
 
Contents
 
Overview
Controls and features
 
Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps20
Multifunction steering wheel 
(MFL)23
Hazard warning flashers24
Warning triangle24
First-aid kit24
Refueling25
Fuel specifications25
Tire inflation pressure26
 
Locks and security systems:
 
Keys30
Electronic vehicle 
immobilizer31
Central locking system32
Door locks – outside32
Radio remote control33
Door locks – inside36
Luggage compartment lid37
Luggage compartment39
Alarm system40
Electric power windows42
Security glass43
Sliding/Tilt sunroof44
 
Adjustments:
 
Seats46
Steering wheel49
Mirrors50
Seat, mirror and steering wheel 
memory51
Car Memory, Key Memory53
 
Passenger safety systems:
 
Safety belts54
Airbags55
Child restraints57
Child restraint installation58
Child-safety locks58
 
Driving:
 
Steering/Ignition lock59
Starting engine59
Switching off engine60Parking brake61
Automatic transmission62
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic65
Turn signal/Headlamp flasher68
Washer/Wiper system/Rain 
sensor68
Rear window defroster70
Cruise control70
 
Everything under control:
 
Odometer, outside temperature 
display72
Tachometer72
Energy control73
Fuel gauge73
Temperature gauge74
Service Interval Display74
Check Control 75
Multi-Information Display 
(MID)78
Digital clock79
Onboard computer84
 
Technology for safety and 
convenience:
 
Park Distance Control PDC90
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic Sta-
bility Control (DSC)92
Electronic Damper Control 
(EDC)93
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)94 

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
29n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Parking brake61
Automatic transmission62
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic65
Indicator/Headlamp flasher68
Washer/Wiper system/Rain 
sensor68
Rear window defroster70
Cruise control70
Everything under control:
Odometer, outside temperature 
display72
Tachometer72
Energy control73
Fuel gauge73
Temperature gauge74
Service Interval Display74
Check Control75
Multi-Information Display 
(MID)78
Digital clock79
Onboard computer84
Technology for safety and 
convenience:
Park Distance Control (PDC)90
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic Sta-
bility Control (DSC)92
Electronic Damper Control 
(EDC)93
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)94Lamps:
Parking lamps/Low beams96
Instrument panel rheostat96
High beams/Parking lamps97
Fog lamps97
Interior lamps97
Reading lamps98
Controlling the climate 
for pleasant driving:
Automatic climate control100
Rear passenger-area air 
conditioning105
Seat heating106
Steering wheel heating106
Rear window blind107
Independent ventilation 
system107
Cabin convenience:
Integrated Universal
Remote control108
Glove compartment110
Center armrests111
Additional storage areas113
Cup holder113
Cellular phone113
Ashtray114
Cigarette lighter115
Rear footrests115
Loading and transporting cargo:
Ski bag116
Cargo loading118
Roof-mounted luggage rack118 

150n
Caring for your carWashing your carYou can have your new BMW washed 
in an automatic car wash. Car wash 
systems that do not employ brushes are 
preferable.
Wipe away tough dirt and loosen and 
remove dead insects before washing 
the car.
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:
>The car wash system is suited for the 
dimensions of your vehicle
>No damage will occur on vehicles 
with attached body accessories (such 
as spoilers or antennas). If you are 
uncertain, consult the manager of the 
car wash
>The wheels and tires of your vehicle 
cannot be damaged by the convey-
ance devices of the car wash system
>The vehicle is cleaned with minimum 
brush pressure, and that ample water 
is available for washing and rinsing.Vehicles with rain sensor
*:
Clean the windshield regularly. Wax 
from automatic car washes or insects, 
for example, can cause malfunctions in 
the function of the rain sensor.
Turn the rain sensor off in auto-
matic car washes. If you do not, 
damage may occur if the wipers switch 
on unintentionally.< 
Parts of the car which are inaccessible 
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 im-
portant to ensure that the car is washed 
on a regular basis. Large quantities of 
dirt and road salt are difficult to remove, 
and they also cause damage to the ve-
hicle.
If spray wands or high-pressure 
washers are used, be sure to 
maintain an adequate distance between 
the spray source and the vehicle's sur-
face. 
Inadequate distance and excessive 
pressure can damage or weaken the 
finish, making it more susceptible to 
subsequent attack. In addition, mois-
ture could penetrate to vehicle compo-
nents, leading to long-term damage.< 
When cleaning the headlamps, 
please observe the following:
>Do not clean by wiping with a dry 
cloth (scratches). Never use abra-
sives or strong solvents to clean the 
covers
>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.< 
After washing the car, apply the 
brakes briefly to dry them. Braking 
efficiency might otherwise be reduced 
by the moisture, and the brake rotors 
could also be corroded.<  

