2010 BMW M3 SEDAN tow

Refueling
200 2.Place the handle of the screwdriver from the
onboard vehicle tool kit, page229, onto the
bottom cap and open the cap, arrow.
Refilling BMW Diesel Exhaust Fluid
1.Attach the bottle and screw it all the way on,
see arrow. The line on the bottle should
point upward.
Hold the attached bottle to prevent
the thread on the vehicle from
becoming damaged by the weight of the
bottle.<
2.Press the bottle toward the vehicle, see
arrow.
The reservoir in the vehicle is filled.
3.The reservoir is full when the filling level in
the bottle stops changing. It is not possible
to overfill the reservoir. Pull back the bottle, see arrow, and unscrew
it.
Closing the reservoir
After refilling, close the reservoir again using
the handle of the screwdriver.
After refilling diesel exhaust fluid
Wrong fluid
If you add the wrong fluid, e.g. antifreeze
for washer fluid, do not start the engine;
otherwise, there is a danger of fire.<
Contact your BMW center.
Disposing of the bottle
You can dispose of the bottles for diesel
exhaust fluid at your BMW center.
Only dispose of empty bottles in household
refuse if local regulations allow.<
Reserve display-
After refilling, the reserve display continues to
be displayed after the engine is started. It goes
out after the vehicle has been driven for several
minutes.

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heat when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to
a level of performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehi-
cle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either sep-
arately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.<
RSC – run-flat tires
You will recognize run-flat tires by a circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side
of the tire, refer to page216.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter properties than sum-
mer tires.
XL
Designation for specially reinforced tires.
Tire condition
Inspect your tires frequently for tread wear,
signs of damage and for foreign objects lodged
in the tread. Check the tread depth.
Minimum tread depth
The tread depth should not drop below 1/8 in/
3 mm, although, for example, European legisla-
tion only specifies a minimum tread depth of
1/16 in/1.6 mm. At tread depths below 1/8 in/
3 mm there is an increased risk of high-speed
hydroplaning, even when only small amounts of
water are present on the road surface.
When winter tires wear down past a tread depth of 1/6 in/4 mm, they become perceptibly less
suitable for winter conditions. In the interest of
safety, new tires should be installed.
Wear indicators in the base of the tread groove
are distributed around the tire's circumference;
the letters TWI, for Tread Wear Indicator, on the
tire's sidewalls identify tires that incorporate
these wear indicators. Once the tire tread has
worn down to the wear indicators, the tire has
worn to a depth of 1/16 in/1.6 mm.
Wheel/tire damage
Please note that low-profile tires cause wheels,
tires and suspension parts to be more suscep-
tible to road hazard and consequential dam-
ages.
Unusual vibrations encountered during normal
vehicle operation can indicate tire failure or
some other vehicle defect. This can, for exam-
ple, be caused by driving over curbs. The same
applies to any other abnormal road behavior,
such as pulling severely to the right or left.
In these cases, reduce speed immedi-
ately and have wheels and tires thor-
oughly checked. To do so, drive carefully to the
nearest BMW center or tire shop that works
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. If necessary,
have the vehicle towed there.
Otherwise, tire damage can pose a lethal hazard
to vehicle occupants and other road users.<
Tire age
For various reasons, such as the development
of brittleness, BMW recommends tire replace-
ment after no more than 6 years, regardless of
the actual wear of the tires.

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Important parts of the engine compartment
1Gasoline engine: expansion tank for cool-
ant, refer to page222
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 page603Jump-starting connection, refer to
page238
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.

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Replacing components
Onboard vehicle tool kit
Sedan
The onboard vehicle tool kit is stored in a com-
partment on the right-hand side of the cargo
area. Remove the cover.
Sports Wagon
The onboard vehicle tool kit is stored in a com-
partment on the left-hand side underneath the
cargo area floor panel.
Wiper blades
1.Fold out the wiper arm and hold it.
2.Press together the locking spring, arrows1,
and fold out the wiper blade, arrow2.
3.Take the wiper blade out of the catch mech-
anism, pulling the blade toward the front.
To avoid damage, make sure that the
wiper arms are against the windshield
before you open the engine compartment.<
Sports Wagon: changing rear wiper
blade
1.Fold up the wiper arm.
2.Pull off the wiper blade, see arrow.
3.Insert the new wiper blade and press it on
until it audibly engages.
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

