warning BMW M3 2008 Owner's Manual

Care
214
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 CareProducts 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
page239.
>If necessary: fold in the exterior mirrors,
refer to page45.
>Maximum permissible tire width.
Preparations before driving into an automatic
car wash:
>Deactivate the rain sensor
* to avoid unin-
tentional activation of the wipers.
>Remove additional attachments, e.g.
spoiler or telephone antennas, if there is a
possibility that they could be damaged.
M dual clutch 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, even with conve-
nient access, into the ignition lock.
2.Engage transmission 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 a 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
water penetration. Follow the operating instruc-
tions of the high-pressure washer.<
When using high-pressure washers, do
not spray against the sensors and cam-
eras, e.g. Park Distance Control, for an
extended period and maintain a distance of at
least 12 in/30 cm.<

Mobility
221Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
4.Select "Service Info" and press the control-
ler.
5.If necessary, move the highlight marker to
the uppermost field. Turn the controller
until "Service requirements" is selected and
press the controller.
6.If necessary, move the highlight marker to
the second field from the top. Turn the con-
troller until "Engine oil level" is selected and
press the controller. The oil level is dis-
played.
Possible messages
>"Engine oil level O.K."
>"No measurement available: Updating
engine oil level measurement..."
The engine oil level is measured. This can
take about 1 minute if the car is at a stand-
still on a level surface and the engine is run-
ning, or about 5 minutes while the car is
moving.
If engine oil was added, it can take up to
30 minutes to get an oil level reading.
>"Oil level at the minimum! Refill with 1 quart
of engine oil."
Add engine oil as soon as possible, but no
more than 1 US quart/1 liter, refer also to
Adding engine oil below. Add at least
0.5 US quart/0.5 liters, otherwise the oil-
level monitor will be unable to display the
new value reliably.
If the oil level is below the minimum value,
add engine oil immediately to avoid engine
damage.
>"Engine oil level too high"Have the vehicle checked immedi-
ately, otherwise the excess oil may
lead to engine damage.<
>"Please observe recalculated service inter-
val for engine oil"
Do not add engine oil. Before resuming your
trip, note the newly calculated distance
remaining to the next oil service, refer to
page72. Have the system checked as soon
as possible.
Adding engine oil
Do not add 1 US quart/1 liter of engine oil until a
corresponding message is shown on the Con-
trol Display.
Add oil within the next 125 miles/200 km,
otherwise the engine could be damaged.
Add no more than 1 US quart/1 liter of oil, oth-
erwise too much engine oil can lead to engine
damage. Add at least 0.5 US quart/0.5 liters,
otherwise the oil-level monitor will be unable to
display the new value reliably.<
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.
Specified engine oils
The quality of the engine oil selected has critical
significance for the operation and service life of
an engine. BMW continuously approves spe-

Replacing components
226
Lamps in the luggage compartment lid
1.Pry out the fastening plugs in the trim of the
luggage compartment lid using a screw-
driver and remove the trim.
2.Unfasten the bulb holder at the clip, see
arrow, and remove.
3.Apply gentle pressure to the bulb while
turning it to the left for removal and replace-
ment.
4.Re-engage the bulb holder so that it audibly
clicks into place.
5.Reattach the trim of the luggage compart-
ment lid.
License plate lamp, center brake lamp
and side turn signal indicators
These lamps use LED technology for operation.
In the event of a malfunction, please contact
your BMW center or a workshop that works
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel.
Repairing a flat tire with the
M Mobility System
To repair a flat tire, your BMW M3 includes an
M Mobility System. With this system you can
apply a sealant to the inside of the tire to seal
the damaged section, restore the tire inflation
pressure and continue on your trip.
Safety measures in the event of a flat tire:
Park the vehicle as far away from moving
traffic as possible and on a firm surface. Switch
on the hazard warning flashers.
Apply the parking brake and engage first gear
or reverse. Have all occupants leave the vehicle and move beyond the danger zone, e. g. behind
the guard rails.
If necessary, erect a warning triangle
* or warn-
ing flasher
* at a suitable distance. Adhere to
country-specific regulations.<
Preparations
The M Mobility System is located in the cargo
bay under the floor board.
If possible, leave any foreign bodies that have
penetrated the tire in place.
Instructions on how to use the M Mobility
System can also be found on the device
itself.<
Before using the M Mobility System, fol-
low the instructions on the sealant bot-
tle.<
Remove the label with the speed restriction
from the sealant bottle and apply it to the steer-
ing wheel.
Please note the expiry date on the sealant
bottle.<
Components of the M Mobility System
1Sealant bottle and label with speed restric-
tion
2Filling hose from sealant bottle to wheel

