2008 BMW 3 SERIES service interval

Table of Contents
Page
2008 3 Series Models Covered in This Booklet ............................ 1
Introduction (for SULEV (PZEV) only) . . . ................................ 1
BMW Ultimate Service™ ............................................ 1
The BMW Maintenance Program ...................................... 2
Coverage ......................................................2
Maintenance Upgrade Option .........................................2
Intervals .......................................................2
Condition Based Service (CBS) ....................................... 3
Service Interval Display . . .......................................... 3
Info Display screen contents .........................................3
Possible displays .................................................4
Supplementary information (vehicles with optional iDrive) ......................4
Control Display screen contents (optional equipment) ........................5
Red Sectors ....................................................5
Yellow Sectors ...................................................5
Green lamps ....................................................6
Symbols .......................................................6
Special Note ....................................................6
Quality Certification I ...............................................7
Maintenance Summary . ............................................ 7
Standard operations ...............................................7
Engine oil ......................................................7
Microfilter (not shown in CBS) ........................................7
Frontbrake .....................................................7
Rearbrake......................................................7
Vehicle Check ...................................................8
Brake fluid ......................................................8
Automatic Transmission ............................................8
Emission Control Maintenance Schedule ................................ 8
Evidence of Maintenance Work ....................................... 8
BatteryCare .................................................... 17
Corrosion Protection ............................................. 17
Restoring corrosion protection .......................................17
Underbody maintenance ...........................................17
Body Inspection ................................................. 18
Customer Assistance Information .................................... 24
Customer Assistance - Notification ....................................24
BBB Auto Line .................................................. 25
California Residents ..............................................25
Special Programs ................................................ 27

The BMW Maintenance Program
The BMW Maintenance Program is a benefit
designed to help reduce the cost of ownership.
This program has been devised with the follow-
ing objectives: to maximize vehicle safety, reli-
ability, and resale value by minimizing
breakdowns resulting from wear, and minimizing
cost and inconvenience by computing mainte-
nance intervals based upon the specific manner
in which each individual vehicle is driven.
2008 3 Series vehicles purchased from any
authorized BMW center in the United States or
Puerto Rico are covered by The BMW Mainte-
nance Program for 48 months or 50,000 miles,
whichever occurs first. Coverage begins on the
date of first retail sale or the date the vehicle is
first placed into service as a sales demonstrator,
service loaner (SLP) or company vehicle, which-
ever is earlier.
Any authorized BMW center in the United
States or Puerto Rico will perform the sched-
uled maintenance services on your vehicle at no
expense to you.
Coverage
The BMW Maintenance Program covers all fac-
tory recommended maintenance, as determined
by the Condition Based Service (CBS) system.
Additional items that need replacement due to
normal wear and tear, and that are not covered
by the original New Vehicle Limited Warranty -
such as brake pads, brake rotors, and wiper
blades inserts - are included, provided wear and
tear exceeds BMW wear limits. Any adjustments
required due to normal operating conditions are
also included. See pages 7-8 of this booklet for
additional information.
Exclusions from coverage include the following:
 Items reimbursable under your New Vehicle
Limited Warranty
 Gasoline
 Windshield washer additive (except when in
conjunction with scheduled maintenance)
 Tires, wheel alignment, tire balance and
rotation 
Wear and tear of soft trim items, such as:
seats, carpets, moldings, headliner, door pan-
els and all chrome trim
 Damage detected when performing the rust
perforation inspection
 Damage which results from negligence,
improper operation of the vehicle, wear and
tear or deterioration due to driving habits or
conditions, improper repair, environmental
influences, flood, accident or fire damage,
road salt corrosion, alteration, installation of
non-genuine BMW accessories, or use of
improper, poor quality or contaminated fuel
 Altered or unreadable Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) or odometer irregularities or
vehicles where the true mileage cannot be
determined
 Maintenance or repair after the vehicle is
deemed a total loss
 Maintenance or repairs performed by other
than an Authorized BMW center within the
United States or Puerto Rico
 Vehicles used in competitive events
 Oil changes performed outside the recom-
mended maintenance intervals as indicated
by the Service Interval Display
Maintenance Upgrade Option
Please contact your authorized BMW center for
information and availability on the optional Main-
tenance Program Upgrade for coverage up to
6 years and 100,000 miles.
Intervals
Time intervals should be followed using the
maintenance interval as indicated by the BMW
Service Interval Display.
Maintenance intervals on motor vehicles have
conventionally been specified based upon accu-
mulated mileage. However, driving conditions
have a major influence on routine maintenance
requirements; distance traveled is only one of
the significant factors. A vehicle driven for
50,000 miles of short trips in the city with
numerous cold starts, prolonged periods of
idling, stop-and-go driving, and high engine
2

