2011 BMW 3 SERIES engine oil

Contents
The fastest way to find information on a partic‐
ular topic or item is by using the index, refer to
page 314.
6Notes
At a glance
12Cockpit
16iDrive
23Voice activation system
26Integrated Owner's Manual in the vehicle
Controls
30Opening and closing
45Adjusting
55Transporting children safely
59Driving
70Displays
86Lamps
91Safety
104Driving stability control systems
109Driving comfort
134Climate control
141Interior equipment
148Storage compartments
Driving tips
156Things to remember when driving
159Loading
162Saving fuel
Navigation
168Navigation system
Entertainment
188Tone
190Radio
198CD/multimedia
Communication
220Business mobile phone preparation
package
228Professional mobile phone preparation
package
238Office
247Contacts
250ConnectedDrive
Mobility
260Refueling
262Fuel
263Wheels and tires
272Engine compartment
274Engine oil
276Coolant
277Maintenance
279Replacing components
290Breakdown assistance
296Care
Reference
302Technical data
306Short commands of the voice activation
system
314Everything from A to Z
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quires suitable maintenance and repair meth‐
ods.
Therefore, have this work performed only by a
BMW center or a workshop that works accord‐
ing to BMW repair procedures with appropri‐
ately trained personnel.
If this work is not carried out properly, there is
the danger of subsequent damage and related
safety hazards.
Parts and Accessories
For your own safety, use genuine parts and ac‐
cessories approved by BMW. When you pur‐
chase accessories tested and approved by
BMW and Genuine BMW Parts, you simultane‐
ously acquire the assurance that they have been
thoroughly tested by BMW to ensure optimum
performance when installed on your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free from de‐
fects in material and workmanship. BMW will not
accept any liability for damage resulting from in‐
stallation of parts and accessories not approved
by BMW. BMW cannot test every product made
by other manufacturers to verify if it can be used
on a BMW safely and without risk to either the
vehicle, its operation, or its occupants. Genuine
BMW Parts, BMW Accessories and other prod‐
ucts approved by BMW, together with profes‐
sional advice on using these items, are available
from all BMW centers. Installation and operation
of non-BMW approved accessories such as
alarms, radios, amplifiers, radar detectors,
wheels, suspension components, brake dust
shields, telephones, including operation of any
mobile phone from within the vehicle without
using an externally mounted antenna, or trans‐
ceiver equipment, for instance, CBs, walkie-
talkies, ham radios or similar accessories, may
cause extensive damage to the vehicle, com‐
promise its safety, interfere with the vehicle's
electrical system or affect the validity of the
BMW Limited Warranty. See your BMW center
for additional information. Maintenance, re‐
placement, or repair of the emission control de‐
vices and systems may be performed by any au‐
tomotive repair establishment or individual
using any certified automotive part.
California Proposition 65 Warning
California laws require us to state the following
warning:
Engine exhaust and a wide variety of automobile
components and parts, including components
found in the interior furnishings in a vehicle, con‐
tain or emit chemicals known to the State of Cal‐
ifornia to cause cancer and birth defects and re‐
productive harm. In addition, certain fluids
contained in vehicles and certain products of
component wear contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer
and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. Wash your
hands after handling. Used engine oil contains
chemicals that have caused cancer in laboratory
animals. Always protect your skin by washing
thoroughly with soap and water.
Service and warranty
We recommend that you read this publication
thoroughly. Your vehicle is covered by the fol‐
lowing warranties:
▷New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
▷Rust Perforation Limited Warranty.
▷Federal Emissions System Defect Warranty.
▷Federal Emissions Performance Warranty.
▷California Emission Control System Limited
Warranty.
Detailed information about these warranties is
listed in the Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models or in the Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models.
Your vehicle has been specifically adapted and
designed to meet the particular operating con‐
ditions and homologation requirements in your
country and continental region in order to deliver
the full driving pleasure while the vehicle is op‐
erated under those conditions. If you wish to op‐
erate your vehicle in another country or region,
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Notes
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Displays
Vehicle equipment
All standard, country-specific and optional
equipment that is offered in the model series is
described in this chapter. Therefore, equipment
is also described that is not available in a vehicle,
e. g., because of the selected optional equip‐
ment or country variant. This also applies for
safety-related functions and systems.
Instrument cluster
Overview, instrument cluster
1Fuel gauge  75
2Speedometer
3Indicator/warning lamps  73
4Tachometer  75
5Engine oil temperature  75
6Current fuel consumption  77
7Electronic displays  72
8Display/reset miles  76
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ControlsDisplays
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Overview, instrument cluster with enhanced features
1Fuel gauge  75
2Speedometer
3Indicator/warning lamps  73
4Tachometer  75
5Engine oil temperature  75
6Current fuel consumption  77
7Electronic displays  72
8Display/reset miles  76
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DisplaysControls
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Supplementary text messages
Addition information, such as on the cause of a
fault or the required action, can be called up via
Check Control.
The supplementary text of urgent messages is
displayed on the Control Display automatically.
