steering BMW M3 SEDAN 2015 User Guide

▷Upshifting or downshifting is done only if
the rpm and vehicle speed are appropriate.
For example, there is no downshifting if the
engine speed is too high.▷Kickdown: the lowest possible gear is se‐
lected by simultaneously operating the
kickdown and the left shift paddle or selec‐
tor lever.▷It is also possible to start out in 2nd gear,
e. g. on icy roads.
Switch to Drive mode: push selector lever in
D/S direction.
R is Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
It is also possible to rock the vehicle up to
6 mph/10 km/h. To do this, reel between for‐
ward gear and reverse gear without stepping
on the brakes in the process.
N is NeutralUse in automatic car washes, e.g. The vehicle
can then roll, refer to page 204.
P Park The drive wheels are blocked.
P is engaged automatically:
▷After the engine is switched off when the
vehicle is in radio-ready state, refer to
page 62, or when the ignition is switched
off, refer to page 62, and when position R
or D is set.▷With the ignition is off, if position N is set.
Displays in the instrument cluster
Drive mode
▷Engaged gear together with
a D, arrow 1.▷Selected driving program,
Drivelogic, refer to
page 72, arrow 2.Sequential mode▷Engaged gear, arrow 1.▷Selected driving program,
Drivelogic, refer to
page 72, arrow 2.▷Gear shift indicator, refer to
page 84
Note
When the external temperature is very low, the
display may not work. Current driving direction
is recognizable at the engaged selector lever
position.
Gear change
Shifting in Sequential mode possible.
A shift in Drive mode causes a reel to Sequen‐
tial mode.
Using the selector lever
▷To shift up: pull the selector lever rear‐
wards.▷To shift down: press the selector lever for‐
ward.
Using the shift paddles on the steering wheel
▷Shift up: pull right shift paddle.▷Shift down: pull left shift paddle.
Drivelogic
Various driving programs are available.
Seite 72ControlsDriving72
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 759 - II/15

Do not use Launch Control during the break-in,
refer to page 156, period.
Requirements Launch Control is available when the engine is
warmed up, that is, after uninterrupted driving
of at least 6 miles/10 km.
To start with Launch Control do not steer the
steering wheel.
Activate Launch Control1.Deactivate Dynamic Stability Control, refer
to page 115.2.Select Sequential mode with gear 1 and
driving program 3.3.With the engine running, apply the brake
with the left foot.4.Fully depress the accelerator pedal.
The starting engine speed adjusts.
A flag symbol appears in the instrument
cluster.5.If necessary, change the starting engine
speed by 500 rpm via cruise control.6.Release the brake, the vehicle accelerates.
Continue to depress the accelerator pedal.
Upshifting occurs automatically as long as
the accelerator pedal is fully depressed.
Launch Control is available again only after a
certain distance has been driven.
System limits
This transmission has an overheating protec‐
tion mechanism, which protects the clutch
from extreme stress.
▷Indicator lamp lights up yellow:
transmission too hot.
Avoid high engine stress and fre‐
quent starts.▷Indicator lamp lights up red: transmission
is overheating.
Further driving at a moderate pace is pos‐
sible. At the next opportunity, stop the car,shut off the engine and allow the transmis‐
sion to cool down.
Avoid fast starts, and on inclines did not accel‐
erate lightly while letting the clutch slip; other‐
wise, the transmission may overheat.
During traffic jams or at very low speeds, use
the Low Speed Assistant, refer to page 71.
M Driving Dynamics Control
The concept The M Driving Dynamics Control affects the
response of the vehicle to accelerator pedal
movements.
ProgramsResponse behavior options:
▷"Efficient": efficient, comfortable. Minimal
fuel consumption.
Ideal e. g. in city traffic or on snow.▷"Sport": sporty, dynamic.▷"Sport Plus": spontaneous, direct. Maxi‐
mum dynamics.
Selecting a channel
Via M Drive On the Control Display:
1."Settings"2."M Drive 1" or "M Drive 2"3. Select the symbol.4.Select the desired channel.
When M Drive is active, setting is immedi‐
ately applied.
To activate M Drive with the selected settings,
press the corresponding button on the steer‐
ing wheel:
▷Seite 74ControlsDriving74
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 759 - II/15

