BMW M3 2001, Manual

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Washing your vehicle
You can have your BMW washed in an
automatic car wash, even when it is
new. Car wash systems that do not
employ brushes are preferable.
Wipe away tough dirt and loosen and
remove dead insects before washing
the vehicle.
To prevent spots, avoid washing when
the hood is still warm, or immediately
after and during exposure to strong
sunlight.
When using an automatic car wash, be
sure that:
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The car wash system is suited for the
dimensions of your vehicle
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No damage will occur on vehicles
with attached body accessories (such
as spoilers or antennas). Consult the
car wash operator if necessary
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The wheels and tires of your vehicle
cannot be damaged by the convey-
ance devices of the car wash system
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The vehicle is cleaned with minimum
brush pressure, and that plenty of
water is available for washing and
rinsing.
Vehicles with rain sensor:
Clean the windshield regularly. Wax
from automatic car washes or insects
can cause malfunctions in the rain
sensor function.
Turn the rain sensor off (refer to
page
66 ) when going through an
automatic car wash, otherwise, damage
could occur from unintended wiper
activation.
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Parts of the vehicle which are inacces-
sible to the automatic washer – such
as door sills, door and hood edges, etc.
– should be cleaned by hand.
In the winter months, it is especially
important to ensure that the vehicle is
washed on a regular basis. Large
quantities of dirt and road salt are
difficult to remove, and they also cause
damage to the vehicle.
If spray wands or high-pressure
washers are used, be sure to
maintain an adequate distance between
the spray source and the vehicle's
surface. Inadequate distance and
excessive pressure can damage or
weaken the finish, making it more
susceptible to subsequent attack. In
addition, moisture could penetrate to
vehicle components, leading to long-
term damage.
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When cleaning the headlamps,
please observe the following:
Do not wipe dry with a cloth
(scratches). Never use abrasives or
strong solvents. Remove dirt and
contamination (such as insects) by
soaking with BMW Car Shampoo and
then rinsing with plenty of water.
Always use a deicer spray to remove
accumulated ice and snow – never use
a scraper.
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After washing the vehicle, apply
the brakes briefly to dry them.
Braking efficiency might otherwise be
reduced by the moisture and the brake
rotors could also corrode.
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Caring for your vehicle