2011 BMW 3 SERIES airbag

When there is a malfunction, have the air‐
bag system checked immediately
When there is a malfunction, have the airbag
system checked immediately; otherwise, there
is a risk that the system does not function as ex‐
pected in the event of an accident despite cor‐
responding severity of the accident.◀
Automatic deactivation of the front
passenger airbags
The system determines whether the front pas‐
senger seat is occupied by measuring the re‐
sistance of the human body.
The front, knee, and side airbag on the front
passenger side are activated or deactivated ac‐
cordingly.
Leave feet in the footwell
Make sure that the front passenger keeps
his or her feet in the footwell; otherwise, the front
passenger airbags may not function properly.◀
Child restraint fixing system in the front
passenger seat
Before transporting a child on the front passen‐
ger seat, see the safety notes and instructions
under Children on the front passenger seat.◀
Malfunction of the automatic
deactivation system
When transporting older children and adults, the
front passenger airbags may be deactivated in
certain sitting positions. In this case, the indica‐
tor lamp for the front passenger airbags lights
up.
In this case, change the sitting position so that
the front passenger airbags are activated and
the indicator lamp goes out.
If it is not possible to activate the airbags, have
the person sit in the rear.
To make sure that the occupied seat cushion
can be evaluated correctly
▷Do not attach covers, cushions, ball mats or
other items to the front passenger seat un‐
less they are specifically recommended by
the manufacturer of your vehicle.
▷Do not place any electronic devices on the
passenger seat if a child restraint system is
to be installed on it.
▷Do not place objects under the seat that
could press against the seat from below.
Indicator lamp for the front passenger
airbags
The indicator lamp for the front passenger air‐
bags indicates the operating state of the front
passenger airbags.
The lamp indicates whether the airbags are ac‐
tivated or deactivated.
▷The indicator lamp lights up
when a child who is properly
seated in a child restraint fix‐
ing system intended for that
purpose is detected on the
seat or the seat is empty. The
airbags on the front passen‐
ger side are not activated.
▷The indicator lamp does not light up when,
for example, a correctly seated person of
sufficient size is detected on the seat. The
airbags on the front passenger side are ac‐
tivated.
Detected child seats
The system generally detects children seated in
a child seat, especially in the child seats that
were required by NHTSA when the vehicle was
manufactured. After installing a child seat, make
sure that the indicator lamp for the front pas‐
Seite 93
SafetyControls
93Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 633 - 11 09 490

senger airbags lights up. This indicates that the
child seat has been detected and the front pas‐
senger airbags are not activated.
Strength of the driver's and front
passenger airbag
The strength with which the driver's and front
passenger airbags are triggered depends on the
position of the driver's and front passenger
seats.
To maintain the accuracy of this function over
the long-term, calibrate the front seats when a
corresponding message appears on the Control
Display.
Calibrating the front seats
A corresponding message appears on the Con‐
trol Display.
1.Move the respective seat forward all the
way.
2.Move the respective seat forward again. It
moves forward briefly.
3.Readjust the seat to the desired position.
The calibration procedure is completed when
the message on the Control Display disappears.
If the message continues to be displayed, repeat
the calibration.
If the message does not disappear after a repeat
calibration, have the system checked as soon as
possible.
Unobstructed area of movement
Ensure that the area of movement of the
seats is unobstructed to avoid personal injury or
damage to objects.◀
Tire Pressure Monitor TPM
The concept
The tire inflation pressure is measured in the
four mounted tires. The system notifies you if
there is a significant loss of pressure in one or
more tires.
Functional requirements
The system must have been reset when the in‐
flation pressure was correct; otherwise, reliable
signaling of a flat tire is not ensured. Always use
wheels with TPM electronics to ensure that the
system will operate properly. Reset the system
after each correction of the tire inflation pres‐
sure and after every tire or wheel change.