If a collision with a person detected in this way
is imminent, the symbol lights up and a signal
sounds.
Yellow lights
Anti-lock Braking System ABS Avoid abrupt braking if possible. Brak‐
ing force boost in some cases defec‐
tive. Stop carefully. Take into account
longer brake travel. Have this checked
by the service center immediately.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control Flashing: DSC controls the drive and
braking forces. The vehicle is stabi‐
lized. Reduce speed and adapt driving
profile to the driving circumstances.
Illuminated: DSC failed. Have the system
checked by the service center.
For additional information, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC, refer to page 115.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control deactivated DSC Dynamic Stability Control is
switched off.
For additional information, refer to Dy‐
namic Stability Control DSC, refer to
page 115.
M Dynamic Mode MDM M Dynamic Mode MDM is switched on.
For more information, see M Dynamic
Mode, refer to page 116.
Additional flashing: MDM controls the
drive and brake forces. The vehicle is
stabilized.Illuminated: MDM failed. Have the sys‐
tem checked by the service center.
For more information, see M Dynamic
Mode, refer to page 116.
Tire Pressure Monitor TPM Illuminated: the Tire Pressure Monitorsignals a loss of tire inflation pressure
in a tire.
Reduce your speed and stop cautiously. Avoid
sudden braking and steering maneuvers.
Flashing and then continuously illuminated: no
flat tire or loss of tire inflation pressure can be
detected.▷Interference through systems or devices
with the same radio frequency: after leav‐
ing the area of the interference, the system
automatically becomes active again.▷TPM could not conclude the reset: perform
the reset of the system again.▷A wheel without TPM electronics is fitted:
have the service center check it if needed.▷Malfunction: have the system checked by
your service center.
For more information, see Tire Pressure Moni‐
tor, refer to page 101.
Steering system Steering system in some cases defec‐
tive.
Have the steering system checked by
the service center.
Engine functions Have the vehicle checked by the serv‐ice center.
For additional information, refer to On-
board Diagnostics socket, refer to page 189.
Seite 78ControlsDisplays78
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 759 - II/15

Lane departure warningSystem is switched on and under cer‐
tain circumstances warns if a detected
lane is left without flashing beforehand.
For additional information, refer to Lane depar‐
ture warning, refer to page 110.
Green lights Turn signal Turn signal on.
Unusually rapid flashing of the indicator
lamp indicates that a turn signal bulb
has failed.
For additional information, refer to Turn signal,
refer to page 67.
Parking lights, headlight control Parking lights or headlights are acti‐
vated.
For additional information, refer to
Parking lights/low beams, headlight control, re‐
fer to page 93.
High-beam Assistant High-beam Assistant is switched on.
High beams are activated and off auto‐
matically as a function of the traffic sit‐
uation.
For additional information, refer to High-beam
Assistant, refer to page 95.
Cruise control The system is switched on. It maintains
the speed that was set using the con‐
trol elements on the steering wheel.Blue lights
High beams High beams are activated.
For additional information, refer to High
beams, refer to page 67.
General lamps Check Control At least one Check Control message is
displayed or is stored. The symbol is
shown in the display of the instrument
cluster.
M Drive M Drive 1 is activated.
M Drive 2 is activated.
Text messages
Text messages in combination with a symbol
in the instrument cluster explain a Check Con‐
trol message and the meaning of the indicator
and warning lights.
Supplementary text messages
Additional information, such as on the cause of
an error or the required action, can be called up via Check Control.
With urgent messages the added text will be
automatically displayed on the Control Display.
Symbols
Depending on the Check Control message, the
following functions can be selected.▷ "Owner's Manual"Seite 79DisplaysControls79
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 759 - II/15

