19n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Instrument cluster
1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp
for fuel reserve83
2 Turn signal indicator lamp23
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator lamp for
>
Battery charge current20
>
High beams23
>
Engine oil pressure/Engine oil
level20, 22
5 Tachometer and Energy Control82
6 Engine coolant temperature gauge
with "Coolant temperature too high"
indicator83
7 Indicator and warning lamps
(clockwise) for
>
Parking brake/Brake hydraulic
system/Cornering Brake Control
(CBC)20
>
Antilock Brake System (ABS)22
>
Brake pads22
>
Tire Pressure Control
(RDC)
*
20, 22
>
Rollover protection system68
>
Airbags21
>
Please fasten safety belts21
>
Cruise control23
8 Reset button for
>
Clock849 Program display for automatic
transmission
*
76
Indicator lamp for automatic
transmission
*
22, 76
10 Indicator lamp for Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC)22
11 Display for
>
Odometer82
>
Trip odometer82
>
Clock84
>
Service Interval83
Display for onboard computer
*
,
operation via the turn signal lever,
refer to page 85:
>
Clock
>
Outside temperature
>
Average fuel consumption
>
Cruising range
>
Average speed
12 Display for Check Control84
13 Trip odometer, reset to zero8214 Indicator and warning lamps
(clockwise) for
>
Fog lamps23
>
Add washer fluid22
>
Coolant level23
>
Electronic Engine Power
Control (EML)
*
23
>
Engine22
You can display the outside tem-
perature and distance driven in
different units of measurement.
<
20n
Indicator and warning lamps
Technology that monitors itself
Many of the systems of your BMW
monitor themselves automatically, both
during engine starts and while you are
driving. Indicator and warning lamps
that are identified by "
l
" are tested for
proper functioning whenever the igni-
tion key is turned. They each light up
once for different periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these
systems, the corresponding lamp does
not go out after the engine is started, or
it will light up while the vehicle is mov-
ing. You will see how to react to this
below.
Red: stop immediately
Battery charge
l
The battery is no longer being
charged. There is a malfunction
of the alternator V-belt or in the charg-
ing circuit of the alternator. Please con-
tact the nearest BMW center.
If the ribbed V-belt is defective, do
not continue driving. The engine
could be damaged due to overheating.
If the V-belt is defective, increased
steering effort is also required.<
Engine oil pressure
l
Stop the vehicle immediately
and switch off the engine. Check
the engine oil level and refill as required.
If the oil level is correct, please contact
the nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving. If you do
so, the engine could be damaged
because of inadequate lubrication.<
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
* l
In addition, an acoustic will go
off: a tire failure has occurred.
Reduce vehicle speed immediately to
stop the vehicle. Avoid hard brake ap-
plications. Do not oversteer.
For additional information, refer to
page 89.
Brake hydraulic system l
If the lamp comes on when the
parking brake is not engaged,
check the brake fluid level. Before driv-
ing further, be sure to read the notes on
pages 117 and 136.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Indicator and warning lampsYellow: stop immediately
Engine oil level
Comes on while driving:
Stop the vehicle immediately
and switch off the engine. The oil level
is at the absolute minimum.
For additional information, refer to
page 133.
Do not continue driving until you
have refilled the engine oil. If you
continue to drive, the engine could be
damaged because of inadequate
lubrication.<
Red and yellow: continue driving
cautiously
Cornering Brake Control
(CBC) l
If the brake warning lamp
comes on together with the yel-
low indicator lamps for ABS and
DSC:
The entire ABS, CBC and DSC
control system has failed. Con-
tinue driving cautiously and defensively.
Avoid hard brake applications. Please
have the system checked by your BMW
center as soon as possible.
For additional information, refer to
pages 88, 115.
CBC, ABS and DSC indicator
and warning lamps for Canadian
models.
Red: an important reminder
Parking brake
Comes on when the parking
brake is applied – an additional
acoustic signal sounds when starting
off.
