2009 BMW 3 SERIES steering wheel adjustment

Controls
41Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Adjustments
Sitting safely
The ideal sitting position can make a vital con-
tribution to relaxed, fati gue-free driving. In con-
junction with the safe ty belts, the head
restraints and the airbags, the seated position
has a major influence on your safety in the event
of an accident. To ensu re that the safety sys-
tems operate with optimal efficiency, we
strongly urge you to observe the instructions
contained in the following section.
For additional information on transporting chil-
dren safely, refer to page 49.
Airbags
Always maintain an adequate distance
between yourself and the airbags. Always
grip the steering wheel on the rim, with your
hands in the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions,
to minimize the risk of injury to the hands or
arms in the event of the airbag being triggered
off.
No one and nothing is to come between the air-
bags and the seat occupant.
Do not use the cover of the front airbag on the
front passenger side as a storage area. Make
sure that the front passen ger is sitting correctly,
e.g. not resting feet or legs on the dashboard,
otherwise leg injuries can occur if the front air-
bag is triggered.
Make sure that passengers do not lean their
heads against the side or head airbags, other-
wise serious injuries could result if the airbags
suddenly deployed. <
Even if you follow all the instructions, injuries
resulting from contact with airbags cannot be
fully excluded, depending on the circum-
stances. The ignition and inflation noise may
provoke a mild hearing loss in extremely sensi-
tive individuals. This e ffect is usually only tem-
porary.
For airbag locations and additional information
on airbags, refer to page 88.
Head restraint
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the
risk of neck injury in the event of an accident.
Adjust the head restraint in such a way
that its center is at approx. ear level. Oth-
erwise, there is an increased risk of injury in the
event of an accident. <
Head restraints, refer to page 43.
Safety belt
Before every drive, make sure that all occupants
wear their safety belts. Airbags complement the
safety belt as an additi onal safety device, but
they do not represent a substitute.
Your vehicle has five seats, each of which is
equipped with a safety belt.
Never allow more than one person to
wear a single safety belt. Never allow
infants or small children to ride in a passenger's
lap. Make sure that the be lt in the lap area sits
low across the hips and does not press against
the abdomen.
The safety belt must not rest against the throat,
run across sharp edges, pass over hard or frag-
ile objects or be pinched. Fasten the safety belt
so that it sits as snugly as possible against the
lap and shoulder withou t being twisted. Other-
wise the belt could slide over your hips and
injure your abdomen in the event of a frontal
collision.
Avoid wearing bulky clothing and regularly pull
the belt in the upper-bo dy area taut, otherwise
its restraining effect could be impaired.
Sports Wagon: if the rear center safety belt is
used, the wider backrest must be locked in
place, refer to page 107. Otherwise the safety
belt will have no restraining effect. <
Safety belts, refer to page 46.
ba8_E9091_cic.book Seite 41 Mittwoch, 29. Oktober 2008 2:59 14

Adjustments
48
The glass of the mirror on the passenger
side tilts slightly do
wn. This allows the
driver to see the area immediately adjacent
to the vehicle, e.g. a curb, when backing into
a parking space.
Deactivating
Push the switch to the position for the passen-
ger-side mirror, arrow 2.
Interior rearview mirror
Turn the knob to reduce glare from the head-
lamps of cars behind yo u when driving at night.
Interior and exterior mirrors, automatic
dimming feature*
The automatic dimming fe ature of the interior
and exterior mirrors
* is controlled by two photo
cells in the interior re arview mirror. One photo
cell is in the mirror frame, see arrow; the other is
on the back of the mirror.
In order to ensure that the system functions
correctly, keep the photo cells clean, do not
cover the area between the interior rearview
mirror and windshield, and do not affix adhesive
labels or stickers of an y kind to the windshield
directly in front of the mirror.
Steering wheel
Adjustments
Do not adjust the steering wheel position
while the car is in mo tion, otherwise there
is a risk of accident due to an unexpected move-
ment. <
1. Fold the lever down.
2. Move the steering wheel to the preferred
height and angle to suit your seated posi-
tion.
3. Swing the lever back up.
Do not use force to swing the lever
back up, otherwise the mechanism
will be damaged. <
Steering wheel heating*
Press the button.
The LED in the button lights up when the steer-
ing wheel heating is switched on.
ba8_E9091_cic.book Seite 48 Mittwoch, 29. Oktober 2008 2:59 14