speeds during acceleration requires more fre-
quent maintenance intervals than a vehicle
driven for 50,000 miles for long distances at low
engine speeds primarily at operating
temperature.
The advanced technologies at BMW have led to
the development of the unique BMW Condition
Based Service (CBS) system which computes
the actual optimum maintenance requirements
based not only upon the accumulated mileage,
but taking into account important factors such
as high or low engine speeds, short or long trip
driving, and condition of the engine oil and
brake pads.
Condition Based Service (CBS)
CBS is a further development of the Service
Interval Indicator System. Sensors and sophisti-
cated algorithms take even more detailed
account of the various conditions of vehicle use.
The remaining times for selected maintenance
tasks as well as any legally prescribed dates are
displayed to you individually:
 Engine oil
 Brakes - front and rear separately
 Brake fluid
 Vehicle check
 Required State Inspection(s)
CBS thus determines the current and future
maintenance requirements. This data can also
be read from the vehicle key by your BMW Ser-
vice Advisor and used to propose the optimum
scope of maintenance.
Disconnecting the battery during periods
of long-term storage will interrupt the
calculation of time-based services. Have all
items requiring time-based maintenance, such
as brake fluid and possibly also the engine oil
and microfilter, brought up to date by your BMW
center. Also see the section on battery care on
page 17 of this statement.
Service Interval Display
Info Display screen contents
The distance remaining until your next service
briefly appears when you switch on the ignition.
The Info Display immediately switches to
its compute mode when you press one
of the two buttons in the turn signal indicator
lever.
For certain maintenance operations, you can
view the respective distance remaining or due
date individually in the instrument cluster.
1. Push button 1 in the turn indicator lever up
or down repeatedly until the appropriate
symbol appears in the display, accompanied
by the words “SERVICE-INFO”.
2. Press button 2.
3. Use button 1 to scroll through the individual service items.
3

Green lamps
No service is currently required.
You can request more detailed information on
every entry.
Turn the controller to scroll through the list, then
confirm the selected entry.
Confirm to exit the list.
Symbols
No service is currently required.
The deadline for service or a legally man-
dated inspection is approaching. Please
schedule a service appointment.
The service deadline has already passed.
The current service status is automatically
saved in the vehicle’s ignition key. The Service
Advisor at your BMW center has a device called
a key reader. When your Service Advisor inserts
your key into the key reader, all pertinent vehicle
and servicing data will be available, and a cus-
tomized maintenance checklist is printed out
based on the specific operations called for by
the Condition Based Service.
Special Note
The maintenance requirements for your vehicle
are determined dynamically by the Condition
Based Service (CBS) system. The maintenance
items stated herein reflect the latest information
available at the time of the printing of this state-
ment, and are subject to change. The most cur-
rent maintenance recommendations are
available from your authorized BMW center. The performance of certain subsequent mainte-
nance elements, as required by the BMW New
Vehicle Limited Warranty, will be specified at
intervals computed by the BMW Service Interval
Indicator as follows:

