2009 BMW 3 SERIES warning lights

Controls
35Reference
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Mobility
Convenient closure
For convenient closure, keep your finger on the
surface, arrow 2.
Unlocking the luggage compartment
lid/tailgate separately
Press the button on the outside of the luggage
compartment lid/tailgate. This corresponds to
pressing the button.
If the vehicle detects that a remote con-
trol has been accident ally left inside the
locked vehicle's cargo bay after the luggage
compartment lid/tailgate or rear window is
closed, the lid will reopen. The hazard warning
flashers flash and an acoustic signal
* sounds. <
Switching on radio readiness
Radio readiness is switched on by pressing the
start/stop button, refer to page 53.
Do not depress the brake or the clutch,
otherwise the engine will start. <
Starting the engine
You can start the engine or switch on the igni-
tion when a remote control is inside the vehicle.
It is not necessary to insert a remote control into
the ignition switch, refer to page 53.
Switching off the engine in cars with
automatic transmission
The engine can only be switched off when the
selector lever is in position P, refer to page 54.
To switch the engine off when the selector lever
is in position N, the remote control must be in
the ignition switch.
Malfunction
Convenient access may malfunction due to
local radio waves. If this happens, open or close
the vehicle via the butto ns on the remote con-
trol or using the integrated key. To start the
engine afterward, insert the remote control into
the ignition switch.
Warning lamps
The warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when you attempt to
start the engine: the engine cannot
be started. The remote co ntrol is not inside the
vehicle or is malfunctioning. Take the remote
control with you inside the vehicle or have it
checked. If necessary, insert another remote
control into the ignition switch.
The warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up while the engine is
running: the remote control is no
longer inside the vehicle. After the engine is
switched off, the engine can only be restarted
within approx. 10 seconds.
The indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster comes on and a message
appears on the Control Display:
replace the battery in the remote control.
Replacing the battery
The remote control for convenient access con-
tains a battery that will n eed to be replaced from
time to time.
1. Take the integrated ke y out of the remote
control, refer to page 26.
2. Remove the cover.
3. Insert the new battery wi th the plus side fac-
ing up.
4. Press the cover on to close.
Take the old battery to a battery collec-
tion point or to your BMW center. <
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Driving
64
Warning lamp
The warning lamp comes on when
active cruise control has been auto-
matically deactivated due to a driving
speed below 20 mph or 30 km/h, an application
of the parking brake or a DSC intervention. A
message appears on the Control Display.
Resuming stored desired speed and
distance
Briefly press th e button, arrow 4.
The stored speed and distance are regained
and maintained.
In the following instances, the stored speed is
deleted and can no longer be resumed:
> When driving stability control systems are
intervening
> In cars with a manual transmission: when
you switch gears very slowly or shift to neu-
tral
> In cars with an automatic transmission:
when you engage selector lever position N
> When the ignition is switched off
Displays in the instrument cluster
1Stored desired speed
2 Shows yellow: vehicle detected ahead
Flashes in red: system cannot maintain dis-
tance; driver must brake the vehicle
Flashes in yellow: driving stability control
systems are intervening; cruise control is
deactivated
3 Selected distance to vehicle ahead
The indicator lights up as soon as the sys-
tem is activated. 4
Selected desired spee d is temporarily dis-
played
If --- mph or --- km/h temporarily appears
in the instrument cluster display, it is pos-
sible that the system prerequisites for operation
are currently not met. Calling up Check Control
messages, refer to page 76.<
Warning lamps
The indicator 2 flashes in red; a
signal sounds.
The system indicates that you
must brake and/or maneuver the
vehicle yourself. Active cruise con-
trol cannot automatically restore the distance to
the vehicle ahead.
This indicator does not release you from your
responsibility to adapt your desired speed and
driving style to prevailing driving conditions.
The indicator 2 flashes in yellow.
The prerequisites for operating
active cruise control are not met,
e.g. as a result of ABS or DSC
interventions. Active cruise control
is deactivated. You can re activate the system, if
desired, by tapping or pulling the lever when
road and traffic conditions permit. It is not pos-
sible to resume a stored speed.
Radar sensor
The sensor's ability to detect vehicles ahead
may be restricted as a result of heavy rain, dirt,
snow or ice. If necessary, clean the radar sensor
located in the front bump er, see arrow. Be sure
to use particular care when removing any layers
of snow or ice from the sensor.
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Controls
67Reference
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Mobility
Everything under control
Odometer, outside
temperature display, clock
1Knob in the instrument cluster
2 Outside temperature display and clock
3 Odometer and trip odometer
Knob in the instrument cluster
>To reset the trip odometer while the ignition
is switched on
> To display the time, outside temperature
and odometer briefly while the ignition is
switched off
Units of measure
To select the respective units of measure, miles
or km for the odometer as well as 7 or 6 for
the outside temperature, refer to page 71.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Time, outside temperature display
Setting the time , refer to page73.
