
 
6n
 
For your own safety
 
Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels 
containing up to and including 
10 % ethanol or other oxygenates with 
up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight (i.e. 15 % 
MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an equiva-
lent amount of co-solvent) will not void 
the applicable warranties respecting 
defects in materials or workmanship. 
Field experience has indicated signifi-
cant differences in fuel quality (volatility, 
composition, additives, for example) 
among gasolines offered for sale in the 
United States and Canada. The use of 
poor-quality fuels may result in drive-
ability, starting and stalling problems, 
especially under certain environmental 
conditions, such as high ambient tem-
perature and high altitude.
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems which you suspect could be re-
lated to the fuel you are using, we rec-
ommend that you respond by switching 
to a recognized high-quality brand.
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may result in unscheduled 
maintenance.
Follow the relevant safety rules when 
you are handling gasoline.
 
<
 
 
 
Important safety information.
For your own safety, use genuine parts 
and accessories approved by BMW.
When you purchase accessories tested 
and approved by BMW and Original 
BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire 
the assurance that they have been thor-
oughly tested by BMW to ensure opti-
mum performance when installed on 
your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free 
from defects in material and workman-
ship.
BMW will not accept any liability for 
damage resulting from installation of 
parts and accessories not approved 
by BMW.
BMW cannot test every product made 
by other manufacturers to verify if it can 
be used on a BMW safely and without 
risk to either the vehicle, its operation, 
or its occupants.
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories 
and other products approved by BMW, 
together with professional advice on 
using these items, are available from 
all BMW centers.
 
Installation and operation of non-BMW 
approved accessories such as alarms, 
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors, 
wheels, suspension components, brake 
dust shields, telephones (including op-
eration of any portable cellular phone 
from within the vehicle without using an 
externally mounted antenna) or trans-
ceiver equipment (such as C.B., walkie-
talkie, ham radio or similar devices) may 
cause extensive damage to the vehicle, 
compromise its safety, interfere with 
the vehicle's electrical system or affect 
the validity of the BMW Limited War-
ranty. See your authorized BMW center 
for additional information.
 
<
 
 
Maintenance, replacement, or 
repair of the emission control de-
vices and systems may be performed 
by any automotive repair establishment 
or individual using any certified auto-
motive part.
 
<
 
 
 
Symbol for vehicle parts 
 
Denotes vehicle parts for which 
you should consult this Owner's 
Manual. 
 
For your own safety 

120n
Power steering Cellular phone*  Radio reception Changes in steering response, e.g. high 
steering effort:
Consult a BMW center to have the sys-
tem checked. 
If the power steering fails, in-
creased effort will be required to 
steer the vehicle.<
Only mobile communications systems 
(cellular phone, two-way radios, etc.) 
with an output up to 10 watts are per-
mitted. Mobile communications devices 
not specifically designed for use in your 
vehicle may trigger malfunctions while 
operating your vehicle. BMW can nei-
ther test nor assume responsibility for 
every individual product being offered 
on the market. We recommend that you 
consult your BMW center before pur-
chasing any device of this kind.
To ensure that your BMW continues to 
provide reliable and trouble-free opera-
tion, do not use a cellular phone or 
other radio device with an antenna 
located inside the passenger compart-
ment. The antenna should always be 
mounted on the outside of the vehicle.
Before loading the vehicle on 
a car-carrier train or driving it 
through a car-wash, remove the 
antenna.<
The reception and sound quality 
obtained from mobile radios varies 
according to a variety of factors, includ-
ing the broadcast range of the transmit-
ter and the directional orientation of the 
antenna. Interference factors such as 
high-tension power lines, structural or 
natural obstructions can all lead to un-
avoidable reception interference, re-
gardless of how well the vehicle sound 
system is operating.
Climatic factors such as intense solar 
radiation, fog, rain and snow can also 
interfere with reception.
Car telephones or cellular phones not 
approved by BMW can also cause in-
terference in the radio during a tele-
phone call. This phenomenon assumes 
the form of a low-pitched hum emanat-
ing from the speaker system.
Please refer to the supplementary 
Owner's Manual provided with your car 
radio
* for detailed information on its 
use.  

174n
Radio reception Safety belt tensionerThe AM frequency bands (medium-
wave, long-wave and short-wave) 
make it possible to receive stations 
from a great distance, because the 
broadcast signals travel not only along 
the ground as surface waves, but also 
as atmospheric waves that are re-
flected from the ionosphere.
Frequency-modulation (FM) provides 
substantially better sound quality than 
the other frequencies. However, 
because FM transmissions rely on line-
of-sight broadcast waves, their effec-
tive reception range is limited. 360de084
The limitations inherent to radio recep-
tion in a moving vehicle have been min-
imized by a number of innovative sys-
tem designs:
The "Radio Data System" (RDS) makes 
sure that, for stations broadcasting on 
several frequencies, the radio automati-
cally tunes to the frequency with the 
best reception quality.
With the Diversity Antenna system, sev-
eral FM antennas are integrated within 
the convertible top compartment lid to 
provide three separate sources for re-
ceiving broadcast waves. An integral 
processor automatically selects the an-
tenna with the best FM reception qual-
ity at any given time. The selection of 
the antenna takes place within millisec-
onds, and is therefore not noticed by 
the radio listener.The safety belt tensioners respond to 
severe head-on collisions by tightening 
the belts to ensure that occupants 
remain firmly positioned in their seats. 
A gas-pressure system retracts the 
buckle assembly to tension the shoul-
der and lap belts within fractions of a 
second. This reduces the tendency to 
slide under the lap belt. 
390de330 

177n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
*
This system regularly checks tire pres-
sure and monitors all four tires even 
while driving, so you don't have to. 
Behind the valve stem in every wheel, 
there is an electronic chip that is de-
signed for severe-duty applications 
and long service life. It contains a 
pressure sensor, a transmitter and a 
battery. The pressure is measured in 
extremely short time intervals and then 
transmitted by a radio signal. If an 
irregularity is detected, the transmis-
sion rate is increased. 46cde078
There is an antenna located right near 
every wheel in the vehicle body. Each 
antenna picks up signals from its re-
spective wheel. A central electronics 
system evaluates all four signals and 
forwards any changes. The RDC pro-
vides an important contribution to 
driving safety. 

