ESP BMW M6 CONVERTIBLE 2012 Owner's Guide

Activating DSCPress the button.
DSC OFF and the DSC OFF indicator lamp
go out.
Via M Drive1."Settings"2."M Drive 1" or"M Drive 2"3. Select the symbol.4."DSC OFF"
To open M Drive with the selected settings,
press the corresponding button on the steering
wheel:
▷▷
A message appears in the instrument cluster.
This message is confirmed by pressing the but‐
ton again.
Indicator/warning lamps
When DSC is deactivated, DSC OFF is dis‐
played in the instrument cluster.
The indicator lamp lights up: DSC is de‐
activated.
Hill Start Assistant
The Hill Start Assistant provides assistance with
starting off on a hill, Drive-off assistant, refer to
page 106.
Active M differential
The concept
The active M differential assures continuously
variable locking of the rear axle differential de‐
pending on the driving situation. This prevents
individual rear wheels from spinning even when
DSC is switched off and in M Dynamic Mode, so
that optimum traction is always assured in all
driving situations.
The driver is responsible adapting his or her
driving behavior to the situation.
Electronic Damper Control
EDC
The concept
This system reduces undesirable vehicle mo‐
tion when using a dynamic driving style or trav‐
eling on uneven road surfaces.
The system enhances driving dynamics and
comfort as required for the road surface and
driving style.
Programs
Setting options for calibrating the shock absorb‐
ers:▷"Comfort": comfort-oriented.▷"Sport": balanced out.▷"Sport Plus": consistently sporty.
Selecting a channel
Via M Drive
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 steering
wheel:
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Using the button
Press button repeatedly until the desired
program is displayed in the instrument
cluster.
Display in the instrument cluster Electronic Damper Control EDC with se‐
lected program System states of the
driving dynamics, refer to page 83.
Servotronic
The concept
The Servotronic varies the steering force re‐
quired to turn the wheels in accordance with the
vehicle speed. At low speeds, the steering force
is strongly supported, i. e. during steering, low
force is required. As the speed increases, the
assistance of the steering force is reduced.
Programs
Steering force setting options:
▷"Comfort": low.▷"Sport": medium.▷"Sport Plus": high.
Selecting a channel
Via M Drive
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 steering
wheel:
▷▷
Using the button
Press button repeatedly until the desired
program is displayed in the instrument
cluster.
Display in the instrument cluster Servotronic with selected program with
activated display of the System states of
the driving dynamics, refer to page 83.
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2.Turn the steering wheel to the point where
the pathway line covers the corresponding
turning circle line.
Obstacle marking
▷Spatially-shaped markings can be shown in
the backup camera image.
Their colored steps match the markings of the
PDC. This simplifies estimation of the distance
to the object shown.
Activating the assistance functions
More than one assistance function can be active
at the same time.
Showing the parking aid lines
"Parking aid lines"
Pathway and turning circle lines are displayed.
Showing the obstacle marking
"Obstacle marking"
Spatially-shaped markings are displayed.
Display on the Control Display
Switching on the backup camera via
iDrive
With PDC activated:
"Rear view camera"
The backup camera image is displayed. The set‐
ting is stored for the remote control currently in
use.
Brightness
With the backup camera switched on:
1. Select the symbol.2.Turn the controller until the desired setting
is reached and press the controller.
Contrast
With the backup camera switched on:
1. Select the symbol.2.Turn the controller until the desired setting
is reached and press the controller.
Camera
The camera lens is located under the BMW em‐
blem of the trunk lid. The image quality may be
impaired by dirt.
Clean the lens, refer to page 271.
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Switching on/off
Press the button.
Automatic deactivation during forward
travel
The system switches off when a certain driving
distance or speed is exceeded.
Switch the system back on if necessary.
Display on the Control Display
The traffic area to the left and right is displayed
on the Control Display.
Guidelines at the bottom of the image show the
position of the front of the vehicle.
Brightness
With the Side View switched on:
1. "Brightness"2.Turn the controller until the desired setting
is reached and press the controller.Contrast
With the Side View switched on:1. "Contrast"2.Turn the controller until the desired setting
is reached and press the controller.
