Things to remember when driving for your BMW 6 Series 2011-2017
Driving tips
Things to remember when driving
Things to remember when driving
they achieve their full traction potential after a
break-in time.
Vehicle features and options
This chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the
series. It also describes features that are not
necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to
the selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and
systems. The respectively applicable country
provisions must be observed when using the
respective features and systems.
Drive conservatively for the first
200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of ap‐
prox. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimal per‐
formance between brake discs and brake
pads. Drive moderately during this break-in pe‐
riod.
Following part replacement
Breaking-in period
The same break-in procedures should be ob‐
served if any of the components above-men‐
tioned have to be renewed in the course of the
vehicle's operating life.
General information
Moving parts need time to adjust to one an‐
other (break-in time).
The following instructions will help accomplish
a long vehicle life and good efficiency.
General driving notes
During break-in, do not use the Launch Con‐
trol, refer to page 81.
Closing the trunk lid
Drive with the trunk lid closed
Engine, transmission, and axle drive
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Do not exceed the maximum engine and road
speed:
Only drive with the tailgate closed; other‐
wise, in the event of an accident or braking and
evasive maneuvers, passengers and other traf‐
fic may be injured, and the vehicle may be
damaged. In addition, exhaust fumes may en‐
ter the vehicle interior.◀
▷
For gasoline engine 4,500 rpm and
100 mph/160 km/h.
If driving with the tailgate open cannot be
avoided:
Avoid full load or kickdown under all circum‐
stances.
▷
If the convertible top is closed, close all
windows.
From 1,200 miles/2,000 km
▷
▷
Greatly increase the air flow from the vents.
Drive moderately.
The engine and vehicle speed can gradually be
increased.
Tires
Tire traction is not optimal due to manufactur‐
ing circumstances when tires are brand-new;
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Things to remember when driving
Driving tips
mission will be conducted away from the vehi‐
cle interior.◀
Hot exhaust system
Hot exhaust system
High temperatures are generated in the
exhaust system.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning
Do not remove the heat shields installed and
never apply undercoating to them. Make sure
that flammable materials, e. g. hay, leaves,
grass, etc. do not come in contact with the hot
exhaust system while driving, while in idle po‐
sition mode, or when parked. Such contact
could lead to a fire, resulting in an increased
risk of serious personal injury as well as prop‐
erty damage.
When driving on wet or slushy roads, re‐
duce your speed to prevent 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.
Do not touch hot exhaust pipes; otherwise,
there is a danger of getting burned.◀
Driving through water
Climate control windshield
Observe water level and speed
Do not exceed the maximum water level
and maximum speed; otherwise, the vehicle's
engine, the electrical systems and the trans‐
mission may be damaged.◀
Drive though calm water only and only if it is
not deeper than 9.8 inches/25 cm and at this
height, no faster than walking speed, up to
3 mph/5 km/h.
The marked area is not covered with heat re‐
flective coating.
Braking safely
Your vehicle is equipped with ABS as a stand‐
ard feature.
Use this area for garage door openers, devices
for electronic toll collection, etc.
Applying the brakes fully is the most effective
way of braking in situations needed.
Mobile communication devices in the
vehicle
Steering is still responsive. You can still avoid
any obstacles with a minimum of steering ef‐
fort.
Mobile communication devices in the ve‐
hicle
Pulsation of the brake pedal and sounds from
the hydraulic circuits indicate that ABS is in its
active mode.
It is not recommended to use mobile phones,
such as mobile phones, in the vehicle interior
without a direct connection to an external aer‐
ial. Otherwise, the vehicle's electronics and
mobile communication devices can interfere
with each other. In addition, there is no assur‐
ance that the radiation generated during trans‐
In certain braking situations, the perforated
brake discs can cause functional problems.
However, this has no effect on the perform‐
ance and operational reliability of the brake.
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Driving tips
Things to remember when driving
wise the brakes may overheat and reduce
brake efficiency.
Objects within the range of movement
of the pedals
You can increase the engine's braking effect
by shifting down, going all the way to first gear,
if needed.
No objects in the area around the pedals
Keep floor mats, carpets, and any other
objects out of the pedal area; otherwise, the
function of the pedals could be impeded while
driving and create the risk of an accident.
Brake disc corrosion
Brake disc corrosion and contamination of the
brake pads are favored by:
Do not place additional floor mats over existing
mats or other objects.
▷
▷
Low mileage.
Only use floor mats that have been approved
for the vehicle and can be properly attached to
floor.
Extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all.
▷
Infrequent use of the brakes.
Ensure that the floor mats are securely fas‐
tened again after they were removed for clean‐
ing, e.g.◀
Corrosion will built up when the maximum
pressure applied to the brake pads during
braking is not reached - thus discs don't get
cleaned.
Driving in wet conditions
Corrosion buildup on the brake discs will cause
a pulsating effect on the brakes in their re‐
sponse - generally that cannot be corrected.
When roads are wet, salted, or in heavy rain,
press brake pedal ever so gently every few
miles.
Ensure that this action does not endanger
other traffic.
Condensation under the parked
vehicle
When using the automatic climate control,
condensation water develops collecting under‐
neath the vehicle.
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.
These traces of water under the vehicle are
normal.
Hills
Avoid stressing the brakes
Avoid placing excessive stress on the
brake system. Light but consistent brake pres‐
sure can lead to high temperatures, brakes
wearing out and possibly 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 are un‐
available with the engine stopped.◀
Drive long or steep downhill gradients in the
gear that requires least braking efforts. Other‐
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