fuel BMW 3 SERIES SPORTS WAGON 2015 F31 Owner's Guide

gine deposits, it is highly recommended to
purchase gasoline from Top Tier retailers.
Failure to comply with these recommendations
may result in the need for unscheduled main‐
tenance.◀
Diesel
Low-Sulfur Diesel
The engine of your BMW is designed for diesel
with low sulfur content:
Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel ASTM D 975-xx.
xx: comply with the current standard in each
case.
Use only Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel.
The fraction of biodiesel in the fuel must
not exceed 5 %, referred to as B5. Do not use
gasoline. If you do fill the tank with the wrong
fuel, e.g., gasoline, do not start the engine as
this may damage the engine.◀
After adding the wrong fuel, contact your serv‐
ice center or Roadside Assistance.
If the fuel pump nozzle does not fit in the filler
pipe of your BMW, please check to ensure that you are refueling at a diesel fuel pump that is
equipped with a diesel fuel pump nozzle.
In the event the Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel fuel
cannot be fully inserted into the fuel filler neck,
please contact BMW Roadside Assistance for
instructions on how to add fuel.
For additional information regarding Roadside
Assistance, refer to Owner's Manual for Navi‐
gation, Entertainment and Communication.
Winter diesel
To ensure that the diesel engine remains op‐
erational in the winter, use winter diesel.
It is available at gas stations during winter
months.
The fuel filter heating system, included as a
standard feature, prevents disruption of the
fuel supply while driving.Do not add any diesel additives
Do not add additives, including gasoline;
otherwise, engine damage may occur.◀
BMW Advanced Diesel
The concept BMW Advanced Diesel reduces nitrogen ox‐
ides in the diesel emissions by injecting diesel
exhaust fluid reducing agent into the exhaust
system. A chemical reaction takes place inside
the catalytic converter that minimizes nitrogen
oxides.
The vehicle has a tank that can be refilled.
To be able to start the engine as usual, there
must be an adequate reducing agent.
Reducing agent is added by the service center.
Warming up the system
In order to warm the engine up to its operating
temperature after a cold start, the Steptronic
transmission may subsequently shift up to the
next higher gear.
Displays in the instrument cluster
Reserve indication This display in the instrument cluster provides
information about the distance that can still be
driven with the current reserve level.▷Lamp white: refill with re‐
duction agent at the next
opportunity.▷Lamp yellow: not enough re‐
duction agent present. The
remaining range is displayed
in the instrument cluster. Im‐
mediately refill with reduc‐
tion agent, refer to
page 190.Seite 189FuelMobility189
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Diesel exhaust fluid on minimum▷The remaining range is dis‐
played in the instrument
cluster: refill with reduction
agent. The engine will con‐
tinue to run as long as it is
not switched off and all
other operating conditions
are satisfied; sufficient fuel,
e.g.
Engine does not start
Do not continue driving to the limit of the
remaining travel distance. Otherwise, you will
not be able to restart the engine after switch‐
ing it off. In certain cases, this could cause
safety to be impaired.◀
Filling with an incorrect fluid A Check Control message is displayed when
an incorrect fluid is added.
After adding the incorrect fluid, contact your
service center.
System defect A Check Control message is displayed when
there is a system defect.
Have the diesel exhaust fluid
replenished
The reducing agent is added by the service
center within the context of regular mainte‐
nance.
It may be necessary to have the fluid replen‐
ished several times under particular circum‐
stances, e.g., if the vehicle is driven in a partic‐
ularly sporty style or if it is driven at high
altitudes.
The reducing agent must be replenished as
soon as the reserve display appears in the in‐
strument cluster to avoid not being able to re‐
start the engine.
Diesel exhaust fluid at low
temperatures
Due to its physical properties, it is possible
that the reducing agent may also need to be
replenished between regular maintenance ap‐
pointments if it is exposed to temperatures un‐
der + 23 ℉/- 5 ℃. In this case, add reducing
agent only immediately before driving off.
The need to replenish it is indicated by the Re‐
serve display in the instrument cluster.
At temperatures below + 12 ℉/- 11 ℃, the fill‐
ing level cannot be measured in some cases.
After adding reducing agent, the Reserve Dis‐
play is displayed only until the fill level can be
measured again.
