steering BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE 2011 Owner's Manual

113
Antilock Brake System (ABS)The conceptABS keeps the wheels from locking
during braking, thereby enhancing
active driving safety.Braking with ABSIf you are in a situation that requires full
braking, you will exploit the full benefits
of ABS system if you apply maximum
pedal pressure: panic stop. Since the
vehicle maintains steering responsive-
ness, you can avoid possible obstacles
with a minimum of steering effort,
despite the full brake application.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combined
with sounds from the hydraulic circuits
indicates to the driver that ABS is in its
active mode.Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)DBC is included in the DSC, refer to
page 86.
If you apply the brakes rapidly, this sys-
tem automatically generates maximum
braking force boost and thus helps to
achieve the shortest possible braking
distance in panic braking situations. All
of the benefits of the ABS are exploited
under these circumstances.Do not reduce the pressure on the
brake pedal for the duration of the
brake application. When the brake
pedal is released, the DBC is deacti-
vated.
Cornering Brake Control (CBC)CBC is an advanced engineering devel-
opment of ABS. When braking during
cornering with high lateral accelera-
tion, or when braking during a lane
change, vehicle stability is improved
and the steering response is enhanced.
Hardtop*It is not necessary to remove the fabric
top even in the winter, when the hard-
top is generally in constant use. But you
can also remove it easily at any time.
Before the fabric top is stored in the
convertible top compartment, it must
be absolutely dry in order to avoid
water spots and mildew from forming.
The hardtop offers reading lamps and
clothes hooks that can be used just by
pressing. It is also possible to mount a
luggage rack on the roof. Please con-
sult your BMW center.
When hanging clothing from the
hooks, be sure that they will not
obstruct the driver's vision. Do not hang
heavy objects on the hooks. If you do
so, they could cause personal injury
during braking or evasive maneuvers.<
Two people are required for installation
or removal. Work with extreme caution
in order to avoid paint damage and
damage to the body or hardtop.
To facilitate hardtop installation or
removal, you can obtain a specially
designed hardtop lift* or hardtop rack*
at your BMW center.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

116Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressureInformation for your safetyIt is not merely the tire's service life, but
also driving comfort and, above all else,
driving safety that depend on the condi-
tion of the tires and the maintenance of
the specified tire pressure.Checking tire pressuresOnly check the tire inflation pressures
of cold tires. This means after driving a
maximum of 1.25 miles/2 km or after
the vehicle has been parked for at least
2 hours. Warm tires have higher infla-
tion pressures.
Check tire inflation pressures reg-
ularly and correct them if neces-
sary: at least twice a month and before
beginning a longer trip. Otherwise,
incorrect tire pressures can cause driv-
ing instability or tire damage, ultimately
resulting in accidents. Do not drive on a
deflated, i.e. flat, tire. A flat tire greatly
impairs steering and braking response,
and can lead to complete loss of con-
trol over the vehicle.<
After correcting the tire inflation pres-
sure, reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor,
refer to page 87.
Inflation pressures for original
tiresTire pressures for the standard tires of
your vehicle are shown on the driver's
door post, visible when the door is
open.
The inflation pressures apply to BMW-
approved tire sizes and recommended
tire brands. Your BMW center will be
glad to supply this information.Inflation pressures for other tire
sizesThe following tire pressure table shows
all tire pressures for the given tire sizes
at ambient temperature.

141
Tire repair with the M Mobility system
Precautions in case of a flat tire:
Stop the vehicle as far as possible
from passing traffic and position it on a
firm surface. Turn on the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
Turn the steering wheel to the straight-
ahead position and engage the steering
lock. Engage the parking brake and
shift into 1st or reverse gear.
All passengers should be outside the
vehicle and well away from your imme-
diate working area – behind a guardrail,
for instance.
If necessary, set up your warning trian-
gle or portable hazard warning lamp on
the roadside at an appropriate distance
from the rear of the vehicle. Comply
with all safety guidelines and regula-
tions.<
You will find an M Mobility system in the
BMW M3 Convertible for repairing flat
tires. With this system you can apply a
sealant to the inside of the tire, thus
seal off the damaged point, then rein-
flate the tire and continue driving.
Preparing to repair a tireThe M Mobility system is located in the
luggage compartment under the floor
panel.
If possible, leave the foreign object in
the tire.
You will find corresponding
instructions for using the
M Mobility system on the device.<
Before using the M Mobility sys-
tem, read the warnings on the
sealant bottle.<
Pull the sticker showing the speed limit
from the sealant bottle and stick it onto
the steering wheel.