System limits
Sudden tire damage
Sudden serious tire damage caused by
external influences cannot be indicated in ad‐
vance.◀
The system does not operate correctly if it has
not been reset. For example, a flat tire may be
indicated despite correct tire inflation pres‐
sures.
The system is inactive and cannot indicate a flat
tire:
▷For a mounted wheel without TPM electron‐
ics.
▷When the TPM is disturbed by other sys‐
tems or devices with the same radio fre‐
quency.
Status display
The current status of the Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM can be displayed on the Control Display,
e.g., whether or not the TPM is active.
1."Vehicle Info"
2."Vehicle status"
3. "Tire Pressure Monitor - TPM"
The status is displayed.
Status display
The tire and system status is indicated by the
color of the tires.
Seite 94
ControlsSafety
94Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 633 - 11 09 490

Everything from A to Z
Index
A
ABS, Antilock Brake Sys‐
tem 104
ACC, Active Cruise Control
with Stop & Go 109
Activated-charcoal filter 139
Active Blind Spot Detec‐
tion 101
Active Cruise Control with
Stop & Go, ACC 109
Active Protection 102
Adaptive brake lights, refer to
Brake force display 102
Adaptive light control 88
Additional telephone 228
Additives, oil 275
Adjustments, seats/head re‐
straints 45
After washing vehicle 297
Airbags 91
Airbags, indicator/warning
light 92
Air circulation, refer to Recir‐
culated-air mode 135, 138
Air distribution,
manual 135, 138
Air drying, refer to Cooling
function 135, 137
Air flow, air conditioner 135
Air pressure, tires 263
Air vents, refer to Ventila‐
tion 139
Air volume, automatic climate
control 138
Alarm system 40
Alarm, unintentional 41
All around the center con‐
sole 14
All around the headliner 15
All around the steering
wheel 12
All-season tires, refer to Win‐
ter tires 270
Alternating-code hand-held
transmitter 142
Alternative oil types 275
AM/FM station 190
Announcement, navigation,
refer to Spoken instruc‐
tions 178
Antifreeze, washer fluid 66
Antilock Brake System,
ABS 104
Anti-slip control, refer to
DSC 104
Applications 255
Appointments 243
Approved engine oils 275
Apps 255
Apps, video playback 213
Arrival time 82
Ash tray 145
Assistance, Roadside Assis‐
tance 291
Assistance when driving
off 108
Assist, BMW 250
Assist system information, on
Control Display 85
Audio playback 199
Audio playback, Blue‐
tooth 213
AUTO intensity 137
Automatic car wash 296
Automatic climate con‐
trol 134
Automatic climate control with
enhanced features 136
Automatic Cruise Control with
Stop & Go 109
Automatic Curb Monitor 52
Automatic deactivation, front
passenger airbags 93
Automatic headlamp con‐
trol 87
Automatic locking 37
Automatic recirculated-air
control 138
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic 67
AUTO program, automatic cli‐
mate control 137
AUTO program, climate con‐
trol 135
AUTO program, intensity 137
Auto Start/Stop function 61
AUX-IN port 210
Average fuel consumption 82
Average speed 82
Axle loads, weights 304
B
Backrest curvature, refer to
Lumbar support 47
Backrest, width 47
Backup camera 123
Balance 188
Band-Aids, refer to First aid
kit 291
Bar for tow-starting/tow‐
ing 294
Bass 188
Battery replacement, vehicle
battery 287
Battery replacement, vehicle
remote control 30
Battery, vehicle 287
Belts, safety belts 48
Beverage holder, cu‐
pholder 150
Seite 314
ReferenceEverything from A to Z
314Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 633 - 11 09 490

Engine stop 61
Engine temperature 75
Entering a car wash 296
Equalizer 188
Equipment, interior 141
ESP Electronic Stability Pro‐
