IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
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Caring for your vehicleCaring for the vehicle finish Regular washing is a preventive
measure against long-term effects from
substances that are harmful to the
vehicle's finish, especially if you drive
your vehicle in areas with high levels of
air pollution or aggressive natural
substances (tree resins, pollen).
Nevertheless, you should immediately
remove especially aggressive
substances. Failure to do so can lead to
changes in the paint's chemical struc-
ture or to discoloration. Fuel spilled
during refueling, oil, grease and brake
fluid should always be cleaned away
immediately, as should bird droppings
(finish damage).
Any contamination remaining on the
surface of the vehicle will be especially
conspicuous after washing. Use
cleaning fluid or alcohol with a clean
cloth or cotton pad to remove these
stains. Remove tar spots with tar
remover. After cleaning, the affected
areas should be waxed to ensure
continued protection.
Waxing your vehicle Protect the finish using carnauba or
synthetic-based waxes only.
The best way to determine when the
finish needs to be waxed is by noting
when water stops beading on the
surface.
You can use a glass cleaner to remove
any wax or silicone that may have been
left on the windows during waxing.
Paint damageYou can touch up small areas of
damage with BMW spray paint or a
BMW touchup stick.
The color code of your vehicle is
provided on a tag on the right-hand
panel under the hood and on the first
page of the Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet (US models) or the
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models).
Damage caused by flying stones,
scratches, etc., must be touched up
without delay to prevent rust from
forming.
If corrosion has started to form in an
area with paint damage, remove all rust
and clean the area. Then prime the area
with a BMW Primer Stick. Finally, apply
the finish coat. After a few days, polish
and protect the touched-in areas.
More extensive paint damage should
be professionally repaired in accor-
dance with the manufacturer's instruc-
tions. Your BMW center uses original
BMW finish materials in accordance
with factory repair procedures.
A full range of car-care products is
available from your BMW center.<
Everything from A to Z
A
ABS (Antilock Brake System) 23, 137
Accessories 6
Activated-charcoal filter 112
Adaptive Transmission Control (ATC) 196
ADB-X (Automatic Differential Brake) 197
Adding brake fluid 161t
coolant 160t
engine oil 157t
washer fluid 156t
Adjusting head restraints 49t
mirrors 53t
seats 48t
steering wheel 52t
temperature 102 t, 108 t
washer nozzles 156t
Air conditioner 100
Air distribution 102, 108
Air outlets 100, 106
Air pressure 30t , 145 t
Air supply 102, 109
Airbags 23, 58 , 168 , 196
Alarm system 43
Antennas 144
Antifreeze 160
radiator 141 Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 23, 137
Anti-theft alarm system 43
Anti-theft protection 37
Approved gross vehicle weight 208
Aquaplaning 136, 145
Arrival time 90
Ashtray front 120
rear 121
AUC (Automatic recirculated air control) 110
Automatic car washes 163
Automatic climate control 106
removing condensation
from the windows 109
Automatic cruise control 74
Automatic curb monitor 55
Automatic Differential Brake (ADB-X) 197
Automatic dimming, interior rearview mirror 54
Automatic recirculated air
control (AUC) 110
Automatic transmission with Steptronic 68
Average fuel consumption 82
Average speed 82, 91 Avoiding unintentional
alarms 44t
Axle loads 208
B
Backup lamps 67
bulb replacement 177t
Battery 185, 210
capacity 210
charge 186t
discharged 190t
Belts 57
Beverage holder 119
Blower 102, 109
BMW comfort seat 50
BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil 158
BMW sports seat 51
BMW Universal Transmitter 115
Body-cavity protectant 164
Brake 140
fluid 161t
hydraulic system 22
malfunctions 141t
pads 24, 141
Brake system 141
bulb replacement 177t
Break-in procedures 134
Bulbs and lamps 175
C
California Proposition
65 Warning 169
Can holder, refer to cup holder 119
Capacities 209
Car jack 180
Car keys 34
Car Memory 56
Car radio reception 144, 198
Car vacuum cleaner power outlet 127t
socket 121t
Car wash 163
Care exterior 164
interior 166
Cargo area 42, 124
capacity 208
cover 124
lamps 98
opening from the
inside 41
Cargo floor, pull-out 128
Cargo loading 129
Caring for the vehicle finish 165
Catalytic converter 136
CBC (Cornering Brake Control) 138
