2014 BMW 3 SERIES SEDAN fuel

The display of the ECO PRO driving style anal‐
ysis consists of a symbolized road route and a
lookup table.
The road symbolizes the efficiency of the driv‐
ing style. The more efficient the driving style,
the smoother the depicted road route be‐
comes, arrow 1.
The table of values contains stars. The more
efficient the driving style, the more stars are in‐
cluded in the table and the faster the bonus
range increases, arrow 2.
If, on the other hand, the driving style is ineffi‐
cient, a wavy road and a reduced number of
stars is displayed.
To assist with an efficient driving style, ECO
PRO tips are displayed during the drive.
Tips about the energy saving driving style,
Conserving fuel, refer to page 168.Seite 174Driving tipsSaving fuel174
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RefuelingVehicle equipment
All 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.
Hints Refuel promptly
Refuel no later than at a range of
30 miles/50 km, or operation of the engine is
not ensured and damage may occur.◀
Diesel engines The filler neck is designed for refueling at die‐
sel fuel pumps.
Fuel cap
Opening1.Briefly press the rear edge of the fuel filler
flap.2.Turn the fuel cap counterclockwise.3.Place the fuel cap in the bracket attached
to the fuel filler flap.
Closing
1.Fit the cap and turn it clockwise until you
clearly hear a click.2.Close the fuel filler flap.
Do not pinch the retaining strap
Do not pinch the retaining strap attached
to the cap; otherwise, the cap cannot be
closed properly and fuel vapors can escape.◀
Manually unlocking fuel filler flap In the event of an electrical malfunction, for ex‐
ample.
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1.Open the cover on the right side trim. To
do this, turn the cap.2.Pull the green knob with the fuel pump
symbol. This releases the fuel filler flap.
Observe the following when
refueling
The fuel tank is full when the filler nozzle clicks
off the first time.
Do not overfill the fuel tank
Do not overfill the fuel tank; otherwise
fuel may escape, causing harm to the environ‐
ment and damaging the vehicle.◀
Handling fuels
Obey safety regulations posted at the
gas station.◀
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FuelVehicle 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.
Fuel recommendation Note General fuel quality
Even fuels that conform to the specifica‐
tions can be of low quality. This may cause en‐
gine problems, for instance poor engine start‐
ing behavior, poor handling and/or
performance. Switch gas stations or use a
brand name fuel with a higher octane rating.◀
Gasoline
For the best fuel economy, the gasoline should
be sulfur-free or very low in sulfur content.
Fuels that are marked on the gas pump as con‐
taining metal must not be used.
Refuel only with unleaded gasoline with‐
out metallic additives.
Do not refuel with any leaded gasoline or gaso‐
line with metallic additives, e. g. manganese or
iron, or permanent damage to the catalytic
converter and other components.◀
Fuels with a maximum ethanol content of
10 %, i. e., E10, may be used for refueling.
Ethanol should satisfy the following quality
standards:
US: ASTM 4806–xx
CAN: CGSB-3.511–xxxx: comply with the current standard in each
case.
Do not use a fuel with a higher percent‐
age of ethanol
Do not use a fuel with a higher ethanol per‐
centage than recommended or one with other
types of alcohol, i.e. no Flex Fuel, otherwise
this could damage the engine and fuel supply
system.◀
Recommended fuel grade BMW recommends AKI 91.
Minimum fuel grade
BMW recommends AKI 89.
Minimum fuel grade
Do not use any gasoline below the mini‐
mum fuel grade as this may impair engine per‐
formance.◀
If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI Rat‐
ing, the engine may produce knocking sounds
when starting at high outside temperatures.
This has no effect on the engine life.
Fuel quality
The use of poor-quality fuels may result
in harmful engine deposits or damage. Addi‐
tionally, problems relating to drivability, start‐
ing and stalling, especially under certain envi‐
ronmental conditions such as high ambient
temperature and high altitude, may occur.
If drivability problems are encountered, we rec‐
ommend switching to a high quality gasoline
brand and a higher octane grade — AKI num‐
ber — for a few tank fills. To avoid harmful en‐
gine deposits, it is highly recommended to
purchase gasoline from BP or Top Tier retail‐
ers.Seite 180MobilityFuel180
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Failure to comply with these recommendations
may result in the need for unscheduled main‐
tenance.◀
Diesel
Low-Sulfur Diesel
The engine of your BMW is designed for diesel
with low sulfur content:
Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel ASTM D 975-xx.
xx: comply with the current standard in each
case.
Use only Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel.
The fraction of biodiesel in the fuel must
not exceed 5 %, referred to as B5. Do not use
gasoline. If you do fill the tank with the wrong
fuel, e.g., gasoline, do not start the engine as
this may damage the engine.◀
After adding the wrong fuel, contact your serv‐
ice center or roadside assistance.
If the fuel pump nozzle does not fit in the filler
pipe of your BMW, please check to ensure that you are refueling at a diesel fuel pump that is
equipped with a diesel fuel pump nozzle.
