width BMW M3 SEDAN 2010 E90 Owner's Manual
Page 45 of 274
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1Longitudinal direction
2Height
3Angle
4Backrest
The head restraints are adjusted manually, refer 
to Head restraints below.
Lumbar support*
You can also adjust the contour of the backrest 
to obtain additional support in the lumbar 
region.
The upper hips and spinal column receive sup-
plementary support to help you maintain a 
relaxed, upright sitting position.
>Increase or decrease curvature: press the 
switch at the front or rear, respectively.>Shift curvature up or down: press the switch 
at the top or bottom, respectively.
Backrest width*
You can change the width of the backrest to suit 
your individual preferences by adjusting the lat-
eral-support pads.
Press the front or rear end of the switch.
Backrest width decreases or increases accord-
ingly.
Head restraints
Correctly adjusted head restraint
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the 
risk of neck injury in the event of an accident.
Adjust the head restraint in such a way 
that its center is at approx. ear level. Oth-
erwise, there is an increased risk of injury in the 
event of an accident. Only remove a head 
restraint if no one will be sitting on the seat in 
question. Reinstall the head restraint before 
transporting anyone on that seat. Otherwise, 
the passenger will be without protection from 
the head restraint.<
Height
Adjust the head restraint so that its center is 
approximately at ear level.
Distance
Adjust the distance so that the head restraint is 
as close as possible to the back of the head. 
Page 47 of 274
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Depending on the equipment version, it may be 
possible to fold down the outer rear head 
restraints as well.
Only fold the head restraints down if no 
passengers will be sitting in the rear. Fold 
up the head restraints before transporting pas-
sengers in the rear.<
Heated seats*
Press the button once per temperature level. 
Three LEDs indicate the highest temperature.
To switch off:
Press button longer.
If you continue driving within approx. the next 
15 minutes, the seat heating is automatically 
activated at the previously set temperature.
The temperature is lowered or the heating is 
switched off entirely to save on battery power. 
The LEDs stay lit.
Seat and mirror memory*
You can store and call up two different combi-
nations of driver's seat and exterior mirror posi-
tions.
Settings for the backrest width and lumbar sup-
port are not stored in memory.
Storing
1.Switch on radio readiness or the ignition, 
refer to page54.
2.Adjust the seat and exterior mirrors to the 
desired positions.
3.Press the   button.
The LED in the button lights up.
4.Press the desired memory button 1 or 2: the 
LED goes out.
The driver's seat and exterior mirror posi-
tions are stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Call-up
Do not call up the memory while you are 
driving; otherwise, unexpected seat 
movement could result in an accident.<
Comfort function
1.Unlock and open the driver's door or switch 
on radio readiness, refer to page54.
2.Briefly press the desired memory button1 
or 2.
The adjusting procedure is halted immediately 
when you touch a seat adjustment switch or 
one of the memory buttons.
Safety feature
1.Close the driver's door and switch the igni-
tion on or off, refer to page54.
2.Press the desired memory button1 or2 
and keep it pressed until the adjustment 
process has been completed.
If the   button was pressed accidentally:
Press the button again; the LED goes out. 
Page 49 of 274
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anchors checked. Have this work done only by 
your BMW center or at a workshop that works 
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. Otherwise, it is 
not guaranteed that the safety devices will func-
tion properly.<
Rear center safety belt
With through-loading system*:
Before using the center rear seat, release the 
latch plate from the fixture on the rear window 
shelf and insert it into the belt lock of the center 
safety belt. Make sure you hear the latch plate 
engage.
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors
The front passenger's mirror is more con-
vex than the driver's mirror. The objects 
seen in the mirror are closer than they appear. 
Do not gauge your distance from traffic behind 
you on the basis of what you see in the mirror; 
otherwise, there is an increased risk of an acci-
dent.<1Adjustments
2Switching to the other mirror or automatic 
curb monitor
*
3Folding mirrors in and out*
The setting for the exterior mirrors is stored for 
the remote control currently in use
*. The stored 
position is called up automatically when the 
vehicle is unlocked.
Manual adjustment
The mirrors can also be adjusted manually: 
press the edge of the glass.
Folding mirrors in and out*
At driving speeds up to approx. 12 mph/
20 km/h, you can fold the mirrors in and out by 
pressing button3. This can be beneficial in nar-
row streets, for example, or for moving mirrors 
that were folded in by hand back out into their 
correct positions. Mirrors that were folded in are 
folded out automatically at a speed of approx. 
