2013 BMW 3 SERIES SEDAN light

4.Pull the corresponding lever in the cargo
area to release the rear seat backrest.5.The unlocked rear seat backrest moves
forward slightly.6.Fold backrest forward.
Closing
1.Return the rear seat backrest to the upright
seating position and engage it.
Ensure that the lock is securely en‐
gaged
Make sure that the lock engages properly
when folding back, otherwise transported
cargo could enter the passenger compart‐
ment during braking or evasive maneuvers
and endanger the vehicle occupants.◀2.Release the belt tongue from the fixture on
the rear window shelf.3.Insert the belt tongue in the belt lock of the
center safety belt. Make sure you hear the
latch plate engage.
To secure cargo, refer to page 170, with nets
or draw straps, the cargo area is fitted with
lashing eyes.
Folding down the middle section1.Fold in the middle head restraint.2.Reach into the recess and pull the middle
section forward.Seite 158ControlsInterior equipment158
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 926 810 - X/13

Storage compartmentsVehicle equipmentAll standard, country-specific and optional
equipment that is offered in the model series is
described in this chapter. Therefore, equip‐
ment is also described that is not available in a
vehicle, e. g., because of the selected optional
equipment or country variant. This also applies
for safety-related functions and systems.
Notes No loose objects in the passenger com‐
partment
Do not stow any objects in the passenger
compartment without securing them; other‐
wise, they may present a danger to occupants
for instance during braking and avoidance ma‐
neuvers.◀
Do not place anti-slip mats on the dash‐
board
Do not place anti-slip mats on the dashboard.
The mat materials could damage the dash‐
board.◀
Storage compartments
The following storage compartments are avail‐
able in the vehicle interior:▷Glove compartment on the driver's side,
refer to page 160.▷Glove compartment on the front passenger
side, refer to page 159.▷Without Smoker's package: Front storage
compartment, in front of the cupholders,
refer to page 160.▷Storage compartment in the front center
armrest, refer to page 160.▷Compartments in the doors, refer to
page 160.▷Nets on the backrests of the front seats.▷Storage compartment in the rear center
console, refer to page 161.
Glove compartment
Front passenger side
Note Close the glove compartment again im‐
mediately
Close the glove compartment immediately af‐
ter use while driving; otherwise, injury may oc‐
cur during accidents.◀
Opening
Pull the handle.
The light in the glove compartment switches
on.
The net in the glove compartment is provided
for stowing the storage tray for the cupholder,
refer to page 161.
Closing Fold cover closed.
Seite 159Storage compartmentsControls159
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 926 810 - X/13

Connection for an external audio
device
.
Storage compartment in the
rear
Storage compartment is located in the rear
center console.
Cupholders
Hints Shatter-proof containers and no hot
drinks
Use light and shatter-proof containers and do
not transport hot drinks. Otherwise, there is
the increased danger of injury in an accident.◀
Unsuitable containers
Do not forcefully push unsuitable con‐
tainers into the cupholders. This may result in
damage.◀
FrontStorage tray for front cupholders
The cupholder with the storage tray can be
used for additional storage. To do this, place
the storage tray in the cupholder.
Only use the storage tray for small objects,
such as keys or the remote control.
When not in use, stow the storage tray in the
glove compartment net. Insert the storage tray
into the net so that the top surface faces up.
Note the trapezoidal shape of the net and tray.
RearIn the center armrest.
Pull the center armrest forward at the strap.
To open: press the button.
To close: push both covers back in, one after
the other.
Pushing back the covers
Push back the covers before folding up
the center armrest; otherwise, the cupholder
could become damaged.◀
Clothes hooks
The clothes hooks are located in the grab han‐
dles in the rear.
Do not obstruct view
When suspending clothing from the
hooks, ensure that it will not obstruct the driv‐
er's vision.◀
Seite 161Storage compartmentsControls161
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 926 810 - X/13

