2009 BMW 3 SERIES tow

Under the hood
212
Important parts of the engine compartment
1Gasoline engine: expansion tank for cool-
ant, refer to page 215
Diesel engine: the expansion tank is located
on the other side of the vehicle
2 Washer fluid filler neck for headlamp clean-
ing system and window washer system, re-
fer to page 59 3
Jump-starting connection, refer to
page 231
4 Filler neck for engine oil, refer to Adding en-
gine oil
5 Diesel engine: dipstick for engine oil, refer
to Checking oil level
Engine oil
The engine oil consumption is dependent on
driving style and driving conditions.
Diesel engine: checking engine oil level
1.Park the vehicle on a level surface with the
engine at operating temperature, i.e. after
an uninterrupted drive of at least 6.5 miles/
10 km.
2. Switch off the engine.
3. After approx. 5 minutes, pull out the
dipstick 5 and wipe it off with a lint-free
cloth, paper towel or similar material.
4. Carefully push the dips tick all the way back
into the measuring tube and pull it out
again. The oil level must be between the two
markings on the dipstick.
The oil quantity betwee n the two markings on
the dipstick is equivale nt to approx. 1 US quart/
1 liter.
ba8_E9091_cic.book Seite 212 Mittwoch, 29. Oktober 2008 2:59 14

Giving and receiving assistance
232
Preparation
1.Check whether the battery of the other
vehicle has a voltage of 12 volts and
approximately the same capacitance in Ah.
This information can be found on the bat-
tery.
2. Switch off the engine of the assisting vehi-
cle.
3. Switch off any consumers in both vehicles.
There must not be any contact between
the bodies of the two vehicles, otherwise
there is a danger of shorting. <
Connecting jumper cables
Connect the jumper cables in the correct
order, so that no sparks which could
cause injury occur. <
Your BMW has a jump-starting connection in
the engine compartment which acts as the bat-
tery's positive terminal, refer also to the Engine
compartment overview on page 212. The cap is
marked with +.
1. Pull the cap of the BMW jump-starting con-
nection up to remove.
2. Attach one terminal clamp of the plus/+
jumper cable to the positive terminal of the
battery or a starting-aid terminal of the vehi-
cle providing assistance.
3. Attach the second terminal clamp of the
plus/+ jumper cable to the positive terminal
of the battery or a starting-aid terminal of
the vehicle to be started.
4. Attach one terminal clamp of the minus/–
jumper cable to the nega tive terminal of the
battery or to an engine or body ground of
the assisting vehicle. Your BMW has a special nut as body ground
or negative pole.
5. Attach the second te rminal clamp of the
minus/– jumper cable to the negative termi-
nal of the battery or to the engine or body
ground of the vehicle to be started.
Starting the engine
1. Start the engine of the donor vehicle and
allow it to run for a fe w minutes at slightly
increased idle speed.
2. Start the engine on the other vehicle in the
usual way.
If the first start attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes be fore another attempt
in order to allow the discharged battery to
recharge.
3. Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4. Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing
the above connecting sequence.
If necessary, have th e battery checked and
recharged.
Never use spray fluids to start the
engine. <
Tow-starting, towing away
Observe the applicable laws and regula-
tions for tow-starting and towing vehi-
cles. <
Do not transport any passengers other
than the driver in a vehicle that is being
towed. <
ba8_E9091_cic.book Seite 232 Mittwoch, 29. Oktober 2008 2:59 14