25 mph/40 km/h.
Before entering an automatic car wash, 
fold in the exterior mirrors manually or 
with button3 to prevent them from being dam-
aged, depending on the width of the vehicle.<
Automatic heating*
Depending on the outside temperature, both 
exterior mirrors are heated automatically when 
the engine is running or the ignition is switched 
on. 
Page 52 of 274
Transporting children safely
50
Transporting children safely
The right place for children
Do not leave children unattended in the 
vehicle; otherwise, they could endanger 
themselves and/or other persons by opening 
the doors, for example.<
The rear center seat is not suitable for installing 
child restraint systems for all age groups, 
approved for the age group in question.
Children always in the rear
Accident research has shown that the safest 
place for children is on the rear seat.
Children under the age of 13 or smaller 
than 5 ft/150 cm may be transported only 
in the rear in suitable child restraint systems 
appropriate for their age, weight and size. Oth-
erwise, there is an increased risk of injury in the 
event of an accident.<
Children 13 years of age or older must be buck-
led in with a safety belt as soon as there no 
longer is any child restraint system that is 
appropriate for their age, size and weight.
Exception for front passenger seat
Should it be necessary to use a child 
restraint system on the front passenger 
seat, the front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger must be deactivated. Otherwise, a child 
traveling on that seat will face a significant risk 
of injury if the airbags are triggered off, even 
with a child restraint system.<
For more information on automatic deactivation 
of the front passenger airbags refer to page90.
Installing child restraint 
systems
Observe the child restraint system manu-
facturer's instructions when selecting, 
installing and using child restraint systems. 
Otherwise, the protective effect may be dimin-
ished. <Standard child restraint systems are designed 
to be secured with a lap belt or with the lap-belt 
section of a lap-and-shoulder belt. Incorrectly 
or improperly installed child restraint systems 
can increase the risk of injury to children. 
Always follow the installation instructions for 
the system with the greatest care.
On the front passenger seat
After installing a child restraint system on 
the front passenger seat, make sure that 
the front and side airbags for the front passen-
ger are deactivated; otherwise, there is an 
increased risk of injury if the airbags deploy.<
Seat position
Before installing a child restraint system, move 
the front passenger seat as far back and up as 
possible to obtain the best possible position for 
the belt. Do not change the seat position after 
this.
Backrest width*
The backrest width of the front passenger 
seat must be at its widest possible set-
ting. Do not change the setting after installing 
the child seat. Otherwise, the child seat's stabil-
ity on the front passenger seat is limited.<
1.Adjust the backrest width to its widest set-
ting, refer to page43.
2.Install the child seat. 
Page 216 of 274
Wheels and tires
214
Tire identification marks
Knowledge of the labeling on the side of the tire 
makes it easier to identify and choose the right 
tires.
Tire size
Speed code letter
Q = up to 100 mph or 160 km/h
T = up to 118 mph or 190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph or 210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph or 240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph or 270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph or 300 km/h
Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of 
the US Department of Transportation.
DOT code:
Tire age
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in 
the tire coding: DOT … 3209 means that the 
tire was manufactured in week 32 of 2009.
BMW recommends that you replace all tires 
after 6 years at most, even if some tires may last 
for 10 years.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable 
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and 
maximum section width. For example:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA 
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades
Tread wear 
Traction AA A B C 
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform to 
Federal Safety Requirements in addition 
to these grades.<
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating 
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested 
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course. For example, a tire graded 
150 would wear one and one-half (1γ) times as 
well on the government course as a tire graded 
100. The relative performance of tires depends 
upon the actual conditions of their use, how-
ever, and may depart significantly from the 
norm due to variations in driving habits, service 
practices and differences in road characteris-
tics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are 
AA, A, B, and C. 
Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop 
on wet pavement as measured under controlled 
conditions on specified government test sur-
faces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C 
may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is 
based on straight-ahead braking traction 
tests, and does not include acceleration, cor-
nering, hydroplaning, or peak traction charac-
teristics.<
Temperature
The temperature grades are A, the highest, B, 
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the 
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate  e.g.
