clutch BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE 2012 User Guide
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Driving tipsThings to remember when driving
Things to remember when driving
Vehicle equipment
In this chapter, all pr oduction, country, and
optional equipment that is offered in the model
range is described. As a result, some equip-
ment described may not be available in a partic-
ular vehicle, for example due to the options or
national-market version selected. This also
applies to safety related functions and systems.
Break-in period
Moving parts need breaking-in time to adjust to
each other. Please follo w the instructions below
in order to achieve the optimal service life and
economy of operation for your vehicle.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive at varying engine and road speeds, but do
not exceed an engine speed of 4,500 rpm or a
road speed of 100 mph/160 km/h.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the
transmission's kickdown mode.
After driving 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Engine and vehicle speeds can be gradually
increased.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their
manufacture, tires do no t achieve their full trac-
tion potential until after an initial break-in
period. Therefore, drive cautiously during the
first 200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of
approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized
contact and wear patterns between brake pads
and rotors. Drive cautiously during this break-in
period.
Clutch
The function of the clut ch reaches its optimal
level only after a distance driven of approx.
500 km. During this break-in period, engage the
clutch gently.
Following part replacement
The same break-in procedures should be
observed if any of the components mentioned
above have to be renewe d in the course of the
vehicle's operating life.
Saving fuel
The fuel consumption of your vehicle depends
on several factors. You can lower fuel consump-
tion and the environmental impact by taking
certain measures, adjusting your driving style
and having the vehicl e serviced regularly.
Remove any unneeded cargo
Additional weight increases fuel consumption.
Remove any mounted parts after you
have finished using them
Remove unneeded additional mirrors, the roof
rack and the rear luggage rack after use.
Mounted parts affect th e vehicle's aerodynam-
ics and increase fuel consumption.
Close the windows and glass roof
An open glass roof or window causes higher air
resistance and thus increases fuel consump-
tion.
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Driving tipsThings to remember when driving
Hot exhaust system
In all vehicles, extremely high tempera-
tures are generated in the exhaust sys-
tem. Do not remove the heat shields installed
adjacent to various sect ions of the exhaust sys-
tem, and never apply un dercoating to them.
When driving, standing at idle and while park-
ing, take care to avoid possible contact
between the hot exhaust system and any highly
flammable materials such as hay, leaves, grass,
etc. Such contact could le ad to a fire, with the
risk of serious personal injuries and property
damage. Do not touch hot exhaust tail pipes.
Otherwise, there is a risk of burns. <
Mobile phones in the vehicle
It is not advisable to use wireless devices
such as mobile phones inside the vehicle
without a direct connection to an external aerial.
Otherwise, it is not poss ible to exclude the pos-
sibility of a reciprocal interference occurring
between the vehicle electronics and the wire-
less device. Otherwise, there is no assurance
that the radiation genera ted by the radio trans-
mission will be conveyed out of the passenger
compartment. <
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge
of water can form between tires and road sur-
face. This situation, known as hydroplaning,
means that the tire can completely lose contact
with the road surface, so that neither the car can
be steered nor the brak e be properly applied.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases with declin-
ing tread depth on the tires, refer also to Mini-
mum tread depth on page 194.
Driving through water
Drive through water on the road only if it is
not deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only
at walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the
vehicle's engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission may be damaged. <
Use the parking brake on inclines
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle for a
lengthy period using the clutch; use the
parking brake instead. Otherwise, greater
clutch wear will result. <
For more information about the drive-off assis-
tant, refer to page 93.
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard
feature. Applying the brakes fully is the most
effective way of braking in situations in which
this is necessary. Sinc e the vehicle maintains
steering responsiveness, you can still avoid
possible obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort.
Pulsation of the brake pedal, combined with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits, indicate that
ABS is in its active mode.
Objects in the movement range of the
pedals
Keep floor mats, carpet, and other objects
out of the movement range of the pedals;
otherwise, they may inhi bit the function of the
pedals during driving.
Do not place additional floor mats onto an exist-
ing one or onto other objects.
Only use floor mats that have been approved for
the vehicle and can be appropriately fastened.
Make sure that the floo r mats are securely fas-
tened again after they ha ve been removed, e.g.
for cleaning. <
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or there is heavy rain,
briefly exert gentle pre ssure on the brake pedal
every few miles. Monitor traffic conditions to
ensure that this maneuver does not endanger
other road users. The heat generated in this
process helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure
that full braking efficiency will then be available
when you need it.
