
 
Contents
 
Overview
Controls and features
 Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps20
Multifunction steering wheel 
(MFL)24
Hazard warning flashers25
Warning triangle25
First-aid kit25
Refueling26
Fuel specifications26
Tire inflation pressure27
 
Locks and security systems:
 
Keys32
Electronic vehicle 
immobilizer33
Central locking system34
Opening and closing Ð from 
outside34
Opening and closing Ð from 
inside38
Luggage compartment lid39
Luggage compartment41
Alarm system42
Electric power windows44
Sliding/Tilt sunroof45
 
Adjustments:
 
Seats47
Seat and mirror memory50
Steering wheel51
Mirrors52
Car Memory, Key Memory53
 
Passenger safety systems:
 
Safety belts54
Child restraint systems55
Child-safety locks56
Airbags56
Child restraints59
Installing a child restraint 
system60
 
Driving:
 
Steering/Ignition lock61
Starting the engine61
Switching off the engine62
Parking brake63
Manual transmission64
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic65
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp 
flasher68
Wiper/Washer system/Rain 
sensor68
Rear window defroster70
Cruise control71
 
Everything under control:
 
Odometer73
Tachometer73
Energy Control73
Fuel gauge74
Temperature gauge74
Service Interval Display74
Check Control75
Clock75
Onboard computer76
 
Technology for safety and 
convenience:
 
Park Distance Control (PDC)78
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)79
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)80
 
Contents 

 
11n
 
Controls and features
Operation, care and maintenance
 
Lamps:
 
Parking lamps/Headlamps82
Dash lighting82
High beams/Parking lamps83
Fog lamps83
Interior lamps83
Reading lamps84
 
Controlling the climate 
for pleasant driving:
 
Automatic climate control86
Seat heating91
Roller sun blind91
 
Interior conveniences:
 
HiFi system92
Glove compartment92
Storage compartments93
Cellular phones95
Ashtray, front95
Cigarette lighter96
Ashtray, rear96
 
Loading and transporting:
 
Through-loading system97
Ski bag98
Cargo loading99
Roof-mounted luggage rack100
 
Special operating instructions:
 
Break-in procedures104
Driving notes104
Catalytic converter105
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)106
Disc brakes108
Brake system109
Winter operation110
Power steering111
Cellular phones112
Radio reception112
 
Wheels and tires:
 
Tire inflation pressures113
Tire condition113
Tire replacement114
Tire rotation115
Wheel and tire 
combinations116
Winter tires117
Snow chains117
Approved wheel and tire 
specifications118
 
Under the hood:
 
Hood120
Engine compartment122
Washer fluids124
Washer nozzles124
Engine oil125
Coolant128
Brake fluid129
Vehicle Identification 
Number130
 
Care and maintenance:
 
The BMW Maintenance 
System131
Caring for your car132
Airbags137
Vehicle storage137
 
Laws and regulations:
 
Technical modifications to the 
vehicle138
OBD interface socket139 

 
19n
 
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
 
Instrument cluster
 
1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp 
for fuel reserve74
2 Turn signal indicator23
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator lamp for 
 
>
 
Battery charge current20
 
>
 
High beams23
 
>
 
Engine oil pressure/Engine oil 
level20, 22
5 Tachometer and Energy Control73
6 Engine coolant temperature gauge 
with "Coolant temperature too high" 
indicator74
7 Indicator and warning lamps 
(clockwise) for
 
>
 
Parking brake/Brake hydraulic 
system/Cornering Brake Control 
(CBC)20
 
>
 
ABS22 
 
>
 
Brake pads22
 
>
 
Tire Pressure Control 
(RDC)
 
* 
20, 22
 
>
 
Airbags21
 
>
 
Please fasten safety belts21
 
>
 
Cruise control
 
* 
23
8 Clock reset
 
>
 
Clock75
 
>
 
Service Interval749 Program display for automatic 
transmission
 
* 
65, 67
Indicator lamp for automatic 
transmission
 
* 
22, 65
10 Indicator lamp for Dynamic Stability 
Control (DSC)22
11 Indicator for
 
>
 
Odometer73
 
>
 
Trip odometer73
 
>
 
Clock75
 
>
 
Service Interval74
Display for onboard computer
 
* 
, 
operation via the turn signal lever: 
Refer to page 76. 
 
>
 
Clock
 
>
 
Outside temperature
 
>
 
Average fuel consumption
 
>
 
Range 
 
>
 
Average speed
12 Indicator for Check Control75
13 Trip odometer, reset to zero7314 Indicator and warning lamps 
(clockwise) for 
 
>
 
Front fog lamps
 
* 
23
 
>
 
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 lights up while the vehicle is moving. 
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 ribbed V-belt or in the 
charging circuit of the alternator. Please 
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the ribbed V-belt is defective, do 
not continue driving. If you do so, 
the engine could be damaged due to 
overheating. If the ribbed V-belt is de-
fective, increased steering effort is also 
required.<
Engine oil pressure l 
Stop the vehicle and switch off 
the engine immediately. Check 
the engine oil and top up 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 signal is 
sounded: A tire failure has oc-
curred. Reduce vehicle speed immedi-
ately and stop the vehicle. Avoid hard 
brake applications. Do not oversteer. 
For additional information: Refer to 
page 80.
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 109 and 129.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models. 

