2011 BMW 3 SERIES headlamp

Switching the high beams on and off
manually
▷High beams on, arrow 1.
▷High beams off/headlamp flasher, arrow 2.
The High-beam Assistant can be switched off
when manually adjusting the light. To reactivate
the High-beam Assistant, press the button on
the turn signal lever.
System limits
Personal responsibility
The high-beam assistant cannot serve as
a substitute for the driver's personal judgment
of when to use the high beams. Therefore, man‐
ually switch off the high beams in situations
where this is required to avoid a safety risk.◀
The system is not fully functional in situations
such as the following, and driver intervention
may be necessary:
▷In very unfavorable weather conditions,
such as fog or heavy precipitation.
▷In detecting poorly-lit road users, such as
pedestrians, cyclists, horseback riders and
wagons; when driving close to train or ship
traffic; and at animal crossings.
▷In tight curves, on hilltops or in depressions,
in cross traffic or half-obscured oncoming
traffic on freeways.
▷In poorly-lit towns and cities and in the pres‐
ence of highly reflective signs.
▷At low speeds.
▷When the windshield in front of the interior
rearview mirror is fogged over, dirty or cov‐
ered with stickers, etc.
Camera
The camera is located near the base of the mir‐
ror.
Keep windshield clean and clear in the area in
front of the interior rear view mirror.
Fog lamps
Front fog lamps
The parking lamps or low beams must be
switched on.
Press the button. The green indicator
lamp lights up.
If the automatic headlamp control, refer to
page 87, is activated, the low beams will come
on automatically when you switch on the front
fog lamps.
Instrument lighting
Adjusting
The parking lamps or low beams
must be switched on to adjust the
brightness.
Adjust the brightness using the
thumbwheel.
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Working on the lighting system
When working on the lighting system, you
should always switch off the lights affected to
prevent short circuits.
To avoid possible injury or equipment damage
when replacing bulbs, observe any instructions
provided by the bulb manufacturer.◀
Do not perform work/bulb replacement on
xenon headlamps
Have any work on the xenon lighting system, in‐
cluding bulb replacement, performed only by a
service center. Due to the high voltage present
in the system, there is the danger of fatal injuries
if work is carried out improperly.◀
Do not touch the bulbs
Do not touch the glass of new bulbs with
your bare hands, as even minute amounts of
contamination will burn into the bulb's surface
and reduce its service life.
Use a clean tissue, cloth or something similar, or
hold the bulb by its base.◀
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs)
Light-emitting diodes installed behind a cover
serve as the light source for controls, display el‐
ements and other equipment.
These light-emitting diodes, which are related
to conventional lasers, are officially designated
as Class 1 light-emitting diodes.
Do not remove the covers
Do not remove the covers, and never stare
into the unfiltered light for several hours; other‐
wise, irritation of the retina could result.◀
Headlamp glass
Condensation can form on the inside of the ex‐
ternal lamps in cool or humid weather. When
driving with the light switched on, the conden‐
sation evaporates after a short time. The head‐
lamp glasses do not need to be changed.
If the headlamps do not dim despite driving with
the light switched on, increasing humidity forms,
e. g. water droplets in the light, have the service
center check this.
Front lamps, bulb replacement
Halogen headlamps
1Parking lamps
2High beams/headlamp flasher
3Low beams
4Turn signal
5Daytime running lights
Accessing the turn signals and low beams
Follow the General instructions on lamps and
bulbs, refer to page 279.
1.In the wheel house, loosen the two brackets
and remove the cover.
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Turn signal
21-watt bulb, PY21W
1.If necessary, pull the inside trim of the wheel
house slightly inward. Turn the bulb holder
counterclockwise and remove.
2.Press the bulb gently into the socket, turn
counterclockwise and remove.
3.Install the new bulb and bulb holder in re‐
verse order of removal.
4.Attach the cover to the wheel house.
Low beams
55-watt bulb, H7
1.Turn the cap counterclockwise and remove.
2.Tilt the bulb down and then up to loosen it
from the holder and remove.
3.Pull the connector off the bulb.
4.Attach the connector to the new bulb.
5.First insert the bulb at the top with the strap,
arrow 1, and then press down firmly, arrow 2.
Make sure that the bulb snaps into place.
6.Close the headlamp housing with the cap.
Make sure that the cap engages.
7.Attach the cover to the wheel house.
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Accessing the daytime running lights, high
beams/headlamp flasher and parking lamps
Follow the General instructions on lamps and
bulbs, refer to page 279.
1.Open the hood, refer to page 273.
