
The engine can be started or the ignition can be
switched on when a remote control is inside the
vehicle. It is not necessary to insert a remote
control into the ignition lock, refer to page 61.
Switching off the engine in cars with
automatic transmission
The engine can only be switched off when the
selector lever is in po sition P, refer to page 63.
To switch the engine off when the selector lever
is in position N, the remote control must be in
the ignition lock.
Malfunction
Local radio waves can in terfere with the func-
tion of Comfort Access, for example when a
mobile phone is in the immediate vicinity of the
remote control or by when a mobile phone is
being charged in the vehicle.
If this happens, open or close the vehicle via the
buttons on the remote co ntrol or using the inte-
grated key. To start the engine afterward, insert
the remote control into the ignition lock.
Warning lamps
The warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when you attempt to
start the engine: the engine cannot
be started. The remote co ntrol is not inside the
vehicle or is malfunctioning.
Take the remote contro l with you inside the
vehicle or have it checked. If necessary, insert
another remote control in to the ignition lock.
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Adjustments
Controls
Although there is a pinch protection sys-
tem, always check that the maneuvering
area of the belt hand-ove r is clear. Otherwise it
cannot be ensured that the system will stop
moving in certain extreme situations. <
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors
The front passenger's mirror is more con-
vex than the driver's mirror. The objects
seen in the mirror are cl oser than they appear.
Do not gauge your distan ce from traffic behind
you on the basis of what you see in the mirror;
otherwise, there is an in creased risk of an acci-
dent. <
1 Adjustments
2 Switching to the other mirror or to the auto-
matic curb monitor
3 Folding mirrors in and out
The setting for the exterior mirrors is stored for
the remote control currently in use. The stored
position is called up automatically when the
vehicle is unlocked.
Manual adjustment
The mirrors can also be adjusted manually:
press the edge of the glass.
Folding mirrors in and out
At driving speeds up to approx. 12 mph/
20 km/h, you can fold the mirrors in and out by
pressing button 3. This can be beneficial in
narrow streets, for example, or for moving mir- rors that were folded in by hand back out into
their correct positions.
Mirrors that have been
folded in fold out automatically at a speed of
approx. 24 mph/40 km/h.
Before entering an automatic car wash,
fold in the exterior mirrors manually or
with button 3 to prevent them from being dam-
aged, depending on the width of the vehicle. <
Automatic heating
Depending on the outside temperature, both
exterior mirrors are heated automatically when
the engine is running or the ignition is switched
on.
Passenger side mirror tilt function –
automatic curb monitor
Activating
1. Push the switch to the position for the
driver's side mirror, arrow 1.
2. Shift into reverse or engage the selector
lever- or transmission position R.
The glass of the mirror on the passenger
side tilts slightly down. This allows the
driver to see the area immediately adjacent
to the vehicle, e.g. a curb, when backing into
a parking space.
Deactivating
Push the switch to the position for the passen-
ger side mirror, arrow 2.
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Driving
Controls
Driving
Vehicle equipment
In this chapter, all production, 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.
Ignition lock
Insert the remote control into the
ignition lock
Insert the remote contro l all the way into the
ignition lock.
> Radio readiness is switched on.
Individual electrical consumers can operate.
Comfort Access
If the car is equipped with Comfort Access, only
insert the remote control into the ignition lock
under special circumstances, refer to page 38.
Removing the remote control from the
ignition lock
Do not forcibly pull the remote control out
of the ignition lock as this may cause
damage. < Before removing the remote control, push it all
the way in to release
the locking mechanism.
> The ignition is switched off if it was on.
Automatic transmission
You cannot take out the remote control unless
the selector lever is in the P position: interlock.
Start/Stop button
Pressing the Start/Stop button switches radio
readiness or the ignition on or off.
Manual transmission: when you press the
Start/Stop button and depress the clutch,
the engine starts.
Automatic transmission and Sport automatic
transmission with doub le clutch: when you
press the Start/Stop button and depress the
brake pedal, the engine starts. <
Radio readiness
Individual electrical consumers can operate.
The time and the outside temperature are dis-
played in the instrument cluster.
Radio readiness is switched off automatically:
> When the remote control is removed from
the ignition lock
> In cars with Comfort Access, by touching
the surface above the door lock, refer to
Locking on page 39
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ControlsDriving
Ignition on
All electrical consumers can operate. The
odometer and trip odometer are displayed in
the instrument cluster.
When the engine is off, please switch off
the ignition and any unnecessary electri-
cal consumers in order to preserve the bat-
tery.<
Radio readiness and ignition off
All indicator and warning lamps as well as dis-
plays in the instrument cluster go out.
Starting the engine
Do not run the engine in enclosed areas;
otherwise, the inhalati on of toxic exhaust
gases can cause loss of consciousness and
death. The exhaust gases contain carbon mon-
oxide, an odorless and colorless, but highly
toxic gas. Never leave an unattended vehicle
with the engine running; otherwise, such a vehi-
cle represents a pote ntial safety hazard.
Before leaving the vehicl e with the engine run-
ning, always shift into ne utral or selector lever/
transmission position P and apply the parking
brake forcefully to prevent the vehicle from roll-
ing. <
Avoid frequent starting in quick succes-
sion as well as repeated start attempts in
which the engine does no t start. Otherwise, the
fuel is not burned or incompletely burned and
there is a danger of overheating and damaging
the catalytic converter. <
Do not wait for the engine to warm up while the
vehicle remains stationary. Start driving right
away, but at moderate engine speeds.