Replenishing Diesel exhaust fluid
yourself in exceptional cases
You can replenish reducing agent yourself in
exceptional cases, e.g., to get to the service
center.
Avoid contact with Diesel exhaust fluid
Do not come into contact with the reduc‐
ing agent. Otherwise, skin or eye irritations
may result.◀
Handling Diesel exhaust fluid
When working with reducing agent in
closed spaces, ensure good ventilation. When
the bottle or container is opened, acrid smell‐
ing fumes may eslide.◀
Keeping Diesel exhaust fluid out of reach
of children
Keep reducing agent out of reach of children.◀
Avoid contact with surfaces
Avoid contact of reduction agent with
surfaces of the vehicle; otherwise, damage
could occur.◀
Suitable Diesel exhaust fluid▷Preferred: BMW Diesel Exhaust Fluid. With
this bottle and its special adapter, DieselSeite 190MobilityFuel190
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exhaust fluid can be replenished simply
and safely.▷Alternative: NOx reduction agent AUS 32
Diesel exhaust fluid can be purchased at your
service center.
Refill quantity
When the Reserve display starts, add at least
3 bottles of reducing agent.
This corresponds to approx. 1.5 US gal/6 liters.
Tank for reducing agent
The tank for the reducing agent is located next
to the fuel tank.
Adding the reducing agent Add the reducing agent when the ignition is
switched on.
1.Open the fuel filler flap, refer to page 186.2.Turn the tank lid counterclockwise and re‐
move.3.Place the bottle on it and turn it as far as it
will go, see arrow.4.Press the bottle down, see arrow.The vehicle tank will be filled.
The tank is full when the fill level in the bot‐
tle no longer changes. It is not possible to
overfill.5.Pull back the bottle, see arrow, and un‐
screw it.6.Replace the tank lid and turn it clockwise.7.Close the fuel filler flap.
After adding Diesel exhaust fluid
Note Incorrect fluids
After filling with incorrect fluids, such as
antifreeze for washer fluid, do not start the en‐
gine, otherwise there is risk of fire.◀
Contact your service center.
Disposing of bottles You take your empty Diesel exhaust
fluid bottles to your service center for
disposal.
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Do not dispose of empty bottles with house‐
hold waste unless this is permitted by local
regulations.
Reserve indication The Reserve display will still ap‐
pear along with the remaining
range after refilling.
Engine can be started.
After several minutes of driving,
the Reserve indication goes out.
Diesel exhaust fluid on minimum After filling, the indication -- is
still displayed.
Only after the display goes out
can the engine -- be started.1.Switch on the ignition.
Display -- goes out after approx. 1 minute.2.Engine can be started.Seite 192MobilityFuel192
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Retreaded tires
Possibly substantial variations in the de‐
sign and age of the tire casing structures can
limit service life and have a negative impact on
road safety.◀
Winter tires
Winter tires are recommended for operating on
winter roads.
Although so-called all-season M+S tires pro‐
vide better winter traction than summer tires, they do not provide the same level of perform‐
ance as winter tires.
Maximum speed of winter tires If the maximum speed of the vehicle is higher
than the permissible speed for the winter tires,
then a respective symbol is displayed in your
field of vision. You can obtain this sign from the
tire specialist or from your service center.
Maximum speed for winter tires
Do not exceed the maximum speed for
the respective winter tires; otherwise, tire dam‐
age and accidents can occur.◀
Run-flat tires If you are already using run-flat tires, for your
own safety you should replace them only with
the same kind. No spare tire is available in the
case of a flat tire. Your service center will be
glad to advise you.
Rotating wheels between axlesDifferent wear patterns can occur on the frontand rear axles depending on individual driving
conditions. The tires can be rotated between
the axles to achieve even wear. Your service
center will be glad to advise you. After rotating,
check the tire pressure and correct if needed.
Rotating the tires is not permissible on vehi‐
cles with different tire sizes or rim sizes on the
front and rear axles.Storage
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 pres‐
sure indicated on the side wall of the tire.
Run-flat tires Label
RSC label on the tire sidewall.
The wheels consist of tires that are self-sup‐
porting, to a limited degree, and possibly spe‐
cial rims.