Nominal width in mm
Aspect ratio in Ξ 
Radial belt construction
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating,
not on ZR tires
Speed code letter, in
front of the R on ZR tires
225/45 R1791 V
e.g.
Manufacturer's 
code for tire make
Tire size and 
tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 3209 
Page 227 of 274
Mobility
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Care
Care products
Regular cleaning and care contributes signifi-
cantly to the value retention of your BMW.
BMW recommends cleaning and caring for your 
vehicle with products that are approved by 
BMW for this purpose.
Your BMW center will be happy to advise you on 
the products and services available for cleaning 
and caring for your BMW.
Original BMW Care Products have been 
material tested, laboratory checked and 
proven in the field, and offer optimal care and 
protection for your vehicle.<
Do not use cleaners that contain alcohol 
or solvents as these may result in dam-
age.<
Cleaning agents can contain substances 
that are dangerous or hazardous to your 
health. Therefore, follow the warning and safety 
instructions on the packaging. When cleaning 
inside the vehicle, always open the doors or 
windows of the vehicle. In enclosed areas, pro-
vide for sufficient ventilation. Only use products 
designed for cleaning vehicles.<
Exterior care
Washing the vehicle
Especially during the winter months, 
ensure that the vehicle is washed more 
frequently. Heavy soiling and road salt can lead 
to vehicle damage.<
After washing the vehicle, apply the 
brakes briefly to dry them; otherwise, 
water can reduce braking efficiency over the 
short term and the brake discs can corrode.<
Automatic car washes
Preference should be given to cloth car washes.
Before driving into a car wash, ensure that it is 
suitable for your BMW. Check the following:>Dimensions of your vehicle, refer to 
page245.
>If necessary: fold in the exterior mirrors, 
refer to page47.
>Maximum permissible tire width.
Avoid car washes with guide rail heights 
over 4 in/10 cm; otherwise, there is the 
danger of damaging chassis parts.<
Preparations before driving into an automatic 
car wash:
>Unscrew the rod antenna
*.
>Deactivate the rain sensor
* to prevent unin-
tentional wiping.
>Sports Wagon: deactivate the rear window 
wiper and protect it against damage. If nec-
essary, ask the operator of the car wash 
about protective measures you should take.
>Remove additional add-on parts, e.g. spoil-
ers or phone antennas, if they could be 
damaged.
Automatic transmission
Before driving into an automatic car wash, per-
form the following steps to ensure that the vehi-
cle can roll:
1.Insert the remote control into the ignition 
lock, even with Comfort Access.
2.Move the selector lever to position N.
3.Release the parking brake.
4.Switch off the engine.
5.Leave the remote control in the ignition lock 
so that the vehicle can roll.
Steam jets/high-pressure washers
When using steam jets or high-pressure 
washers, ensure that you maintain suffi-
cient clearance to the vehicle and do not exceed 
a temperature of 1407/606. 
Insufficient clearance or excessive pressure or 
temperature can lead to component damage or  
Page 248 of 274
Technical data
246
Sports Wagon
All dimensions given in inches/mm. 
Smallest turning circle dia.: 36.1 ft/11.0 m, with xDrive: 38.7 ft/11.8 m.
328i xDrive width with mirrors: 79.3 inches/2,013 mm. 
