Get Driving tips Guide for BMW M6 4 Door Second Generation (2005-2010)

Driving tips

This section is designed to provide you

with extra support by supplying information

useful in dealing with specific driving

and operating conditions.

Things to remember when driving

Brake system

Breaking-in

Brakes require an initial break-in period of

Moving parts need time to adjust to one

another. To ensure that your vehicle continues

to provide optimized economy of operation

throughout an extended service life, we request

that you devote careful attention to the follow-

ing section.

approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized

contact and wear patterns between brake pads

and rotors. Drive in a reserved manner during

this break-in period.

Clutch

Do not use the driving programs 5 and 6, refer

to Drivelogic on page 54, during break-in.

The function of the clutch is only at its opti-

mized level after a distance driven of approx.

300 miles/500 km.

Engine and differential

Always obey all official speed limits.

Following part replacement

Observe the break-in instructions again if com-

ponents mentioned above must be replaced

after subsequent driving operation.

Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km

Drive at changing engine and driving speeds,

however do not exceed 5,500 rpm or 105 mph/

170 km/h.

Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the

transmission's kick-down mode during these

initial miles.

General driving notes

Closing luggage compartment lid

Only drive with the luggage compartment

lid completely closed, otherwise exhaust

can penetrate into the passenger compart-

ment.<

From 1,200 miles/2,000 km to

3,000 miles/5,000 km

The engine and driving speed can gradually be

increased up to a continuous vehicle speed of

135 mph/220 km/h. Only drive at top speed

briefly, e.g. when passing.

If special circumstances should make it abso-

lutely necessary to operate the vehicle with the

luggage compartment lid open:

1. Close both windows.

Transmission

2. Increase the air volume of the automatic

climate control to a high level, refer to

page 86.

The function of the transmission is only at its

optimized level after driving a distance of

approx. 300 miles/500 km. Do not exceed

engine speeds of 5,500 rpm during this time.

Hot exhaust system

As in all vehicles, extremely high temper-

atures are generated in the exhaust sys-

Tires

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 reservedly during the

first 200 miles/300 km.

tem. Do not remove the heat shields installed

adjacent to it, and never apply undercoating to

them. When driving, standing at idle and while

parking, 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, and with it

98

the risk of serious property damage as well as

personal injury.<

The starting assistant holds the vehicle

for approx. 1 second after releasing the

footbrake. Depending on the load, the vehicle

may also roll back slightly during this time.

After releasing the footbrake, immediately start

quickly, otherwise the starting assistant no

longer holds the vehicle after approx. 1 second

and it begins to roll back.<

Mobile communications devices in

vehicle

BMW advises against using mobile com-

munications devices, e.g. mobile phones,

inside the vehicle without a direct connection to

an external antenna. Otherwise, the vehicle

electronics and mobile communications device

can interfere with each other. In addition, there

is no assurance that the radiation emitted dur-

ing transmission will be conveyed out of the

vehicle interior.<

Start off quickly on slopes. Do not hold

the vehicle on a hill by pressing the accel-

erator, but apply the footbrake or handbrake

instead. Otherwise overheating and heavy wear

can result in the area of the Sequential Manual

Transmission.<

To protect the clutch of the Sequential Manual

Transmission from overheating, the starting-off

behavior is changed under heavy loading, e.g. a

rapid succession of starts on slopes. This can

be noticed from shaking during starting off.

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 phenomenon is referred to as hydro-

planing, and 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.<

On a slippery surface

1. Select program "P 400" of M Engine

Dynamic Control, refer to page 55.

2. Gently press accelerator pedal to prevent

wheels from spinning when starting off.

The risk of hydroplaning increases as the tread

depth of the tires decreases, also refer to Mini-

mum tire tread on page 172.

Braking safely

Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard

feature. In situations that require it, it is best to

brake with full force. Since the vehicle maintains

steering responsiveness, you can still avoid

possible obstacles with a minimum of steering

effort.

Driving through water

Do not drive through water on the road if it

is deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only at

walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the vehi-

cle's engine, the electrical systems and the

transmission may be damaged.<

The pulsing of he brake pedal indicates that the

ABS is controlling braking.