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Connecting jumper cables
Connect the jumper cables in the correct
order, so that no sparks which could
cause injury occur.<
Your BMW has a jump-starting connection in
the engine compartment which acts as the bat-
tery's positive terminal, refer also to the Engine
compartment overview on page219. The cap is
marked with +.
1.Pull the cap of the BMW jump-starting con-
nection up to remove.
2.Attach one terminal clamp of the plus/+
jumper cable to the positive terminal of the
battery or a starting-aid terminal of the vehi-
cle providing assistance.
3.Attach the second terminal clamp of the
plus/+ jumper cable to the positive terminal
of the battery or a starting-aid terminal of
the vehicle to be started.
4.Attach one terminal clamp of the minus/–
jumper cable to the negative terminal of the
battery or to an engine or body ground of
the assisting vehicle.
Your BMW has a special nut as body ground
or negative pole.
5.Attach the second terminal clamp of the
minus/– jumper cable to the negative termi-nal of the battery or to the engine or body
ground of the vehicle to be started.
Starting the engine
1.Start the engine of the donor vehicle and
allow it to run for a few minutes at slightly
increased idle speed.
2.Start the engine on the other vehicle in the
usual way.
If the first start attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes before another attempt
in order to allow the discharged battery to
recharge.
3.Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4.Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing
the above connecting sequence.
If necessary, have the battery checked and
recharged.
Never use spray fluids to start the
engine.<
Tow-starting, towing away
Observe the applicable laws and regula-
tions for tow-starting and towing vehi-
cles.<
Do not transport any passengers other
than the driver in a vehicle that is being
towed.<
Using a tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting must always be carried
in the car. It can be screwed in at the front or
rear of the BMW.
Sedan: it is stored in the onboard vehicle tool kit
underneath the cover on the right-hand side of
the cargo area, refer to page229.
Sports Wagon: it is stored in the onboard vehi-
cle tool kit underneath the cover on the left-
hand side of the cargo area, refer to page229.
Use only the tow fitting provided with the
vehicle and screw it all the way in. Use the
tow fitting for towing on paved roads only. Avoid
lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift

Giving and receiving assistance
240 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 page54; 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
page57.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.<

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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
page238. 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 page54.
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, page83.<

Everything from A - Z
254
Everything from A - Z
Index
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System82
ACC, refer to Active cruise
control62
Accident, refer to Sending an
Emergency Request237
Activated-charcoal filter for
automatic climate
control100
Active cruise control62
– indicator lamps65
– malfunction66
– selecting distance64
– sensor66
Active steering88
Adaptive brake light
– Brake Force Display89
Adaptive light control93
Additives
– coolant222
Address, entering125,131
Address for navigation
– entering125
Adjusting temperature inside
the car, refer to Automatic
climate control98
Adjusting the thigh support42
Airbags90
– indicator/warning lamp91
– sitting safely41
Air conditioning mode
– automatic climate control98
– ventilation100
Air distribution
– automatic98
Airing, refer to Ventilation100
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure201
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air mode99Air supply
– automatic climate control98
– ventilation100
Air vents97
Air volume98
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications197
Alarm system33
– avoiding unintentional
alarms34
– interior motion sensor33
– switching off an alarm33
– tilt alarm sensor33
Albums of music
collection164
ALL program99
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires217
All-wheel drive, refer to
xDrive83
AM, waveband147
Ambient air, refer to
Recirculated-air mode99
Antenna for mobile phone174
Antifreeze
– coolant222
– washer fluid60
Antilock Brake System
ABS82
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system33
Anti-theft system27
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights247
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights247
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest106
Arrival time, refer to
Computer71
Ashtray107Assistance systems, refer to
Driving stability control
systems82
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control99
Audio144
– controls144
– switching on/off144
– tone control144
– volume144
Audio device, external106
Automatic
– air distribution98
– air volume98
– cruise control61,62
– headlamp control92
Automatic car washes225
Automatic climate control97
– automatic air distribution98
Automatic curb monitor48
Automatic high beams and
low beams, refer to High-
beam assistant94
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC99
Automatic Service
Request192
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic56
– interlock56,57
– overriding selector lever
lock58
– shiftlock, refer to Changing
selector lever position57
– sport program57
– towing239
– tow-starting239
AUTO program for automatic
climate control
98
AUX-IN
– port106
AUX-IN port167
Available services192