2011 BMW 3 SERIES Owners Manual

Without a through-loading system:
Position
Mounts for the lower LATCH anchors are lo‐
cated in the gap between the seat and backrest.
With a through-loading system:
Position
Mounts for the lower LATCH anchors are lo‐
cated behind the indicated covers.
Mounting LATCH child restraint fixing
systems
1.Mount the child restraint fixing system; refer
to the operating instructions of the system.
2.Ensure that both LATCH anchors are prop‐
erly connected.
Child restraint fixing system with a
tether strap
Note
LATCH mounting eyes
Only use the mounting eyes for the upper
LATCH retaining strap to secure child restraint
fixing systems; otherwise, the mounting eyes
could be damaged.◀
Mounting points
Depending on the vehicle equipment, there are
two outer or three mounting points for child re‐
straint fixing systems with a tether strap.
Retaining strap guide
Retaining strap
Make sure that the upper retaining strap is
not routed over the head restraints or sharp
edges and is free of twisting on its way to the
upper mounting point; otherwise, the belt can‐
not properly secure the child restraint fixing sys‐
tem in an accident.◀
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1Direction of travel
2Head restraint.
3Hook for upper retaining strap
4Mounting point/eye
5Rear window shelf
6Seat backrest
7Upper retaining strap
Attaching the upper retaining strap to
the mounting point
1.Remove the mounting point cover.
2.Raise or remove head restraints.
3.Guide the upper retaining strap between the
supports of the head restraint.
4.Attach the hook of the retaining strap to the
mounting eye.
5.Tighten the retaining strap by pulling it
down.
6.Lower and lock head restraints as needed.
Locking the doors and
windows
Rear doors
Push the locking lever on the rear doors down.
The door can now be opened from the outside
only.
Safety switch for the rear
Press the button on the driver's door if
children are being transported in the
rear.
This locks various functions so that they cannot
be operated from the rear: safety switch, refer to
page 42.
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Driving
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.
Start/Stop button
The concept
Pressing the Start/Stop button
switches the ignition on or off and
starts the engine.
Automatic transmission: the en‐
gine starts if the brake is de‐
pressed when the Start/Stop button is pressed.
Manual transmission: the engine starts if the
clutch is depressed when the Start/Stop button
is pressed.
Ignition on
Automatic transmission: press the Start/Stop
button, and do not press on the brake pedal at
the same time.
Manual-shift transmission: press the Start/Stop
button, and do not press on the clutch pedal at
the same time.
All vehicle systems are ready for operation.
Most of the indicator and warning lamps in the
instrument cluster light up for varying lengths of
time.
To save battery power when the engine is off,
switch off the ignition and any unnecessary
electronic systems/power consumers.
The ignition switches off automatically:
▷When the vehicle is locked, if the low beams
are switched on.
▷Shortly before the battery is discharged
completely, so that the engine can still be
started.
▷If the engine is switched off and the ignition
is switched on, the system automatically
switches to the radio ready state when the
door is opened if the lights are switched off
or the daytime running lights are switched
on.
If the engine is switched off and the ignition
is switched on, the system automatically
switches to the radio ready state when the
door is opened if the lights are switched off.
Ignition off
Automatic transmission: press the Start/Stop
button again, and do not press on the brake
pedal at the same time.
Manual-shift transmission: press the Start/Stop
button again, and do not press on the clutch
pedal at the same time.
All indicator lamps in the instrument cluster go
out.
To save battery power when the engine is off,
switch off the ignition and any unnecessary
electronic systems/power consumers.
Transmission position P with the ignition
off
When the ignition is switched off, position P is
engaged automatically. When in an automatic
car wash, for example, ensure that the ignition is
not switched off accidentally.◀
Ignition automatically cuts off while the vehicle
is stationary and the engine is stopped:
▷During locking, also with the low beams ac‐
tivated.
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▷Shortly before the battery is discharged
completely, so that the engine can still be
started. This function is only available when
the low beams are switched off.
▷When opening and closing the driver door, if
the driver's seat belt is unbuckled and the
low beams are switched off.
▷While the driver's seat belt is unbuckled, if
the driver's door is open and the low beams
are switched off.
When the ignition is switched off, by opening or
closing the driver's door or unbuckling the driv‐
er's seat belt, the radio ready state remains ac‐
tive.