Please observe the expiration
date on the sealant bottle.<
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

149
Towing and tow-starting the vehicle
Always observe all applicable
towing laws and regulations.<
Using the towing eyeletThe screw-in towing eyelet is in the lug-
gage compartment under the floor
panel and must remain with the vehicle
at all times. It can be attached at the
front or rear of your BMW.
Observe the following instruc-
tions in order to avoid damaging
the towing eyelet or the vehicle: use
only the towing eyelet supplied with the
vehicle, and screw it in firmly until it
stops. Use the towing eyelet for towing
on paved roads only. Avoid subjecting
the towing eyelet to lateral loads, e.g.
do not lift the vehicle using the towing
eyelet.<
Access to the threaded socketPress out the cover in the front or rear
bumper with a screwdriver at the top of
the recess.Being towed
Make sure that the ignition key is
in position 1, even if the electrical
system has failed, because the steering
lock could otherwise engage and the
vehicle could no longer be steered.
There is no power assist while the
engine is off. Therefore, you will need to
exert more force to brake and steer the
vehicle.<
Turn on the hazard warning flashers, if
required by national regulations. If the
electrical system has failed, clearly
identify the vehicle being towed, e.g. by
placing a sign or a warning triangle in
the rear window.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
gearshift lever in idling position.
Vehicles with sequential M gearbox
with Drivelogic: selector lever in posi-
tion N.Towing methodsIn some countries, it is not permitted to
tow the vehicle with a tow bar or tow
rope on public roads.
Familiarize yourself with the applicable
towing regulations for the country in
which you are driving.With a tow bar
The towing vehicle must not be
lighter than the vehicle being
towed; otherwise, vehicle handling can
no longer be controlled.<
The towing eyelets of both vehicles
should be on the same side.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to Z
161
BMW sports seat 47
Bore, refer to Engine
data 154
Bottle holders, see Bever-
age holders 100
Brake fluid 129
indicator lamp 18, 129
level 129
Brake force display 89
Brake lamps
bulb replacement 139
indicator lamp, defective
lamp 81
Brake lamps, refer to Brake
force display 89
Brake pads
brake fluid level 18, 129
breaking in 110
Brake rotors
breaking in 110
Brake system
brake pads, indicator
lamp 19
Brake wear warning
indicator lamp 19Brakes
ABS 113
brake fluid 129
brake force display 89
brake pads 112
breaking in 110
driving notes 111
indicator/warning lamp
18, 19
parking brake 68
Break-in procedures 110
Bridging, refer to Jump-
starting 147
Bulb replacement 137
Bulb replacement, refer to
Lamps and bulbs 137
Buttons in steering wheel 22
C
California Proposition 65
warning 6
Can holders, see Beverage
holders 100
Capacities 157
Car battery 144
Car care, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Car keys, refer to Keys 28
Car phone hookup
microphone 100
Car radio, refer to the
Owner's Manual for RadioCar telephone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Car vacuum cleaner, con-
necting 101
Car wash, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Carpet care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cassette operation, refer to
the Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
CBC Cornering Brake Con-
trol 113
warning lamp 19
CD changer, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
CD operation, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Center armrest
front 99
Center high-mount brake
lamp
bulb replacement 140
Central locking system 28
button 32
passenger
compartment 32
Check Control 81Check Gas Cap
indicator lamp 19
Child seats, refer to Child-
restraint systems 58
Child-restraint mounting
system LATCH 60
Child-restraint systems 58
Cigarette lighter 100
Cleaning chrome parts, refer
to the Caring for your vehi-
cle brochure
Cleaning light alloy wheels,
refer to the Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Cleaning position, convert-
ible top 44
Cleaning the vehicle, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cleaning windshield 77
Clock 82
12-/24-hour mode 82
setting, refer also to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Closing
from inside 32
from outside 29
Clutch
breaking in 110
Cockpit 14
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to ZFuel reserve indicator, refer
to Fuel gauge 80
Fuel tank capacity 157
Fuses 145