Mobility
231Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
First aid pouch*
Some of the articles contained in the first aid
pouch have a limited service life. Therefore,
check the expiration dates of the contents reg-
ularly and replace any items in good time, if nec-
essary.
The first aid pouch is located on the right-hand
side of the cargo bay in a storage area.
Warning triangle*
The warning triangle is located on the left-hand
side of the cargo bay. Press the tab to take it
out.
Jump starting
If the car's own battery is flat, your BMW's
engine can be started by connecting two
jumper cables to another vehicle's battery. You
can also use the same method to help start
another vehicle. Only use jumper cables with
fully-insulated clamp handles.
Do not touch any electrically live parts
when the engine is running, or a fatal acci-
dent may occur. Carefully adhere to the follow-ing sequence, both to prevent damage to one or
both vehicles, and to guard against possible
personal injuries.<
Preparation
1.Check whether the battery of the other
vehicle has a voltage of 12 volts and
approximately the same capacitance in Ah.
This information can be found on the bat-
tery.
2.Switch off the engine of the assisting vehi-
cle.
3.Switch off any consumers in both vehicles.
There must not be any contact between
the bodies of the two vehicles, otherwise
there is a danger of shorting.<
Connecting jumper cables
Connect the jumper cables in the correct
order, so that no sparks which could
cause injury occur.<
Your BMW has a jump-starting connection in
the engine compartment which acts as the bat-
tery's positive terminal, refer also to the Engine
compartment overview on page219. The cap is
marked with +.
1.Pull the cap of the BMW jump-starting con-
nection up to remove.
2.Attach one terminal clamp of the plus/+
jumper cable to the positive terminal of the
battery or a starting-aid terminal of the vehi-
cle providing assistance.
3.Attach the second terminal clamp of the
plus/+ jumper cable to the positive terminal
of the battery or a starting-aid terminal of
the vehicle to be started.

Giving and receiving assistance
234 cles with a catalytic converter should only be
tow-started when the engine is cold.
Manual transmission
1.Switch on hazard warning flashers, comply
with local regulations.
2.Switch on the ignition, refer to page54.
3.Shift into 3rd gear.
4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch
depressed and slowly release the clutch.
After the engine starts, immediately
depress the clutch completely again.
5.Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow
bar or rope and switch off the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
6.Have the vehicle checked.
M dual clutch transmission with
Drivelogic
Vehicles with an M dual clutch transmission
cannot be tow-started. Jump-starting, refer to
page231.

Everything from A - Z
246
Everything from A - Z
Index
"..." Identifies Control Display
texts used to select
individual functions and
refers you to the page where
these texts can be found.
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System82
Acceleration assistant, refer to
Launch Control62
Accident, refer to Sending an
Emergency Request230
Activated-charcoal filter for
automatic climate
control100
"Activation time"100
Adaptive Head Light94
"Add digits" on the mobile
phone186
Additives
– coolant222
"Address book" in
navigation134
Address for navigation
– deleting136
– entering126,134
– selecting135
– storing134
– storing current position135
"Add to destination list"129
Adjusting temperature inside
the car, refer to Automatic
climate control97
Adjusting the thigh support41
Adjusting the tone during
audio operation, refer to
Tone control153
Airbags89
– indicator/warning lamp91
– sitting safely40Air conditioning mode
– automatic climate control97
– ventilation99
Air distribution
– automatic98
– individual97
Air flow rate98
Airing, refer to Ventilation99
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure206
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air mode98
"Air recirculation on / off"47
Air supply
– automatic climate control97
– ventilation99
Air vents96
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications204
Alarm system34
– avoiding unintentional
alarms35
– interior motion sensor35
– switching off an alarm34
– tilt alarm sensor35
"All channels" for satellite
radio163
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires
210
"All stations", displaying with
the radio156
"AM", waveband152,156
Ambient air, refer to
Recirculated-air mode98
Antenna for mobile phone178
Antifreeze
– coolant222
– washer fluid65
Antilock Brake System
ABS82
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system34
Anti-theft system29Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights240
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights240
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest106
Arrival time, refer to
Computer69
Arrival time, refer to Starting
destination guidance139
Arrow display for
navigation140
"Arrow display" in
navigation140
Ashtray
– front107
– rear108
Assist193
Assistance systems, refer to
Driving stability control
systems82
Assistance window20
– refer to iDrive20
"Assist profile"199
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control98
"Audio"155,159
Audio152
– controls152
– switching on/off152
– tone control153
– volume153
"Audio", refer to Tone
control153
Audio device, external106
Automatic
– air distribution98
– air flow rate98
– BMW Teleservice Call195
– cruise control65
– headlamp control92
– storing of stations157
Automatic car washes214