Radio ready state
Activate radio ready state:
▷When the ignition is switched off: press ON/
OFF button on the radio.
▷When the engine is running: press START/
STOP button.
Some electronic systems/power consumers re‐
main ready for operation.
Radio ready state switches off automatically:
▷After approx. 8 minutes.
▷When the vehicle is locked using the central
locking system.
▷Shortly before the battery is discharged
completely, so that the engine can still be
started.
Starting the engine
General information
Enclosed areas
Do not let the engine run in enclosed
areas; otherwise, breathing of exhaust fumes
may lead to loss of consciousness and death.
The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, an
odorless and colorless but highly toxic gas.◀
Unattended vehicle
Do not leave the vehicle unattended with
the engine running; doing so poses a risk of dan‐
ger.
Before leaving the vehicle with the engine run‐
ning, set the parking brake and place the trans‐
mission in position P or neutral to prevent the
vehicle from moving.◀
Frequent starting in quick succession
Avoid repeated futile attempts at starting
the car and avoid starting the car frequently in
quick succession. Otherwise, the fuel is not
burned or is inadequately burned, and there is
the danger of overheating and damaging the
catalytic converter.◀
Do not wait for the engine to warm up while the
vehicle remains stationary. Start driving at mod‐
erate engine speeds.
Manual transmission
Starting the engine
1.Depress the brake pedal.
2.Press on the clutch and shift to neutral.
3.Press the Start/Stop button.
The ignition is activated automatically for a cer‐
tain time and is stopped as soon as the engine
starts.
Automatic-Transmission
Starting the engine
1.Depress the brake pedal.
2.Press the Start/Stop button.
The ignition is activated automatically for a cer‐
tain time and is stopped as soon as the engine
starts.
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Engine stop
General information
Take the remote control with you
Take the remote control with you when
leaving the vehicle so that children, for example,
cannot start the engine.◀
Set the parking brake and further secure
the vehicle as required
Set the parking brake firmly when parking; oth‐
erwise, the vehicle could roll. On steep upward
and downward inclines, further secure the vehi‐
cle, for example, by turning the steering wheel in
the direction of the curb. ◀
Before driving into a car wash
In order for the vehicle to be able to roll into a car
wash, heed the information regarding Washing
in automatic car washes, refer to page 296.
Manual transmission
Switching off the engine
1.With the vehicle at a standstill, press the
Start/Stop button.
2.Shift into first gear or reverse.
3.Set the parking brake.
Automatic-Transmission
Switching off the engine
1.Engage transmission position P with the ve‐
hicle stopped.
2.Press the Start/Stop button.
The engine is switched off.
The radio ready state is switched on.
3.Set the parking brake.
Auto Start/Stop function
The concept
The automatic engine start-stop function helps
save fuel. The system switches off the engine
during a stop, e. g., in a traffic congestion or at
traffic lights. The ignition remains switched on.
The engine starts again automatically for driving
off.
Automatic mode
The automatic engine start/stop function is op‐
erational after each engine start.
The function is activated above a certain speed.
▷Manual transmission: above 3 mph, approx.
5 km/h.
▷Automatic transmission: from 5 mph, ap‐
prox. 9 km/h.
Engine stop
The engine is switched off automatically during
a stop under the following conditions:
Manual transmission:
▷Neutral is engaged and the clutch pedal is
not pressed.
▷The driver's safety belt is buckled or the
driver's door is closed.
Automatic transmission:
▷The selector lever is in transmission position
D.
▷Brake pedal remains depressed while the
vehicle is stopped.
▷The driver's safety belt is buckled or the
driver's door is closed.
The air flow of the air conditioner is reduced
when the engine is switched off.
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Display in the instrument cluster
The READY display in the tach‐
ometer signals that the Auto
Start/Stop function is ready to
start the engine automatically.
Note
The engine is not switched off automatically in
the following situations:
▷External temperature below approx. +37 ℉/
+3 ℃.
▷The external temperature is high and auto‐
matic climate control is running.
▷The passenger compartment has not yet
been heated or cooled to the required level.
▷The engine is not yet at operating tempera‐
ture.
▷The wheels are at a sharp angle or the steer‐
ing wheel is being turned.
▷After driving in reverse.
▷Fogging of the windows when the automatic
climate control is switched on.
▷The vehicle battery charge is very low.
▷The engine compartment lid is unlocked.
