2012 BMW M3 warning

263
Engine compartment
Mobility
Alternative oil types
If approved oils are not available, you can add
quantities of up to 1 US quart/1 liter of another
oil with the following specifications:
Oil change
Oil changes should only be performed by a
BMW center.
Coolant
Coolant consists of half water and half additive.
Not all commercially availa
ble additives are suit-
able for your BMW. Ask your BMW center about
suitable additives.
Only use suitable a dditives; otherwise,
engine damage may result. Because
additives are harmful to your health, it is impor-
tant to follow the instructions on the contain-
ers. <
Comply with the appropriate environ-
mental protection regulations when dis-
posing of coolant additives. <
Coolant temperature
If the coolant and therefore the engine over-
heats, a warning lamp lights up. A message
appears on the Control Display.
Checking coolant level
Do not add coolant to the cooling system
when the engine is hot. Escaping coolant
can cause burns. <
1. Do not open the engine hood before the
engine has cooled down.
2. Turn the cap of the expansion tank a little
counterclockwise to allow any accumulated
pressure to escape, th en continue turning
to open.
3. The coolant level is correct if it is between
the maximum and minimum marks in the
filler neck, refer also to the diagram next to
the filler neck.
4. If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant up to
the specified level; do not overfill.
5. Turn the cap until there is an audible click.
6. Have the reason for the coolant loss elimi-
nated as soon as possible.
Gasoline engine
API SM or higher
Diesel engine
API ILSAC GF-5
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Maintenance
Mobility
Socket for Onboard
Diagnosis OBD
On the drive r's side is a n OBD so cket f or check-
ing components relevant to the composition of
the vehicle's emissions.
Emissions
The warning lamp lights up:
The vehicle is producing higher emis-
sions. The trip can be continued. Have
the car checked as soon as possible.
Canadian models display this warning
lamp.
The lamp flashes under ce rtain conditions. This
indicates excessive misfiring in the engine. If
this happens, you should reduce your speed
and visit your nearest BMW center as soon as
possible. Severe engine misfiring can quickly
lead to serious damage of emissions-related
components, especially the catalytic converter.
The warning lamp lights up if the fuel
cap is not properly tightened and the
OBD system assumes that fuel vapor
is escaping. Make sure that the fuel cap is cor-
rectly positioned and close it until it audibly
clicks.
Data memory
Your vehicle records data about the operation,
faults, and user settings. These data are stored
in the vehicle and in extr act form, in the remote
control, and can be read out using suitable
devices at your BMW center. The data that are
read out are used to support service proce-
dures and repairs or to optimize and expand
vehicle functions. If you have a BMW Assist
contract, certain vehicle data can also be trans-
mitted directly from the vehicle in order to
enable the desired services.
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MobilityCare
Care
Vehicle equipment
In this chapter, all pr oduction, country, and
optional equipment that is offered in the model
range is described. For this reason, descrip-
tions will be given of some equipment that may
not be available in a vehi cle, for example due to
the special options or national-market version
selected. This also app lies to safety related
functions and systems.
Care products
Regular cleaning and care contributes signifi-
cantly to the value re tention of your BMW.
BMW recommends cleaning and caring for your
vehicle with products that are approved by
BMW for this purpose.
Your BMW center will be happy to advise you on
the products and services available for cleaning
and caring for your BMW.
Original BMW CareProducts have been
material-tested, laboratory-checked and
proven in the field, and offer optimal care and
protection for your vehicle. <
Do not use cleaners that contain alcohol
or solvents as these may result in dam-
age.<
Cleaning agents can contain substances
that are dangerous or hazardous to your
health. Therefore, follow the warning and safety
instructions on the packaging. When cleaning
inside the vehicle, always open the doors or
windows of the vehicle. In enclosed areas, pro-
vide for sufficient ventilation. Only use products
designed for cleaning vehicles. <
Exterior care
Washing the vehicle
Especially during the winter months,
ensure that the vehicle is washed more
frequently. Heavy soiling an d road salt can lead
to vehicle damage. <
After washing the vehicle, apply the
brakes briefly to dry them; otherwise,
water can reduce braking efficiency over the
short term and the brake discs can corrode. <
Automatic car washes
Give preference to car washes that use cloth or
soft brushes in order to avoid paint damage.
Do not use high-pressure car washes;
otherwise, water may drip into the vehicle
around the windows. <
Before driving into a car wash, ensure that it is
suitable for your BMW. Check the following:
> Dimensions of your vehicle, refer to
page 285.
> If necessary: fold in the exterior mirrors,
refer to page 55.
> Maximum permissible tire width.
Avoid car washes with guide rail heights
over 4 in/10 cm; otherwise, there is the
danger of damaging chassis parts. <
Preparations before driv ing into an automatic
car wash:
> Unscrew the rod antenna.
> Deactivate the rain sensor to prevent
undesired wiper operation.
> Remove additional add-on parts, e.g. spoil-
ers or phone antennas, if they could be
damaged.
> Leave the remote control in the ignition
lock.
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Replacing components
Mobility
Backup lamp
If these lamps malfunctio
n, please contact your
BMW center.