Manual transmission
Remote control in the ignition lock or, with
Comfort Access, inside the vehicle, refer to
page 38.
1. Depress the brake.
2. Depress the clutch an d shift into neutral.
3. Press the Start/Stop button.
The starter operates automatically for a certain
time, and stops automatically as soon as the
engine has started.
Automatic transmission
Remote control in the ignition lock or, with
Comfort Access, inside the vehicle, refer to
page 38.
1. Depress the brake.
2. Move the selector lever to position P.
3. Press the Start/Stop button.
The starter operates automatically for a certain
time, and stops automatically as soon as the
engine has started.
Sport automatic transmission with
double clutch
Remote control in the ignition lock or, with
Comfort Access, inside the vehicle, refer to
page 38.
1. Depress the brake.
2. Press the Start/Stop button.
The engine starts independent of the current
transmission position.
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Driving
Controls
Switching off the engine
Always take the remo
te control with you
when you leave the vehicle.
When parking, apply the parking brake force-
fully; otherwise, the vehicle could begin to roll. <
Manual transmission
1.With the car at a standstill, press the Start/
Stop button.
2. Shift into first gear or reverse.
3. Forcefully apply the parking brake.
4. Removing the remote co ntrol from the igni-
tion lock, refer to page 61.
Automatic transmission
1. With the car at a stan dstill, move the selec-
tor lever to position P.
2. Press the Start/Stop button.
3. Forcefully apply the parking brake.
4. Removing the remote co ntrol from the igni-
tion lock, refer to page 61.
Sport automatic transmission with
double clutch
1. With the car at a standstill, press the Start/
Stop button.
If the transmission is shifted into N when the
engine is switched off, you will be notified
visually and acoustically of this fact.
2. Forcefully apply the parking brake.
3. Remove remote contro l from the ignition
lock, refer to page 61. The transmission is
automatically shifted into transmission
position P.
Parking brake
The parking brake is primarily intended to pre-
vent the vehicle from rolling while parked; it
brakes the rear wheels.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp is lit, and when you
drive off an acoustic signal sounds in
addition. The parking brake is still
applied.
Indicator lamp for Canadian models.
Applying
The lever locks in po sition automatically.
Releasing
Pull slightly upwards, press the button and
lower the lever.
In exceptional cases, if the parking brake
has to be used to slow or stop the car, do
not pull the lever up too hard. In doing so, con-
tinuously press the button of the parking brake
lever.
Otherwise, excessive force on the parking
brake can lock up the rear wheels and cause the
rear of the car to swerve. <
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. <
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ControlsDriving
Manual transmission
When shifting into 5th or 6th gear, press
the gearshift lever to the right. Otherwise,
the engine could be damaged 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 65.
Vehicle parking
To prevent the vehicle from rolling,
always select position P and apply the
parking brake before le aving 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 61.
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 statio nary, first depress the
brake; otherwise, the 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. <
A lock prevents you from inadvertently engag-
ing selector lever positions R and P. To cancel
the lock, press the butto n on the front of the
selector lever, see arrow.
P Park
Select this only when th e vehicle is stationary.
The rear wheels are locked.
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Driving
Controls
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.
D Drive, automatic position
Position for normal vehicle operation. All for-
ward gears are selected automatically.
Under normal operating conditions, fuel con-
sumption is lowest when you are driving in posi-
tion D.
Kickdown
Kickdown enables you to achieve maximum
performance.
Press the accelerator pedal beyond the full-
throttle resistance point.
Sport program and manual mode M/S
Move selector lever from position D toward the
left into the M/S shifting slot; the Sport program
is activated. This positi on is recommended for a
performance-oriented driving style.
DS is displayed in the instrument cluster.
To deactivate the spor t program or manual
mode M/S, move the sele ctor lever to the right
into position D.
Shifting gears via the selector lever
Move selector lever from position D toward the
left into the M/S shifting slot: 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.
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.
Changing gears using shifting paddles
on steering wheel
The shift paddles allow you to shift gears
quickly since both hand s 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 the M/S gear
plane, manual mode remains active. <
> To upshift, briefly pull the right shift
paddle +.
> To downshift, briefly pull the left shift pad-
dle –.
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ControlsDriving
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 exec uted by the system.
The gear selected is briefly displayed in the
instrument cluster, followed again by the gear
actually in use.
Overriding selector lever lock
Should the selector lever refuse to move out of
position P even though the 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 270, press the
red lever and with the button pressed,
simultaneously move th e selector lever to
the desired position.
7-gear Spor t automatic
transmission with double
clutch
The concept
The 7-gear Sport automa tic transmission with
double clutch is an automated manual trans-
mission with two clutches and secondary gear sets in which the clutch
ing and shifting is han-
dled by an electrohydraulic 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 70
> Automatic intermediate throttle application
System limitations
The 7-gear Sport automatic 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 + –
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ControlsDriving
D Drive mode
In Drive mode, all forward gears are shifted
automatically.
Kickdown
For sudden acceleration maneuvers such as
passing, depress the accelerator past the resis-
tance point. This prov ides maximum accelera-
tion.
Sport program and
manual mode M/S
Push selector lever towa rd 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 situat ions, 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 usin g 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 sele ctor lever toward the
rear.
> To downshift, push it toward the front.
Using the shift paddl es on the steering
wheel
You can also shift manua lly 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.
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 333 - \251 08/11 BMW AG