Oil Service: Engine oil should be changed
with the engine at operating temperature.
Note: Change oil at least once a year.
All 2008 model year 3 Series vehicles are facto-
ry-filled with BMW High Performance Synthetic
oils. At the time of the printing of this booklet,
the following oils are strongly recommended
and approved by BMW:
 BMW High Performance 5W-30 Synthetic Oil
(BMW part number 07 51 0 017 866)
 Mobil 1 10W-40 Synthetic
BMW is evaluating various synthetic oils for
inclusion in our list of recommended engine oils.
For the most current list of synthetic oils, please
contact your BMW center, or call BMW of North
America, LLC at 1 800 831-1117. You can also
obtain this information from our website,
www.bmwusa.com/.
BMW recommends that you check your engine
oil level whenever you add fuel to your vehicle. If
you need to add oil between oil changes and
are unable to obtain BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil, Mobil 1 or another special oil on
the list, use a synthetic oil with an API rating of
SH or higher.
The following maintenance elements must be
performed at the mileage/time stated (time inter-
vals begin from the vehicles production date):
 Brake Fluid Service: Change brake fluid every
two years, or when specified by CBS.
 Oxygen Sensor Service: The oxygen sensor
deteriorates strictly on a mileage basis and
must therefore be replaced every
120,000 miles to maximize vehicle fuel econ-
omy and minimize exhaust pollution. For the
328i SULEV (PZEV) models, the oxygen sen-
sor must be replaced every 150,000 miles.
The replacement of the oxygen sensor is
required under the terms of the applicable
BMW emission system warranties.
 Spark Plug Service (not shown in CBS).
Replace at the following intervals:
328i versions: 100,000 miles
335i versions: 45,000 miles
6

The engine coolant has a lifetime rating and
does not need to be changed except for sys-
tem repairs.
For your convenience, you may also wish to have
your BMW center perform any necessary opera-
tions to fulfill any state inspection requirements in
your area concurrent with the maintenance ele-
ments specified above during other repairs.
Should you request more frequent mainte-
nance service, the cost of these services will
not be covered by the Maintenance Program.
BMW has applied the most modern technological
advances not only to the design and production of
your vehicle, but also to computing of the opti-
mum maintenance interval for your type of opera-
tions and driving style. Your BMW center has
made a substantial investment in unique BMW
special service tools to enable BMW factory
trained service technicians to perform quality
repairs on your BMW in minimal time. Your service
technician looks forward to serving your every ser-
vice need and to help maximize your satisfaction
with your BMW, its longevity, and resale value.
Quality Certification I
For a detailed list of items inspected, refer to the
Quality Certification I form provided to the
Owner at time of delivery. A copy of the form is
on file at the selling BMW center.
Maintenance Summary
The Condition Based Service (CBS) system will
determine the requirement for performance of
the maintenance services described on this and
the following page. These services may be
required either individually or in conjunction with
other maintenance services.
Standard operations
Maintenance work:
 Brief diagnostic test
 Verify Check Control messages.
 Check indicator and warning lights.
 Reset CBS display.
 Inspect tires, adjust tire pressures and reset
Tire Pressure Monitor.
Engine oil
Maintenance work:
 Change the engine oil and oil filter. We rec-
ommend BMW High Performance 5W-30
Synthetic Oil P/N 07 51 0 017 866.
 After every 3rd engine oil change: Intake air
cleaner: replace air filter element (reduce
replacement interval in dusty operating
conditions).
 Parking brake: Check function and
pre-burnish.
Microfilter (not shown in CBS)
Maintenance work:
 Replace ventilation microfilter.
Front brake
Maintenance work:
 Replace brake pads, clean brake pad contact
points in calipers.
 Brake discs: Check surface and thickness, if
necessary replace at extra charge.*
Rear brake
Maintenance work:
 Replace brake pads, clean brake pad contact
points in calipers.
 Brake discs: Check surface and thickness, if
necessary replace at extra charge.*
 Parking brake: Check condition, brake lining
thickness and function, if necessary replace
at extra charge.*
*Unless covered by Maintenance Program
7

