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3."Engine oil level"
Possible messages
>"Engine oil level OK"
>"Measurement not possible at this time."
>"Measuring engine oil level...":
This can take about 1 minute if the car is at a 
standstill on a level surface, 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.
>"Engine oil level below minimum. Add 1 
quart!"
Add engine oil at the next opportunity, but 
no more than 1 US quart/1 liter, refer also to 
Adding engine oil on page205. 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 this 
checked."
Have the vehicle checked immedi-
ately, otherwise the excess oil may 
lead to engine damage.<
>"Measurement inactive. Have this 
checked."
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 y our B MW  c ente r o r a t 
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-
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.
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Maintenance
BMW Maintenance System
The BMW Maintenance System supports the 
preservation of the traffic and operating safety 
of your BMW. The objective is to optimize 
efforts with respect to minimal vehicle mainte-
nance costs.
If and when you come to sell your BMW, a com-
prehensive record of servicing will prove a sig-
nificant benefit.
Condition Based Service CBS
Sensors and special algorithms take the differ-
ent driving conditions of your BMW into 
account. Condition Based Service uses this to 
determine the current and future service 
requirements. By letting you define a service 
and maintenance regimen that reflects your 
own individual requirements, the system builds 
the basis for trouble-free driving.
On the Control Display, you can have the 
remaining times or distances for selected main-
tenance tasks and any legally prescribed dates 
displayed, refer to page72:
>Engine oil
>Brake pads: separately for front and rear
>Brake fluid
>Vehicle check
>Legally mandated inspections depending 
on local regulations
Service data in the remote control
Your vehicle continuously stores service-
requirement information in the remote control 
while you are driving. Your BMW Service Advi-
sor can read out this data from the remote con-
trol unit, and propose an optimized mainte-
nance approach. Whenever you take your car in 
for servicing you should therefore hand your 
BMW Service Advisor the remote control unit 
that you last used.
Make sure that the date is always set cor-
rectly, refer to page75; otherwise the 
effectiveness of Condition Based Service CBS 
is not assured.<
Service and Warranty Information 
Booklet for US models and Warranty 
and Service Guide Booklet for 
Canadian models
Please consult your Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US models and Warranty 
and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models 
for additional information on service require-
ments.
BMW recommends that you have service 
and repair operations performed at your 
BMW center. 
Take the time to ensure that these service pro-
cedures are confirmed by entries in your vehi-
cle's Service and Warranty Information Booklet 
for US models and Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian models. These entries 
verify that your vehicle has received the speci-
fied regular maintenance.<
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Replacing components
Onboard tool kit
Coupe
The onboard tool kit is stored in a compartment 
on the right-hand side of the cargo bay. 
Remove the cover.
Convertible
The onboard tool kit is stored in a pouch under 
the cargo bay floor panel.
Wiper blades
1.Fold up the wiper arm.
2.Remove the cover. To do so, press the hook 
on the bottom, see arrow.3.Fold the wiper blade upwards.
4.Remove the wiper blade in the direction of 
the windshield, see arrow.
To avoid damage, make sure that the 
wiper arms are against the windshield 
before you open the engine compartment.<
Lamps and bulbs
Lamps and bulbs make an essential contribu-
tion to vehicle safety. They should, therefore, 
be handled carefully. BMW recommends hav-
ing your BMW center perform any work that you 
do not feel competent to perform yourself or 
that is not described here.
Never touch the glass of new bulbs with 
your bare fingers, as even minute 
amounts of contamination will burn into the 
bulb's surface and reduce its service life. Use a 
clean tissue, cloth or something similar, or hold 
the bulb by its base.<
You can obtain a selection of replacement bulbs 
at your BMW center.
Only change bulbs while they are cool to 
the touch, otherwise you could suffer 
burns.<
When working on electrical systems, 
always begin by switching off the con-
sumer in question, otherwise short-circuits 
could result. To avoid possible injury or equip-
ment damage when replacing bulbs, observe 
any instructions provided by the bulb manufac-
turer.<
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Convertible
1.Take the warning triangle out of its holder, 
refer to page222. Unscrew the holder using 
the screwdriver from the onboard tool kit.
2.Pry out the plastic plugs in the trim of the 
luggage compartment lid using a screw-
driver and remove the trim.
