2015 BMW 3 SERIES SEDAN transmission

Tow-starting and towingNote Tow-starting and towing
For tow-starting or towing, switch off the
Intelligent Safety systems; otherwise malfunc‐
tions of the individual braking systems might
lead to accidents.◀
Manual transmission Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Towing Follow the towing instructions
Follow all towing instructions; otherwise,
vehicle damage or accidents may occur.◀▷Make sure that the ignition is switched on;
otherwise, the low beams, tail lights, turn
signals, and wipers may be unavailable.▷Do not tow the vehicle with the rear axle
tilted, as the front wheels could turn.▷When the engine is stopped, there is no
power assist. Consequently, more force
needs to be applied when braking and
steering.▷Larger steering wheel movements are re‐
quired.▷The towing vehicle must not be lighter
than the vehicle being towed; otherwise,
it will not be possible to control the vehi‐
cle's response.Tow truck
With rear-wheel drive
Your vehicle should be transported with a tow
truck with a so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.
Do not lift the vehicle
Do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting or
body and chassis parts; otherwise, damage
may result.◀
With xDrive
The vehicle should only be transported on a
loading platform.
Do not tow with only the front or rear axle
raised
Do not tow the BMW with just the front or rear
axle raised; otherwise, the wheels could lock
up and the transfer case could be damaged.◀
Do not lift the vehicle
Do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting or
body and chassis parts; otherwise, damage
may result.◀
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Steptronic transmission: transporting
your vehicle
Note Your vehicle is not permitted to be towed.
Therefore, contact a service center in the
event of a breakdown.
Do not have the vehicle towed
Have your vehicle transported on a load‐
ing platform only; otherwise, damage may oc‐
cur.◀
Tow truck
The vehicle should only be transported on a
loading platform.
Do not lift the vehicle
Do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting or
body and chassis parts; otherwise, damage
may result.◀
Use tow fitting located in the front only for po‐
sitioning the vehicle.
Towing other vehicles
Hints Light towing vehicle
The towing vehicle must not be lighter
than the vehicle being towed; otherwise, it will
not be possible to control the vehicle's re‐
sponse.◀
Attaching the tow bar/tow rope correctly
Attach the tow bar or tow rope to the tow
fitting; connecting it to other vehicle parts may
cause damage.◀▷Switch on the hazard warning system, de‐
pending on local regulations.▷If the electrical system has failed, clearly
identify the vehicle being towed by placing
a sign or a warning triangle in the rear win‐
dow.
Tow bar
The tow fittings used should be on the same
side on both vehicles.
Should it prove impossible to avoid mounting
the tow bar at an offset angle, please observe
the following:
▷Maneuvering capability is limited going
around corners.▷The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it
is secured with an offset.
Tow rope
When starting to tow the vehicle, make sure
that the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated stresses
on the vehicle components when towing, al‐
ways use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting should always be car‐
ried in the vehicle.
The tow fitting can be screwed in at the front
or rear of the BMW.
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The tow fitting is in the onboard vehicle tool kit
located in a storage compartment on the right
side in the trunk. Open the cover.
Tow fitting, information on use
▷Use only the tow fitting provided with
the vehicle and screw it all the way in.▷Use the tow fitting for towing on paved
roads only.▷Avoid lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g.,
do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting.
Otherwise, damage to the tow fitting and the
vehicle can occur.◀
Screw thread for tow fitting
Press on the mark on the edge of the cover to
push it out.
Tow-starting
Steptronic transmission
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
Tow-starting the engine is not possible due to
the Steptronic transmission.
Have the cause of the starting problems fixed.
Manual transmission If possible, do not tow-start the vehicle but
start the engine by jump-starting, refer to
page 224. If the vehicle is equipped with a cat‐
alytic converter, only tow-start while the en‐
gine is cold.1.Switch on the hazard warning system and
comply with local regulations.2.Ignition, refer to page 64, on.3.Engage third gear.4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the
clutch pedal pressed and slowly release
the pedal. After the engine starts, immedi‐
ately press on the clutch pedal again.5.Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow
bar or rope, and switch off the hazard
warning system.6.Have the vehicle checked.Seite 228MobilityBreakdown assistance228
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CareVehicle features and optionsThis chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the
series. It also describes features that are not
necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to
the selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and
systems. The respectively applicable country
provisions must be observed when using the
respective features and systems.
Car washes General information
Regularly remove foreign objects such as
leaves in the area below the windshield when
the hood is raised.
Wash your vehicle frequently, particularly in
winter. Intense soiling and road salt can dam‐
age the vehicle.
Hints Steam jets or high-pressure washers
When using steam jets or high-pressure
washers, hold them a sufficient distance away
and use a maximum temperature of
140 ℉/60 ℃.
If the vehicle has a glass sunroof, ensure that a
distance of at least 31.5 inches/80 cm is main‐
tained. Holding them too close or using exces‐
sively high pressures or temperatures can
cause damage or preliminary damage that may
then lead to long-term damage.