21n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Indicator and warning lampsYellow: Stop immediately
Engine oil level
 
Comes on while driving: Stop 
the vehicle and switch off the 
engine immediately. The oil level is at 
the absolute minimum.
For additional information: Refer to 
page 125.
Do not continue driving until you 
have topped up 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 yellow indi-
cator 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 79 and 107.
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 Ð an additional 
acoustic signal sounds when starting 
off. 
For additional information: Refer to 
page 63.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Please fasten safety belts l 
An acoustic warning signal 
sounds simultaneously. Lights 
up for a few seconds or until the safety 
belt is fastened. 
For additional information on safety 
belts: Refer to page 54.
Airbags l 
Please have the system in-
spected by your BMW center. 
For additional information: Refer to 
pages 56 and 163. 

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
31n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Driving:
Steering/Ignition lock61
Starting the engine61
Switching off the engine62
Parking brake63
Manual transmission64
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic65
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp 
flasher68
Wiper/Washer system/Rain 
sensor68
Rear window defroster70
Cruise control71
Everything under control:
Odometer73
Tachometer73
Energy Control73
Fuel gauge74
Temperature gauge74
Service Interval Display74
Check Control75
Clock75
Onboard computer76
Technology for safety and 
convenience:
Park Distance Control (PDC)78
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)79
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)80Lamps:
Parking lamps/Headlamps82
Dash lighting82
High beams/Parking lamps83
Fog lamps83
Interior lamps83
Reading lamps84
Controlling the climate for 
pleasant driving:
Automatic climate control86
Seat heating91
Roller sun blind91
Interior conveniences:
HiFi system92
Glove compartment92
Storage compartments93
Cellular phones95
Ashtray, front95
Cigarette lighter96
Ashtray, rear96
Loading and transporting:
Through-loading system97
Ski bag98
Cargo loading99
Roof-mounted luggage rack100 

61n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
0  Steering lock engaged The key can only be inserted or re-
moved in this position.
After removing the key, turn the steer-
ing wheel slightly to the left or right until 
the lock engages.
If the key is not removed, an acoustic 
signal is sounded after the driver's door 
has been opened.
Vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion:
Do not move the selector lever from the 
"Park" position until the engine is run-
ning (ignition key at position 2).
In order to turn the key back to position 
0 or to remove it, move the selector 
lever into position "Park" first (Inter-
lock).<460de022
1  Steering lock disengaged Turning the steering wheel slightly to 
the right or left often makes it easier to 
turn the key from 0 to 1.
Individual electrical devices are ready 
for operation.2  Ignition onAll electrical equipment and accesso-
ries are available for use.3  Starting the engine
Vehicles with manual transmis-
sion: Depress the clutch when 
starting the vehicle. A lockout prevents 
the engine from starting if the clutch is 
not depressed.c
Before starting>Engage the parking brake.
>Be sure that the shift lever is in "Neu-
tral" (or "Park" if the vehicle is equipped 
with an automatic transmission).
>Manual transmission: Depress the 
clutch pedal.
>Automatic transmission: Depress the 
footbrake.
Do not run the engine in enclosed 
areas. The exhaust gases contain 
carbon monoxide, an odorless and col-
orless, but highly toxic gas. Breathing 
the exhaust gases poses an extreme 
health risk, and can lead to uncon-
sciousness and death.
Do not leave the car unattended with 
the engine running. An unattended vehi-
cle with a running engine represents a 
potential safety hazard.<
>Start the engine. Do not press the 
accelerator pedal.
Do not actuate the starter for too 
short a time, but not turn it for more 
than approx. 20 seconds. Release the 
ignition key immediately when the 
engine starts.
Do not allow the engine to warm up by 
leaving it running while the vehicle remains 
stationary. Instead, begin driving immedi-
ately at a moderate engine speed.<
Steering/Ignition lock  Starting the engine  

62n
Starting the engine Switching off the engine If the engine does not start on the first 
attempt (if it is very hot or cold, for in-
stance):
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway 
down while engaging the starter.
Cold start at extremely low tempera-
tures, from approx. + 5 7 (Ð 15 6) 
and at elevations above 3,300 feet 
(1,000 meters):
>On the first start attempt, engage the 
starter for a longer period (approx. 
10 seconds)
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway 
down while engaging the starter.Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Do not remove the ignition key 
while the vehicle is still moving. 
If you did so, the steering lock would 
engage when the steering wheel is 
turned.
When you leave the vehicle, always re-
move the ignition key and engage the 
steering lock.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake when 
parking on slopes and inclined sur-
faces. Placing the lever in 1st gear or 
reverse may not provide adequate 
resistance to rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in "Park."<