warning BMW M6 CONVERTIBLE 2010 E64 Owner's Guide
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side depending on whether the seat is occu-
pied. The indicator lamp shows whether the 
front passenger airbags are activated or deacti-
vated.
>The indicator lamp lights up when a child in 
a child restraint system intended for the 
purpose is properly detected on the seat.
The front, knee and side airbags on the front 
passenger side are deactivated.
Most child seats are detected by the sys-
tem, especially the child seats required by 
the NHTSA at the time the vehicle is manufac-
tured. After installing a child seat, make sure 
that the indicator lamp for the front passenger 
airbags lights up. This indicates that the child 
seat has been detected and the front passenger 
airbags are not activated.<
>The indicator lamp does not light up if, for 
example, the system detects a person of 
sufficient size seated correctly on the seat. 
The front, knee and side airbags on the front 
passenger side are activated.
>The indicator lamp does not light up when 
the seat is empty.
But the front, knee and side airbags on the 
front passenger side are still deactivated.
Operational readiness of airbag system
From radio readiness, refer to page55, the 
warning lamp lights up briefly, indicating the 
operational readiness of the entire airbag sys-
tem and the safety belt tensioners.
Airbag system malfunction
>Warning lamp does not light up from radio 
readiness.
>Warning lamp lights up continuously.Have the airbag system checked immedi-
ately in case of a malfunction, otherwise 
there is a danger that the airbag system may not 
respond in the expected manner in an accident 
despite an impact of corresponding intensity.<
Convertible: rollover 
protection system
The rollover protection system is automatically 
activated in the event of an accident or a critical 
driving situation, extreme inclination on the lon-
gitudinal axis, or loss of ground contact. The 
rollover bars located behind the rear head 
restraints are deployed within fractions of a sec-
ond.
As a supplement to the rollover bar integrated 
into the windshield frame, the rollover protec-
tion system ensures that all vehicle occupants 
have the necessary headroom.
Always keep the path of movement of the 
rollover protection system clear.
In minor accidents, you are protected by the 
fastened safety belt and, depending on acci-
dent severity, by the safety belt tensioner and 
multi-phase airbag retention system.<
Lowering
If the rollover protection system experienced no 
impact after automatic activation, then it can be 
lowered again. No tools are necessary for this 
purpose.
1.Press the release backward and hold in that 
position.
2.Press the rollover protection unit halfway 
down from above. 
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view appears on the Control Display in gray and 
cannot be selected.
 "M View": the default view is displayed.
The M view for the Head-up Display can also be 
selected with the   button on the steering 
wheel, refer to MDrive on page50.
The settings are stored for the remote control 
currently in use.
Default view
1Navigation instructions
2Stored desired speed of cruise control
3Speed
M view
1Current engine speed, highlighted
2Advance warning field of tachometer
3Red warning field of tachometer, also refer 
to Tachometer on page65
4Speed
5Gear display
For information on the shift lights in the 
tachometer, refer to page60.
Setting brightness
The brightness of the display is adapted to the 
ambient lighting conditions. However, you can 
change the base setting.
With the low beams switched on, the brightness 
can also be adjusted with the thumbwheel of 
the instrument lighting.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1."Settings"
2."Head-Up display"
3."Brightness"
4.Turn the controller.
The brightness is adjusted.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Notes
The visibility of the displays in the Head-up Dis-
play is influenced by:
>Sunglasses with certain polarization filters
>Certain seating positions
>Objects on the cover of the Head-up Dis-
play
>Wet road surface and unfavorable lighting 
conditions
 If the image is distorted, please have the basic 
setting checked at a BMW center.
Special windshield
The windshield is part of the system. The shape 
of the windshield complies with the require-
ments of the Head-up Display to enable a pre-
cise display. A film in the windshield prevents 
double images from being displayed.
Windshield replacement should be carried out 
by a BMW center or a workshop that works 
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel.
Care instructions
You can find valuable information on this topic 
under Care, starting on page199. 
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Displaying additional information
Some stations broadcast additional information 
on the current track, such as the name of the 
artist.