Starting off

On slopes

In certain braking situations the perforated

brake rotors can cause operating noises which,

however, have not effect on the performance

and operating safety of the brake system.

The starting assistant enables starting off on

slopes virtually without rolling back.

Do not drive with your foot resting on the

brake pedal. Even light but consistent

pedal pressure can lead to high temperatures,

brake wear and possibly even brake failure.<

1. Hold the vehicle with the footbrake.

2. Make sure that the handbrake is released.

3. Release the footbrake and immediately

drive off quickly.

99

the vehicle. Traces of condensed water under

the vehicle are therefore normal.

Driving in wet conditions

When driving on wet roads or in heavy rain, it is

a good idea to apply light pressure to the brake

pedal every few miles. Monitor traffic conditions

to ensure that this maneuver does not endan-

ger 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.

Before driving into a car wash

Fold in the exterior mirrors, refer to page 44,

otherwise they could be damaged due to the

width of the vehicle.

General information on the care and mainte-

nance of your BMW is contained in the Caring

for your vehicle brochure.

Hills

To prevent overheating and thus reduced

efficiency of the brake system, downshift

to a gear in which only minimal brake applica-

tions are needed when descending long or

steep downhill stretches. Even light but consis-

tent pressure on the brake pedal can lead to

high temperatures, brake wear and possibly

even brake failure.<

Ground clearance

Ensure that sufficient ground clearance

is available. To drive down curbs, select

the "Sport" program of the EDC Electronic

Damping Control, refer to page 73, to keep the

ground clearance as uniform as possible. Oth-

erwise, the vehicle may be damaged.<

Do not drive in idle or with the engine

switched off, otherwise there will be no

engine braking action or support of the braking

force and steering.

Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other

objects to protrude into the area of movement

of the pedals and impair their operation.<

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. The ultimate result

can assume the form of a sudden blow-out.<

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

during brake applications to clean the rotors is

not reached.

Determining loading limit

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

vehicle's placard*:

The combined weight of occupants

and cargo should never exceed

XXX lbs. or YYY kg, otherwise the vehicle

may be damaged and unstable driving con-

ditions may result.<

When vehicle is parked

Condensation forms in the automatic climate

control during operation, and then exits under

100

2. Determine the combined weight of the

driver and passengers that will be riding in

your vehicle.

Stowing cargo

3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver

and passengers from XXX lbs. or YYY kg.

4. The resulting figure equals the available

amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.

For example, if the XXX amount equals

800 lbs. and there will be four 150-lb. pas-

sengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail-

able cargo and luggage load capacity is

200 lbs.:

>

Load heavy cargo as far forward and as low

as possible, placing it directly behind the

bulkhead behind the rear seats.

800 lbs. minus 600 lbs. = 200 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.

Cover sharp edges and corners.

Securing cargo

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.

Load

>

Use the luggage net* or securing straps to

hold down small and lightweight luggage

and cargo.

Heavy-duty cargo straps* for securing

larger and heavier objects are available at

your BMW center. Four lashing eyes

mounted in the luggage compartment are

used to secure these heavy-duty cargo

straps, refer to arrows.

>

Please observe the special instructions

supplied with the heavy-duty cargo straps.

The permissible load is the total of the weight of

occupants and cargo/luggage. The greater the

weight of occupants, the less cargo/luggage

can be transported.

Always position and secure the load as

described above. If you do not, it can

endanger the passengers during braking or

evasive maneuvers.

When fastening lashings, use only the lashing

eyes, refer to illustration; otherwise, the lash-

ings could come loose or you could damage the

vehicle.

Never exceed the approved gross vehicle

weight or either of the approved axle loads,

101

refer to page 200, as excessive loads can pose

a safety hazard, and may also put you in viola-

tion of freeway safety laws.

You should never transport heavy or hard

objects unsecured in the passenger compart-

ment, as they could fly around and pose a safety

hazard to the vehicle's occupants during abrupt

braking or evasive maneuvers.<

Pad on bottom of luggage

compartment

You can use the pad as needed, for example to

transport soiled objects. The rubberized side is

washable and has an anti-skid effect.

102

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Driving tips for Your BMW M6 4 Door Second Generation (2005-2010)

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