Everything from A - Z
248 Brightness of the Control
Display80
"Brightness" on the Control
Display80
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps
and bulbs223
Button for starting the engine,
refer to Start/stop button54
Buttons on the steering
wheel11
C
California Proposition 65
warning6
"Call"186,197
Call
– accepting184
– displaying accepted186
– ending185
– missed186
– starting185
Calling
– from phone book185
– from Top 8 list186
– redialing186
Can holders, refer to Cup
holders107
Capacities241
Capacity of the cargo bay240
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery228
Car care, refer to Care214
"Car Data"69Care214
– automatic car washes214
– care products214
– carpets216
– CD/DVD drives216
– chrome parts215
– displays216
– exterior214
– fine wood parts216
– headlamps215
– high-pressure washer214
– interior216
– leather216
– light-alloy wheels215
– paintwork215
– plastic parts216
– rubber seals215
– safety belts216
– sensors and cameras216
– upholstery and cloth
trim216
– washing the car
manually215
– windows215
– wiper blades215
Cargo, securing117
Cargo bay
– capacity240
– convenient access36
– folding up the floor
panel110
– lamp, refer to Interior
lamps95
– opening from inside33
– opening from outside
33
Cargo loading
– securing cargo117
– stowing cargo117
– vehicle116
Car jack
– jacking points228
Car key, refer to Remote
control28
Car phone178
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest106
– refer to Mobile phone178
– refer to separate Owner's
ManualCar radio, refer to Radio156
Car shampoo216
Car wash
– before driving into56
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system114
"Categories" for satellite
radio163
CBS Condition Based
Service212
"CD"152,165
CD changer165
– compressed audio files165
– controls152
– fast forward/reverse169
– installation location169
– playing a track167
– random order168
– repeating a track168
– selecting a CD165
– selecting a track166
– switching on/off152
– tone control153
– volume153
CD player165
– compressed audio files165
– controls152
– fast forward/reverse169
– playing a track167
– random order168
– repeating a track168
– selecting a track166
– switching on/off152
– tone control153
– volume153
Center armrest106
Center brake lamp, replacing
bulb226
Center console, refer to
Around the center
console14
"Central locking"
30
Central locking
– from inside32
– from outside29
Central locking system29
– convenient access35
– hotel function33

Everything from A - Z
250 Data, technical238
– dimensions239
– engine238
– weights240
"Date"76
Date
– setting76
– setting format76
"Date format"76
"Daytime running lamps"93
Daytime running lamps93
"Deactivated"44
Deactivating front passenger
airbags90
Deadlocking, refer to
Locking30
Defect
– door lock32
– fuel filler door204
– glass roof39
"Delete address book" in
navigation136
"Delete all numbers" on the
mobile phone187
"Delete data" in
navigation136
"Delete" for mobile
phone187
Destination address
– deleting136
– entering126,130
Destination for navigation
– destination list133
– entry126
– home address136
– manual entry126,130
– selecting from address
book135
– selecting using
information132
– selecting via language130
– selecting via map131
– storing134Destination guidance139
– canceling voice
instructions47
– changing specified
route137
– displaying route140
– distance and arrival139
– starting139
– terminating/continuing139
– voice instructions142
– volume of voice
instructions143
Destination list for navigation
system133
Destinations recently driven
to133
"Details" for audio mode173
"Dial" for mobile phone185
"Dial number"185
Digital clock67
Digital compass104
Digital radio, refer to High
Definition Radio159
Digital Versatile Disc, refer to
– Drive for navigation DVD152
Dimensions239
Directional indicators, refer to
Turn signals63
Direction instructions, refer to
Voice instructions142
Directory for navigation, refer
to Address book134
Displacement, refer to Engine
data238
Display, refer to iDrive
controls16
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting94
"Display off"21
Displays
– on the Control Display16
Displays, refer to Instrument
cluster12
Displays and controls10
Disposal
– coolant222
– remote control battery37
– vehicle battery228Distance remaining to service,
refer to Service
requirements72
"Distance to dest."70
Distance warning, refer to
Park Distance Control
PDC81
Door key, refer to Remote
control28
Door lock31
"Door locks"30,31,32,73
Doors, emergency
operation32
DOT Quality Grades208
Draft-free ventilation99
Drinks holders, refer to Cup
holders107
Drive for navigation DVD152
Drivelogic60
Drive mode58
Drive-off assistance, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC82
Drive-off assistant84
Drive position, engaging, refer
to Selector lever
positions57
Drive programs, refer to
Drivelogic60
Driving around a traffic
congestion146
Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams92
Driving notes114
Driving off on hills, refer to
Drive-off assistant84
Driving route, refer to
Displaying route140
Driving stability control
systems82
Driving through water115
Driving tips, refer to Driving
notes114
Dry air, refer to Cooling
function99
"DSC"48,83
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control82