Cameras
The two camera lenses are located on the sides
of the bumper.
The image quality may be impaired by dirt.
Clean the lens, refer to page 271.
Night Vision with pedestrian
detection
The concept
Night Vision with pedestrian detection is a night
vision system.
An infrared camera records the area in front of
the vehicle and displays the image on the Con‐
trol Display.
The picture is a heat image. The system has an
integrated pedestrian detection function that
detects pedestrians and cyclists. Warm objects
that are similar in shape to human beings are
detected by the system.
Personal responsibility
Night Vision cannot replace the driver's
personal judgment of the visibility conditions
and the traffic situation. The view ahead and the
actual visibility conditions must always be the
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Warning area in front of the vehicle
The warning area in front of the vehicle is divided
into two areas.
▷Central area 1 directly in front of the vehicle.▷Expanded area 2 to the right and left.
The entire area moves along with the vehicle in
the direction of the steering angle and changes
with the vehicle speed. As the vehicle speed in‐
creases, the area becomes longer and wider, for
example.
Prewarning The yellow symbol is displayed when a
person is detected in the central area,
arrow 1, immediately in front of the ve‐
hicle.
The yellow symbol is displayed when a
person detected in the extended area,
arrow 2, is moving from the right or left
to the central area.
Acute warning The red symbol is displayed and a signal
sounds. You are requested to intervene
immediately by braking or making an
evasive maneuver.
Display in the Head-up Display The warning is displayed simultane‐
ously in the Head-Up Display and on the
Control Display. The displayed symbol
can vary with the people detected. For people
located in the central area, the distance to the
person is indicated by the size of the symbol.
System limits
Basic limits
System operation is limited in situations such as
the following:▷On steep hills, in steep depressions or in
tight curves.▷When the camera is dirty or the protective
glass is damaged.▷In heavy fog, rain or snowfall.▷At very high external temperatures.
Limits of pedestrian detection
Animals are not detected by the pedestrian de‐
tection function, even if they are clearly visible in
the image.
Limited pedestrian detection:
▷When people are fully or partially covered,
especially when their heads are covered.▷When people are not in an upright position,
e.g., when lying down.▷Cyclists on unconventional bicycles (e.g.,
recumbent bicycles).▷After physical damage to the system, e.g.,
after an accident.
Activation/deactivation
Press the button.
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The air volume can be adjusted when the pro‐
gram is active.
If the windows are fogged over, additionally
switch on the cooling function or press the
AUTO button to utilize the condensation sensor.
Maximum cooling Press the button.
The system is set to the lowest tem‐
perature, maximum air flow and recirculated-air
mode.
Air flows out of the vents for the upper body re‐
gion. Open them for this purpose.
Air is cooled as quickly as possible:▷At an external temperature of approx.
32 ℉/0 ℃.▷When the engine is running.
The air flow can be adjusted when the program
is active.
Automatic recirculated-air control/
recirculated-air mode
You can respond to unpleasant odors or pollu‐
tants in the immediate environment by tempo‐
rarily suspending the supply of outside air. The
system then recirculates the air currently within
the vehicle.
Press the button repeatedly to select
an operating mode:
▷LEDs off: outside air flows in continuously.▷Left LED on, automatic recirculated-air con‐
trol: a sensor detects pollutants in the out‐
side air and controls the shut-off automati‐
cally.▷Right LED on, recirculated-air mode: the
supply of outside air into the vehicle is per‐
manently blocked.
If the windows are fogged over, switch off the
recirculated-air mode and press the AUTO but‐
ton on the driver's side to utilize the condensa‐
tion sensor. Make sure that air can flow onto the
windshield.
Continuous recirculated-air mode
The recirculated-air mode should not be
used for an extended period of time, as the air
quality inside the vehicle deteriorates steadily. ◀
Cooling function
The passenger compartment can only be
cooled with the engine running.
Press the button.
The air is cooled and dehumidified and,
depending on the temperature setting, warmed
again.
Depending on the weather, the windshield may
fog up briefly when the engine is started.