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Things to remember when driving
Driving tips
Hills
To prevent overheating and the resulting
reduced efficiency of the brake system,
drive long or steep downhill gradients in the
gear in which the least br aking is required. Even
light but consistent brak e pressure can lead to
high temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure. <
You can increase the engine's braking effect by
shifting down, all the way to first gear if neces-
sary. This strategy he lps you avoid placing
excessive loads on the brake system. Down-
shifting in manual mode of the automatic trans-
mission, refer to page 61.
Sport automatic transm ission with double
clutch: never drive with the transmission
in neutral or with the en gine switched off; other-
wise, there will be no en gine braking action and
no power assistance to the brakes and steering.
Manual transmission: never drive with the
clutch held down, with the transmission in neu-
tral or with the engine switched off; otherwise,
there will be no engine braking action and no
power assistance to the brakes and steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area around the
pedals; otherwise, pedal function could be
impaired. <
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driv en only occasionally,
during extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all, and in operating conditions where
brake applications are le ss frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminan ts accumulate on the
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum
pressure which must be exerted by the pads
during brake applications to clean the rotors is
not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail to
cure.
When the vehicle is parked
Condensation forms wh ile the automatic cli-
mate control is in operation, and then exits
under the vehicle. Traces of condensed water
under the vehicle are therefore normal.
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their
approved carrying ca pacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overlo ading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage
develops inside the tires. In some situations,
this can result in sudden loss of tire pressure. <
Make sure that no liquids are spilled or
leak from their containers in the cargo
area, as this could result in damage to the vehi-
cle. <
Determining loading limit
1. Locate the following statement on your
vehicle's placard:
The combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or YYY lbs. Otherwise, damage to
the vehicle and unstable driving conditions
may result. <
2. Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be riding in
your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kilograms or YYY
pounds.
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Care
Mobility
Automatic transmission
Before driving into an
automatic car wash, per-
form the following steps to ensure that the vehi-
cle can roll:
1. Insert the remote cont rol into the ignition
lock, even with Comfort Access.
2. Move the selector lever to position N.
3. Release the parking brake.
4. Switch off the engine.
5. Leave the remote control in the ignition lock
so that the vehicle can roll.
Sport automatic transmission with
double clutch
Before driving into an automatic car wash, per-
form the following steps to ensure that the vehi-
cle can roll:
1. Insert the remote cont rol into the ignition
lock, even with Comfort Access.
2. Engage transmission position N.
3. Release the parking brake.
4. Switch off the engine.
5. Leave the remote control in the ignition lock
so that the vehicle can roll.
The transmission is switched into position P:
> Automatically after approx. 30 minutes
> If you remove the infrared remote control
from the ignition lock
Steam jets/high-pressure washers
When using steam jets or high-pressure
washers, make sure to maintain sufficient
distance from the vehicle and do not exceed a
temperature of 140 7/60 6.
Insufficient clearance or excessive pressure or
temperature can lead to component damage or
water penetration. Follow the operating instruc-
tions of the high-pressure washer. <
When using high-pressure washers, do
not spray the sensors, e.g. of the Park
Distance Control, for an extended period and maintain a distance of at least 1 ft/30 cm from
them.
<
Manual car wash
When washing the vehicle by hand, use large
quantities of water an d car shampoo if neces-
sary. Clean the vehicle with a sponge or wash-
ing brush, applying light pressure only.
Before cleaning the windshield, deacti-
vate the rain sensor or switch off the igni-
tion to prevent unintentional activation of the
wipers. <
Observe local regulations pertaining to
washing vehicles by hand. <
Headlamps
Do not rub them dry and do not use abrasive or
corrosive cleaning agents.
Loosen dirt, e.g. insects, with shampoo or
insect remover and wash away with copious
quantities of water.
Thaw ice with a windshield deicer and do not
use an ice scraper.
Windows
Clean the inside and outside surfaces of the
windows and the mirrors with window cleaner.
Do not clean the mirrors with cleaners
containing quartz. <
Convertible: retractable hardtop
Proceed as you would in a normal car wash.
When you open a wet hardtop, water
drops may run into the cargo area. If nec-
essary, remove items from the cargo area
beforehand to avoid water stains or soiling. <
Paintwork care
Regular care contributes to value retention and
protects the paintwork against the long-term
effects of damaging substances.
Region-specific environmental influences can
damage the vehicle paintwork. Therefore, it is
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MobilityGiving and receiving assistance
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Automatic transmission
Selector lever in position N.
Changing selector lever positions, refer to
page60.
Do not exceed a towing speed of 45 mph
or 70 km/h and a towing distance of
90 miles/150 km; otherwise, the automatic
transmission may be damaged. <
Sport automatic transmission with
double clutch
Make sure that the parking lock P is not
engaged; otherwise, the rear wheels are
immobilized.
