2010 BMW M3 brake fluid

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
53
Washer fluid filler neck
Only refill washer fluid when the engine is
cool to avoid contact with hot engine
parts. Otherwise, fluid spills constitute a fire
hazard and a risk to personal safety.<
All washer nozzles are supplied with washer
fluid by the same reservoir.
Fill with water and, if required, with a washer
antifreeze, according to manufacturer's recom-
mendations.
Mix the water and antifreeze before filling
the washer fluid reservoir to make sure
the correct concentration is maintained.<
Capacity
Approx. 6.3 US quarts/6 liters.
Cruise control*
The concept
Cruise control is available for use at speeds of
approx. 20 mph or 30 km/h. The car then stores
and maintains the speed that you specify using
the lever on the steering column. In order to
maintain the specified speed, the system
brakes the vehicle when the engine braking
effect is insufficient on downhill gradients.
Do not use cruise control when driving at
constant speed is prevented by adverse
conditions, e.g. winding roads, dense traffic or
poor road conditions due to, e.g., snow, rain, ice
or loose surfaces. Otherwise, you could lose
control of the vehicle and cause an accident as a
result.<
Manual transmission
You can shift gears while cruise control is acti-
vated. The system is deactivated when you
drive at very low engine speeds for an extended
period.
One lever for all functions
1Storing and maintaining speed or accelerat-
ing
2Storing and maintaining speed or deceler-
ating
3Deactivating cruise control
4Resuming a speed stored beforehand
Maintaining current speed
Tap the lever, arrow 1, or pull it briefly, arrow 2.
The car's current speed is stored and main-
tained. It is displayed on the speedometer and
briefly in the instrument cluster.
On uphill gradients, it may prove impossible to
maintain the set speed if current engine power
output is insufficient. If the engine braking
effect is insufficient on downhill slopes, the sys-
tem will brake the vehicle slightly.
Increasing desired speed
Repeatedly press the lever to the resistance
point or beyond, arrow1, until the desired
speed is reached.
>Each time the lever is pressed to the resis-
tance point, the desired speed is increased
by approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
>Each time the lever is pressed beyond the
resistance point, the desired speed is
increased by up to 5 mph or 10 km/h.
The system stores and maintains the speed.

Controls overview
66 The extent of service work required can
be read out from the remote control by
your BMW Service Advisor.<
For certain maintenance operations, you can
view the respective distance remaining or due
date individually in the instrument cluster.
1.Switch on the ignition, refer to page46.
2.Push button 1 in the turn indicator lever up
or down repeatedly until the appropriate
symbol appears in the display, accompa-
nied by the words "SERVICE-INFO".
3.Press button 2.
4.Use button 1 to scroll through the individual
service items.
Possible displays
1Button for selecting functions
2Service requirements
3Engine oil
4Roadworthiness test
*
5Front brake pads
6Rear brake pads7Brake fluid
The sequence of displayed service items may
vary. The data for the next service appointment
is shown first.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
141
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.
In the instrument cluster, you can have the
remaining times or distances for selected main-
tenance tasks and any legally prescribed dates
displayed, refer to page65:
>Engine oil
>Brake pads: separately for front and rear
>Brake fluid
>Vehicle check
>Legally mandated inspections depending
on local regulations
>Diesel particulate filter
*
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 in the instrument
cluster is always set correctly, refer to
page67; otherwise, the effectiveness of Condi-
tion 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.<

Care
144 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-
eras, e.g. of the Park Distance Control or Rear
View Camera, for an extended period and main-
tain a distance of at least 1 ft/30 cm.<
Manual car wash
When washing the vehicle by hand, use large
quantities of water and car shampoo if neces-
sary. Clean the vehicle with a sponge or wash-
ing brush, applying light pressure only.
Before cleaning the windshield, deacti-
vate the rain sensor or switch off the igni-
tion to prevent unintentional activation of the
wipers.<
Observe local regulations pertaining to
washing vehicles by hand.<
Headlamps
Do not rub them dry and do not use abrasive or
corrosive cleaning agents.
Loosen dirt, e.g. insects, with shampoo or
insect remover and wash away with copious
quantities of water.
Thaw ice with a windshield deicer and do not
use an ice scraper.
Windows
Clean the inside and outside surfaces of the
windows and the mirrors with window cleaner.
Do not clean the mirrors with cleaners
containing quartz.<
Paintwork care
Regular care contributes to value retention and
protects the paintwork against the long-term
effects of damaging substances.
Region-specific environmental influences can
damage the vehicle paintwork. Therefore, it is
important to adapt the frequency and scope of
car care accordingly.
Immediately remove aggressive materials such
as spilled fuel, oil, grease, brake fluid, tree sap or bird droppings to prevent damage to the paint-
work.
Repairing paintwork damage
Immediately repair scratches or similar
damage, such as that caused by stones
hitting the vehicle, where necessary to prevent
rusting.<
BMW recommends having paintwork damage
repaired by a professional paint repair work-
shop according to BMW specifications using
original BMW paint materials.
Preservation
A preservation treatment is necessary when
water no longer beads off the clean paintwork
surface. Only use products for paintwork pres-
ervation that contain carnauba or synthetic
waxes.
Rubber seals
Treat only with water or rubber care products.
Do not use silicon-containing care prod-
ucts on rubber seals; otherwise, noise
and damage could occur.<
Chrome parts
Carefully clean vehicle parts such as the radia-
tor grill, door handles or window frames with
copious quantities of water and a shampoo
additive, especially when roads are treated with
deicing salt. For additional treatment, use a
chrome polish.
Light-alloy wheels
For technical reasons, dust is generated during
braking that is deposited on the light-alloy
wheels. Remove the dust regularly using acid-
free rim cleaner.
Do not use aggressive, acidic, strongly
alkaline and abrasive cleaning agents or
steam jets over 1407/606; otherwise, dam-
age may occur.<

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

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

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