Reference 251
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
DVD
– drive for navigation DVD152
DVD for navigation124
"Dynamic route" in
navigation137
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC
– indicator/warning lamp84
– M Dynamic Mode MDM82
E
"EDC"48,49
EDC, refer to Electronic
Damper Control84
Eject button, refer to Buttons
on the CD player152
Electric
– seat adjustment41
Electrical malfunction
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door204
– glass roof39
– luggage compartment lid33
– M dual clutch transmission
with Drivelogic59
Electric seat41
Electric seat adjustment41
Electric steering wheel lock
– with convenient access36
Electronic brake-force
distribution82
Electronic Damper Control
EDC84
– "Comfort"84
– "Normal"84
– "Sport"84
Electronic oil level check219
Electronic Stability Program
ESP, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC82
Emergency operation
– fuel filler door, manual
release204
Emergency operation, refer to
Closing manually
– glass roof39Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– door lock32
Emergency release
– luggage compartment lid
from inside34
Emergency Request230
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance230
"Enabled services"198
"Enabled TeleServices"196
"End call"185
Engine
– breaking in114
– data238
– overheated, refer to Coolant
temperature68
– speed238
– starting55
– starting, convenient
access35
– switching off55
Engine compartment219
Engine coolant, refer to
Coolant222
Engine oil
– adding221
– BMW Maintenance
System212
– checking level219
– intervals between changes,
refer to Service
requirements72
– possible displays220
"Engine oil level"221
Engine output, refer to Engine
data238
Engine speed, refer to Engine
data238
Engine starting, refer to
Starting the engine55
"Enter address"127
Entering a destination127
Entering a destination
country127
Entering a house number or
intersection129
Entering an intersection128
Entering a street128"Entertainment"152
Entry lamps, refer to Interior
lamps95
"Equalizer", refer to Tone
control155
Equalizer, refer to Tone
control154
Error messages, refer to
Check Control77
"ESN"162
Event data recorders213
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system114
Exterior mirrors45
– adjusting45
– automatic dimming
feature46
– automatic heating46
– folding in and out45
External audio device106
External audio device, refer to
AUX-In port171
Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing
away232
– for tying down loads117F
Fader, tone control153
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control77
Failure of an electrical
consumer229
False alarm
– avoiding unintentional
alarm35
– switching off an alarm34
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts44
Fastest route for
navigation137
Fast forward
– CD changer169
– CD player169
"Fast route" in navigation137

Everything from A - Z
252 Filter
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic
climate control100
First aid pouch231
Fixture for remote control,
refer to Ignition lock54
Flashlight, refer to LED hand
lamp106
Flash when locking/
unlocking31
Flat tire
– Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM86
Flat tire, repairing226
Flat Tire Monitor FTM84
– indicating a flat tire86
– indicator/warning lamp86
– initializing the system85
– malfunction86
– snow chains85,211
– system limits85
Flat tires, refer to Tire
condition209
Fluid reservoir, refer to
Washer fluid reservoir65
"FM", waveband152,156
FM, waveband156
Folding in the mirrors, before
driving into a car wash45
Folding up the floor panel110
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely115
Footwell lamps, refer to
Interior lamps95
Forward position, engaging,
refer to Selector lever
positions57
For your own safety5
Frequency, selecting
manually157
Front airbags89
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor84Fuel204
– average consumption69
– gauge68
– high-quality brands204
– quality204
– specifications204
– tank contents, refer to
Capacities241
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge68
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge68
Fuel filler door204
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction
204
Fuses229
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control102
Gasoline
– refer to Average
consumption69
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel204
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge68
Gasoline engine, checking
engine oil level219
Gear
– neutral58
Gear change59
Gear display, refer to Displays
in the instrument cluster59
Gearshift lever
– manual transmission56
Gearshifts
– manual transmission56
General driving notes114Glass roof, electric38
– closing after electrical
malfunction39
– convenient operation30,31
– initializing39
– opening, closing38
– operation with convenient
access36
– pinch protection system38
– power failure39
– raising38
– remote control30
Glove compartment105
– LED hand lamp106
GPS navigation, refer to
Navigation system124
Grills96
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights240
H
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake56
Hand lamp, refer to LED hand
lamp106
Hands-free system14
Hazard warning flashers14
"HD radio"159
HD radio, refer to High
Definition Radio159
Head airbags89
Headlamp control,
automatic92
Headlamp flasher63
– indicator lamp11,13
Head restraints42
– front, removing42
– rear, removing42
– sitting safely40
Heated
– mirrors46
– rear window99
– seats43
Heating
– mirrors46
– rear window99
– residual heat99
– seats43