1.Select the desired station.
2.Open "Options".
3."Station info"
Selecting a substation
1.Select the desired station.
2.Press the controller.
3.Select the substation.
Presets
It is possible to store up to 40 stations.
Calling up a station
1."Radio"
2."Presets"
3.Select the desired station.
Storing a station
The station currently selected is stored.
1."Radio"
2."Presets"
3."Store station"
4.Select the desired memory location.
The list of stored stations is stored for the 
remote control currently in use.
The stations can also be stored on the pro-
grammable memory buttons, refer to page20.
Deleting a station
1."Radio"
2."Presets"
3.Select the desired station.
4.Open "Options".
5."Delete entry"
Weather Band*
Weather Radio is a service of the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 
of the US Department of Trade. Weather news 
flashes are repeated every 4 to 6 minutes and 
are routinely updated at intervals of 1 to 
3 hours, and more often when necessary. Most 
stations operate 24 hours a day. In case of a 
storm, the National Weather Service interrupts 
the routine weather news and transmits special 
warning messages instead. If you have a ques-
tion about NOAA Weather Radio, please con-
tact the nearest office of the National Weather 
Service. Details are also provided on the Inter-
net at www.nws.noaa.gov.
Calling up weather news flashes
To operate via the iDrive:
1.Switch on the radio.
2."Weather band"
3.Select the desired channel.
The station for weather news flashes may be 
unavailable in some regions. 
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>"Measurement not possible at this time."
>"Measuring engine oil level...":
This can take about 3 minutes if the car is at 
a standstill on a level surface and the engine 
is running, and about 5 minutes while the 
car is moving.
If the engine oil has been topped off, the 
measurement of the oil level can take up to 
30 minutes.
>"Engine oil level below minimum. Add 1 
quart!": 
Add a maximum of 1 US quart/1 liter of 
engine oil at the next opportunity, refer also 
to Adding engine oil below. If the oil level 
displayed is below minimum, add engine oil 
immediately. Failure to do so may lead to 
engine damage.
>"Engine oil level too high! Have this 
checked.":
Too much oil will harm the engine. 
Have the vehicle checked without 
delay.<
>"Measurement inactive. Have this 
checked.":
Do not add engine oil. You can continue 
your journey. Note the newly calculated dis-
tance remaining to the next oil service, refer 
to Service requirements on page68. Have 
the system checked as soon as possible.
Adding engine oil
Do not add oil until a value slightly above the 
minimum of 0.0 US quarts/liters is displayed by 
the oil level measurement. In this area a mes-
sage is also shown on the Control Display.
Add oil within the next 125 miles/200 km, 
otherwise the engine could be damaged.Add a maximum of 1 US quart/1 liter of oil; oth-
erwise, the engine may be damaged by adding 
too much oil.
Add at least 0.5 US quart/0.5 liter of oil; other-
wise, the oil level check cannot reliably display 
the current oil level.<
Please conduct a fast measurement after 
adding engine oil to check the oil quantity 
added and to update the display.<
Continuous exposure to used oil has 
caused cancer in laboratory testing. 
For this reason, thoroughly wash exposed areas 
of skin with soap and water after such work.
Keep oil, grease etc. out of reach of children and 
observe the warnings on the containers to pre-
vent health risks.<
Oil change
Have oil changed only at your BMW center or 
at a workshop that works according to BMW 
repair procedures with correspondingly trained 
personnel.
Approved engine oils
The quality of the engine oil selected has critical 
significance for the operation and service life of 
an engine. BMW continuously approves spe-
cific oils after confirming their suitability for use 
in its vehicles with extensive testing.
Do not use oil additives; under some cir-
cumstances, they can damage your 
engine.<
Your BMW center will be happy to answer 
detailed questions on BMW High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil or approved synthetic 
oils.<
You can also call BMW of North America at 
1-800-831-1117 or visit the website at 
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this information.
Viscosity grades
Viscosity is a measure of an oil's flow rating and 
is specified in SAE grades.
