2008 BMW M3 coolant level

Everything under control
68 Never drive at engine speeds in the red warning
field. In this range, the engine speed is limited to
protect the engine.
Coolant temperature
A warning lamp will come on if the coolant, and
therefore the engine, becomes too hot. In addi-
tion, a message will appear on the Control Dis-
play.
Check coolant level, refer to page222.
Engine oil temperature
When the engine is at normal operating temper-
ature, the engine oil temperature is between
approx. 1757/806 and approx. 2507/
1206.
If the engine oil temperature is too high, a mes-
sage appears on the Control Display.
Fuel gauge
Fuel tank capacity: approx. 16.6 US gal/
63 liters.You can find information on refueling on
page204.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies for a longer period,
when you are driving in mountainous areas, for
example, the indicator may fluctuate slightly.
Reserve
Once the fuel level has fallen to the reserve
zone, a message briefly appears on the Control
Display and the cruising range for the remaining
amount of fuel is displayed on the computer.
Under a cruising range of approx. 30 miles/
50 km, the message remains in the Control Dis-
play.
Refuel as soon as possible once your
cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km, otherwise engine functions are not
ensured and damage can occur.<
Computer
Displays in the instrument cluster
Calling up information
Press the button in the turn indicator lever.
The following items of information are dis-
played in the order listed:
>Cruising range
>Oil level, refer to Checking oil level on
page219
>Average fuel consumption
>Speed
>No information
M dual clutch transmission:
Outside temperature, time, cruising

Mobility
219Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Important parts of the engine compartment
1Expansion tank for coolant, refer to
page222
2Washer fluid filler neck for headlamp clean-
ing system and window washer system,
refer to page653Jump-starting connection, refer to
page231
4Filler neck for engine oil, refer to Adding
engine oil
Engine oil
The engine oil consumption is dependent on
driving style and driving conditions.
Checking oil level
Your car is equipped with an electronic oil-level
monitor.
The oil level can be displayed when the engine
is warm. Continuous short distance travel or a
very sporty driving style may make measure-
ment impossible.
Display in the instrument cluster
1Oil level
2Maximum mark
3Minimum mark
4Computer button

Under the hood
222 cific oils after confirming their suitability for use
in its vehicles with extensive testing.
Do not use oil additives as these may
cause engine damage.<
Your BMW center will be glad to answer
any questions regarding BMW High Per-
formance Synthetic Oil or approved synthetic
oils.<
You can also call BMW of North America at
1-800-831-1117 or visit the website
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this information.
Viscosity ratings
Viscosity is a measure of an oil's flow rating and
is categorized in SAE classes.
Approved oils belong to the 10W-60 SAE
class.<
Alternative oil types
If BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil is not
available, you can add small quantities of other
synthetic oils in between oil changes. Only use
oils with the following specifications:
>Viscosity:
preferred: SAE 10W-60;
alternative: SAE 10W-40, SAE 5W-50 or
SAE 10W-50
>Specification:
API SJ/CF, API SK/CF or higher
Low ambient temperatures
The oils used at BMW factories for your vehicle
type are suitable for virtually any ambient tem-
perature. However, if the vehicle is operated at
temperatures below –47/–206 for extended
periods, your BMW center will be glad to rec-
ommend an optimal oil.
Coolant
Do not add coolant to the cooling system
when the engine is hot. Escaping coolant
can cause burns. Not all commercially available additives are suit-
able for your BMW. Ask your BMW center for
suitable additives.
Only use suitable additives, otherwise
engine damage may result. Because
additives are harmful to your health, it is impor-
tant to follow the instructions on the contain-
ers.<
Comply with the appropriate environ-
mental protection regulations when dis-
posing of coolant additives.<
Checking coolant level
1.Do not open the engine hood before the
engine has cooled down.
2.Turn the cap of the expansion tank a little
counterclockwise to allow any accumulated
pressure to escape, then continue turning
to open.
3.The coolant level is correct if it is between
the maximum and minimum marks in the
filler neck, refer also to the diagram next to
the filler neck.
4.If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant up to
the specified level; do not overfill.
5.Turn the cap until there is an audible click.
6.If the loss of coolant is substantial, have the
cause eliminated as soon as possible.