Everything from A to ZAABS (Antilock Brake 
System)22, 114
Accessories6
Activated charcoal filter98
Adaptive Transmission 
Control (ATC)74, 172
Adding engine oil133
Adding washer 
fluid132, 185
Adjust seats53
Adjust the temperature96
Adjusting the steering 
wheel58
Air distribution96
Air outlets94
Air pressure123
Air supply97
Airbags21, 63, 146, 173
sitting properly with64
Alarm system42
Antenna120
Antenna, Diversity174
Antifreeze135
Antifreeze, radiator118
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)22, 114
Anti-theft alarm system42
Aquaplaning113, 123
Armrest102
Ashtray
front103
rear104Assisted rear entry56
ATC (Adaptive Transmission 
Control)74, 172
Attaching vehicle vacuum 
cleaner104
AUC (Automatic recirculated 
air control)97
Automatic car washes139
Automatic climate 
control94
remove window 
condensation97
Automatic cruise control80
Automatic dimming, interior 
rearview mirror59
Automatic recirculated air 
control (AUC)97
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic22, 74
Automatic windshield 
washer78
Average consumption86
Average speed86
Avoiding unwanted 
alarm43
Axle loads184
BBackrest
release56
Backup lamps73
bulb replacement155Battery162, 186
capacity186
charge164
charge current20
drained168
removal and 
installation164
Belts61
Blower97
BMW High Performance 
Synthetic Oils134
BMW Sports Seat55
BMW Universal 
Transmitter100
Bore182
Brake fluid136
Brake hydraulic system20
Brake lamps
bulb replacement155
Brake pads22
Brakes116
malfunctions117
Break-in procedure112
Breaking in the vehicle112
Bulb replacement152
CCapacities185
Car Memory60
Car radio120
refer also to the separate 
Owner's ManualCar radio 
reception120, 174
Car wash139
Care
convertible top144
exterior140
interior141
Care of upholstery142
Cargo loading106
Caring for the vehicle 
finish140
Caring for wool velour142
Cassette operation, refer to 
the Radio Owner's Manual
Catalytic converter113
CBC (Cornering Brake 
Control)21, 115
CD operation, refer to the 
Radio Owner's Manual
Cellular phone103, 120
refer also to the separate 
Owner's Manual
Center armrest102
Center brake lamp157
Central locking system34
key38
Changing tires159
Check Control84
Child restraint 
systems61, 66, 67
installation67
Child's seat61, 66
Everything from A to Z 

Everything from A to Z
191n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Cigarette lighter104
Clock84
Cockpit16
Code, refer to the Radio 
Owner's Manual
Coin box, cup holder103
Combination switch77
Compression182
Computer85
Configure settings60
Consumption86
Consumption display83
Convertible top
care144
electrical defect166
Convertible top 
compartment panel41
Convertible top operation,
fully automatic convertible 
top49
Coolant118, 135, 185
antifreeze118
Coolant temperature 
gauge83
Cooling system185
Cornering Brake Control 
(CBC)21, 115
Cruise control80
Cruising range86
Curb weight184
Current check indicator20
DDash lighting91
Dashboard16
Data
dimensions183
engine182
technical182
weights184
Daytime-driving lamp 
switch91
Defrost setting97
Defrosting the 
windows97, 98
Digital clock84
Dimensions183
Dipstick, engine oil133
Disc brakes116
Displacement182
Display lighting91
Displays18
Distance warning87
Diversity Antenna174
Door key32
Door locks, care118
Doors
emergency actuation34
remote control35
unlocking and locking34
Drive belts186
Driving hints113
Driving in winter118Driving lamps91
DSC (Dynamic Stability 
Control)22, 88, 173
EElectric power windows44
Electrical accessories, 
failure165
Electrical system186
Electronic vehicle 
immobilizer33
Elements of operation16
Emergency actuation
doors34
fuel filler door165
fully automatic convertible 
top166
Emergency closure166
Energy Control82
Engine compartment130
Engine coolant135, 185
Engine data182
Engine oil
capacity185
consumption133
pressure20
quality134
specifications134
viscosity134
Engine oil level21
check133Engine speed182
Engine, starting70
Entry to the rear56
Exterior mirrors58
Eyes169
FFailure messages84
Fault displays84
Fault, ABS115
Filler cap cover26
Filling capacities185
Filling the washer 
reservoir185
First-aid kit25
Flashlight99
Flat tire123, 159
Fog lamps92
bulb replacement155
"Follow-Me-Home" 
lamps91
Footbrake116
Footwell lamps92
bulb replacement158
Front seat adjustment53
Frost protection, 
radiator135
Fuel27
gauge83
preparation182
quality27
Fuel consumption86