2010 BMW M3 engine

Giving and receiving assistance
158 the vehicle by the tow fitting. 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 page46; 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 and 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
page49.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 vehicle; 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 lateral 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.
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 parts of the vehicle could
result in damage.<

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
159
With a tow truck: vehicle without xDrive
Have the BMW transported with a tow truck
with a so-called lift bar, or on a flatbed.
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 and 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
page156. 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 ignition, refer to page46.
3.Shift into 3rd gear.
4.Have the vehicle tow-started 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, page71.<

Indicator and warning lamps
160
Indicator and warning lamps
Indicator and warning lamps can light up in a
variety of combinations and colors. See the
table for information on causes and how to
react. Note whether a lamp comes on alone or in
combination with another. Some lamps can
light up in different colors. Corresponding dis-
tinctions are made in the text.
12Cause What to do
Turn signals
High beams/headlamp flasher
switched on
Fog lamps switched on
Fasten safety belts Fasten your safety belt, refer also to
page39.
Indication in US models
Parking brake applied Release the parking brake.
Indication in Canadian models
Parking brake applied Release the parking brake.
Outside temperature warning Drive cautiously, refer also to page61.
Lights up briefly:
Gasoline engine: approx. 2.1 US gal-
lons/8 liters of fuel remain in the tank
Diesel engine: approx. 1.7 US gallons/
6.5 liters of fuel remain in the tank
Remains on:
Remaining operating range is no more
than 30 miles/50 km, refer to page62
Engine refuses to start Depress the brake or clutch in order to
start the engine, refer to page47.
Ignition switched on and driver's door
openSwitch off the ignition, refer to page46,
or close the driver's door.
Parking lamps still on Switch off the parking lamps, refer to
page79.

Reference
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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

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
163
Lights up in red:
Engine overheating Carefully bring the car to a stop, switch
off the engine and allow it to cool down.
Do not open the hood; otherwise, there
is a risk of injury from scalding. Contact
your BMW center.
Lights up in yellow:
Engine too hot Continue driving at more moderate
speed so that the engine can cool
down. Have the engine checked with-
out delay if the situation reoccurs.
Lights up in red:
Battery is no longer being charged.
Alternator malfunctionSwitch off all unnecessary electrical
consumers. Have the power supply
system checked without delay.
Lights up in yellow:
Battery charge level very low, battery
aged or not securely connectedHave the battery checked as soon as
possible.
Indication in US models
Parking brake applied
Indication in Canadian models
Parking brake applied
Indication in US models
Lights up in red:
Brake fluid level too low Reduced braking effect, stop the car
carefully. Contact your BMW center.
Lights up in yellow:
Drive-off assistant has failed. The car
will not be held in place after the brake
is releasedHave the system checked as soon as
possible.
Indication in Canadian models
Lights up in red:
Brake fluid level too low Reduced braking effect, stop the car
carefully. Contact your BMW center.
Lights up in yellow:
Drive-off assistant has failed. The car
will not be held in place after the brake
is releasedHave the system checked as soon as
possible.
12Cause What to do

Indicator and warning lamps
164Indication in US models
Brake pads worn Have the condition of the brake pads
checked without delay.
Indication in Canadian models
Brake pads worn Have the condition of the brake pads
checked without delay.
Lights up in red: Have the system in question checked
without delay.
>Starter failed or The engine cannot be restarted.
>Ignition malfunctioning. Engine
restart only possible when brake is
depressed or
>Lighting system failed. Low beams/
tail lamps and brake lamps still
operational. All other lamps failedDepress the brake to restart the engine.
Lights up in yellow:
>Control of the brake lamps failed or
>fuel supply malfunctioning You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the system in question
checked without delay.
Flashing:
Dynamic Stability Control DSC or
Dynamic Traction Control DTC is con-
trolling drive and braking forces, refer
also to page71
Dynamic Traction Control DTC acti-
vated, refer also to page71
Dynamic Stability Control DSC and
Dynamic Traction Control DTC deacti-
vated, refer also to page71Driving stability limited during accelera-
tion and cornering.
Driving style must be readjusted.
Suspension control system failed, refer
also to page70Driving stability limited during accelera-
tion and cornering.
You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the system checked as
soon as possible.
xDrive has failed, refer also to page72You can continue your journey. Drive
cautiously and think well ahead. Avoid
driving on rough tracks, full-throttle
operation and use of the transmission's
kickdown mode. Have the system
checked immediately.
12Cause What to do

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
167
Vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitor*
Light up in yellow:
Tire Pressure Monitor not initialized Check the inflation pressure and reset
the system, refer to page74
The small lamp flashes in yellow and
then lights up continuously; the larger
lamp comes on in yellow:
>Tire Pressure Monitor has failed.
Punctures are not indicatedHave the system checked.
>A wheel without TPM electronics
has been mountedHave the system checked.
>Interference from systems or
devices that use the same radio fre-
quency. The system automatically
reactivates once it is outside of the
field of interference
Lights up in red:
>Transmission limp-home program
active with restricted range of
gears, possibly with reduced accel-
eration.You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the system checked
without delay.
Gears can be engaged without
depressing the brakeAlways depress the brake to engage a
gear.
Lights up in yellow:
>Automatic selector lever locked:
Selector lever locked in position P
with engine running or ignition
switched on and brake depressedOverriding selector lever lock, refer to
page50.
>Brake signal malfunctioning: gear
can be engaged without depress-
ing the brakeTo engage a gear while the vehicle is at
a standstill, always step on the brake.
Before leaving the vehicle, engage P
and switch off the engine.
12Cause What to do