Approved oils belong to the SAE grade 
10W-60.< 
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Maintenance
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Socket for OBD Onboard 
Diagnostics interface
Components which are decisive for the 
exhaust-gas composition can be checked via 
the OBD socket with a device.
This socket is located under a cover on the left 
side of the driver's footwell, directly under the 
instrument panel.
Exhaust-gas values
The warning lamp lights up:
The vehicle emissions are raised. The 
trip can be continued. Have the vehicle 
checked as soon as possible.
Display of the previously described 
malfunction in Canadian models.
The lamp flashes under certain conditions. This 
is a sign of excessive misfiring of the engine. In 
this case you should reduce speed and drive to 
the nearest BMW center as soon as possible. 
Heavy engine misfiring causes serious damage 
to the emission-relevant components, espe-
cially the catalytic converter, within a short time.
If the fuel filler cap is not properly tight-
ened, the OBD system will assume that 
fuel vapor escapes. Then a display lights up. If 
the cap is then tightened, the display will go out 
within a few days.<
Data recorders
Your vehicle may be equipped with one or sev-
eral measuring and diagnosis modules, or with 
a device for recording or transmitting certain 
vehicle data or information. If you have also sub-
scribed to BMW Assist, certain vehicle data can be transmitted or recorded to enable corre-
sponding services. 
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Care
Car-care products
Regular cleaning and care make a significant 
contribution to retaining your BMW's value.
For the cleaning and care of your vehicle, BMW 
recommends using only products that BMW 
has approved for this purpose.
Your BMW center will be glad to advise you 
about products and services for the cleaning 
and care of your BMW.
Original BMW Care Products are materi-
als tested, laboratory tested, and tested in 
actual use. They offer optimum care and pro-
tection for your vehicle.<
Do not use cleaners that contain alcohol 
or solvents; they can damage your vehi-
cle.<
Cleaning agents can contain substances 
that are dangerous or pose health risks. 
You should therefore heed the warnings and 
hazard indications on the packaging. Open the 
doors or windows on your vehicle whenever 
cleaning the interior. Make sure there is suffi-
cient ventilation in enclosed spaces. Use only 
products that are formulated for vehicle clean-
ing.<
Exterior care
Washing your vehicle
In the winter months, it is especially 
important to ensure that the vehicle is 
washed on a regular basis. Otherwise, signifi-
cant soiling and road salt can cause damage to 
the vehicle.<
After washing the vehicle, apply the 
brakes briefly to dry them. Failure to do so 
may lead to a reduction in braking efficiency and 
also to corrosion of the brake rotors.<
Car washes
Give preference to cloth car washes.Do not use high-pressure car washes 
because they can cause drops of water to 
penetrate in the vicinity of the windshield.<
Before driving into the car wash, make sure that 
it is suitable for your BMW. Pay attention to the 
following points:
>Dimensions of your vehicle, refer to 
page221.
>If necessary, fold in the outside rearview 
mirrors, refer to page49.
>Maximum permissible tire width.
>The convertible top must not be treated 
with wax. Make sure that a program without 
wax or a special convertible program is 
available.
Avoid car washes with guide rail heights 
over 4 in/10 cm; otherwise, there is a dan-
ger of damaging chassis parts.<
Preparations for driving into the car wash:
>Deactivate rain sensor to prevent unwanted 
wiper activation.
>Remove additional add-on parts, e.g. spoil-
ers or phone antennas, if they could be 
damaged.
Sequential Manual Transmission
Before driving into the car wash, make sure the 
vehicle is able to roll by making sure to:
1.Insert the remote control into the ignition 
lock, even with Comfort Access.
2.Shift into 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.
Steam jets/high-pressure washers
When using steam jets or high-pressure 
washers, ensure that you maintain suffi-
cient clearance to the vehicle and do not exceed 
a temperature of 140 °F/606.  
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License plate lamps
5-watt bulb, W5W
1.Push a screwdriver from the left under the 
lamp and pry out the lamp toward the right.
2.Turn the bulb holder to the left by 905 and 
remove.
3.Remove and replace the bulb.