3.Release the bulb holder, see arrow, and 
remove.
4.Apply gentle pressure to the bulb while 
turning it to the left for removal and replace-
ment.
5.Attach the bulb holder.
6.Reattach the trim of the luggage compart-
ment lid and the holder for the warning tri-
angle.
License plate lamp, center brake lamp, 
parking/tail lamp and side turn signal 
indicators
These lamps use LED technology for operation. 
In the event of a malfunction, please contact 
your BMW center or a workshop that works 
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel.
Repairing a flat tire with the 
M Mobility System
To repair a flat tire, your BMW M3 includes an 
M Mobility System. With this system you can 
apply a sealant to the inside of the tire to seal 
the damaged section, restore the tire inflation 
pressure and continue on your trip.
Safety measures in the event of a flat tire:
Park the vehicle as far away from moving traffic as possible and on a firm surface. Switch 
on the hazard warning flashers.
 Apply the parking brake and engage first gear 
or reverse. Have all occupants leave the vehicle 
and move beyond the danger zone, e. g. behind 
the guard rails. 
If necessary, erect a warning triangle
* or warn-
ing flasher
* at a suitable distance. Adhere to 
country-specific regulations.<
Preparations
The M Mobility System is located in the cargo 
bay under the floor board.
If possible, leave any foreign bodies that have 
penetrated the tire in place.
Instructions on how to use the M Mobility 
System can also be found on the device 
itself.<
Before using the M Mobility System, fol-
low the instructions on the sealant bot-
tle.<
Remove the label with the speed restriction 
from the sealant bottle and apply it to the steer-
ing wheel.
Please note the expiry date on the sealant 
bottle.<
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Do not exceed a speed of 35 mph/
60 km/h. If possible, do not fall below a 
speed of 12 mph/20 km/h.<
Producing the tire inflation pressure
1.After driving approx. 2 miles/3 km, stop at a 
suitable location.
2.Connect connection hose9 of the com-
pressor directly to the tire valve.
3.Insert connector 3 into the cigarette lighter 
socket/power socket in the interior of the 
vehicle.
4.Adjust the tire inflation pressure to 29 psi/
200 kPa. With the ignition switched on, pro-
ceed as follows:
>To increase the inflation pressure: 
Switch on the compressor, position I. To 
check the current inflation pressure set-
ting, briefly switch off the compressor.
Do not let the compressor run for 
more than 10 minutes, otherwise the 
device will overheat and may be dam-
aged.<
>To reduce the inflation pressure: turn 
screw 8 on the pressure gauge.
If the inflation pressure is not maintained, 
drive the vehicle a second time, refer to 
Distributing the sealant. Then repeat steps 1 to 
4.
Use of the M Mobility System may be ineffec-
tual for tire damage larger than approx. 0.16 in/
4 mm. Please contact the nearest BMW center, 
refer to page221, or a workshop that works 
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel if the tire can-
not be made roadworthy with the M Mobility 
System.<
The tire inflation pressure must be at least 
29 psi/200 kPa. If it is not, do not continue 
driving.<
Continuing your trip
Do not exceed the maximum allowable 
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h to avoid the risk 
of an accident.
Have the faulty tire and the sealant bottle of the 
M Mobility System replaced as soon as possi-
ble.<
Changing wheels
The tools for changing wheels are avail-
able as optional accessories from your 
BMW center.<
Jack mounting points
The jacking points are at the positions shown in 
the illustration.
Vehicle battery
Battery care
The battery is 100 % maintenance-free, the 
electrolyte will last for the life of the battery 
when the vehicle is operated in a temperate cli-
mate. Your BMW center will be glad to advise in 
all matters concerning the battery.
Charging the battery
Only charge the battery in the vehicle via the 
terminals in the engine compartment with the 
engine off. Connections, refer to Jump starting 
on page222.
Disposal
Have old batteries disposed of by your 
BMW center or hand them in to a recy-
cling center. Maintain the battery in an upright 
position for transport and storage. Always 
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Replacing components
220 secure the battery against tipping over during 
transport.<
Power failure
After a temporary power loss, the functioning of 
some equipment may be limited and require 
reinitialization. Individual settings may likewise 
have been lost and will have to be programmed:
>Time and date 
These values must be updated, refer to 
page74.