2.Turn the cap counterclockwise and remove.
Parking lamps
6-watt bulb, H6W
1.Turn the bulb holder counterclockwise and
remove.
2.Press the bulb gently into the socket, turn
counterclockwise and remove.
3.To insert the bulb and bulb holder, proceed
in reverse order of removal. Make sure that
the bulb holder snaps into place.
4.Close the headlamp housing with the cap.
Make sure that the cap engages.
High beams/headlamp flasher
55-watt bulb, H7
1.Tilt the bulb down and then up to loosen it
from the holder and remove.
2.Pull the connector off the bulb.
3.Attach the connector to the new bulb.
4.First insert the bulb at the top with the strap,
arrow 1, and then press down firmly, arrow 2.
Make sure that the bulb snaps into place.
5.Close the headlamp housing with the cap.
Make sure that the cap engages.
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Daytime running lights
24-watt bulb, PW24W
1.If necessary, remove the high beam bulb
connector.
2.Remove the bulb holder.
3.Remove the bulb from the bulb holder.
4.To insert the new bulb, proceed in reverse
order of removal. During insertion, the bot‐
tom of the bulb holder must be facing down‐
ward. Make sure that the bulb holder snaps
into place.
5.Attach the high beam bulb connector.
6.Close the headlamp housing with the cap.
Make sure that the cap engages.
Xenon headlamps
Xenon headlamps
Because of the long life of these bulbs, the like‐
lihood of failure is very low. Switching the lamps
on and off frequently shortens their life.
If a xenon bulb fails, switch on the front fog lamps
and continue the trip with great care. Comply
with local regulations.
Do not perform work/bulb replacement on
xenon headlamps
Have any work on the xenon lighting system, in‐
cluding bulb replacement, performed only by a
service center. Due to the high voltage present
in the system, there is the danger of fatal injuries
if work is carried out improperly.◀
For checking and adjusting headlamp aim,
please contact your BMW center.
Headlamps
1Parking lamps/daytime running lights
2Low beams/high beams/headlamp flasher
3Turn signal
Low beams and high beams are designed with
xenon technology.
The parking lamps and daylight running lights
are made using LED technology.
Contact your service center in the event of a
malfunction.
Turn signal
Follow the General instructions on lamps and
bulbs, refer to page 279.
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4.Engage transmission position N.
5.Switch the engine off. In this way, the igni‐
tion remains switched on, and a Check-Con‐
trol message is displayed.
Transmission position P with the igni‐
tion off
When the ignition is switched off, position P
is engaged automatically. When in an auto‐
matic car wash, for example, ensure that the
ignition is not switched off accidentally.◀
The vehicle cannot be locked from the outside
when in transmission position N.
A signal is sounded when an attempt is made to
lock the vehicle.
Transmission position
Transmission position P is engaged automati‐
cally:
▷When the ignition is switched off.
▷After approx. 15 minutes.
Headlamps
▷Do not rub dry and do not use abrasive or
caustic cleansers.
▷Soak areas that have been soiled e.g. due to
insects, with shampoo and wash off with
water.
▷Thaw ice with deicing spray; do not use an
ice scraper.
After washing the vehicle
After washing the vehicle, apply the brakes
briefly to dry them; otherwise, braking action can
be reduced and corrosion of the brake discs can
occur.
Vehicle care
Car care products
BMW recommends using cleaning and care
products from BMW, since these have been
tested and approved.
Car care and cleaning products
Follow the instructions on the container.
When cleaning the interior, open the doors or
windows.
Only use products intended for cleaning vehi‐
cles.
Cleansers can contain substances that are dan‐
gerous and harmful to your health.◀
Vehicle paint
Regular care contributes to driving safety and
value retention.
Environmental influences can act on the vehicle
paint. Tailor the frequency and extent of your car
care to these influences.
Leather care
Remove dust from the leather often, using a
cloth or vacuum cleaner.
Otherwise, particles of dust and road grime
chafe in pores and folds, and lead to increased
wear and premature degradation of the leather
surface.
To guard against discoloration, such as from
clothing, provide leather care roughly every two
months.
Clean light-colored leather more frequently be‐
cause soiling on such surfaces is substantially
more visible.
Use leather care products; otherwise, dirt and
grease will gradually break down the protective
layer of the leather surface.
Suitable care products are available from the
service center.
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Capacities
Notes
Fuel tankUS gal/litersapprox. 15.8/60 Fuel quality,
refer to
page 262
Windshield and headlamp
washer system
US quarts/liters approx. 3.1/3
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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
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