▷When the windshield behind the interior
rearview mirror is fogged over, dirty or cov‐
ered by a sticker, etc.▷In the event of incorrect detection by the
camera.▷If the speed limits stored in the navigation
system are incorrect.▷In areas not covered by the navigation sys‐
tem.▷When roads differ from the navigation,
such as due to changes in road routing.▷When passing buses or trucks with a
speed sticker.▷If the traffic signs are non-conforming.▷During calibration of the camera immedi‐
ately after vehicle shipment.
Selection lists in the
instrument cluster
The concept Depending on your vehicle's optional features,
the following can be displayed or operated us‐
ing the buttons and the thumbwheel on the
steering wheel as well as the displays in the in‐
strument cluster and the Head-up Display:
▷Current audio source.▷Redial phone feature.▷Turn on voice activation system.Display
Depending on your vehicle's optional features,
the list in the instrument cluster can differ from
the illustration shown.
Activating a list and adjusting the
setting
On the right side of the steering wheel, turn
the thumbwheel to activate the corresponding
list.
Using the thumbwheel, select the desired set‐
ting and confirm it by pushing the thumbwheel.
On-board computer
Indication in the info display The information from the com‐
puter is shown in the info display
in the instrument cluster.
Seite 86ControlsDisplays86
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 759 - II/15

Setting the durationOn the Control Display:1."Settings"2."Lighting"3."Pathway lighting:"4.Set length of time.
Settings are stored for the profile currently in
use.
Automatic headlight control
Position of switch
: the low beams are acti‐
vated and off automatically, e.g., in tunnels, in
twilight or if there is precipitation. The indicator
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up.
When emerging from a tunnel during the day,
the low beams are not switched off immedi‐
ately but instead only after approx. 2 minutes.
A blue sky with the sun low on the horizon can
cause the lights to be switched on.
Personal responsibility
The automatic headlight control cannot
serve as a substitute for your personal judg‐
ment in determining when to turn the lights on
in response to ambient lighting conditions.
E. g. the sensors are unable to detect fog or
hazy weather. To avoid safety risks under
these conditions, you should always switch on
the lights manually.◀
Daytime running lights With the ignition switched on, the daytime run‐
ning lights light up in position
, or
. After the ignition is switched off, the park‐
ing lights light up in position
.
Activating/deactivating
In some countries, daytime running lights are
mandatory, so it may not be possible to deacti‐
vate the daytime running lights.
On the Control Display:
1."Settings"2."Lighting"3."Daytime running lamps"
Settings are stored for the profile currently in
use.
Roadside parking lights
The vehicle can be illuminated on one side.
Switching on With the ignition switched off, press the lever
either up or down past the resistance point for
approx. 2 seconds.
Switch off Briefly press the lever to the resistance point in
the opposite direction.
Adaptive Light Control The concept
Adaptive Light Control is a variable headlight
control system that enables dynamic illumina‐
tion of the road surface.
Depending on the steering angle and other pa‐ rameters, the light from the headlight follows
the course of the road.
Activating Position of switch
with the ignition
switched on.
To avoid blinding oncoming traffic, the Adap‐
tive Light Control does not swivel to the driv‐
er's side when the vehicle is at a standstill.
Seite 94ControlsLights94
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 759 - II/15

The turning lights are automatically switched
on depending on the steering angle or the use
of turn signals.
When driving in reverse, the turning lights may
be automatically switched on regardless of the
steering angle.
Malfunction A Check Control message is displayed.
Adaptive Light Control is malfunctioning or has
failed. Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
High-beam Assistant
The concept When the low beams are activated, this system
automatically switches the high beams on and
off or suppresses the light in the areas that
blind oncoming traffic. The procedure is con‐
trolled by a camera on the front of the interior
rearview mirror. The assistant ensures that the
high beams are activated whenever the traffic
situation allows. The driver can intervene at
any time and switch the high beams non and
off as usual.
Note Personal responsibility
The High-beam Assistant cannot serve
as a substitute for the driver's personal judg‐
ment of when to use the high beams. There‐
fore, manually reel off the high beams in situa‐
tions where required to avoid a safety risk.◀Activating1.Depending on the equipment, turn the light
switch into position
or .
2.Press button on the turn signal lever, ar‐
row.
The indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up.
When the low beams are on, the lights are au‐
tomatically brightened or dimmed.
The system responds to light from oncoming
traffic and traffic driving ahead of you, and to
adequate illumination, e.g., in towns and cities.
The blue indicator lamp in the instru‐
ment cluster lights up when the system
switches on the high beams. Depend‐
ing on the version of the system in the vehicle, the high beams may not switch off for oncom‐
ing vehicles, but may only be dimmed in the
areas that blind oncoming traffic. In this case,
the blue indicator light will stay on.
Switching the high beams on and off
manually
▷High beams on, arrow 1.Seite 95LightsControls95
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 759 - II/15