Technology for driving comfort and safety
88
Airbags
The following airbags are located under the
marked covers:
1Front airbags
2 Head airbags
3 Side airbags in the seat backrests
Protective action
Observe the adjustment instructions on
page 41 to ensure the best possible per-
sonal protection. <
The front airbags help protect the driver and
front passenger by re sponding to frontal
impacts in which safety belts alone cannot pro-
vide adequate restrain t. When needed, the
head and side airbags help provide protection in
the event of side impact. The relevant side air-
bag supports the side upper body area. The
head air bag supports the head.
The airbags have been designed to not be trig-
gered in every collision situation, e.g. not in
minor accidents or rear-end collisions.
Do not apply adhesive materials to the
cover panels of the airbags, cover them or
modify them in any other way.
Keep the dashboard and windows on the front
passenger side clear, i.e. do not cover with
adhesive labels or coveri ngs, and do not attach
holders such as for navigation instruments or
mobile phones.
Do not attach seat cove rs, cushions or other
objects not specifically approved for seats with
integral side airbags to the front seats. Do not
hang items of clothing such as coats or jackets
over the backrests. Do not attempt to remove the airbag retention system from the vehicle. Do
not modify the individual components of the
system or its wiring in any way. This includes
the upholstered covers
on the steering wheel,
instrument panel, seats and roof posts, as well
as the sides of the roof lining. Do not attempt to
remove or dismantle the steering wheel.
Do not touch the individual components imme-
diately after the system has been triggered,
because there is a danger of burns.
In the event of malfunctions, deactivation or
triggering of the airbag restraint system, have
the testing, repair, removal and disposal of air-
bag generators executed only by a BMW center
or a workshop that works according to repair
procedures of BMW with correspondingly
trained personnel and that has the required
explosives licenses. Unprofessional attempts to
work on the system could lead to failure in an
emergency or to undesi red airbag activation,
either of which could resu lt in personal injury.<
Warning notices and information about the air-
bags can also be found on the sun visors.
Automatic deactivation of the front
passenger airbags
An analysis of the impr ession in the front pas-
senger seat cushion determines whether and
how the seat is occupied. The front and side air-
bags for the front passenger are activated or
deactivated by the system accordingly.
The indicator lamp above the interior
rearview mirror shows the current status
of the front passenger ai rbags, deactivated or
ba8_E9091_cic.book Seite 88 Mittwoch, 29. Oktober 2008 2:59 14

On/off and tone
142
On/off and tone
The following audio and video sources share
the same control elements and adjustments:
>Radio
> CD player
> CD changer
*
>Video
> External devices, e.g. MP3 player
Controls
The audio and video sources can be controlled
using the:
>Buttons near the CD player
> iDrive
> Buttons on the steeri ng wheel, refer to
page 11
> Programmable memory keys, refer to
page 20
> Voice activation system
Buttons near the CD player
1Sound output for entertainment on/off, vol-
ume
>Press: switch on/off.
When you switch on the unit, the last set
radio station or track is played.
> Turn: adjust volume.
2 Eject the CD
3 CD/DVD drive
4FM/AM: change the radio station wave-
band 5MODE
: change the audio and video
sources
6 Station scan/track search
> Change radio station.
> Select track for CD player and CD
changer.
Switching on/off
In order to switch the entertainment sound out-
put on and off:
Press button 1 next to the CD player.
This symbol on the Control Display indi-
cates that sound output is switched off.
If equipped with a single drive, the sound output
is available for approx. 20 minutes after the igni-
tion is switched off.
For sound output, switch the unit back on.
Adjusting volume
Turn button 1 next to the CD player until the
desired volume is obtained.
You can also adjust the volume with buttons on
the steering wheel, refer to page 11.
With the ignition at ra dio readiness or beyond,
the setting is stored fo r the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Tone control
You can alter various tone settings, e.g. treble
and bass or the speed-dependent volume
increase.
The tone settings are applied to all audio
sources.
With the ignition at ra dio readiness or beyond,
the settings are stored for the remote control
currently in use.
ba8_E9091_cic.book Seite 142 Mittwoch, 29. Oktober 2008 2:59 14