gram, refer to DSC 104
Exchanging wheels/tires 269
Exhaust system 156
Exterior mirror, automatic dim‐
ming feature 53
Exterior mirrors 52
External devices 210
External start 291
External temperature dis‐
play 76
External temperature warn‐
ing 76
Eyes for securing cargo 160
F
Fader 188
Failure message, refer to
Check Control 73
False alarm, refer to Uninten‐
tional alarm 41
Fan, refer to Air flow 135
Fan, refer to Air volume 138
Fault displays, refer to Check
Control 73
Filler neck for engine oil 274
Fine wood, care 298
First aid kit 291
Fitting for towing, refer to Tow
fitting 294
Flat tire, changing wheels 287
Flat Tire Monitor FTM 97
Flat tire, Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM 94
Flat tire, warning lamp 95, 98
Flooding 157
Floor carpet, care 298
Floor mats, care 298
FM/AM station 190
Fogged up windows 135
Fold-out position, windshield
wipers 66
Foot brake 157
Front airbags 91
Front fog lamps 89
Front fog lamps, front, bulb re‐
placement 284
Front lamps 280
Front passenger airbags, au‐
tomatic deactivation 93
Front passenger airbags, indi‐
cator lamp 93
FTM Flat Tire Monitor 97
Fuel cap 260
Fuel consumption, current 77
Fuel consumption, refer to
Average fuel consump‐
tion 82
Fuel filler flap 260
Fuel gauge 75
Fuel quality 262
Fuel, tank capacity 305
Fuse 288
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control 141
Gas station recommenda‐
tion 178
Gear change, automatic trans‐
mission 67
Gear shift indicator 78
General driving notes 156
Glass sunroof, powered 43
Glove compartment 148
Gong, volume equaliza‐
tion 189
GPS navigation 168
Gray display of the map 181
Gross vehicle weight, ap‐
proved 304
Gross weight, permissible for
trailer towing 304
H
Handbrake, refer to parking
brake 63
Hand-held transmitter, alter‐
nating code 142
Hazard warning flashers 290
HD Radio 191
Head airbags 91
Headlamp control, auto‐
matic 87
Headlamp courtesy delay fea‐
ture 87
Headlamp flasher 64
Headlamp glass 280
Headlamps 280
Headlamps, care 297
Headlamp washer system 65
Headliner 15
Head restraints 45
Head restraints, front 49
Head restraints, rear 50
Head-up Display 128
Head-up Display, care 299
Heavy cargo, stowing 160
Height, vehicle 302
High-beam Assistant 88
High beams 64
High beams/low beams, refer
to High-beam Assistant 88
Hills 158
Hill start assistant, refer to
Drive-off assistant 108
Hints 6
Holder for beverages 150
Homepage 6
Hood 273
Horn 12
Hotel function, trunk lid 38
Hot exhaust system 156
House number, entering for
navigation 169
Hydroplaning 157
Seite 317
Everything from A to ZReference
317Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 633 - 11 09 490

I
Ice warning, refer to External
temperature warning 76
Icy roads, refer to External
temperature warning 76
Identification marks, tires 267
Identification number, refer to
Important features in the en‐
gine compartment 272
iDrive 16
Ignition key, refer to Remote
control 30
Ignition off 59
Ignition on 59
Indication of a flat tire 95, 98
Individual air distribu‐
tion 135, 138
Individual settings, refer to
Personal Profile 31
Inflation pressure, tires 263
Inflation pressure warning
FTM, tires 97
Info display, refer to Com‐
puter 81
Information on the navigation
data 183
Initializing, Flat Tire Monitor
FTM 98
Initializing, Tire Pressure Mon‐
itor TPM 95
Instrument cluster 70
Instrument cluster, electronic
displays 72
Instrument lighting 89
Integrated key 30
Integrated universal remote
control 141
Intensity, AUTO program 137
Interactive map 173
Interior equipment 141
Interior lamps 90
Interior lamps via remote con‐
trol 35
Interior motion sensor 41
