2009 BMW 3 SERIES width

Controls
43Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
1Longitudinal direction
2 Height
3 Angle
4 Backrest
The head restraints are adjusted manually, refer
to Head restraints below.
Lumbar support*
You can also adjust the contour of the backrest
to obtain additional support in the lumbar
region.
The upper hips and spinal column receive sup-
plementary support to help you maintain a
relaxed, upright sitting position.
> Increase or decrease curvature: press the
switch at the front or rear, respectively. >
Shift curvature up or down: press the switch
at the top or botto m, respectively.
Backrest width*
You can change the width of the backrest to suit
your individual preferen ces by adjusting the lat-
eral-support pads.
Press the front or rear end of the switch.
Backrest width decreases or increases accord-
ingly.
Head restraints
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. Only remove a head
restraint if no one will be sitting on the seat in
question. Reinstall the head restraint before
transporting anyone on that seat. Otherwise,
the passenger will be wi thout protection from
the head restraint. <
Front active head restraints
In a rear collision of a sufficient strength, the
active head restraint re duces the distance to
the head.
Do not use seat or head restraint covers
that could impair the function of the active
head restraint. Otherwis e, the protective func-
tion of the active head restraint will not be
ensured and its full potential in reducing the risk
of injury in the event of a rear collision may not
be realized.
In the event of malfunctions, deactivation or
ba8_E9091_cic.book Seite 43 Mittwoch, 29. Oktober 2008 2:59 14

Controls
45Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Heated seats*
Press once for each temperature level.
Three LEDs indicate the highest temperature.
To switch off:
Press button longer.
If you continue driving within approx. the next
15 minutes, the seat he ating is automatically
activated at the previously set temperature.
The temperature is lowered or the heating is
switched off entirely to save on battery power.
The LEDs stay lit.
Seat and mirror memory*
You can store and call up two different combi-
nations of driver's-seat and exterior-mirror
positions.
Settings for the backrest width and lumbar sup-
port are not stored in memory.
Storing
1. Switch on radio readiness or the ignition,
refer to page 53.
2. Adjust the seat and ex terior mirrors to the
desired positions. 3.
Press the button.
The LED in the button lights up.
4. Press the desired memory button 1 or 2: the
LED goes out.
The driver's seat and exterior mirror posi-
tions are stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Call-up
Do not call up memory while you are driv-
ing, otherwise unexpected seat move-
ment could result in an accident. <
Convenience mode
1.Unlock and open the driver's door or switch
on radio readiness, refer to page 53.
2. Briefly press the de sired memory button 1
or 2.
The adjusting procedure is halted immediately
when you touch a seat adjustment switch or
one of the memory buttons.
Safety feature
1. Close the driver's door and switch the igni-
tion on or off, refer to page 53.
2. Press the desired memory button 1 or 2
and keep it pressed until the adjustment
process has been completed.
If the button was pr essed accidentally:
Press the button again; the LED goes out.
Call-up with the remote control
The driver's seat position last stored is stored
for the remote contro l currently in use.
You can select the occasion on which the seat is
reset to that position.
> Call-up when the vehicle is unlocked.
> Call-up when the driver's door is opened.
When this Personal Profile function is
used, first make sure that the footwell
behind the driver's seat is free of obstacles.
Failure to do so could cause injury to persons or
damage to objects as a result of a rearward
movement of the seat. <
ba8_E9091_cic.book Seite 45 Mittwoch, 29. Oktober 2008 2:59 14

Controls
47Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
respondingly trained personnel. Otherwise, it is
not guaranteed that the safety devices will func-
tion properly. <
Rear center safety belt
With through- loading system*:
Before using the center rear seat, release the
latch plate from the fixt ure on the rear window
shelf and insert it into the belt lock of the center
safety belt. Make sure you hear the latch plate
engage in the belt buckle.
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors
The front passenger's mirror is more con-
vex than the driver's mirror. The objects
seen in the mirror are closer than they appear.
Do not gauge your distan ce from traffic behind
you on the basis of what you see in the mirror;
otherwise there is an incr eased risk of an acci-
dent. <
1 Adjustments
2 Switching to the other mirror or automatic
curb monitor
*
3Folding mirrors in and out*
The setting for the exterior mirrors is stored for
the remote control currently in use
*. The stored
position is called up automatically when the
vehicle is unlocked.
Manual adjustment
The mirrors can also be adjusted manually:
press the edge of the glass.
Folding mirrors in and out*
At driving speeds up to approx. 12 mph/
20 km/h, you can fold the mirrors in and out by
pressing button 3. This can be beneficial in nar-
row streets, for example, or for moving mirrors
that were folded in by hand back out into their
correct positions. Mirrors that were folded in are
folded out automatically at a speed of approx.
25 mph/40 km/h.
Before entering an automatic car wash,
fold in the exterior mirrors manually or
with button 3 to prevent them from being dam-
aged, depending on the width of the vehicle. <
Automatic heating*
Depending on the outside temperature, both
exterior mirrors are heated automatically when
the engine is running or the ignition is switched
on.
Passenger-side mirror tilt function –
automatic curb monitor*
Activating
1.Push the switch to the position for the
driver's-side mirror, arrow 1.
2. Shift to reverse or engage selector lever
position R.
ba8_E9091_cic.book Seite 47 Mittwoch, 29. Oktober 2008 2:59 14

