2006 BMW M3 COUPE check oil

124
Low ambient temperaturesThe oils used by BMW at the factory for
your vehicle model can be used at virtu-
ally any ambient temperature.
However, if the vehicle is exposed to
temperatures below –47/–206 for
extended periods, please have your
BMW center recommend a suitable oil.
Coolant
Do not open the cooling system
when the engine is hot. If you do,
escaping coolant can cause burns.<
Coolant consists of water and coolant
additives. Not all commercially available
additives are suitable for your BMW.
Your BMW center knows which addi-
tives are appropriate.
Only use approved additives, as
the engine could otherwise be
damaged. The additives are hazardous
to health.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating
the disposal of coolant additives.<
Checking the coolant level1. The engine must be at ambient tem-
perature
2. Open the cap for the expansion tank
by turning it slightly counterclock-
wise to allow accumulated pressure
to escape. Then open
3. The coolant level is correct when the
upper end of the red float is even
with the upper edge of the filler neck,
refer to the arrow in the illustration or
to the schematic diagram next to the
filler neck
4. If necessary, slowly add coolant until
the correct level is reached; do not
overfill
5. Close the cap by turning until it is
well tight
6. Have the cause for the coolant loss
removed as soon as possible.
Engine oil

126Maintenance
BMW Maintenance SystemThe BMW Maintenance System helps
maintain your vehicle's road safety and
operational safety. Comfort-related
aspects, such as the timely change of
filters for the air inside the vehicle, are
taken into consideration. The goal is to
optimize maintenance with respect to
low total cost of ownership.
If you should sell your BMW one day,
consistent service and maintenance will
prove to your advantage.
Service interval displayThe service interval display shows you
when an oil service, an inspection –
always alternating between I and II – or
a brake fluid change is due. The special
feature is that the service intervals are
calculated according to your BMW's
individual driving conditions instead of
from fixed mileage increments.
The technology developed for this
takes your personal driving style into
account, as well as your BMW's driving
conditions. After all, short-distance
driving, i.e. frequent cold starts, or driv-
ing off at high engine speeds, affects
your BMW differently from long-dis-
tance driving with the engine at consis-
tent operating temperature.
Have a break-in inspection per-
formed at approx. 1,250 miles/
2,000 km regardless of the service
interval indicated on the display.<
Special feature regarding engine
oil changeThe calculation of the service intervals
covers practically every kind of operat-
ing situation. If you drive very rarely,
however, you should have the oil
changed at least every two years, since
engine oil deteriorates over time
regardless of use.Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models/Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian modelsFor additional information on required
maintenance intervals and procedures,
please refer to the Service and War-
ranty Information Booklet for US mod-
els, or the Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models.
As a precaution against corrosion, it is
advisable to have the body checked for
damage from rocks or gravel at the
same time, depending upon operating
conditions.