Page 257 of 274
Reference 255
At a glance
Controls
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Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Average fuel consumption71
– setting the units73
Average speed71
Avoid highways in 
navigation134
Avoiding unintentional 
alarms34
Axle loads, refer to 
Weights247
B
Backrest contour, refer to 
Lumbar support43
Backrests, refer to Seat 
adjustment42
Backrest width adjustment43
Back seats
– refer to Rear seats44
Backup lamps
– replacing bulb233,234
Band-aids, refer to First aid 
pouch237
Bar, refer to Towing 
methods240
Base plate for telephone or 
mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter184
– refer to Snap-in adapter in 
the center armrest storage 
compartment106
Bass, tone setting144
Battery235
– charging235
– disposal35,236
– jump-starting238
– remote control26
– replacing235
– temporary power failure236
Battery for mobile phone185
Battery renewal
– remote control35
– remote control for vehicle35
Being towed240
Belts, refer to Safety belts46
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety 
belts46
Beverage holders, refer to 
Cupholders107Blower, refer to Air volume98
Bluetooth, activating/
deactivating176
BMW
– car shampoo227
BMW Advanced Diesel198
BMW Assist188
BMW Assist, 
activating190,192
BMW Homepage4
BMW Maintenance 
System223
BMW Search190
BMW webpage4
Bottle holders, refer to 
Cupholders107
Brake Assist, refer to Dynamic 
Brake Control DBC82
Brake fluid, refer to Service 
requirements73
Brake Force Display89
Brake lamps
– Brake Force Display89
– replacing bulb233,234
Brake pads116
– breaking in116
Brake rotors118
– brakes116
– breaking in116
Brakes
– ABS82
– BMW Maintenance 
System223
– Brake Force Display89
– breaking in116
– parking brake56
– service requirements73
Brakes, refer to Braking 
safely118
Brake system116
– BMW Maintenance 
System223
– breaking in116
– disc brakes118
Breakdown services, refer to 
Roadside Assistance237
Breaking in the clutch116Breaking in the differential, 
refer to Engine and 
differential116
Break-in period116
Brightness of the Control 
Display80
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps 
and bulbs229
Button for starting the engine, 
refer to Start/stop button54
Buttons on the steering 
wheel11
C
California Proposition 65 
warning5
Call
– accepting177
– ending178
– rejecting178
Calling, refer to Phone 
numbers, dialing178
Can holders, refer to 
Cupholders107
Capacities248
Capacity of the cargo area247
Car battery, refer to Vehicle 
battery235
Car care, refer to Care225 
Page 270 of 274
Everything from A - Z
268 Trip odometer69
Trips, changing133
Trunk, refer to Cargo area110
Trunk lid30
– Comfort Access35
– emergency release32
– locking or unlocking 
separately31
– opening from inside30
– opening from outside31
– remote control28
Turning circle, refer to 
Dimensions245
Turn signal indicators
– indicator/warning lamp12
Turn signals58
– replacing bulbs232
– triple turn signal59
Tying down loads, refer to 
Cargo loading120
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading/
UTQR214
Units of measure
– average consumption73
– temperature73
Universal garage door opener, 
refer to Integrated universal 
remote control102
Universal mobile phone 
preparation package, refer 
to separate Owner's Manual
Universal remote control102
Unlatching, refer to 
Unlocking34
Unlocking
– from inside30
– from outside27
– setting unlocking 
characteristics27
– tailgate35
– trunk lid35
– without remote control, refer 
to Comfort Access34
Updating the navigation 
data124
USB audio interface167
V
VCD157
Vehicle
– battery235
– breaking in116
– cargo loading119
– Identification Number, refer 
to Engine compartment219
– measurements, refer to 
Dimensions245
– parking55
– weight247
Vehicle jack235
Vehicle storage228
Ventilation100
– draft-free100
– in the rear100
Ventilation, refer to Climate97
Ventilation while at a 
standstill100
Vents, refer to Ventilation100
Video menu158
Video playback157
Voice, refer to Destination 
guidance through voice 
instructions135
Voice commands
– overview22
– short commands249
Voice instructions from 
navigation system135
– repeating136
– switching on/off135
– volume136
Voice phone book183
Volume144
– audio sources144
– fuel tank, refer to 
Capacities248
– mobile phone177
– voice instructions136
Volume balance, tone 
setting145
W
Warning and indicator 
lamps13Warning messages, refer to 
Check Control77
Warning triangle238
Washer fluid60
– content of the reservoir61
Washer fluid reservoir60
Waste tray, refer to 
Ashtray107
Water on roads, refer to 
Driving through water118
Water penetration225,226
Waveband with the radio147
Wear indicators in tires, refer 
to Minimum tread depth215
Weights247
Welcome lamps92
Wheel/tire combination, refer 
to Correct wheels and 
tires216
Wheelbase, refer to 
Dimensions245
Wheels, new216
Wheels and tires201
Width, refer to 
Dimensions245
Windows36
– Convenient operation28
– opening, closing36
– pinch protection system36
– rear window32
– safety switch36
Windows, indicator on Control 
Display16
Windshield
– cleaning60
Windshield wash59
– filling capacity, reservoir248
– nozzles60
– rear window60
– reservoir for washer fluid60
– washer fluid60
Windshield wiper blades, 
changing229
Windshield wipers, refer to 
Wiper system59
Winter diesel198
Winter tires217
– setting speed limit79
– storage217