Get Driving tips -> Things to remember when driving Guide for BMW M3 4 Door Fourth Generation (2007-2013)

Things to remember when driving

Clutch

Break-in period

The function of the clutch reaches its optimal

Moving parts need breaking-in time to adjust to

each other. Please follow the instructions below

in order to achieve the optimal service life and

economy of operation for your vehicle.

level only after a distance driven of approx.

300 miles/500 km. During this break-in period,

engage the clutch gently.

Following part replacement

Engine and differential

The same break-in procedures should be

observed if any of the components mentioned

above have to be renewed in the course of the

vehicle's operating life.

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 5,500 rpm or a

road speed of 105 mph/170 km/h.

General driving notes

Do not depress the accelerator all the way.

Clearance

From 1,200 miles/2,000 km to

3,000 miles/5,000 km

Mind the limited clearance of the BMW

M3, e.g. when driving into underground

parking garages or over obstacles. If equipped

with EDC*, select the "Sport" program, refer to

page 90, when driving off curbs to keep clear-

ance as even as possible. Otherwise the vehicle

may be damaged.<

Engine and road speeds can be increased grad-

ually up to a traveling speed of 135 mph/

220 km/h. Use the maximum speed only for

brief intervals, e.g. when passing.

Transmission

Close the luggage compartment lid

The transmission begins functioning at an opti-

mal level only after a distance of approx.

300 miles/500 km. Do not exceed engine

speeds of 5,500 rpm during this period.

Operate the vehicle only when the lug-

gage compartment lid is closed. Other-

wise, exhaust fumes could enter the interior of

the vehicle.<

Tires

If the vehicle must be driven with the luggage

compartment lid open:

Due to technical factors associated with their

manufacture, tires do not achieve their full trac-

tion potential until after an initial break-in

period. Therefore, drive cautiously during the

first 200 miles/300 km.

1. Close all windows and the glass roof.

2. Greatly increase the air volume of the auto-

matic climate control system, refer to

page 105.

Brake system

Hot exhaust 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.

In all vehicles, extremely high tempera-

tures are generated in the exhaust sys-

tem. Do not remove the heat shields installed

adjacent to various sections of the exhaust sys-

tem, and never apply undercoating to them.

When driving, standing at idle and while park-

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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 lead to a fire, with the

risk of serious personal injuries and property

damage. Do not touch hot exhaust pipes, e.g.

when loading the cargo bay, otherwise there is a

risk of burn injuries.<

Driving in wet conditions

When roads are wet or there is heavy rain,

briefly exert gentle pressure 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.

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 brake be properly applied.<

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 braking is required. Even

light but consistent brake pressure can lead to

high temperatures, brake wear and possibly

even brake failure.<

The risk of hydroplaning increases with declin-

ing tread depth on the tires, refer also to Mini-

mum tread depth on page 219.

You can increase the engine's braking effect by

shifting down, all the way to first gear if neces-

sary. This strategy helps you avoid placing

excessive loads on the brake system.

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.<

M dual clutch transmission: never drive

with the transmission in neutral or with

the engine switched off; otherwise, engine

braking action will not be present or there will be

no power assistance to the brakes or steering.

Manual transmission: never drive with the

clutch held down, with the transmission in neu-

tral or with the engine switched off; otherwise,

engine braking action will not be present or

there will be no power assistance to the brakes

or steering.

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.<

Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other

objects to protrude into the area around the

pedals, otherwise pedal function could be

impaired.<

For more information about the drive-off assis-

tant, refer to page 90.

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. Since the vehicle maintains

steering responsiveness, you can still avoid

possible obstacles with a minimum of steering

effort.

Corrosion on brake rotors

When the vehicle is driven only occasionally,

during extended periods when the vehicle is not

used at all, and in operating conditions where

brake applications are less frequent, there is an

increased tendency for corrosion to form on

rotors, while contaminants accumulate on the

brake pads. This occurs because the minimum

pressure which must be exerted by the pads

Pulsation of the brake pedal, combined with

sounds from the hydraulic circuits, indicate that

ABS is in its active mode.

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during brake applications to clean the rotors is

not reached.

Determining loading limit

This can also lead to a permanent loss in ride

comfort and to squealing noises during braking.

A loss in comfort can also be caused by

extended braking with little pressure on the

pedal.

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.

