
 
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 

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 

132n
Washing your car You can have your BMW washed in 
an automatic car wash, even when it 
is new. Car wash systems that do not 
employ brushes are preferable.
Wipe away tough dirt and loosen and 
remove dead insects before washing 
the car.
In order to avoid spots, do not wash the 
vehicle when the hood is warm, or dur-
ing or immediately after exposure to 
strong sunlight.
When using an automatic car wash, be 
sure that:
>The car wash system is suited for the 
dimensions of your vehicle.
>No damage will occur on vehicles 
with attached body accessories (such 
as spoilers or antennas). Consult the 
car wash operator if necessary.
>The wheels and tires of your vehicle 
cannot be damaged by the convey-
ance devices of the car wash system.
>The vehicle is cleaned with minimum 
brush pressure, and that ample water 
is available for washing and rinsing.Vehicles with rain sensor
*:
Clean the windshield regularly. Wax 
from automatic car washes or insects 
can cause malfunctions in the function 
of the rain sensor
*.
Turn the rain sensor
* off (refer to 
page 69) when passing through an 
automatic car wash. Failure to do so 
could result in damage caused by unin-
tended wiper activation.<
Parts of the car that are inaccessible to 
the automatic washer Ð such as door 
sills, door and hood edges, etc. Ð 
should be cleaned by hand.
In the winter months, it is especially 
important to be sure that the car is 
washed on a regular basis. Large quan-
tities of dirt and road salt are difficult to 
remove, and they also cause damage 
to the vehicle.
If spray wands or high-pressure 
washers are used, be sure to 
maintain an adequate distance between 
the spray source and the vehicle's sur-
face. Inadequate distance and exces-
sive pressure can damage or weaken 
the finish, making it more susceptible to 
subsequent attack. In addition, mois-
ture could penetrate to vehicle compo-
nents, leading to long-term damage.<
When cleaning the headlamps, 
please observe the following: 
>Do not clean by wiping with a dry 
cloth (this causes scratches). Never 
use abrasives or strong solvents.
>Remove dirt and contamination (such 
as insects) by soaking with BMW Car 
Shampoo and then rinsing with plenty 
of water.
>Always use a deicer spray to remove 
accumulated ice and snow Ð never 
use a scraper.<
After washing the car, apply the 
brakes briefly to dry them. Braking 
efficiency might otherwise be reduced 
by the moisture and the brake rotors 
could also be corroded.<
Caring for your car  

163n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Deceleration sensors continuously 
monitor the acceleration forces acting 
upon the vehicle. If, as the result of a 
frontal collision, a deceleration is 
reached at which the protection of the 
safety belts alone is no longer ade-
quate, the gas generators of the driver 
and passenger-front airbags are ignited. 
However, the passenger-side airbag is 
only triggered if an additional sensor 
has recognized that the passenger seat 
is occupied. 
In the event of a side collision, the Head 
Protection and side airbags in the front 
or rear
* are triggered if necessary. 
390de319
The airbags located under the marked 
covers inflate and unfold in a matter of 
a few milliseconds. In this process, they 
tear through the designed separation 
points of the upholstered covers or 
press them out.
Because the inflation process must be 
virtually instantaneous, it is necessarily 
accompanied by a certain amount of 
ignition and inflation noise. The gas 
required to inflate the airbags is not 
dangerous, and the smoke associated 
with it dissipates.
The entire process is completed within 
fractions of a second.Highly sensitive sensors monitor the 
number of revolutions of the wheels. 
When equipped with DSC, they also 
monitor steering angle, lateral accelera-
tion, brake pressure and the movement 
of the vehicle around its vertical axis.
If differences in the wheel speeds occur, 
the system counteracts the danger of 
wheelspin by reducing engine torque. 
If necessary, the system also responds 
with additional application of the brakes 
at the rear wheels. 
If the system detects an instability in the 
vehicle's condition, the braking action 
can also be directed to the front wheels 
by the DSC in order to help stabilize the 
vehicle.
You may need some time to become 
accustomed to this system's interven-
tion. However, it provides optimum 
drive force and driving stability.
The braking intervention may be ac-
companied by sounds specific to the 
system.
Airbags DSC  

Everything from A to ZGlove compartment lamp
bulb replacement148
Gross vehicle weight174HHandbrake63
Handsfree system95
Hazard warning flashers25
Hazard warning triangle25
Head restraint48
Headlamp covers, 
care132, 143
Headlamp flasher83
Headlamp washer 
system124, 175
Headlamp washers70
Heated seats91
Heavy loads99
Height173
HiFi system Ð harman 
kardon92
High beams23, 68, 83
bulb replacement143
Hood release120
Horn17
Hubcap150IIce warning76
Icy roads76
Identification, tires116Ignition key32
Ignition lock61
Indicator lamps20
Inflated pressure27, 113
Inflation pressure 
monitoring80, 167
INSPECTION74
Installing a child restraint 
system60
Instrument cluster18
Instrument lighting82
Instrument panel18
Interaxle tire rotation115
Interface socket96
for Onboard 
Diagnostics139
Interference
cellular phones112
Interior lamps36, 83
bulb replacement147
remote control36
Interior motion sensor42
Interior rearview mirror52
automatic dimming 
feature53, 165
Interlock61
Intermittent wipe68
JJack149
Jump-starting157
KKey Memory53
Keys32
with remote control32LLAMPS ON warning82
Lashing eyes99
Leather care136
Length173
License plate lamp
bulb replacement147
Light switch82
Light-alloy wheels118
Lighter96
Load-securing devices99
Louvers86
Low beam headlamps82
Low beams
bulb replacement143
Lug bolts150
Lug wrench149
Luggage compartment41
capacity174
floor mat41
floor panel41
remote control37
Luggage compartment 
lamps
bulb replacement148Luggage compartment 
lid39
emergency release39
securing separately39
Luggage compartment 
lighting39
Luggage rack100
Lumbar support49
MM+S tires117
Maintenance74, 131
Malfunction displays75
Manual transmission64
Manually controlled 
recirculated-air89
Memory50
MFL (Multifunction steering 
wheel)24
Microfilter90, 155
Mirror memory50
Mirrors52
Mobile phones112
Modifications, 
technical6, 138
Multifunction steering wheel 
(MFL)24NNeckrest48 