When using the car wash function, refer to
page 205, note that the parking lock P is
engaged automatically after approx.
30 minutes, blocking the rear wheels.
In the event of an electrical malfunction or if the
vehicle must be towed for more than approx.
20 minutes, unlock the parking lock manually,
refer to page 65.<
When towing, do not exceed a maximum
speed of 30 mph or 50 km/h and a maxi-
mum distance traveled of 30 miles/50 km; oth-
erwise, the transmission may be damaged. <
Towing methods
Do not lift the vehicle by a tow fitting or
body and chassis parts; otherwise, dam-
age may result. <
With a tow bar
The towing vehicle must not be lighter
than the towed vehicle; otherwise, it may
be impossible to maintain control. <
The tow fittings used should be on the same
side on both vehicles. Should it prove impossi-
ble to avoid mounting the tow bar at an angle,
please observe the following: >
Clearance and maneuvering capability will
be sharply limited during cornering.
> The tow bar will generate la teral forces if it is
attached offset.
Attach the tow bar to the tow fittings only,
as attaching it to othe r parts of the vehicle
could result in damage.<
With a tow rope
When starting off in the towing vehicle, make
sure that the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated
stresses on vehicle components when
towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Attach the tow rope to the tow fittings only, as
attaching it to other parts of the vehicle could
result in damage. <
With a tow truck: vehicle without xDrive
Manual and automatic transmission:
Sport automatic transmission with double
clutch:
Have the BMW transported with a tow truck
with a so-called lift bar, or on a flatbed.
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Giving and receiving assistance
Mobility
Do not tow the vehicle wi
th just the rear axle
raised as this may caus e the steering to turn.
With a tow truck: vehicle with xDrive
Do not tow a BMW with xDrive with just
the front or rear axle raised; otherwise, the
wheels could lock up and the transfer case
could be damaged. <
Have the BMW transported on a flatbed surface
only.
Tow-starting
Avoid tow-starting the vehicle whenever possi-
ble; instead, jump-start the engine, refer to
page 216Vehicles with a catalytic converter
should only be tow-star ted when the engine is
cold; vehicles with an automatic transmission or
Sport automatic transmission with double
clutch cannot be tow-started at all.
1. Switch on hazard warning flashers, comply
with local regulations.
2. Switch on the ignition, refer to page 57.
3. Shift into 3rd gear.
4. Have the vehicle tow-st arted with the clutch
depressed and slowly release the clutch.
After the engine starts, immediately
depress the clutch completely again.
5. Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow
bar or rope and switch off the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
6. Have the vehicle checked.
With xDrive: do not activate Hill Descent
Control HDC when the vehicle is being
tow-started, page 92.<
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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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Te c h n i c a l d a t a
Reference
Weights
Coupe
328i328i
xDrive335i335i
xDrive
Approved gross weight
> with manual transmission lbs./kg 4, 288/1,945 4,508/2,045 4,486/2,035 4,663/2,115
> with automatic transmission lbs./kg 4,354/1,975 4,552/2,065 4,508/2,045 4,685/2,125
Load lbs./kg 882/400 882/400 882/400 882/400
Approved front axle load lbs./k g 2,061/935 2,227/1,010 2,172/985 2,326/1,055
Approved rear axle load lbs./kg 2, 425/1,100 2,447/1,110 2,469/1,120 2,513/1,140
Approved roof load capacity lbs./kg 165/75 165/75 165/75 165/75
Cargo area capacity cu ft/ liters15.5/440 15.5/440 15.2/430 15.2/430
335is
Approved gross weight
> with manual transmission lbs./kg 4,497/2,040
> Sport automatic transmis-
sion with double clutch lbs./kg 4,519/2,050
Load lbs./kg 882/400
Approved front axle load lbs./kg 2,183/990
Approved rear axle load lbs./kg 2,513/1,140
Approved roof load capacity lbs./kg 165/75
Cargo area capacity cu ft/ liters 15.2/430
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ReferenceTechnical data
Convertible
328i335i335is
Approved gross weight
> with manual transmission lbs./kg 4,707/2,135 4,817/2,185 4,839/2,195
> with automatic transmission lbs./kg 4,773/2,165 4,839/2,195 –
> Sport automatic transmis-
sion with double clutch lbs./kg – – 4,872/2,210
Load lbs./kg 838/380 838/380 838/380
Approved front axle load lbs./kg 2,138/970 2,205/1,000 2,227/1,010
Approved rear axle load lbs./kg 2,646/1,200 2,646/1,200 2,646/1,200
Approved roof load capacity lbs./kg – – –
Cargo area capacity cu ft/ liters7.4-12.4/
210-350 7.4-12.4/
210-350 7.4-12.4/
210-350
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