Reference 251
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
AUX-IN
– port103
AUX-IN port 161
Average fuel consumption 69
– setting the units 71
Average speed 69
Avoid highways in navigation 133
Avoiding unintentional alarms 34
Axle loads, refer to
Weights 241
B
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support 43
Backrests, refer to Seat adjustment 42
Backrest width adjustment 43
Back seats
– refer to Rear seats 44
Backup lamps
– replacing bulb 227
Backup lamps, refer to Tail
lamps 226
Band-aids, refer to First-aid pouch 231
Bar, refer to Towing methods 233
Base plate for telephone or
mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter 177
– refer to Snap-in adapter in
the center armrest storage
compartment 103
Bass, tone setting 142
Battery 228
– charging 229
– disposal 35,229
– jump starting 231
– remote control 26
– temporary power failure 229
Battery for mobile phone 177
Battery renewal
– remote control 35
– remote control for vehicle 35
Being towed 233
Belts, refer to Safety belts 46Belt tensioner,
refer to Safety
belts 46
Beverage holders, refer to Cup holders 104
Blower, refer to Air flow
rate 95
Bluetooth, activating/ deactivating 170
Bluetooth, refer to separate Owner's Manual
BMW
– car shampoo 220
BMW Assist, activating 182
BMW Advanced Diesel 192
BMW Assist 181
BMW center 186
BMW Homepage 4
BMW Maintenance System 216
BMW Search 182
BMW webpage 4
Bottle holders, refer to Cup
holders 104
Brake assist, refer to Dynamic Brake Control DBC 81
Brake fluid, refer to Service requirements 71
Brake force display 87
Br

ake lamps
– brake force display 87
– replacing bulb 227
Brake pads 114
– breaking in 114
Brake rotors 116
– brakes 114
– breaking in 114
Brakes
– ABS 81
– BMW Maintenance System 216
– brake force display 87
– breaking in 114
– parking brake 54
– service requirements 71
Brakes, refer to Braking safely 116 Brake system
114
– BMW Maintenance
System 216
– breaking in 114
– disc brakes 116
Breakdown services, refer to Roadside Assistance 230
Breaking in the clutch 114
Breaking in the differential, refer to Engine and
differential 114
Break-in period 114
Brightness of Control
Display 78
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps and bulbs 223
Button for starting the engine, refer to Start/stop button 53
Buttons on the steering
wheel 11
C
California Proposition 65
warning 6
Call
– accepting 171
– ending 172
– rejecting 172
Calling, refer to Phone numbers, dialing 172
Can holders, refer to Cup holders 104
Capacities 242
Capacity of the cargo bay 241
Car battery, refer to Vehicle battery 228
Car care, refer to Care 218
ba8_E9091_cic.book Seite 251 Mittwoch, 29. Oktober 2008 2:59 14