Vehicle Check
Maintenance work:
 Check operation of horn, headlight flasher
and hazard warning flashers.
 Check instrument and control lighting and
heater/air-conditioning blower.
 Check lighting system: turn signals, back-up,
license plate, interior (incl. map, reading
lights), glovebox, flashlight, luggage area
lights.
 Safety belts: Check condition and function.
 Check windshield wiper and washer jet
positions.
 Body: Check for corrosion (except cavities).
 Tires: Check tread depth, wear pattern, outer
condition, inflation pressure. If necessary, cor-
rect pressure.
 Reset Tire Pressure Monitor.
 Battery: Check state of charge (magic eye)
and charge if required.
 Power steering reservoir: Check fluid level.
 Visually inspect all SRS airbag units for torn
covers, obvious damage or attachment of
stickers.
 Rear-view mirrors
 Coolant: Check fluid level and concentration.
 Windshield washer and intensive cleaning
system: Check protection level, fluid level, top
if necessary.
 Brake system connections and lines: Check
for leaks, damage and correct positioning.
 Underbody, incl. all visible parts (i.e. transmis-
sion, rear axle, fuel lines, exhaust system):
Check for damage, leaks and corrosion.
 Steering components: Check for clearance,
leaks, damage and wear.
 Final Inspection: Road test with check of
– Brakes, including burnishing of parking
brake pads
– Steering
– Shock absorbers (visual)
– Transmission
Brake fluid
Maintenance work:
 Replace brake fluid.
Automatic Transmission
Maintenance work:
 Replace ATF at intervals of 100,000 miles.
Emission Control Maintenance
Schedule
The maintenance schedule as shown is required
for the proper functioning of the emission con-
trol systems for optimum vehicle performance
and fuel economy.
Basic Engine
Engine oil As specified by CBS
Engine oil filter As specified by CBS
Fuel System
Air filter As specified by CBS
Ignition System
Spark plugs (328i
versions) 100,000 miles
Spark plugs (335i
versions) 45,000 miles
Emission Control
Components
Oxygen sensor (except
SULEV) 120,000 miles
Oxygen sensor: SULEV
(PZEV) 150,000 miles
Evidence of Maintenance Work
This BMW Service and Warranty Information
Booklet should be presented to your BMW cen-
ter when maintenance is required. Make sure
that confirmation of maintenance work is always
entered in this Service and Warranty Information
Booklet. You may need this for any warranty
claims that become necessary, and later on as
evidence that your car has been given the cor-
rect and regular maintenance that justifies its
resale or trade-in value.
8

Limited Warranty — Rust
Perforation 2008 Models
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) war-
rants this original vehicle against defects in
materials or workmanship which will result in
rust perforation of the vehicle body for a period
of 12 years unlimted mileage. Coverage begins
on the date of first retail sale or the date the
vehicle is first placed into service as a sales
demonstrator, service loaner (SLP) or company
vehicle, whichever is earlier.
To obtain service under this warranty, the vehi-
cle must be brought, upon discovery of any rust
perforation, to the workshop of any authorized
BMW center. This BMW center will, without
charge for parts or labor, either repair or replace
the defective part(s). The decision to repair or
replace said part(s) is solely the prerogative of
BMW NA. Parts for which replacements are
made become the property of BMW NA.
REQUIRED MAINTENANCE:
In order to keep this warranty in effect, the vehi-
cle must be inspected at least every two years.
Any areas requiring preventative maintenance
must be repaired.
The Inspection/Maintenance consists of:
a. Washing the chassis before inspection, if necessary, due to dirt accumulation.
b. Repairing any damages to undercoating or paint due to stone chips, gravel erosion,
scratches, or other external influences.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) makes
no other express warranty on this product
except the new car warranty or the warranty as
to the emission control system. THE DURATION
OF ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING
THE IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANT-
ABILITY, IS LIMITED TO THE DURATION OF
THE EXPRESS WARRANTIES HEREIN. BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC (BMW NA)
HEREBY EXCLUDES INCIDENTAL AND CON-
SEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOSS
OF TIME, INCONVENIENCE, OR LOSS OF USE
OF THE VEHICLE, FOR ANY BREACH OF ANY
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY, INCLUD-
ING THE IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MER-
CHANTABILITY, APPLICABLE TO THIS
PRODUCT.
Some states do not allow limitations on how
long an implied warranty lasts, or the exclusion
or limitation of incidental or consequential dam-
ages, so the above limitations and exclusions
may not apply to you.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and
you may also have other rights which vary from
state to state. Any legal claim or action arising
from any express or implied warranty contained
herein must be brought within 12 months of the
date it arises.
This warranty does not apply to the
following:
a. Damage caused by negligence, improper
accident damage repairs, or improper use.
b. Damage attributable to failure to perform required inspections/maintenance at the
specified intervals or in accordance with the
BMW rust inspection/maintenance program
instructions. Proof must be provided by a
paid invoice or filling in the appropriate boxes
in the Service Section of this Statement.
BMW NA will not accept any liability for any
parts and accessories not approved by
BMW.
This warranty shall be null and void if the
vehicle identification number has been
altered or cannot be read, if the odometer
has been replaced or altered and the true
mileage cannot be determined, if the vehicle
has been declared a total loss or sold for sal-
vage purposes, or if the vehicle has been
used in any competitive event.
34

