RTFM... I feel like I'm in college all over again.

lincoln · 01-14-2009, 11:01 PM

I just ordered my M - good to be part of the group. Like many, after test driving multiple vehicles (& doing extended research) and listing pros and cons for each, I decided on the M3. I'm excited, but unlike some, don't think that it's the absolute best car in every category... I appreciate some aspects of many different cars out there... including Audi's, Mercs, Z06, etc. etc. It's just for me, in my current state, the M3 fit me best.

Anyway, I started looking at the manual because so many people like chiming in to

(I wonder if these were the same people that got good grades in school...hmm) and stopped at like page 10. Hell no. I pride myself on figuring things out with tinkering with it. I do it w/ new computers, my iPhone, all of my previous cars, etc.

So my question is... who has just got in and drove without reading the manual? Sure, I know the basics of break-in, and can figure out how to get it in gear, hehe. I just think it's easier to look at the manual if I have questions or ask the forum and have the 6-7 people on this board that likes to say

. I have to believe some have just drove it. Then again, asking a forum probably isn't the best place because forum members tend to be the ones that like to educate themselves on various topics/discussions.... although, I would guess that many aren't very educated themselves.

I got good grades by the way and I never RTFM.

golemite · 01-14-2009, 11:25 PM

I only read the manual when strange things start appearing on my dash

newtom3 · 01-14-2009, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lincoln

I got good grades by the way and I never RTFM.

Maybe buy a pilot on his second flight you'd never be.

lincoln · 01-15-2009, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newtom3

Maybe buy a pilot on his second flight you'd never be.

I need to

(your FM) because I have NO idea what you're saying...

MrHarris · 01-15-2009, 12:27 AM

I just drove it. I had to read the manual for a few specific things, such as changing the intensity of the instrument cluster and things like that.

spyderco10 · 01-15-2009, 01:28 AM

When my dad bought me my first car back in high school, he told me to read the manual cover to cover. Been doing it for every car since. It's the best way to thoroughly take advantage of all your car's got to offer.

CPM5 · 01-15-2009, 01:31 AM

I think that reading the manual of ur new car AN M3!!! Is very exciting!!! I just loved reading mine, but I did just drive the car!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by lincoln

I just ordered my M - good to be part of the group. Like many, after test driving multiple vehicles (& doing extended research) and listing pros and cons for each, I decided on the M3. I'm excited, but unlike some, don't think that it's the absolute best car in every category... I appreciate some aspects of many different cars out there... including Audi's, Mercs, Z06, etc. etc. It's just for me, in my current state, the M3 fit me best.

Anyway, I started looking at the manual because so many people like chiming in to

(I wonder if these were the same people that got good grades in school...hmm) and stopped at like page 10. Hell no. I pride myself on figuring things out with tinkering with it. I do it w/ new computers, my iPhone, all of my previous cars, etc.

So my question is... who has just got in and drove without reading the manual? Sure, I know the basics of break-in, and can figure out how to get it in gear, hehe. I just think it's easier to look at the manual if I have questions or ask the forum and have the 6-7 people on this board that likes to say

. I have to believe some have just drove it. Then again, asking a forum probably isn't the best place because forum members tend to be the ones that like to educate themselves on various topics/discussions.... although, I would guess that many aren't very educated themselves.

I got good grades by the way and I never RTFM.

samM376' · 01-15-2009, 01:37 AM

I always read them. Even on my Ducati and literally it was so straight forward, but I go through them anyway

Even if its just once where I do the, "Heh, I didn't know that. I'll try it later," Type deal I think it's worth it

Patricius · 01-15-2009, 05:29 AM

Manual? What's that?

kmac1980 · 01-15-2009, 08:39 AM

they dont really expect you to read it, seeing as they put a big sticker in you windshield with break in instructions...

I read it for fun (after tinkering) though, just because you always find 1-2 cool features you never knew about...

ase2dais · 01-15-2009, 08:52 AM

iDrive you can pretty much play with it to figure it out, and mostly learn by doing.

But with DCT, its important to read the manual to get the concept and be safe. Helps you not ruin your tranny.

But yeah! RTFM is like reading a automotive pornography, it turns you on to drive the car ASAP

BRDHNTR · 01-15-2009, 09:23 AM

I downloaded an electronic copy of the manual and read it before I took delivery of the car. Not a bad bathroom read, and I saved the CA the time of having to explain everything. I can see where Idrive (on the '08 at least) would be confusing if you just hopped in the car knowing nothing about how it works or what it can do.

gr8000 · 01-15-2009, 09:24 AM

I have read the manual like 2 times cover to cover BEFORE I even got my M3, and when I got it I also refered to some specific sections again for reminding myself of specific issues!

Vise · 01-15-2009, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRDHNTR

I downloaded an electronic copy of the manual and read it before I took delivery of the car.

Same here, I had to wait a couple weeks for my car to be shipped across the county so had time to spare!

MMMorish · 01-15-2009, 10:45 AM

I learned how to use the idrive just by playing around with it. As for the rest, I bought a manual so I didn't need to read the manual!

