oil dipstick BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE 2011 Owners Manual

125
1Filler neck for windshield and head-
lamp washer cleaning system126
2Coolant expansion tank128
3Auxiliary terminal for jump-starting –
positive terminal147
4Engine oil filler neck127
5Expansion tank for SMG Drivelogic
hydraulic unit – checking and possi-
ble refilling by your BMW center70
6Engine oil dipstick126
7Filler neck for brake fluid129Engine compartment essentials
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

126
Washer fluidsHeadlamp* and windshield
washer systemCapacity approx.
5.6 US quarts/5.3 liters.
Fill with water and, if required, with a
washer antifreeze additive according to
manufacturer's recommendations.
We recommend that you mix the
washer fluid before adding it to
the reservoir.<
Antifreeze agents for the washer
fluid are highly flammable. For this
reason, keep them away from sources
of flame and store them only in their
closed original containers, inaccessible
to children. Comply with the instruc-
tions on the containers.<
Engine oilChecking the oil level1. Park the vehicle on a level surface
2. Switch the engine off after it has
reached normal operating tempera-
ture
3. After approx. 1 minute, pull the dip-
stick out and wipe it off with a clean
lint-free cloth, paper towel, or similar
material
4. Carefully push the dipstick all the
way into the guide tube and pull it
out again
5. The oil level should be between the
two marks on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption
is directly influenced by your driving
style and vehicle operating conditions.
The oil volume between the two marks
on the dipstick corresponds to approx.
1.4 US quarts/1.3 liters.

127
Adding engine oilOnly add engine oil when the oil level
has dropped to just above the lower
mark on the dipstick.
Do not fill beyond the upper mark on
the dipstick. Excess oil will damage the
engine.
Before checking the engine oil level
after topping up, restart the engine and
allow it to run to obtain a correct dis-
play. Then proceed as described under
Checking the oil level.
Continuous exposure to used oil
has caused cancer in laboratory
testing. For this reason, thoroughly
wash any areas of skin that come into
contact with oil using soap and water.
Store oils, grease and similar materials
so that they are inaccessible to chil-
dren. Comply with warning labels and
information on containers.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the dis-
posal of used oil.<
Recommendation: have the oil changed
by your BMW center.
Specified engine oilsThe quality of the engine oil is
extremely important for the function
and life of an engine. Based on exten-
sive testing, BMW has approved only
certain grades of engine oil.
Use only oils approved for your vehicle
model.
Ask your BMW center for details
concerning oils that have been
approved. You can also call BMW of
North America toll-free at 1-800-831-
1117 or visit this website:
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this infor-
mation.<
BMW engines are designed to
operate without oil additives; the
use of additives could even lead to
damage in some cases.<
Alternative oil typesIf a High Performance Synthetic Oil
approved by BMW should be unavail-
able, you may use small volumes of
other synthetic oils for topping up
between oil changes. The following
data must appear on the packaging:
>Viscosity
preferred: SAE 10W-60
alternative: SAE 5W-40 or
SAE 10W-40
>Specifications
preferred: API SJ/CF
alternative: API SJ – also SK, SL, S
etc.
Engine oil
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to ZCode, refer to the Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Coin box 100
Cold start, refer to Starting
the engine 66
Compact disc operation,
refer to the Owner's Man-
ual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Compression ratio, refer to
Engine data 154
Computer 83
Condensation, refer to Air
conditioning mode 96
Configuring settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory 64
Connecting a vacuum
cleaner, refer to Power
socket 101
Consumption, refer to Aver-
age fuel consumption 84
Control elements, refer to
Cockpit 14
Convenience operation
from outside 31
windows 29Convertible top 39
cleaning position 44
convenience operation
29, 31
electrical malfunction 42
emergency operation 42
indicator lamps 41
opening and closing 40
remote control 29
Coolant 128
indicator lamp 19, 80
level 128
temperature gauge 80
Coolant water, refer to Cool-
ant 128
Cooling, refer to Tempera-
ture 96
Copyright 4
Cornering Brake Control
(CBC) 113
warning lamp 19
Cruise control 77
indicator lamp 20
Cup holders, see Beverage
holders 100
Curb weight, refer to
Weights 156
Cylinders, refer to Engine
data 154D
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit 14
Data
capacities 157
dimensions 155
engine 154
technical 154
weights 156
Daytime driving lamps 90
DBC Dynamic Brake Control
19, 113
Deep water, refer to Driving
through water 111
Defrost position, refer to
Defrosting windows 96
Defrosting and demisting
windows
automatic climate
control 96
Defrosting windows 96
Defrosting windshield, refer
to Defrosting windows 96
Demisting windows
automatic climate
control 96
Differential
breaking in 110
Digital clock 82
Dimensions 155
Dipstick, engine oil 126Displacement, refer to
Engine data 154
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting 91
Displays, refer to Instrument
cluster 16
Disposal
oil 127
vehicle battery 145
Distance warning, refer to
Park Distance Control
(PDC) 85
Door key 28
Door lock 31
Doors
emergency operation 31
Draft-free ventilation 97
Drivelogic 73
Driving light, refer to Parking
lamps/Low beams 90
Driving notes 111
Driving through water, deep
water 111
Dry air, refer to Air condi-
tioning mode 96
DSC Dynamic Stability Con-
trol 86
indicator lamp 19, 86
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC) 19, 113
indicator lamp 19