Symbols
Depending on the Check Control message, the
following functions can be selected.
▷ "Owner's Manual"
Display additional information about the
Check Control message in the integrated
owner's manual.
▷ "Service request"
Contact the service partner.
▷ "Roadside Assistance"
Contact Roadside Assistance.
Hiding Check Control messages
Press the computer button on the turn signal
lever.
▷Some Check Control messages are dis‐
played continuously and are not cleared un‐
til the malfunction is eliminated. If several
malfunctions occur at once, the messages
are displayed consecutively.
These messages can be hidden for approx.
8 seconds. After this time, they are dis‐
played again automatically.
▷Other Check Control messages are hidden
automatically after approx. 20 seconds.
They are stored and can be displayed again
later.
Displaying stored Check Control
messages
1."Vehicle Info"
2."Vehicle status"
3. "Check Control"
4.Select the text message.
Messages after trip completion
Special messages that are displayed during
driving are displayed again after the ignition is
switched off.
Fuel gauge
The vehicle inclination may
cause the display to vary.
Notes on refueling, refer to
page 260.
Tachometer
Always avoid engine speeds in
the red warning field. In this
range, the fuel supply is inter‐
rupted to protect the engine.
Engine oil temperature
▷Cold engine: the pointer is at
the low temperature end.
Drive at moderate engine and
vehicle speeds.
▷Normal operating tempera‐
ture: the pointer is in the mid‐
dle or in the left half of the
temperature display.
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DisplaysControls
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Engine compartment
Vehicle equipment
All standard, country-specific and optional
equipment that is offered in the model series is
described in this chapter. Therefore, equipment
is also described that is not available in a vehicle,
e. g., because of the selected optional equip‐
ment or country variant. This also applies for
safety-related functions and systems.
Important features in the engine compartment
1Jump-starting, negative terminal
2Vehicle identification number
3Washer fluid reservoir
4Jump-starting, positive terminal
5Engine compartment fuse box
6Oil filler neck
7Coolant reservoir
The coolant reservoir for 6-cylinder and die‐
sel engines is located on the opposite side
of the engine compartment.
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MobilityEngine compartment
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Engine oil
Vehicle equipment
All standard, country-specific and optional
equipment that is offered in the model series is
described in this chapter. Therefore, equipment
is also described that is not available in a vehicle,
e. g., because of the selected optional equip‐
ment or country variant. This also applies for
safety-related functions and systems.
General information
The engine oil consumption is dependent on the
driving style and driving conditions.
Therefore, regularly check the engine oil level
after refueling.
Check oil level
The concept
The oil level is monitored electronically during
driving and shown on the Control Display.
If the oil level reaches the minimum level, a
check control message is displayed.
Displaying the oil level
1."Vehicle Info"
2."Vehicle status"
3. "Engine oil level"
Possible messages
▷"Engine oil level OK"
▷"Engine oil at minimum. Add 1 quart of
engine oil!"
Within the next 125 miles/200 km, a maxi‐
mum of 1 US quart/liter oil.
▷"Engine oil level below minimum. Add 1
quart!"
Immediately add 1 US quart/liter of oil.
Detailed measurement
Requirements:
▷Vehicle is on a level road and the engine is
running at operating temperature.
▷Manual transmission: Shift lever in neutral
position clutch and gas pedal not de‐
pressed.
▷Automatic transmission: Selector lever in
transmission position N or P and gas pedal
not depressed.
In order to perform a detailed measurement of
the engine oil level:
1."Vehicle Info"
2."Vehicle status"
3. "Measure engine oil level"
4."Start measurement"
The oil level is checked and displayed via a scale.
During the detailed measurement, the idle
speed is increased somewhat.
Duration: approx. 1 minute.
Adding engine oil
Filler neck
When the indicator lights up in the instrument
cluster, add 1 US quart/liter of engine oil within
the next 125 miles/200 km.
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MobilityEngine oil
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Do not add too much engine oil
When too much engine oil is added, im‐
mediately have the vehicle checked, otherwise,
this may cause engine damage.◀
Protect children
Keep oil, grease, etc., out of reach of chil‐
dren and heed the warnings on the containers
to prevent health risks.◀
Oil types for refilling
Notes
No oil additives
Oil additives may lead to engine damage.◀
Viscosity grades for engine oils
When selecting an engine oil, ensure that
the engine oil belongs to one of the viscosity
grades SAE 0W-40, SAE 0W-30, SAE 5W-40,
and SAE 5W-30 or malfunctions or engine dam‐
age may occur.◀
The engine oil quality is critical for the life of the
engine.
Some types of oils in some cases are not avail‐
able in all countries.
Approved oil types
Specification
BMW High Performance SAE 5W-30
BMW Longlife-01
BMW Longlife-01 FE
Additional information about the approved
types of oils can be requested from the service
center.
Alternative oil types
If the approved engine oils are not available, up
to 1 US quart/liter of an oil with the following
specification can be added:
Specification
API SM or superior grade specification
Oil change
An oil change should be carried out by your
service center only.
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Engine oilMobility
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