maintenance BMW 323I SEDAN 2006 E90 User Guide

Mobility
187Reference
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Required fuel
Premium Unleaded Gasoline
The minimum octane rating is 91.
If you use gasoline with this minimum octane
rating, the engine may produce knocking
sounds when starting at high outside tempera-
tures. This has no affect on the engine life.
Minimum octane rating corresponds to the Anti
Knock Index AKI and is determined according
to the so-called (R+M)/2 method.
Do not fill the tank with leaded fuel, as this
would cause permanent damage to the
catalytic converter.<
Use high-quality brands
Field experience has indicated significant dif-
ferences in fuel quality: volatility, composition,
additives, etc., among gasolines offered for sale
in the United States and Canada. Fuels contain-
ing up to and including 10 % ethanol or other
oxygenates with up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight,
that is, 15 % MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an
equivalent amount of co-solvent, will not void
the applicable warranties with respect to
defects in materials or workmanship.
The use of poor-quality fuels may result in
drivability, starting and stalling problems
especially under certain environmental condi-
tions such as high ambient temperature and
high altitude.
Should you encounter drivability problems
which you suspect could be related to the fuel
you are using, we recommend that you respond
by switching to a recognized high-quality
brand.
Failure to comply with these recommendations
may also result in unscheduled maintenance.<

Wheels and tires
188
Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressures
Information for your safety
It is not merely the tires' service life, but also
driving comfort and, to a great extent, driving
safety that depend on the condition of the tires
and the maintenance of the specified tire pres-
sure.
Check the tire inflation pressure regularly
and correct it, if necessary: at least twice a
month and before starting long trips. If you fail
to observe this precaution you may be driving
on tires with incorrect tire pressures, a condi-
tion that can not only compromise your vehi-
cle's driving stability, but also lead to tire dam-
age and the risk of an accident. Do not drive
with deflated, i.e. flat tires, except when using
Run-Flat Tires. A flat tire will seriously impair
your vehicle's handling and braking response.
Attempts to drive on a flat tire can lead to loss of
control over the vehicle.<
Checking pressure
Only check tire inflation pressure when the
tires are cold. This means after a maximum of
1.25 miles/2 km driving or when the vehicle has
been parked for at least 2 hours. When tires are
warm, the tire inflation pressure is higher.
After correcting tire inflation pressures,
always reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor,
refer to page88.<
Inflation pressure specifications
The tables below provide all the correct inflation
pressures for the specified tire sizes at ambient
temperature.
The inflation pressures apply to the tire
sizes approved and tire brands recom-
mended by BMW; a list of these is available
from your BMW Center.<
For correct identification of the right tire infla-
tion pressures, observe the following:
>Tire sizes for your vehicle>Load conditions
>Maximum allowable driving speed
Tire inflation pressures for driving up to
100 mph or 160 km/h
For normal driving up to 100 mph or 160 km/h
and to achieve optimum driving comfort, adjust
pressures to the respective tire inflation pres-
sures listed on the following pages in the col-
umns for traveling speeds up to a maximum of
100 mph or 160 km/h.
These tire inflation pressures can also be found
on the driver's-side door post when the driver's
door is open.
The maximum permissible speed for
these tire pressures is 100 mph or
160 km/h. Do not exceed this speed, otherwise
tire damage and accidents could occur.<
Tire inflation pressures for driving
above 100 mph or 160 km/h
In order to drive at maximum speeds in
excess of 100 mph or 160 km/h, adjust
pressures to the respective tire inflation pres-
sures listed on the following pages in the col-
umns for traveling speeds including those
exceeding 100 mph or 160 km/h. Otherwise tire
damage and accidents could occur.<
Observe all national and local maximum speed
limits, otherwise violations of the laws could
occur.

