2010 BMW M3 steering

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
161
Roadside parking lamps still on Switch off the roadside parking lamps,
refer to page81.
Preheat, refer to page47
Door open
Engine compartment lid open
Trunk lid/tailgate or rear window open
Gas cap is open Make sure that the gas cap is correctly
positioned and close it until it audibly
clicks. Do not jam the strap between the
gas cap and the vehicle.
Windshield washer fluid level too low Add washer fluid as soon as possible,
refer to page52.
Lights up in red:
Service due Arrange a service appointment.
Check service requirements, refer to
page65.
Lights up in yellow:
The engine will start the next time the
start/stop button is touched, possibly
without the brake or clutch being
depressed
Remote control malfunctioning or, in
cars with Comfort Access, not
detectedThe engine cannot be started. Have the
remote control checked, if necessary.
Battery in remote control discharged Use the remote control for a longer jour-
ney or, in cars with Comfort Access,
replace the battery.
Belt tensioners and/or airbag system
failedHave the system checked immediately.
Active steering defective You can continue your journey.
Steering characteristics are modified
and steering wheel could be off-center.
Steer carefully.
Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
12Cause What to do

Indicator and warning lamps
162Steering assistance failed Markedly different steering response.
You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution.
Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
Lights up:
Emergency Request system has failed
or is malfunctioningHave the system checked as soon as
possible.
Lights up in red:
Engine malfunction Stop the car and switch off the engine.
You cannot continue your journey. Con-
tact your BMW center.
Lights up in yellow:
Full engine power is no longer available You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the engine checked as
soon as possible.
Indication in US models:
Warning lamp flashes:
Engine malfunction under high load.
High engine load will result in damage
to the catalytic converterYou can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the vehicle checked with-
out delay.
Warning lamp comes on:
Engine malfunction with adverse effect
on emissionsHave the car checked as soon as possi-
ble.
Indication in Canadian models:
Warning lamp flashes:
Engine malfunction under high load.
High engine load will result in damage
to the catalytic converterYou can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the vehicle checked with-
out delay.
Warning lamp comes on:
Engine malfunction with adverse effect
on emissionsHave the car checked as soon as possi-
ble.
12Cause What to do

Everything from A to Z
180
Everything from A to Z
Index
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System70
ACC, refer to Active cruise
control55
Accident, refer to Sending an
Emergency Request155
Activated-charcoal filter for
automatic climate control90
Active cruise control55
– indicator lamps57
– malfunction58
– selecting distance56
– sensor58
Active steering76
Adaptive brake light
– Brake Force Display76
Adaptive light control81
Additives
– coolant139
Adjusting temperature inside
the car, refer to Air
conditioner85
Adjusting temperature inside
the car, refer to Automatic
climate control87
Adjusting the thigh support34
Airbags77
– indicator/warning lamp78
– sitting safely33
Air conditioner84
Air conditioning mode
– air conditioner85
– automatic climate control87
– ventilation86,89
Air distribution
– automatic88
– individual85
– manual85
Airing, refer to
Ventilation86,89Air outlets, refer to Air
vents84
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure119
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode85,88
Air supply
– air conditioner85
– automatic climate control87
– ventilation86,89
Air vents84
Air volume85,88
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications115
Alarm system
25
– avoiding unintentional
alarms26
– interior motion sensor26
– switching off an alarm26
– tilt alarm sensor26
ALL program88
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires135
All-wheel drive, refer to
xDrive71
Ambient air, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode85,88
Antifreeze
– coolant139
– washer fluid52
Antilock Brake System
ABS70
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system25
Anti-theft system19
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights177
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights177
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest95Ashtray96
Assistance systems, refer to
Driving stability control
systems70
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control88
Audio device, external95
Automatic
– air distribution88
– air volume88
– cruise control53,55
– headlamp control79
Automatic car washes143
Automatic climate control84
– automatic air distribution88
Automatic curb monitor40
Automatic high beams and
low beams, refer to High-
beam assistant81
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC88
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic48
– interlock48,49
– overriding selector lever
lock50
– shiftlock, refer to Changing
selector lever position49
– sport program49
– towing157
– tow-starting157
AUTO program for automatic
climate control88
AUX-IN
– port95
Average fuel consumption63
– setting the units64
Average speed63
Avoiding unintentional
alarms26
Axle loads, refer to
Weights177