Everything from A to Z
183n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
OOBD interface socket139
Obstruction protection44
Odometer73
Oil
capacity175
consumption125
dipstick125
quality126
specifications126
viscosity126
Oil additives125
Oil change intervals, see the 
Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet
Oil filter change175
Oil level
check125
indicator lamp20
Oil pressure, indicator 
lamp20
OILSERVICE74
Onboard computer76
Onboard tool kit142
Outside temperature 
display76PPaint blemishes133
Paint, care133
Paintwork, minor 
repairs134Paintwork, waxing134
Park Distance Control 
(PDC)78
Parking brake63
Parking help78
Parking lamps83
Parking, winter111
PDC (Park Distance 
Control)78
Performance172
Pocket flashlight92
Pollen90
Power seat49
Power steering111
Power windows44
safety switch45
Pressure monitoring, 
tires80, 167
Pressure, tires27, 113
RRadiator175
Radio
refer to the separate 
Owner's Manual
Radio Data System 
(RDS)164
Radio reception112, 164
Rain sensor69, 166
RDC (Tire Pressure 
Control)80, 167
RDS (Radio Data 
System)164Reading lamps84
Rear backrest, folding97
Rear lamps145
Rear window 
defroster70, 90
Rearview mirror52
Reclining seat47
Refueling26
Remote control35
Removing condensation, 
windows89
Replacement key32
Reporting safety defects7
Restraint system59
Reverse17, 64
Roller blind, sun 
protection91
Roller sun blind91
Roof load capacity174
Roof-mounted luggage 
rack100
Rubber parts110
SSafety belt tensioner164
Safety belts54
height adjustment54
Safety feature44
Safety lock buttons38
Seat
mechanical47
power49
Seat adjustment47Seat heating91
Seat memory50
Securing cargo99
Securing loads99
Selector lever, automatic 
transmission65
Self-defrosting mirrors52
Self-diagnostics168
Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet131
Service Interval 
Display74, 131
Shiftlock65
Side airbags56
Side impact Head Protection 
System56
Side lamps82
bulb replacement144
Ski bag98
Skid control111
Sliding/Tilt sunroof45
closing following an 
electrical malfunction156
convenience operation34
Slippery roads110
Snow chains110, 118
Space-saver spare tire149
Spare key32
Spare tire149
Spare wheel149
Spark plugs176
Speaker95
Speed control71 

Owner service proceduresAActivated-charcoal filter, 
changing155
Adding brake fluid129
Adding engine coolant128
Adding engine oil125BBackup lamps
bulb replacement145
Battery
add distilled water153
charging154
Brake lamps
bulb replacement145
Brakes, brake faults109CChanging a tire149
Changing a wheel149
Check Control75
Checking air pressure27
Checking engine oil 
level125
Checking oil level125DDefrosting the windows89
Difficult steering111
Doors, emergency 
operation34
EElectrical accessories, 
failure154
Electrical malfunction
fuel filler door156
sliding/tilt sunroof156
Emergency operation
doors34
fuel filler door156
sliding/tilt sunroof156
Engine oil
add125
quality126
specifications126
viscosity126FFailure messages75
Fault displays75
First aid25
First-aid kit25
Fittings, towing and 
tow-starting158
Flat tire149
Footwell lamps
bulb replacement148
Front fog lamps
bulb replacement145
Fuses, replacing154GGlove compartment lamp
bulb replacement148
HHazard warning flashers25
Hazard warning triangle25
Headlamp cover, care143
High beams
bulb replacement143IIndicator lamps20
Inflated pressure27, 113
Interior lamps
bulb replacement147
Interior motion sensor, 
switching off43JJack149LLicense plate lamp
bulb replacement147
Low beams
bulb replacement143
Lug wrench149
Luggage compartment 
lamps
bulb replacement148
Luggage compartment lid, 
emergency release39
MMaintenance131
Malfunction displays75
Microfilter, changing155OOil
quality126
specifications126
viscosity126
Onboard tool kit142PPressure, tires27RRear lamps145
Releasing the fuel filler door 
following an electrical 
malfunction156
Releasing the hood120
Removing condensation 
from the windows89
Replacement key32
Replacing bulbs142
Replacing lamp bulbs142
Replacing windshield wiper 
blades142
Replacing wiper blades142
Return used batteries154       
Owner service procedures