The cooling function is switched on automati‐
cally with the AUTO program.
When using the automatic climate control, con‐
densation water, refer to page 144, develops
that exits underneath the vehicle.
Rear window defroster Press the button.
The rear window defroster switches off
automatically after a certain period of time.
The rear window defroster is only active when
the rear window is closed.
ALL program Press the button.
Current settings on the driver's side for
the temperature, air flow, air distribution, and
AUTO program are transferred to the front pas‐
senger side.
The program is switched off if the settings on
the front passenger side are changed.Seite 127Climate controlControls127
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BMW M6 technologyVehicle equipment
All standard, country-specific and optional
equipment that is offered in the model series is
described in this chapter. Therefore, equipment
is also described that is not available in a vehicle,
e. g., because of the selected optional equip‐
ment or country variant. This also applies for
safety-related functions and systems.
V8 high performance engine
The high-speed-V8 engine gets maximum
power of 412 kW and maximum torque of
680 Nm from a displacement of 4.4 liters. With
its spontaneous response behavior, a speed
range of wide utility results. The maximum en‐
gine speed is at 7,200 rpm and is electronically
controlled. Because of the high engine dynam‐
ics, the maximum engine speed with the vehicle
stationary is progressively deactivated after a
short time.
Warmup
During the engine warmup phase, the V8 high-
performance engine has a somewhat rougher
running behavior because of the emission con‐
trols.
When the engine is cold, the exhaust system has
a slightly metallic undertone due to the nature of
the system.
For more information about the warmup proce‐
dure: Engine speed, refer to page 81, and engine
oil temperature, refer to page 81.
Compound brake
The vehicle has a high-performance brake sys‐
tem with perforated compound brake disks.
Because of particular structural characteristics,
there may be operation-related noises during
braking. However, this has no effect on perform‐
ance, operational reliability and reliability of the
brake.
Correct braking
To keep the brake system in optimum condition,
it is expedient to apply them at regular intervals
corresponding to the vehicle character.
Corrosion on brake disks, refer to page 144.
Drive train
With this vehicle, particular value was placed on
the direct connection from engine to the drive
train. Due to the torsionally rigid design of the
drive train, as is typical in a sports car, the trans‐
mission of the torque also gives acoustic feed‐
back.
When there are load changes, this may result in
clacker noises. The do not cause any impair‐
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Hot exhaust systemHot exhaust system
High temperatures are generated in the
exhaust system.
Do not remove the heat shields installed and
never apply undercoating to them. When driv‐
ing, standing at idle and while parking, take care
to avoid possible contact between the hot ex‐
haust system and any highly flammable materi‐
als such as hay, leaves, grass, etc. Such contact
could lead to a fire, and with it the risk of serious
personal injury as well as property damage.
Do not touch hot exhaust pipes; otherwise, there
is the danger of getting burned.◀
Climate control windshield
The marked area is not covered with heat re‐
flective coating.
Use this area for garage door openers, devices
for electronic toll collection, etc.
Mobile communication devices in the
vehicle
Mobile communication devices in the ve‐
hicle
It is advised that you do not use mobile commu‐
nication devices, e.g., mobile phones, inside the
vehicle without connecting them directly to the
external antenna. Otherwise, the vehicle elec‐
tronics and mobile communication devices can
interfere with each other. In addition, there is no
assurance that the radiation generated during
transmission will be discharged from the vehicle
interior.◀
Hydroplaning
On wet or slushy roads, a wedge of water can
form between the tires and road surface.
This phenomenon is referred to as hydroplan‐
ing. It is characterized by a partial or complete
loss of contact between the tires and the road
surface, ultimately undermining your ability to
steer and brake the vehicle.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads, re‐
duce your speed to prevent hydroplaning.◀
Driving through water
Drive though calm water only if it is not deeper
than 9.8 inches/25 cm and at this height, no
faster than walking speed, up to 6 mph/10 km/h.
Adhere to water depth and speed limita‐
tions
Do not exceed this water depth and walking
speed; otherwise, the vehicle's engine, the elec‐
trical systems and the transmission may be
damaged.◀
Braking safely
Your vehicle is equipped with ABS as a standard
feature.