6MT!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ase2dais

iDrive you can pretty much play with it to figure it out, and mostly learn by doing.

But with DCT, its important to read the manual to get the concept and be safe. Helps you not ruin your tranny.

MachineDriver · 01-15-2009, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newtom3

Maybe buy a pilot on his second flight you'd never be.

Yeah, I'm a pilot and I always RTFM. But WTF are you trying to say? If you were a pilot and didn't read the manual you wouldn't survive the first flight? Uhm, you should take a flight lesson and see what it's about. And post something comprehensible next time... Are you Yoda or something?

newtom3 · 01-15-2009, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MachineDriver

Yeah, I'm a pilot and I always RTFM. But WTF are you trying to say? If you were a pilot and didn't read the manual you wouldn't survive the first flight? Uhm, you should take a flight lesson and see what it's about. And post something comprehensible next time... Are you Yoda or something?

Yes, I meant to say 'but a pilot on his second flight you'd never be' if you didn't RTFM. It's tongue in cheek. However, let's go along with your comment... assuming you didn't have a 'flight lesson' and you got in your Piper Cub for the first time... and actually got lucky and took off... do you think you would land it OK? I sure wouldn't be your passenger to find out!

DakarE36 · 01-15-2009, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MachineDriver

Yeah, I'm a pilot and I always RTFM. But WTF are you trying to say? If you were a pilot and didn't read the manual you wouldn't survive the first flight? Uhm, you should take a flight lesson and see what it's about. And post something comprehensible next time... Are you Yoda or something?

Anyway, a real pilot says, POH. So yoda, must you read the motherfin Pilots Operating Handbook, yes?

Or in english, i dont beleive your a pilot (original yoda poster)
lol didnt mean to offend, we all make typos.

Its nice to see theres a relatively large population of pilots amongst the m3 community! We should make a club/group thing. MachineDriver, USArmyAviator, and i can start it.
And to be quite honest, the best way to learn how to fly is through physical practice and repetition. Not reading the manual/POH which is still integral to knowing the limits and capabilities of your bird.

I think its the same in a car, reading TMFM isnt gonna teach you how to drive, practice will. Reading the manual does however tell you how not to break your car, and tells you the capabilities of your M///. You should do it atleast once.

I think if getting your drivers license was as painstakingly difficult and long as getting your pilots license, we would have much better and safer drivers.

newtom3 · 01-15-2009, 12:18 PM

I am not a pilot, but I know a few, and they read a sh*tload of documentation... but that aside, not RTFM'ing on your new car and not RTFMing in your new plane, are, I suspect, two very different scenarios.

And if you claim to only be a seat of the pants flyer, that's fine, but I ain't gonna fly with you.

JMD0977 · 01-15-2009, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRDHNTR

I downloaded an electronic copy of the manual and read it before I took delivery of the car.

Me too.

shagkie · 01-15-2009, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by golemite

I only read the manual when strange things start appearing on my dash

+1
I just drove it off the lot and figure out stuff as I go. When I see warning lights that I don't know what it is then it's time to take out the manual.

BK · 01-15-2009, 01:02 PM

Manual I did not read
Because it goes against my creed.
Buy a pilot, save a tree.
On his second flight you'd never be.

Poem, it is.

