Vehicle Care
Washing the vehicle
General information
Regularly remove foreign bodies such as leaves in the area below the windshield when the hood is raised.
Wash your vehicle frequently, particularly in winter. Intense contamination and road salt can damage the vehicle.
Safety information
Close the fuel filler flap before washing
NOTICE
When washing with an open fuel filler flap, damage may occur. There is a risk of damage to property. Close the fuel filler flap before washing. Clean dirt behind the fuel filler flap with a cloth.
Steam cleaner and high pressure cleaner
Safety information
Observe when cleaning with high pressure cleaners
NOTICE
When cleaning with high pressure cleaners, components can be damaged due to the pressure or temperatures being too high. There is a risk of damage to property. Maintain sufficient distance and do not spray too long continuously. Follow the operating instructions for the high pressure cleaners.
Distances and temperature
Maximum temperature: 140 ℉/60 ℃.
Minimum distance from sensors, cameras, seals and lights: 12 inches/30 cm.
Automatic car washes or car washes
Safety information
Observe when using a car wash
NOTICE
Improper use of automatic car washes can cause damage to the vehicle. There is a risk of damage to property. Follow the following instructions:
Give preference to cloth car washes or those that use soft brushes in order to avoid paint damage.
Do not drive through a car wash with guide rails higher than 4 in/10 cm to avoid damage to the body.
Observe the tire width of the guide rail to avoid damage to tires and rims.
Fold in exterior mirrors to avoid damage to the exterior mirrors.
Deactivate the wiper and, if necessary, rain sensor to avoid damage to the window wiper system.
Driving into a car wash with an M Steptronic Sport transmission
Do not switch off standby state in the car wash
NOTICE
Selector lever position P is automatically engaged when standby state is switched off. The wheels are blocked. There is a risk of damage to property. Do not switch off standby if the vehicle is meant to coast, e.g., in a car wash.
In a car wash, the vehicle must be able to roll freely.
Some car washes do not permit persons in the vehicle. The vehicle cannot be locked from the outside when in selector lever position N. A signal sounds when an attempt is made to lock the vehicle.
Additional information:
Rolling or pushing the vehicle.
Driving out of a car wash
Ensure that the vehicle key is in the car.
Turn on drive-ready state.
Additional information:
Drive-ready state.
Lights
Do not rub wet lights dry and do not use abrasive or acidic cleaning agents or cleaning agents containing alcohol.
Soak areas that have been dirtied, for instance from insects, with auto shampoo and wash off with water.
Thaw ice with de-icing spray; do not use an ice scraper.
After washing the vehicle
After washing the vehicle, apply the brakes briefly to dry them; otherwise, braking effect can be reduced. The heat generated during braking dries brake disks and brake pads and protects them against corrosion.
Completely remove all residues on the windows to minimize loss of visibility due to smearing and to reduce wiper noises and wiper blade wear.
Vehicle care
Vehicle care products
General information
BMW recommends using vehicle care and cleaning agents from BMW. Suitable vehicle care products are available from an authorized service center or another qualified service center or repair shop.
Safety information
Observe when using cleaning agent
Warning
Cleaning agents can contain substances that are dangerous and harmful to your health. There is a risk of injury. When cleaning the interior, open the doors or windows. Only use products intended for cleaning vehicles. Follow the instructions on the packaging.
Vehicle paintwork
General information
Regular vehicle care contributes to driving safety and value retention. Environmental influences in areas with elevated air pollution or natural contaminants, such as tree resin or pollen, can affect the vehicle paintwork. Align the frequency and extent of vehicle care according to the degree of soiling.
Corrosive substances such as spilled fuel, oil, grease or bird droppings, must be removed immediately to prevent the finish from being altered or discolored.
Matte paintwork
Only use cleaning and care products suitable for vehicles with matte paintwork.
Leather care
Particles of dust and road grime rub into pores and folds, causing heavy abrasion and premature degradation of the leather surface.
Remove dust from the leather regularly, using a cloth or vacuum cleaner.
To guard against discoloration, such as from clothing, clean leather and provide leather care roughly every two months.
Clean light-colored leather more frequently because contamination on such surfaces is substantially more visible.
Use leather care products; otherwise, dirt and grease will gradually break down the protective coating of the leather surface.
Synthetic leather care
Clean synthetic leather regularly with a damp microfiber cloth or vacuum cleaner.