Interior rearview mirror 53
Interior rearview mirror, auto‐
matic dimming feature 53
Interior rearview mirror, com‐
pass 143
Intermediate destinations 175
Internet page 6
Intersection, entering for navi‐
gation 169
Interval display, service re‐
quirements 77
iPod/iPhone 210
J
Jacking points for the vehicle
jack 287
Jack, refer to Vehicle jack 287
Joystick, automatic transmis‐
sion 67
K
Key/remote control 30
Keyless Go, refer to Comfort
Access 38
Key Memory, refer to Personal
Profile 31
Kickdown, automatic trans‐
mission 67
Knee airbag 91
L
Lamp replacement 279
Lamp replacement, front 280
Lamp replacement, rear 285
Lamps 86
Lamps and bulbs 279
Lane departure warning 99
Lane margin, warning 99
Language on Control Dis‐
play 84
Lashing eyes, securing
cargo 160
LATCH child restraint fixing
system 56
Leather, care 297
LEDs, light-emitting di‐
odes 280
Length, vehicle 303
Letters and numbers, enter‐
ing 22
Light-alloy wheels, care 298
Light control 88
Light-emitting diodes,
LEDs 280
Lighter 145
Lighting 86
Lighting via remote control 35
Light switch 86
Load 159
Loading 159
Lock, door 36
Locking/unlocking from in‐
side 37
Locking/unlocking via door
lock 36
Locking/unlocking with re‐
mote control 34
Locking, automatic 37
Locking, central 33
Lock, power window 42
Locks, doors, and win‐
dows 58
Low beams 86
Low beams, automatic, refer to
High-beam Assistant 88
Lower back support 47
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack 160
Lumbar support 47
M
Maintenance 277
Maintenance require‐
ments 277
Maintenance, service require‐
ments 77
Maintenance system,
BMW 277
Seite 318
ReferenceEverything from A to Z
318Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 633 - 11 09 490

Parking lamps 86
Passenger side mirror, tilting
downward 52
Pathway lines, backup cam‐
era 124
PDC Park Distance Con‐
trol 121
Permissible axle load 304
Personal information 238
Personal Profile 31
Pinch protection system, glass
sunroof 43
Pinch protection system, win‐
dows 42
Plastic, care 298
PlugIn 255
Position, storing 170
Postal code, entering in navi‐
gation 169
Power failure 288
Power output, engine 303
Power sunroof, glass 43
Power windows 41
Pressure, tire air pres‐
sure 263
Pressure warning FTM,
tires 97
Profile, refer to Personal Pro‐
file 31
Programmable memory but‐
tons, iDrive 21
Protective function, glass sun‐
roof 43
Protective function, win‐
dows 42
Push-and-turn switch, refer to
Controller 16, 17
R
Radiator fluid 276
Radio 190, 198
Radio-operated key, refer to
Remote control 30
Radio ready state 60
Radio stations buttons 197
Rain sensor 65
Random 199
Random playback 199
RDS 191
Reading out loud 245
Rear lamps 285
Rear socket 146
Rearview mirror 52
Rear window de‐
froster 135, 138
Recirculated-air filter 139
Recirculated air filter 136
Recirculated-air
mode 135, 138
Recommended tire
brands 270
Refueling 260
Remaining range 76
Reminders 245
Remote control/key 30
Remote control, malfunc‐
tion 36
Remote control, universal 141
Replacement fuse 288
Replacing parts 279
Replacing wheels/tires 269
Reporting safety defects 8
RES button 111
Reserve warning, refer to
Range 76
Resetting, Tire Pressure Mon‐
itor TPM 95
Retaining straps, securing
cargo 160
Retreaded tires 270
Roadside Assistance 251
Roadside parking lamps 87
Roller sunblinds 43
Roof load capacity 304
Roof-mounted luggage
rack 160
Rope for tow-starting/tow‐
ing 294
Route 177
Route criteria, route 176
Route, displaying 177
Routes, avoiding 176
Route section, bypassing 177
RPM, engine 303
RSC Run Flat System Compo‐
nent, refer to Run-flat
tires 271
Rubber components,
care 298
Run-flat tires 271
S