Follow the user's manual for the high-pressure
washer.◀Cleaning sensors/camera lenses with
high-pressure washers
When using high-pressure washers, do not
spray the sensors and camera lenses on the
outside of the vehicle for long periods and
maintain a distance of at least 12 in/30 cm.◀
Automatic car washes
Hints▷Give preference to cloth car washes or
those that use soft brushes in order to
avoid paint damage.▷Make sure that the wheels and tires are not
damaged by the transport mechanisms.▷Fold in the exterior mirrors; otherwise, they
may be damaged, depending on the width
of the vehicle.▷Deactivate the rain sensor, refer to
page 70, to avoid unintentional wiper acti‐
vation.▷In some cases, an unintentional alarm can
be triggered by the interior motion sensor
of the alarm system. Follow the instruc‐
tions on avoiding an unintentional alarm,
refer to page 45.
Guide rails in car washes
Avoid car washes with guide rails higher
than 4 in/10 cm; otherwise, the vehicle body
could be damaged.◀
Before driving into a car wash In order to ensure that the vehicle can roll in a
car wash, take the following steps:
Manual transmission:
1.Drive into the car wash.2.Shift to neutral.Seite 229CareMobility229
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3.Switch the engine off.4.Switch on the ignition.
Steptronic transmission:
1.Drive into the car wash.2.Engage selector lever position N.3.Switch the engine off.
In this way, the ignition remains switched
on, and a Check-Control message is dis‐
played.
Do not turn off the ignition in the car
wash
Do not turn off the ignition in the car wash;
otherwise, selector lever position P is en‐
gaged and damages can result.◀
The vehicle cannot be locked from the outside
when in selector lever position N. A signal
sounds when an attempt is made to lock the
vehicle.
To start the engine with manual transmission:
1.Press on the clutch pedal.2.Press the Start/Stop button.
To start the engine with Steptronic transmis‐
sion:
1.Depress the brake pedal.2.Press the Start/Stop button.
Pressing the Start/Stop button without step‐
ping on the brake turns the ignition off.
Selector lever positionSelector lever position P is engaged automati‐
cally:
▷When the ignition is switched off.▷After approx. 15 minutes.
Headlights
▷Do not rub dry and do not use abrasive or
acidic cleansers.▷Soak areas that have been dirtied e. g.,
from insects, with shampoo and wash off
with water.▷Thaw ice with de-icing 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.
Completely remove all residues on the win‐
dows, to minimize loss of visibility due to
smearing and to reduce wiper noises and
wiper blade wear.
Vehicle care
Car care products BMW recommends using care and cleaning
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
dangerous and harmful to your health.◀
Vehicle paint
Regular care contributes to driving safety and
value retention. Environmental influences in
areas with elevated air pollution or natural con‐
taminants, such as tree resin or pollen can af‐
fect the vehicle's paintwork. Tailor the fre‐
quency and extent of your car care to these
influences.
Aggressive substances such as spilled fuel, oil,
grease or bird droppings, must be removed im‐
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Technical dataVehicle features and options
This chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the
series. It also describes features that are not
necessarily available in your car, e. g., due tothe selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and
systems. The respectively applicable country
provisions must be observed when using the
respective features and systems.
Note
The technical data and specifications in this
Owner's Manual are used as guidance values.
The vehicle-specific data can deviate from this,
for example, due to the selected special equip‐
ment, country version or country-specific
measurement method. Detailed values can befound in the approval documents, on informa‐
tion signs on the vehicle or can be obtained
from the service center.
The information in the vehicle documents al‐
ways has priority.
Dimensions
The dimensions can vary depending on the
model version, equipment or country-specific
measurement method.
The specified heights do not take into account
attached parts, for example, a roof antenna,roof racks or spoiler. The heights can deviate,
for example, due to the selected special equip‐
ment, tires, load and chassis version. BMW 3 Series LimousineWidth with mirrorsinches/mm80.0/2,031Width without mirrorsinches/mm71.3/1,811Heightinches/mm56.3–56.5/1,429–
1,434Lengthinches/mm182.2/4,627Wheelbaseinches/mm110.6/2,810Smallest turning radius diam.ft/m37.1–38.4/11.3–11.7
Weights
The values preceding the slash apply to vehi‐
cles with manual transmission; the values fol‐lowing the slash apply to vehicles with Step‐
tronic transmission.Seite 236ReferenceTechnical data236
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Everything from A to Z
IndexA ABS, Antilock Brake Sys‐ tem 119
ACC, Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go 124
Acceleration Assistant, refer to Launch Control 75
Accessories and parts 7
Activated-charcoal filter 150