Everything from A - Z
254
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting 92
Displays
– on the Control Display 16
Displays, refer to Instrument
cluster 12
Displays and controls 10
Disposal
– coolant 215
– remote control battery 35
– vehicle battery 229
Distance control, refer to Active cruise control 61
Distance remainin g to service,
refer to Service
requirements 71
Distance warning, refer to Park Distance Control
PDC 80
Door key, refer to Remote control with integrated
key 26
Door lock 29
Doors, emergency operation 29
DOT Quality Grades 207
Draft-free ventilation 97
Drinks holders, refer to Cup
holders 104
Drive-off assistance, refer to Dynamic Stability Control
DSC 81
Drive-off assistant 83
Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams 90
Driving notes 114
Driving off on hills, refer to
Drive-off assistant 83
Driving stability control systems 81
Driving through water 116
Driving tips, refer to Driving notes 114
Dry air, refer to Cooling function 96
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control 81 DTC Dynamic Traction
Control 81
– indicator/warning lamp 81
DVD
– country codes 152
– settings 153
– video playback 152
DVD menu 153
DVD video 152
Dynamic Brake Control DBC 81
Dynamic Stability Control DSC
– indicator/warning lamp 81
Dynamic Traction Control DTC
– indicator/warning lamp 82
E
Eject button, refer to Buttons
on the CD player 142
Electrical malfunction
– door lock 29
– driver's door 29
– fuel filler door 190
– glass roof 37
– luggage compartment lid 31
– panorama glass roof 39
Electric seat adjustment 42
Electric steering wheel lock
– with convenient access 34
Electronic brake-force distribution EBV 81
Electronic oil level check 213
Electronic Stability Program ESP, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC 81
Emergency actuation, automatic transmission,
refer to Overriding selector
lever lock 57
Emergency operation
– fuel filler door, manual release 190
Emergency operation, refer to
Closing manually
– glass roof 37
– panorama glass roof 39Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– door lock 29
Emergency release
– luggage compartment lid
from inside 32
Emergency Request 230
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance 230
Energy, saving
– saving fuel 114
Energy-conscious driving, refer to Energy Control 68
Energy Control 68
Engine
– breaking in 114
– data 238
– overheated, refer to Coolant temperature 68
– speed 238
– starting 53
– starting, convenient
access 34
– switching off 54
Engine compartment 212
Engine coolant, refer to Coolant 215
Engine oil
– adding 214
– alternative oil types 215
– BMW Maintenance
System 216
– capacity 242
– checking level 212
– dipstick 212
– intervals between changes, refer to Service
re

quirements 71
Engine output, refer to Engine data 238
Engine speed, refer to Engine data 238
Engine starting, refer to
Starting the engine 53
Entry lamps, refer to Interior lamps 93
Entry map for destination 128
ba8_E9091_cic.book Seite 254 Mittwoch, 29. Oktober 2008 2:59 14

Everything from A - Z
256
H
Halogen lamps
– replacing bulbs224
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake 54
Hands-free system 14
Hazard warning flashers 14
HDC Hill Descent Control 82
HD radio, refer to High Definition Radio 146
Head airbags 88
Headlamp control,
automatic 90
Headlamp cover 224
Headlamp flasher 57
– indicator lamp 11,13
Headlamps
– replacing bulbs 224
Head restraints 43
– rear, removing 44
– sitting safely 41
Heated
– mirrors 47
– rear window 97
– seats 45
Heating
– mirrors 47
– rear window 97
– residual heat 96
– seats 45
– steering wheel 48
Heating and ventilation, refer to Climate 94
Heating while at a standstill, refer to Using residual
heat 96
Heavy loads, refer to Stowing cargo 118
Height, refer to
Dimensions 239
Height adjustment
– seats 42
– steering wheel 48
High beams 92
– headlamp flasher 92
– indicator lamp 13
– replacing bulbs 224
High Definition Radio 146High-pressure
washer 218,219
High water, refer to Driving through water 116
Highways, refer to Route
criteria 133
Hill Descent Control HDC 82
Hills 116
Holders for cups 104
Homepage BMW 4
Hood 211
Hooks for shopping bags 108
Ho