Mobility
233Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Using a tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting must always be carried
in the car. It can be screwed in at the front or
rear of the BMW.
Sedan: it is stored in the onboard tool kit under-
neath the cover on the right-hand side of the
cargo bay, refer to page 222.
Sports Wagon: it is stored in the onboard tool kit
underneath the cover on the left-hand side of
the cargo bay, refer to page 222.
Use only the tow fitting provided with the
vehicle and screw it all the way in. Use the
tow fitting for towing on paved roads only. Avoid
lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift
the vehicle by the tow fi tting. Otherwise the tow
fitting and the vehicle could be damaged. <
Access to screw thread
Release the cover panel in the bumper:
Press on the upper part of the cover panel.
Front
Rear
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on,
refer to page53, otherwise the low-beam headlamps, tail lamps, turn
signal indicators and
windshield wipers may be unavailable.
Power steering assistance is not available when
the engine is not running. Thus, braking and
steering will require increased effort. Active
steering is not active an d it will be necessary to
turn the steering wheel further.<
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Automatic transmission
Selector lever in position N.
Changing selector lever positions, refer to
page56.
Do not exceed a towing speed of 45 mph
or 70 km/h and a towing distance of
90 miles/150 km, otherwise the automatic
transmission may be damaged. <
Towing methods
Do not lift the vehicle by a tow fitting or
body and chassis parts, otherwise dam-
age may result. <
With a tow bar
The towing vehicle must not be lighter
than the towed vehicl e, otherwise it may
be impossible to maintain control.<
The tow fittings used should be on the same
side on both vehicles. Should it prove impossi-
ble to avoid mounting the tow bar at an angle,
please observe the following:
> Clearance and maneuvering capability will
be sharply limited during cornering.
> The tow bar will generate la teral forces if it is
attached offset.
Attach the tow bar to the tow fittings only,
as attaching it to other parts of the vehicle
could result in damage. <
With a tow rope
When starting off in the towing vehicle, make
sure that the tow rope is taut.
ba8_E9091_cic.book Seite 233 Mittwoch, 29. Oktober 2008 2:59 14

Giving and receiving assistance
234
To avoid jerking and the associated
stresses on vehicle components when
towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Attach the tow rope to the tow fittings only, as
attaching it to other pa rts of the vehicle could
result in damage. <
With a tow truck: vehicle without xDrive
Have the BMW transported with a tow truck
with a so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.
Do not tow the vehicle with just the rear axle
raised as this may cause the steering to turn.
With a tow truck: vehicle with xDrive
Do not tow a BMW with xDrive with just
the front or rear axle raised, otherwise the
wheels could lock up an d the transfer case
could be damaged. <
Have the BMW transported on a flatbed surface
only.
Tow-starting
Avoid tow-starting the vehicle whenever possi-
ble; instead, jump-start the engine, refer to
page 231. Vehicles with a catalytic converter
should only be tow-started when the engine is
cold, vehicles with an automatic transmission
cannot be tow-started at all. 1.
Switch on hazard warning flashers, comply
with local regulations.
2. Switch on the igni tion, refer to page 53.
3. Shift into 3rd gear.
4. Have the vehicle tow-st arted with the clutch
depressed and slowly release the clutch.
After the engine starts, immediately
depress the clutch completely again.
5. Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow
bar or rope and switch off the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
6. Have the vehicle checked.
With xDrive: do not activate Hill Descent
Control HDC when the vehicle is being
tow-started, page 82.<
ba8_E9091_cic.book Seite 234 Mittwoch, 29. Oktober 2008 2:59 14

Everything from A - Z
250
Everything from A - Z
Index
"..." Identifies Control Display texts used to select
individual functions and
refers you to the page where
these texts can be found.
A
ABS Antilock Brake System 81
ACC, refer to Active cruise control 61
Accident, refer to Sending an Emergency Request 230
Activated-charcoal filter for
automatic climate control 97
Active cruise control 61
– indicator lamps 64
– malfunction 65
– selecting distance 63
– sensor 64
Active steering 87
Adaptive brake light
– brake force display 87
Adaptive Head Light 91
Additives
– coolant 215
Address, entering 123,129
Address for navigation
– entering 123,129
Adjusting temperature inside the car, refer to Automatic
climate control 95
Adjusting the thigh support 42
Adjusting the tone during audio operation, refer to
Tone control 142
Airbags 88
– indicator/warning lamp 89
– sitting safely 41
Air conditioning mode
– automatic climate control 95
– ventilation 97 Air distribution
– automatic
95
Air flow rate 95
Airing, refer to Ventilation 97
Air pressure, refer to Tire inflation pressure 195
Air recirculation, refer to Recirculated-air mode 96
Air supply
– automatic climate control 95
– ventilation 97
Air vents 94
AKI, refer to Fuel specifications 191
Alarm system 33
– avoiding unintentional alarms 34
– interior motion sensor 33
– switching off an alarm 33
– tilt alarm sensor 33
Albums of music
collection 159
All-season tires, refer to Winter tires 210
All-wheel drive, refer to xDrive 82
AM, waveband 145
Ambient