No heavy objects
Do not hang heavy objects from the
hooks; otherwise, they may present a danger
to passengers during braking and evasive ma‐
neuvers.◀
Storage compartments in the
cargo area
Storage compartment A storage compartment is located on the left
side.
Located on the right side is a storage compart‐
ment for the onboard vehicle tool kit, refer to
page 206, and first aid kit, refer to page 218.
Net
Small objects can be stowed in the net on the
left side.
Hooks/multi-function hook
A multi-function hook is located on each side
of the cargo area. The multi-function hooks
can be loaded up to a max. of 8.8 lbs/4 kg.
Light and suitable objects only
Only hang light bags or suitable objects
from the holders. Otherwise, there is a danger
of objects flying about during braking and eva‐
sive maneuvers.
Only transport heavy luggage in the trunk if it
has been appropriately secured.◀
Retaining strap
A retaining strap is available on the right side
trim for fastening small objects.
Lashing eyes in the cargo area To secure the cargo, refer to page 170, there
are four lashing eyes in the cargo area.
Floor net The floor net can also be used to Secure the
load, refer to page 170, and to store small
parts.
Storage compartment under cargo
floor panel
Maximum load
To avoid damage to the vehicle, do not
exceed a maximum permitted load of 44 lbs/
20 kg in the storage compartment under the
cargo floor panel.◀
Raise the cargo floor panel, arrow 1, and latch
at top, if necessary, arrow 2.
Partitioning the compartment
The compartment can be divided using an at‐
tachable partition.
Seite 162ControlsStorage compartments162
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 926 810 - X/13

Hot exhaust systemHot exhaust system
High temperatures are generated in the
exhaust system.
Do not remove the heat shields installed and
never apply undercoating to them. Make sure
that flammable materials, e. g. hay, leaves,
grass, etc. do not come in contact with the hot
exhaust system during driving, while in idle po‐
sition mode, or when parked. Such contact
could lead to a fire, and with it the risk of seri‐
ous personal injury as well as property dam‐
age.
Do not touch hot exhaust pipes; otherwise,
there is the danger of getting burned.◀
Diesel particulate filter The diesel particulate filter collects soot parti‐
cles and burns them periodically at high tem‐
peratures.
During the cleaning time of several minutes,
the following may occur:▷Temporarily, the engine may run less
smoothly.▷Noises and a slight amount of smoke com‐
ing from the exhaust until shortly after the
engine is shut down.▷A somewhat higher engine speed is neces‐
sary to achieve the accustomed perform‐
ance.
Mobile communication devices in the
vehicle
Mobile communication devices in the ve‐
hicle
It is advised that you do not use mobile com‐
munication devices, e.g., mobile phones, in‐
side the vehicle without connecting them di‐
rectly to the external antenna. Otherwise, the
vehicle electronics and mobile communication
devices can interfere with each other. In addi‐
tion, there is no assurance that the radiation
generated during transmission will be dis‐
charged from the vehicle interior.◀
Hydroplaning
On wet or slushy roads, a wedge of water can
form between the tires and road surface.
This phenomenon is referred to as hydroplan‐
ing. It is characterized by a partial or complete
loss of contact between the tires and the road
surface, ultimately undermining your ability to
steer and brake the vehicle.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads, re‐
duce your speed to prevent hydroplaning.◀
Driving through water Drive through calm water only and only if it is
not deeper than. 9.8 inches/25 cm and at this
height, no faster than walking speed, up to
6 mph/10 km/h.
Adhere to water depth and speed limita‐
tions
Do not exceed this water depth and walking
speed; otherwise, the vehicle's engine, the
electrical systems and the transmission may
be damaged.◀
Braking safely
Your vehicle is equipped with ABS as a stand‐
ard feature.
Applying the brakes fully is the most effective
way of braking in situations when this is neces‐
sary.
The vehicle maintains steering responsive‐
ness. You can still avoid any obstacles with a
minimum of steering effort.
Pulsation of the brake pedal and sounds from
the hydraulic circuits indicate that ABS is in its
active mode.Seite 167Things to remember when drivingDriving tips167
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 926 810 - X/13

