BMW E87 2009, Owner'S Handbook Manual, Page: 194 / 248

General care
192
General care
Care products
Regular cleaning and care makes a major con-
tribution to retaining the value of your BMW.
BMW recommends using products to clean and
care for your vehicle that are specifically
approved for this purpose by BMW.
BMW Service will be glad to advise you regard-
ing products and services for cleaning and car-
ing for your BMW.
The materials used in Original BMW Care
Products have been tested in laboratories
and in practice; they provide optimised care and
protection for your vehicle.
<
Do not use cleaning agents that contain
alcohol or solvents, as otherwise damage
can occur. <
Cleaning agents can contain hazardous
substances or constitute a health risk.
Comply with the warning and hazard avoidance
instructions on the respective container. When
cleaning the interior of the vehicle, leave doors
or windows open. In enclosed spaces, ensure
adequate ventilation. Only use substances that
are specifically intended for cleaning the vehi-
cle.
<
Exterior care
Car wash
Especially during the winter months,
make sure that the vehicle is washed
more frequently. Very high levels of dirt and
road salt can cause damage to the car.
<
After washing the vehicle, drive it briefly
and apply the brakes to dry them out; this
is necessary to prevent reduced braking effect
due to moisture, and also to avoid corrosion of
the brake discs.
<
Car washes
Try to find a car wash that operates with
brushes made of textile.
3-door model: do not use high-pressure
cleaning systems, as otherwise drops of
water can penetrate at the area around the win-
dows.
<
Before driving into the car wash, check whether
the system is suitable for your BMW. Observe
the following points:
> Dimensions of your vehicle, see page 210 .
> If necessary, fold in the exterior mirrors, see
page
42 .
> Maximum permitted tyre width.
Avoid car washes where the guide rails
are higher than 10 cm, approx. 4 in, as
otherwise the car body may be damaged. <
Preparations before entering a car wash:
> Remove the rod aerial
*
> Disable the rain sensor
*
to prevent
unwanted windscreen wiping.
> Deactivate the rear window wiper
*
and pro-
tect against damage. If necessary, ask the
car wash operator about appropriate pro-
tection measures.
> Remove additional attachment parts, e.g.
spoilers or telephone aerials, if they could
be damaged.
Automatic transmission
Before driving into the car wash, bear the fol-
lowing in mind so that the vehicle can roll:
1. Insert the remote control into the ignition
lock, even if the car is equipped with con-
venient access.
2. Engage transmission position N.
3. Release the handbrake.
4. Switch off the engine.
5. Leave the remote control in the ignition lock
so that the vehicle can roll.
Online Edition for Part no. 01 41 2 602 816 - © 08/09 BMW AG Online Edition for Part no. 01 41 2 602 816 - © 08/09 BMW AG