air, refer to
Recirculated-air mode 96
Antenna for mobile phone 168
Antifreeze
– coolant 215
– washer fluid 59
Antilock Brake System ABS 81
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system 33
Anti-theft system 27
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights 241
Approved gross vehicle weight, refer to Weights 241Armrest, refer to Center
armrest 103
Arrival time, refer to
Computer 69
Ashtray
– front 104
– rear 105
Assistance systems, refer to Driving stability control
systems 81
AUC Automatic recirculated- air control 96
Audio 142
– controls 142
– switching on/off 142
– tone control 142
– volume 142
Audio device, external 103
Automatic
– air distribution 95
– air flow rate 95
– cruise control 59,61
– headlamp control 90
Automatic car washes 218
Automatic climate control 94
– automatic air distribution 95
Automatic curb monitor 47
Automatic recirculated-air control AUC 96
Automatic Service
Request 185
Automatic transmission with Steptronic 55
– interlock 55,56
– overriding selector lever lock 57
– shiftlock, refer to Changing selector lever position 56
– sport program 56
– towing 232
– tow-starting 232
AUTO program for automatic
climate control 95
ba8_E9091_cic.book Seite 250 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
252
Care
218
– automatic car washes 218
– care products 218
– carpets 220
– CD/DVD drives 221
– chrome parts 219
– displays 220
– exterior 218
– fine wood parts 220
– headlamps 219
– high-pressure washer 218
– interior 220
– leather 220
– light-alloy wheels 219
– paintwork 219
– plastic parts 220
– rubber seals 219
– safety belts 220
– sensors and cameras 220
– upholstery and cloth trim 220
– washing the car
manually 219
– windows 219
– wiper blades 219
Cargo, securing 118
Cargo bay 107
– capacity 241
– convenient access 35
– folding up the floor panel 109
– lamp, refer to Interior lamps 93
– opening from inside 30
– opening from outside 31
– partition net 107
– roll-up cover 107
Cargo bay lid, refer to Luggage compartment lid/
tailgate 30
Cargo bay net, refer to Partition net 107
Cargo loading 117
– securing cargo 118
– stowing cargo 118
– vehicle 117
Car jack
– jacking points 228 Car key, refer to Integrated
key/remote control 26
Car phone
– installation location, refer to Center armrest 103
– refer to separate Owner's Manual
Car phone, refer to
Telephone 168
Car radio, refer to Radio 145
Car s

hampoo 220
Car wash 117
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system 115
CBS Condition Based Service 216
CD, audio playback 150
CD changer 150
– controls 142
– fast forward/reverse 152
– installation location 154
– random play sequence 151
– selecting a track 150
– switching on/off 142
– tone control 142
– volume 142
CD player 150
– controls 142
– fast forward/reverse 152
– random play sequence 151
– selecting a track 150
– switching on/off 142
– tone control 142
– volume 142
Center armrest 103
Center brake lamp
– replacing bulb 228
Center console, refer to Around the center
console 14
Central locking
– from inside 30
– from outside 27
Central locking system 27
– convenient access 34
– hotel function 32
– setting unlocking characteristics 27 Changes, technical, refer to
For your own safety 5
Changing bulbs, refer to Lamps and bulbs 223
Changing the measurement
units on the Control
Display 71
Changing wheels 228
Chassis number, refer to Engine compartment 212
Check Control 75
Check Gas Cap 190
Child-restraint fixing system
LATCH 50
Child-restraint systems 49
Child-safety lock 52
Child seats, refer to Transporting children
safely 49
Chrome parts 220
Chrome polish 220
Cigarette lighter, refer to
Ligh
ter104
Cleaning headlamps 58
– washer fluid 59
Cleaning your BMW, refer to Care 218
Clock 67
– 12h/24h mode 74
– setting the time and date 74
– setting time 73
Closing
– from inside 30
– from outside 27
Clothes hooks 103
Cockpit 10
Cold start, refer to Starting the
engine 53
Combined instrument, refer to Instrument cluster 12
Comfort access, refer to Convenient access 34
Comfort area, refer to Around
the center console 14
Compartment for remote control, refer to Ignition
lock 53
Compass 101
ba8_E9091_cic.book Seite 252 Mittwoch, 29. Oktober 2008 2:59 14