Federal Emissions System Defect
Warranty (Valid only in the U.S.A.
and Puerto Rico)
This warranty applies only to U.S. specification
vehicles distributed by BMW of North America,
LLC (BMW NA) or sold through the BMW NA
European Delivery Program.
In accordance with the defect warranty provi-
sions of section 207(b) of the Clean Air Act,
BMW NA warrants to the first retail purchaser,
and each subsequent purchaser, that the car (a)
was designed, built and equipped so as to con-
form, at the time of sale, with all regulations of
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency appli-
cable at the time of manufacture and (b) is free
from defects in materials and workmanship
which would cause it to fail to conform with
applicable regulations for a period of 2 years or
24,000 miles, whichever occurs first, except for
specific emission control components (as listed
on page 38), for which the warranty period is
8 years or 80,000 miles, whichever occurs first.
Coverage begins on the date of first retail sale
or the date the vehicle is first placed into service
as a sales demonstrator, service loaner (SLP) or
company vehicle, whichever is earlier.
Warranty claims must be made as soon as rea-
sonably possible after a defect is discovered. To
make a claim, the car must be brought to any
authorized BMW center during normal business
hours.
The BMW center will, without charge for parts
or labor (including diagnosis), either repair or
replace the defective part, if any. The decision
whether to repair or replace said parts is solely
the prerogative of BMW NA and must be
expected to correct the failure of the warranted
part. Parts for which replacements are made
become the property of BMW NA. In all cases, a
reasonable time must be allowed for warranty
repairs to be completed after the car is received
by the BMW center.
For assistance in determining which specific
parts or components of your vehicle are covered
under this warranty, please contact your BMW
center. It is the owners responsibility to have all sched-
uled inspection and maintenance services per-
formed (at the owners expense), as prescribed
in the maintenance schedule for the BMW Emis-
sion Control System. Service intervals are com-
puted by the onboard BMW service interval
indicator and displayed on the instrument panel.
The instructions for proper maintenance and
use can be found in the Owners Manual. It is
strongly recommended that any replacement
parts used for maintenance, repair or replace-
ment of emission control systems be certified
BMW Service Parts or BMW Authorized
Remanufactured Parts. Without invalidating this
warranty, the owner may elect to have mainte-
nance, repair or replacement of the emission
control systems performed by any automotive
repair establishment, or elect to use parts other
than certified BMW Service Parts. However, the
cost of such service or parts will not be covered
under this warranty, except in emergency situa-
tions. In an emergency situation, where an
authorized BMW center or a warranty replace-
ment part is not reasonably available (within
30 days), repairs may be performed at any avail-
able service establishment using any equivalent
part. BMW NA will reimburse the owner for such
emergency repairs (including labor, parts and
diagnosis not to exceed BMW NA rates for labor,
parts, and diagnosis in said area) that are cov-
ered under this warranty. Replaced parts and
paid invoices must be presented at a BMW cen-
ter as a condition of reimbursement for emer-
gency repairs not performed by a BMW center.
The use of replacement parts, which are not of
equivalent quality, may impair the effectiveness
of the emission control system. If other than cer-
tified BMW Service Parts or Authorized Remanu-
factured Parts are used for maintenance, repair
or replacement of components affecting emis-
sion control, the owner should obtain assurances
that such parts are warranted by their manufac-
turer to be equivalent to genuine BMW parts in
performance and durability. BMW NA assumes
no liability under this warranty with respect to
parts other than genuine BMW parts.
However, the use of non-genuine BMW replace-
ment parts or non-EPA certified parts does not
invalidate the warranty on other components,
unless non-genuine BMW parts or non-EPA cer-
tified parts cause damage to warranted parts.
35