G
Gasoline consumption, refer
to Average fuel consump-
tion 84
Gasoline, refer to Fuel spec-
ifications 25
Gear indicator 71
Gearbox
manual transmission 69
Gearbox malfunction
sequential M gearbox with
Drivelogic 74
Gearbox, sequential 70
Gearshift lever
manual transmission 69
sequential M gearbox with
Drivelogic 70
General driving notes 111
Glove compartment 99
Gradient assistance 73
Grills, refer to Ventilation 94
Gross weight, refer to
Weights 156
H
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake 68Hands-free system 100
Hardtop 113
Hardtop preparation 113
Hardtop, refer to the sepa-
rate Owner's Manual 113
Hazard warning flashers 14
Hazard warning triangle 23
Head restraints 48
Headlamp cleaning system
cleaning headlamps 77
washer fluid 126, 157
Headlamp control, auto-
matic 90
Headlamp flasher 91
indicator lamp 21
Headlamps
bulb replacement 137
care, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Heated mirrors 53
Heated rear window
automatic climate
control 97
Heated seats 52
Heating
exterior mirrors 53
rear window 97
seats 52
Heating and ventilation 94
Heavy loads, refer to Cargo
loading 105Height adjustment
seats 47
steering wheel 54
Height, refer to
Dimensions 155
High beams 75, 91
bulb replacement 137
headlamp flasher 91
indicator lamp 21
Holder for beverages 100
Hood release 123
Horn 14
Hydraulic brake assistant,
refer to DBC 113
Hydroplaning 111
I
Ice warning 83
Ignition 65
Ignition key 28
positions 65
Ignition lock 65
Imprint 4
Indicator lamps 18Indicator/warning lamp
airbags 18
alarm system 37
brakes 18, 19
Check Gas Cap 19
convertible top 41
coolant 19, 80
DSC 19
Flat Tire Monitor
18, 19, 88
fog lamps 20
Please fasten safety
belts 18
reserve 80
rollover protection
system 19
Service Engine Soon 19
Individual air distribution 96
Individual settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory 64
Inflation pressure monitor-
ing, refer to Flat Tire Moni-
tor 87
Inflation pressure, tires 116
INSPECTION 81
Instrument cluster 16
Instrument lighting 91
Instrument panel 14
Interface socket for onboard
diagnostics (OBD) 132
event data recorders 132

Everything from A to Z
165
Interior lamps 92
remote control 30
Interior motion sensor 36, 37
switching off 37
Interior rearview mirror
automatic dimming
feature 53
Interior temperature
adjusting 96
Intermittent mode, wipers 76
Interval display, service 81
J
Jump-starting 147
K
Key Memory 64
Keys 28
with remote control 28
L
Lamp defect 137
Lamps
reading lamps 92
Lamps and bulbs 137
Lashing down loads, refer to
Cargo loading 104
Lashing eyelets, refer to
Securing cargo 106
Lashing fittings, refer to
Securing cargo 106LATCH child-restraint
mounting system 60
Leather care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Leaving the vehicle 68
LEDs light-emitting
diodes 140
Length, refer to
Dimensions 155
License plate lamp
bulb replacement 140
Light switch 90
Light-emitting diodes
(LEDs) 140
Lighter 100
LIGHTS ON warning 90
Lights, refer to Parking
lamps/Low beams 90
Load, determining the maxi-
mum 104
Load, refer to Cargo
loading 104
Loading
vehicle 104
Load-securing devices 106
Lock buttons on doors, refer
to Locking 32
Lock, steering wheel 65
Locking
from inside 32
from outside 29, 31Locking and unlocking
doors
from inside 32
from outside 29, 31
Low beams 90
automatic 90
bulb replacement 137
indicator lamp, defective
lamp 81
Luggage compartment 35
capacity 156
emergency operation,
refer to Manual
operation 33
floor panel 35
increase volume 35
lid 33
lighting 33
opening from outside 33
opening, remote
control 30
opening/closing, refer to
Luggage compartment
lid 33
remote control 30
securing separately 33
volume 156Luggage compartment lid 33
emergency operation 33
emergency release 34
indicator lamp 81
opening from inside the
vehicle 33
opening from outside 33
remote control 30
unlocking manually 33
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack 107
Lumbar support 48
M
M Engine dynamics
control 89
M Mobility system 141
Maintenance 81, 130
Maintenance system 130
Malfunction
convertible top 42
door lock 31
fuel filler door 24
Malfunction displays 81
Manual operation
convertible top 42
door lock 31
driver's door 31
fuel filler door 24
luggage compartment
lid 33
power convertible top 42
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to ZManual transmission 69
Master keys
with remote control 28
MC operation, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
MD operation, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory 51
Memory, refer to Vehicle
Memory, Key Memory 64
Microfilter