Ejection MitigationThe head airbag system is designed as an
ejection mitigation countermeasure to reduce
the likelihood of ejections of vehicle occupants
through side windows during rollovers or side
impact events.
Knee airbag The knee airbag supports the legs in a frontal
impact.
Protective action
Airbags are not triggered in every impact situa‐
tion, e.g., in less severe accidents or rear-end
collisions.
Information on how to ensure the optimal
protective effect of the airbags▷Keep at a distance from the airbags.▷Always grasp the steering wheel on the
steering wheel rim, holding your hands at
the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions, to
keep the risk of injury to your hands or
arms as low as possible when the airbag is
triggered.▷There should be no person, animals, or ob‐
jects between an airbag and a person.▷Do not use the cover of the front airbag on
the front passenger side as a storage area.▷Dashboard and windshield on the front
passenger side must stay clear - do not at‐
tach adhesive labels or coverings and do
not attach brackets or cables, e. g., for GPS
devices or' mobile phones.▷Make sure that the front passenger is sit‐
ting correctly, i.e., keeps his or her feet and
legs in the footwell; otherwise, leg injuries
might occur when front airbag is activated.▷Do not place slip covers, seat cushions or
other objects on the front passenger seat
that are not approved specifically for seats
with integrated side airbags.▷Do not hang pieces of clothing, such as
jackets, over the backrests.▷Make sure that occupants keep their heads
away from the side airbag and do not rest
against the head airbag; otherwise, injuries
might occur when airbag is activated.▷Do not remove the airbag system.▷Do not remove the steering wheel.▷Do not apply adhesive materials to the air‐
bag cover panels, do not cover them or
modify them in any way.▷Never modify either the individual compo‐
nents or the wiring in the airbag system.
This also applies to steering wheel covers,
the dashboard, the seats, the roof pillars
and the sides of the roofliner.◀
Even when you follow all instructions very
closely, injury from contact with the airbags
cannot be ruled out in certain situations.
The ignition and inflation noise may lead to
short-term and, in most cases, temporary
hearing impairment in sensitive individuals.
Malfunction, deactivation and after de‐
ploying the airbags
Do not touch the individual components imme‐
diately after the system has been triggered;
otherwise, you may risk burns.
Only have the airbags checked, repaired or dis‐
mantled and the airbag generator scrapped by
the service center or an authorized repair shop
for handling explosives.
Non-professional attempts to service the sys‐
tem could lead to failure in an emergency or
unintentional activation of the airbag - both
may lead to injury.◀
Warnings and information on the airbags are also found on the sun visors.
Functional readiness of the airbag
system
When the ignition is reel on, the warn‐
ing lamp in the instrument cluster lights
up briefly and thereby indicates the op‐
Seite 99SafetyControls99
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 759 - II/15

