oil level BMW 3 SERIES 2010 Owners Manual

Cockpit
12
Instrument cluster
1Speedometer
2Indicator lamps for turn signals
3Indicator and warning lamps13
4Displays for active cruise control
*62
5Tachometer69
6Engine oil temperature
*70
Energy Control
*70
7Display for
>Clock69
>Outside temperature69
>Indicator and warning lamps778Display for
>Position of automatic transmission
*56
>Computer71
>Date of next scheduled service, and
remaining distance to be driven73
>Odometer and trip odometer69
>High-beam assistant
*94
>Checking engine oil level
*219
>Settings and information72
>There is a Check Control
message77
9Fuel gauge70
10Resetting the trip odometer69

Controls overview
70
Coolant temperature
A warning lamp will come on if the coolant, and
therefore the engine, becomes too hot. In addi-
tion, a message will appear on the Control Dis-
play.
Check coolant level, refer to page222.
Energy Control*
Displays the current fuel consumption. This
allows you to see whether your current driving
style is conducive to fuel economy with mini-
mum exhaust emissions.
Engine oil temperature*
When the engine is at normal operating temper-
ature, the engine oil temperature is between
approx. 2107/1006 and approx. 3007/
1506.
If the engine oil temperature is too high, a mes-
sage appears on the Control Display.
Fuel gauge
Fuel tank capacity: approx. 16.1 gallons/
61 liters.
You can find information on refueling on
page197.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies for a longer period,
when you are driving in mountainous areas, for
example, the indicator may fluctuate slightly.
Reserve
Once the fuel level has fallen to the reserve
zone, a message briefly appears on the Control
Display and the cruising range for the remaining
amount of fuel is displayed on the computer.
Under a cruising range of approx. 30 miles/
50 km, the message remains in the Control Dis-
play.
Refuel as soon as possible once your
cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km; otherwise, engine functions are not
ensured and damage can occur.<

Controls
73Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
2Button for:
>Confirming selected display or set val-
ues
>Calling up computer information71
3When the lights are on: instrument lighting
brightness954Calling up Check Control77
5Checking engine oil level219
6Setting the time75
7Setting the date76
8Viewing service requirement display73
Exiting displays
The outside temperature reading and the time
reappear when you press button2 or if you
make no entries within approx. 15 seconds. If
required, complete the current setting first.
Units of measure
Setting the units of measure
You can change the units for fuel consumption,
route/distance, temperature and pressure.
1."Settings"
2."Language/Units"
3.Select the desired menu item.
4.Select the desired unit.
The settings are stored for the remote control
currently in use.
Service requirements
The remaining driving distance and the date of
the next scheduled service are displayed briefly
immediately after you start the engine or switch
on the ignition.
The extent of service work required can
be read out from the remote control by
your BMW Service Advisor.<
For certain maintenance operations, you can
view the respective distance remaining or due
date individually in the instrument cluster.
1.Switch on the ignition, refer to page54.
2.Push button 1 in the turn indicator lever up
or down repeatedly until the appropriate
symbol appears in the display, accompa-
nied by the words "SERVICE-INFO".
3.Press button 2.

Mobility
217Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Recommended tire brands
Certain makes of tire are recommended by
BMW for each tire size. They are marked with a
clearly visible BMW designation on the sidewall
of the tire.
When properly used, these tires meet the high-
est standards in terms of safety and handling
characteristics.
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW recommends winter tires for winter roads
or at temperatures below +45°F/+76.
Although all-season M+S tires provide better
winter traction than summer tires, they gener-
ally fail to provide the same levels of cold-
weather performance as winter tires.
Pay attention to speed
Always comply with the speed limit for the
winter tires mounted on your car; failure
to do so could result in tire damage and acci-
dents.<
If the car is capable of speeds higher than that
permitted for the winter tires, a label stating the
maximum permitted speed for the mounted
tires must be displayed in your field of view.
Specialist tire dealers and your BMW center
can supply these labels.
Storage
Always store wheels and tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light as possible.
Always protect tires against all contact with oil,
grease and fuels. Do not exceed the maximum
tire inflation pressure indicated on the sidewall
of the tire.
Swapping wheels between axles
BMW advises against swapping wheels
between the front and rear axles, even if all tires
have the same size, as this could impair driving
characteristics. If the tires are of mixed sizes,
swapping wheels between the axles is not per-
missible.
Snow chains*
Only certain fine-link snow chains have been
tested by BMW, classified as safe for use and
recommended. Consult your BMW center for
more information.
Snow chains must be mounted in pairs and on
the rear wheels only. Observe the manufac-
turer's instructions when mounting snow
chains. Do not exceed a speed of 30 mph or
50 km/h.
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor if
snow chains are mounted; otherwise, the
instrument might issue an incorrect reading.
When driving with snow chains, you may find it
helpful to activate DTC temporarily, refer to
page82.<