Repairing flat tire with 
M Mobility System
To repair a flat tire, an M Mobility System is pro-
vided in the BMW M6. Using this system you 
can apply a sealant in the inside of the tire, seal 
off the damaged area, restore the tire inflation 
pressure and then continue driving.
Safety measures in case of a breakdown:
Park the vehicle as far as possible from 
passing traffic and on solid ground. Switch on 
the hazard warning flashers.
Apply the parking brake and shift into first gear 
or reverse with the manual transmission, or 
move the selector lever into a drive position with 
the sequential transmission. Have all vehicle 
occupants get out of the vehicle and ensure 
that they remain outside the immediate area in a 
safe place, such as behind a guardrail. 
If a warning triangle
* or portable hazard warning 
lamp
* is required, set it up on the roadside at an 
appropriate distance from the rear of the vehi-
cle. Comply with all safety guidelines and regu-
lations.<
Preparation
The M Mobility System is located in the cargo 
area under the floor panel flap.
Do not remove foreign bodies which have pen-
etrated the tire if possible.
Corresponding information on using the 
M Mobility System is also provided on the 
device.<
Before using the M Mobility System, 
observe the information on the sealant 
bottle.<
Pull the sticker for the speed limit off the sealant 
bottle and apply it to the steering wheel.
Please observe the best-by date on the 
sealant bottle.<
The M Mobility System consists of
1Sealant bottle and sticker with speed limit
2Filling hose from sealant bottle to wheel 
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Switch on the device and allow to run for 
approx. 3 minutes to fill wheel with sealant. 
It is not important what inflation pressure 
the tire has after filling.
9.Switch off device.
10.Remove connecting hose from connection 
of sealant bottle and tire valve.
Stow the M Mobility System in the vehicle 
again.
Distributing sealant
Immediately drive approx. 2 miles/3 km so that 
sealant is evenly distributed in tire.
Do not exceed a maximum speed of 
35 mph/60 km/h. Do not drop below 
12 mph/20 km/h if possible.<
Producing tire inflation pressure
1.After approx. 2 miles/3 km, stop at suitable 
location.
2.Screw compressor hose9 directly onto tire 
valve.
3.Insert connector 3 in lighter socket in vehi-
cle interior.
4.Correct tire inflation pressure to 29 psi/
200 kPa. With the ignition switched on:
>Increase inflation pressure: switch on 
device, position I. To check currently set 
inflation pressure, briefly switch off 
device.
Do not allow compressor to run 
longer than 10 minutes, otherwise 
the device will overheat and may be dam-
aged.<
>Reduce inflation pressure: press 
button8 or turn screw8 on pressure 
gauge.
If the inflation pressure is not held, drive 
the vehicle again, refer to Distributing 
sealant. Then repeat steps 1 to 4 once.
Using the M Mobility System can be ineffective 
with tire damage from a size of approx. 0.16 in/
4 mm. Please contact the nearest BMW center, 
refer to page213, or a workshop that works 
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-respondingly trained personnel if the tire can-
not be made ready for driving with the 
M Mobility System.<
The tire inflation pressure must be at least 
29 psi/200 kPa. Otherwise do not con-
tinue driving.<
Continue driving
Do not exceed the permissible maximum 
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h, otherwise 
accidents can occur.<
Reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor. 
For details, refer to page80.
Have the defective tire and the sealant bottle of 
the M Mobility System replaced as soon as 
possible.<
Changing wheels*
Safety precautions in the event of a flat 
tire or wheel change: Park the vehicle as 
far as possible from passing traffic and on solid 
ground. Switch on the hazard warning flashers.
Apply the parking brake and shift into first gear 
or reverse with the manual transmission, or 
move the selector lever into a drive position with 
the sequential transmission.
Have all vehicle occupants get out of the vehicle 
and ensure that they remain outside the imme-
diate area in a safe place, such as behind a 
guardrail. 
If a warning triangle
* or portable hazard warning 
lamp
* is required, set it up on the roadside at an 
appropriate distance from the rear of the vehi-
cle. Comply with all safety guidelines and regu-
lations. 