rn 10, 11
Hotel function, refer to Locking or unlocking
separately 32
Hot exhaust system 115
Hydraulic brake assist, refer to Dynamic Brake Control
DBC 81
Hydroplaning 116
I
IBOC, refer to High Definition
Radio 146
Ice warning, refer to Outside temperature
warning 67
ID3 tag, refer to Information about the track 151
Identification marks
– Run-Flat Tires 209
– tire coding 207
iDrive 16
– adjusting brightness 78
– changing language 78
– changing settings 78
– changing units of measure and display format 71
– controls 16
– menu guidance 17
– operating principle 16
– overview 16
– setting the date and time 74
– start menu 17
– status information 19
iDrive operating principle 16Ignition
53
– switched off 53
– switched on 53
Ignition key, refer to Remote control with integrated
key 26
Ignition key position 1, refer to Radio readiness 53
Ignition key position 2, refer to Ignition on 53
Ignition lock 53
Imprint 2
Indicator and warning
lamps 13
– Tire Pressure Monitor TPM 86
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire inflation pressure 195
Inflation pressure monitoring,
refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor TPM 84
Initializing
– after power failure 229
– compass, refer to Calibrating 101
– Flat Tire Monitor FTM 83
– glass roof 37
– panorama glass roof 39
– radio, refer to Station, storing 145
– refer to Setting the time and
date 74
Installation location
– CD changer 154
– navigation DVD drive 122
– telephone 103
Instructions for navigation
system, refer to Voice
instr
uctions 134
Instrument cluster 12
Instrument lighting 92
Instrument panel, refer to Cockpit 10
Integrated key 26
Integrated universal remote control 99
Interior lamps 93
– remote control 28
Interior motion sensor 33
ba8_E9091_cic.book Seite 256 Mittwoch, 29. Oktober 2008 2:59 14

Everything from A - Z
258
Master key, refer to Remote
control with integrated
key 26
Maximum cooling 95
Maximum speed
– with winter tires 210
Measurements, refer to Dimensions 239
Memory, refer to Seat and mirror memory 45
MENU button 16
Menus, refer to iDrive 16
Microfilter
– BMW Maintenance System 216
– for automatic climate
control 97
Microfilter/activated-charcoal filter
– BMW Maintenance System 216
Microphone
– telephone 14
– voice commands 14
Mirror dimming feature 48
Mirrors 47
– automatic curb monitor 47
– exterior mirrors 47
– heating 47
– interior rearview mirror 48
– memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory 45
Mirrors, folding in before entering a car wash 47
Mobile phone
– adjusting volume 171
– connecting, refer to Mobile
phone, pairing 168
– installation location, refer to Center armrest 103
– operation via iDrive 171
– pairing 168
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Mobile phone, installation location, refer to Center
armrest 103
Mobile phone, refer to Telephone 168 Mobile phone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Modifications, technical, refer to For your own safety 5
Monitor, refer to iDrive
controls 16
Monitoring system for tire pressures, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor 83
MP3 player, connecting, refer to AUX-IN port 161
MP3 player, connecting, refer to USB-audio interface 162
Multifunctional steering wheel, refer to Buttons on
the steering wheel 11
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signals/ headlamp flasher 57
– refe

r to Wiper system 58
Multimedia screen, refer to iDrive 16
Music, managing 159
Music, playing 158
Music, storing 157
Music collection 157
– backup 160
– importing 160
Music player, connecting, refer to AUX-IN port 161
Music player, connecting,
refer to USB-audio
interface 162
Music search 158
N
Navigation announcements,
refer to Switching voice
instructions on/off 134
Navigation data 122
Navigation drive, location 122
Navigation DVD 122 Navigation system
122
– address book 125
– bypassing a route section 134
– continuing destination
guidance 133
– destination entry 123
– displaying current
position 139
– entering a destination by voice 129
– entering a destination manually 123
– route list 134
– selecting destination via map 128
– selecting route criteria 133
– special destinations 126
– starting destination
guidance 133
– terminating destination guidance 133
– voice instructions 134
– volume adjustment 135
Neck support, refer to Head
restraints 43
Nets, refer to Storage compartments 103
New tires 209
North-facing map 135
Nozzles 94
Number of cylinders, refer to Engine data 238
Nylon rope, refer to Tow
rope 233O
OBD socket, refer to Socket
for On-Board Diagnosis 217
Octane ratings, refer to Fuel specifications 191
Odometer 67
Oil, refer to Engine oil 212
Oil consumption 212
Oil level 212
Old batteries, refer to Disposal 229
Onboard tool kit 222
ba8_E9091_cic.book Seite 258 Mittwoch, 29. Oktober 2008 2:59 14