If your car is driven only for short distances ofless than 10 miles over a prolonged period oftime, without an occasional drive at highwayspeeds, the engine's charging system will notmaintain the battery. Insufficient use of thevehicle could result in short term startingproblems and in the long term could damagethe battery.In case the car is not operated for more thanfour weeks it is advisable to:a) consider using a proper trickle charger,following the charger manufacturer'sinstructions, to maintain the battery's state ofcharge; orb) consult your BMW center regarding batteryremoval. Once removed, the battery mustbe charged and stored in a cool, dry placewhere it can be protected from freezing. Ifthe battery will be stored for over 3 months,it must be recharged every 3 months, orelse it will become damaged and useless.Please consult with your BMW center forfurther guidance and information.Corrosion ProtectionExtensive corrosion protection measuresimplemented by BMW now make it possible tooffer a twelve-year limited anti-corrosionwarranty against rust perforation on yourvehicle provided that the vehicle is maintainedin accordance with the provisions of the NewVehicle Limited Warranty as outlined in theWarranty Section of this Statement (page 29).The major degree of corrosion protection isdue to the electrophoretic dip painting processwhich cathodically deposits paint particles onall body parts, attracting paint particles into theminutest cavities or seams. Body parts aredesigned to provide optimum corrosionprotection.During manufacture, exterior body partsreceive an additional corrosion protection coat.Hood, trunk, doors and other body parts withmetal folds are coated with PVC and sealedfrom the outside.All floor panels receive a resilient coating ofPVC for maximum protection against damagedue to stones, etc.Corrosion protection materials tested overmany years are applied to the surfaces ofcavities and to the entire underside of thevehicle during and after assembly.Requirements for maintaining the twelve yearunlimited mileage anti-corrosion warranty areoutlined in the Warranty Section of this State-ment (page 31).Restoring corrosion protectionPlease take care that anti-corrosion material isreplaced when your car is repaired after body orchassis damage.BMW will not accept any liability for any partsand accessories not approved by BMW.Underbody maintenanceThe underbody has to be cleaned at least oncea year, in spring, with plain water in order toremove mud, chemical sediments and otherdeposits. If those materials are not removed,corrosion (rust) will occur.Your BMW center will do this anti-corrosionservice for you.WARNINGDo not apply additional undercoating or rust-proofing on or near the exhaust manifold,exhaust pipes, catalytic converter or heatshields. During driving, the substance used forundercoating could overheat and cause a fire.Battery Care14
