battery BMW 3 SERIES ACTIVE HYBRID 2015 Owner's Guide

Longer braking procedures result in more effi‐
cient charging of the high-voltage battery via
energy recovery from braking.
Avoid high engine speeds
As a rule: driving at low engine speeds lowers
fuel consumption and reduces wear.
Use 1st gear to get the vehicle moving. Start‐
ing with the 2nd gear, accelerate rapidly. When
accelerating, shift up before reaching high en‐
gine speeds.
When you reach the desired speed, shift into
the highest applicable gear and drive with the
engine speed as low as possible and at a con‐
stant speed.
If necessary, observe the gear shift indicator of
the vehicle, refer to page 90.
Use coasting
When approaching a red light, take your foot
off the accelerator and let the vehicle coast to
a halt.
For going downhill take your foot off the accel‐
erator and let the vehicle roll.
The flow of fuel is interrupted while coasting.
The high-voltage battery is being charged.
Switch off the engine during
longer stops
Switch off the engine during longer stops, e.g.,
at traffic lights, railroad crossings or in traffic
congestion.
Switch off any functions that
are not currently needed
Functions such as seat heating and the rear
window defroster require a lot of energy andreduce the range, especially in city and stop-
and-go traffic.
Reel off these functions if they are not needed.
The ECO PRO driving program supports the
energy conserving use of comfort features.
These functions are automatically deactivated
partially or completely.
Have maintenance carried
out
Have vehicles maintained regularly to achieve
optimal vehicle efficiency and operating life.
The maintenance should be carried out by
your service center.
Also note the BMW Maintenance System, refer
to page 209.
ECO PRO
The concept ECO PRO supports a driving style that saves
on fuel consumption. For this purpose, the en‐
gine control and comfort features, e. g. the cli‐
mate control output, are adjusted.
eDRIVE electric driving, refer to page 71, and
the Coasting, refer to page 71, driving status
are becoming increasingly possible.
In addition, context-sensitive instructions are
displayed to assist with an optimized fuel con‐
sumption driving style.
The achieved extended range is displayed in
the instrument cluster as bonus range.
Overview
The system includes the following
EfficientDynamics functions and displays:▷ECO PRO bonus range, refer to page 182.▷ECO PRO tips driving instruction, refer to
page 183Seite 181Saving fuelDriving tips181
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 466 - II/15

Engine compartmentVehicle 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 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.
Important features in the engine compartment
1Jump-starting, negative battery terminal2Vehicle identification number3Washer fluid reservoir4Jump-starting, positive battery terminal5Engine compartment fuse box6Oil filler neck7Coolant reservoir
The coolant reservoir for 6-cylinder and
diesel engines is located on the opposite
side of the engine compartment.Seite 203Engine compartmentMobility203
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 466 - II/15

Vehicle batteryMaintenance
The battery is maintenance-free.
The added amount of acid is sufficient for the
service life of the battery.
Further information about the battery can be
obtained from your service center.
Battery replacement Use approved vehicle batteries only
Only use vehicle batteries that have been
approved for your vehicle by the manufacturer;
otherwise, the vehicle could be damaged and
systems or functions may not be fully availa‐
ble.◀
After a battery replacement, have the battery
registered on the vehicle by the service center
to ensure that all comfort features are fully
available and that any Check Control mes‐
sages of these comfort features are no longer
displayed.
Charging the battery
General information Make sure that the battery is always suffi‐
ciently charged to guarantee that the battery
remains usable for its full service life.
The battery may need to be charged in the fol‐
lowing cases:▷When making frequent short-distance
drives.▷If the vehicle is not used for prolonged pe‐
riods, longer than a month.
Hints
Do not connect charging devices to the
12 volt socket in the vehicle
Do not connect battery chargers to the fac‐
tory-installed 12 volt sockets in the vehicle as
this may damage the vehicle battery due to an
increased power consumption.◀
Starting aid terminals In the vehicle, only charge the battery via thestarting aid terminals, refer to page 224, in the
engine compartment with the engine off.
Power failure After a temporary power loss, some equipment
needs to be newly initialized or individual set‐
tings updated, e. g.:▷Seat and mirror memory: store the posi‐
tions again.▷Time: update.▷Date: update.▷Glass sunroof and sliding visor: initialize
the system, refer to page 53.
Disposing of old batteries
Have old batteries disposed of by your
service center or bring them to a recy‐
cling center.
Maintain the battery in an upright position for
transport and storage. Secure the battery so
that it does not tip over during transport.
Fuses Hints Replacing fuses
Never attempt to repair a blown fuse and
do not replace a defective fuse with a substi‐
tute of another color or amperage rating; this
could lead to a circuit overload, ultimately re‐
sulting in a fire in the vehicle.◀
Plastic tweezers and information on the fuse
types and locations are stored in the fuse box
in the trunk.
Seite 220MobilityReplacing components220
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 466 - II/15