Applying the brakes fully is the most effective
way of braking in situations when this is neces‐
sary.
The vehicle maintains steering responsiveness.
You can still avoid any obstacles with a minimum
of steering effort.
The pulsing of the brake pedal indicates that
ABS is in its active mode.
In certain braking situations, the perforated
brake discs can cause functional problems.
However, this has no effect on the performance
and operational reliability of the brake.Seite 143Things to remember when drivingDriving tips143
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Objects in the area around the pedalsNo objects in the area around the pedals
Keep floor mats, carpets, and any other
objects out of the area of motion of the pedals;
otherwise, the function of the pedals could be
impeded while driving
Do not place additional floor mats over existing
mats or other objects.
Only use floor mats that have been approved for
the vehicle and can be properly fixed in place.
Ensure that the floor mats are securely fastened
again after they were removed for cleaning, for
example.◀
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or there is heavy rain, briefly
exert gentle pressure on the brake pedal every
few miles.
Ensure that this action does not endanger other
road users.
The heat generated in this process helps dry the
brake discs and pads.
In this way braking efficiency will be available
when you need it.
Hills
Drive long or steep downhill gradients in the gear
in which the least braking is required. Otherwise,
the brake system may overheat, resulting in a
reduction in the brake system efficiency.
Double-clutch transmission:
You can increase the engine's braking effect by
shifting down in sequential mode, refer to
page 69.
Avoid load on the brakes
Avoid placing excessive load on the brake
system. Light but consistent brake pressure can
lead to high temperatures, brake wear and pos‐
sibly even brake failure.◀Do not drive in neutral
Do not drive in neutral or with the engine
stopped, as doing so disables engine braking. In
addition, steering and brake assist is unavailable
with the engine stopped.◀
Brake disc corrosion
Corrosion on the brake discs and contamination
on the brake pads are furthered by:▷Low mileage.▷Extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all.▷Infrequent use of the brakes.
Corrosion occurs when the minimum pressure
that must be exerted by the pads during brake
applications to clean the discs is not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake discs, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating ef‐
fect that generally cannot be corrected.
Condensation under the parked vehicle
When using the automatic climate control, con‐
densation water develops that exits underneath
the vehicle.
Therefore, traces of condensed water under the
vehicle are normal.
Ground clearance Limited ground clearance
Observe the limited ground clearance of
the vehicle, e. g. while entering underground
parking garages or when driving over obstacles.
Otherwise, damages to the vehicle may result. ◀
To drive down from curbs with the Electronic
Damper Control, refer to page 108, select the
following program, to keep the ground clear‐
ance as even as possible: "Sport Plus"
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Use coasting conditions
When approaching a red light, take your foot off
the accelerator and let the vehicle coast to a halt.
On a downhill gradient, take your foot off the ac‐
celerator and let the vehicle roll.
The flow of fuel is interrupted while coasting.
Switch off the engine during
longer stops
Switch off the engine during longer stops, e.g.,
at traffic lights, railroad crossings or in traffic
congestion.
Auto Start/Stop function
The Auto Start/Stop function of your vehicle au‐
tomatically switches off the engine during a
stop.
If the engine is switched off and then restarted
rather than leaving the engine running con‐
stantly, fuel consumption and emissions are re‐
duced. Savings can begin within a few seconds
of switching off the engine.
Using this system can cause certain compo‐
nents of the vehicle to become worn prema‐
turely.
Iin addition, fuel consumption is also determined
by other factors, such as driving style, road con‐
ditions, maintenance or environmental factors.
Switch off any functions that
are not currently needed
Functions such as seat heating and the rear win‐
dow defroster require a lot of energy and con‐
sume additional fuel, especially in city and stop-
and-go traffic.
Therefore, switch off these functions if they are
not actually needed.Have maintenance carried out
Have vehicles maintained regularly to achieve
optimal vehicle economy and operating life.
Have the maintenance carried out by your serv‐
ice center.
Please also note the BMW Maintenance Sys‐
tem, refer to page 255.Seite 148Driving tipsSaving fuel148
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