Turn signal, brake, license plate,
parking, and tail lamps
These lamps use LED technology for operation.
If they malfunction, please contact your BMW
center.
Coupe: Brake Force Display lamp in the
trunk lid
H21W bulb, 21 watts
1. Pry out the plastic plugs in the trim of the
trunk lid using a screwdriver and remove the
trim.
2. Release the bulb hold er, see arrow, and
remove.
3. Apply gentle pressure to the bulb while
turning it to the left for removal and replace-
ment.
4. Attach the bulb holder.
5. Attach trunk lid trim.
Convertible: Brake Force Display lamp
in the trunk lid
H21W bulb, 21 watts 1.
Take the warning triangle out of its holder,
refer to page 277. Unscrew the holder using
the screwdriver from the onboard vehicle
tool kit.
2. Pry out the plastic plugs in the trim of the
trunk lid using a screwd river and remove the
trim.
3. Release the bulb holder, see arrow, and
remove.
4. Apply gentle pressure to the bulb while
turning it to the left for removal and replace-
ment.
5. Attach the bulb holder.
6. Reattach the trim of the trunk lid and the
holder for the warning triangle.
Changing wheels
Your BMW is equipped with run-flat tires as
standard. This eliminates the need to change a
wheel immediately in the event of a puncture.
For information on continuing to drive with a
damaged tire, refer to Indication of a flat tire on
page 101.
The symbol identifying run- flat tires is a circle
with the letters RSC on the sidewall, refer to
Run-flat tires, page 257.
When mounting new tires or changing over
from summer to winter tires and vice versa,
mount run-flat tires for your own safety. In the
event of a flat, no spare wheel is available. Your
BMW center will be glad to advise you. Refer
also to New wheels and tires, page 257.
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Giving and receiving assistance
Mobility
>
If the LED is flashing but the BMW Assist
Response Center cannot be heard over the
hands-free system, it is possible that the
hands-free system is malfunctioning. The
BMW Assist Response Center may still be
able to hear you, however.
Automatically triggering an Emergency
Request
Under certain conditions, an Emergency
Request is sent automatically immediately after
a severe accident. An automatic Emergency
Request is not affected by pressing the SOS
button.
Roadside Assistance
BMW Roadside Assistance is available by
phone around the clock in many countries. You
can obtain support there in the event of a break-
down.
First aid pouch
Some of the articles co ntained in the first aid
pouch have a limited service life. Therefore,
check the expiration dates of the contents reg-
ularly and replace any items in good time, if nec-
essary.
Coupe
The first aid pouch is located on the right-hand
side of the cargo area in a storage area.
Convertible
The first aid pouch is located in a compartment
under the front passenger seat.
To open: press the button and fold the cover
down.
To close: fold the cover back up and press it into
the catch.
Warning triangle
Coupe
The warning triangle is located on the left-hand
side of the cargo area. Pr ess the tab to take it
out.
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MobilityGiving and receiving assistance
Convertible
The warning triangle is lo cated in a holder in the
trunk lid. Press the tabs to take it out.
Jump-starting
If the car's own battery is flat, your BMW's
engine can be starte d by connecting two
jumper cables to another vehicle's battery. You
can also use the same method to help start
another vehicle. Only use jumper cables with
fully-insulated clamp handles.
Do not touch any electrically live parts
when the engine is runn ing, or a fatal acci-
dent may occur. Carefully adhere to the follow-
ing sequence, both to pr event damage to one or
both vehicles, and to guard against possible
personal injuries. <
Preparation
1.Check whether the ba ttery of the other
vehicle has a voltage of 12 volts and
approximately the same capacitance in Ah.
This information can be found on the bat-
tery.
2. Switch off the engine of the assisting vehi-
cle.
3. Switch off any consumers in both vehicles.
There must not be any contact between
the bodies of the two vehicles; otherwise,
there is a danger of shorting. <
Connecting jumper cables
Connect the jumper cables in the correct
order, so that no sparks which could
cause injury occur. <
Your BMW has a jump-starting connection in
the engine compartment which acts as the bat-
tery's positive terminal, refer also to the Engine
compartment overview on page 259. The cap is
marked with +.
1. Pull the cap of the BMW jump-starting con-
nection up to remove.
2. Attach one terminal clamp of the plus/+
jumper cable to the positive terminal of the
battery or a starting-aid terminal of the vehi-
cle providing assistance.
3. Attach the second terminal clamp of the
plus/+ jumper cable to the positive terminal
of the battery or a star ting-aid terminal of
the vehicle to be started.
4. Attach one terminal clamp of the minus/–
jumper cable to the negative terminal of the
battery or to an engine or body ground of
the assisting vehicle.
Your BMW has a special nut as body ground
or negative pole.
