2008 BMW M3 oil change

Driving tips
119Reference
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Mobility
BMW M3 engineering
High performance V8 engine
The high-revving V8 engine draws a maximum
power of 420 hp/309 kW and a peak torque of
295 lb ft/400 Nm from a displacement of
244 cu in/4 liters. Its spontaneous response
results in a very wide effective rpm range. The
maximum engine speed lies at 8,400 rpm and is
electronically controlled. Due to the high engine
dynamics, the maximum engine speed is lim-
ited to 7,000 rpm when the vehicle is standing.
Warming up the engine
During the warm-up phase, the high-perfor-
mance V8 engine runs a little more roughly due
to its emissions control system.
For technical reasons, the exhaust system
sounds slightly metallic when the engine is
cold.
For further information on warming up the
engine, refer to Tachometer on page67 and
Engine oil temperature on page68.
Compound brake
Your BMW M3 is equipped with a high-perfor-
mance brake system with perforated com-
pound brake discs.
Due to special design features of the perforated
compound brake discs, operating noise is audi-
ble during braking. However, this does not
affect the brake's performance, safe operation
or stability under load.
Braking correctly
To keep the brake system in optimal condition,
it is advisable to apply the brakes at regular
intervals as appropriate for the character of the
vehicle.
Refer also to Corrosion on brake rotors on
page115.
Drive train
In your BMW M3, special emphasis was placed
on the direct connection between the engine
and drive. The torsionally rigid execution of the
drive train results in acoustic feedback of the
torque, as is typical in sports cars. Clacking
sounds can arise during load changes. They do
not impair functionality or shorten the lifespan
of any component.

Mobility
221Reference
At a glance
Controls
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4.Select "Service Info" and press the control-
ler.
5.If necessary, move the highlight marker to
the uppermost field. Turn the controller
until "Service requirements" is selected and
press the controller.
6.If necessary, move the highlight marker to
the second field from the top. Turn the con-
troller until "Engine oil level" is selected and
press the controller. The oil level is dis-
played.
Possible messages
>"Engine oil level O.K."
>"No measurement available: Updating
engine oil level measurement..."
The engine oil level is measured. This can
take about 1 minute if the car is at a stand-
still on a level surface and the engine is run-
ning, or about 5 minutes while the car is
moving.
If engine oil was added, it can take up to
30 minutes to get an oil level reading.
>"Oil level at the minimum! Refill with 1 quart
of engine oil."
Add engine oil as soon as possible, but no
more than 1 US quart/1 liter, refer also to
Adding engine oil below. Add at least
0.5 US quart/0.5 liters, otherwise the oil-
level monitor will be unable to display the
new value reliably.
If the oil level is below the minimum value,
add engine oil immediately to avoid engine
damage.
>"Engine oil level too high"Have the vehicle checked immedi-
ately, otherwise the excess oil may
lead to engine damage.<
>"Please observe recalculated service inter-
val for engine oil"
Do not add engine oil. Before resuming your
trip, note the newly calculated distance
remaining to the next oil service, refer to
page72. Have the system checked as soon
as possible.
Adding engine oil
Do not add 1 US quart/1 liter of engine oil until a
corresponding message is shown on the Con-
trol Display.
Add oil within the next 125 miles/200 km,
otherwise the engine could be damaged.
Add no more than 1 US quart/1 liter of oil, oth-
erwise too much engine oil can lead to engine
damage. Add at least 0.5 US quart/0.5 liters,
otherwise the oil-level monitor will be unable to
display the new value reliably.<
Keep oils, greases, etc. out of the reach of
children and comply with the relevant
warnings on the containers. Otherwise, health
hazards may result.<
Oil change
Have oil changed only at your BMW center or at
a workshop that works according to BMW
repair procedures with correspondingly trained
personnel.
Specified engine oils
The quality of the engine oil selected has critical
significance for the operation and service life of
an engine. BMW continuously approves spe-

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 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
252 Filter
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic
climate control100
First aid pouch231
Fixture for remote control,
refer to Ignition lock54
Flashlight, refer to LED hand
lamp106
Flash when locking/
unlocking31
Flat tire
– Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM86
Flat tire, repairing226
Flat Tire Monitor FTM84
– indicating a flat tire86
– indicator/warning lamp86
– initializing the system85
– malfunction86
– snow chains85,211
– system limits85
Flat tires, refer to Tire
condition209
Fluid reservoir, refer to
Washer fluid reservoir65
"FM", waveband152,156
FM, waveband156
Folding in the mirrors, before
driving into a car wash45
Folding up the floor panel110
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely115
Footwell lamps, refer to
Interior lamps95
Forward position, engaging,
refer to Selector lever
positions57
For your own safety5
Frequency, selecting
manually157
Front airbags89
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor84Fuel204
– average consumption69
– gauge68
– high-quality brands204
– quality204
– specifications204
– tank contents, refer to
Capacities241
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge68
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge68
Fuel filler door204
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction
204
Fuses229
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control102
Gasoline
– refer to Average
consumption69
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel204
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge68
Gasoline engine, checking
engine oil level219
Gear
– neutral58
Gear change59
Gear display, refer to Displays
in the instrument cluster59
Gearshift lever
– manual transmission56
Gearshifts
– manual transmission56
General driving notes114Glass roof, electric38
– closing after electrical
malfunction39
– convenient operation30,31
– initializing39
– opening, closing38
– operation with convenient
access36
– pinch protection system38
– power failure39
– raising38
– remote control30
Glove compartment105
– LED hand lamp106
GPS navigation, refer to
Navigation system124
Grills96
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights240
H
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake56
Hand lamp, refer to LED hand
lamp106
Hands-free system14
Hazard warning flashers14
"HD radio"159
HD radio, refer to High
Definition Radio159
Head airbags89
Headlamp control,
automatic92
Headlamp flasher63
– indicator lamp11,13
Head restraints42
– front, removing42
– rear, removing42
– sitting safely40
Heated
– mirrors46
– rear window99
– seats43
Heating
– mirrors46
– rear window99
– residual heat99
– seats43