Deutsch
EnglishMobility -> Under the hood for your BMW 3 Series 2006-2013
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in
the tire coding:
DOT ... 3209 means that the tire was manufac-
tured in week 32 of 2009.
Correct wheels and tires
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, no spare wheel is available. Your
BMW center will be glad to advise you.
Run-flat tires
BMW recommends that you use only
wheel and tire combinations that BMW
has tested and approved for your particular
vehicle. Variations in factors such as manufac-
turing tolerances mean that even wheels and
tires with identical official size ratings could
actually have different dimensions, which could
lead to body contact and thus to severe acci-
dents. If non-approved wheels and tires are
used, BMW cannot evaluate their suitability,
and therefore cannot guarantee their driving
safety.<
The symbol identifying run-flat tires is a circle
with the letters RSC on the sidewall.
You can inquire about the right wheel/tire com-
bination at your BMW center.
Run-flat tires comprise a conditionally self-sup-
porting tire and a special rim. The reinforce-
ment in the sidewalls ensures that the tire can
continue to be used subject to certain restric-
tions, even if depressurized.
The correct combination of wheels and tires is
also necessary to ensure reliable operation of
various vehicle systems such as ABS, DSC or
FTM.
For information on continuing to drive with a flat
tire, refer to Indication of a flat tire, page 85.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single brand and
tread configuration. After a tire has been dam-
aged, mount the previous wheel and tire combi-
nation again as soon as possible.
New wheels and tires
Have new wheels and tires installed only
by your BMW center or tire shop that
works according to BMW repair procedures
with correspondingly trained personnel. If this
work is not carried out properly, there is a dan-
ger of subsequent damage and related safety
hazards. Make sure that the new wheels are bal-
anced.<
Wheels with Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM electronics
When mounting new tires or changing over
from summer to winter tires, or vice versa, only
use wheels with TPM electronics; otherwise,
the Tire Pressure Monitor may not be able to
detect a puncture, refer to page 86. Your BMW
center will be glad to advise you.
Retreaded tires
BMW recommends that you do not use
retreaded tires, since driving safety may
be impaired. The causes for this include poten-
tially different tire casing structures and often
wide variations in tire age, which can result in a
limited service life.<
216
Recommended tire brands
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*
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.
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.
When properly used, these tires meet the high-
est standards in terms of safety and handling
characteristics.
Special characteristics of winter tires
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
page 82.<
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.
217
Under the hood
Do not work on the car unless you pos-
sess the necessary technical knowledge.
If you are unfamiliar with the statutory guide-
lines, have any work on the vehicle performed
only by a BMW center or by a workshop that
work according to BMW repair procedures with
correspondingly trained personnel. If this work
is not carried out properly, there is a danger of
subsequent damage and related safety haz-
ards.<
Closing
Let the hood drop from a height of approx. 10 in/
25 cm. It must be clearly heard to engage.
Hood
Make sure that the closing path of the
hood is clear; otherwise, injuries may
result.
Releasing
If you see any signs while driving your vehicle
that the hood is not completely closed, stop at
once and close it securely.<
Pull the lever.
Opening
In order to avoid damage, make sure that
the wiper arms are against the windshield
before you open the hood. Do not open the
engine hood before the engine has cooled
down; otherwise, injuries may result.<
Press the release handle and open the hood.
218
Important parts of the engine compartment
1
2
Gasoline engine: expansion tank for cool-
ant, refer to page 222
3
4
5
Jump-starting connection, refer to
page 238
Diesel engine: the expansion tank is located
on the other side of the vehicle
Filler neck for engine oil, refer to Adding
engine oil
Washer fluid filler neck for headlamp clean-
ing system and window washer system,
refer to page 60
Dipstick for engine oil, refer to Checking oil
level
Engine oil
The engine oil consumption is dependent on
driving style and driving conditions.
again.
The oil level must be between the two
markings on the dipstick.
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
dipstick 5 and wipe it off with a lint-free
cloth, paper towel or similar material.
The oil quantity between the two markings on
the dipstick is equivalent to approx. 1 US quart/
1 liter.
4. Carefully push the dipstick all the way back
into the measuring tube and pull it out
219
The oil level must not be above the upper
marking of the dipstick. Too much oil will
Possible displays
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
2
Oil level OK
Oil 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.
3
4
Oil level down to minimum:
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".
Add engine oil as soon as possible, but no
more than 1 US quart/1 liter, refer also to
Adding engine oil on page 221.
Oil level is too high.
2. Press button 2 in the turn indicator lever.
The oil level is checked and the reading dis-
played.
Too much oil will harm the engine.
Have the vehicle checked without
delay.<
5
The 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 page 73. Have the system checked as
soon as possible.
220
