Get Mobility -> Under the hood Guide for BMW M3 4 Door Fourth Generation (2007-2013)

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

Close the hood from a height of approx. 20 in/

50 cm with momentum. 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

To avoid damage, make sure that the

wiper arms are against the windshield

before you open the engine compartment. Do

not open the engine hood before the engine has

cooled down, otherwise injuries may result.<

Press the release handle and open the hood.

222

Important parts of the engine compartment

1

2

Expansion tank for coolant, refer to

page 226

3

4

Jump-starting connection, refer to

page 242

Washer fluid filler neck for headlamp clean-

ing system and window washer system,

refer to page 70

Filler neck for engine oil, refer to Adding

engine oil

Engine oil

The engine oil consumption is dependent on

driving style and driving conditions.

Display in the instrument cluster

Checking oil level

Your car is equipped with an electronic oil-level

monitor.

The oil level can be displayed when the engine

is warm. Continuous short distance travel or a

very sporty driving style may make measure-

ment impossible.

1

2

3

4

Oil level

Maximum mark

Minimum mark

Computer button

223

Press button 4 in the turn indicator lever repeat-

edly until the oil level display appears in the

instrument cluster.

add engine oil immediately to avoid engine

damage.

4

5

Oil level is too high.

M dual clutch transmission: the oil level

appears in the top display.<

Have the vehicle checked immedi-

ately, otherwise the excess oil may

lead to engine damage.<

The oil level must be between the two mark-

ings.

A value cannot be read at this time. The

engine is not yet warm.

A new measurement is taken automatically

each time the engine is started.

Quick measurement

Possible displays

In addition to the automatic measurement, you

can also determine the current oil level manu-

ally, e.g. after adding engine oil, but such mea-

surements are less accurate.

1. Park the vehicle with a warm engine, i.e.

after an uninterrupted drive of at least

6 miles/10 km, on a horizontal surface.

2. Let the engine idle.

3. Press the computer button in the turn indi-

cator lever repeatedly until the oil level dis-

play appears in the instrument cluster.

4. Press the computer button for at least

2 seconds.

The oil level is determined. A clock symbol

appears during measurement.

5. After approx. 1 minute, the current oil level

is displayed.

Display via iDrive

iDrive, for operating principle refer to page 16.

1

2

Oil level OK.

1. Press the

button.

Oil level is being checked.

This opens the start menu.

This can take about 1 minute if the car is at

a standstill on a level surface, 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.

2. Press the controller to open the menu.

3. Select "Info sources" and press the control-

ler.

3

Oil level down to minimum:

Add engine oil at the next opportunity, but

no more than 1 US quart/1 liter, refer also to

Adding engine oil on page 225. 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,

224

4. Select "Service Info" and press the control-

ler.

Have the vehicle checked immedi-

ately, otherwise the excess oil may

lead to engine damage.<

5. If necessary, move the highlight marker to

the uppermost field. Turn the controller

until "Service requirements" is selected and

press the controller.

>

"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

page 78. Have the system checked as soon

as possible.

Adding engine oil

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.

Do not add 1 US quart/1 liter of engine oil until a

corresponding message is shown on the Con-

trol Display.

Possible messages

>

"Engine oil level O.K."

>

"No measurement available: Updating

engine oil level measurement..."

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.<

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.

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 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.

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-

>

"Engine oil level too high"

225

cific oils after confirming their suitability for use

in its vehicles with extensive testing.

Coolant consists of half water and half additive.

Not all commercially available additives are suit-

able for your BMW. Ask your BMW center for

suitable additives.

Do not use oil additives as these may

cause engine damage.<

Only use suitable additives, otherwise

engine damage may result. Because

additives are harmful to your health, it is impor-

tant to follow the instructions on the contain-

ers.<

Your BMW center will be glad to answer

any questions regarding BMW High Per-

formance Synthetic Oil or approved synthetic

oils.<

You can also call BMW of North America at

1-800-831-1117 or visit the website

to obtain this information.

Comply with the appropriate environ-

mental protection regulations when dis-

posing of coolant additives.<

Viscosity ratings

Checking coolant level

Viscosity is a measure of an oil's flow rating and

is categorized in SAE classes.

1. Do not open the engine hood before the

engine has cooled down.

Approved oils belong to the 10W-60 SAE

2. Turn the cap of the expansion tank a little

counterclockwise to allow any accumulated

pressure to escape, then continue turning

to open.

class.<

Alternative oil types

If BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil is not

available, you can add small quantities of other

synthetic oils in between oil changes. Only use

oils with the following specifications:

3. The coolant level is correct if it is between

the maximum and minimum marks in the

filler neck, refer also to the diagram next to

the filler neck.

>

Viscosity:

preferred: SAE 10W-60;

alternative: SAE 10W-40, SAE 5W-50 or

SAE 10W-50

>

Specification:

API SJ/CF, API SK/CF or higher

Low ambient temperatures

The oils used at BMW factories for your vehicle

type are suitable for virtually any ambient tem-

perature. However, if the vehicle is operated at

temperatures below –47/–206 for extended

periods, your BMW center will be glad to rec-

ommend an optimal oil.

4. If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant up to

the specified level; do not overfill.

5. Turn the cap until there is an audible click.

6. If the loss of coolant is substantial, have the

cause eliminated as soon as possible.

Coolant

Do not add coolant to the cooling system

when the engine is hot. Escaping coolant

can cause burns.<

226

Mobility -> Under the hood for Your BMW M3 4 Door Fourth Generation (2007-2013)

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