For additional information, refer to
page 72.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Please fasten safety belts l
An acoustic warning signal
sounds at the same time. Lights
up for a few seconds or until the safety
belt is fastened.
For additional information on safety
belts, refer to page 61.
Airbags l
Please have the system in-
spected by your authorized
BMW center.
For additional information, refer to
pages 63, 173.
22n
Indicator and warning lampsOrange: consult the nearest
BMW center
Automatic transmission
*
Because of a malfunction, the
automatic transmission shifts
only in the emergency program. Please
consult the nearest BMW center.
For additional information, refer to
page 76.
Yellow: check as soon as possible
Antilock Brake System (ABS) l
ABS has been deactivated in
response to system malfunction.
Conventional braking efficiency is avail-
able without limitations. Please have
the system inspected by your BMW
center.
For additional information, refer to
page 115.
ABS warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been switched off: check the
engine oil level.
For additional information, refer to
page 133.
Brake pads l
Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information, refer
to page 117.
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
* l
Check the tire pressure.
For additional information, refer
to pages 27 and 89.
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) l
DSC has been deactivated in
response to system malfunction or by
means of the button. In the event of a
malfunction, have the system checked
by your BMW center.
For additional information, refer to
page 88.
Add washer fluid
The washer fluid is too low. Top
off the fluid at the earliest op-
portunity.
For additional information, refer to
page 132.
Service Engine Soon l
If the indicator lamp comes on
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems. Al-
though the vehicle remains operational,
you should have the systems checked
by your BMW center at the earliest pos-
sible opportunity.
For additional information, refer to
page 149.
"Service Engine Soon" warning
lamp for Canadian models.
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Fuel gauge
Coolant temperature gauge
Service Interval Display
When you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp lights up briefly as an
operation check.
Once the indicator lamp stays on con-
tinuously, there are still approx. 2.1 gal-
lons (8 liters) of fuel left in the fuel tank.
For fuel tank capacity, refer to page 185.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies (extended
driving in mountainous areas, for exam-
ple), there may be slight fluctuations of
the needle.
Please refuel early, since driving
to the last drop of fuel can result in
damage to the engine and/or catalytic
converter.<462us020
BlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at moder-
ate engine and vehicle speeds.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the
warning lamp comes on briefly to con-
firm that the system is operational.
If the lamp comes on while operating
the vehicle the engine is overheated.
Shut off the engine immediately and
allow it to cool down.Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. It is not un-
usual for the needle to go as far as the
edge of the red zone in response to
high outside temperatures or severe
operating conditions.Checking coolant level, refer to page 13 5.460de082
Remaining distance for serviceThe displays shown in the illustration
appear for a few seconds when the
ignition key is in position 1 or after the
engine is started.
The next service due appears with the
message OILSERVICE or INSPECTION,
together with the remaining distance
before scheduled service.
The computer bases its calculations of
the remaining distance on the rate of
fuel consumption in the period immedi-
ately preceding your data request.
A flashing display and a "–" in front of
the number indicate that service inter-
val has already been exceeded by the
distance shown in the display. Please
contact your BMW center for an
appointment.46cus006
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine oilChecking the oil level 1 Park the vehicle on a level surface
2 Shut the engine off after it has
reached normal operating tempera-
ture
3 After approx. 5 minutes, pull the dip-
stick out and wipe it off with a clean
lint-free cloth, paper towel, or similar
material
4 Carefully push the dipstick all the way
into the guide tube and pull it out
again
5 The oil level should be between the
two marks on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption
is directly influenced by your driving
style and vehicle operating conditions.462de244
When the oil is between the two
marks on the dipstick, there is approx.
1.1 US quarts (1 liter). Do not fill be-
yond the upper mark on the dipstick.
Excess oil will damage the engine.460de189
To add oil Wait until the level has dropped to just
above the lower mark before adding oil.
However, never let the oil drop below
the lower mark.