>Radio 
In some cases, stations may have to be 
stored again, refer to page149.
>Navigation system 
Operability must be waited for, refer to 
page126.
>Glass roof
It may happen that the roof can only be 
raised. The system must be initialized. 
Please contact your BMW center.
>Seat and mirror memory
The positions must be stored again, refer to 
page46.
>Inside rearview mirror with digital compass
The system must be calibrated, refer to 
page103.
Fuses
Never attempt to repair a blown fuse and 
do not replace a defective fuse with a sub-
stitute of another color or amperage rating, oth-
erwise this could lead to a circuit overload, ulti-
mately resulting in a fire in the vehicle.
Spare fuses and a pair of plastic forceps are set 
in holders on the distributor box.
See the rear of the cover for information on fuse 
assignment.
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 221Reference
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Giving and receiving assistance
Emergency Request*
Conditions for an Emergency Request:
>Equipment version with Full preparation 
package mobile phone. This equipment 
makes it possible to send an Emergency 
Request even if no mobile phone is paired 
with the vehicle.
>BMW Assist is activated. Activating 
BMW Assist, refer to page186.
>Radio readiness is on.
>The BMW Assist system is logged on to a 
wireless network.
>The Emergency Request system is opera-
ble.
Once your service contract for BMW Assist 
expires, the BMW Assist system can be deacti-
vated by a BMW center without you having to 
visit a workshop. Once the BMW Assist system 
has been deactivated, Emergency Requests 
are not possible. The BMW Assist system can 
be reactivated by a BMW center after a new 
contract has been signed.
Sending an Emergency Request
1.Briefly press the cover flap to open.
2.Press the SOS button until the LED in the 
button lights up.
As soon as the voice connection to the BMW 
Assist Response Center has been established, 
the LED flashes.
Once the BMW Assist Response Center has 
received your Emergency Request, the BMW Assist Response Center contacts you 
and takes further steps to help you. Even if you 
are unable to respond, the BMW Assist 
Response Center will be able to initiate further 
steps to assist you under certain conditions.
If the circumstances allow this, remain in the 
vehicle until the connection has been estab-
lished. You will then be able to provide a 
detailed description of the situation.
Data for determining the necessary rescue 
measures are transmitted to the BMW Assist 
Response Center, e.g. the current position of 
your vehicle, if it can be determined.
If the LED is flashing but the BMW Assist 
Response Center cannot be heard over the 
hands-free system, it is possible that the 
hands-free system is malfunctioning. You may 
still be heard by the BMW Assist Response 
Center, however.
Under certain conditions, an Emergency 
Request is sent automatically immediately after 
a severe accident. This Automatic Collision 
Notification is not affected by the button being 
pressed.
For technical reasons, the Emergency 
Request service cannot be guaranteed 
for the most unfavorable conditions.<
Roadside Assistance
The BMW Roadside Assistance is there to 
assist you around the clock in the event of a 
breakdown, including on weekends and public 
holidays.
The phone numbers of the Roadside Assis-
tance in your home country can be found in the 
Contact brochure.
In vehicles equipped with BMW Assist, you can 
establish contact with BMW Roadside Assis-
tance for breakdown assistance directly via 
iDrive, refer to page185.
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Reference 231
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Mobility
Weights
Coupe
Convertible
Capacities
M3
Approved gross weight lbs/kg 4,586/2,080
Load lbs/kg 882/400
Approved front axle load  lbs/kg 2,249/1,020
Approved rear axle load lbs/kg 2,469/1,120
Approved roof load capacity  lbs/kg 165/75
Cargo bay capacity cu ft/liters 15.2/430
M3
Approved gross weight lbs/kg 5,027/2,280
Load lbs/kg 882/400
Approved front axle load  lbs/kg 2,337/1,060
Approved rear axle load lbs/kg 2,800/1,270
Cargo bay capacity cu ft/liters 7.4-12.4/210-350
Notes
Fuel tank US gal/liters approx. 16.6/63 Fuel grade: page195
including reserve of US gal/liters approx. 3.3/12.5
Window washer systemFor more details: page66
including headlamp washers US qt/liters approx. 4.8/4.5
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