Mobility
203Reference
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Maintenance
BMW Maintenance System
The BMW Maintenance System supports the
preservation of the traffic and operating safety
of your BMW. The service schedule also
includes operations related to the vehicle's
comfort and convenience features, such as
replacement of the filters for the inside air. The
objective is to optimize efforts with respect to
minimal vehicle maintenance costs.
If and when you come to sell your BMW, a com-
prehensive record of servicing will prove a sig-
nificant benefit.
CBS Condition Based Service
Sensors and special algorithms take the differ-
ent driving conditions of your BMW into
account. Condition Based Service uses this to
determine the current and future service
requirements. By letting you define a service
and maintenance regimen that reflects your
own individual requirements, the system builds
the basis for trouble-free driving.
On the Control Display, you can have the
remaining times or distances for selected main-
tenance tasks and any legally prescribed dates
displayed, refer to page74:
>Engine oil
>Brakes: separately for front and rear
>Microfilter/activated-charcoal filter
>Brake fluid
>Spark plugs
>Vehicle check>Legally mandated inspections depending
on local regulations
Service data in the remote control
Your vehicle continuously stores service-
requirement information in the remote control
while you are driving. Your BMW Service Advi-
sor can read out this data from the remote con-
trol unit, and propose an optimized mainte-
nance approach. Whenever you take your car in
for servicing you should therefore hand your
BMW Service Advisor the remote control unit
that you last used.
Make sure that the date is always set cor-
rectly, refer to page78; otherwise the
effectiveness of Condition Based Service CBS
is not assured.<
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models and Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
Please consult your Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US models and Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models
for additional information on service require-
ments.
BMW recommends that you have service
and repair operations performed at your
BMW Center.
Take the time to ensure that these service pro-
cedures are confirmed by entries in your vehi-
cle's Service and Warranty Information Booklet
for US models and Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models. These entries
verify that your vehicle has received the speci-
fied regular maintenance.<

Maintenance
204
Socket for On-Board
Diagnosis OBD
Primary components that make up exhaust
emissions can be checked by a device via the
OBD socket.
This socket is located on the driver's side to the
left, on the bottom of the instrument panel
underneath a cover.
Exhaust emission values
The warning lamps come on. The
exhaust emission values have wors-
ened. Have the car checked as soon
as possible.
Canadian models display these warn-
ing lamps.
The lamps flash under certain condi-
tions. This indicates excessive misfiring in the
engine. If this happens, you should reduce your
speed and visit your nearest BMW Center as
soon as possible. Severe engine misfiring can
quickly lead to serious damage of emissions-
related components, especially the catalytic
converter.
If the gas cap is not properly tightened, the OBD
system will assume that fuel vapor is escaping.
An indicator will then light up. If the gas cap is
then tightened, the indicator will go out within a
few days.
Event data recorders
Your vehicle may be equipped with one or sev-
eral measuring or diagnostic modules or a
device for recording or sending certain vehicle data or information. In addition, if you have
signed a subscription contract for BMW Assist,
certain vehicle data may be transmitted or
recorded in order to facilitate the corresponding
services.
Care
Important information on the care and mainte-
nance of your BMW is contained in the Caring
for your vehicle brochure.

Mobility
205Reference
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Replacing components
Onboard tool kit
The onboard tool kit is stored in a compartment
on the right-hand side of the luggage compart-
ment. Remove the cover.
Wiper blades
1.Fold up the wiper arm.
2.Remove the cover. To do so, press the hook
on the bottom, see arrow.
3.Fold the wiper blade upwards.
4.Remove the wiper blade in the direction of
the windshield, see arrow.In order to avoid damage, make sure that
the wiper arms are against the windshield
before you open the engine compartment.<
Lamps and bulbs
Lamps and bulbs make an essential contribu-
tion to vehicle safety. They should, therefore,
be handled carefully. BMW recommends hav-
ing your BMW Center perform any work that
you do not feel competent to perform yourself
or that is not described here.
Never touch the glass of new bulbs with
your bare fingers, as even minute
amounts of contamination will burn into the
bulb's surface and reduce its service life. Use a
clean tissue, cloth or something similar, or hold
the bulb by its base.<
You can obtain a selection of replacement bulbs
at your BMW Center.
When working on electrical systems,
always begin by switching off the con-
sumer in question, otherwise short-circuits
could result. To avoid possible injury or equip-
ment damage when replacing bulbs, observe
any instructions provided by the bulb manufac-
turer.<
For care and maintenance of the headlamps,
please follow the instructions in the separate
Caring for your vehicle brochure.
If the routine for changing a particular
bulb is not described here, please contact
your BMW Center or a workshop that works
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel.<
Light-emitting diodes LEDs
Light-emitting diodes installed behind translu-
c e n t l e n s e s s e r v e a s t h e l i g h t s o u r c e f o r m a n y o f
the controls and displays in your vehicle. These
light-emitting diodes, which operate using a
concept similar to that applied in conventional