BMW engines are designed to op-
erate without oil additives; the use
of additives could lead to damage in
some cases. This also applies to the
manual transmission, the automatic
transmission
*, the differential, and
power steering system.<
462de245
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine oil Coolant
Always comply with all environ-
mental protection guidelines and
regulations when disposing of used oil
.<
Recommendation: have the oil changed
by your BMW center only.
Continuous exposure to used oil
has caused cancer in laboratory
testing.
For this reason, thoroughly wash any
areas of skin that come into contact
with oil using soap and water.
Always store oils, grease and similar
materials so that they are inaccessible
to children. Comply with warning labels
and information on containers.<
Do not add coolant to the cooling
system when the engine is hot. If
you do, escaping coolant can cause
burns.
To avoid the possibility of damage later
on, never use anything other than fac-
tory approved nitrite and amino-free
extended-duty antifreeze with corrosion
inhibitor. Your BMW center is familiar
with the factory specifications.
Antifreeze and anticorrosion agents are
hazardous to health. You should always
store them in their original container
and in a location that is inaccessible to
children. Extended duty antifreeze with
corrosion inhibitor contains ethylene
glycol, a flammable substance. There-
fore, do not spill antifreeze with corro-
sion inhibitor on hot engine parts. It
could ignite and cause serious burns.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the dis-
posal of extended-duty antifreeze with
corrosion inhibitor.<
Checking coolant levelCorrect coolant level when the engine
is cold (approx. 68 7 or +20 6):
Unscrew the cap from the expansion
tank.
The coolant level is correct when the
upper end of the red float is at least
even with the upper edge of the filler
neck (refer to the arrow in the illustra-
tion), but no more than 0.8 inches
(2 cm) above it – that is, up to the
second mark on the float (refer also
to the schematic diagram next to the
filler neck).46cde036
138n
The BMW Maintenance System has
been designed as a reliable means for
providing maximum driving and operat-
ing safety – and as cost effectively as
possible for you. Once again, with re-
spect to the previous version, mainte-
nance costs were able to be reduced
due to technical innovations.
Please keep in mind that regular main-
tenance is not only necessary for the
safety of your vehicle, but also plays
a significant role in maintaining its
resale value.
Service Interval DisplayAdvanced technology is employed to
calculate the optimal maintenance in-
tervals. These are then indicated in the 46cus018
Service Interval Display. While conven-
tional systems rely on distance traveled
alone to determine when service is due,
the BMW Maintenance System has for
years considered the actual conditions
under which the vehicle operates, be-
cause miles can be traveled in many
different ways:
From a maintenance point of view,
62,000 miles (100,000 km) of short-dis-
tance urban driving are not the same as
62,000 miles (100,000 km) of long-dis-
tance highway driving.
In response to this fact, the BMW Main-
tenance System monitors operating
conditions as the basis for determining
the optimum service intervals for your
individual vehicle. The BMW Mainte-
nance System includes the Engine Oil
Service and Inspections I and II.
Determining maintenance intervals ac-
cording to the actual use of the vehicle
covers every kind of operating situation.
Even those who drive very little – signif-
icantly less than 6,000 miles (10,000 km)
annually – should still have the engine oil
changed at least every 2 years because
engine oil deteriorates over time, re-
gardless of the amount of wear and tear
to which it has been subjected.
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models)/Warranty and
Service Guide (Canadian models)For additional information on mainte-
nance intervals and procedures, please
refer to the Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet (US models) or to the
Warranty and Service Guide (Canadian
models).
As a precaution against rust, it is advis-
able to have the body checked for dam-
age from rocks or gravel at the same
time, depending upon operating condi-
tions.
Have your BMW center perform
maintenance and repair.
Your BMW center is always up-to-date
on the latest maintenance work and re-
pair techniques and equipped with the
required special tools. In addition,
checking parts known from experience
to be subject to wear is a permanent
part of the maintenance specifications.
Be sure that all maintenance work is
confirmed in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US models) or the
Warranty and Service Guide (Canadian
models). These entries will constitute
your proof that the vehicle has received
regular maintenance. They are also
required for warranty claims.<
The BMW Maintenance System