Everything from A to Z
163
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 19, 86
E
Easy entry, refer to Entering
the rear 49
Electric power windows 38
power loss 39
Electrical accessories, fail-
ure 145
Electrical malfunction
door lock 31
driver's door 31
fuel filler door 24
luggage compartment
lid 33
Electronic Stability Program
(ESP), refer to Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC) 86
Emergency call 146
Emergency operation
doors 31
driver's door 31
fuel filler door 24
luggage compartment
lid 33
Emergency release
luggage compartment
lid 34Engine
breaking in 110
data 154
electronics 19
indicator lamp 19
speed 79, 154
starting 66
switching off 68
Engine compartment 124
Engine coolant 128
refilling 128
Engine oil
adding 127
additives, refer to Adding
engine oil 127
alternative oils 127
capacity 157
consumption 126
dipstick 126
indicator/warning lamp 19
quality 127
specified oils 127
temperature gauge 79
types 127
Engine oil level 19
check 126
indicator/warning lamp 18
Engine oil pressure
indicator/warning lamp 18
Engine oil temperature 79
Engine output, refer to
Engine data 154Engine speed 79, 154
Entering the rear 49
Equipment range, refer to
the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US
models / Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
ESP Electronic Stability Pro-
gram, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC) 86
Exterior mirrors 53
Eyelet, towing 149
F
False alarm, refer to
Avoiding unintentional
alarms 37
Fasten safety belts
indicator lamp 18
Fastening the safety belts 50
Fault displays 81
Filling the windshield washer
reservoir 157
Filling with sealant
M Mobility system 143
First aid, refer to First-aid
kit 23
First-aid kit 23
Flat tire 141
Flat Tire Monitor 87
repairing 141Flat Tire Monitor 87
activating/deactivating 88
indicator lamp 18, 19, 88
Floor panel, raising 35
Fluid reservoir for washer
systems 126
Fog lamps
indicator/warning lamp 20
Folding down convertible
top compartment panel 35
Follow me home lamps 90
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely 111
Front airbags 55
Front fog lamps 92
indicator/warning lamp 20
Front seat adjustment 47
Fuel
display 80
specifications 25
volume 157
Fuel consumption
display 84
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge 80
Fuel filler door 24
release following an elec-
trical malfunction 24
Fuel level indicator, refer to
Fuel gauge 80
Fuel mixture preparation 154
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to ZManual transmission 69
Master keys
with remote control 28
MC operation, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
MD operation, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory 51
Memory, refer to Vehicle
Memory, Key Memory 64
Microfilter
automatic climate
control 98
Microphone 100
Mini disc operation, refer to
the Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Mirrors 53
automatic curb monitor 52
heated 53
memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory 51
Mobile Service 147
Modifications, technical,
refer to For your own
safety 6
Multifunction steering
wheel 22Multifunction switch
turn signal indicator/head-
lamp flasher 75
washer/wiper system 76
N
Navigation system, refer to
the Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Neck restraints, refer to
Head restraints 48
Nets 99
Nozzles, refer to
Ventilation 94
Nylon rope, refer to Towing
and tow-starting the vehi-
cle 149
O
OBD interface socket 132
Odometer 79
Oil
additives, refer to Adding
engine oil 127
alternative oils 127
capacity 157
dipstick 126
quality 127
specified engine oils 127
Oil change interval, refer to
Service interval
display 130Oil change intervals, refer to
the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US
models / Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
Oil filter change 157
Oil level
checking 126
indicator lamp 18
Oil pressure
indicator lamp 18
OIL SERVICE 81
Oil temperature 79
Oil types 127
Old batteries, refer to Dis-
posal 145
Onboard computer 83
Onboard computer, refer
also to the Owner's Man-
ual for Onboard Computer
Onboard tool kit 136
Opening and closing
from inside 32
from outside 29
via door lock 31
via remote control 29
Outlets, ventilation 94
Outside temperature dis-
play 83
changing unit of
measure 83P
Paintwork care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Panic mode, trigger
alarm 30
Park Distance Control
(PDC) 85
Parking aid, refer to Park
Distance Control (PDC) 85
Parking brake 68
indicator lamp 18
Parking lamps 90
bulb replacement 137
Parking lamps/Low
beams 90
Parts and accessories, refer
to Your individual vehicle 5
Passenger-side exterior mir-
ror tilt function 52
PDC Park Distance
Control 85
Placing a telephone call,
refer to the Owner's Man-
ual for the telephone
Plastic, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Pollen, refer to Microfilter/
activated-charcoal filter 98
Power loss
electric power windows 39

Refueling
To ensure that you always have conve-
nient access to all essential information
when you stop for fuel, we recommend
that you take the time to fill out the
adjoining chart by entering the data that
apply to your vehicle. Consult the index
for individual specifications.
FuelPlease enter your preferred fuel here.Engine oilThe oil quantity between the two marks
on the dipstick is approx.
1.4 US quarts/1.3 liters.Tire inflation pressureDesignation
Quality
Summer tires Winter tires
front rear front rear
Up to 2 persons
4 persons plus luggage