2011 BMW 3 SERIES oil

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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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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Coolant
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
Danger of burns from hot engine
Do not open the cooling system while the
engine is hot; otherwise, escaping coolant may
cause burns.◀
Suitable additives
Only use suitable additives; otherwise, en‐
gine damage may occur. The additives are
harmful to your health.◀
Coolant consists of water and additives.
Not all commercially available additives are suit‐
able for your vehicle. Ask your service center for
suitable additives.
Coolant level
Checking
1.Let the engine cool.
2.The coolant level is correct if it lies between
the minimum and maximum marks. The
marks are on the side of the coolant reser‐
voir.
Adding engine oil
1.Let the engine cool.
2.Turn the cap of the coolant reservoir slightly
counterclockwise to allow any excess pres‐
sure to dissipate, and then open it.
3.If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant up to
the specified level; do not overfill.
4.Turn the cap until there is an audible click.
5.Have the cause of the coolant loss elimi‐
nated as soon as possible.
Disposal
Comply with the relevant environmental
protection regulations when disposing
of coolant and coolant additives.
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Maintenance
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.
BMW Maintenance System
The maintenance system directs you to re‐
quired maintenance measures and thereby sup‐
ports you in maintaining road safety and the op‐
erational reliability of the vehicle.
Condition Based Service CBS
Sensors and special algorithms take into ac‐
count the driving conditions of your vehicle.
Based on this, Condition Based Service deter‐
mines the maintenance requirements.
The system makes it possible to adapt the
amount of maintenance you need to your user
profile.
Detailed information on service requirements,
refer to page 77, can be displayed on the Control
Display.
Service data in the remote control
Information on the required maintenance is con‐
tinuously stored in the remote control. Your
service center will read out this data and suggest
the right array of service procedures for your ve‐
hicle.
Therefore, hand your service specialist the re‐
mote control that you used most recently.
Storage periods
Storage periods during which the vehicle bat‐
tery was disconnected are not taken into ac‐
count.
If this occurs, have a service center update the
time-dependent maintenance procedures,
such as checking brake fluid and, if necessary,
changing the engine oil and the microfilter/acti‐
vated-charcoal filter.
Service history
Perform maintenance work at the service center
and have them recorded in the vehicle data. The
entries are like a service booklet of the docu‐
mentation of regular maintenance.
Displaying entered maintenance work on the
Control Display, refer to page 78.
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US
models and Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
Please consult your Service and Warranty Infor‐
mation Booklet for US models and Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models for
additional information on service requirements.
Maintenance and repair should be performed by
your service center. Make sure to have regular
maintenance procedures recorded in the vehi‐
cle's Service and Warranty Information Booklet
for US models, and in the Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet for Canadian models. These en‐
tries are proof of regular maintenance.
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Care
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.
Car washes
Notes
Steam jets or high-pressure washers
When using steam jets or high-pressure
washers, hold them a sufficient distance away
and use a maximum temperature of 140 ℉/
60 ℃.
Holding them too close or using excessively
high pressures or temperatures can cause dam‐
age or preliminary damage that may then lead to
long-term damage.
Follow the operating instructions for the high-
pressure washer.◀
Cleaning sensors/cameras with high-
pressure washers
When using high-pressure washers, do not
spray the exterior sensors and cameras, e.g.,
Park Distance Control, for extended periods of
time and only from a distance of at least 12 in/
30 cm.◀
Wash your vehicle frequently, particularly in win‐
ter.
Intense soiling and road salt can damage the ve‐
hicle.
Automatic car washes
Notes
Note the following:
▷Give preference to cloth car washes or those
that use soft brushes in order to avoid paint
damage.
▷Make sure that the wheels and tires are not
damaged by the transport mechanisms.
▷Fold in the exterior mirrors; otherwise, they
may be damaged, depending on the width of
the vehicle.
▷Deactivate the rain sensor, refer to page 65,
to avoid unintentional wiper activation.
▷In some cases, an unintentional alarm can be
triggered by the interior motion sensor of the
alarm system. Follow the instructions on
avoiding an unintentional alarm, refer to
page 41.
Guide rails in car washes
Avoid car washes with guide rails higher
than 4 in/10 cm; otherwise, the vehicle body
could be damaged.◀
Before driving into a car wash
In order to ensure that the vehicle can roll in a car
wash, take the following steps:
Manual transmission:
1.Release the parking brake.
2.Drive into the car wash.
3.Shift to neutral.
4.Switch the engine off.
5.Switch on the ignition.
Automatic transmission:
1.Release the parking brake, refer to page 63.
2.Drive into the car wash.
3.Depress the brake pedal as needed.
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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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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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Corrosion on brake discs 158
Cruise control 119
Cruise control, active with
Stop & Go 109
Cruising range 76
Cupholder 150
Current fuel consumption 77
Current location, storing 170
Customer Relations 253
D
Damage, tires 269
Damping control, dy‐
namic 105
Data, technical 302
Date 76
Daytime running lights 87
Defrosting, refer to defrosting
the windows 135
Defrosting, refer to Windows,
defrosting 138
Defrosting the windows 135
Destination distance 82
Destination guidance 176
Destination guidance with in‐
termediate destinations 174
Destination input, naviga‐
tion 168
Digital clock 76
Digital compass 143
Digital radio 191
Dimensions 302
Dimmable exterior mirrors 53
Dimmable interior rearview
mirror 53
Direction indicator, refer to
Turn signals 64
Displacement, engine 303
Display, ECO PRO 163
Display, electronic, instrument
cluster 72
Display in front wind‐
shield 128
Display lighting, refer to Instru‐
ment lighting 89
Displays 70
Displays, cleaning 299
Disposal, coolant 276
Disposal, vehicle battery 288
Distance control, refer to
PDC 121
Distance, selecting for
ACC 111
Distance to destination 82
Divided screen view, split
screen 21
Door lock, refer to Remote
control 30
Drive-off assistant 108
Drive-off assistant, refer to
DSC 104
Driving Experience
Switch 106
Driving instructions, breaking
in 156
Driving notes, general 156
Driving stability control sys‐
tems 104
Driving tips 156
DSC Dynamic Stability Con‐
trol 104
DTC Dynamic Traction Con‐
trol 105
DVD/CD 198
DVD/CD notes 204
DVD changer 202
DVD settings 201
DVDs, storing 205
DVD, video 200
Dynamic Damping Con‐
trol 105
Dynamic destination guid‐
ance 183
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC 104
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC 105
E
ECO PRO 163
EfficientDynamics 164
EfficientDynamics menu, refer
to ECO PRO 163
Electronic displays, instru‐
ment cluster 72
Electronic Stability Program
ESP, refer to DSC 104
Emergency detection, remote
control 31
Emergency release, door
lock 37
Emergency release, fuel filler
flap 260
Emergency Request 290
Emergency service, refer to
Roadside Assistance 291
Emergency start function, en‐
gine start 31
Emergency unlocking, trunk
lid 38
Energy Control 77
Energy recovery 77
Engine, automatic start/stop
function 61
Engine, automatic switch-
off 61
Engine compartment 272
Engine compartment, working
in 273
Engine coolant 276
Engine oil 274
Engine oil, adding 274
Engine oil additives 275
Engine oil change 275
Engine oil filler neck 274
Engine oil temperature 75
Engine oil types, alterna‐
tive 275
Engine oil types, ap‐
proved 275
Engine specifications 303
Engine start during malfunc‐
tion 31
Engine start, refer to Starting
the engine 60
Engine start, Starting aid 291
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