
43n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Alarm system
*
>If the indicator lamp flashes for 
10 seconds when the system is dis-
armed: An attempted entry has been 
detected in the period since the sys-
tem was armed.
Following triggering of an alarm, the in-
dicator lamp will flash continuously.Avoiding an unintentional alarmThe tilt alarm sensor and interior motion 
sensor may be switched off at the same 
time. You can do this to prevent a false 
alarm from being triggered (in garages 
with elevator ramps, for instance), or 
when the vehicle is transported by 
trailer or train:
Lock the vehicle twice (= arm the sys-
tem). Press button 2 on the remote con-
trol twice in succession or lock the 
vehicle twice with the key (refer to 
page 36).
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and 
then flashes continuously. The tilt alarm 
sensor and the interior motion sensor 
are deactivated as long as the system is 
armed.
Interior motion sensorThe transmitter and receiver of the inte-
rior motion sensor are located in a trim 
panel in the vehicle's roof.
In order for the interior motion sensor to 
function properly, the windows and 
sliding/tilt sunroof must be completely 
closed.
However, you should switch off the inte-
rior motion sensor (see previous column 
under the heading "Avoiding an unin-
tentional alarm") if you wish to leave the 
windows or sliding/tilt sunroof open.460de159
The tilt sensor and interior motion 
sensor are deactivated if the con-
venience closing mode for the windows 
and the sliding/tilt sunroof is interrupted 
within the first 10 seconds and then 
reinitiated. If this happens, you must 
disarm the system and then re-arm it.< 

45n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Electric power windows Sliding/Tilt sunroof
* 
Safety switch You can use the safety switch to deacti-
vate the rear power window switches 
(when children are in the rear seats, for 
instance).
Press the safety switch whenever 
children are riding in the rear of 
the vehicle. Careless use of the power 
windows can lead to injury.<460de014
Exercise care when closing the 
sliding/tilt sunroof and keep it in 
your field of vision until it is completely 
closed. Failure to do so can result in 
injuries.
Remove the key from the ignition and 
close the doors when you leave the ve-
hicle so that children cannot operate 
the sunroof and possibly injure them-
selves.<
To avoid pressure or drafts in the pas-
senger compartment when the sunroof 
is open or raised, keep the air vents in 
the dashboard open and increase the air 
supply if necessary. Refer to page 89.
If the sunroof is completely open, air 
disturbances may be caused in the 
vehicle when you are driving at higher 
speeds. Close the roof as far as is nec-
essary until this natural phenomenon 
ceases.
For the convenience operating mode 
with the door lock or the remote con-
trol, refer to page 34 or 35.
Lifting Ð Opening Ð ClosingIn ignition key position 1 or 2, press the 
switch or slide it to the desired direction 
until you feel resistance. 
When lifting, the headliner retracts 
several inches.
After the ignition has been switched off, 
you can still operate the sunroof for up 
to 15 minutes, as long as neither of the 
front doors has been opened.Automatic opening and closing>Press the switch past the resistance 
point briefly: The sunroof travels to 
either the fully-closed or fully-open 
position.460de015 

46n
Sliding/Tilt sunroof
* 
>With the sunroof open, press the 
switch briefly toward "Lift:" The sun-
roof automatically extends to its fully 
raised position.
Pressing the switch again briefly stops 
the motion immediately.
Safety featureIf the sliding/tilt sunroof encounters 
resistance at a point roughly past the 
middle of its travel when it is closing, 
the closing cycle is interrupted and the 
sunroof will open again slightly.
Despite this safety feature, always 
be careful to ensure that the clos-
ing path of the roof is not obstructed. 
Otherwise, an object might not touch 
the contact strip in some situations 
(very thin objects, for instance).
You can disable this safety feature by 
pressing the switch beyond the resis-
tance point and holding it.<
Power loss or malfunctionIn the event of an electrical system mal-
function, the sliding/tilt sunroof can be 
manually operated. Refer to page 156.  