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
181
B
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support35
Backrests, refer to Seat
adjustment34
Backrest width adjustment35
Back seats
– refer to Rear seats36
Backup lamps
– replacing bulb151,152
Band-aids, refer to First aid
pouch155
Bar, refer to Towing
methods158
Base plate for telephone or
mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter in
the center armrest storage
compartment95
Battery153
– charging153
– disposal28,153
– jump-starting156
– remote control18
– replacing153
– temporary power failure153
Battery renewal
– remote control28
– remote control for vehicle28
Being towed158
Belts, refer to Safety belts38
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts38
Beverage holders, refer to
Cupholders95
Blower, refer to Air
volume85,88
Bluetooth, refer to separate
Owner's Manual
BMW
– car shampoo145
BMW Advanced Diesel116
BMW Homepage4
BMW Maintenance
System141
BMW webpage4
Bottle holders, refer to
Cupholders95Brake Assist, refer to Dynamic
Brake Control DBC70
Brake fluid, refer to Service
requirements65
Brake Force Display76
Brake lamps
– Brake Force Display76
– replacing bulb151,152
Brake pads106
– breaking in106
Brake rotors108
– brakes
106
– breaking in106
Brakes
– ABS70
– BMW Maintenance
System141
– Brake Force Display76
– breaking in106
– parking brake48
– service requirements65
Brakes, refer to Braking
safely108
Brake system106
– BMW Maintenance
System141
– breaking in106
– disc brakes108
Breakdown services, refer to
Roadside Assistance155
Breaking in the clutch106
Breaking in the differential,
refer to Engine and
differential106
Break-in period106
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps
and bulbs147
Button for starting the engine,
refer to Start/stop button46
Buttons on the steering
wheel11
C
California Proposition 65
warning5
Can holders, refer to
Cupholders95
Capacities178Capacity of the cargo area177
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery153
Car care, refer to Care143
Care143
– automatic car washes143
– care products143
– carpets145
– CD/DVD drives146
– chrome parts144
– displays145
– exterior143
– fine wood parts145
– headlamps144
– high-pressure washer143
– interior145
– leather145
– light-alloy wheels144
– paintwork144
– plastic parts145
– rubber seals144
– safety belts145
– sensors and cameras145
– upholstery and cloth
trim145
– washing the car
manually144
– windows144
Cargo, securing110
Cargo area98
– capacity177
– Comfort Access27
– folding up the floor
panel101
– lamp, refer to Interior
lamps83
– opening from inside23
– opening from outside23
– partition net99
– roller cover98
Cargo area lid, refer to Trunk
lid/tailgate23
Cargo area net, refer to
Partition net99
Cargo loading109
– securing cargo110
– stowing cargo109
– vehicle109

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
183
Defect
– door lock22
– fuel filler flap114
– glass roof30
– panorama glass roof32
Defogging windows86
Defrost, windows86
Defrosting windows and
removing condensation
– air conditioner86
Defrosting windshield, refer to
Defrosting windows86
Defrost position, refer to
Defrosting windows86
Diesel exhaust fluid117
Diesel fuel115
Diesel particulate filter107
Digital clock61
Digital compass93
Dimensions175
Dipstick, engine oil137
Directional indicators, refer to
Turn signals50
Displacement, refer to Engine
data174
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting82
Displays, refer to Instrument
cluster12
Displays and controls10
Disposal
– coolant139
– remote control battery28
– vehicle battery153
Distance control, refer to
Active cruise control55
Distance remaining to service,
refer to Service
requirements65
Distance warning, refer to
Park Distance Control
PDC69
Door key, refer to Remote
control with integrated
key18
Door lock21
Doors, emergency
operation22
DOT Quality Grades132Draft-free ventilation86,89
Drinks holders, refer to
Cupholders95
Drive-off assistance, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC70
Drive-off assistant72
Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams79
Driving notes106
Driving off on hills, refer to
Drive-off assistant72
Driving stability control
systems70
Driving through water
108
Driving tips, refer to Driving
notes106
Dry air, refer to Cooling
function89
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control70
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control70
– indicator/warning lamp70
Dynamic Brake Control
DBC70
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC70
– indicator/warning lamp70
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC
– indicator/warning lamp71
E
EBV Electronic brake-force
distribution70
Electrical malfunction
– door lock22
– driver's door22
– fuel filler flap114
– glass roof30
– panorama glass roof32
– trunk lid24
Electric seat adjustment34
Electric steering wheel lock
– with Comfort Access27
Electronic brake-force
distribution EBV70Electronic oil level check138
Electronic Stability Program
ESP, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC70
Emergency actuation,
automatic transmission,
refer to Overriding selector
lever lock50
Emergency operation
– fuel filler flap, manual
release114
Emergency operation, refer to
Closing manually
– glass roof30
– panorama glass roof32
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– door lock22
Emergency release
– trunk lid from inside24
Emergency Request155
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance155
Energy, saving
– saving fuel106
Energy-conscious driving,
refer to Energy Control62
Energy Control62
Engine
– breaking in106
– data174
– overheated, refer to Coolant
temperature62
– speed174
– starting47
– starting, Comfort Access26
– switching off47
Engine compartment137
Engine coolant, refer to
Coolant139