Outside temperature warning
When the displayed temperature sinks to
approx. +377/+3 6, a signal sounds and a
warning lamp lights up. There is an increased
risk of black ice.
Black ice can also form at temperatures
above Select the symbol. +37 7/+3 6.
You should therefore driv e carefully on bridges and shaded roads, for example, otherwise there
is an increased risk of an accident.
<
Odometer and trip odometer
Resetting trip odometer:
With the ignition switched on, press button 1 in
the instrument cluster.
When the vehicle is parked
If you still want to view the time, outside tem-
perature and odometer re ading briefly after the
remote control has been taken out of the igni-
tion lock:
Press button 1 in the instrument cluster.
Tachometer
Never force the engine speed up into the red
warning field, see arrow. In this range, the fuel
supply is interrupted to protect the engine.
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Technology for driving comfort and safety
86
If a flat tire is detect
ed while the system is
resetting and determining the inflation
pressures, all tires on the Control Display are
displayed in yellow. The message "Tire low!" is
shown. <
Message for low tire inflation pressure
The warning lamps come on in yellow
and red. A message appears on the
Control Display. In addition, a signal
sounds. There is a flat tire or substan-
tial loss of tire pressure.
1. Cautiously reduce sp eed to below 50 mph/
80 km/h. Avoid sudden braking and steer-
ing maneuvers. Do not exceed a speed of
50 mph/80 km/h.
If the car is not equipped with Run-
Flat Tires, refer to page 209, the stan-
dard equipment by design, do not continue
driving. Otherwise a se vere accident could
result after a tire punc ture if you continue
driving. <
2. In the event of complete pressure loss,
0 psi/0 kPa, you can estimate the possible
distance for continued driving on the basis
of the following guidelines:
>With a light load:
1 to 2 persons without luggage:
approx. 155 miles/250 km
> With a medium load:
2 persons, cargo bay full, or 4 persons
without luggage:
approx. 95 miles/150 km
> With a full load:
4 or more persons, cargo bay full:
approx. 30 miles/50 km
Drive cautiously and do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h. In the event of
pressure loss, vehicle handling changes. This
includes reduced tracking stability in braking,
extended braking distance and altered natural
steering characteristics.
If unusual vibration or lo ud noises occur during
the journey, this may be an indication that the
damaged tire has finally failed. Reduce your
speed and pull over as soon as possible at a
suitable location. Otherw ise parts of the tire could come loose, resulting in an accident. Do
not continue driving. Instead, contact your
BMW center.
<
Malfunction
The small warning lamp flashes in
yellow and then lights up continu-
ously; the larger warning lamp comes
on in yellow. On the Control Display,
the tires are shown in gray and a message
appears. No punctures can be detected.
his type of message is shown in the following
situations:
> If there is a malfunction
Have the system checked.
> If a wheel without TPM electronics has
been mounted
> If TPM is temporarily malfunctioning due to
other systems or devices using the same
radio frequency.
Message for unsuccessful system
reset
The warning lamp lights up yellow. A
message will appear on the Control
Display. The system is not reset after
a tire has been changed, for example.
Check the tire inflation pressure and reset the
system, refer to page 85.
Declaration according to NHTSA/
FMVSS 138
Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems
Each tire should be checked monthly when cold
and inflated to the inflation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the
vehicle placard or tire infl ation pressure label. If
your vehicle has tires of a different size than the
size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire infla-
tion pressure label, yo u should determine the
proper tire inflation pressure for those tires. As
an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring sys-
tem, TPMS, that illuminates a low tire pressure
telltale when one or more of your tires are signif-
icantly under-inflated. Accordingly, when the
low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should
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Controls
89Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
activated, refer to Status of front passenger air-
bags below. <
Before transporting a child on the front
passenger seat, read the safety precau-
tions and handling instructions under Trans-
porting children safely, refer to page 49.
The front and side airbags can also be deacti-
vated by adolescents and adults sitting in cer-
tain positions; the indi cator lamp for the front
passenger airbags comes on. In such cases, the
passenger should change his or her sitting
position so that the front passenger airbags are
activated and the indicator lamp goes out. If the
desired airbag status cannot be achieved by
changing the sitting position, transport the rele-
vant passenger on a rear seat. Do not attach
seat covers, seat cushio n padding, ball mats or
other items to the front passenger seat unless
they are specifically recommended by BMW.