1. Locate the following statement on your

For information on brake system technology,

refer to Compound brake on page 129.

vehicle's placard*:

The combined weight of occupants

and cargo should never exceed

XXX kg or YYY lbs. Otherwise, overloading

can result in damage to the vehicle and

unstable driving conditions.<

When the vehicle is parked

Condensation forms while the automatic cli-

mate control is in operation, and then exits

under the vehicle. Traces of condensed water

under the vehicle are therefore normal.

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.

Cargo loading

To avoid loading the tires beyond their

approved carrying capacity, never over-

load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-

heating and increases the rate at which damage

develops inside the tires. This can ultimately

result in a sudden blow-out.<

4. The resulting figure equals the available

amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.

For example, if the YYY amount equals

1,400 lbs. and there will be five 150-lb. pas-

sengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail-

able cargo and luggage load capacity is

650 lbs:

Make sure that no liquids are spilled or

leak from their containers in the cargo

bay, as this could result in damage to the vehi-

cle.<

1,400 lbs. minus 750 lbs. = 650 lbs.

5. Determine the combined weight of luggage

and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That

weight may not safely exceed the available

cargo and luggage load capacity calculated

in step 4.

6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, part of

the load from your trailer will be transferred

to your vehicle. Consult the manual for

transporting a trailer to determine how this

may reduce the available cargo and luggage

load capacity of your vehicle.

126

Load

Securing cargo

Coupe

The permissible load is the total of the weight of

occupants and cargo/luggage. The greater the

weight of the occupants, the less cargo/lug-

gage can be transported.

Convertible

Stowing cargo

Position heavy objects as low and as far for-

ward as possible, ideally directly behind the

respective seat backrests.

Cover sharp edges and corners.

For very heavy cargo when the rear seat is

not occupied, secure each safety belt in the

opposite buckle.

Convertible: before opening the hardtop,

fold down the cargo bay partition. Make

sure the cargo bay is loaded correctly, other-

wise parts of the hardtop can be damaged, refer

to page 116.<

Coupe

Secure smaller and lighter items using

retaining straps, a cargo bay net* or draw

straps*.

Heavy-duty cargo straps* for securing

larger and heavier objects are available at

your BMW center. Four lashing eyes are

provided for attaching the cargo straps.

Two are located on the cargo bay

sidewalls 1, two more are on the rear cargo

bay panel 2.

Convertible

Please comply with the information sup-

plied with the cargo straps.

Position and secure the cargo as

described above, so that it cannot endan-

ger the car's occupants, for example if sudden

braking or swerving is necessary.

Never exceed either the approved gross vehicle

weight or either of the approved axle loads, refer

to page 251, as excessive loads can pose a

127

safety hazard, and may also place you in viola-

tion of traffic safety laws.

The roof load must be distributed uniformly and

should not be too large in area. Heavy items

should always be placed at the bottom. Be sure

that adequate clearance is maintained for rais-

ing the glass roof, and that objects do not

project into the opening path of the luggage

compartment lid.

Heavy or hard objects should not be carried

loose inside the car, since they could be thrown

around, for example as a result of heavy braking,

sudden swerves, etc., and endanger the occu-

pants.

Only attach the cargo straps using the lashing

eyes shown in the illustration. Do not secure

cargo with the anchors for tether straps, refer to

page 58, otherwise these could be damaged.<

Fasten roof-mounted cargo correctly and

securely to prevent it from shifting or falling off

during the trip.

Drive smoothly. Avoid sudden acceleration and

braking maneuvers. Take corners gently.

Couperoof-mountedluggage

rack*

A luggage rack mounted on the roof

changes vehicle aerodynamics and han-

dling. Exercise restraint when driving with a

roof-mounted luggage rack to avoid the risk of

an accident.<

A special rack system is available as an option

for your BMW. Comply with the directions given

in the installation instructions.

Mounting points

The mounting points are located in the roof.

Loading roof-mounted luggage rack

Because roof racks raise the vehicle's center of

gravity when loaded, they have a major effect on

vehicle handling and steering response.

You should therefore always remember not to

exceed the approved roof load capacity, the

approved gross vehicle weight or the axle loads

when loading the rack.

You can find the applicable data under Weights

on page 251.

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Driving tips -> Things to remember when driving for Your BMW M3 4 Door Fourth Generation (2007-2013)

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