Mobility
209Reference
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according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel.
Changing wheels
Your BMW is equipped with Run-Flat Tires as
standard. This removes the need to change a
wheel immediately in the event of a puncture.
The symbol identifying Run-Flat Tires is a circle
with the letters RSC on the sidewall, refer to
Run-Flat Tires, page196.
When mounting new tires or changing over
from summer to winter tires and vice versa,
mount Run-Flat Tires for your own safety. In the
event of a flat, moreover, no spare wheel is
available. Your BMW Center will be glad to
advise you. Refer also to New wheels and tires,
page196.
The tools for changing wheels are avail-
able as optional accessories from your
BMW Center.<
Jack mounting points
The jacking points are at the positions shown in
the illustration.
Vehicle battery
Battery care
The battery is 100 % maintenance-free, the
electrolyte will last for the life of the battery
when the vehicle is operated in a temperate cli-
mate. Your BMW Center will be glad to advise in
all matters concerning the battery.
Charging the battery
Only charge the battery in the vehicle via the
terminals in the engine compartment with the
engine off. Connections, refer to Jump starting
on page212.
Disposal
Have old batteries disposed of by your
BMW Center or hand them in to a recy-
cling center. Maintain the battery in an upright
position for transport and storage. Always
secure the battery against tipping over during
transport.<
Power failure
After a temporary power loss, the functioning of
some equipment may be limited and require ini-
tialization. Individual settings may likewise have
been lost and will have to be reprogrammed:
>Time and date
These values must be updated, refer to
page77.
>Radio
In some cases, stations may have to be
stored again, refer to page150.
>Navigation system
Operability must be waited for, refer to
page124.
>Seat and mirror memory
The positions must be stored again, refer to
page44.
>Inside rearview mirror with digital compass
The system must be calibrated, refer to
page105.
Fuses
Never attempt to repair a blown fuse and
do not replace a defective fuse with a sub-
stitute of another color or amperage rating, oth-
erwise this could lead to a circuit overload, ulti-
mately resulting in a fire in the vehicle.<

Reference 227
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Audio device,
external107,162
"Audio" tone settings145
"Auto. headlamps"94
Automatic
– air distribution98
– air flow rate98
– cruise control60,62
– headlamp control93
– service notification179
– storing of stations149
Automatic climate control97
– automatic air distribution98
– settings via iDrive98
Automatic curb monitor46
"Automatic programs" with
automatic climate control99
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC99
Automatic station search149
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic57
– interlock57
– overriding selector lever
lock58
– shiftlock57
– sport program58
"Automatic ventilation"101
AUTO program for automatic
climate control98
"Autostore"
– on the radio150
AUX-IN162
– port107
Average fuel consumption71
– setting the units73
Average speed70
"Avoid ferries" in
navigation135
"Avoid highways" in
navigation135
Avoid highways in
navigation135
Avoiding unintentional
alarms35
"Avoid tollroads" in
navigation135
Axle loads, refer to
Weights220"A - Z"172
B
Backrests, refer to Seats40
Backrest width adjustment42
Back seats
– refer to Rear seats
Backup lamps
– replacing bulbs208
Backup lamps, refer to Tail
lamps207
Balance, tone control145
Band-aids, refer to First-aid
pouch212
Bar, refer to Tow-starting,
towing away214
Bass, tone control145
Bass sounds, refer to Tone
control145
Bass sounds, refer to Treble
and bass145
Battery209
– charging209
– disposal37,209
– jump starting212
– temporary power failure209
Battery renewal
– remote control37
Being towed213
Belts, refer to Safety belts45
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts45
Beverage holders, refer to
Cup holders107
Black ice, refer to Outside
temperature warning69
Blower, refer to Air flow
rate99
BMW Assist178
– enabling178
– services offered179
"BMW Contact"182
"BMW Contact
Numbers"182
BMW Homepage4
BMW Maintenance
System203
"BMW Service"180"BMW Service settings"179
BMW webpage4
Bottle holders, refer to Cup
holders107
Brake assist, refer to Dynamic
Brake Control84
Brake fluid202
– level too low202
– warning lamp202
Brake fluid, refer to Service
requirements74
Brake Force Display90
Brake hydraulics, refer to
Brakes202
Brake lamps
– Brake Force Display90
– replacing bulbs208
Brake pads, breaking in116
Brake rotors118
– brakes116
– breaking in116
Brakes
– ABS84
– BMW Maintenance
System203
– brake fluid202
– brake pads202
– breaking in116
– handbrake54
– service requirements74
Brakes, refer to Braking
safely117
Brake system116
– BMW Maintenance
System203
– brake fluid202
– brake pads202
– breaking in116
– disc brakes118
Breakdown services, refer to
Roadside Assistance211
Breaking in
– sequential manual gearbox
SMG116
Breaking in the clutch116
Breaking in the
differential116
Break-in period116