Safe braking 157
Safety 6
Safety belt reminder 49
Safety belts 48
Safety belts, care 298
Safety Package, refer to Active
Protection 102
Safety switch, windows 42
Safety systems, airbags 91
Satellite radio 192
Saving fuel 162
Scale, changing during navi‐
gation 179
Screen, refer to Control Dis‐
play 16
Screwdriver 279
Screw thread for tow fit‐
ting 294
Search, refer to BMW
Search 252
Seat and mirror memory 51
Seat belts, refer to Safety
belts 48
Seat heating, front 47
Seat heating, rear 48
Seating position for chil‐
dren 55
Seats 45
Selection list in instrument
cluster 80
Selector lever, automatic
transmission 67
Sensors, care 299
Service and warranty 7
Seite 320
ReferenceEverything from A to Z
320Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 633 - 11 09 490

Service history 78
Service requirements, Condi‐
tion Based Service CBS 277
Service requirements, dis‐
play 77
Service, Roadside Assis‐
tance 291
Settings on Control Dis‐
play 83
Settings, storing for seat, mir‐
ror 51
Shifting, automatic transmis‐
sion 67
Shifting, manual transmis‐
sion 67
Shift paddles on steering
wheel 69
Short commands 306
Side airbags 91
Side View 127
Signaling, horn 12
Signals when unlocking 35
Sitting safely 45
Size 302
Slide/tilt glass roof 43
Smallest turning circle 303
Snap-in adapter, mobile
phone 236
Snow chains 271
Socket 145
Socket, OBD Onboard Diag‐
nostics 278
Software applications,
iPhone 255
Software update 217
Spare fuse 288
Special destinations, naviga‐
tion 171
Specified engine oil
types 275
Speed, average 82
Speed limit detection 79
Speed limit detection, com‐
puter 82
Speed limit, setting 82
Speed Volume, volume equal‐
ization 189
Split screen 21
Split screen map settings 180
Spoken instructions, naviga‐
tion 178
SPORT+ - program, Dynamic
Driving Control 106
Sport automatic transmis‐
sion 69
Sport displays, torque display,
performance display 83
SPORT program, Dynamic
Driving Control 106
Sport program, transmis‐
sion 68
Sport steering, variable 105
Stability control systems 104
Start/stop, automatic func‐
tion 61
Start/Stop button 59
Start function during malfunc‐
tion 31
Starting aid 291
Starting the engine 60
State/province, selecting for
navigation 168
Stations, stored 197
Station, storing 190
Status display, tires 94
Status information, iDrive 20
Status of Owner's Manual 6
Steering wheel, adjusting 53
Steering wheel heating 53
Steptronic, automatic trans‐
mission 67
Stopping the engine 61
Storage compartment in the
rear 150
Storage compartments 148
Storage compartments, loca‐
tions 148
Storage, tires 270
Storing the vehicle 299
Street, entering for naviga‐
tion 169
Summer tires, tread 268
Supplementary text mes‐
sage 75
Surround View 123
Switch-on times, parked-car
ventilation 140
Switch, refer to Cockpit 12
Symbols 6
T
Tachometer 75
Tailgate 37
Tailgate, opening with no-
touch activation 39
Tailgate via remote control 35
Tail lamps 285
Tasks 244
Technical changes, refer to
Safety 6
Technical data 302
Telephone 220, 228
TeleService 251
Temperature, automatic cli‐
mate control 135, 137
Temperature display, external
temperature 76
Temperature, engine oil 75
Tempomat, refer to Active
Cruise Control 109
Terminal, jump-starting 292
Text messages 241
Text message, supplemen‐
tary 75
Theft alarm system, refer to
Alarm system 40
Theft protection, refer to Cen‐
tral locking system 33
Thigh support 47
Through-loading system 146
Tilt alarm sensor 41
Time of arrival 82
Tire damage 269
Tire identification marks 267
Tire inflation pressure 263
Seite 321
Everything from A to ZReference
321Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 633 - 11 09 490