automatic climate
control 98
Microphone 100
Mini disc operation, refer to
the Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Mirrors 53
automatic curb monitor 52
heated 53
memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory 51
Mobile Service 147
Modifications, technical,
refer to For your own
safety 6
Multifunction steering
wheel 22Multifunction switch
turn signal indicator/head-
lamp flasher 75
washer/wiper system 76
N
Navigation system, refer to
the Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Neck restraints, refer to
Head restraints 48
Nets 99
Nozzles, refer to
Ventilation 94
Nylon rope, refer to Towing
and tow-starting the vehi-
cle 149
O
OBD interface socket 132
Odometer 79
Oil
additives, refer to Adding
engine oil 127
alternative oils 127
capacity 157
dipstick 126
quality 127
specified engine oils 127
Oil change interval, refer to
Service interval
display 130Oil change intervals, refer to
the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US
models / Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
Oil filter change 157
Oil level
checking 126
indicator lamp 18
Oil pressure
indicator lamp 18
OIL SERVICE 81
Oil temperature 79
Oil types 127
Old batteries, refer to Dis-
posal 145
Onboard computer 83
Onboard computer, refer
also to the Owner's Man-
ual for Onboard Computer
Onboard tool kit 136
Opening and closing
from inside 32
from outside 29
via door lock 31
via remote control 29
Outlets, ventilation 94
Outside temperature dis-
play 83
changing unit of
measure 83P
Paintwork care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Panic mode, trigger
alarm 30
Park Distance Control
(PDC) 85
Parking aid, refer to Park
Distance Control (PDC) 85
Parking brake 68
indicator lamp 18
Parking lamps 90
bulb replacement 137
Parking lamps/Low
beams 90
Parts and accessories, refer
to Your individual vehicle 5
Passenger-side exterior mir-
ror tilt function 52
PDC Park Distance
Control 85
Placing a telephone call,
refer to the Owner's Man-
ual for the telephone
Plastic, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Pollen, refer to Microfilter/
activated-charcoal filter 98
Power loss
electric power windows 39

Everything from A to ZSequential M gearbox with
Drivelogic 70
indicator lamp 19, 74
tow-starting 150
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet 130
Service Engine Soon
warning lamp 19
Service interval display
81, 130
Shift lights 74
Shift paddles 71
Side airbags 55
Side turn signal indicators
bulb replacement 138
Size 155
Ski bag 102
Slipstream deflector, refer to
Wind deflector 44
SMG Drivelogic 70
Smokers' package, refer to
Ashtray 100
Snow chains 122
SOS, refer to Emergency
call 146
Spare key 28
Special oils 127
Special oils, refer to Speci-
fied engine oils 127
Specified engine oils 127
Specified oils 127Speed gauge, refer to
Speedometer 16
Speedometer 16
Sport mode 89
Sports seat 47
Stability control, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 86
Standing lamps 91
bulb replacement 137
Starting difficulties
jump-starting 147
temperature 66
Starting the engine 66
Starting, refer to Starting the
engine 66
Starting-off assistance
DSC 86
gradient assistance 73
Status of the Owner's Man-
ual 5
Steering wheel lock 65
Steering wheel, adjusting 54
Storage compartments 99
Storage nets 99
Storing seat positions,
refer to Seat and mirror
memory 51
Storing tires 121
Stroke, refer to Engine
data 154Surface ice, refer to Ice
warning 83
Switches, refer to
Cockpit 14
Switching off
engine 68
Symbols 4
T
Tachometer 79
Tail lamps
bulb replacement 139
Tail lamps, refer to Rear
lamps 139
Tank capacity, refer to Fuel
tank capacity 157
Tank indicator, refer to Fuel
gauge 80
Technical data 154
Technical modifications 6
Technical modifications,
refer to For your own
safety 6
Telephone hookup
microphone 100
Telephone, refer to the sep-
arate Owner's Manual
Television, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Onboard ComputerTemperature
automatic climate
control 96
Temperature adjustment 96
Temperature display
engine coolant 80
ice warning 83
outside temperature 83
setting units 83
Temperature layering 97
Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control 77
Thigh support area, adjust-
ing 47
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center high-mount brake
lamp 140
Threaded socket for towing
eyelet 149
Three-point safety belt 50
Tilt alarm sensor 37
switching off 37
Tilting passenger-side exte-
rior mirror 52
Time 82
Tire inflation pressure 116
Tire pressure monitoring,
refer to Flat Tire
Monitor 87