Mobility
219Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Important parts of the engine compartment
1Gasoline engine: expansion tank for cool-
ant, refer to page222
Diesel engine: the expansion tank is located
on the other side of the vehicle
2Washer fluid filler neck for headlamp clean-
ing system and window washer system,
refer to page603Jump-starting connection, refer to
page238
4Filler neck for engine oil, refer to Adding
engine oil
5Dipstick for engine oil, refer to Checking oil
level
Engine oil
The engine oil consumption is dependent on
driving style and driving conditions.
Checking the engine oil level with the
dipstick*
1.Park the vehicle on a level surface with the
engine at operating temperature, i.e. after
an uninterrupted drive of at least 6.5 miles/
10 km.
2.Switch off the engine.
3.After approx. 5 minutes, pull out the
dipstick5 and wipe it off with a lint-free
cloth, paper towel or similar material.
4.Carefully push the dipstick all the way back
into the measuring tube and pull it out again.
The oil level must be between the two
markings on the dipstick.
The oil quantity between the two markings on
the dipstick is equivalent to approx. 1 US quart/
1liter.

Under the hood
220 The oil level must not be above the upper
marking of the dipstick. Too much oil will
harm the engine.<
Checking the engine oil level
electronically*
Your car is equipped with an electronic oil-level
monitor.
For a precise measurement and display of the
oil level, it is necessary that the engine be at
operating temperature, i.e. after uninterrupted
driving for at least approx. 6.5 miles/10 km. You
can have the oil level displayed while you are
driving, or while the vehicle is at a standstill on a
level surface and the engine is running.
Display in the instrument cluster
1.Push button 1 in the turn indicator lever up
or down repeatedly until the appropriate
symbol is shown in the display, accompa-
nied by the word "OIL".
2.Press button 2 in the turn indicator lever.
The oil level is checked and the reading dis-
played.
Possible displays
1Oil level OK
2Oil level is being checked.
This can take about 3 minutes if the car is at
a standstill on a level surface, or about
5 minutes while the car is on the move.
3Oil level down to minimum:
Add engine oil as soon as possible, but no
more than 1 US quart/1 liter, refer also to
Adding engine oil on page221.
4Oil level is too high.
Too much oil will harm the engine.
Have the vehicle checked without
delay.<
5The oil level sensor is defective.
Do not add engine oil. You can continue
your journey. Note the newly calculated dis-
tance remaining to the next oil service, refer
to page73. Have the system checked as
soon as possible.