Controls
49Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Transporting children safely
The right place for children
Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, otherwise they could endanger
themselves and/or other persons by opening
the doors, for example. <
The rear center seat is not suitable for installing
child-restraint systems for all age groups,
approved for the age group in question.
Children always in the rear
Accident research has shown that the safest
place for children is on the rear seat.
Children under the age of 13 or smaller
than 5 ft/150 cm may be transported only
in the rear in suitable child-restraint systems
appropriate for their age, weight and size. Oth-
erwise there is an increase d risk of injury in the
event of an accident. <
Children 13 years of age or older must be buck-
led in with a safety belt as soon as there no
longer is any child-restraint system that is
appropriate for their age, size and weight.
Exception for front passenger seat
Should it be necessa ry to use a child-
restraint system on the front passenger
seat, the front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger must be deactiva ted. Otherwise, a child
traveling on that seat w ill face a significant risk
of injury if the airbags are triggered off, even
with a child-restraint system. <
For more information on automatic deactivation
of the front passenger airbags refer to page 88.
Installing child-restraint
systems
Observe the child-restraint system man-
ufacturer's instructio ns when selecting,
installing and using child -restraint systems.
Otherwise the protective effect may be dimin-
ished. < Standard child-restraint systems are designed
to be secured with a lap be
lt or with the lap-belt
section of a lap-and-shoulder belt. Incorrectly
or improperly installed child-restraint systems
can increase the risk of injury to children.
Always follow the installation instructions for
the system with the greatest care.
On the front passenger seat
After installing a child-restraint system on
the front passenger seat, make sure that
the front and side airbags for the front passen-
ger are deactivated, ot herwise there is an
increased risk of injury if the airbags deploy. <
Backrest width*
The backrest width of the front passen-
ger's seat must be at its widest possible
setting. Do not change the setting after install-
ing the child seat. Othe rwise the child seat's
stability on the front passenger's seat is lim-
ited. <
1. Adjust the backrest width to its widest set-
ting, refer to page 43.
2. Install the child seat.
Child seat security
The rear safety belts and the front passenger's
safety belt can be prevented from being pulled
out in order to fasten child-restraint systems.
ba8_E9091_cic.book Seite 49 Mittwoch, 29. Oktober 2008 2:59 14

Mobility
207Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Tire identification marks
Knowledge of the labeling on the side of the tire
makes it easier to identify and choose the right
tires.
Tire size
Speed code letter
Q = up to 100 mph or 160 km/h
T = up to 118 mph or 190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph or 210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph or 240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph or 270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph or 300 km/h
Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of
the US Department of Transportation.
DOT code:
Tire age
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in
the tire coding: DOT … 3208 means that the
tire was manufactured in week 32 of 2008.
BMW recommends that you replace all tires
after 6 years at most, even if some tires may last
for 10 years.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades
Tread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform to
Federal Safety Requir ements in addition
to these grades. <
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditio ns on a specified gov-
ernment test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half (1 γ) times as
well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, how-
ever, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteris-
tics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test sur-
faces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahe ad braking traction
tests, and does not in clude acceleration, cor-
nering, hydroplaning, or peak traction charac-
teristics. <
Temperature
The temperature grades ar e A, the highest, B,
and C, representing the ti re's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
e.g.
Nominal width in mm
Aspect ratio in Ξ
Radial belt construction
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating,
not on ZR tires
Speed code letter, in
front of the R on ZR tires225/45 R1791 V
e.g.
Manufacturer's code
for tire make
Tire size and
tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 3208
ba8_E9091_cic.book Seite 207 Mittwoch, 29. Oktober 2008 2:59 14