153
Capacities
Notes
Fuel tank
Reservegal./liters
gal./litersapprox. 16.6/approx. 63
approx. 2.1/approx. 8Fuel specification, refer to page 25
Windshield washer system/
Headlamp cleaning system quarts/liters approx. 5.6/approx. 5.3Specifications, refer to page 122
Engine with oil filter change quarts/liters approx. 5.8/approx. 5.5 Specifications, refer to page 123
Manual transmission quarts/liters approx. 1.9/approx. 1.8 Oil change during running-in check
and during each inspection II
Differential quarts/liters approx. 1.2/approx. 1.1 Oil change during running-in check
and during each inspection II
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to Z
159
Electrical malfunction
door lock 32
driver's door 32
fuel filler door 24
glass sunroof 41
luggage compartment
lid 34
Electronic Stability Program
(ESP), refer to Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC) 82
Emergency call 142
Emergency operation
doors 32
driver's door 32
fuel filler door 24
glass sunroof 41
Emergency release
luggage compartment lid
34, 36
Engine
breaking in 108
data 150
electronics 19
indicator lamp 19
speed 75, 150
starting 62
switching off 64
Engine compartment 120
Engine coolant 124
refilling 124Engine oil
adding 123
additives, refer to Adding
engine oil 123
alternative oils 123
capacity 153
consumption 122
indicator/warning lamp 19
quality 123
specified oils 123
temperature gauge 75
types 123
Engine oil level 19
check 122
indicator/warning lamp 18
Engine oil pressure
indicator/warning lamp 18
Engine oil temperature 75
Engine output, refer to
Engine data 150
Engine speed 75, 150
Entering the rear 46
Equipment range, refer to
the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US
models / Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
ESP Electronic Stability Pro-
gram, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC) 82
Exterior mirrors 50Eyeglasses compartment 97
Eyelet, towing 145
F
False alarm, refer to
Avoiding unintentional
alarms 38
Fasten safety belts
indicator lamp 18
Fastening the safety belts 46
Fault displays 77
Filling the windshield washer
reservoir 153
Filling with sealant
M Mobility system 139
First aid, refer to First-aid
kit 23
First-aid kit 23
Flat tire 137
Flat Tire Monitor 83
repairing 137
Flat Tire Monitor 83
activating/deactivating 84
indicator lamp 18, 19, 85
Floor panel, raising 36
Fluid reservoir for washer
systems 122
Fog lamps
indicator/warning lamp 20
Folding rear backrest 100
Follow me home lamps 87Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely 109
Front airbags 52
Front center armrest 96
Front fog lamps 89
indicator/warning lamp 20
Fuel
display 76
specifications 25
volume 153
Fuel consumption
display 80
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge 76
Fuel filler door 24
release following an elec-
trical malfunction 24
Fuel level indicator, refer to
Fuel gauge 76
Fuel mixture preparation 150
Fuel reserve indicator, refer
to Fuel gauge 76
Fuel tank capacity 153
Fuses 141
G
Gasoline consumption, refer
to Average fuel consump-
tion 80
Gasoline, refer to Fuel spec-
ifications 25
Gear indicator 67
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to ZMC operation, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
MD operation, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Mechanical seats 43
Memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory 48
Memory, refer to Vehicle
Memory, Key Memory 59
Microfilter
automatic climate
control 94
Microphone 97
Mini disc operation, refer to
the Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Mirrors 50
automatic curb monitor 49
heated 50
memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory 48
Mobile Service 143
Modifications, technical,
refer to For your own
safety 6
Multifunction steering
wheel 22Multifunction switch
turn signal indicator/head-
lamp flasher 71
washer/wiper system 72
N
Navigation system, refer to
the Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Neck restraints, refer to
Head restraints 45
Nets 96
Nozzles, refer to
Ventilation 90
Nylon rope, refer to Towing
and tow-starting the vehi-
cle 145
O
OBD interface socket 128
Odometer 75
Oil
additives, refer to Adding
engine oil 123
alternative oils 123
capacity 153
dipstick 122
quality 123
specified engine oils 123
Oil change interval, refer to
Service interval
display 126Oil change intervals, refer to
the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US
models / Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
Oil filter change 153
Oil level
checking 122
indicator lamp 18
Oil pressure
indicator lamp 18
OIL SERVICE 77
Oil types 123
Old batteries, refer to Dis-
posal 141
Onboard computer 79
Onboard computer, refer to
the Owner's Manual for
Onboard Computer
Onboard tool kit 132
Opening and closing
from inside 33
from outside 29
via remote control 29
via the door lock 32
Outlets, ventilation 90
Outside temperature dis-
play 79
changing unit of
measure 79P
Paintwork care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Panic mode, trigger
alarm 30
Park Distance Control
(PDC) 81
Parking aid, refer to Park
Distance Control (PDC) 81
Parking brake 64
indicator lamp 18
Parking lamps 87
bulb replacement 133
Parking lamps/Low
beams 87
Parts and accessories, refer
to Your individual vehicle 5
Passenger-side exterior mir-
ror tilt function 49
PDC Park Distance
Control 81
Plastic, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Pollen, refer to Microfil-
ter/activated-charcoal fil-
ter 94
Power output, refer to
Engine data 150
Power seat 44
Power socket 98