185n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
In order to take driving conditions into 
account, ATC registers corners and 
both uphill and downhill gradients. For 
example, if you maintain speed through 
a curve, the transmission does not up-
shift. 
On uphill gradients, it shifts only when 
the engine speed increases in order to 
make more efficient use of power re-
serves. On downhill gradients ATC 
downshifts when the speed of the vehi-
cles increases causing the driver to 
step on the brakes.
With respect to road conditions, ATC 
monitors the friction between the tires 
and the road. The system responds to 
slippery road surfaces (snow and ice) 
by activating the winter program. 
Second gear is used when moving 
away from a standstill, upshifts occur 
sooner, and on descents downshifting 
does not occur in spite of the applica-
tion of brakes. This enables you to 
"feel" the road as you drive and pro-
duces greater dynamic stability. If the 
friction between the tires and the road 
is adequate, the normal system is again 
activated. The system also leaves the 
winter program when you shift from 
drive position "D" to "S," "3" or "2," or if 
the ASC+T/DSC
* is deactivated.By recognizing traffic conditions, ATC 
can retain maximum driving comfort. 
For instance, the system recognizes 
stop-and-go traffic and then proceeds 
only in second gear until it encounters 
higher starting loads.
Of course the selector lever can still be 
used to select specific gear ratios. Per-
formance-oriented driving is enabled by 
shifting from drive position "D" to "S," 
"3" or "2." Positions "3" and "2" each 
limit upshifts to the next gear. Position 
"2" is best for driving on steep mountain 
slopes with a heavy load.Precision sensors monitor the number 
of revolutions of the wheels. When 
equipped with DSC, they also monitor 
steering angle, lateral acceleration, 
brake pressure and the movement of 
the vehicle around its vertical axis. 
If differences in the wheel speeds oc-
cur, the system counteracts the danger 
of wheelspin by reducing torque. If nec-
essary, the system also responds with 
additional applications of the brakes at 
the rear wheels.
If the system detects an instability in the 
vehicle's condition, the braking action 
can also be directed to the front wheels 
by the DSC in order to stabilize the ve-
hicle. 
You may need some time to become 
accustomed to this system intervention. 
However, it helps provide optimum pro-
pulsive force and driving stability.
The braking intervention may be ac-
companied by a certain degree of 
noise.
ATC ASC+T/DSC
* 

RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Everything from A to Z
205n
Oil consumption143
Oil level check143
Oil pressure, 
indicator lamp20
Oil specifications144
Oil, Engine oil
Capacities197
OILSERVICE74
Onboard computer84
Onboard tool kit162
Opening the luggage 
compartment from the 
inside38
Outside mirrors50
Outside temperature 
display72
PPaint blemishes, 
exterior dirt152
Park Distance Control 
(PDC)90
Parking aid90
Parking brake61
Parking in winter130
PDC (Park Distance 
Control)90
Playing cassettes
Refer to the 
Radio Owner's ManuelPlaying CDs
Refer to the 
Radio Owner's Manuel
Pocket light111
Power seat adjustment46
Power steering130
Power steering fluid148
Power windows42
Pressure, tires26,132
Pushbutton for central 
locking system36
RRadio
Car radio
Refer to the separate 
Owner's Manuel
Radio reception131,186
Radio remote control33
Radio remote control, 
battery change168
Radio remote control, 
new transmitter168
Rain sensor68,150
RDC (Tire Pressure 
Control)94
Reading lamps98
Rear passenger-area air 
conditioning105
Rear seat adjustment, 
electric48
Rear seat heating106Rear window blind107
Rear window defroster70
Rear-seat control
Front passenger's seat 112
Onboard computer112
Radio112
Rear window blind112
Telephone112
Rearview mirrors50
Refueling25
Remote control for onboard 
computer89
Removing condensation, 
windows102
Replacement keys30
Replacing tires133
Residual heat104
Roof luggage rack118
Roof weight rating196
Rubber seals and 
components154
SSafety belt tensioner187
Safety belts54
Safety lock buttons36
Screw-on valve stem 
caps134
Seat adjustment46
Seat heating106
Seat memory51
Seat, power46Securing cargo118
Selector lever, automatic 
transmission62,65
Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet149
Service Interval Display
74,149
Servotronic130
Shoulder support47
Shutting off the engine60
Ski bag116
Skid control130
Sliding/Tilt sunroof44
Sliding/Tilt sunroof with glass 
moonroof45
Sliding/Tilt sunroof, closing 
after electrical fault178
Sliding/Tilt sunroof, 
convenience operating 
mode32
Sliding/Tilt sunroof, radio 
remote control33
Slippery roads129
Snow chains129,135
Socket115
Spare key30
Spare tire171
Spark plugs198
Speaker113
Special oils144
Speed limit warning87
Speedometer19 

Repairs
Index
Overview
Controls
Car care
Technology
Data
Owner service procedures from A to Z207 n
A
Adding brake fluid 147
Adding engine coolant 146
Adding engine oil 143
Adding fluid,  power steering 148
Air pressure 26
B
Backup lamps, bulb 
replacement 166
Battery change, radio remote  control 168
Battery, checking charge  condition 174
Battery, discharged 179
Brake lamps, bulb  replacement 166
Brakes, brake faults 128
Bulb replacement 163
C
Changing a wheel 170
Charging the battery 174
Check Control 75
Checking the engine oil 143
Checking tire pressure 26
D
Defrosting, windows102
Difficult steering 130
Doors, manual operation 32
E
Electrical accessories, 
failure 176
Electrical fault fuel filler door 178
Sliding/Tilt sunroof 178
Emergency release Doors 32
Fuel filler door 178
Luggage compartment  
lid 37
Sliding/Tilt sunroof 178
Engine oil specifications 144
F
Failure messages75
Filling the windshield washer  fluid reservoir 142
First-aid kit 24
Fittings, tow-starting and  towing 180
Fog lamp,
 replace the bulb 165
Footwell lamps, bulb  replacement 167 Fuel filler door, 
manual release after 
electrical fault 178
Fuses, replacing 176
G
Glove compartment lamp, 
bulb replacement 167
H
Hazard warning flashers 24
Hazard warning triangle 24
High beam headlamps, bulb  replacement 164,165
Hood release 137
I
Indicator lamps 20
Interior lamps, bulb  replacement 167
Interior motion sensor,  deactivation 41
J
Jump starting 179
L
License plate lamps, bulb 
replacement 166
Low beam headlamps, bulb 
replacement 164 Luggage compartment 
lamps, bulb 
replacement 167
Luggage compartment lid,  emergency release 37
M
Maintenance74,149
Malfunction displays 75
N
New transmitter, radio re-
mote control 168
O
Oil level check 143
Oil specifications 144
Onboard tool kit 162
P
Power steering, 
adding fluid 148
Pressure, tires 26
R
Radio remote control, 
battery change 168
Radio remote control,  new transmitter 168
Rear lamp assembly 166
Removing condensation,  windows 102