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
185
Glass roof, electric29
– closing after electrical
malfunction30
– Convenient operation20,22
– initializing30
– opening, closing29
– pinch protection system30
– power failure30
– raising29
– remote control20
Glove compartment94
Grills, refer to Air vents84
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights177
H
Halogen lamps
– replacing bulbs149
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake48
Hands-free system14
Hazard warning flashers14
HDC Hill Descent Control71
Head airbags77
Headlamp control,
automatic79
Headlamp cover149
Headlamp flasher50
– indicator lamp11,14,160
Headlamps
– replacing bulbs149
Head restraints35
– rear, removing36
– sitting safely33
Heated
– mirrors40
– rear window86,89
– seats37
– steering wheel41
Heating84
– mirrors40
– rear window86,89
– seats37
– steering wheel41
Heating and ventilation, refer
to Climate84
Heavy loads, refer to Stowing
cargo109Height, refer to
Dimensions175
Height adjustment
– seats34
– steering wheel40
High-beam assistant81
High beams81
– headlamp flasher81
– indicator lamp160
– replacing bulbs149
High beams and low beams,
automatic, refer to High-
beam assistant81
High-pressure
washer143,144
High water, refer to Driving
through water108
Hill Descent Control HDC71
Hills108
Holders for cups95
Homepage BMW4
Hood136
Hooks for shopping bags100
Horn10,11
Hotel function, refer to
Locking or unlocking
separately24
Hot exhaust system107
Hydraulic brake assist, refer to
Dynamic Brake Control
DBC70
Hydroplaning108
I
Ice warning, refer to Outside
temperature
warning61
Identification marks
– run-flat tires134
– tire coding132
Ignition46
– switched off47
– switched on46
Ignition key, refer to Remote
control with integrated
key18
Ignition key position 1, refer to
Radio readiness46Ignition key position 2, refer to
Ignition on46
Ignition lock46
Imprint2
Indicator and warning
lamps13
– Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM74
Indicator and warning lamps,
overview160
Individual air distribution85
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure119
Inflation pressure monitoring,
refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor TPM73
Initializing
– after power failure153
– compass, refer to
Calibrating93
– Flat Tire Monitor FTM72
– glass roof30
– panorama glass roof32
Installation location
– telephone95
Instrument cluster12
Instrument lighting82
Instrument panel, refer to
Cockpit10
Integrated key18
Integrated universal remote
control91
Interior lamps83
– remote control20
Interior motion sensor26
Interior rearview mirror40
– automatic dimming
feature40
– compass93
Interlock, refer to Disengaging
the remote control48
Intermittent mode of the
wipers51
J
Jacking points153
Jumpering, refer to Jump-
starting156

