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131n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Caring for your vehicleCaring for other vehicle
components and materials Light-alloy wheels should be treated
with alloy wheel cleaner, especially
during the winter months. However, do
not use aggressive products contain-
ing acids, strong alkalis or abrasives.
Do not use steam cleaners operating at
temperatures above 140 7 (+60 6).
Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
If your vehicle has chrome parts
* such
as window moldings, door handles or
similar items, clean these parts carefully
with ample clean water, and possibly a
shampoo additive, especially if there is
an accumulation of road salt. Use
chrome polish as an additional treat-
ment.
Plastic components, vinyl upholstery,
headliners, lamp lenses, the clear cover
of the instrument cluster and compon-
ents with a sprayed dull black surface
can be cleaned with water (add plastic
shampoo as required). Do not allow
moisture to soak through the seats or
headliner. Never use solvents such as
lacquer thinner, heavy-duty grease
remover, fuels, or similar substances.
Rubber components should be cleaned
with water only; a rubber treatment or
silicone spray may also be applied. The safety belts should be cleaned with
a mild soap and water solution without
being removed from the vehicle. Never
attempt chemical or dry cleaning, as
damage to the belt fabric could result.
After cleaning, never allow the inertia
reel to retract the belts until they are
completely dry. Dirty safety belts pre-
vent the inertia reel mechanism from
retracting the strap properly, and thus
constitute a safety hazard.
Heavily soiled floor carpets and mats
*
can be cleaned with an interior cleaner.
The floor mats can be removed from
the vehicle for cleaning.
Use only a damp cloth to clean trim
panels made of real wood
* and other
parts constructed of real wood
*. Follow
up by drying with a soft cloth.
Use the cleaning and car-care
products that you can obtain at
your BMW center.<
Care of upholstery materials Depressions in the upholstery that
result from everyday use can be
brushed smooth by brushing against
the nap with a lightly dampened brush.
The tendency of the pile to lie in a par-
ticular direction on velour upholstery is
not a quality defect. Just as with home
textiles or clothing, this cannot be
avoided.
Lint on upholstery materials, textile or
leather remnants that have been worn
into the upholstery may be removed
with a lint brush or a Velcro brush. A
cleaning glove is available for particu-
larly "stubborn" lint. Stains and fairly
large areas of dirt should be cleaned off
without delay, using lukewarm water
and an interior cleaner, stain remover or
appropriate cleaning fluid. Brush the
fabric afterwards to restore its appear-
ance.
If the vehicle will be stored for an
extended period or if it is exposed to
intense sunlight, cover all the seats or
the windows to prevent fading.
Use the cleaning and car-care
products that you can obtain at
your BMW center.<
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
The limitations inherent to radio recep-
tion in a moving vehicle have been
minimized by a number of innovative
system designs:
The "Radio Data System" (RDS) makes
sure that, for broadcast stations
sending on several frequencies, the
radio automatically tunes to the
frequency with the best reception
quality.
The Diversity Antenna system employs
several FM antennas integrated within
the rear window to provide three sepa-
rate sources for receiving broadcast
waves. An integral processor automati-
cally selects the antenna with the best
FM reception quality at any given time.
The selection of the antenna takes
place within milliseconds, and is there-
fore not noticed by the radio listener. The primary goal in developing the
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) for the
BMW M3 is to achieve the greatest
amount of safety while at the same time
getting the most pleasure out of perfor-
mance-oriented driving.
Using highly sensitive sensors, the DSC
monitors current operating conditions
for your vehicle as they relate to driving
stability and traction. In addition, wheel
speeds, steering angle, lateral acceler-
ation, brake pressure and vehicle
movement around its vertical axis are
also ascertained and evaluated.
If the DSC detects unstable conditions
on a curve, then the DSC will intervene
in engine management within millisec-
onds, reducing drive torque or, if the
need arises, will individually slow one or
more wheels down to keep the vehicle
on a steady course.
If differences in wheel speed should
occur, the system will recognize the
dangers associated with wheel spin
and will reduce the drive torque; if
necessary, it will do so using brake
intervention at the rear wheels as well.
DSC offers the highest degree of
driving stability and safety not only
when you first start your vehicle, are
driving on straightaways or when
braking, but also when driving through
curves.The safety belt tensioner makes sure
that the belt tightens during a head-on
collision to ensure that occupants
remain firmly positioned in their seats.
A gas-pressure system retracts the
buckle assembly to tension the
shoulder and lap belts within fractions
of a second. This reduces the tendency
to slide under the lap belt. Radio reception DSC Safety belt tensioner
Page 176 of 183

Everything from A to Zhigh-speed aspirated
engine160
speed166
starting62t
torque166
Engine concept M3160
Engine oil
add123t
capacity169
consumption123
pressure20
temperature69
Entry to the rear47
Exterior mirrors49
Eyelets, towing155tFFailure messages72t
Fan87
Fault, ABS105
Filler cap cover25
Filling capacities169
Filling the washer
reservoir122t
First-aid kit24t
Flat tire111
repairing145
Fog lamps82
bulb replacement141t
Folding rear backrest95
Follow-Me-Home lamps81
Footbrake106Footwell lamps82
bulb replacement144t
Frost protection,
radiator125
Fuel26
consumption74
consumption display70
gauge70
preparation166
quality26
reserve indicator lamp70
Fuel filler door
manual release after
electrical fault152t
Fuel tank capacity169
Fuel tank gauge70
Functional status, electrical
and electronic
systems162
Fuses151
replacing151t
GGasoline26
Gasoline gauge70
Glove compartment90
Glove compartment lamp,
bulb replacement144t
Gross vehicle weight168
HHandbrake63
Handsfree system92
Hazard warning
flashers24t
Hazard warning triangle24
Head restraint46
Headlamp cleaning
system121, 122, 169
Headlamp cover,
care139t
Headlamp flasher82
Headlamp washer system,
refer to headlamp cleaning
system
Heated seats89
Heavy loads97
Height167
HiFi system Ð harman
kardon90
High beams65, 82
indicator lamp22
High engine speed160
High Performance Synthetic
Oil124
High-mount brake lamp143
Holder for beverages91
Hood release118t
Horn17
IIce warning73
Identification, tires114
Ignition key30
Ignition lock62
Imprint4
Indicator lamps20t
Individual settings52
Inflation
pressure26t, 111t
INSPECTION71
Instrument cluster18
Instrument lighting81
Instrument panel18
Interaxle tire rotation113t
Interface socket
for Onboard
Diagnostics135
Interference
cellular phone110
Interior lamps34, 82
bulb replacement143t
remote control34
Interior motion sensor40
Interior rearview mirror
automatic dimming
feature50, 161
Intermittent mode, wiper
system65