Mobility
221Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Display via iDrive
1."Vehicle Info"
2."Vehicle status"
3."Engine oil level"
Possible messages
>"Engine oil level OK"
>"Measurement not possible at this time."
>"Measuring engine oil level...":
This can take about 3 minutes if the car is at
a standstill on a level surface and the engine
is running, and about 5 minutes while the
car is moving.
If engine oil was added, it may take up to
30 minutes to obtain an oil level reading.
>"Engine oil level below minimum. Add 1
quart!"
Add engine oil as soon as possible, but no
more than 1 US quart/1 liter, refer also to
Adding engine oil below.
If the oil level is below the minimum value,
add engine oil immediately to avoid engine
damage.
>"Engine oil level too high! Have this
checked."Too much oil will harm the engine.
Have the vehicle checked without
delay.<
>"Measurement inactive. Have this
checked."
Do not add engine oil. You can continue
your journey. Note the newly calculated dis-
tance remaining to the next oil service, refer
to page73. Have the system checked as
soon as possible.
Adding engine oil
Add a maximum of 1 US quart/1 liter of engine
oil no earlier than when a corresponding mes-
sage appears on the Control Display or, if the
car has a diesel engine, when the oil level has
dropped to just above the lower marking on the
dipstick, refer to page219.
Add oil within the next 125 miles/200 km;
otherwise, the engine could be dam-
aged.<
Keep oils, greases, etc. out of the reach of
children and comply with the relevant
warnings on the containers. Otherwise, health
hazards may result.<
Oil change
Have oil changed only at your BMW center or at
a workshop that works according to BMW
repair procedures with correspondingly trained
personnel.
Oil types
Do not use oil additives as this could
result in engine damage.<

Under the hood
222
Specified engine oils
Your service center can advise you on which
engine oils have been approved by the manu-
facturer of your vehicle.
The engine oil quality is critical for the life of the
engine.
Approved oils can be identified by the following
specification:
Approved oils belong to the following viscosity
classes: SAE 0W-40, SAE 0W-30, SAE 5W-40
and SAE 5W-30.
Alternative oil types
If the approved engine oils are not available, up
to 1 US quart/1 liter of another oil with the fol-
lowing specification may be used:
API SM or higher
Coolant
Do not add coolant to the cooling system
when the engine is hot. Escaping coolant
can cause burns.<
Coolant consists of half water and half additive.
Not all commercially available additives are suit-
able for your BMW. Ask your BMW center for
suitable additives.
Only use suitable additives; otherwise,
engine damage may result. Because
additives are harmful to your health, it is impor-
tant to follow the instructions on the contain-
ers. mental protection regulations when dis-
posing of coolant additives.<
Checking coolant level
1.Do not open the engine hood before the
engine has cooled down.
2.Turn the cap of the expansion tank a little
counterclockwise to allow any accumulated
pressure to escape, then continue turning
to open.
3.The coolant level is correct if it is between
the maximum and minimum marks in the
filler neck, refer also to the diagram next to
the filler neck.
4.If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant up to
the specified level; do not overfill.
5.Turn the cap until there is an audible click.
6.Have the reason for the coolant loss elimi-
nated as soon as possible.
Gasoline engine
Preferred: BMW Longlife-01
BMW Longlife-01 FE
Alternatively: BMW Longlife-98
Diesel engine
Preferred: BMW Longlife-04