Reference 249
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Changes, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
Changing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs223
Changing the language on the
Control Display79
Changing the measurement
units on the Control
Display71
Changing wheels228
Chassis number, refer to
Engine compartment219
Check Control77
"Check Control
messages"78
Check Gas Cap204
Child-restraint fixing system
LATCH52
Child-restraint systems51
Child-safety lock53
Child seats, refer to
Transporting children
safely51
Chrome parts216
Chrome polish216
Cigarette lighter, refer to
Lighter107
Cleaning headlamps64
– washer fluid65
Cleaning your BMW, refer to
Care214
"Climate"97
Clock67
– 12h/24h format76
– setting time74
Closing
– from inside32
– from outside29
Clothes hooks106
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting the
engine55
Combined instrument, refer to
Instrument cluster12
Comfort access, refer to
Convenient access35
Comfort area, refer to Around
the center console14
"Comfort" with EDC84"Communication"184,194,1
95,196,197
Compact disc, refer to
– CD changer165
– CD player165
Compartment for remote
control, refer to Ignition
lock54
Compass
104
Computer68
– displays on Control
Display69
– hour signal75
Computer, refer to iDrive16
"Concert hall" for Tone
control154
"Concierge"197
Concierge service197
Condensation, refer to When
the vehicle is parked116
Condition Based Service
CBS212
Configuring settings, refer to
Personal Profile28
Confirmation signals for
locking/unlocking the
vehicle31
Connecting vacuum cleaner,
refer to Connecting
electrical appliances108
Consumption, refer to
Average consumption69
Consumption indicator, refer
to Average consumption69
"Continue guidance to
destination?"140
Control Center, refer to
iDrive16
Control Display
– brightness80
– changing the language79
– switching off/on21
Control Display, refer to
iDrive16
Controller, refer to iDrive16
Controls and displays10
Control unit, refer to iDrive16
Convenient access35
– replacing the battery36Convenient operation
– glass roof30
– glass roof with convenient
access36
– windows30
– windows with convenient
access36
Coolant222
– checking level222
Coolant temperature68
Cooling, maximum98
Cooling fluid, refer to
Coolant222
Cooling system, refer to
Coolant222
Copyright2
Corner-illuminating lamps,
refer to Adaptive Head
Light94
Cornering lamps, refer to
Adaptive Head Light94
Correct tires210
Courtesy lamps, refer to
Interior lamps95
Cross-hairs in navigation131
Cruise control65
Cruising range69
Cup holders107
Curb weight, refer to
Weights240
"Current position"147
Current position
– displaying147
– entering135
– storing135
"Customer
Relations"188,196
D
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit10
Dashboard, refer to
Instrument cluster12
Dashboard lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting94

