DRIVING TIPS for Your BMW M8 4 Door First Generation (2019-2025)

BMW M8 Technology  
DRIVING TIPS  
BMW M8 Technology  
Vehicle features and options Compound brake  
This chapter describes all standard, country-  
specific, and optional equipment offered with  
General information  
The high-performance brake system has per-  
forated compound brake disks.  
the series. It also describes features and func-  
tions that are not necessarily available in the  
vehicle, e.g., due to the selected options or  
country versions. This also applies to safety  
functions and systems. When using these  
functions and systems, the applicable laws  
and regulations must be observed.  
Due to the specific design, temporary function-  
related noise may occur after an extended mi-  
nor load.  
The function-related noises have no effect on  
the performance, operational reliability, and  
durability of the brake.  
High-performance engine  
Correct braking  
To prevent function-related noises, depress  
the brakes hard a few times in regular inter-  
vals. Ensure that the traffic situation permits  
the braking.  
General information  
With a displacement of 4.4 liters, the V8 high-  
performance engine generates a maximum  
power of 600 hp, with Competition Pack-  
age 617 hp, and a maximum torque of  
553 lb ft/750 Nm. With its spontaneous re-  
sponse characteristics, a very wide usable ro-  
tational speed range results. The maximum  
RPM is 7,200 rpm and is electronically control-  
led. Because of the high engine dynamics, the  
maximum RPM with the vehicle stationary is  
reduced.  
With moisture on the brake disks, the brake  
system may be operated dry to prevent noise.  
M carbon ceramic brake  
General information  
The high-performance brake system has per-  
forated carbon ceramic brake disks.  
Warm-up  
Due to properties of the materials used, brak-  
ing may be associated with louder function-re-  
lated noises, e.g., in the event of an extended  
minor brake load or in wet conditions, just be-  
fore the vehicle comes to a standstill.  
During the warm-up phase, the high-perform-  
ance engine has in increased idle speed to  
bring the emission control system to operating  
temperature.  
The function-related noises have no effect on  
the performance, operational reliability, and  
durability of the brake.  
Additional information:  
Tachometer, refer to page 168.  
Engine oil temperature, refer to page 168.  
The effects of moisture and road salt from us-  
ing a car wash, dew formation overnight, driv-  
ing in rain, etc., may render the braking effect  
comparable to that of a conventional brake  
system. If necessary, this reduced braking ef-  
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BMW M8 Technology  
DRIVING TIPS  
fect can be compensated for by pressing the  
brake pedal harder.  
Correct braking and washing  
To prevent function-related noises, depress  
the brakes hard a few times in regular inter-  
vals. Ensure that the traffic situation permits  
the braking.  
With moisture on the brake disks, the brake  
system may be operated dry to prevent noise.  
First clean brake disks and calipers with a  
steam cleaner or high pressure cleaner before  
washing the vehicle in an automatic car wash.  
This prevents salt crystals, for instance, from  
causing crusty deposits or buildup to form if  
the vehicle then remains stationary for a period  
of time. The cleaning effect of automatic car  
washes is usually not adequate for this in the  
area around the wheels.  
Drivetrain  
With this vehicle, particular value was placed  
on the direct connection from engine to the  
drivetrain. Due to the torsionally rigid design of  
the drivetrain, as is typical in a sports car, the  
transmission of the torque also gives acoustic  
feedback.  
When there are load changes, this may result  
in clicking noises. The clicking noises do not  
impair the operation or the service life of the  
components.  
The M xDrive all-wheel-drive system estab-  
lishes variable torque distribution to the front  
and rear axles. The combination of M xDrive,  
active M differential, and an Adaptive M chas-  
sis in this vehicle ensures a high degree of  
driving dynamics that is typical of BMW M.  
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Things to remember when driving  
DRIVING TIPS  
Things to remember when driving  
Engine, transmission, and axle drive  
Vehicle features and options  
Up to 600 miles/1,000 km  
Drive at varying engine and road speeds,  
but do not exceed 5000 rpm and  
106 mph/170 km/h.  