▷The parking assistant is activated.
▷Stop-and-go traffic.
▷The transmission selector lever is in position
N or S/M.
Starting the engine
The engine starts automatically under the fol‐
lowing conditions:
▷Manual transmission:
The clutch pedal is pressed.
▷Automatic transmission:
By releasing the brake pedal.
After the engine starts, accelerate as usual.
Safety mode
After the engine switches off automatically, it
will not start again automatically if any one of the
following conditions are met.
▷The driver's safety belt is unbuckled and the
driver's door is open.
▷The hood was unlocked.
Some indicator lamps light up for varying
lengths of time.
The engine can only be started via the Start/
Stop button.
Note
Even if driving away was not intended, the de‐
activated engine starts up automatically in the
following situations:
▷Excessive warming of the passenger com‐
partment when the cooling function is
switched on.
▷The steering wheel is turned.
▷Automatic transmission: the transmission
position is changed from D to N, R, or M/S.
▷Automatic transmission: the transmission
position is changed from P to N, D, R, or M/
S.
▷The vehicle begins rolling.
▷Fogging of the windows when the automatic
climate control is switched on.
▷The vehicle battery charge is very low.
▷Excessive cooling of the passenger com‐
partment when the heating is switched on.
▷Low brake vacuum pressure; this can occur,
for example, if the brake pedal is depressed
a number of times in succession.
Preventing an automatic engine stop
with automatic transmission
The concept
To make it possible to drive away very quickly,
such as at an intersection, the automatic engine
stop can be actively prevented.
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Preventing an engine stop using the
brake pedal
The engine stop can be actively prevented
within one second after the vehicle comes to a
standstill.
▷Immediately after the vehicle comes to a
standstill, briefly press the brake pedal
forcefully.
▷Then press the brake pedal with normal
braking force.
Activating/deactivating the system
manually
Using the button
Press the button.
▷LED comes on: Auto Start Stop function is
deactivated.
The engine is started during an automatic
engine stop.
The engine can only be stopped or started
via the Start/Stop button.
▷LED goes out: Auto Start Stop function is
activated.
Switching off the vehicle during an
automatic engine stop
During an automatic engine stop, the vehicle
can be switched off permanently, e.g., when
leaving it.
1.Press the Start/Stop button. The ignition is
switched off. The Auto Start/Stop function
is deactivated.
Automatic transmission: the transmission
position P is engaged automatically.
2.Set the parking brake.
Engine start as usual via start/stop button.
Automatic deactivation
In certain situations, the Automatic Engine Start/
Stop Function is deactivated automatically for
safety reasons, such as when the driver is de‐
tected to be absent.
Malfunction
The automatic engine start/stop function no lon‐
ger switches of the engine automatically. A
Check Control message is displayed. It is pos‐
sible to continue driving. Have the system
checked.
Parking brake
Applying
The lever automatically engages after being
pulled up.
Releasing
Raise lever slightly, press the button and guide
the lever down.
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Notes
Use while driving
If on a rare occasion it is necessary to use
the parking brake while driving, do not use ex‐
cessive force when applying it. When using it,
keep the button on the lever depressed.
Otherwise, using excessive force when applying
the parking brake may cause the rear wheels to
lock, resulting in fishtailing.◀
To prevent corrosion and braking control on one
side only, lightly apply the parking brake period‐
ically while coasting, if traffic conditions permit.
The brake lamps will not light up if the parking
brake is engaged.
Turn signal, high beams,
headlamp flasher
Turn signal
Do not fold in the exterior mirrors
During driving and during the operation of
the turn signals/warning flashers, do not fold in
the exterior mirror, or else the additional flasher
lights in the exterior mirror do not have the pre‐
scribed position and can only be poorly de‐
tected.◀
Using turn signals
Press the lever beyond the resistance point.
To switch off manually, press the lever to the re‐
sistance point.
Unusually rapid flashing of the indicator lamp in‐
dicates that a turn signal bulb has failed.
Triple turn signal activation
Press the lever to the resistance point.
The turn signal flashes three times.
The function can be activated or deactivated:
1."Settings"
2."Lighting"
3."Triple turn signal"
Signaling briefly
Press the lever to the resistance point and hold
it there for as long as you want the turn signal to
flash.
High beams, headlamp flasher
▷High beams, arrow 1.
▷Headlamp flasher, arrow 2.
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