2."Vehicle status"3. "Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)"
The status is displayed.
Status control display Tire and system status are indicated by the
color of the wheels and a text message on the
Control Display.
All wheels green System is active and will issue a warning rela‐
tive to the tire inflation pressures stored during
the last reset.
One wheel is yellow A flat tire or major drop in inflation pressure in
the indicated tire.
All wheels are yellow A flat tire or major drop in inflation pressure in
several tires.
Wheels, gray The system cannot detect a flat tire. Reasons
for this may be:
▷The system is being reset.▷Malfunction.
Status information
The status control display additionally shows
the current tire inflation pressures and, de‐
pending on the model, tire temperatures. It
shows the actual values read; they may vary depending on driving style or weather condi‐
tions.
Carry out reset Reset the system after each adjustment of the
tire inflation pressure and after every tire or
wheel change.
On the Control Display and on the vehicle:1."Vehicle info"2."Vehicle status"3. "Perform reset"4.Start the engine - do not drive off.5.Reset tire inflation pressure:"Perform
reset".6.Drive away.
The tires are shown in gray and the status is
displayed.
After driving faster than 19 mph/30 km/h for a
short period, the set tire inflation pressures are
accepted as reference values. The reset is
completed automatically while driving.
After a successfully completed Reset, the
wheels on the Control Display are shown in
green and "Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)
active" is displayed.
You may interrupt this trip at any time. When
you continue the reset resumes automatically.
Low tire pressure message The yellow warning lamp lights up. A
Check Control message is displayed.
▷There is a flat tire or a major loss in
tire inflation pressure.▷No reset was performed for the system.
The system therefore issues a warning
based on the tire inflation pressures before
the last reset.1.Reduce your speed and stop cautiously.
Avoid sudden braking and steering maneu‐
vers.2.Identify the damaged wheel. Do so by
checking the tire inflation pressure using
the Mobility System. To correct the tire in‐
flation pressure3.Repair flat tire with the Mobility System or
replace the damaged wheel.
A low tire inflation pressure might turn on DSC
Dynamic Stability Control.
Seite 102ControlsSafety102
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 759 - II/15

Acute warnings can also be triggered without
previous prewarning.
Braking intervention The warning prompts the driver himself/herself
to react. During a warning, the maximum brak‐
ing force is used. Premise for the brake boos‐
ter is sufficiently quick and hard stepping on
the brake pedal. The system can assist with
some braking intervention if there is risk of a
collision. At low speeds vehicles may thus
come to a complete stop.
Manual transmission: During a braking inter‐
vention up to a complete stop, the engine may
be shut down.
The braking intervention is executed only if
DSC Dynamic Stability Control is switched on
and M Dynamic mode MDM is not activated.
The braking intervention can be interrupted by
stepping on the accelerator pedal or by ac‐
tively moving the steering wheel.
Object detection can be restricted. Limitations
of the detection range and functional restric‐
tions are to be considered.
System limits
Detection range
The system's detection potential is limited.
Thus a warning might not be issued or be is‐
sued late.
E. g. the following situations may not be de‐
tected:▷Slow moving vehicles when you approach
them at high speed.▷Vehicles that suddenly swerve in front of
you, or sharply decelerating vehicles.▷Vehicles with an unusual rear appearance.▷Two-wheeled vehicles ahead of you.
Functional limitations
The system may not be fully functional in the
following situations:
▷In heavy fog, rain, sprayed water or snow‐
fall.▷In tight curves.▷If the driving stability control systems are
limited or deactivated, e.g., DSC OFF.▷If the field of view of the camera in the mir‐
ror is dirty or obscured.▷Up to 10 seconds after the start of the en‐
gine, via the Start/Stop knob.▷During calibration of the camera immedi‐
ately after vehicle shipment.▷If there is constant blinding effects be‐
cause of oncoming light, e. g., from the sun
low in the sky.
Warning sensitivity
The more sensitive the warning settings are,
e.g. the warning time, the more warnings are
displayed. However, there may also be an ex‐
cess of false warnings.
Pedestrian warning with city
braking function
The concept The ystem can help prevent accidents with pe‐
destrians.
The system issues a warning in the city driving
speed area if there is imminent danger of a col‐
lision with pedestrians and includes a braking
function.
The camera in the area of the rearview mirror
controls the system.
General information In daylight the system warns of possible colli‐
sions with pedestrians at speeds from about
6 mph/10 km/h to about 35 mph/60 km/h
shortly before a collision the system supports
you with a braking intervention.
Seite 107SafetyControls107
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 759 - II/15