Reference 231
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Emergency release
– luggage compartment lid
from inside34
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance211
Emissions test, refer to
Service requirements74
"Enable services"179
"End call"171
Energy-conscious driving,
refer to Energy Control70
Energy Control70
Engine
– breaking in116
– data218
– overheated, refer to Coolant
temperature69
– speed218
– starting53
– starting, convenient
access35
– switching off53
Engine compartment199
Engine coolant, refer to
Coolant201
Engine oil
– adding201
– BMW Maintenance
System203
– checking level199
– intervals between changes,
refer to Service
requirements74
"Engine oil level"200
Engine output, refer to Engine
data218
Engine speed218
Engine starting, refer to
Starting the engine53
"Enter address"126
Entering destination126
Entering the address128
Entering the intersection127
"Entertainment"144
"Entertainment
settings"145,152
Environmentally friendly
driving, refer to Energy
Control70"Equalizer", refer to Tone
control146
Equalizer, refer to Tone
control146
Error messages, refer to
Check Control79
"ESN"154
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control84
Event data recorders204
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system
116
Exterior mirrors45
– adjusting45
– automatic dimming
feature117
– automatic heating46
External audio
device107,162
Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing
away213
– for tying down loads119
F
Fader, tone control145
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control79
Failure of an electrical
consumer209
False alarm, refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms35
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts45
Fastest route for
navigation134
Fast forward
– CD changer160
– CD player160
"Fast route" in navigation135
Filter
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic
climate control101
First aid pouch212Fixture for remote control,
refer to Ignition lock52
Flashlight, refer to
Rechargeable flashlight106
Flash when locking/
unlocking31
Flat
– Run-Flat Tires196
Flat Tire Monitor FTM88
– indicating a flat tire89
– initializing the system88
– malfunction89
– snow chains88,197
– system limits88
Flat tires, refer to Tire
condition195
"FM", waveband144,148
FM, waveband148
Fog lamps95
– indicator lamp13,95
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely117
Footwell lamps96
For your own safety5
Front airbags90
Front seat adjustment40
"FTM"88
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor88
Fuel186
– display70
– high-quality brands186
– quality186
– specifications186
– tank capacity221
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge
70
Fuel consumption, refer to
Average fuel
consumption71
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge70
Fuel filler door186
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction186
Fuses209

Everything from A - Z
234 Luggage compartment
– capacity220
– convenient access36
– folding up the floor
panel110
– lamp96
– opening from inside33
– opening from outside33
Luggage compartment lid33
– convenient access36
– unlocking with remote
control31
Luggage compartment lid,
refer to Tailgate33
Luggage compartment net,
refer to Securing cargo119
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack119
Lumbar support41
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires197
Maintenance, refer to Service
Booklet
Maintenance system203
Malfunction warnings, refer to
Check Control79
Manual mode
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic58
– sequential manual gearbox
SMG55
"Manual" on the radio149
Manual operation
– door lock32
– glass sunroof39
– panorama glass roof39
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission58
Manual release
– fuel filler door186
Manual transmission54
Map
– changing scale138
– destination entry129
"Map direction of travel"138
"Map facing north"138Master key, refer to Integrated
key/remote control28
Maximum cooling98
Maximum speed
– with winter tires197
Memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory44
MENU button16
Menus, refer to iDrive16
Microfilter
– BMW Maintenance
System203
– for automatic climate
control101
Microfilter/activated-charcoal
filter
– BMW Maintenance
System203
Microphone for telephone14
Mirror dimming feature117
Mirrors45
– automatic curb monitor46
– exterior mirrors45
– heating46
– interior rearview mirror46
"Missed calls"172
Missed calls172
Mobile phone
– accepted calls172
– adjusting volume170
– calling171
– ending call171
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest106
– missed calls172
– operation via iDrive170
– redialing172
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
– Top 8172
– touch tone dialing173
Mobile phone, installation
location, refer to Center
armrest106
Mobile phone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Mobile phone in the
vehicle116Mobile phones, use inside the
car, refer to Mobile phone in
the vehicle116
Modifications, technical, refer
to For your own safety5
Monitor, refer to iDrive
controls16
Monitoring system for tire
pressures, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor88
"Monitor on / off"47
Most recent mobile phone
numbers172
MP3, refer to Compressed
audio files156
Multifunctional steering
wheel, refer to Buttons on
the steering wheel11
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signals/
headlamp flasher58
– refer to Wiper system59
Music track
– finding158
"Mute on / off"47
Muting the TV144
N
"Navigation"125
Navigation address
– home address134
Navigation announcements,
refer to Switching voice
instructions on/off139
Navigation destination
– manual entry125,128
– selecting via map129
Navigation drive, location124
Navigation DVD124