This chapter describes all standard, country-  
specific, and optional equipment offered with  
the series. It also describes features and func-  
tions that are not necessarily available in the  
vehicle, e.g., due to the selected options or  
country versions. This also applies to safety  
functions and systems. When using these  
functions and systems, the applicable laws  
and regulations must be observed.  
Avoid full throttle or kickdown under all circum-  
stances.  
From 600 miles/1,000 km to  
1,200 miles/2,000 km  
Drive at varying engine and road speeds,  
but do not exceed 6000 rpm and  
130 mph/210 km/h.  
Break-in procedures  
Avoid full load in gears 1 to 3.  
General information  
Moving parts need to work together smoothly.  
At 1,200 miles/2,000 km  
Have break-in service maintenance performed.  
The following instructions will help you to ach-  
ieve a long vehicle life and good efficiency.  
During break-in, do not use the Launch Con-  
trol.  
Tires  
Tire traction is not optimal due to manufactur-  
ing circumstances when tires are brand new.  
Safety information  
Drive conservatively for the first  
200 miles/300 km.  
Warning  
Brake system  
M Compound brake:  
Due to new parts and components, safety  
and driver assistance systems can react with  
a delay. There is a risk of accident, injury, or  
property damage. After installing new parts  
or with a new vehicle, drive conservatively  
and intervene early if necessary. Observe the  
break-in procedures of the respective parts  
and components.  
M Compound brake disks and brake pads  
must be broken in to avoid the conditions that  
can lead to brake noise. Drive carefully for the  
first approx. 300 miles/500 km.  
For M carbon ceramic brake:  
M Carbon Ceramic brake disks and brake pads  
must be broken in to avoid the conditions that  
can lead to brake noise. Drive carefully for the  
first approx. 600 miles/1000 km.  
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Things to remember when driving  
DRIVING TIPS  
Following part replacement  
Hot exhaust system  
Observe the break-in procedures again if com-  
ponents mentioned above are replaced.  
Warning  
High temperatures can occur underneath the  
body, for instance caused by the exhaust  
system, while driving. Contact with the ex-  
haust system can cause burns. There is a risk  
of injury. Do not touch the exhaust system,  
including the exhaust pipe, when hot.  
General driving notes  
Closing the trunk lid  
Safety information  
Warning  
Warning  
If combustible materials such as leaves or  
grass come in contact with hot parts of the  
exhaust system, these materials can ignite.  
There is a risk of fire and an injury hazard.  
Do not remove the heat shields installed and  
never apply undercoating to them. Make sure  
that no combustible materials can come in  
contact with hot vehicle parts while driving, in  
Neutral or during parking.  
An open trunk lid protrudes from the vehicle  
and can endanger occupants and other road  
users or damage the vehicle in the event of  
an accident, braking or evasive maneuvers.  
In addition, exhaust gas or water may enter  
the vehicle interior. There is a risk of injury or  
risk of damage to property. Do not drive with  
the trunk lid open.  
Driving with the trunk lid open  
If the vehicle still needs to be driven with the  
trunk lid open:  
Mobile communications in the  
vehicle  
If the convertible top is closed, close all win-  
dows.  
Warning  
Greatly increase the blower output.  
Drive moderately.  
Vehicle electronics and mobile communica-  
tion devices can influence one another. There  
is radiation due to the transmission oper-  
ations of mobile communication devices.  
There is a risk of injury or risk of damage to  
property. If possible, only use mobile commu-  
nication devices, e.g., mobile phones, when  
connected directly to an external antenna or  
Personal eSIM in order to prevent mutual in-  
terference and to deflect radiation from the  
vehicle interior.  
Ice on window glass  
NOTICE  
The window will be lowered slightly when  
pulling on the door handle. In the event of  
frost, the window may be frozen solid and  
may not be able to be lowered. There is a risk  
of damage to property. When pulling on the  
door handle, make sure that the window is  
lowered. If necessary, remove snow and ice  
from the window. Do not open the door with  
force.  
Aquaplaning  
On wet or slushy roads, a wedge of water can  
form between the tires and road surface.  
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Things to remember when driving  
DRIVING TIPS  
This phenomenon is referred to as aquaplan-  
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.  
Sounds from the hydraulic circuits indicate that  
the Antilock Braking System is regulating.  