When the emergency request is received
at the BMW Response Center, the BMW
Response Center contacts you and takes
further steps to help you.
Even if you are unable to respond, the
BMW Response Center can take further
steps to help you under certain circum‐
stances.
For this, data are transmitted to the BMW
Response Center which serve to deter‐
mine the necessary rescue measures. E. g.
the current position of the vehicle, if it can
be established.▷If the LED is flashing green, but the BMW
Response Center can no longer be heard
via the speaker, you can nevertheless still
be heard at the BMW Response Center.
Initiating an Emergency Request
automatically
Under certain conditions, an Emergency Re‐
quest is automatically initiated immediately af‐
ter a severe accident. Automatic Collision Noti‐
fication is not affected by pressing the SOS
button.
Warning triangle
The warning triangle is located on the inside of
the trunk lid.
To remove, loosen the bracket.
First aid kit
Note
Some of the articles have a limited service life.
Check the expiration dates of the contents
regularly and replace any expired items
promptly.
Storage
The first aid kit is located in a compartment un‐
der the cargo floor panel.
Jump-starting
General information If the battery is discharged, the engine can be
started using the battery of another vehicle
and two jumper cables. Only use jumper ca‐
bles with fully insulated clamp handles.
Hints Do not touch live parts
To avoid the risk of potentially fatal in‐
jury, always avoid all contact with electrical
components while the engine is running.◀
To prevent personal injury or damage to both
vehicles, adhere strictly to the following proce‐
dure.
Vehicles with hybrid drive cannot be used for
jump-starting.
Seite 223Breakdown assistanceMobility223
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 466 - II/15

PreparationBodywork contact between vehicles
Make sure that there is no contact be‐
tween the bodywork of the two vehicles; other‐
wise, there is a danger of short circuits.◀1.Check whether the battery of the other ve‐
hicle has a voltage of 12 volts. This infor‐
mation can be found on the battery.2.Switch off the engine of the assisting vehi‐
cle.3.Switch off any electronic systems/power
consumers in both vehicles.
Starting aid terminals
Connecting order
Connect the jumper cables in the correct
order to prevent risk of injury from arcing.◀
The so-called starting aid terminal in the en‐
gine compartment acts as the battery's posi‐
tive terminal.
Open the cover of the starting aid terminal.
The body ground or a special nut acts as the
battery negative terminal.
Connecting the cables
Be careful not to swap over the positive
and negative connector terminals
Do not swap over the positive and negative
terminals of the connectors, otherwise there is
a danger that components of the hybrid sys‐
tem or the vehicle's electronics may be irrepar‐
ably damaged.
Take note of the label next to the positive ter‐
minal.◀
Before you begin, reel off all unnecessary elec‐
tronic systems/power consumers, such as the
radio, on the assisting and receiving vehicles.1.Open the cover of the BMW starting aid
terminal.2.Attach one terminal clamp of the positive
jumper cable to the positive terminal of the
battery, or to the corresponding starting
aid terminal of the vehicle providing assis‐
tance.3.Attach the terminal clamp on the other end
of the cable to the positive terminal of the
battery, or to the corresponding starting
aid terminal of the vehicle to be started.4.Attach one terminal clamp of the negative
jumper cable to the negative terminal of
the battery, or to the corresponding engine
or body ground of assisting vehicle.5.Attach the second terminal clamp to the
negative terminal of the battery, or to the
corresponding engine or body ground of
the vehicle to be started.
Starting the engine
Never use spray fluids to start the engine.
1.Start the engine of the assisting vehicle
and let it run for several minutes at an in‐
creased idle speed.2.Start the engine of the vehicle that is to be
started in the usual way.
If the first starting attempt is not success‐
ful, wait a few minutes before making an‐Seite 224MobilityBreakdown assistance224
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 466 - II/15

other attempt in order to allow the dis‐
charged battery to recharge.3.Let both engines run for several minutes.4.Disconnect the jumper cables in the re‐
verse order.
Check the battery and recharge if needed.
Tow-starting and towing Note 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.◀
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.
Seite 225Breakdown assistanceMobility225
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 466 - II/15