Reference 251
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
DVD
– drive for navigation DVD152
DVD for navigation124
"Dynamic route" in
navigation137
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC
– indicator/warning lamp84
– M Dynamic Mode MDM82
E
"EDC"48,49
EDC, refer to Electronic
Damper Control84
Eject button, refer to Buttons
on the CD player152
Electric
– seat adjustment41
Electrical malfunction
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door204
– glass roof39
– luggage compartment lid33
– M dual clutch transmission
with Drivelogic59
Electric seat41
Electric seat adjustment41
Electric steering wheel lock
– with convenient access36
Electronic brake-force
distribution82
Electronic Damper Control
EDC84
– "Comfort"84
– "Normal"84
– "Sport"84
Electronic oil level check219
Electronic Stability Program
ESP, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC82
Emergency operation
– fuel filler door, manual
release204
Emergency operation, refer to
Closing manually
– glass roof39Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– door lock32
Emergency release
– luggage compartment lid
from inside34
Emergency Request230
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance230
"Enabled services"198
"Enabled TeleServices"196
"End call"185
Engine
– breaking in114
– data238
– overheated, refer to Coolant
temperature68
– speed238
– starting55
– starting, convenient
access35
– switching off55
Engine compartment219
Engine coolant, refer to
Coolant222
Engine oil
– adding221
– BMW Maintenance
System212
– checking level219
– intervals between changes,
refer to Service
requirements72
– possible displays220
"Engine oil level"221
Engine output, refer to Engine
data238
Engine speed, refer to Engine
data238
Engine starting, refer to
Starting the engine55
"Enter address"127
Entering a destination127
Entering a destination
country127
Entering a house number or
intersection129
Entering an intersection128
Entering a street128"Entertainment"152
Entry lamps, refer to Interior
lamps95
"Equalizer", refer to Tone
control155
Equalizer, refer to Tone
control154
Error messages, refer to
Check Control77
"ESN"162
Event data recorders213
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system114
Exterior mirrors45
– adjusting45
– automatic dimming
feature46
– automatic heating46
– folding in and out45
External audio device106
External audio device, refer to
AUX-In port171
Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing
away232
– for tying down loads117F
Fader, tone control153
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control77
Failure of an electrical
consumer229
False alarm
– avoiding unintentional
alarm35
– switching off an alarm34
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts44
Fastest route for
navigation137
Fast forward
– CD changer169
– CD player169
"Fast route" in navigation137

Everything from A - Z
256 "New address" in
navigation135
"New destination"127,131
"New route"143
New tires209
"Next entertainment
source"47
"Normal"63
"Normal" with EDC84
North-facing map141
Nozzles96
Number of cylinders, refer to
Engine data238
Nylon rope, refer to Tow
rope233
O
OBD socket, refer to Socket
for On-Board Diagnosis213
Octane ratings, refer to Fuel
specifications204
Odometer67
Oil, refer to Engine oil219
Oil consumption219
Oil level219
Old batteries, refer to
Disposal228
"On a new destination" in
navigation133
"Onboard info"69
Onboard tool kit223
"On destination"133
"On location"133
Opening and closing
– convenient access35
– from inside32
– from outside29
– using the door lock31
– via the remote control29Operation by voice for mobile
phone189
– adjusting volume190
– canceling189
– correcting phone
number190
– dialing phone number190
– placing a call190
– redialing190
– voice commands189
– voice phone book190
"Options"197,198
Orientation menu, refer to
Start menu17
Outlets
– refer to Ventilation99
Output, refer to Engine
data238
Outside-air mode
– automatic climate control98
Outside temperature
display67
– changing units of
measure71
– in computer71
Outside temperature
warning67
Overheated engine, refer to
Coolant temperature68
P
Paintwork care215
Park assistant, refer to Park
Distance Control81
Park Distance Control PDC81
"Parked car operation"100
"Parked car ventilation"100
Parked car ventilation100
– activating switch-on
times101
– preselecting switch-on
times100
– switching on and off
directly100
Parking
– vehicle55
Parking aid, refer to Park
Distance Control PDC81Parking brake56
– indicator lamp56
Parking lamps92
Parking lamps/low beams92
Passenger-side mirror tilt
function46
"Pathway lighting"93
Pathway lighting93
"PDC"81
Personal Profile28
"Perspective"141
Phone book183
Phone numbers
– deleting from phone
book187
– dialing185
– most recent numbers186
– selecting in phone book186
– Top 8186
Pinch protection system
– glass roof, electric38
– windows37
Placing a call, refer to
telephone owner's manual
"Play" for satellite radio163
Polish216
Pollen
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic
climate control100
Position
– displaying147
– saving, refer to Storing
current position135
"POWER"48,49
Power failure228
Power windows37
– safety switch38
Power windows, refer to
Windows37
"Presets", displaying with the
radio156
"Presets" for satellite
radio
163
Pressure, tires206
Pressure monitoring, tires84
– Flat Tire Monitor84