Reference 257
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Computer71
– displays on Control
Display71
Computer, refer to iDrive16
Concierge service189
Condensation, refer to When
the vehicle is parked119
Condition Based Service
CBS223
Configuring settings, refer to
Personal Profile26
Confirmation signals for
locking/unlocking the
vehicle28
Congestion
– refer to Route, bypassing
sections135
Connecting vacuum cleaner,
refer to Connecting
electrical appliances108
Consumption, refer to
Average consumption71
Consumption display
– average consumption71
– Energy Control70
Contacts
– creating186
Control Center, refer to
iDrive16
Control Display, refer to
iDrive16
– adjusting brightness80
– switching on/off19
Controller, refer to iDrive16
Controls and displays10
Control unit, refer to iDrive16
Convenient operation
– glass roof28
– windows28
Coolant222
– checking level222
Coolant temperature70
Cooling, maximum98
Cooling fluid, refer to
Coolant222
Cooling system, refer to
Coolant222
Copyright2Corner-illuminating lamps
– replacing bulbs231
Corner-illuminating lamps,
refer to Adaptive light
control93
Cornering lamps, refer to
Adaptive light control93
Correct tires216
Country codes DVD157
Courtesy lamps, refer to
Interior lamps96
Criteria for route134
Cross-hairs in navigation130
Cruise control61
– active62
– malfunction62
Cruising range71
Cupholders107
Curb weight, refer to
Weights247
Current fuel consumption,
refer to Energy Control70
Current playback
– external devices169
– of music collection164
Customer Relations191
D
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit10
Dashboard, refer to
Instrument cluster12
Dashboard lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting95
Data, technical244
– capacities248
– dimensions245
– engine244
– weights247
Data transfer192
Date
– date format77
– setting76
Daytime running lights93
– replacing bulbs230
DBC Dynamic Brake
Control82Deactivating front passenger
airbags90
Deadlocking, refer to
Locking28
Defect
– door lock29
– fuel filler flap196
– glass roof37
– panorama glass roof39
Destination, entering by town/
city name125
Destination address
– entering125,131
Destination entry via BMW
Assist129
Destination for navigation
– entering by voice131
– entering via map130
– entry125
– home address128
– manual entry125
Destination guidance134
– bypassing a route
section135
– changing specified
route134
– continuing134
– starting134
– voice instructions135
– volume of voice
instructions136
Diesel exhaust fluid199
Diesel fuel197
Diesel particulate filter117
Digital clock69
Digital compass104
Digital radio, refer to HD
Radio148
Dimensions245
Dipstick, engine oil219
Directional indicators, refer to
Turn signals58
Direction instructions, refer to
Voice instructions135
Directory for navigation, refer
to Address book127
Displacement, refer to Engine
data244

Everything from A - Z
258 Display, refer to iDrive
controls16
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting95
Displays
– on the Control Display16
Displays, refer to Instrument
cluster12
Displays and controls10
Disposal
– coolant222
– remote control battery35
– vehicle battery236
Distance control, refer to
Active cruise control62
Distance remaining to service,
refer to Service
requirements73
Distance warning, refer to
Park Distance Control
PDC81
Door key, refer to Remote
control with integrated
key26
Door lock29
Doors, emergency
operation29
DOT Quality Grades214
Draft-free ventilation100
Drinks holders, refer to
Cupholders107
Drive-off assistance, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC82
Drive-off assistant84
Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams92
Driving notes116
Driving off on hills, refer to
Drive-off assistant84
Driving stability control
systems82
Driving through water118
Driving tips, refer to Driving
notes116
Dry air, refer to Cooling
function99
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control82DTC Dynamic Traction
Control82
– indicator/warning lamp82
DVD
– country codes157
– settings158
– video playback157
DVD menu158
DVD player, refer to CD
player155
DVD video157
Dynamic Brake Control
DBC82
Dynamic destination
guidance135
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC82
– indicator/warning lamp82
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC
– indicator/warning lamp83
E
EBV Electronic brake-force
distribution82
Eject button, refer to Buttons
on the CD/DVD player144
Electrical malfunction
– door lock29
– driver's door29
– fuel filler flap196
– glass roof37
– panorama glass roof39
– trunk lid31
Electric seat adjustment42
Electric steering wheel lock
– with Comfort Access34
Electronic brake-force
distribution EBV82
Electronic oil level check220
Electronic Stability Program
ESP, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC82
Emergency actuation,
automatic transmission,
refer to Overriding selector
lever lock58Emergency operation
– fuel filler flap, manual
release196
Emergency operation, refer to
Closing manually
– glass roof37
– panorama glass roof39
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– door lock29
Emergency release
– trunk lid from inside32
Emergency Request237
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance237
Energy, saving
– saving fuel116
Energy-conscious driving,
refer to Energy Control70
Energy Control70
Engine
– breaking in116
– data244
– overheated, refer to Coolant
temperature70
– speed244
– starting55
– starting, Comfort Access34
– switching off55
Engine compartment219
Engine coolant, refer to
Coolant222
Engine oil
– adding221
– alternative oil types222
– BMW Maintenance
System223
– capacity248
– checking level219
– dipstick219
– intervals between changes,
refer to Service
requirements73
Engine output, refer to Engine
data244
Engine speed, refer to Engine
data244
Engine starting, refer to
Starting the engine55