Cargo loading – BMW 2012 3 Series M3 Сoupe User Manual

Page 142

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141

Things to remember when driving

Driving tips

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.

<

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. Down-
shifting in manual mode of the automatic trans-
mission, refer to page

65

.

Sport automatic transmission with double
clutch: never drive with the transmission

in neutral or with the engine switched off; other-
wise, there will be no engine braking action and
no power assistance to the brakes and steering.
Manual transmission: never drive with the
clutch held down, with the transmission in neu-
tral or with the engine switched off; otherwise,
there will be no engine braking action and no
power assistance to the brakes and steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area around the
pedals; otherwise, pedal function could be
impaired.

<

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.
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.

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.

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. In some situations,
this can result in sudden loss of tire pressure.

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Make sure that no liquids are spilled or
leak from their containers in the cargo

area, as this could result in damage to the vehi-
cle.

<

Determining loading limit

1.

Locate the following statement on your
vehicle's placard:

The combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed

XXX kg or YYY lbs. Otherwise, damage to
the vehicle and unstable driving conditions
may result.

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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.

Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 333 - © 08/11 BMW AG

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