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ReferenceEverything from A to Z
Everything from A to Z
Index
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System 97
ACC, refer to Active Cruise Control 75
Acceleration assistant, refer to Launch Control 70
Accessories, refer to Vehicle
equipment 5
Accident, refer to Sending an Emergency Request 276
Activated-charcoal filter for automatic climate
control 120
Active Cruise Control 75
– indicator lamp 78
– malfunction 79
– selecting distance 77
– sensor 78
Active steering 105
Adaptive brake lamp
– Brake Force Display 106
Adaptive Light Control 112
Additives
– coolant 263
– engine oil 262
Address, entering 150,156
Address for navigation
– entering 150
Adjusting temperature inside the car, refer to Automatic
climate control 117
Adjusting the thigh support 49
Airbags 107
– indicator/warning lamp 108
– sitting safely 47
Air conditioning mode
– automatic climate control 117
– ventilation 119 Air distribution
– automatic
118
Airing, refer to Ventilation 119
Air pressure, refer to Tire inflation pressure 239
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated air mode 118
Air supply
– automatic climate
control 117
– ventilation 119
Air vents 116
Air volume 118
AKI, refer to Fuel grade 237
Alarm system 37
– avoiding unintentional alarms 38
– interior motion sensor 38
– switching off an alarm 37
– tilt alarm sensor 37
ALL program 119
All-season tires, refer to Winter tires 258
All-wheel drive, refer to xDrive 99
Ambient

air, refer to
Recirculated air mode 118
Antifreeze
– coolant 263
– washer fluid 72
Antilock Brake System ABS 97
Anti-theft alarm system, refer to Alarm system 37
Appointments, refer to
Calendar 223
Approved axle loads, refer to Weights 287
Approved engine oils 262
Approved gross vehicle weight, refer to Weights 287Apps
232
Armrest, refer to Center armrest 126
Arrival time, refer to Computer 84
Ashtray 128
Assist systems, refer to Driving stability control 97
AUC Automatic recirculated
air control 118
Audible instructions, refer to Voice instructions 161
Audio device, external 127
Automatic
– air distribution 118
– air volume 118
– cruise control 73,75
– headlamp control 110
Automatic car washes 266
Automatic climate control 116
Automatic curb monitor 55
Automatic high beams and low beams, refer to High-
beam Assistant 113
Automatic recirculated air control AUC 118
Automatic Service Request 232
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic 64
– interlock 64
– overriding selector lever
lock 66
– shiftlock, refer to Changing selector lever position 64
– sport program 65
– towing 279
– tow-starting 279
AUTO program for automatic climate control 118
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Everything from A to Z
Reference
AUX-IN
– port
127
Available services 232
Average fuel consumption 84
– setting the units 87
Average speed 84
Avoid highways in navigation 159
Avoiding unintentional alarms 38
Axle loads, refer to
Weights 287
B
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support 49
Backrests, refer to Seat adjustment 48
Backrest width adjustment 49
Back seats
– refer to Rear seats 51
Bag holder 131
Band-aids, refer to First aid pouch 277
Bar, refer to Towing methods 280
Base plate for telephone or
mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter 216
– refer to Snap-in adapter in
the center armrest storage
compartment 126
Battery 274
– charging 274
– disposal 40,275
– jump-starting 278
– remote control 30
– replacing 274
– temporary power failure 274
Battery renewal
– remote control 40
– remote control for vehicle 40
Being towed 279
Belt hand-over 54
– pinch protection system 54
Belts, refer to Safety belts 53Belt tensioner,
refer to Safety
belts 53
Beverage holders, refer to Cupholders 128
Black ice, refer to Outside
temperature warning 82
Blinds, refer to Roller sunblinds 126
Blower, refer to Air volume 118
Bluetooth, activating/
deactivating 205
BMW
– car shampoo 269
BMW Assist 228
– updating 232
BMW Homepage 4
BMW Info 222
BMW Maintenance
System 264
BMW Online 230
BMW webpage 4
Bottle holders, refer to Cupholders 128
Brake Assist, refer to Dynamic
Brake Control DBC 97
Brake fluid, refer to Service requirements 87
Brake Force Display 106
Bra

ke lamps
– Brake Force Display 106
Brake pads 138
– breaking in 138
Brake pedal, refer to Braking
safely 140
Brake rotors 141
– brakes 138
– breaking in 138
Brakes
– ABS 97
– BMW Maintenance System 264
– Brake Force Display 106
– breaking in 138
– parking brake 63
– service requirements 87Brakes, refer to Braking
safely 140
Brake system 138
– BMW Maintenance System 264
– breaking in 138
– disc brakes 141
Breakdown services, refer to
Roadside Assistance 277
Breaking in the clutch 138
Breaking in the differential,
refer to Engine and
differential 138
Break-in period 138
Brightness of the Control Display 94
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps and bulbs 270
Button for starting the engine,
refer to Start/Stop button 61
Buttons on the steering wheel 11
C
Calendar 223
– displaying appointment 223
– selecting calendar day 223
California Proposition 65 warning 6
Call
– accepting 209
– ending 210
– muting the microphone 211
– rejecting 209
Calling, refer to Phone numbers, dialing 210
Calling, refer to Telephone owner's manual
Calls
– with multiple parties 210
Can holders, refer to Cupholders 128
Capacities 289
Capacity of the cargo area 287
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery 274
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