
 
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 

 
Contents
 
Owner service procedures
Advanced technology
Technical data
 
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 vehicle158Adaptive Transmission Control 
(ATC)162
Airbags163
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)163
Radio reception164
Safety belt tensioner164
Interior rearview mirror with 
automatic dimming 
feature165
Rain sensor166
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)167
Self-diagnostics168
Xenon lamps169Engine data172
Dimensions173
Weights174
Capacities175
Electrical system176
Ribbed V-belt176 

 
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.
 
< 

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. 

30n
Controls 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 

56n
Child-safety locks  Airbags On a rear door, the push the safety 
lever downward:
The door can now be opened from the 
outside only.460de021
1 Front airbags for driver and passen-
ger
2 Side impact Head Protection System 
(front)
3 Side airbags (front and rear
*).
Protective effectThe front airbags supplement the three-
point safety belts by providing additional 
protection for the front-seat occupants 
in the event of a severe frontal collision 
on which the protection afforded by the 
belts alone may no longer be sufficient. 
The head and side airbags help provide 
protection in the event of a side impact. 
Each of the side airbags is designed to 
help support the upper body.460de140
The illustration depicts schematically 
the primary directions of vehicle impact 
that initiate an airbag deployment.460de141 

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.