Objects within the range of movement
of the pedals
No objects in the area around the pedals
Keep floor mats, carpets, and any other
objects out of the area of motion of the pedals;
otherwise, the function of the pedals could be
impeded while driving and create the risk of an
accident.
Do not place additional floor mats over existing
mats or other objects.
Only use floor mats that have been approved
for the vehicle and can be properly fixed in
place.
Ensure that the floor mats are securely fas‐
tened again after they were removed for clean‐
ing, for example.◀
Driving in wet conditions When roads are wet coated with road salt or
there is heavy rain, briefly exert gentle pres‐
sure on the brake pedal every few miles.
Ensure that this action does not endanger
other road users.
The heat generated in this process helps dry
the brake discs and pads.
In this way braking efficiency will be available
when you need it.
Hills
Drive long or steep downhill gradients in the
gear in which the least braking is required.
Otherwise, the brake system may overheat, re‐
sulting in a reduction in the brake system effi‐
ciency.
You can increase the engine's braking effect
by shifting down, going all the way to first gear,
if necessary.
Avoid load on the brakes
Avoid placing excessive load on the
brake system. Light but consistent brake pres‐
sure can lead to high temperatures, brake wear
and possibly even brake failure.◀Do not drive in neutral
Do not drive in neutral or with the engine
stopped, as doing so disables engine braking.
In addition, steering and brake assist are un‐
available with the engine stopped.◀
Brake disc corrosion The corrosion on the brake discs and the con‐
tamination on the brake pads are furthered by:▷Low mileage.▷Extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all.▷Infrequent use of the brakes.
Corrosion occurs when the minimum pressure
that must be exerted by the pads during brake
applications to clean the discs is not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake discs, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating ef‐
fect that generally cannot be corrected.
Condensation under the parked
vehicle
When using the automatic climate control,
condensation water develops that exits under‐
neath the vehicle.
Traces of water under the vehicle like this are
normal.
Seite 168Driving tipsThings to remember when driving168
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 926 810 - X/13

Load
The maximum load is the sum of the weight of
the occupants and the cargo.
The greater the weight of the occupants, the
less cargo that can be transported.
Stowing cargo
▷Cover sharp edges and corners on the
cargo.▷Heavy cargo: stow as far forward as possi‐
ble, directly behind and at the bottom of
the rear passenger seat backrests.▷Very heavy cargo: when the rear seat is not
occupied, secure each of the outer safety
belts in the opposite buckle.▷If necessary, fold down the rear backrests
to stow cargo.▷Do not stack cargo above the top edge of
the backrests.Securing cargo
Lashing eyes in the cargo area
To secure the cargo there are four lashing
eyes in the cargo area.
Floor net
The floor net can also be used to Secure the
load and to store small parts.
Hook the floor net into the fittings in the cargo
area floor.
Securing cargo
▷Smaller and lighter items: secure with re‐
taining straps or draw straps.▷Larger and heavy objects: secure with
cargo straps.
Attach the cargo straps, retaining straps or
draw straps to the lashing eyes in the cargo
area.
Seite 170Driving tipsLoading170
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 926 810 - X/13

Avoid high engine speeds
Use 1st gear to get the vehicle in motion. Be‐
ginning with 2nd gear, accelerate rapidly.
When accelerating, shift up before reaching
high engine speeds.
When you reach the desired speed, shift into
the highest applicable gear and drive with the
engine speed as low as possible and at a con‐
stant speed.
As a rule: driving at low engine speeds lowers
fuel consumption and reduces wear.
The gear shift indicator of your vehicle indi‐
cates the most fuel efficient gear.
Use coasting When approaching a red light, take your foot
off the accelerator and let the vehicle coast to
a halt.
On a downhill gradient, take your foot off the
accelerator and let the vehicle roll.
The flow of fuel is interrupted while coasting.
Switch off the engine during longer stops
Switch off the engine during longer stops, e.g.,
at traffic lights, railroad crossings or in traffic
congestion.
Auto Start/Stop function The Auto Start/Stop function of your vehicle
automatically switches off the engine during a
stop.
If the engine is switched off and then restarted
rather than leaving the engine running con‐
stantly, fuel consumption and emissions are
reduced. Savings can begin within a few sec‐
onds of switching off the engine.
Using this system can cause certain compo‐
nents of the vehicle to become worn prema‐
turely.In addition, fuel consumption is also deter‐
mined by other factors, such as driving style,
road conditions, maintenance or environmental
factors.
Switch off any functions that
are not currently needed
Functions such as seat heating and the rear
window defroster require a lot of energy and
reduce the range, especially in city and stop-
and-go traffic.
Therefore, switch off these functions if they
are not actually needed.
The ECO PRO driving program supports the
energy conserving use of comfort functions.
These functions are automatically deactivated
partially or completely.
Have maintenance carried
out
Have vehicles maintained regularly to achieve
optimal vehicle economy and operating life.
The maintenance should be carried out by
your service center.
Also note the BMW Maintenance System, refer
to page 204.
ECO PRO
The concept ECO PRO supports a driving style that saves
on fuel consumption. For this purpose, the en‐
gine control and comfort functions, e. g. the
climate control output, are adjusted.
In addition, context-sensitive instructions can
be displayed that assist in driving in a manner
that optimizes fuel consumption.
In the instrument display, the extension of the
range achieved by this can be displayed as a
bonus range.Seite 173Saving fuelDriving tips173
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 926 810 - X/13