In certain braking situations, the perforated  
brake disks can emit function-related noises.  
However, function-related noises have no ef-  
fect on the performance and operational relia-  
bility of the brake.  
Driving through water  
General information  
Objects in the travel path of the pedals  
When driving through water, follow the follow-  
ing:  
Warning  
Deactivate Auto Start/Stop function.  
Drive through calm water only.  
Objects in the driver's footwell can limit the  
pedal travel or block a depressed pedal.  
There is a risk of accident. Stow objects in the  
vehicle such that they are secured and can-  
not enter into the driver's footwell. Use floor  
mats that are suitable for the vehicle and  
can be safely attached to the floor. Do not  
use loose floor mats and do not layer several  
floor mats. Make sure that there is sufficient  
clearance for the pedals. Ensure that the floor  
mats are securely fastened again after they  
were removed, for instance for cleaning.  
Drive through water only up to a maximum  
height of 9.8 inches/25 cm.  
Drive through water at a maximum of walk-  
ing speed, up to 3 mph/5 km/h.  
Safety information  
NOTICE  
When driving too quickly through deep water,  
the water can penetrate the engine compart-  
ment, the electrical system, or the transmis-  
sion. There is a risk of damage to property.  
When driving through water, do not exceed  
the maximum indicated water level and the  
maximum speed for driving through water.  
Pedal feel when driving off  
After turning on the drive-ready state from  
the idle state, the pedal may feel unusual,  
short pedal travel. After the brake pedal has  
been fully released, the pedal will feel as usual  
again.  
Braking safely  
Driving in wet conditions  
General information  
The vehicle is equipped with an Antilock Brak-  
ing System as a standard feature.  
In case of wet roads, exposure to road salt or  
in heavy rain, gently depress the brake pedal  
every few kilometers.  
Ensure that this action does not endanger  
other road users.  
Perform full braking when appropriate. To ach-  
ieve the best possible braking assistance, do  
not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal  
during full braking.  
The heat generated while braking dries brake  
disks and brake pads and protects them  
against corrosion.  
Steering is still responsive. You can still avoid  
any obstacles with a minimum of steering  
movement.  
In this way the brake power will be available  
when you need it.  
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Things to remember when driving  
DRIVING TIPS  
Corrosion buildup on the brake disks will cause  
a pulsating effect on the brakes when braking  
slowly - generally this cannot be corrected.  
Hills  
General information  
Drive long or steep downhill gradients in the  
gear that requires least braking effort. Other-  
wise, the brake system may overheat and re-  
duce braking effect.  
Condensation water under the  
parked vehicle  
When using the automatic climate control, con-  
densation water develops and collects under-  
neath the vehicle.  
You can increase the engine braking effect by  
downshifting, going all the way to first gear, if  
needed.  
Ground clearance  
Safety information  
NOTICE  
Warning  
If the ground clearance is insufficient, e.g.,  
curbs or underground garage entrances, con-  
tact with vehicle parts, e.g., spoiler, and the  
underbody may occur. There is a risk of dam-  
age to property. Ensure that there is sufficient  
ground clearance available.  
Light but constant pressure on the brake  
pedal can lead to high temperatures, brake  
wear, and even failure of the brake system.  
There is a risk of accident, injury, or property  
damage. Avoid placing excessive stress on  
the brake system.  
M Driver's Package: driving in the  
higher speed range  
Warning  
In Neutral or with drive-ready state switched  
off, safety functions, for instance engine brak-  
ing effect, braking assistance and steering  
assistance, may be restricted or not availa-  
ble. There is a risk of accident, injury, or prop-  
erty damage. Do not attempt to drive in Neu-  
tral or with drive-ready state switched off.  
Warning  
Damage to vehicle components can nega-  
tively impact handling at high speeds. This  
includes, among other things, tires, under-  
body and parts for improving aerodynamics.  
There is a risk of accident, injury, or property  
damage. Have damage corrected by an au-  
thorized service center or another qualified  
service center or repair shop. Do not drive at  
high speeds until the damage is corrected.  
Brake disk corrosion  
Corrosion on the brake disks and contamina-  
tion on the brake pads are increased by the  
following circumstances:  
Low mileage.  