In the event the Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel fuel
cannot be fully inserted into the fuel filler neck,
please contact BMW Roadside Assistance for
instructions on how to add fuel. For more infor‐
mation on BMW Roadside Assistance, refer to
page 216.
Winter diesel To ensure that the diesel engine remains op‐
erational in the winter, use winter diesel.
It is available at gas stations during winter
months.
The fuel filter heating system, included as a
standard feature, prevents disruption of the
fuel supply while driving.
Do not add any diesel additives
Do not add additives, including gasoline;
otherwise, engine damage may occur.◀
BMW Advanced Diesel
The concept BMW Advanced Diesel reduces nitrogen ox‐
ides in the diesel emissions by injecting diesel
exhaust fluid reducing agent into the exhaust
system. A chemical reaction takes place inside
the catalytic converter that minimizes nitrogen
oxides.
The vehicle has a tank that can be refilled.
To be able to start the engine as usual, there
must be an adequate reducing agent.
Reducing agent is added by the service center.
Warming up the systemIn order to warm the engine up to its operating
temperature after a cold start, the automatic
transmission may subsequently shift up to the
next higher gear.
Displays in the instrument cluster
Reserve display
This display in the instrument cluster provides
information about the distance that can still be
driven with the current reserve level.
The reserve display is shown
starting at a remaining range of
approx. 1,000 miles/1,600 km.
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Refill in good time
The reducing agent must be replenished
as soon as the Reserve display appears, other‐
wise the engine cannot be restarted.◀
Diesel exhaust fluid on minimum The engine will continue to runeven when the display shows --,
as long as it is not switched off
and all other operating condi‐
tions are satisfied, sufficient fuel
for example.
Engine does not start
Do not continue driving to the limit of the
remaining travel distance. Otherwise, you will
not be able to restart the engine after switch‐
ing it off.◀
Misfueling A Check Control message is displayed when
an incorrect fluid is added.
After adding the wrong fluid, contact your
service center.
System defect
A Check Control message is displayed when
there is a system defect.
Have the diesel exhaust fluid
replenished
The reducing agent is added by the service
center within the context of regular mainte‐
nance.
It may be necessary to have the fluid replen‐
ished several times under particular circum‐
stances, for example, if the vehicle is driven in
a particularly sporty style or if it is driven at
high altitudes.
The reducing agent must be replenished as
soon as the reserve display appears in the in‐
strument cluster to avoid not being able to re‐
start the engine.Diesel exhaust fluid at low
temperatures
Due to its physical properties, it is possible
that the reducing agent may also need to be
replenished between regular maintenance ap‐
pointments if it is exposed to temperatures un‐
der + 23 ℉/- 5 ℃. In this case, add reducing
agent only immediately before starting to drive.
The need to replenish it is indicated by the Re‐
serve display in the instrument cluster.
At temperatures below + 12 ℉/- 11 ℃ the fill
level in some cases cannot be measured.
After adding reducing agent, the reserve dis‐
play is displayed only until the fill level can be
measured again.
Replenishing Diesel exhaust fluid
yourself in exceptional cases
You can replenish reducing agent yourself in
exceptional cases, e.g., to get to the service
center.
Avoid contact with Diesel exhaust fluid
Do not come into contact with the reduc‐
ing agent. Otherwise, skin or eye irritations
may result.◀
Handling Diesel exhaust fluid
When working with reducing agent in
closed spaces, ensure good ventilation. When
the bottle or container is opened, acrid smell‐
ing fumes may escape.◀
Keeping Diesel exhaust fluid out of reach
of children
Keep reducing agent out of reach of children◀
Avoid contact with surfaces
Avoid contact of reducing agent with sur‐
faces of the vehicle. Damage could result.◀
Suitable Diesel exhaust fluid▷Preferred: BMW Diesel Exhaust Fluid. With
this bottle and its special adapter, DieselSeite 182MobilityFuel182
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exhaust fluid can be replenished simply
and safely.▷Alternative: NOx reduction agent AUS 32
Diesel exhaust fluid can be purchased at your
Service Center.
Refill quantity
When the Reserve display starts, add at least 2
bottles of reducing agent.
This corresponds to approx. 1 gallon.
Tank for reducing agent
The tank for the reducing agent is located next
to the fuel tank.
Adding the reducing agent Add the reducing agent when the ignition is
switched on.
1.Open the fuel filler flap, refer to page 178.2.Turn the fuel cap counterclockwise and re‐
move.3.Place the bottle on it and turn it as far as it
will go, see arrow.4.Press the bottle down, see arrow.The vehicle tank will be filled.
The tank is full when the fill level in the bot‐
tle no longer changes. It is not possible to
overfill.5.Pull back the bottle, see arrow, and un‐
screw it.6.Replace the fuel cap and turn it clockwise.7.Close the fuel filler flap.
After adding Diesel exhaust fluid
Note Incorrect fluids
After filling with incorrect fluids, such as
antifreeze for washer water, do not start the
engine, otherwise there is risk of fire.◀
Contact your service center.
Disposing of bottles You take your empty Diesel exhaust
fluid bottles to your Service Center for
disposal.
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