01-14-2009, 11:01 PM	#1
lincoln Lieutenant 19 Rep 432 Posts Drives: 2009 Melbourne Red Coupe - DCT Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Seattle (Puyallup) iTrader: (0)	RTFM... I feel like I'm in college all over again. I just ordered my M - good to be part of the group. Like many, after test driving multiple vehicles (& doing extended research) and listing pros and cons for each, I decided on the M3. I'm excited, but unlike some, don't think that it's the absolute best car in every category... I appreciate some aspects of many different cars out there... including Audi's, Mercs, Z06, etc. etc. It's just for me, in my current state, the M3 fit me best. Anyway, I started looking at the manual because so many people like chiming in to (I wonder if these were the same people that got good grades in school...hmm) and stopped at like page 10. Hell no. I pride myself on figuring things out with tinkering with it. I do it w/ new computers, my iPhone, all of my previous cars, etc. So my question is... who has just got in and drove without reading the manual? Sure, I know the basics of break-in, and can figure out how to get it in gear, hehe. I just think it's easier to look at the manual if I have questions or ask the forum and have the 6-7 people on this board that likes to say . I have to believe some have just drove it. Then again, asking a forum probably isn't the best place because forum members tend to be the ones that like to educate themselves on various topics/discussions.... although, I would guess that many aren't very educated themselves. I got good grades by the way and I never RTFM. __________________ 2009 Melbourne Red DCT \| Black Interior \| Carbon Fiber Trim \| Carbon Fiber Roof \| Cold Weather \| Premium \| Technology \| 19's \| Smartphone Integration \| iPod \|
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01-14-2009, 11:25 PM	#2
golemite Sleeper 29 Rep 281 Posts Drives: B5 S4/E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Los Angeles CA iTrader: (0)	I only read the manual when strange things start appearing on my dash
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01-15-2009, 12:27 AM	#5
MrHarris yodog 197 Rep 5,025 Posts Drives: '86 Corolla Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Diamond Bar, Ca iTrader: (5) Garage List 2009 BMW [10.00]	I just drove it. I had to read the manual for a few specific things, such as changing the intensity of the instrument cluster and things like that. __________________ 2009 E92 M3 \| Alpine White \| Black Extended \| Advan RS \| Turner Test Pipes \| Dinan Axle-Back \| OETuning \| Eibach Springs \| UUC SSK \| VRS Front Lip \| VRS Type I Diffuser \| Matte Black \| RPi Scoops \| MS Filter \| Yokohama AD08 \| F1 Pinnacle Special Thanks: Gintani \| OETuning \| eAs
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01-15-2009, 01:28 AM	#6
spyderco10 Colonel 63 Rep 2,426 Posts Drives: AW E92 M3 6MT Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Honolulu, HI iTrader: (0)	When my dad bought me my first car back in high school, he told me to read the manual cover to cover. Been doing it for every car since. It's the best way to thoroughly take advantage of all your car's got to offer. __________________ “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” - John 3:16
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01-15-2009, 01:37 AM	#8
samM376' ///M Enthusiast 3 Rep 136 Posts Drives: AW E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	I always read them. Even on my Ducati and literally it was so straight forward, but I go through them anyway Even if its just once where I do the, "Heh, I didn't know that. I'll try it later," Type deal I think it's worth it __________________ E92 ///M3 AW/Black-Extended 6MT Cold/Premium/Tech/Sound/iPod/HD/SAT/PDC/CF Roof/Shade/aFe Filter/RD LED AE/Painted Reflectors http://chitownm.com
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01-15-2009, 05:29 AM	#9
Patricius Lieutenant 17 Rep 532 Posts Drives: 04 325xi, 05 M3 cpe, 08 M3 cpe Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Philadelphia, PA iTrader: (0)	Manual? What's that?
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01-15-2009, 08:39 AM	#10
kmac1980 Major 36 Rep 1,039 Posts Drives: '19 540xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: toronto iTrader: (1)	they dont really expect you to read it, seeing as they put a big sticker in you windshield with break in instructions... I read it for fun (after tinkering) though, just because you always find 1-2 cool features you never knew about...
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01-15-2009, 08:52 AM	#11
ase2dais //Mdicted 347 Rep 9,988 Posts Drives: a Cop Magnet Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: 495 Ring iTrader: (18) Garage List 2009 e92 M3 DCT CF ... [10.00] 2015 S-Works Roubaix [0.00] 2013 Trek Madone 5.9 [9.50] 2012 Scott - CR1-Pro [10.00] 2008 e92 M3 6MT (Up ... [10.00] 2002 e46 M3 Cabriol ... [7.00] 2006 e90-325i (DD) [7.00] 2002 e39 M5 (retired) [9.50]	iDrive you can pretty much play with it to figure it out, and mostly learn by doing. But with DCT, its important to read the manual to get the concept and be safe. Helps you not ruin your tranny. But yeah! RTFM is like reading a automotive pornography, it turns you on to drive the car ASAP __________________ Oo\(lll)'(lll)/oO : 2009-e92 ///M3 SpaceGry DCT CF Rf/Trim ZTP ZPP ZCW Sat/PrmSd : \_lOOl___lOOl_/<< Clickies
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01-15-2009, 09:23 AM	#12
BRDHNTR Ground Pilot 41 Rep 548 Posts Drives: e92 BMW M3 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Waverly, PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2002 M3 [0.00] 2008 e92 M3 [0.00]	I downloaded an electronic copy of the manual and read it before I took delivery of the car. Not a bad bathroom read, and I saved the CA the time of having to explain everything. I can see where Idrive (on the '08 at least) would be confusing if you just hopped in the car knowing nothing about how it works or what it can do. __________________ "The laws of physics cannot be repealed, even with DSC." - BMW Owner's Manual
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01-15-2009, 09:24 AM	#13
gr8000 Major 72 Rep 1,171 Posts Drives: E92 M3 - DCT Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Athens, Greece iTrader: (0)	I have read the manual like 2 times cover to cover BEFORE I even got my M3, and when I got it I also refered to some specific sections again for reminding myself of specific issues!
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01-15-2009, 12:18 PM	#19
newtom3 First Lieutenant 15 Rep 361 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW M3 Coupe Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: San Jose, CA iTrader: (0)	I am not a pilot, but I know a few, and they read a sh*tload of documentation... but that aside, not RTFM'ing on your new car and not RTFMing in your new plane, are, I suspect, two very different scenarios. And if you claim to only be a seat of the pants flyer, that's fine, but I ain't gonna fly with you.
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01-15-2009, 01:02 PM	#22
BK Smiling politely 165 Rep 7,931 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [9.00]	Manual I did not read Because it goes against my creed. Buy a pilot, save a tree. On his second flight you'd never be. Poem, it is. __________________ E90 330i Black Sapphire 6MT \| 991.1 C4 Platinum Silver 7MT
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