2011 BMW 3 SERIES check oil

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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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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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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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
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Malfunction displays, refer to
Check Control 73
Manual air distribu‐
tion 135, 138
Manual air flow 135
Manual air volume 138
Manual mode, transmis‐
sion 68
Manual operation, backup
camera 124
Manual operation, door
lock 37
Manual operation, exterior mir‐
rors 52
Manual operation, fuel filler
flap 260
Manual operation, Park Dis‐
tance Control PDC 122
Manual operation, Side
View 128
Manual operation, Top
View 126
Manual transmission 67
Map, destination entry 173
Map in split screen 180
Map view 178
Marking on approved
tires 270
Marking, run-flat tires 271
Master key, refer to Remote
control 30
Maximum cooling 137
Maximum speed, display 79
Maximum speed, winter
tires 270
Measure, units of 85
Medical kit 291
Memory, seat, mirror 51
Menu, EfficientDynamics 164
Menu in instrument cluster 80
Menus, operating, iDrive 16
Menus, refer to iDrive operat‐
ing concept 18
Message list, traffic bulle‐
tins 180
Messages 241
Messages, refer to Check
Control 73
Microfilter 136, 139
Minimum tread, tires 269
Mirror 52
Mirror memory 51
Mobile communication devi‐
ces in the vehicle 157
Mobile phone 220, 228
Mode, ECO PRO 163
Modifications, technical, refer
to Safety 6
Moisture in headlamp 280
Monitor, refer to Control Dis‐
play 16
Mounting of child restraint fix‐
ing systems 55
MP3 player 210
Multifunction steering wheel,
buttons 12
Music collection 205
Music search 207
Music, storing 205
N
Navigation 168
Navigation data 183
Neck restraints, front, refer to
Head restraints 49
Neck restraints, rear, refer to
Head restraints 50
New wheels and tires 269
No Passing Information 79
Notes 245
Number of cylinders, en‐
gine 303
Nylon rope for tow-starting/
towing 294
O
OBD Onboard Diagnos‐
tics 278
Obstacle marking, backup
camera 125
Odometer 76
Office 238
Oil 274
Oil, adding 274
Oil additives 275
Oil change 275
Oil change interval, service re‐
quirements 77
Oil filler neck 274
Oil types, alternative 275
Oil types, approved 275
Old batteries, disposal 288
Onboard Diagnostics
OBD 278
Onboard monitor, refer to
Control Display 16
Onboard vehicle tool kit 279
Opening/closing from in‐
side 37
Opening/closing via door
lock 36
Opening/closing with remote
control 34
Operating concept, iDrive 16
Optional equipment, standard
equipment 6
Outside air, refer to Automatic
recirculated-air control 138
Overheating of engine, refer to
Coolant temperature 76
P
Paint, vehicle 297
Pairing, mobile
phone 220, 229
Panic mode 35
Parallel parking assistant 130
Park Distance Control
PDC 121
Parked-car ventilation 139
Parked vehicle, condensa‐
tion 158
Parking aid, refer to PDC 121
Parking assistant 130
Parking brake 63
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