Active Blind Spot Detec‐ tion 116
Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go, ACC 124
Adaptive brake lights, refer to Brake force display 118
Adaptive Light Control 93
Additives, oil 208
Adjustments, seats/head re‐ straints 50
After washing vehicle 230
Airbags 97
Airbags, indicator/warning light 98
Air circulation, refer to Recir‐ culated-air mode 146, 149
Air, dehumidifying, refer to Cooling function 146, 149
Air distribution, manual 146, 149
Air flow, air conditioner 146
Air flow, automatic climate control 149
Air pressure, tires 189
Air vents, refer to Ventila‐ tion 150
Alarm system 44
Alarm, unintentional 45
All around the center con‐ sole 16
All around the roofliner 17 All around the steering
wheel 14
All-season tires, refer to Win‐ ter tires 198
All-wheel-drive 120
Alternating-code hand-held transmitter 153
Alternative oil types 208
Ambient light 96
Antifreeze, washer fluid 71
Antilock Brake System, ABS 119
Anti-slip control, refer to DSC 119
Approved axle load 236
Approved engine oils, see Suitable engine oil
types 208
Arrival time 88
Ash tray 156
Assistance when driving off 123
Assist system information, on Control Display 90
Attentiveness assistant 118
AUTO intensity 148
Automatic car wash 229
Automatic climate con‐ trol 145
Automatic climate control with enhanced features 147
Automatic Cruise Control with Stop & Go 124
Automatic Curb Monitor 58
Automatic deactivation, front- seat passenger airbags 99
Automatic headlight con‐ trol 93
Automatic locking 44
Automatic recirculated-air control 149 Automatic transmission, see
Steptronic transmission 72
AUTO program, automatic cli‐ mate control 148
AUTO program, climate con‐ trol 146
AUTO program, intensity 148
Auto Start/Stop function 66
Average fuel consumption 87
Average speed 87
Axle loads, weights 236
B Backrest curvature, refer to Lumbar support 52
Backrest, width 52
Band-aids, refer to First aid kit 224
Bar for tow-starting/ towing 227
Battery replacement, vehicle battery 221
Battery replacement, vehicle remote control 35
Battery, vehicle 220
Belts, safety belts 53
Beverage holder, cu‐ pholder 162
Blinds, sun protection 47
BMW Advanced Diesel 185
BMW Assist, see user's manual for Navigation, En‐
tertainment and Communi‐
cation
BMW Driver’s Guide App 6
BMW Homepage 6
BMW Internet page 6
BMW maintenance sys‐ tem 210
Bonus range, ECO PRO 174 Seite 242ReferenceEverything from A to Z242
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Engine, automatic Start/Stopfunction 66
Engine, automatic switch- off 66
Engine compartment 204
Engine compartment, work‐ ing in 205
Engine coolant 209
Engine idling when driving, coasting 176
Engine oil 206
Engine oil, adding 207
Engine oil additives 208
Engine oil change 208
Engine oil filler neck 207
Engine oil temperature 81
Engine oil types, alterna‐ tive 208
Engine oil types, ap‐ proved 208
Engine start during malfunc‐ tion 35
Engine start, jump-start‐ ing 224
Engine start, refer to Starting the engine 65
Engine stop 66
Engine temperature 81
Entering a car wash 229
Equipment, interior 152
Error displays, see Check Control 78
ESP Electronic Stability Pro‐ gram, refer to DSC 119
Exchanging wheels/tires 197
Exhaust system 167
Exterior mirror, automatic dimming feature 58
Exterior mirrors 57
External start 224
External temperature dis‐ play 82
External temperature warn‐ ing 82
Eyes for securing cargo 170 F
Failure message, see Check Control 78
False alarm, refer to Uninten‐ tional alarm 45
Fan, refer to Air flow 146, 149
Filler neck for engine oil 207
Fine wood, care 231
First aid kit 224
Fitting for towing, see Tow fit‐ ting 227
Flat tire, changing wheels 220
Flat Tire Monitor FTM 104
Flat tire, Tire Pressure Moni‐ tor TPM 100
Flat tire, warning lamp 101, 104
Flooding 167
Floor carpet, care 232
Floor mats, care 232
Fogged up windows 146
Fold down the rear seat back‐ rest, see Though-loading
system 158
Fold-out position, wiper 71
Foot brake 167
Front airbags 97
Front-end collision warning with braking function 109
Front-end collision warning with City Braking func‐
tion 107
Front fog lights 95
Front fog lights, front, bulb re‐ placement 217
Front lights 213
front-seat passenger airbags, automatic deactivation 99
Front-seat passenger airbags, indicator lamp 99
FTM Flat Tire Monitor 104
Fuel 184
Fuel consumption, current 83 Fuel consumption, refer to
Average fuel consump‐
tion 87
Fuel filler flap 182
Fuel gauge 81
Fuel lid 182
Fuel quality 184
Fuel recommendation 184
Fuel, tank capacity 241
Fuse 221
G Garage door opener, refer to Universal Integrated Remote
Control 152
Gasoline 184
Gear change, Steptronic transmission 73
Gear shift indicator 84
General driving notes 166
Glare shield 156
Glass sunroof, powered 47
Glove compartment 160
Gross vehicle weight, ap‐ proved 236
H Handbrake, refer to parking brake 68
Hand-held transmitter, alter‐ nating code 153
Hazard warning flashers 223
Head airbags 97
Headlight control, auto‐ matic 93
Headlight courtesy delay fea‐ ture 93
Headlight flasher 69
Headlight glass 213
Headlights 213
Headlights, care 230
Headlight washer system 69
Head restraints 50
Head restraints, front 54 Seite 245Everything from A to ZReference245
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