Do not place any items under the seat which
could press against the seat from below. Other-
wise a correct analysis of the seat cushion is not
ensured. <
Status of front passenger airbags
The indicator lamp for the front passenger air-
bags shows the functional status of the front
passenger's front and side airbags in accor-
dance with whether and how the front passen-
ger seat is occupied. Th e indicator lamp shows
whether the front passenger airbags are acti-
vated or deactivated.
> The indicator lamp lights up when a child in
a specially designated child-restraint sys-
tem is detected, as intended, on the seat.
The front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger are not activated. Most child seats are detected by the
system, especially child seats
required by the NHTSA at the time of vehi-
cle production. After mounting a child seat,
ensure that the indica tor lamp for the front
passenger airbag is lit. It indicates that the
child seat has been detected and that the
front passenger airbags are deactivated. <
> The indicator lamp does not come on as
long as a person of sufficient size and in a
correct sitting position is detected on the
seat.
The front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger are activated.
> The indicator lamp does not come on if the
seat is empty.
The front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger are not activated.
Operational readine ss of airbag system
As of radio readiness, refer to page 53, the
warning lamp comes on br iefly to indicate that
the entire airbag system and the belt tensioners
are operational.
Airbag system malfunction
> Warning lamp does not light up at radio
readiness or beyond.
> Warning lamp remains permanently on.
In the event of a fault in the airbag system,
have it checked without delay, otherwise
there is the risk that th e system will not function
as intended even if a sufficiently severe acci-
dent occurs. <
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Refueling
192
If you refueled with the wrong fuel, contact your
BMW center.
The filler neck is desi gned for refueling at
diesel fuel pumps.
If the filler nozzle cannot be inserted into your
BMW's filler pipe, please ensure that you are re-
fueling at a diesel fuel pump and that it is
equipped with a diesel filler nozzle. <
Winter diesel
To ensure that the diesel engine remains oper-
ational in the winter, please use winter diesel,
which is available at gas stations during winter
months. The fuel filter heating system, included
as a standard feature, prevents disruption of the
fuel supply while driving.
Do not add additives, including gasoline;
otherwise, engine damage may occur. <
BMW Advanced Diesel
The concept
BMW Advanced Diesel reduces nitrogen oxide
in the diesel emissions of your vehicle by means
of a mechanism that injects diesel exhaust fluid,
a reduction agent, into the exhaust tract. A
chemical reaction occurs in the catalytic con-
verter that minimizes the nitrogen oxide con-
tent.
To be able to start the engine as usual, a suffi-
cient amount of diesel exhaust fluid must be
present in a separate reservoir.
Warming the system
To warm the system to its operating tempera-
ture after starting with a cold engine, the auto-
matic transmission delays shifting to the next
higher gear, if necessary.
Reserve display
A display in the instrument cluster informs you
about the remaining distance you can drive with
the fluid remaining in the reservoir.
-
The reserve display appears beginning at ap-
prox. 1,000 miles/1,600 km before the supply is
used up.
When this reserve display appears in the
instrument cluster, have diesel exhaust
fluid refilled to avoid not being able to start the
engine. <
Diesel exhaust fluid at the minimum
level
Even if the display indicates -- mls, the engine
continues running if it is not switched off and if
all other requirements cont inue to be met, e.g. a
sufficient supply of fuel.
Do not drive to the end of the indicated
distance. Otherwise, it will not be possible
to start the engine again after switching it off. <
Wrong fluid
A warning lamp lights up:
The wrong fluid was filled into the res-
ervoir.
Please contact your BMW center.
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Mobility
217Reference
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Controls
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Socket for On-Board
Diagnosis OBD
Primary components that make up exhaust
emissions can be checked by a device via the
OBD socket.
This socket is located on the driver's side to the
left, on the bottom of the instrument panel
underneath a cover.
Exhaust emission values
The warning lamp lights up:
The exhaust emission values have
worsened. Have the car checked as
soon as possible.
Canadian models display this warning
lamp.
The lamp flashes under certain conditions. This
indicates excessive misfir ing in the engine. If
this happens, you should reduce your speed
and visit your nearest BMW center as soon as
possible. Severe engine misfiring can quickly
lead to serious damage of emissions-related
components, especially the catalytic converter.
The warning lamp comes on if the gas
cap is not properly tightened and the
OBD system assumes that fuel vapor
is escaping. If the gas ca p is then tightened, the
warning lamp should go out within a few days.
Event data recorders
Your vehicle may be equipped with one or sev-
eral measuring or diagnostic modules or a
device for recording or sending certain vehicle
data or information. In addition, if you have
signed a service contract for BMW Assist, cer- tain vehicle data ma
y be transmitted or
recorded in order to fa cilitate the corresponding
services.
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