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
187
Mobile phone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest95
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Mobile phone, installation
location, refer to Center
armrest95
Mobile phone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Modifications, technical, refer
to For your own safety5
Monitoring system for tire
pressures, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor72
Multifunctional steering
wheel, refer to Buttons on
the steering wheel11
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signals/
headlamp flasher50
– refer to Wiper system51
N
Neck support, refer to Head
restraints35
Nets, refer to Storage
compartments95
New tires134
Number of cylinders, refer to
Engine data174
Nylon rope, refer to Tow
rope158
O
OBD socket, refer to Socket
for Onboard Diagnosis142
Octane ratings, refer to Fuel
specifications115
Odometer61
Oil, refer to Engine oil137
Oil consumption137
Oil level137
Old batteries, refer to
Disposal153
Onboard vehicle tool kit147Opening and closing
– Comfort Access26
– from inside22
– from outside19
– using the door lock21
– via the remote control19
Outlets
– refer to Ventilation86,89
Outlets, refer to Air vents84
Output, refer to Engine
data174
Outside-air mode
– automatic climate control88
Outside temperature
display61
– changing units of
measure64
– in computer64
Outside temperature
warning61
Overheated engine, refer to
Coolant temperature62
Overriding selector lever
lock50
P
Paintwork care144
Panorama glass roof30
– closing after electrical
malfunction32
– comfort position31
– Convenient operation20
– initializing32
– opening, closing31
– pinch protection system31
– power failure32
– raising31
– remote control20
Park assistant, refer to Park
Distance Control69
Park Distance Control PDC69
Parking
– vehicle47
Parking aid, refer to Park
Distance Control PDC69
Parking brake48
– indicator lamp48Parking lamps79
– replacing bulbs148,150
Parking lamps/low beams79
Particulate filter, refer to
Diesel particulate filter107
Partition net99
Passenger side mirror tilt
function40
Pathway lighting79
Personal Profile18
Pinch protection system
– glass roof, electric30
– panorama glass roof31
– windows29
Placing a call, refer to
telephone owner's manual
Polish145
Pollen
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic
climate control90
– refer to Microfilter for air
conditioner86
Power failure153
Power windows28
– safety switch29
Power windows, refer to
Windows28
Preheating, refer to Diesel
engine47
Pressure, tires119
Pressure monitoring, tires72
– Flat Tire Monitor72
Pressure monitoring of tires,
refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor TPM73
Programmable buttons on the
steering wheel11
Protection function, refer to
Pinch protection system
– glass roof, electric30
– panorama glass roof31
– windows29
Providing medical assistance,
refer to First aid pouch155
Puncture
– Flat Tire Monitor72

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
189
Seats34
– adjusting electrically34
– adjusting the seats34
– heating37
– memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory37
– saving a setting, refer to Seat
and mirror memory37
– sitting safely33
Securing cargo101
Securing the vehicle
– from inside22
– from outside19
Selecting distance for active
cruise control56
Selector lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic49
Selector lever lock, refer to
Changing selector lever
positions, shiftlock49
Selector lever positions
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic49
Service, refer to Roadside
Assistance155
Service car, refer to Roadside
Assistance155
Service data in the remote
control141
Service Interval Display, refer
to Condition Based Service
CBS141
Service requirement display,
refer to Condition Based
Service CBS141
Service requirements65
Settings
– clock, 12h/24h format64
Settings and information64
Shifting gears
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic49
– manual transmission48
Shiftlock
– automatic transmission,
refer to Changing selector
lever positions49
Side airbags77Side window blind, refer to
Roller sun blinds94
Side windows, refer to
Windows28
Signal horn, refer to
Horn10,11
Sitting safely33
– with airbags33
– with head restraint33
– with safety belts33
Ski bag101
Sliding/tilt sunroof
– refer to Panorama glass
roof30
Sliding/tilt sunroof, refer to
Glass roof, electric29
Slot for remote control46
Smokers' package, refer to
Ashtray96
Snap-in adapter, refer to
Center armrest storage
compartment95
Socket, Onboard Diagnosis
OBD142
Socket, refer to Connecting
electrical appliances96
Soot particulate filter, refer to
Diesel particulate filter107
SOS, refer to Sending an
Emergency Request155
Spare fuses154
Speed
– run-flat tires73
– with winter tires135
Speedometer12
Split rear seat backrest, refer
to Expanding the cargo
area99
Spray nozzles, refer to
Cleaning windshield and
headlamps52
Stability control, refer to
Driving stability control
systems70
Start/stop button46
– starting the engine47
– switching off the engine47
Starting, refer to Starting the
engine47Starting assistance, refer to
Jump-starting156
Starting difficulties
– jump-starting156
Starting the engine
– start/stop button46
Status of this Owner's Manual
at time of printing5
Steam jet143,144
Steering wheel40
– adjustment40
– buttons on steering
wheel11
– heating41
– lock46
– locking with Comfort
Access27
Steering with variable ratio,
refer to Active steering76
Steptronic, refer to Automatic
transmission with
Steptronic48
Storage146
Storage compartments95
Storage nets100
Storing seat positions, refer to
Seat and mirror memory37
Storing tires135
Stowage, refer to Storage
compartments95
Summer tires, refer to Wheels
and tires119
Sun blinds94
Surface ice, refer to Outside
temperature warning61
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switching off
– engine47
Switching off the engine
– start/stop button46
Switching the cooling function
on and off89
Symbols4
T
Tachometer61