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3.Switch the engine off.4.Switch on the ignition.
M double-clutch 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.
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 a M double clutch
transmission:
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.
Transmission position
Transmission 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‐
mediately to prevent the finish from being al‐
tered or discolored.
Only use respectively approved cleaning and
care products for vehicles with matte finish.
Suitable care products for matte finishes are
available from the service center.Seite 205CareMobility205
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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.
Upholstery material care Vacuum regularly with a vacuum cleaner.
If upholstery is very dirty, e.g., with beverage
stains, use a soft sponge or microfiber cloth
with a suitable interior cleaner.
Clean the upholstery down to the seams using
large sweeping motions. Avoid rubbing the
material vigorously.
Damage from Velcro® fasteners
Open Velcro® fasteners on pants or
other articles of clothing can damage the seat
covers. Ensure that any Velcro® fasteners are
closed.◀
Caring for special components
Light-alloy wheels When cleaning the vehicle, use only neutral
wheel cleaners having a pH value from 5 to 9.
Do not use abrasive cleaning agents or steam
jets above 140 ℉/60 ℃. Follow the manufac‐
turer's instructions.Aggressive, acidic or alkaline cleaning agents
can destroy the protective layer of adjacent
components, such as the brake disk.
Chrome surfaces
Carefully clean components such as the radia‐
tor grille or door handles with an ample supply
of water, possibly with shampoo added, partic‐
ularly when they have been exposed to road
salt.
Rubber components Aside from water, treat only with rubber
cleansers.
When cleaning rubber seals, do not use any
silicon-containing car care products in order to
avoid damage or noises.
Fine wood partsClean fine wood facing and fine wood compo‐
nents only with a moist rag. Then dry with a
soft cloth.
Plastic components
These include:▷Imitation leather surfaces.▷Roofliner.▷Lamp lenses.▷Instrument cluster cover.▷Matt black spray-coated components.▷Painted parts in the interior.
Clean with a microfiber cloth.
Dampen cloth lightly with water.
Do not soak the roofliner.
No cleansers that contain alcohol or sol‐
vents
Do not use cleansers that contain alcohol or
solvents, such as lacquer thinners, heavy-duty
grease removers, fuel, or such; this could lead
to surface damage.◀
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Safety belts
Dirty belt straps impede the reeling action and
thus have a negative impact on safety.
Chemical cleaning
Do not clean chemically; this can destroy
the webbing.◀
Use only a mild soapy solution, with the safety
belts clipped into their buckles.
Do not allow the reels to retract the safety
belts until they are dry.
Carpets and floor mats No objects in the area around the pedals
Keep floor mats, carpets, and any other
objects out of the pedal area; 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 attached to
floor.
Ensure that the floor mats are securely fas‐
tened again after they were removed for clean‐
ing, e.g.◀
Floor mats can be removed from the car's inte‐
rior for cleaning.
If the floor carpets are very dirty, clean with a
microfiber cloth and water or a textile cleaner.
To prevent matting of the carpet, rub back and
forth in the direction of travel only.
Sensor/camera lenses
To clean sensors and camera lenses, use a
cloth moistened with a small amount of glass
detergent.Displays/monitors
Cleaning displays and screens
Do not use any chemical or household
cleaning agents; otherwise, surfaces can be af‐
fected.◀
Keeping out moisture
Keep all fluids and moisture away from
the unit; otherwise, electrical components can
be damaged.◀
Avoid pressure
Avoid pressing too hard when cleaning
and do not use abrasive materials; otherwise,
damage can result.◀
Clean with a clean, antistatic microfiber cloth.
Long-term
When the vehicle is shut down for longer than
three months, special measures must be
taken. Additional information is available from
the service center.Seite 207CareMobility207
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Reference
This chapter contains the technical data and an
index that will quickly take you to the information you need.Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 759 - II/15
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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 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.
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 be
found 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.
Seite 210ReferenceTechnical data210
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 759 - II/15Dimensions
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 M3 SedanWidth with mirrorsinches/mm80.2/2,037Width without mirrorsinches/mm73.9/1,877Heightinches/mm56.1/1,424Lengthinches/mm184.5/4,687Wheelbaseinches/mm110.7/2,812Smallest turning radius diam.ft/m40.0/12.2
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Capacities
US gal/litersNotesFuel tank, approx.15.8/60Fuel quality, refer to
page 170
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Weights
BMW M3 SedanApproved gross vehicle weightManual transmissionlbs/kg4,630/2,100M double-clutch transmissionlbs/kg4,675/2,121Loadlbs/kg980/445Approved front axle loadlbs/kg2,185/991Approved rear axle loadlbs/kg2,580/1,170Approved roof load capacitylbs/kg165/75Cargo area capacitycu ft12Liters480
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Everything from A to Z
IndexA ABS, Antilock Brake Sys‐ tem 114
Acceleration Assistant, refer to Launch Control 73
Accessories and parts 7
Activated-charcoal filter 137
Active Blind Spot Detec‐ tion 111
Active M differential 117
Adaptive brake lights, refer to Brake force display 113
Adaptive Light Control 94
Adaptive M chassis 117
Additives, oil 185
Adjustments, seats/head re‐ straints 50
After washing vehicle 205
Airbags 98
Airbags, indicator/warning light 99
Air circulation, refer to Recir‐ culated-air mode 136
Air, dehumidifying, refer to Cooling function 135
Air distribution, manual 136
Air flow, automatic climate control 136
Air pressure, tires 172
Air vents, refer to Ventila‐ tion 137
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 177 Alternating-code hand-held
transmitter 140
Alternative oil types 185
Ambient light 96
Antifreeze, washer fluid 69
Antilock Brake System, ABS 114
Anti-slip control, refer to DSC 115
Approved axle load 211
Approved engine oils, see Suitable engine oil
types 185
Arrival time 87
Ash tray 143
Assistance when driving off 118
Attentiveness assistant 113
AUTO intensity 135
Automatic car wash 204
Automatic climate con‐ trol 134
Automatic Curb Monitor 56
Automatic deactivation, front- seat passenger airbags 100
Automatic headlight con‐ trol 94
Automatic locking 44
Automatic recirculated-air control 136
AUTO program, automatic cli‐ mate control 135
AUTO program, intensity 135
Auto Start/Stop function 64
Average fuel consumption 87
Average speed 87
Axle loads, weights 211 B
Backrest curvature, refer to Lumbar support 52
Backrest, width 52
Band-aids, refer to First aid kit 199
Bar for tow-starting/ towing 202
Battery replacement, vehicle battery 196
Battery replacement, vehicle remote control 35
Battery, vehicle 195
Belts, safety belts 53
Beverage holder, cu‐ pholder 149
Blinds, sun protection 47
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 188
BMW M technology 154
Bottle holder, refer to Cu‐ pholders 149
Brake assistant 114
Brake discs, break-in 156
Brake force display 113
Brake lights, adaptive 113
Brake lights, brake force dis‐ play 113
Brake pads, break-in 156
Braking, hints 157
Breakdown assistance 198
Break-in 156 Seite 212ReferenceEverything from A to Z212
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