2010 BMW M3 oil dipstick

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
137
Important parts of the engine compartment
1Gasoline engine: expansion tank for cool-
ant, refer to page139
Diesel engine: the expansion tank is located
on the other side of the vehicle
2Washer fluid filler neck for headlamp clean-
ing system and window washer system,
refer to page523Jump-starting connection, refer to
page156
4Filler neck for engine oil, refer to Adding
engine oil
5Dipstick for engine oil, refer to Checking oil
level
Engine oil
The engine oil consumption is dependent on
driving style and driving conditions.
Checking the engine oil level with the
dipstick*
1.Park the vehicle on a level surface with the
engine at operating temperature, i.e. after
an uninterrupted drive of at least 6.5 miles/
10 km.
2.Switch off the engine.
3.After approx. 5 minutes, pull out the
dipstick5 and wipe it off with a lint-free
cloth, paper towel or similar material.
4.Carefully push the dipstick all the way back
into the measuring tube and pull it out again.
The oil level must be between the two
markings on the dipstick.
The oil quantity between the two markings on
the dipstick is equivalent to approx. 1 US quart/
1liter.

Under the hood
138 The oil level must not be above the upper
marking of the dipstick. Too much oil will
harm the engine.<
Checking the engine oil level
electronically*
Your car is equipped with an electronic oil-level
monitor.
For a precise measurement and display of the
oil level, it is necessary that the engine be at
operating temperature, i.e. after uninterrupted
driving for at least approx. 6.5 miles/10 km. You
can have the oil level displayed while you are
driving, or while the vehicle is at a standstill on a
level surface and the engine is running.
You can have the oil level reading displayed in
the instrument cluster.
1.Push button 1 in the turn indicator lever up
or down repeatedly until the appropriate
symbol is shown in the display, accompa-
nied by the word "OIL".
2.Press button 2 in the turn indicator lever.
The oil level is checked and the reading dis-
played.
Possible displays
1Oil level OK
2Oil level is being checked.
This can take about 3 minutes if the car is at
a standstill on a level surface, or about
5 minutes while the car is on the move.
3Oil level down to minimum:
Add engine oil as soon as possible, but no
more than 1 US quart/1 liter, refer also to
Adding engine oil on page139.
4Oil level is too high.
Too much oil will harm the engine.
Have the vehicle checked without
delay.<
5The oil level sensor is defective.
Do not add engine oil. You can continue
your journey. Note the newly calculated dis-
tance remaining to the next oil service, refer
to page65. Have the system checked as
soon as possible.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
139
Adding engine oil
Add a maximum of 1 US quart/1 liter of engine
oil no earlier than when the following warning
lamp lights up in the instrument cluster, or, if the
car has a gasoline engine, when the oil level
monitor shows "+1qt" or "+1l", or, if the car has
a diesel engine, when the oil level has dropped
to just above the lower marking on the dipstick,
refer to page137.
Add oil within the next 125 miles/200 km;
otherwise, the engine could be dam-
aged.<
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 your BMW center or at
a workshop that works according to BMW
repair procedures with correspondingly trained
personnel.
Oil types
Do not use oil additives as this could
result in engine damage.<
Specified engine oils
Your service center can advise you on which
engine oils have been approved by the manu-
facturer of your vehicle.
The engine oil quality is critical for the life of the
engine.
Approved oils can be identified by the following
specification:
Approved oils belong to the following viscosity
classes: SAE 0W-40, SAE 0W-30, SAE 5W-40
and SAE 5W-30.
Alternative oil types
If the approved engine oils are not available, up
to 1 US quart/1 liter of another oil with the fol-
lowing specification may be used:
API SM or higher
Coolant
Do not add coolant to the cooling system
when the engine is hot. Escaping coolant
can cause burns.<
Coolant consists of half water and half additive.
Not all commercially available additives are suit-
able for your BMW. Ask your BMW center for
suitable additives.
Only use suitable additives; otherwise,
engine damage may result. Because
additives are harmful to your health, it is impor-
tant to follow the instructions on the contain-
ers.<
Gasoline engine
Preferred: BMW Longlife-01
BMW Longlife-01 FE
Alternatively: BMW Longlife-98
Diesel engine
Preferred: BMW Longlife-04

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

Everything from A to Z
184 Engine oil
– adding139
– alternative oil types139
– BMW Maintenance
System141
– capacity178
– checking level137
– dipstick137
– intervals between changes,
refer to Service
requirements65
Engine output, refer to Engine
data174
Engine speed, refer to Engine
data174
Engine starting, refer to
Starting the engine47
Entry lamps, refer to Interior
lamps83
Environmentally friendly
driving, refer to Energy
Control62
Error messages, refer to
Check Control67
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC70
Event data recorders142
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system107
Expanding the cargo area99
Exterior mirrors39
– adjusting39
– automatic dimming
feature40
– automatic heating40
– folding in and out39
External audio device95
Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing
away157
– for tying down loads110
F
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control67
Failure of an electrical
consumer154False alarm
– avoiding unintentional
alarm26
– switching off an alarm26
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts38
Filter
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic
climate control90
– refer to Microfilter for air
conditioner86
First aid pouch155
Fixture for remote control,
refer to Ignition lock46
Flash when locking/
unlocking20
Flat tire
– run-flat tires134
– Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM73
Flat Tire Monitor FTM72
– indicating a flat tire73
– indicator/warning lamp73
– initializing the system72
– snow chains72,135
– system limits72
Flat tires, refer to Tire
condition133
Fluid reservoir, refer to
Washer fluid reservoir53
Fog lamps82
– indicator lamp82,160
Folding rear seat backrest99
Folding up the floor panel101
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely108
Footwell lamps, refer to
Interior lamps83
For your own safety5
Four-wheel drive, refer to
xDrive71
Front airbags77
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor72Fuel115
– additives116
– average consumption63
– gauge62
– high-quality brands115
– quality115
– specifications115
– tank contents, refer to
Capacities178
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge62
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge62
Fuel-efficient driving, refer to
Energy Control62
Fuel filler flap114
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction114
Fuses154
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control91
Gasoline
– refer to Average
consumption63
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel115
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge62
Gear indicator, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic48
Gearshift lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic49
– manual transmission48
Gearshifts
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic49
– manual transmission48
General driving notes107