Change the wheel only on a level, firm surface 
which is not slippery. The vehicle or the jack 
could slip to the side if you attempt to raise the 
vehicle on a soft or slippery surface such as 
snow, ice, tiles, etc. 
Position the jack on a firm support surface. 
Do not use a wooden block or similar object as a 
support base for the jack, as this would prevent 
it from extending to its full support height and 
reduce its load-carrying capacity. 
To avoid serious or fatal injury: never lie under  
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Warning triangle*
The warning triangle is located on the left-hand 
side in the luggage compartment.
First aid kit*
The first aid kit is located in the filler element of 
the rear seat backrest.
1.Press the button downward and pull the 
filler element forward.
2.Take out first aid kit.
To refit the filler element, insert the two 
bottom tabs into the strip and press the 
filler element back into place. Make sure that 
you do not damage the rear seat upholstery.<
Some of the articles contained in the first aid kit 
have a limited service life. Therefore, check the expiration dates of the contents regularly and 
replace the contents concerned in good time if 
necessary.
Roadside Assistance*
Roadside Assistance of the BMW Group offers 
you assistance in the event of a breakdown 
around the clock, including on weekends and 
public holidays.
The phone numbers of Roadside Assistance in 
your home country can be found in the Contact 
brochure.
With BMW Assist you can contact Roadside 
Assistance of the BMW Group for assistance in 
the event of a breakdown directly via iDrive, 
refer to page177.
Jump starting
When your battery is discharged, you can use 
two jumper cables to start your BMW with 
power from the battery in a second vehicle. You 
can also use the same method to help start 
another vehicle. Use only jumper cables with 
fully-insulated clamp handles.
To avoid the risk of potentially fatal injury, 
always avoid all contact with electrical 
components while the engine is running. Care-
fully adhere to the following sequence, both to 
prevent damage to one or both vehicles, and to 
guard against possible personal injuries.<
Preparation
1.Check whether the battery of the other 
vehicle has a voltage of 12 Volts and 
approximately the same capacitance in Ah. 
This information can be found on the bat-
tery.
2.Switch off the engine of the assisting vehi-
cle.
3.Switch off any electrical systems and com-
ponents in both vehicles. 
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should always remain in the vehicle. It can be 
screwed in at the front or rear of the BMW.
Only use the tow fitting that comes with 
the vehicle and screw it in as far as possi-
ble. Use the tow fitting for towing only on roads. 
Avoid lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do 
not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting. Otherwise 
damage to the tow fitting and the vehicle can 
occur.<
Access to screw thread
Front: press the arrow symbol on the cover in 
the bumper.
Rear: press the arrow symbol on the cover while 
prying out the cover upward by hand.
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on, 
refer to page55, otherwise the low 
beams, tail lamps, turn signals and windshield 
wipers would not be available. Do not tow the 
vehicle with the rear axle raised, as otherwise 
the steering can turn to the left or right.When 
the engine is stopped, there is no power assist. 
This then requires increased effort for braking 
and steering.<
Switch on the hazard warning flashers depend-
ing on the local regulations. If the electrical sys-tem fails, mark the vehicle to be towed, e.g. with 
a sign or warning triangle in the rear window.
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Sequential Manual Transmission with 
Drivelogic
Make sure that selector lever position N is 
engaged with the ignition switched on, as 
otherwise the engine can be damaged during 
towing.<
Towing methods
Do not lift vehicle by tow fitting or body 
and chassis parts; otherwise, damage 
may result.<
In some countries, towing with tow bars or 
ropes in public traffic is not permitted. Familiar-
ize yourself with the regulations on towing in the 
respective country.
With tow bar
The towing vehicle may not be lighter 
than the vehicle to be towed, otherwise it 
will not be possible to reliably control vehicle 
response.<
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 offset 
angle, please observe the following:
>Clearance and maneuvering capability will 
be sharply limited during cornering.
>When mounted at an angle, the tow bar will 
exert lateral forces, tending to push the 
vehicle sideways.
Only attach the tow bar to the tow fittings, 
as attachment to other vehicle parts can 
lead to damage.<
With 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.