Extended stationary periods.  
Infrequent use of the brakes.  
Aggressive, acidic, or alkaline cleaning  
agents.  
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Things to remember when driving  
DRIVING TIPS  
Driving on racetracks  
Warning  
The vehicle is not designed for use in M Sport  
or motorsport-like competition. There is a risk  
of accident, injury, or property damage. Do  
not use the vehicle for M Sport or motorsport-  
like competitions.  
Higher mechanical and thermal loads during  
racetrack operation lead to increased wear.  
Use of the vehicle in M Sport or motor sport  
type competition is an improper use of the ve-  
hicle and may affect your warranty coverage.  
Please consult the “New Vehicle Limited War-  
ranty” Booklet for further information on war-  
ranty matters.  
When driving on a racetrack, increase the du-  
ration of the load slowly.  
The standard brake pads and the wear indica-  
tors are not designed for racetrack operation.  
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Saving fuel  
DRIVING TIPS  
Saving fuel  
Tires  
Vehicle features and options  
General information  
Tires can affect consumption in various ways,  
for instance tire size may influence consump-  
tion.  
This chapter describes all standard, country-  
specific, and optional equipment offered with  
the series. It also describes features and func-  
tions that are not necessarily available in the  
vehicle, e.g., due to the selected options or  
country versions. This also applies to safety  
functions and systems. When using these  
functions and systems, the applicable laws  
and regulations must be observed.  
Checking the tire pressure regularly  
Check and, if needed, correct the tire inflation  
pressure at least twice a month and before  
starting on a long trip.  
Low tire pressure increases rolling resistance  
and thus fuel consumption and tire wear.  
Reducing fuel consumption  
Additional information:  
Tire pressure specifications, refer to page 318.  
General information  
The vehicle contains advanced technologies  
for the reduction of consumption and emission  
values.  
Drive away without delay  
Do not wait for the engine to warm-up while  
the vehicle remains stationary. Start driving  
right away, but at moderate RPM.  
The fuel consumption depends on various fac-  
tors such as driving style, road conditions,  
maintenance or environmental factors.  
This is the fastest way of warming the cold  
engine up to operating temperature.  
Carrying out certain measures such as a mod-  
erate driving style and regular maintenance  
can influence fuel consumption and the envi-  
ronmental pollution.  
Anticipatory driving  
A smooth and anticipatory driving style re-  
duces fuel consumption.  
Removing unnecessary cargo  
Avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking.  
Additional weight increases fuel consumption.  
Maintain a suitable distance to the vehicle driv-  
ing ahead of you.  
Removing attached parts following  
use  
Attached parts on the vehicle impair the aero-  
dynamics and increase the fuel consumption.  
Avoid high RPM  
Driving at low engine speeds lowers fuel con-  
sumption and reduces wear.  
If necessary, observe the vehicle's gear shift  
indicator.  
Closing the windows  
Open windows increase drag and therefore  
lead to greater fuel consumption.  
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Saving fuel  
DRIVING TIPS  
Using coasting/overrun mode  
When approaching a red traffic light, take your  
foot off the accelerator and let the vehicle  
coast to a halt.  
For going downhill take your foot off the accel-  
erator and let the vehicle roll.  
The fuel supply is interrupted in coasting/over-  
run mode.  
Switch off the engine during longer  
stops  
Switching off the engine  
Switch off the engine during longer stops, for  
instance at traffic lights, railroad crossings or in  
traffic jam.  
Auto Start/Stop function  
The Auto Start/Stop function of the 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  
reduced. Savings can begin within a few sec-  
onds of an engine stop.  
Switching off any functions that are  
not currently needed  
Functions such as seat heating and the rear  
window defroster require a lot of energy and  
increase fuel consumption, especially in city  
traffic and with stop-and-go driving.  
Switch off these functions if they are not  
needed.  
Having maintenance carried out  
Have the vehicle maintained regularly to ach-  
ieve optimal vehicle efficiency and service life.  
BMW recommends that maintenance work be  
performed by an authorized service center.  
Also refer to BMW Maintenance System.  
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Saving fuel  
DRIVING TIPS  
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