Reference 253
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Computer69
– displays on Control
Display 69
Computer, refer to iDrive 16
Concierge service 181
Condensation, refer to When the vehicle is parked 117
Condition Based Service
CBS 216
Configuring settings, refer to Personal Profile 26
Confirmation signals for locking/unlocking the
vehicle 28
Congestion
– refer to Route, bypassing
sections 134
Connecting vacuum cleaner, refer to Connecting
electrical appliances 105
Consumption, refer to Average consumption 69
Consumption display
– average consumption 69
– Energy Control 68
Control Center, refer to iDrive 16
Control Display, refer to
iDrive 16
– adjusting brightness 78
– switching on/off 19
Controller, refer to iDrive 16
Controls and displays 10
Control unit, refer to iDrive 16
Convenient access 34
– replacing the battery 35
Convenient operation
– glass roof 28
– windows 28
Coolant 215
– checking level 215
Coolant temperature 68
Cooling, maximum 95
Cooling fluid, refer to Coolant 215
Cooling system, refer to
Coolant 215
Copyright 2 Corner-illuminating lamps
– replacing bulbs
224
Corner-illuminating lamps, refer to Adaptive Head
Light 91
Cornering lamps, refer to Adaptive Head Light 91
Correct tires 209
Country codes DVD 152
Courtesy lamps, refer to Interior lamps 93
Criteria for route 133
Cross-hairs in navigation 128
Cruise control 59
– active 61
– malfunctio
n61
Cruising range 69
Cup holders 104
Curb weight, refer to
Weights 241
Current fuel consumption, refer to Energy Control 68
Current playback of music collection 158
Current position
– displaying 139
Customer Relations 185
D
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit 10
Dashboard, refer to Instrument cluster 12
Dashboard lighting, refer to Instrument lighting 92
Data, technical 238
– dimensions 239
– engine 238
– weights 241
Data transfer 186
Date
– date format 75
– setting 74
Daytime running lamps 91
– replacing bulbs 223
DBC Dynamic Brake Control 81 Deactivating front passenger
airbags 88
Deadlocking, refer to Locking 28
Defect
– door lock 29
– fuel filler door 190
– glass roof 37
– panorama glass roof 39
Destination, entering by town/ city name 123
Destination address
– entering 123,129
Destination for navigation
– entering by voice 129
– entering via map 128
– entry 123
– home address 126
– manual entry 123
Destination guidance 133
– bypassing a route section 134
– changing specified route 133
– continuing 133
– starting 133
– voice instructions 134
– volume of voice
instructions 135
Diesel exhaust fluid 193
Diesel fuel 191
Diesel particulate filter 115
Digital clock 67
Digital compass 101
Digital radio, refer to High Definition Radio 146
Dimensions 239
Dipstick, engine oil 212
Directional indicators, refer to Turn signals 57
Direction instructions, refer to Vo
ice instructions 134
Directory for navigation, refer
to Address book 125
Displacement, refer to Engine data 238
Display, refer to iDrive controls 16
"Display current location" 139
ba8_E9091_cic.book Seite 253 Mittwoch, 29. Oktober 2008 2:59 14