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.
The tow fitting is located in a compartment un‐
der the cargo floor panel.
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.
What to do after an accident
Hints After an accident
After an accident, do not touch any high-
voltage components such as orange colored
high-voltage cables or parts that are in contact
with exposed high-voltage cables. Otherwise,
there is the risk of fatal injury from electrocu‐
tion due to the system's high voltage.◀
Esliding fluids
Do not touch any fluids esliding from the
high-voltage battery, or the skin can sustain
chemical burns.◀
General information
If you are involved in an accident with your ve‐
hicle, compliance with the following additional
safety precautions is required with regard to
the high-voltage system:
Seite 226MobilityBreakdown assistance226
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 466 - II/15

▷Secure the crash site.▷Immediately notify rescue forces, police, or
firefighters of the fact that your vehicle is
equipped with a high-voltage system.▷Engage selector lever position P, apply the
parking brake, and reel off the ignition or
deactivate drive readiness.▷Lock the vehicle after exiting.▷Do not inhale any gases esliding from the
high-voltage battery; if needed, maintain a
safe distance from the vehicle.Seite 227Breakdown assistanceMobility227
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 466 - II/15

Carpets and floor matsNo 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 For idle phases that last several weeks, park
the vehicle with a fully charged battery if possi‐
ble. Your service center can advise you on
what to consider when storing the vehicle for
longer than six weeks.
Do not allow the vehicle to sit idle for ex‐
tended periods with a low charging state
Before storing the vehicle for an extended pe‐
riod, check the battery charge indicator to en‐
sure that the high-voltage battery is fully
charged. If necessary, charge the high-voltage
battery by driving the vehicle. Check the
charge level regularly, and if needed recharge
the high-voltage battery by driving the vehicle.
Don't allow battery charge status to drop too
low - it will damage the battery.◀
Note Follow the instructions for discharging thehigh-voltage battery, refer to page 173.Seite 231CareMobility231
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 466 - II/15

Everything from A to Z
IndexA ABS, Antilock Brake Sys‐ tem 125
ACC, Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go 130
Acceleration Assistant, refer to Launch Control 79
Accessories and parts 8
Activated-charcoal filter 154
Activate drive readiness 69
Active Blind Spot Detec‐ tion 122
Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go, ACC 130
ActiveHybrid, system 32
Adapting to the course of the road, hybrid system 84
Adaptive brake lights, refer to Brake force display 124
Adaptive Light Control 99
Additives, oil 206
Adjustments, seats/head re‐ straints 54
After washing vehicle 229
Airbags 103
Airbags, indicator/warning light 104
Air circulation, refer to Recir‐ culated-air mode 153
Air, dehumidifying, refer to Cooling function 152
Air distribution, manual 153
Air flow, automatic climate control 153
Air pressure, tires 192
Air vents, refer to Ventila‐ tion 154
Alarm system 48
Alarm, unintentional 49 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
Alternating-code hand-held transmitter 158
Alternative oil types 207
Ambient light 102
Antifreeze, washer fluid 76
Antilock Brake System, ABS 125
Anti-slip control, refer to DSC 125
Approved axle load 235
Approved engine oils, see Suitable engine oil
types 207
Arrival time 93
Ash tray 161
Assistance for the combus‐ tion engine, ASSIST 72
Assistance for the combus‐ tion engine, eBOOST 72
Assistance when driving off 129
ASSIST, assistance for the combustion engine 72
Assist system information, on Control Display 96
Attentiveness assistant 124
AUTO intensity 152
Automatic car wash 228
Automatic climate control with enhanced features 151
Automatic Cruise Control with Stop & Go 130
Automatic Curb Monitor 62 Automatic deactivation, front-
seat passenger airbags 105
Automatic deactivation of the hybrid system 34
Automatic headlight con‐ trol 99
Automatic locking 48
Automatic recirculated-air control 153
Automatic transmission, see Steptronic transmission 76
AUTO program, automatic cli‐ mate control 152
AUTO program, intensity 152
Auto Start/Stop function 70
Auxiliary air conditioning 155
Average fuel consumption 93
Average speed 93
Axle loads, weights 235
B Backrest curvature, refer to Lumbar support 56
Backrest, width 56
Band-aids, refer to First aid kit 223
Bar for tow-starting/ towing 225
Battery replacement, vehicle battery 220
Battery replacement, vehicle remote control 39
Battery, vehicle 220
Belts, safety belts 57
Beverage holder, cu‐ pholder 167
Blinds, sun protection 51
BMW ActiveHybrid 32
BMW Assist, see user's manual for Navigation, En‐Seite 236ReferenceEverything from A to Z236
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 466 - II/15