Otherwise, dust and road grime particles will rub into pores and folds, causing significant abrasion and premature degradation of the surface.
In case of major soiling, use a moist soft sponge or microfiber cloth with suitable interior cleaners.
Immediately remove aggressive substances such as sunscreen to prevent the synthetic leather from being altered or discolored.
Upholstery material care
General information
Vacuum the cushions regularly with a vacuum cleaner.
If upholstery is very contaminated, for instance with beverage stains, use a soft sponge or microfiber cloth with a suitable interior cleaner.
Clean the cushions down to the seams using large sweeping motions. Avoid rubbing the material vigorously.
Safety information
Make sure the Velcro fasteners are closed
NOTICE
Open hook and loop fasteners on articles of clothing can damage the seat covers and other cloth upholstery in the vehicle. There is a risk of damage to property. Ensure that any Velcro® fasteners are closed.
Caring for special components
Light-alloy wheels
When cleaning the vehicle, use only neutral rim cleaners having a pH value from 5 to 9. Do not use abrasive cleaning agents or steam cleaners above 140 ℉/60 ℃. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Aggressive, acidic or alkaline cleaning agents can destroy the protective coating of adjacent components, such as the brake disk.
After cleaning, apply the brakes shortly to dry them. The heat generated during braking dries brake disks and brake pads and protects them against corrosion.
Chrome surfaces
Carefully clean Chrome surfaces, especially in case of exposure to road salt, with plenty of water and added auto shampoo as needed.
Rubber components
Environmental influences can cause surface contamination of rubber parts and a loss of gloss. Use only water and suitable cleaning agents for cleaning.
Treat especially worn rubber parts with rubber care products at regular intervals. When cleaning rubber seals, do not use any silicon-containing vehicle care products in order to avoid damage or noises.
Wiper blades
The wiper blades are cleaned by using the washer system.
Avoid cleaning the wiper blades manually, as this may reduce wiper performance.
Fine wood parts
Clean the fine wood veneer and fine wood components solely with a moist rag. Then dry with a soft cloth.
Kenaf
Only treat parts made of Kenaf fibers using suitable care products.
Plastic components
Observe when cleaning plastic parts
NOTICE
Solvent cleaners that contain alcohol or solvents, such as lacquer thinners, cold cleaning agents, fuel and such, can damage plastic parts. There is a risk of damage to property. Clean with a microfiber cloth. Dampen the cloth lightly with water, if needed.
Clean with a microfiber cloth.
Dampen the cloth lightly with water, if needed.
Do not soak the headliner.
Seat belts
Observe when cleaning the seat belts
Warning
Chemical solvent cleaners can destroy the seat belt fabric. Missing protective effect of the seat belts. There is a risk of injury or danger to life. Use only a mild soap solution for cleaning the seat belts.
Dirty belt straps impede the reeling action and thus have a negative impact on safety.
Use only a mild soap solution for cleaning the installed belt straps.
Seat belts should only be allowed to retract if they are dry.
Carpets and floor mats
No objects in the travel path of the pedals
Warning
Objects in the driver's footwell can limit the pedal travel or block a depressed pedal. There is a risk of accident. Stow objects in the vehicle such that they are secured and cannot enter into the driver's footwell. Use floor mats that are suitable for the vehicle and can be safely attached to the floor. Do not use loose floor mats and do not layer several floor mats. Make sure that there is sufficient clearance for the pedals. Ensure that the floor mats are securely fastened again after they were removed, for instance for cleaning.
The floor mats can be removed from the interior for cleaning.
If the floor carpets are very contaminated, clean with a microfiber cloth and water or a textile cleaner. To prevent matting of the carpet, rub back and forth in the driving direction only.
Sensors and camera lenses
To clean sensors and camera lenses, use a cloth moistened with a small amount of glass detergent.
Displays, operating elements and protective glass of the Head-up display
Note the following when cleaning surfaces
NOTICE
Surfaces can be damaged by improper cleaning, e.g., by using chemical cleaners, or from moisture or liquid of any kind. Physical damage to the material is possible.
Avoid pressure that is too high and do not use any scratching materials.
Use a dry, clean antistatic microfiber cloth for cleaning displays.
Clean the operating elements and, depending on vehicle equipment, the protective glass of the Head-up display with a damp microfiber cloth and standard household dish soap.
Taking the vehicle out of service
When the vehicle is shut down for longer than three months, special measures must be taken. For more information, contact an authorized service center or another qualified service center or repair shop.
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