The support of the sidewall allows the tire to
remain drivable to a restricted degree in the
event of a tire inflation pressure loss.
Follow the instructions for continued driving
with a flat tire.
Changing run-flat tires
For your own safety, only use run-flat tires. No
spare tire is available in the case of a flat tire.
Your service center will be glad to advise you.
Mobility System
The concept With the Mobility System, minor tire damagecan be sealed quickly to enable continued
travel. To accomplish this, sealant is pumped
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Engine oilVehicle 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.
General information The engine oil consumption is dependent on
the driving style and driving conditions.
The engine oil consumption can increase in
case of, for example:▷Sporty driving.▷Break-in the engine.▷Idling of the engine.▷Usage of non-approved engine oil grades.
Therefore, regularly check the engine oil level
after refueling.
Depending on its engine, the vehicle is equip‐
ped with electronic oil measurement or oil
measuring is done with a dipstick.
The electronic oil measurement has two meas‐
uring principles:
▷Status display▷Detailed measurementElectronic oil measurement
Status display
The concept
The engine oil level is monitored electronically
while driving and shown on the Control Dis‐
play.
If the engine oil level reaches the minimum
level, a check control message is displayed.
Requirements
A current measured value is available after ap‐
prox. 30 minutes of driving. During a shorter
trip, the status of the last, sufficiently long trip
is displayed.
With frequent short-distance trips, regularly
perform a detailed measurement.
Displaying the engine oil level
On the Control Display:1."Vehicle info"2."Vehicle status"3. "Engine oil level"
Engine oil level display messages
Different messages appear on the display de‐
pending on the engine oil level. Pay attention
to these messages.
If the engine oil level is too low, within the next
125 miles/200 km Add engine oil, refer to
page 207.
Engine oil level too low
Add engine oil immediately; otherwise,
an insufficient amount of engine oil could re‐
sult in engine damage.◀
Take care not to add too much engine oil.
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MaintenanceVehicle 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.
BMW maintenance system The maintenance system indicates required
maintenance measures, and thereby provides
support in maintaining road safety and the op‐
erational reliability of the vehicle.
In some cases scopes and intervals may vary
according to the country-specific version. Re‐
placement work, spare parts, fuels and lubri‐
cants and wear materials are calculated sepa‐
rately. Additional information is available from
the service center.
Condition Based Service
CBS
Sensors and special algorithms take into ac‐
count the driving conditions of your vehicle.
Based on this, Condition Based Service recog‐
nizes the maintenance requirements.
The system makes it possible to adapt the
amount of maintenance corresponding to your
user profile.
Detailed information on service requirements,
refer to page 84, can be displayed on the Con‐
trol Display.Service data in the remote control
Information on the required maintenance is
continuously stored in the remote control. Your service center will read out this data and
suggest the right array of service procedures for your vehicle.
Therefore, hand your service specialist the re‐
mote control with which the vehicle was driven
most recently.
Storage periods Storage periods during which the vehicle bat‐
tery was disconnected are not taken into ac‐
count.
If this occurs, have a service center update the
time-dependent maintenance procedures,
such as checking brake fluid and, if needed,
changing the engine oil and the microfilter/
activated-charcoal filter.
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US
models and Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
Please consult your Service and Warranty In‐
formation Booklet for US models and Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian mod‐
els for additional information on service re‐
quirements.
Maintenance and repair should be performed
by your service center. Make sure to have reg‐
ular maintenance procedures recorded in the
vehicle's Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models, and in the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian mod‐
els. These entries are proof of regular mainte‐
nance.Seite 210MobilityMaintenance210
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3.Switch the engine off.4.Switch on the ignition.
Steptronic 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.
Do not turn off the ignition in the car
wash
Do not turn off the ignition in the car wash;
otherwise, selector lever position P is en‐
gaged and damages can result.◀
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 Steptronic transmis‐
sion:
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.
Selector lever positionSelector lever 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‐
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grease removers, fuel, or such; this could lead
to surface damage.◀
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 233CareMobility233
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Capacities
US gal/litersNotesFuel tank, approx.Gasoline: 15.8/60
Diesel: 15/57Fuel quality, refer to
page 188Seite 238ReferenceTechnical data238
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