Care
218
Care
Care products
Regular cleaning and care contributes signifi-
cantly to the value retention of your BMW.
BMW recommends cleaning and caring for your
vehicle with products that are approved by
BMW for this purpose.
Your BMW center will be happy to advise you on
the products and services available for cleaning
and caring for your BMW.
Original BMW CareProducts have been
material tested, labo ratory checked and
proven in the field, and offer optimal care and
protection for your vehicle. <
Do not use cleaners that contain alcohol
or solvents as these may result in dam-
age.<
Cleaning agents can contain substances
that are dangerous or hazardous to your
health. Therefore, follow the warning and safety
instructions on the packaging. When cleaning
inside the vehicle, always open the doors or
windows of the vehicle. In enclosed areas, pro-
vide for sufficient ventilation. Only use products
designed for cleaning vehicles. <
Exterior care
Washing the vehicle
Especially during the winter months,
ensure that the vehicle is washed more
frequently. Heavy soiling and road salt can lead
to vehicle damage. <
After washing the vehicle, apply the
brakes briefly to dry them, otherwise
water can reduce braking efficiency over the
short term and the brake discs can corrode. <
Automatic car washes
Preference should be given to cloth car washes.
Before driving into a car wash, ensure that it is
suitable for your BMW. Check the following: >
Dimensions of your vehicle, refer to
page 239
> If necessary: fold in the exterior mirrors,
refer to page 47
> Maximum permissible tire width
Preparations before driv ing into an automatic
car wash:
> Unscrew the rod antenna
*.
> Deactivate the rain sensor
* to prevent unin-
tentional wiping.
> Sports Wagon: deactivate the rear window
wiper and protect it against damage. If nec-
essary, ask the operator of the car wash
about protective measures you should take.
> Remove additional attachments, e.g.
spoiler or telephone an tennas, if there is a
possibility that they could be damaged.
Automatic transmission
Before driving into an automatic car wash, per-
form the following steps to ensure that the vehi-
cle can roll:
1. Insert the remote cont rol, even with conve-
nient access, into the ignition lock.
2. Move the selector lever to position N.
3. Release the parking brake.
4. Switch off the engine.
5. Leave the remote control in the ignition lock
so that the vehicle can roll.
Steam jets / high -pressure washers
When using steam jets or high-pressure
washers, ensure that you maintain suffi-
cient clearance to the vehicle and do not exceed
a temperature of 140 7/60 6.
Insufficient clearance or excessive pressure or
temperature can lead to component damage or
water penetration. Follow the operating instruc-
tions of the high-pressure washer. <
When using high-pressure washers, do
not spray against the sensors and cam-
ba8_E9091_cic.book Seite 218 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
264
Vehicle
– battery
228
– breaking in 114
– cargo loading 117
– Identification Number, refer
to Engine compartment 212
– measurements, refer to Dimensions 239
– parking 54
– weight 241
Vehicle jack 228
Vehicle position, refer to Displaying current
position 139
Vehicle storage 221
Ventilation 97
– draft-free 97
– in the rear 97
Ventilation, refer to Climate 94
Ventilation while at a standstill 97
Vents, refer to Ventilation 97
Video menu 152
Video playback 152
Voice, refer to Destination
guidance through voice
instructions 134
Voice commands
– overview 22
– short commands 243
Voice instructions from
navigation system 134
– repeating 135
– switching on/off 134
– volume 135
Volume 142
– audio sources 142
– fuel tank, refer to Capacities 242
– mobile phone 171
– TV 142
– voice instructions 135
Volume balance, tone
setting 143
W
Warm
– steering wheel 48 Warning and indicator
lamps 13
Warning messages, refer to Check Control 75
Warning triangle 231
Washer fluid 59
– content of the reservoir 59
Washer fluid reservoir 59
Waste tray, refer to Ashtray 104
Water on roads, refer to
Driving through water 116
Water penetration 218,219
Waveband on the radio 145
Wear indicators in tires, refer to Minimum tread depth 208
Weather information 148
Weights 241
Welcome lamps 90
Wheel/tire combination, refer to Correct wheels and
tires 209
Wheelbase, refer to Dimensions 239
Wheels, new 209
Wheels and tires 195
Width, refer to Dimensions 239
Windows 36
– convenient operation 28
– opening, closing 36
– pinch protection system 36
– rear window 32
– safety switch 36
Windows, indicator on Control Display 16
Windshield
– cleaning 58
Windshield wash 58
– filling capacity, reservoir 242
– nozzles 59
– rear window 59
– reservoir for washer fluid 59
– washer fluid 59
Windshield wiper blades, changing 222
Windshield wipers, refer to Wiper system 58
Winter diesel 192 Winter tires
210
– setting speed limit 77
– storage 210
Wiper blade replacement 222
Wiper system 58
Word-matching principle for navigation 133
Wo

rk in the engine
compartment 211
Wrench/screwdriver, refer to Onboard tool kit 222
X
xDrive82
Xenon lamps
– replacing bulbs 223
Y
Your individual vehicle
– settings, refer to Personal
Profile 26
ba8_E9091_cic.book Seite 264 Mittwoch, 29. Oktober 2008 2:59 14