57n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
AirbagsIndicator lamp
The indicator lamp displays the 
operational status of the airbag 
system when the ignition key is 
in position 1 and higher.
System operational:
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly 
then goes out.
System malfunction:
>The indicator lamp fails to come on.
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly 
before going out, and then lights up 
again.
If there is a system malfunction, there is 
a risk that the airbags will not be trig-
gered within their normal response 
range, even if the level of impact would 
normally have triggered them. 
Have your BMW center inspect and 
repair the system immediately. 
The airbag indicator lamp also 
comes on if the safety belt ten-
sioners have been triggered.<
For your own safety, please com-
ply with the following precautions 
concerning airbags. If you do not, their 
protective function may be impaired 
and your personal safety endangered. 
The following information pertains to all 
occupants: 
The airbags are supplemental restraint 
devices designed to provide extra pro-
tection; they are not a substitute for 
safety belts. Wear your safety belt at all 
times. The airbags will not be triggered 
in the event of a minor accident, a vehi-
cle roll-over, or collisions from the rear. 
In these instances, the safety belt offers 
the best protection.
Airbags are located under the cover 
panels in the steering wheel, in the in-
strument panel, in the side trim panels 
in the front and rear
*, in the roof panels, 
and in the sides of the inside roof lining.
Select a seat position that is comfort-
able and allows the greatest possible 
distance from each of the applicable air-
bags. Hold the steering wheel at the rim 
(hands at the "9 o'clock and 3 o'clock" 
positions) in order to avoid injuries to 
your hands or arms if the airbag is trig-
gered. 
Never allow any objects to obstruct the 
area between the airbag and an occu-
pant.
Do not use the cover panel above the 
front passenger airbag as a storage 
area. 
Never tape the airbag cover panels, 
cover them over or alter them in any 
other way.
Never install a rear-facing child restraint 
device on the front passenger seat. Chil-
dren under 13 years of age and children 
who are smaller than 5 feet (150 cm), 
should only travel in the rear seat. 
If your vehicle is equipped with side air-
bags in the rear, be sure that child seats 
are installed correctly and with the 
greatest possible distance from the side 
trim panels. Do not allow children to 
lean out of the child's seat in the direc-
tion of the side trim panels. Otherwise, 
serious injuries could occur if the airbag 
is triggered.
At all times, occupants should sit up-
right and be properly restrained (infants 
and small children in appropriate child 
restraint systems; larger children and 
adults using the safety belts). Never let 
an occupant's head rest near or on a 
side airbag because the inflating airbag 
could cause a serious or fatal injury. 
Please note that the word "Airbag" im-
printed on the door trim panel indicates 
the airbag's location. 

100n
Cargo loading Roof-mounted luggage rack
* 
Always position and secure the 
load correctly. If you do not, it can 
endanger the passengers during brak-
ing or evasive maneuvers.
Do not exceed the permissible gross 
vehicle weight and the permissible axle 
loads (refer to page 174). If you do, the 
operating safety of the vehicle is no 
longer ensured and you are in violation 
of the law.
Do not carry hard or heavy objects un-
secured in the passenger compartment. 
If you do so, they may be projected 
through the air during braking and eva-
sive maneuvers, thus endangering vehi-
cle occupants.<
AnchorsAccess to the anchors:
To open the cover (arrow), please use 
the tool included with the luggage rack 
system.
A special roof-rack system is available 
for your BMW as an optional extra. 
Please comply with the precautions in-
cluded with the installation instructions.
Because roof racks raise the center of 
gravity of the car when loaded, they 
exercise a major effect on its handling 
and steering response.
You should therefore always remember 
not to exceed the approved roof weight, 
the approved gross vehicle weight or 
the axle weights when loading the rack. 
You will find the specifications under 
"Technical Data"  on page 174.462de271
Make sure that the load is not too heavy, 
and attempt to distribute it evenly. 
Always load the heaviest pieces first (on 
the bottom). Be sure that adequate 
clearance is maintained for raising the 
sliding/tilt sunroof
*, and that objects do 
not project into the opening path of the 
luggage compartment lid.
Secure the roof luggage correctly and 
securely to prevent it from shifting or 
being lost during driving (danger to fol-
lowing traffic).
Drive smoothly and avoid sudden ac-
celeration or braking. Do not corner at 
high speeds. 
The roof load increases the aerody-
namic resistance. Increased fuel con-
sumption and additional stresses on the 
vehicle's body result from this. 

137n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Airbags Vehicle storage1 Front airbags for driver and passen-
ger
2 Side impact Head Protection System 
(front)
3 Side airbags (front and rear
*)
Important safety notices 
Don't remove the airbag restraint 
system's gas generator. Testing 
and servicing must be performed by 
trained technicians only. In the event of 
a malfunction, deactivation, or triggered 
actuation (as a response to an accident) 
of the airbag restraint system, consult 
your BMW center for repairs or service 
operations. 
460de140
Do not modify or tamper with either the 
wiring or the individual components in 
the airbag system. These include the 
padded steering wheel hub, the instru-
ment panel, the side trim panels of the 
front or rear doors and the roof pillars or 
the sides of the headliner. Do not apply 
adhesive materials to these compo-
nents or cover or modify them in any 
way. Do not attempt to remove or dis-
mantle the steering wheel.
To ensure compliance with official 
safety regulations, have an BMW center 
dispose of airbag generators.
Unprofessional attempts to service the 
system could lead to failure in an emer-
gency or undesired airbag activation, 
either of which could result in personal 
injury.
store the vehicle for more than three 
months.  

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
141n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Replacement procedures:
Onboard tool kit142
Windshield wiper blades142
Lamps and bulbs142
Changing a wheel149
Battery152
Fuses154
Microfilter155
In case of electrical 
malfunction:
Fuel filler door156
Sliding/Tilt sunroof156
Assistance, giving and 
receiving:
Jump-starting157
Towing the vehicle158
Repairs 

156n
Manual release Pull the knob with the fuel pump symbol 
(arrow) on the right trim panel of the 
luggage compartment. 460de178
Manual operation 1 Remove the interior lamp (refer to 
page 147), reach into the opening 
and push the panel out.
2 Turn the sunroof's steel crank with 
the Allen wrench from the onboard 
tool kit (refer to page 142) in the de-
sired direction.460de183
Fuel filler door Sliding/Tilt sunroof
*